Short and sweet...

I am so tired and sore right now.  I enjoyed dyeing the fabric yesterday but must admit I'm paying for it today.  I want to quickly show you the dyed fabrics and then carry myself off to bed!

Here are the 15 FQs in a gradation using Tangerine, Sapphire and Boysenberry...

Aren't they vibrant?  I also had enough dye left over to dye 3 additional yards.

 

I don't know what I'll make with it yet.  I just wanted to see how hard it was to do it.  I know I'll do more in the future.  I took a bunch of pictures of the whole dyeing process, but will have to share them with you another time.

Also, I probably won't post again for another week because I leave for a quilting retreat on Monday!  So until next time, take care...

On a roll...

I'm feeling such a sense of accomplishment today.  I've managed to finish a number of things on my todo list.  First I have completely finished the 2 Quilts for Kids quilts.  We're planning to mail them back around the end of the month, so I'm pleasantly surprised I've finished early!  I usually feel like I'm always working on things at the last minute.  They've even been washed and dried and I hope they cheer up the children that get them.

I'm going on my first ever quilting retreat next week.  Those who are veterans at these things suggested that I try to do most of my cutting at home so I can really get to the sewing.  I managed to get the fabric for 2 quilts completely cut up (including the backing and binding) and ready to go.  I have a 3rd quilt all in rows - they just need to be sewn together.  And I also finished the cutting for step 2 of Jan's mystery quilt.  Whoohoo!!!

And if that wasn't enough, I finally got around to dyeing some of my own fabric.  And I LOVED it! I will definitely continue to do it.  Next up is the Wild Strawberry gradation for my Crayon Challenge quilt.  (Was that a confusing sentence for anyone out there?)  I'm going to save the pictures until my next post.

We have a freeze warning here tonight, so make sure you stay bundled up.  Until next time, take care...

A little bit of this...

I spent half the day today at Bridget's quilting a quilt on Jan's frame there and taking lots of pictures.  We're showing the quilting bee ladies how to use it on Wednesday and I'm hoping to put together a little picture tutorial to help them load and quilt their quilts on it.  We'll see how it goes...

Here's the quilt we managed to get done.  (It's the 2nd Quilts for Kid's top I just finished.)  I just did an all over large stipple to try and get used to the machine.  A sewing machine is like a car in that every machine drives differently.  Here's a close-up of the stitching...

You know how little children are more interested in the box a toy comes in than the toy itself?  Cats are definitely like that too.  We've received a couple of packages this week and the cats have been all over the boxes.  Climbing in and out, hiding and scaring the other cats, knocking them over...  There's all kinds of fun to be had with them.  And don't get me started on the styrofoam peanuts that came in one of them.  Those things have ended up all over the house.

Can you guess what these are?  I'll give you a hint: they're David's favorite new toy right now...  Any guesses? OK, they're zip ties.  At least I think that's what they're called.  I have a bunch them sitting in a jar in my craft room and he's taken to stealing them and spreading them about the house.  He throws them into the air and catches them and wrestles with them and...  They provide endless amusement for him and it's fun for me to watch too!

I'll leave you with one last furbaby picture.  This is Sam and David playing together.

Sorry about the lighting.  I have to snap them when I can.  Until next time...

Quilts for kids...

Some posts ago I mentioned that the Quilts for Kids program was offering free quilt kits to quilters willing to make the quilt and send it back.  I ordered one for myself along with several for the ladies in our quilting bee.  I've finished my first top.  The colors are nice and vibrant and it went together very easily.

It's hard to tell, but the focus fabric in that quilt is dinosaurs.  The program also asks (if possible) for you to contribute one with your own fabric.  I had some kid's novelty fabric that I've had for years and I was able to cut up another quilt in the same pattern.  I'm working on piecing the top right now.

Because Mr. Quilting Bug drove into work today, it was just the 'kids' and I.  A couple of them decided to keep me company while I was sewing.  (A third one is on my sewing table and a fourth is laying on the floor.)

This couch is in my sewing room.  You can see it's a catch all for current projects and lazy cats.  Until next time...

Pleasant dreams...

I had a wonderful dream the other night.  I dreamt that I woke up and Michael was sleeping in bed with me.  She used to snuggle in bed with me every night, but she's been unable to jump that high for the last 3 years because of her arthritis.  So in my dream, she was young and healthy again.  I know all of you who have or had aging pets know it's difficult to see them become older and infirm. 

Don't misunderstand me, Michael is doing really well for being 13 years old.  She's happy and fairly energetic.  I just remember how she used to love to jump.  She could easily jump from the ground into an above ground pool.  (Ask me how I know...)  Now when she's excited she'll try to jump and her front feet will leave the ground several inches but the back stay put.  But as I said, she's happy and I'm happy she's still with me.

When I was loading some new pictures tonight, I found this one of Michael curled up in bed.

I got a package in the mail today and so did Mr. Quilting Bug.  He was very excited to get Windows 7 in the mail.  However, I believe I got the better shipment.  Let me show you...

Oops!  I guess it's a little difficult to make out in that picture.  (David was very interested in the flash on the camera.)

That's a clearer picture but still needs explaining doesn't it?  This package is my 2nd from Pro Chemical & Dye and provides me with everything I need to start hand-dyeing my own fabric.  I'm eager to get started, but a little nervous too.  Included here are 10 yards of a special PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric, a container of Cherry Blush dye and the other ingredients needed to successfully dye everything.  I may get started this weekend if I can find the time.  Wish me luck...

Spring Cleaning???

I know that there's usually a time in the spring when we're compelled to freshen up and declutter our surroundings, but my internal clock must be confused.  I've been feeling like I need to clean everything around me: the floors, walls, windows, every inch of every space.  Of course, I haven't done all of it (yet).  Perhaps if I had more energy and didn't pay for it afterwards, I'd be further along.  But I'm pleased with what I've done.  I've scrubbed our carpets and every inch of our bathroom (except the ceiling - let's be real).  Tonight I moved our living room around so I could scrub our wood floors in there.  The baseboards have never sparkled so.

I still need to do the windows though.  For anyone who's been to my house, you know that's a big task.  Almost the entire back of the house is windows:  2 in the kitchen, 12 in the sunroom, 6 in the living room and 4 in our bedroom.  And it's not cleaning the windows that's the worst part, it's cleaning the window sills.  You know the space between the window and the screen that gets filthy and is difficult to completely scour because of all the tiny corners.  That's the part I like the least.  Of course, the weather is going to have to turn a lot warmer before I tackle that task.  Hmm...  Maybe it will end up being spring by then after all?

Except for the label, I've finished the prayer quilt for Chris, my secret sister.  I had intended to add more yoyo's, but the prevailing opinion has been to stop where I'm at.  I hope when she looks at it, she smiles and knows that she is loved.  (Moses insisted on being in the picture as well.)

I finally manged to get new pictures of some of the other pets.  Sam found my bag to be a good place for a snuggle and a nap.

It's hard to tell, but she's is managing to lose some weight.  I also caught Michael giving me a smile.  Can you see her dimples?  I think she's looking good for 13.

See you later....

Change is good...

I've just spent the last hour or so changing the background and colors of my blog.  There are so many options to choose from that I finally had to say enough is enough.  I could be at it all day but instead, Mr. QuiltingBug and I are off to his mom's to celebrate his birthday.  His sister's birthday is the day after his and she'll be there too.  His mom is making lasagna and I'm SO looking forward to it.  She uses about 3 bags of cheese on it so you can imagine the ooey gooey goodness.