Saturday, August 15, 2009

Oh My, What Did I Get Myself In To?

I have big problem with agreeing to do more than I have time for. I had planned to spend the month of August sewing blocks for my quilt block jewelry. I wanted to get all stocked up for the Fall and Christmas sales. Best laid plans....

In the mean time I was invited vend my hand dyed fabrics and jewelry at a quilt show in September. I couldn't resist the opportunity (partly because it is near my mom's home in Illinois). So now I'm spending all of my spare time sewing and dyeing fabrics. I even purchased some silk and velvet scarves to overdye and to add some more interest to the booth.
More complications. I am running out of many of the main fabrics I use in my best selling jewelry. I haven't added these fabric mixes to my Dye Candy shop yet so I had to break out the turquoise dye and get to work. Turquoise as a primary color makes beautiful greens and purples but it is an extremely aggressive dye. It also takes at least one additional wash cycle (sometime two) to rinse from dyed fabrics. I have 24 yards of blue-purples in the dryer this morning. I will be working on the blue-greens tonight or tomorrow.

I am also planning a fabric painting class that I will be teaching at the end of this month. We are working with Set-a-Color paints on white print cloth. This paint is very versatile. There are many different techniques to play with and the results are beautiful. I will have pictures for you in early September.

I may need to cut back on my blogging and reading for a while until I get my head above water again. I am just feeling too overwhelmed.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I'm off to volunteer at the art gallery today.....Oh My

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Perseids and the Milky Way

Perseids Meteor showers are at their peak August 12th - 13th. Viewed best in the Northwest sky after the moon sets.


As I child I studied our solar system, never really understanding that it is just a very tiny spec inside the Milky Way galaxy.

Where we live the skies are dark at night. On a clear night you can see the Milky Way, thousands of stars stretched across the sky in a thick band. If you have never seen the Milky Way make time to do it at least once in your lifetime. It will take your breath away.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Greetings from Minnesota

A week at the lake with family.
Long days of dreaming without the interuptions of everyday life.

Morning walks to ponder the solitude and beauty of nature.



Afternoons spent playing....


reading and reminiscing.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Wildlife and Random Thoughts from the Shady Grove

Common Wood-Nymph
Hundreds of dragonflys will fill the fields of the Shady Grove in another week or so.
Eastern Comma
Our valley
Candian Thistle an invasive species, but oh so beautiful and stately.
This boy is just starting to show his antlers
Yearlings feed on the apple trees
and play tag outside my studio window.