Low Tech Printing: Potatoes

It was late in the day before I could start printing. The whole, long day I spent mowing, I planned out what I wanted to do. I tried to eliminate all specialty materials so if you were inspired to play along, you could. How about some potatoes and leftover latex paint? 

#BraveQuilter Wrap Up for May and June Plans

It's Time to Link Up!

It's exciting for me to hear some of you writing about your new adventures as Brave Quilters. You're going out of your comfort zones to do things that are a little bit difficult--even scary, and it's making you better quilters and sewists.  You're setting your own goals, and deciding when you've completed them. Goal setting, and the follow through are excellent habits that spill over into the rest of our lives. Practicing with fabric is an easy way to make it a habit. I heartily congratulate each one of you even if you didn't participate here. 

2016 Mini Round Robin

      

Friends, my bucket list has gotten a real workout this year. Yet another adventure begins today as I join a few friends in both the U.S. and Canada for a Round Robin. This idea started as a block swap, turned into a Mini Round Robin, and then I had to ask, "What's THAT?"

Dark Sky Compliant: Another Art Quilt

"Dark Sky Compliant"

So, you ask, "What is that?" I'd never heard the term before I saw a notice asking everyone in Sanibel, Florida to modify all their outdoor lighting. In a nutshell, it means reducing light pollution while allowing the stars and moon to be more visible to people, but more importantly, the wildlife that biologically depend on it. Sea turtles nest on the beaches there. The loggerheads depend on the moonlight to lay their eggs, and the hatchlings to find their way back to their ocean home. Reducing artificial light gives them all a better chance at birth survival.

Island Management: An Art Quilt

Island Management

If I tell you I've been neglecting everyone and everything for a few days, would you forgive me? I'm sorry if I owe you an email or reply. Soon, I promise. There's a story with a not-so-happy ending, too, if you want to read on, and I'm the only one to blame. Ready?

Beading and Embellishing the Naked Ladies

All day long I thought I could just run inside, and get this post written. All day long, it was one thing after the next, and it turned out very prolific. I spent some time playing on Instagram with @gogokim and #missingmarket. Quilt Market is going on right now, and there are lots of us living vicariously through the feeds from those there. Oh, to be...or not, but it does look glamorous and fun. We're still having our fun together on Instagram. I'm PINKDOXIES. Look me up.

Second Chance Quilts

 Quilters Are Passionate About Scraps!

There are dozens of ways to say this. You've all spoken from your hearts. 

When I last presented my dilemma with the awful term scrap vomit, and how much I disliked it, I asked for ideas to give these delicious quilts a better name. You all came through. What a list!

Pink Doxies' Scrappy Quilt

I officially have less of a scrap stash than before, but admittedly could make another of these if not 2. Then there's the bin with the more traditional colors, but that's another story. I needed a finish yesterday--not to post, but for inner satisfaction. I needed to hear the purr of my machine, and I needed some time alone. My husband calls my studio, "Your Happy Place." I spent most of the day there feeding strips through my vintage Pfaff, and was perfectly content.

Guest Blogging at Confessions of a Fabric Addict Today

Today I'm taking a break here, but so pleased to be a guest blogger at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I struggled for weeks to think of what to write, and when I sat down to actually do it, it seemed to write itself. Funny thing is, it's nothing that I planned. There's a link party there next Sunday for anyone involved in Hands2Help quilt charity, and I encourage you to pop over to check it out. 

In the meantime, I'll be working on the Naked Ladies, and have some dye pots going, too. I might even get to do some project sewing. I miss the purr of my sewing machine. It's too wet and cold out to work, so we're holed up inside with each other. I rather enjoy the company, and the break from the garden and lawn. 

I hope you have something fun to work on today. If you're working to finish your quilt for Hands2Help, I'll be sending you good thoughts. 

Come on, Doxie girls.

Let's cuddle while I sew.

Shh, Lucy. You're snoring!

Fabric Printing, Stamping, Dyeing, Painting, and Putting It All Together

Some days I sit down to write, and wonder where in the world to start. You and I both may well admit that I I work in a widely scattered pattern. It may appear that there is nothing linear in my thought process, but I swear there is. Imagine all the puzzle pieces out on the dining room table. I've finally found a few that fit together nicely.

PRINTING

I am a type junkie. I love the printing word, or just single letters or numbers, but maybe numbers most of all. I found some perfect balsa wood numbers in the scrap booking section, and turned them into stamps by painting them first, and then attaching wooden clothespins to them. (Why clothespins? Seriously, they were within reach, and I could hot glue them on.)