Mega Sale!!!!!

It is exactly one month till Christmas Eve so our Rainbows End Store is having a mega sale Huge discounts off our fabrics and other hand crafted items!!! In time for you to purchase for Christmas and in time for us to clear the way for some fantastic new fabrics coming to the store in December Dont forget if you like our facebook page  You can get an even further discount by buying selected items in our Facebook Social Store!!!

Give someone some Hand-crafted Love this Christmas!!!!!

We are Open!!!

Finally we have made it the new store at www.rainbowsendstudios.com is now open! Drop in for fabulous opening specials on textiles and much more! If you are on facebook "like" my page then visit the "Social Store" tab at the top of the page and you will receive an extra discount on the already discounted specials and as an added bonus you can shop right in Facebook itself No going to another site.

There will be a lot more stock added to the category's over the next couple of weeks So stay tuned for the announcements and the specials!
:) 

Sneak Peak

Just one of our opening specials for Rainbows End's new storefront opening Friday October 19th.
A lovely complete outfit made from the very special Molly's Garden fabric Suitable to dress a 12 to 18 month old in Rainbows from her head down to her toes.
Of course there will be some Molly's Garden fabric as well for the keen seamstresses

Brand New Store Front For Rainbows End

I have played around with a few storefronts over Rainbows Ends time Now I have decided to upgrade to a brand new look Friday October 19 marks our opening with lots of new Products and terrific opening specials. If your are looking for a special fabric or a special item to give as a gift Drop on by. I will announce the opening and the web address at 7.00pm est on Friday.

There are still more special things to come like an in facebook store right on Rainbows End FB page Stay tuned!

Playing with Vat Dyes

Some time ago I bought myself some Inkodyes from America (Lumi Colour) Those of you who follow Rainbows End on Facebook Would have seen this Image;

 Any how while I was playing with these I had some Indigosol dyes ordered from India I particularly wanted to use vat dyes for the clothing I was producing for my market stall, because they are so coloufast. In doing some research befor the dyes arrival I discovered these dyes where the base of Inkodye, so I have been experimenting!

I used blue because of all my dyes it seemed to have the right light reactivity I think only certian colour codes react to light the other colours react to oxygen, but I have to experiment more to determine this.

Here I have a cut out T-shirt that has been soaked in blue dye and has had a negative and some stencils added. You will note at the point the dye is almost colourless.

Here it is some 20 minutes later and the colour is staring to develop

When the negative is lifted you can see the photo is starting to develop

 The image is clear beneath the little cutout

This is the final result after I have washed out the fabric Of all the indigosol colours I have the blue is the softest I have another colour code in blue so I have yet to try that one but I am also going to double the strength to see if I can get it brighter but all in all I am happy with the result. I have other experiments in mind too stay tuned!

Conquering Little Shoes

I have always wanted to make little shoes. I made little crocheted booties for my eldest daughter when she was a baby They had lovely warm lambs skin soles and I shared my Crafts council residency with a shoemaker in Darwin in 1991. I also had a Subiaco market stall with a friend in 1997 She made the most adorable baby shoes from hand dyed leather. So I wanted to try them with Rainbows End Fabric. I saw a pattern by Kwick Sew and was imediately inspired to try....but...I found the pattern fiddly and could not get the hang of the directions, I found this ladies wonderful tute!  http://babypatterns.atspace.com/tutorial1.html and liked the idea of the bound sole. So using her ideas I adapted a pattern of my own and Presto!!! Baby shoes!!! Now I am working on a design for a baby boys boot!

New Molly's Garden Homespun In Blog Shop

I have added a new print of Molly's Garden on homespun to the blog shop also I have stocked my Meylah Store with some Children's Clothes Why don't you pop in and have a look?
There are more Children's Clothes to come it's just that my camera ran out of battery!

I have been sewing and printing well over the last two weeks!

10 % Discount Sale in Blog Shop!

Tomorrow is my Birthday!!!! So I am giving You a gift!!! Until midnight tomorrow night you can buy any fabric item listed in my shop, with a 10% discount. Free Shipping still applies as well! Use the code HappyBirthday (no spaces) when in the checkout!

I have an order of Organic bamboo fleece and interlock as well as some cotton brushed flannelette I wish to stock the store with So I am clearing all my summer stock!
There are already three items of the new winter fabrics included in this sale!
So go and have a happy Birthday for me and stock up on exclusive Rainbows End Fabrics!

Cheers Julie-Ann

Back Yard Back in June

For those of you who have been following the back yard guide to screen printing you may have wondered what has happened to it ?

May is madness month in our family "too many birthdays", including mine So I have taken a break from the posting but not the writing and planning. The "Guide will recommence during June once things settle down in the Rainbows Home and Studio. So keep laying with what you know and experiment! experimentation is the key to creativity!
Cheers Julie

Dyeing Rainbows

I have been playing around dyeing poly resin snaps with disperse dyes. I have posted some I have done already in the store
There are a variety of colours available with matching posts and studs. I have dyed the posts and studs in softer than commercial colours so they do not clash with the hand dyed ones.
The multicolours, however have been a challenge set by a friends request!
RAINBOWS!!

They were a challenge believe me! I am not quite there yet I will be doing some more playing before I post these for sale!

Blue/purple combined Colours... In Shop now!

I do love a challenge!!!

Meylah Store Now Open

Rainbows End will be trading items constructed from Rainbows End Studios Exclusive fabrics at The Meylah Marketplace from now on! Rainbows end designer, fabrics, bindings and patterns can still be purchased in the Blog Store However all other goods including clothing can be found here
First off the rank are aprons for both Children and Mamas, we only have a girls design available in the child's size atm but a boy's design is on the print table as I type.

Also stay tuned to the Blog Store as there will be rainbow dyed Polyresin snaps and buttons available soon

Part 3 Making your screen!!!!
My goodness I was going to post this a week ago but things in our household have been whizzing by in a blur!
Glad the school holidays are over and things can return to semi normal Enjoy part three. Chapter four is all about colour below is a rough and simple plan of the topics I will be covering in the next few weeks In the meantime have fun printing
Cheers Julie

The BYGSCPF

PLAN

Introduction

Chapter 1; Making a screen--- Basic instructions how to make a wooden frame and attach the mesh. A basic explanation of mesh types.

Chapter 2; Squeegees, inks, Stencils and printing surface, where to buy how to make alternatives to use.

Chapter 3; Screening with a cut paper stencil, techniques in screening, special effects, Precautions and washout of screen.

Chapter 4.  Three color cut stencil registration Basic colour guide and mixing lesson.

Chapter 5; Registered printing with three stencil design. Applications.

Chapter 6; Designing for repeat patterns.

Chapter 7. The photographic stencil;

1. What to buy
2. Darkrooms and alternatives.
3. How to apply
4. Exposure, methods and timing, washout, stripper.

Chapter 8. Table registration. Printing lengths.

Chapter 9. Colour Plates. and suppliers.

Part 2 Posted

Homespun printed, using the free stars template I have included as a downloadable stencil, in Part 2



Part 2 of My Screen Printing guide has been posted It will only be up for two days before going to a download as I have Part 3 raring to go

Next BYGSP Back Yard Guide To Screen Printing

The next instalment is almost ready to go I intend to post it on Wednesday Night.
In the meantime if you are following it You may want to join a little artists network group I have called The Rainbow Cafe It is a place where artists can discuss things and post examples of their work! I have started a blog post where you can ask questions during your progress you may also post pics to your own albums of your efforts as you learn.
The Cafe has been a little quiet of late as I have been busy elsewhere It would be nice to have some new members and discussions happening
Regards Julie

The Back Yard Guide To Screen Printing

I have decided to share my 30 years experience with screen printing on Fabric and have made a new page to teach people the basics.
This page is a tester for a book I am planning and I am happy to share my knowledge here if people could do me the courtesy of letting me know if I have not made something clear enough so that I can attempt to clarify it

I have began by showing people how to make a screen the first thing you will need along the way I hope to expose some of the myths connected with this craft and show you it really can be done simply and inexpensively at home without all that fancy expensive equipment.

After all 95% of my printing has been done at home or in a very isolated community I have not always been in a well equipped studio. I will be covering hand cut stencil photographic stencils and alternative techniques to add an image to a screen.

Please feel free to let me know how you are getting on, As I add a new section I will make the previous post a pdf file with a link to download so that you may keep it and so it does not overcrowd the blog. I will add Squeeges, Inks and stencils tomorrow so you can dive right in. Please find the link to the page in the list on the right hand side of the screen.
Happy Printing
Cheers Julie

Too Cute Aprons in Store

These bright cheerful and ultra cute aprons are just the thing to make a cook happy!
They are sun and screen printed and made from quality eco cotton tea towels. The extra on board tea towel is so handy for wiping hands in between cooking procedures and the cute little kerchief cap ensures good kitchen hygiene. Available in the store for a limited time with free postage.

Spirit Dancers In Store

A 50cm piece of homespun with lovely white spirit dancers has just been added to the store

Shop Restocked

I have just added some new item to my store Including a lovely rainbow knit The sun was shining today and allowed me to sun print and screen print in my studio so there are even more items on the table ready to be added to the store in the next two days drop in for a browse!

Creative Show Case

This is Molly and I at the Creative show Case last weekend. We had a great morning with both of us having good sales I hope it improves even more next month! Lets face it every little bit keeps us motivated.

I have been a bit slack (well busy really) about restocking the shop I am going to do it tomorrow I have a new batch of rainbow binding sun printing as I type

We Have a winner!!!

The Give away has been drawn! I have to apologise for it being a little late Had a hectic day today!!
However I did the old names in a tin trick and drew out TIN CAN DAISY!! (Cool Name)
Congratulations and I will be contacting you to see where to post your fabric! I would like to extend a great big thank you to all the entrants who took the time to enter Don't despair another giveaway will be up for grabs in a couple of months!
Cheers Julie

Giveaway Extended

I am extending the giveaway I announced last posting until Monday 20th of March
Get your comment in before then to be included in the draw!

There might be one or two surprise items included with this fabric for the lucky winner.

A Give Away! and Additions to the Store

I have been playing with new designs and have added some new items to my store For a short time every store purchase will receive a small lucky dip bag of goodies as a thank you. Visit my store here to see the listings

Also

as a thank you to all who have supported me I'm having a giveaway of a half metre homespun sun print I made of the tiny ballet dancers. This was the very first fabric I made with stencils made on my new Cameo machine.

To be eligible for a chance in the draw Visit my store then come back here with a comment about your favourite item.

I will draw the winner on the 14th of March

This is the Ballerina fabric and good luck!

Ballerinas and Binding

I have just added 3 new items to the blog shop  a couple of the ballerina fabrics and some yummy rainbow
binding. There will be more items added by the weekend and a free giveaway will be announced
Meanwhile go for a leisurely browse through the shop

The Printer in Me

As Much as some observers told me the sunprinting looked good on its own and as much as I did like it I can not help screen on the top I love layers also the black cut outs laying on the fabric when sun printing were so pleasing I just wanted that look!
So print I did
The purple one has little gold ladies and the green my favourite has little shadow dancers.

The Jury is still out whether to print on the orange one or not

Silhouette Heaven

Pssst I have bought myself a new machine!

And it cuts beautiful stencils This is one I drew up in Photoshop and cut out on the Silhouette Cameo! As an avid Sun Printer I have long been dissatisfied that if I want to use my own art work for sun prints I had to spend hours and hours hand cutting stencils Not any more!! I have for quite some time been using a block out fabric to cut my stencils It is 65% polyester and 35% cotton it has a rubber back and draws the suns heat beautifully for processing a sunprint with lovely clarity. This fabric is stiff enough to go into the cameo , set on fabric and the blade at a depth of 5 It does a perfect job!
The little ballerinas I made in photoshop There are a variety of these on the web for free use I however drew up my own because I did not want someone else's work and I wanted it to be a resolution of 300 dpi Mostly because I was unsure that a lower resolution would give a good print!

These are some of the other stencils I have cut!

Here are the resulting fabrics! Are they not Gorgeous? This is a skull print I made up for my Goth wanna be 14 year old daughter

This is a gentler subject for my more ethereal 15 year old

Some of these prints will be stocked in The Blog Shop this coming Sunday Also because I my excitement about my new toy I will be announcing a giveaway as well

See you Sunday!!

PDF Patterns added to Rainbows End Blog Shop

Two new downloadable pdf patterns have been added to Rainbows End new blog shop
One is the perfect bag for that trendy teen or fashionable adult Exclusive design by "Bags of Talent"

The other is a Crayon Roll and Pencil Roll for the little Picasso in your life.
All patterns have a step by step photo tutorial and are available for instant download

More fabrics and Items listed in Shop

There is more to follow shortly! Be sure to take advantage of our Free Shipping this applies to Australian buyers only Overseas Purchasers Please contact me via the Contact form before purchase Downloadable items excepted. Free Shipping is for a limited time so get in early!

New In Blog Store

Rainbows End Has added a new In blog Store for the direct purchase of Rainbows End Exclusive Textiles
For a Limited time all purchases will be Shipping Free!
More fabrics are being added over the next couple of days and there will be an instant download option for very inexpensive pdf patterns and tutorials also exclusive hand dyed and printed bias bindings and a variety of hand dyed buttons. All designed for you to make those special projects!!!
Rainbows End Textiles are printed on Quality  homespun 100% cotton Each piece is treated as a work of art in its own right, no two pieces are ever the same and each one is printed with exclusive motifs drawn and designed by myself.
Rainbows End textiles are created with the discerning quilter and home sewer in mind. These fabrics are divine for that special new project.
Rainbows End has no problem with its textiles being used in small art based commercial ventures or wahm's using them in craft markets Please do not claim the artwork as your own is all I ask

Click on the link on the page menu on the right hand side of this post or go here!

Up-Cycling Old Jeans

Crafty Mama's had an upcycling jeans challenge The use an old pair of jeans to make something new. Well being the B.T.S. time of the year again I decided in my wisdom (not) to make a pencil case. Well I quickly found out that jeans are put together TOUGH!!! So I back pedalled and decided to use as many of the existing features of the jeans as possible. I still had some tough unpicking to do but not as much! I used existing back and front pockets and the waistband and tabs.  I used some rainbows End Print as the lining and the contrast panels , I inserted a zip and added a magnetic catch as using the waistband made the top opening really deep. Making sure I got all the fabric around the zip, both in the lining and the outer cover was a challenge. I ended up hand stitching it on, then machine top sewed for strength. Molly wanted to take it to TAFE to show her friends so she could take orders for me. That met with a resounding NO! I don't want to make anymore. So I guess its mine.

New Tute Non Slip Non Crappy Mousemat!

Well Its been awhile since I have added anything to my blog. Not that I have been slack in doing stuff its just that I have been slack in blogging about it!
I have been sewing stuff up for artists markets and the artist co-op and having been teaching myself to make patterns in illustrator! Well I started off with Autocad under the instruction of my very I.T. competent son, however I found it painful to use but I used that small amount of knowledge of using cad drawing to teach myself to use Illustrator. I found it fun and even mathematically challenged me! can use it!
I have drawn up a pattern for my frilled tote bag it and a tute will be available for sale for a small price (hey a girl has to make a living) very soon In the meantime I have a couple of freebees to give away;
The first is a simple mousepad I know anyone can draw a square but if your lazy and math challenged like me you prefer a pattern! Plus it makes it easier to make multiples identically. I have done a pattern and tute for a pencil and crayon roll they will be posted very shortly as well There are a lot of tutes availble for these and I made my first one following this lovely ladies tute I made more than one so having to measure up all the time was a pain so I made the pattern!
Anyway back to the mousepad the instructions and download are available from the link on the right hand side
and be on the lookout for new patterns soon

Happy sewing Julie