Ice, Ice, Baby...............!

Okay, here we go!  Take some Ice, Baby!  Some goofy items for resist, rubber bands, a big bucket and you're ready to dye some interesting fabric.

I found some of hubby's practice golf balls

and some cotton men's handkerchiefs (perfect for table napkins) 

and I'm off to the races!

Tied them all up, covered them with ice

sprinkled some fiber reactive dyes over the ice

more dyes and let this sit for 3 days--that was the hardest thing to do!

and it came time to empty the bucket, rinse the fabric, untie the golf balls

to see what results I had.

I think I sprinkled too much yellow--it took over the blues

but, there were some interesting colors distributed

The silk on the right took up much of the blue dyes

Here is a you tube video that shows a time relapse of someone's ice dyeing

Want some helpful hints?  check out Dharma Trading

My next adventure will be fabric on a rack.

Have fun--it's time to play!!

Debby Does Baskets!

Debby Kratovil Quilts blog has the perfect scrap basket pattern for you!

I like the fact she is like me, digging into scrap trash piles to find just the

right piece or color!  This would make a great wall hanging or

maybe a table runner.

How Being More Creative Improves Your Mental and Physical Health

Health Cure Corner is spot on in my book!  Yes, being more creative or just a little creative will improve your health, both mentally and physically.  I'm so glad I found this website and this information.  Here are highlights and bullet points:

• Go to art exhibits and museums
• Write in your journal--if you don't have one, start one
• Read literature that challenges you
• Read more poetry
• Get Crafty
• Keep on stitching
• Use your hands
• Go out into the world and discover new adventures

Read the complete article and improve your life, which in turn improves your world!

Yarn Along...............

My yarn along has to do with dyeing--with Easter egg dyes.  Over the years, after Easter, I purchase several of the dye packets (at a reduced price, no less!) to have on hand for dyeing simple pieces without much trouble.

I had some lovely handspun two ply wool just waiting to be skeined off.

What a nice little skein you are!

What color should I use?  hmmm, choices choices

I chose green as our January spin-in 2017 theme is "Green in 17"

drop in the tablets--all two of them--into water, add the required amount of vinegar, let it

fizz away until dissolved.

Stuff in the wetted skein, place in microwave--remember that egg dye is safe for eggs, so safe for

the microwave--hit 30 seconds, rest, again 30 seconds, rest--I do that about 4 times.

Take the skein out of the dye, rinse and let dry.

A nice pastel green--think I could have used one more tablet or left the skein in the dye

just a little longer--but I'm anxious to see the results.

What a fun Yarn along! 

Drum Roll Please..............................

Josh's quilt is finished!!  I stuck to the plan and finished up the quilt top and then..............

then I decided since I had all these leftover western theme fabrics and five extra blocks, 

I would make a backing so here it is!

I'm doing what my Denver friend Judy P does--

make a back.  Quilter here we come--just might make it in time for his

birthday in May.

Creative Crochet

A Creative Being has a perfect opportunity to work on this lovely crochet block to block throw--it's not your standard Granny Squares to say the least--you can find more information on " Dance In The Sea" here

I think I would like dancing on the beach with this as my blanket!

Shetland Wool Week 2016 Pattern

The official 2016 Shetland Wool Week ‘Crofthoose Hat’ knitting pattern has been exclusively designed by Wool Week Patron Ella Gordon.  If only I could attend in person.................but I can knit this wonderful patterned hat.  Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands. Shetland wool is a world class natural fibre, with a long standing reputation for quality, strength and excellence from the fleece to the textile products. Shetland knitwear has a deserved respect gained from many generations of hard working knitters and crofters producing some of the finest lace and Fair Isle knitwear.  Events and other information will be available in April for the fall event.