Quilt Testers In Action

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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Still Here

Yup, I'm still around. I've just been dealing with rabbit and kid related things. We've had another vet go around with Ginny. More lumps have popped up on her face, these ones around her eyes.This led to a blocked tear duct and conjunctivitis, then she had a bad reaction to the meds, and on it goes. She seems to be on the mend again now, so hopefully that is it for awhile!

Second daughter's music activities have begun for the fall, and her work hours  at the farm stand have increased because of college kids going back to school, so we have been driving alot. This past weekend, she played her guitar at a downtown street festival with her instructor.


Of course a string broke on the first song, and since she didn't have others with her (she had just replaced them), a bit of instrument trading went on. She had a good time, and it was a beautiful day.


And then she volunteered to paint the platforms for the color guard for the marching band. She didn't realize that the skill set and time would be different from doing the designs that she draws on her books and clothes. I have been teaching her about scaling up her designs, and making templates, and helping her paint. Unfortunately, with her time issues, I am doing more of the project than I would like. Here she is making placement marks.


And tracing a template, with a little help from the lion next door..



Luckily he got distracted by something else, and ran off before the painting started.


Not a lot of sewing has been happening, but I did print out these, and started working on some fabric collages with them.


And the neighborhood lion came back and helped out with this project, that is now decorating my clothesline.



Most of the pieces turned out more solidly colored than I wanted. Since I like to work with prints, these will now need to be painted, stamped, screened, or maybe all three. Its nice to use your own fabrics, but is it really cost effective in terms of time, when so many great prints and colors are available commercially these days? What do you think?

And on another note, why are my favorite colors to dye, not colors that I quilt with very often (i.e., the reds and pinks, and purples)?  Has anyone else out there had this experience?

Hope you are all enjoying these last days of summer, and that none of you get sideswiped by Hurricane Earl.

6 comments:

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Is that Diane Redstone playing downtown? I haven't seen her in years. Glad to see she's still doing her thing.

Love the painting pictures! That's going to be some colorful platform. Can't wait to see their show this year. Nice she had a furry friend to keep her company :)

Maybe you could do some fabric swapping with someone who likes to dye the colors you sew with. Your fabrics are beautiful!

MGM

The Fab Furs said...

Wow, creativity sure runs in your family! Sorry to hear Ginny still has medical issues.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

I hope Ginny is okay. Please keep us posted.
Your daughters painting looks like it is turning out really well, I love the bright colors.
As for making your own fabric, I think it is brilliant that you can lay claim to the entire process. Good for you to do it. If you ever get bored and feel like sharing, maybe you could do a tutorial on the process. I would really love to know how this is done.

-Carolyn

Lisa said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! Except Ginny. Gin, pleeeeaaaaaaaassssseeeee stop scaring your family.

Neighborhood lion is quite friendly, eh? Just makes himself at home.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Oh man...I hate to hear that about Ginny, but I'm glad she is mending again. Poor little girl. Sugie's eye has been running too. Must be something in the air or the hay!
Lion supervising your daughter's work is too funny!
I have never dyed fabric, but have always wanted to. Of course, there really isn't a point when most of my stuff is white! hee,hee,hee.
Hurricane Earl is headed for us. If the front doesn't come through and push it out some, it will hit right near us. I'm in New Bern, which is 35 minutes inland of Morehead City NC.

Katie :o) said...

Love the neighborhood lion! The kids and I dyed fabrics last summer. It was loads of fun, but, yes, labor-intensive. And we didn't always like the way they turned out. Still, a fun experience to have! I hope Ginny continues to improve! Glad to have you post again :o) Take care!