Water Marbling Silk Scarves at Artscape

My friend, Bonnie, is in town with me today and we get to play at the Arboretum.  It has been planned as a day of just enjoying the scenery and no quilting involved.  You can follow all the fun in this personal POST.  However, somehow fiber finds it's way into our world.

The Dallas Arboretum is also hosting Artscape, a wonderful festival out in the garden.  As we are roaming the tents, we come to this one on water marbling and it stops us in our tracks.  Literally.

I am mesmerized and need to watch the entire process.  Notice, I said NEED.  It's just so crazy cool.

They had already started the first part when we arrived and so the paint feathers had been made before I got my camera out.  It was with a stick and a quick movement through the water.

Next comes a comb with a slight back and forth (narrow end to narrow end, not side to side) motion.

Continuing down the length of the pan.

Next, swirls are put in with a stick -- slowly.

The silk is stretched out above the water.

And gently laid on top.  All the edges are pressed into the water to make sure no white is left.

With a gentle pull and a folding motion, the scarf is drawn out over a bucket of water.

Continuing until all is off the water.

The entire scarf is rinsed in the bucket of water and squeezed close to dry.  Now to stretch it out again.

And there ya have it --- beautiful!  This picture really doesn't do it justice.  Loved the colors so much.

And that's the big moment I want to share from the event.  Well . . .

Perhaps playing with children counts too --- .  Always be on the lookout for a great time.