Saturday, August 27, 2011

dyeing with cherries, more 3-d cubes

I've spent a lot of time this week looking for two fabrics I've miss placed. Finally found one of them and cut out the rest of the large 3-d cube blocks. I could not find any more of the light yellow nor do I have one to substitute that show up enough. I've decided just to remake the yellow cubes with a different light and different medium.




I prepared the fabric for the dye boiled down from black cherries by boiling and simmering in salt water and then rinsing. I wrapped two fat quarters of unbleached muslin on pvc pipe and put them in a tall narrow jar. Then I poured the cherry dye over them, put it in a double boiler and brought it to a boil and turned it off. Since the dye didn't cover all the fabric I added about a table spoon of ome old turquoise dye to the fabric sticking up. I let it sit over night and rinsed them this morning. They are out drying on the line. When it cools down I will rinse them again. It is a nice purple shade.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Friday Night Lock In

Friday night my quilt guild, Sassy stitchers had a lock in. I only made it until 2:30 and had to go home. I finished my quilt carrier. It is embellished with applique and free-motion quilting. Spent some time cutting out and sewing cubes for the 3 -D cubes quilt.
we had a great time and lots of laughter and good food.



My New Addition

My Bailey arrived on Monday! I have spent most of the week setting up the grace frame and taking it apart to do it right. I can't believe it is level, especially in our house which is over 120 years. Have not tried it out yet except to make sure it will stitch. Have a friend coming on Tuesday to help me get started. Here are a couple of pictures.


This is where I velcroed my foot to keep it up out of the way.


Thursday, August 11, 2011

What I've been up to

We have been cleaning out the art room. What a chore! after moving the desks and taking down one art table we spent a week organizing all the materials, books, and drawings (mostly my daughter's). It was more like digging out of an avalanche. At last we are finished and it looks great. just a box of odds and ends to sort out. Yeah!! This was all to make room for my grace frame and 13 inch Bailey that should arrive soon. Buying used, but still excited.

Now I'm doing the chore I always dread. Washing all my fabrics and ironing them.