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.

Ravioli

We had a lovely dinner at my parent's house last night with my sister. She made pasta and ravioli filling and we helped assemble it all when we got there. She sent us home with the extras and we recreated it tonight. Aaron also made some pesto chicken and sauteed up some leeks (from the garden), mushroom and tomatoes for the top.



They are filled with spinach, beets and potatoes with cheese and a hint of nutmeg. We made a variation of pumpkin pie that turned out really good as well.

Aaron scored this sexy Santa from Germany!

I took two finals today (A's in both classes!) I have two finals tomorrow and two on Thursday. I also spent a few hours outside trying to salvage what's left of my garden. This cold cold weather is taking its toll. I'm not sure what will be left after two more 12 degree nights. I gathered leaves and packed everyone in to try to keep them a little warmer. The more delicate peas got a sheet on them as well, but I think it may be futile for them for how cold it's been.
Up at 5:30 tomorrow to head to school and for now I need to finish carving those damn wax teeth. I swore I wasn't going to leave them until the night before...whoops.

The Pits

Well it's been a terrible, awful, horrible week with no less than 3 breakdowns. I'm so glad it's over. I'm starting to feel like I just can't catch a break, but luckily my classmates are so supportive. I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to share hygiene school with. We are always willing to help each other out and without them, I would not be making it right now.

I started this wax tooth project today...I have been putting it off for weeks. Getting to this point wasn't too bad, but now that I'm trying to form the cusps I'm having a hard time. I have one more to make after this, hopefully it will be easier after the first one.


Aaron made this easy, delicious meal tonight. Sunburgers on homemade buns with lettuce from our garden (how is this possible after several hard freezes? I'm not sure, but it's perfectly fine, even without having been covered) and yams. Oh and a salad from our garden.


We are off to Salem tomorrow for dinner, my sister is visiting. Then it's finals all next week and then a well deserved 3 weeks off.

Breakfast

Yum, I love weekend breakfasts.


Dyeing has been put on hold... I needed bigger triangles than the ones I ordered, they will be here in a week. Probably a good thing since I have finals coming up. This weekend made me feel like I was on winter break, but I still have two busy weeks ahead.

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!