Monthly Archives: January 2016

Let the shopping begin!!!

Booth, Road to Calfornia 2016
Booth, Road to Calfornia 2016

Two days down and two to go – what great fun it is to meet so many people with the same interests.  From traditional quilter’s who look at my tree fabric as a place to practice free motion quilting to the woman who bought two yards of sky fabric with very specific plans for it.  I learn from everyone who shares a tip or a story while they’re in the booth!

Hand Dyes, Road to Calfornia 2016
Hand Dyes, Road to Calfornia 2016

 

I did stop in one of our neighbor vendors, Brie Kriebel Clothing and picked up a great shirt!  This is the second one I’ve bought in the last couple years, they’re incredibly comfy and look great, my Mom has two also.  http://briekriebelclothing.blogspot.com

Lucy has left the Building
Lucy has left the Building

Lucy was the pincushion down front on the left, named so for her resemblance to Lucielle Ball.  I will miss Lucy, she even survived airport luggage handlers, but I’m glad she found a great home!

The Sew Craft is at booth 1710, if you’re in the area, stop by😊

The Adventure Begins…

Dallas is a very big airport, there are multiple terminals and I was lucky enough to have to run from gate C7 to gate C17 when I suddenly realized my departure gate had been changed.

Dallas Airport
Dallas Airport

Today was set up, lots of sweat equity there, and I’m not kidding about the sweat – it’s hot here (or is it just the drastic difference from the 3degree plus windchill weather at Bradley International Airport when I left – LOL).  The scenery and flora is always beautiful here.

Ontario, CA 2016
Ontario, CA 2016

 

This year I had more fabric than space, that’s a first!!  Still a few more items to set up so I’ll post pics tomorrow.

Ontario, CA 2016
Ontario, CA 2016
Dr Seus tree Ontario, CA
Dr Seus tree Ontario, CA
California Cactus
California Cactus

 

Road to California on a Deadline

It’s been pretty busy at my house lately but done or not I’ve dyed all the fabric, rinsed and washed it, and ironed it – I have no choice I’m on a plane to California right now. I believe I dyed over 100 yards in the last couple weeks – that’s a lot of ironing!!!

Hand dyes waiting to be ironed
Hand dyes waiting to be ironed

Actually since I really enjoy the process of creating, one of my favorite parts of hand dying is ironing. Being a self-described Serendipity Dyer, I have an idea what design the folding technique I use will result in but after adding many colors of dye simply based on my memory of the color wheel, once the colors all mingle and the dye water is a black shade from all of my magic potion mixing, I’m never sure what I’ll get.

Hand Dyed Tree fabric, lots of ironing
Hand Dyed Tree fabric, lots of ironing

Rinsing is the first surprise, but when the fabric is wet the dyes appear strong and vibrant, and I know washing dulls this down. Out of the dryer, I struggle to unravel a spaghetti mess of twisted and faded fabric (some of the pieces I dye are over 4 yards long). Spritzing the fabric with water both, tests color fastness and aids in removing the wrinkles – ironing is the grand unavailing. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed ironing more! Hopefully quilter’s at Road to California will enjoy them just as much as I do by giving them a good home, then again it wouldn’t be too bad if a couple pieces stayed to live at my house. 😉

Green Trees hand dyed fabric
Green Trees hand dyed fabric

Road to California nearing the Finish Line

My apologies for not posting, between the holidays and preparing to vend a Road to California with hand dyed fabric, hand painted cheese cloth and other items it’s been an all-out race to the finish line. My flight is fast approaching so I hope to ship some of the products on Monday and bring the rest in my suitcase and carry on, at least my carry on will be lighter on the way home LOL.

Here are my holiday puppies, they loved their stockings Christmas morning!!

Merry Christmas - Pete & Bella 2015
Merry Christmas – Pete & Bella 2015

And here is what I’ve really been up to – a couple new hand dyed designs, the ones below are a Mandala design.

Hand Dyed Mandala Green & Purple
Hand Dyed Mandala Green & Purple

 

Hand dyed Mandala Pink & Yellow
Hand dyed Mandala Pink & Yellow

I’m off to rinse and wash the sky fabric tonight along with rinsing one of my “Kitchen Sink” fabrics made from the left over dyes (I throw everything in but the kitchen sink), I love it when it’s all about serendipity and there’s no stress!!