No More Chlorine Gas For Me!

Quilted Rainbow

I spent what seemed like forever cutting up quilt squares today at Amber's house. But now I have this:


44 different fabrics about 240 squares...I think I may just try to make each square different. I know there are some nay sayers out there - you know who you are - but I really think I can do it.

Super Awesome

Boiling out the bluebird shirt:


The results of the previously mentioned super awesome dye bath:

Busy Busy!

There is no way it will "all" get done before Christmas, but we are going to have fun trying. I have had at least 3 projects going at any given time, so it has been pretty messy around here, I need a craft room! I've been batiking in the kitchen, and it's obviously not ideal for many reasons. But I've gotten quite a bit made including two shirts for me (gasp!), a shirt for my dad (in the works for a year), some onesies to sell and I've also been throwing in quilt squares with my dye baths.

Today Aaron is making Three Hearted Ale, I've popped out to help a few time, it smells like it's going to be good!


Adding the malt extract


Santa dropped this scale off early and I got my first experience as a hop dealer.


Aaron whipped together this wort chiller, the last time he made beer they lost a carboy because it was too hot. This shall happen no more.

My super awesome dye bath:


There must be 8 different colors in there, I could not get it quite right...but then I did and added a ton of stuff to it. There are some exciting things coming out soon!

I went out to check on my garden today (also in response to you Julie), I am astounded that just about everything survived that hard freeze we had for close to a week. I can not believe that my lettuce lived! The only things not looking so good are my snow peas...go figure! I need to unbury some other things, they don't like being covered in leaves with all the rain, but it has been so nice and warm the last week. It's nice.

I'm off to make cookies, boil batiks, clean house, finish up presents, help make beer and generally be merry!

Itajime

I finally got to experiment with some itajime today...it did not turn out perfect, but I didn't expect it to on my first try. I also didn't follow the directions exactly. I only let it sit in the dye bath for an hour or two instead over overnight, so the dyeing didn't come out very even. I think I will also use only 2 layers instead of 3 or 4 until I get better at it.





The edges are pretty crisp for my first try, I was surprised how many clamps it took! I used 6 and still had a bit of leakage.

I also broke out the old batiking supplies yesterday and got some projects started, along with a new toy - an electric tjanting tool. I do not know how I lived without this thing! I ordered a large and small tip and should be able to do everything I want now without limitation. I'm trying to take advantage of this creativity, as I know it won't be back until summer time unfortunately.

Sneak Peak

I'm pretty excited about this project! Here is the fabric I have so far...




After a long bike ride (beautiful day here!), and some yard work, I think I'm ready to get dyeing these bad boys!

Quick Beach Trip

Aaron went into work today and was promptly sent home, so he got a 4 day weekend too! He thought he was going to help out today, but they felt bad making him work on a holiday since he doesn't even get paid. So we decided to head to Newport. It was a short trip, but since we only spent a few hours there it made our day seem really long and productive. We walked out onto South Jetty and enjoyed the scenery.




We watched this kite boarder for a while.



Catching some serious air!


We had beautiful weather and Aaron got some beer at the Rogue garage sale. Then we headed home to run some errands. We stopped at this awesome quilt shop in Philomath, it was huge and they were so helpful. Now I'm well on my way to the super awesome quilt I posted about last. I'll post fabric pictures tomorrow. Tonight I washed and ironed everything and also started on Christmas presents! Aaron is currently making cherry wine, so we are feeling very accomplished today!