One of the great lessons about the adventure into the unknown – failing. Really. It is humbling, teaches patience, helps you grow, and provides the opportunity to do better the second time around.
Let me jump back a few steps…
One day, I was checking the mail just like any normal day. La, la, la… mail and BOOM! 60% off coupon to Jo-Ann. I could not be more excited. 40% normally, 50% on a good day, but 60% – now it’s time to buy that ONE special item I have been waiting up for.
Fast forward to the weekend and my husband drops me off while he runs some errands. I walked through every single aisle of the store, on a mission, to get the best bang for my buck. I stopped at the sweater machine…hmm, $180 big ticket item I could now get for about $80. Not yet. I kept walking.
It was if time slowed and all lights focused on That.One.Item. The Lumi Shadow kit. A complete package containing a pouch, two colors of dye, and a piece of acrylic. Memories flooded back of a Shark Tank episode I had watched a year ago. Although **spoiler alert** she did not accept the Shark’s deal, I could never get their product out of my mind. Now was my opportunity!
I bought the kit and waited until the next weekend that promised sunny skies. The dye technology relies on UV rays and after my lesson with the Abracadabra Yarn, I thought I may have to cross my T’s and dot my I’s with this one.
I opened the package. Picture Ralphie from the Christmas Story opening his secret decoder ring from the Little Orphan Annie radio program. That was me.
My creative Muse suggested since this project involved an 8×4” pouch, using crochet items as the decoration would be perfect. Once done, the pouch could hold the supplies! Party on the outside, serious on the inside. I searched through my craft items and found scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, crochet hooks and other little items used on similar projects. Never one to skip steps, I watched the video and read through the instructions.
Alright, the time was here! I found a dark spot (remember UV light initiates the change), and split open the dye. I spread the goo around, placed my items back on the pouch and headed outside.
Almost immediately the color changed from white-ish to orange. During the latter part of the afternoon, you are supposed to keep it in the sun for 30 – 40 mins. I went inside and did some laundry, a bit of cooking, and waited. And waited.
Alright! The time was here. The moment I have been waiting for. I took the items off and plunged it into a soak to remove the dye. And… disappointment.
What went wrong? Well, when I took it outside it was about 4pm, so I’m guessing the angle of the sun did not produce the strong upright shadow needed for the small wire items. Also, the directions mentioned to place the piece of acrylic on top if you think your items might move around a bit. I lost a lot of the strong contrast, so I think adding the weight of the acrylic may help.
So, after a few sad faces, it was time to admit my defeat.
Take-two, coming up!
