A Very Productive Day

For a change,LOL.  Lately, between the daily T-storms, dealing with work on the house, and mostly Bouree...I have spent very little time working.  Today, I decided that as annoying as dealing with the  house repairs, and as compelling as playing with the kitties is...I have to get back to some creative work again.

Today was that day...mostly.  While I did play with kitties, I still did get quite a lot done.

First, I dyed a few skeins of wool yarn.  I really like doing this...the results are always great..especially since I now only use the really good stuff...both wool and dyes.  It really does make a huge difference.  I did experiment in the beginning with using food coloring and kool aid for dyes, but I threw those out...the results I get from the professional acid dyes are just better in my view.  It actually didn't take me long to figure that out...one skein with each actually... and only one keeper...the one done with the professional dyes.

I started out using pro chemical acid dyes, but a little while back Dharma introduced their own brand of acid dyes.  They are vibrant and very economical, and I got a bunch of them to try, and I love them. Since I get tons of other supplies from Dharma, it is nice to be able to get the wool dyes from them too.

Today, though I worked on using up my pro chemical supply. I did several skeins, but I'm just showing one tonight.

Bare...



soaking...



Drying...



Done...



I always add synthropol to my acid soak, and when done I always use creme rinse to soften the fibers after the dyeing process.  It makes the wool slide nicely on the needles and feels really good to your hands...not to mention it makes it smell so good.  I just use whatever conditioner I happen to have, they all work.  After all, it is just sheep's hair!



I also got quite a bit of quilting done...so much so that if the T-storms wait until late afternoon tomorrow I may get this quilt done in the next 2 days!...It is big, but it is for my guest bed, so there won't be any micro stippling...want it to be nice and soft!

All the applique is just fused...except the bias stems...they are just pinned, so all the applique is being stitched down as a part of the quilting process.





And of course, there have to be some Bouree pictures...  he played in the trash can under the longarm table for a while







He kept Chloe up half the night, so she slept all day...

Then Bouree fell asleep too, on the chaise lounge watching me work.



 



And that's it for my day, how was yours?

 

 

Pee & Boo

AKA Chloe and Bouree ...the antics of today.

Studio Time part deux

This is what Bouree and I accomplished yesterday.  My next "Fiberactions" challenge piece is due to be revealed on July 15th, so I figured I'd better get working on it.  The word this month is "Departure".  The top is done thanks to Bouree's help and ready to be quilted.

Here are a few photos to hold you over until the reveal.

















 

Studio Time

With  Bouree!  We were working on one of our projects...or I was trying to.  But this bundle of cuteness kept distracting me.



















He is a very busy boy! In the end, I actually did get a lot done.  Pictures of what I did will come later.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July; and for my Canadian friends...Happy Canada Day!

Pinks socks and kitties

Lots of thunderstorms around these days, so quilting really slows down.  But the knitting picks up!  I finished the first pink sock



and started on the second



I also got myJuly postcard done for the family exchange



And worked on stitching some applique down and some painting on the fish.  Almost have the background pieced for a pattern to go with another one of Vicki's gradients, so between all that, dealing with house stuff, and playing with kitties I've been keeping busy!

And speaking of kitties, I'll close with some more photos of them.  Bouree is really getting big!

First Chloe





and then Bouree...AKA "Crazy Man"









 

Red Socks Finished

And a new pair started...the pink ones



Can you believe a post without Bouree????  Tomorrow, he and Chloe will be back..maybe some quilting too :)

 

More Bouree & Chloe

Today I worked a little on the red/black/white quilt, but mostly I spent the day getting the downstairs guest suite ready for  visitors.  One son,Travis (and his sweet Georgina) are coming to visit tomorrow.  It will be a short visit...just until Sunday, but we are just thrilled to have the time with them!

Also, today finishes up my month as Guest Artist at 3 Creative Studios.  It was great fun, and I thank Vicki and Terri for having me.  If you missed it, the link to my techniques and videos can be found on the sidebar to your left.

And of course I have to leave you with the latest kitty photos....