The Storyboard: at last

Here is the first picture of the completed storyboard. The only wall I had where I could hang it is across the greatroom from my studio loft to the other loft. The storyboard is about 5'x5'. You can see the categories, and all the index cards are the dyes and variations. On each card is the category it belongs to, the dye or dyes, the form of the dye or dyes, the mordant to be used, the color that I am trying to achieve, depth of shade,and page references to needed instructions. In the upper right-hand corner of each card is a number that gives the number of skeins needed for that particular dye or color. One thing that I added as a result of storyboarding. I realized that I forgot to factor in Depth of Shade (DOS). That changed the number of skeins needed dramatically and made me decide that I didn't need gradations or a yarn-painting category. I have my hands full with all that I have so far! There are three depth of shades; light, medium, and dark. When you start combining them in the color mix category, for example, light DOS for one dye and medium DOS for another, you get nine possible combinations (LL,LM,LD,ML,MM,MD,DL,DM,DD). Therefore each color mix will have nine skeins. For Indigo, I plan to show the effect of one to three dips for every skein I over-dye. Add the DOS for each over-dyed skein and I get nine variations for each one. Well, as you can see the skeins needed multiplied alarmingly. I started out wondering how I would use up 375 skeins. As the whole concept exploded in my brain I realized I needed more yarn. The final tally? 609! I will need to order eight more pounds of yarn. I considered cutting things back. I could just try the dye modifiers on the medium DOS but the fact is I have this opportunity and I want to get as much out of it as possible. So, I will order more yarn.
This picture is a closeup of the Color Mixes category. It is very difficult to take a good picture as there is only a very narrow walkway between the wall and the edge. You can kind of see the general layout of the cards. From the storyboard, I will be able to see how many skeins to dye using a light DOS of madder from roots with an alum mordant. I can do all the skeins needed in one batch rather than making a batch for one category then having to make another batch for the next category when I get to it. So that means all the light DOS madder root skeins with alum mordant I need for the Modifiers and Indigo will be already done when I get to those categories. It will be the same for all the dyes and depth of shades.
I hope this makes sense. It would be so much easier for me to just show it to everyone on the storyboard. Perhaps I will be able to come up with a way to do that on this blog.
I plan to make a tag label on the computer to fill out for each skein rather than have to write it all out by hand 609 times. I will take the info for the tag right off the storyboard. The storyboard will stay up for the duration of the project. Yes, I have a very understanding husband! I think most of us fiber people have understanding mates.
I realize that some of the color combinations will be very close to the same with certain dyes. I decided that will be OK with me. It will be interesting to see if there are slight variations and, as I will be using the yarn for tapestry weaving, it will all be usable.
Well, the storyboard is done. Now to see how many skeins I need to dye a light DOS of madder using roots and alum mordant.....
How do you celebrate when you accomplish an important step in your work, i.e. getting that warp on and threaded, getting the fiber carded, finishing a lengthy task?
If you will excuse me, I think some chocolate is in order! -Renee