"There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds." -- G.K. Chesterton
Thursday Mary and I install the first section of our yarn bombing in Rogers Park. It's been a long process beginning with a proposal in April, followed by negotiations and acceptance in May, workshops throughout the summer, numerous meetings on our own, and lots and lots of knitting and crocheting. I am ready to install!!
Yarn bombing has really caught on across the country. In addition to the three bombings with which I'm involved this year, I've been asked to do four more. I've had to turn down these last few offers, partly because my wrists are sore and partly because I am asked only a week or two in advance. To do it well, you need time to plan the project and rally the community, let alone make it.
I love the whimsical quality of much street art. It's art to make one smile. A few weeks ago I led a street art workshop that involved a mixed media approach. It was part of Intuit's Visionary Craft series. The workshop was only two hours long and involved children and adults. Everyone loved it! So easy to do and has proven to withstand rain and wind!
Materials:
Aleene's® Fabric Fusion® Peel and Stick Sheets™
Duck® Brand Duct Tape
assorted fabric cut in strips or other shapes
crafting felt
ribbon
colorful wire
yarn
assorted buttons
assorted sequins
fabric paint
scissors
Directions:
Cut 2" circles from the Fabric Fusion® Peel and Stick Sheets™. Peel the backing from one side of your first circle.
Push one end of the fabric strip or ribbon it onto the middle of your circle and wind the ribbon / fabric strip around in a sprial fashion, pushing down firmly onto the circle as you go. Trim any excess.
Cut a 1/2" or so sized circle from the Fabric Fusion® scraps. Peel one side and stick to the middle of your larger circle. Peel the other side and push a button into place. Decorate with fabric paint if desired.
Proceed to make more flowers until you have used all your circles. Experiment. Cut flower petals from felt, layering them in place.
Cut a 4" circle of fabric, fringe the edges and stick to your 2" Fabric Fusion® circle. Use the scraps to creat layers.
There are so man possibilities!
One boy didn't enjoy making flowers. That was kid stuff (his younger sister was making them.), so he became our Leaf Man!
To make a leaf, tear off a 7" strip of duct tape. Fold in half leaving 1/2" still exposed. Cut into a leaf shape with scissors. Make several dozen.
Now to install!
Wind the tape around a light pole or other street sign pole.
Stick your leaf shape into place.
Peel off the backing of your flower and stick into place.
So totally awesome!
Thank you to Carol Ng-He and everyone at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art for making this workshop possible and to all the participants. We made one very colorful light pole!
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