Dyeing to Color!!

The One Pot Rainbow Dyeing workshop at Kid 'n Ewe & Llamas Too featured some really great colors from the dyeing pots.  What a fun two days of dyeing we had and colors galore were pulled from the pot.

Using only three color choices, this great combination of color burst forth in this one pot.

Using a camera lets the participant see where the powder hasn't dissolved yet.

This dyer used several shades of red to achieve this bright colorway.

Looking like the three witches from "Macbeth", the gals are marveling over the color blends.

Only two dyes were used in this pot.  You can still where the powder needs to be dissolved.

One of the trees was adorned with dyed wool and mohair fiber.

Lovely shades of blue and lavendar..........

Taking a break to visit one of the local wineries.  This one, Sister Creeks in Sisterdale, uses 1880's cotton gin as their winery base.  Here you can take a self guided tour, then sip samples of their blended wines. 

We are back to day two of the one pot dyeing workshop.  First pot is ready with dye powder--just a little dissolving is required.

What great color combination this is!

We have a chance to make a blend of colors in one pot dyeing method.

These gals couldn't resist spinning some of their dried fiber.

Brillant!

Subdued!



Loving these colors!  It was a fun dyed filled two days.  Now, waiting to see the final results from the participants.....................................



Fiber to Fashion

Fiber to Fashion or Sheep to Shawl--doesn't really matter what title you give this competition
it's all good!  Here we are back at Kid 'n Ewe & Llamas Too to give an overview of those finished items from the morning session.

Finished! except for the final hem stitching--makes for a lovely shawl.  This group used fibacconi series for the stripes.

Off the loom--great look with natural fiber.

Lovely deep twill pattern...............

This group started their loom off right with a different pattern than most--huck lace.

Seems twill was a favorite among the weavers.  Each team could have their loom pre-threaded to their pattern and ready to pull through the warp...............

Interesting weave structure................the saying is always "it takes 11 spinners to keep one weaver busy".

Anyone for a rigid heddle weaving?

And a new weaver takes her turn at the treadles as spinners tromp their wheels to produce more spun fiber.  This is a great way for teams to learn to work together.

We're Not Kiddin'........................

Nope--we're not kiddin' about Kid 'n Ewe & Llamas Too--a three day conference filled with fiber happenings.  This was our first visit to the 23rd year of this festival in the small Hill Country town of Boerne, Texas.

This wheel display was advertising Mo Ranch, located west of Austin.  A place to regroup with friends and family.

The three metal buildings hosted a variety of vendors with their fiber wares.

Spun fiber, unspun fiber and completed fiber!

Colors galore with vendors from far and near.

And let's not forget the animal barns as well.

Spinning groups relaxing, chatting and treadling luscious fiber such as this silk.

Now, which one to choose?

And this vendor was very clever with their display--a salad buffet of solar dyed mohair locks.

And oh, the people you meet--willing to share and discuss their wearables--felted wool with mohair locks fringe.

And sparkly woven shawls & carded batts ready for the felting machine.

And let's not forget the ongoing classes like this back strap weaving.............

Or rigid heddle weaving........................

Or needle felting...................

Here is that felting machine working its magic......................

And you can't have a festival without ribbons--ribbons for prize fleece.............

And ribbons for finished fiber pieces.............................more later on the festival--so much to cover in such a short period of time.  Next blog we'll feature the one pot dyeing workshop we taught and the sheep to shawl competition.  See you soon........................

GRAND OPENING!!

It was the perfect day!  The temperature was just right!  The sky was blue with fluffy clouds rolling around!  It was the grand opening for a new venture.  It was the opening day for Texas Quilt Museum, in La Grange, Texas.  This is a small town close to Austin, San Antonio and Houston.  What an event--ribbon cutting ceremony and quilters.............................

Those who came from far and near just to attend this unique opening.  The building has been remodeled and sits humbly on Colorado Street, near the county courthouse.

Even the 'quilt' car took center stage in front of the doors.

Off to the side of the exit door, you could purchase the publication Lone Stars III: A Legacy of Texas Quilts, 1986-2012, written by Museum Co-Founders and Co-Directors Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, and published by the University of Texas Press.

The line is long but hop to the back we did.  It was a short wait till we made it to the front door.  While waiting you can visit with so many interesting quilters.  The two gals behind us were from Bastrop, TX (recently devastated by wild fires).  The couple in front were recent transplants to the community.

The west side of the building boasted wonderful paintings of Texas quilt designs.  On display at this time until mid January, 2012 are 62 quilts.

No photos inside please!  So hurriedly, we snapped this photo before we crossed the threshold.  Lovely exhibit space and although there were many to view the Texas quilts on display, the crowd moved easily through the galleries.  White glove docents were on hand to turn to the backside if you so deemed to see the stitching up close.  One small quilt that took our fancy had unusual Texas print backing--one never seen before.  One of the docents commented that Moda Fabric personnel were on hand earlier in the week to view this outstanding print--so, is it possible we'll have a copy of this fabric in our hot little hands soon?
If you have a chance to pass near or through central Texas, pause in La Grange to visit Texas Museum of Quilts, you won't be disappointed.

Show-Offs!

Last weekend, the final day of the International Quilt Festival, our talented group of expatchers gathered for a festive pot-luck dinner and a chance to show-off their creations from the past few months. 

Linda begun the journey with her Bali-pops wall hanging--fantastic!  She says this one will be a 'winner' next summer at the Kansas local county fair and we all agree!

Her next feature was this wonderful panel hanging--finished just in time for the holidays.

We all really like this quilt with it's cheerful yellow backing--someone's bed will enjoy this draped over it.

Karen, sheepishly, said she only brought one small 'Binky' show.  But, it's a dandy--made from minki fabric--soft and cuddly.

Debby was up next--what a fantastic sampler and the colors are just so right!

Debby was displaying her table runners--'simple', she remarks. 

Debby whips out another lovely table runner to display.

Are we on your gifting list for one of these wonderful runners?

And she just kept pulling them out of her quilt bag.................

Annette was ready to show her churn dash block quilt and because of color placement in each block--she got a different look--way to go, Annette!

And this one is just so striking--the golden color is bee fabric.

This one she is hand quilting..  she found the perfect pattern at quilt market for her corners.

Camilla had her French Braid top--gee whiz, what color combination!

And we welcomed Judy M's friend, Marsha, to the gathering.  Marsha was once a non quilter, but Judy rubbed off on her and here is a 'mystery' pattern that Marsha has recently completed.



Okay--Marsha--you are a quilter now!  What a perfect evening!  And we look forward to 2012 get together so we can share our 2011 adventures.