to dye for

I finally mixed dyes and prepared fabric for painting and dyeing. It was a lot of fun playing chemist. I used Melanie Testa's new book, "Inspired to Quilt" for various recipes needed to get fabric and dye ready to create art. I love her book because it gives step by step directions for exact measurements of all the stuff you need to do this. There are many steps! First I mixed the pro print paste, since it has to sit for at least 1 hour before you use it. Dyes are the consistency of water which makes it very hard to paint with so you need to thicken the dyes by mixing them with the print paste mixture. While the thickener was setting up, I made a batch of soda ash, urea, and water to soak my pfd- prepared for dyeing fabric. The fabric has to be prepped to accept the dyes by first soaking for 30 minutes then drip drying. Finally, I mixed up dye concentrates of 5 colors with fiber reactive dye powder, urea, and water. This is how Jay and I spent our 19th wedding anniversary!! What fun.

I'm a MAC

Well, I finally did it! I became a MAC. I am sooooooo happy. It didn't take me long to get comfortable on the platform and the experience is second to none. Why did I wait so long?

I've been busy getting the house ready for Sharon Schamber's visit in August. She is staying with me for 7 days to teach me and 6 friends quilting design construction and implementation. Sharon is one of only 24 "master quilters" in the world. And best of all, she is humble and generous and excited to teach. In preparation, I've made a queen size quilt for the bed she'll be sleeping in and I've begun on a second queen size bed quilt for the other guest room as well. All my quilts, except for the 2 on the sofas in the family room, hang on the walls. What kind of quilter would I be if there weren't quilts on the beds?!

I just finished an alocasia leaf wall quilt as part of my leaf series. I've got the monstera you all saw last month sitting on the fireplace mantel. I still have a banana leaf to do, then it will be a real series, with 3 pieces.

I still have to mat and frame the water color paintings I did in class last month. I really enjoyed myself and found the experience very relaxing. It was a good launching point for me to start painting with textile paints and dyes on fabric. Jay has come up with some very cool design ideals which I will trace onto PFD- prepared for dyeing- fabric, paint, then quilt. It's great that he is so supportive of my quilting addiction.

This Saturday, July 4th, is our wedding anniversary. We're starting our day at the beach to watch the sunrise with mimosas in hand. Then in the evening, we'll watch fireworks on the docks in downtown Stuart with some friends. The city always puts on a fantastic display.

Until next time- which I promise won't be too far off.

Amy