I'm hosting two "Junque Gypsy" swaps on the Creative Block-Stampers Anonymous Yahoo Group which are due in my mailbox on or before August 31. Since I already have lots of "junque", I thought this would be a fun way to use some of my ribbons, fringe, and embellishments. I can't wait to see what the other swappers come up with because I know everyone has lots of wonderful "junque" just siting in their craft spaces waiting to be used. Part of the fun of any swap for me is the hunting and searching for just the right pieces to compose my pieces. In my quest for more "junque", I found some wonderful already rusted pieces on small wooden bird houses that Michael's was selling on clearance for 20 cents each (there were two rusty pieces on some of them - I took off the rusty pieces to use in the swap and will turn the small birdhouses into creepy Halloween houses later this fall). Super bargains! Then I decided to hand dye some silk torn into strips and some white silk ribbon I had on hand with some fun colors (using Jacquard's Dye-Na-Flow fabric dyes - about $4 a bottle). The colors I chose were Sulphur Green, Brick and Burnt Umber. I forgot how much I loved this easy-to-use, colorfast dye available at most art supply stores. May play with it on paper and card stock in the future. Next great find on my treasure hunting expedition was bouquets of black silk roses with two spooky spiders for just $1 per bouquet at our local Dollar Tree. Bought several for upcoming Halloween swaps - one can never have too much Halloween "junque" in my opinion!
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| Black Silk Roses |
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| Dyed Silk Ribbons |
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