Dying to Dye

We arrived at the condo yesterday afternoon, skirting rain showers as we drove into the city. The weather seemed to develop just north of town, so we felt lucky, as we had plans to meet friends for a glass of wine, and were hoping to do so at an outdoor cafe. We were greeted by this lovely view of one end of the rainbow just over the Botanical Gardens.

We enjoyed a lovely couple of hours reconnecting with a childhood friend of C's. Quite amazingly, she had contacted C's sister on Facebook, and then I got in touch with her. Although she doesn't live here, she has children here, and just happened to be coming for a visit this weekend. So, her children and grandchildren indulged us all for a couple of hours while we yakked about old times. Her Mom and C's Mom were the very best of friends, and we were all young marrieds at the same time, often getting together for dinner when we visited C's Mom. How we still miss those Great Ladies! What a legacy of memories they have left us!! We agreed that they both would have been Mamas for Obama, and are smiling down from heaven these days!


Since I am attempting to make this blog more fiber related and my dye studio is still under cosmetic repairs, I will share with you my latest knitting project. Actually, I have two pieces going right now, but, you know me by now! This is my "Stained Glass Triangular Shawl', knit with the lovely variegated Poems Sock Yarn by Wisdom Yarn. Can you see the triangular construction? It is so much fun to knit, as the variation in color makes you want to keep knitting and knitting!

PEACE!!!

One x One x Six

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain! YAYY!!! I've never been so excited to see blue sky and sun before in my life!!!

In my quest to finish projects that I've started over the past year, I realized the other day that one huge gob of a project was taking up entirely too much space on my cutting table (which has gradually become a storage surface and can no longer be used for cutting). So I began quilting this piece of fabric which I had painted last Winter/Spring when I was exploring the Amazing Grace series. I hadn't done too much machine quilting lately, so the change from clothing construction was refreshing. I also hadn't made any flange type pillows in a few years, so that was an adventure!

After inserting the pillow into it's
space, I serged a rolled hem around the flange edge, using a Superior Threads variegated rayon (same thread I used for quilting). I like the effect, but the serging was a challenge! I had to stand in front of the serger, grasping the pillow partially under my left arm and rather clenched in my left hand, while guiding with my right hand and pressing the presser foot with my right foot. My left foot was busy keep the rest of my body steady so that I didn't topple over! It must have been quite a site, but Barker, bless his little heart, remained silent, stiffling a chuckle!

So there you have it: I've finished yet another of my projects! I think I must be manic at times, dreaming up all of these things to make and then after I get the fabrics dyed or painted, I seem to lose interest. Is anyone else like that? I cannot seem to stick to one project at a time! I'm quite the same way with knitting: if I don't have 2-3 projects going in my knitting bag, I'm not happy! Please tell me I'm not alone in this....or if I am, what is your solution?

PEACE TO YOU ON THIS FINE DAY!!!!

Rain Rain: Go AWAY!!!!!

As you may know, we have been experiencing some unbelievable rain here in northeast Georgia. I think we've measured over 5" in our own rain gauge in the past 24 hours, and it has rained every day for the past week. That is unheard of here in recent times! Atlanta is far worse than we are here in Gainesville, and I am so thankful that we are not so challenged. There have already been 5 fatalities due to the flooding, one a 2-1/2 year old boy who was swept away when his parents' mobile home split in half. How awful for all those who are struggling with the loss of loved ones and devastation to their homes.! This is our view of the lake, so you can clearly see that the water is now up in the trees, but our house is just fine.........for now!


I've been playing around with some deconstructed screen printing and thought I'd share some of my results from yesterday. I was using some screens that had remaining residue from past screening on them, just to further enhance my lack of control! I think that is what appeals to me most!

I like the combination of the olive green and the brown in the piece to the left.





The one below really surprised me:


Do you see the bird's head that appeared????






My dye studio is undergoing a bit of a change. C and one of his good buddies are installing windows! YAYYYYY!!! I snapped this pic before I started really giving the space a thorough cleaning yesterday afternoon. The windows will go right against that wall, and hopefully provide me with some awesome light and less of a feeling of claustrophia during the months that I keep the doors closed. I'll post some more pics when they are finished.

PEACE TO YOU!!!!

One x One x Five

Now this is a departure from the norm for me: I actually dyed this fabric and then constructed the tee! This tee even has darts!!! And look: a neck band. I wish you could see the bottom and the cuffs: I actually hemmed them rather than doing the rolled hem on the serger!!! What is wrong with me???? This is another piece of fabric that had literally been hanging around for a year, and I am so happy to report that it is now a wearable garment! YAYYYYY!

PEACE TO YOU..........AND THANKS FOR LEAVING A COMMENT!!!

One x One x Four

I painted and screen printed this fabric about nine months ago, with the intention of making a little chair back to coordinate with my "Summer in the City" wallhanging. Well, I kept putting the fabric aside, moving it from one spot on the cutting table in my sewing room to another. Finally, I brought it to the condo where "Summer in the City" hangs in our bathroom. It didn't take more than an hour to sew up the seams and make the gusset in the top. I really love how it turned out!


Here's they are together.

Hope you've had a creative day!

PEACE TO YOU!

A Treasure Trove

As I was sorting through some linens in my laundry room this afternoon, the old phrase "one man's junk is another man's treasure" really rang true! I was looking for a particular piece of old lace that I just knew I had somewhere, but of course I couldn't locate it. Instead, I came across these lovely old linens that I had totally forgotten I had! When my mother moved here and into a retirement community about 10 years ago, these linens were the first things she threw out! I was right behind her, picking them out of the trash!!! First of all, I had such fond memories of these hankies from when she actually 'wore' them (am I the only one who remembers when ladies wore crocheted or tatted hankies in their breast pockets?), and I also thought that at some point in my life I might actually put them to some good use. Interestingly enough, while visiting with Mom this morning, she showed me an activity sheet that she had filled out the other day, and she had written on it that one of her favorite past times long ago had been tatting and crocheting. I never knew until today that she could tat!!! Sadly, her vision is now very compromised, and she is unable to do these activities. However, I am hoping now to make some sort of wall hanging for her which will incorporate some of her vintage hankies.


I got a bit teary-eyed when I came across these. The two on the right are embroidered "Sweetheart U.S. Air Corps". My Dad served in that branch of the military (now the Air Force) during WWII, and he must have sent those to her. How sweet! The hanky on the lower left is one that I remember her wearing so very well!




Here's a little more detailed shot of it. I don't think we can purchase such finely woven cottons anymore.....and the cutwork or hemstitching is very nice.

These are true treasures, and I'm so glad that I've reacquainted myself with them!

PEACE TO YOU!!!

Swirly Gig and other Dye Jobs

I wanted to show you the progress (slow, but sure) that I am making on my soy silk fusion piece. I took it to the condo a few months ago and vowed that I would spend about an hour a day beading it.....on the days that we were there, of course! I did pretty well until we started having company, and then it became a challenge. I got it out recently and really put my nose to the grindstone. This past week, I decided to bring it back home and do some quilting on the background.


It told me it wanted a bit more beading yesterday and then I began some utility quilting. The quilting is addictive! I had intended to do just a little bit more this afternoon, but that turned into a couple of hours, and I still have more that I want to do. I've decided it will be called Swirly Gig.
Here is a detail shot of the beading:


So now the question is, how shall I finish it? There are so many options: mounting it on stretcher bars, mounting it on canvas, hanging it from bamboo a la Gerrie, facing it and adding a hanging sleeve a la Rayna, or mounting it on some rusty tin. Opinions anyone??? And feel free to add other options!




I've ventured out into my dyeing studio several times today. It was a gorgeous day here with temps in the mid 80s and abundant sunshine. I tinkered with a few ideas, dipping some cottons and silks into various dye baths. Nothing special, just playing around and seeing how different fibers and dyes play together. I like it when there's no pressure on me to finish one or two particular items. Exploring is always fun, and I learn so much!

PEACE TO YOU!!!

New Girl in Town

Well, actually, there are two new girls in town....or maybe I just feel like one of the new girls because I have a new, clear lens in one eye? It's amazing how cleared up sinuses and improved vision can also improve one's view on life and productivity! I haven't blogged because I've been so busy rediscovering all of the things that I love to do that I simply haven't had time! But back to the main topic of this blog: the new girl! Meet Ethel:

She's the spittin' image of me, but she seems to have lost her head somewhere along the way....and those shapely legs! And what is she doing in the kitchen (not enough light to photograph her anyplace else tonight!)?? I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a dress form: something I've been contemplating for a very long time, and actually something I've always wanted! But the gall of this Ethel: she is wearing an outfit that I had designed for myself!! I'm going to have to have a serious talk with her!!! I dyed both the skirt and the tee fabric, need to put the finishing touches on the tee and also hem the skirt. Ethel will make my life so much easier!


I've had a busy week with baseball games, Dr's appointments, a quarterly conference at my Mom's skilled care facility to make sure we all remain on the same page as to her care (they were not, but I set them straight!), and a wonderful visit yesterday with my fiber artist friend Anne. We don't get together often enough, and whenever we do, we vow that we won't let so much time pass before the next. This time, I went to her lovely home, and she even prepared a yummy lunch! We chatted, ate, chatted some more, and then she gave me a tour of her incredible studio:


Ahhhhhhh: so much light and so clean!!!!! I am totally inspired! Anne does the most incredible painting on silk...and she sews, and quilts, and she is simply delightful........oh, and she's a Gemini just like me!!!












I've also been cooking up a storm and knitting some new things....I can once again see sock yarn and knit on small needles!!!! Life is incredibly good!!!

PEACE TO YOU!!!!

The Dye Gods and the Eye Gods

I had my first cataract surgery yesterday, and I must say that it was really quite civilized! It wasn't scheduled until 2:20 PM, so I was able to eat an early light breakfast, walk Barker, and fiddle with some fabric, before the procedure. Here are the two pieces that I am currently fiddling with:


This first one is a silk crepe scarf that now has two layers of dye on it. I'm thinking of adding one more, or perhaps some screen printing, but will wait a few days until it really speaks to me.


This is a silk/cotton blend piece of yardage. The hand of the fabric is extremely light and it has just the slightest bit of sheen of silk. It is truly yummy. I may not do anymore with this piece, of perhaps I'll add a bit of black.


As you can plainly see, circles are on my mind these days! Is it the eyes?????

I can already tell you that I'm seeing better than I've seen in years! I see the Opthalmologist later this morning, and then I'm on my own with a few daily drops for a while.

Life is Good!

PEACE TO YOU!!!

Friends: Old and New

Today my long time friend Amanda joined me for some soy wax fun. She hadn't used the stuff before, and since I had, we thought it would be fun to enjoy a play day together. Neither of us can recall exactly how we got to know eachother or how long ago it was, but we first met when she gave me my very first lesson in fabric dyeing in her wonderful studio. We had a great time, I learned a lot, and we have a good time when we get together. So here's Amanda adding some soy wax to a piece of cotton using one of my old and faithful wooden tjaps.


And here are the two gorgeous pieces that she went home with!









Now this fellow isn't exactly what I'd call an old or new friend, but the artist who created this likeness of Barker is indeed a new friend. James Allen is a local artist who has some horrible retinal affliction, and unless he gets it taken care of, he will lose his eyesight! How dreadful, huh? No problem, you say? Have the surgery, you urge? Well, think again! This man has no health insurance and thus does not have the luxury to just sign on for the expensive procedure he needs done in order to maintain his vision. So, in order to gain some extra cash, James is doing these wonderful pencil sketches from photographs for a mere $100! He doesn't have a website, but if you'd like to contact him, leave me a comment, and I'll furnish you with his email address. James is a delightful guy, and I know you would enjoy helping him out....you'd feel good and you'd get something in the bargain!!

PEACE TO YOU!!!