MAKING LITTLE FOUR PATCHES

I started on my new quilt project using my dyed fabrics.

First thing was to make some four-patches.

I did it the easy way.  I got out a sharp pencil and figured out how many of each color combo I needed.  I cut a bunch of strips from the different fabrics, joined them together according to plan and then chain pieced them.  Easy-peasey.

Step One - sewing strips together.

Step Two -Join two of the strips right-sides-together and then cut them cross-ways.

Step Three - Chain those together.

Step Four - Iron open and voila!

107 Four Patches

DYEING FABRICS FOR NEW PROJECT

I got a strong urge to dye some fabrics for a new quilt project.  I saw a quilt pattern in a book recently, and I really loved it, but wanted to make it with my own fabrics. 

Mixing the different dye colors up first.

Smaller pieces of fabric are in plastic bags.

First day, two purples and gold.

Clean-up.

Plastic bags of fabric, dyeing overnight in the sink.

And a big chunk of fabric in a bucket.

And here they all are:!

The colors are not right on here, you'll have to come see them in person.

VALENTINE'S FLOWERS 2013

My husband's and my anniversary is just a few days after Valentine's Day.  I tend to just jam them together in my head.  [Actually, V-day seems more fun to me.]  So, I've been doing a painting of the flowers he gives me for V-day every year, so I'll have them always (aaahhh).  

This year I told him I didn't want red roses any more.  So, I got tulips instead.

After I got through sulking, I painted them.   They were really starting to droop.  They were nothing but stems by the time I finished.

I love you, honey.

MAILING MY YOT SNAKE CARD

I finished my Year of the Snake card this week and put it in the mail today.  They are slithering their way all over the globe, hopefully there's one on it's way to you.  Below are some progress pictures.

I did a reduction cut on a piece of bass wood. (Meaning I used the same block of wood throughout the process, cutting away the parts I want to remain the color I just printed)

I rolled on the Akua Intaglio inks with a brayer and used a baren to transfer it to the paper, which is probably Rives (I forgot to write down what it was after I bought it).

The pictures are in reverse order, the first steps are at the bottom...

Finished!

All the cards laid out to dry

Made quite the mess trying to decide on final color

Auditioning different colors for final outline

After the third color 

Rolling on the third color - a darker green

Second color - light green

First color - Red

First stage of block

Carving using a magnifying glass with a light

The original drawing

Happy New Year!

Hope the Year of the Snake is a great one for you and yours!

FIRST CARVING ON YOT SNAKE

I cut away everything I want to remain yellow.  It looks like this is going to be a reduction cut.  Oh my.

Celtic ring, Celtic snake

After the first carving

Tomorrow I need to get another color on the cards.  I'm thinking about doing a stencil for just the red tongue.  Everything else is pretty much going to be greens.  Red and green don't like to mix, and if I try to layer them it will be ugly.

I've seen another printmaker, Sherrie York, do wonderful things with stencils.  I haven't used a stencil in a long time, so I'm hoping I can work out the details in my sleep tonight.

LUNCH AT SONRISA

We had a great morning on a Seattle Audubon guided walk around Montlake Fill near the University of Washington.  Afterwards, we had lunch at a University Village restaurant, Sonrisa Mod Mex.  Good food.

A START ON A CELTIC SNAKE

It's time I got started on my Year of the Snake Print for BarenForum's Chinese New Year's Exchange.

First, come up with a drawing and transfer it to some wood blocks.  I'm going with two.  I haven't even figured out how many colors, but I'm only doing two blocks.

Peeling the paper off, and hopefully leaving the drawing.

Mixing a very transparent yellow using Akua inks.

Rolling  the first color directly onto the card.

I'm starting with 60 cards.  

I'm hoping Bentley the cat stays off them while they are drying.

A QUILT FOR A GRAND NEPHEW

My sister's son and his wife are expecting.  I got the invitation to a baby shower early last week and of course decided I wanted to make him a quilt (it's a boy).  I went to the fabric store looking for 'Mario' fabric (that is her theme) to no avail.  I picked up this great little collection though.  What the heck, it's not even close, but I love it!  Hope he (they) do too.

The finished quilt, 32.5" by 40.5"

A close-up

Wrapped up and ready for the shower

Welcome

[of course, I have lots of left over fabric.  I was thinking of making a bag.  It would make a great bag.  But, I'll have to put it on my list, and it's definitely not at the top at this point.]

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2013

I joined the Sketchbook Project 2013 since I had such a good time with the last one.

Of course, the due date is tomorrow.  So, I'm just under the wire.

I got my blank sketchbook quite a while ago, and then promptly forgot about it until December.  Not having sufficient time to do much of anything, I thought doing something I don't normally do, like collage, would be fun. 

Just before I put it into the envelope to mail it, I thought I better scan the pages since I'll probably never see the book again.  Bye!

Good luck to you, book.

TANDOORI KONA RESTAURANT

Darrell had to run up to Vancouver, British Columbia to deliver some furniture.  

After a delay of several hours at the border because of 'duty' issues, we finally made it into the country.  We had wanted to get there early to do a little bird watching.  We did manage to see some Snowy Owls, but we felt rushed the whole time.  He dropped the table off at the airport, from where it will continue it's journey to the new owners.  We went to Lee Valley and spent some money.  Always a fun store to visit.

We had lunch at a great Indian restaurant, Tandoori Kona.

MOONDOG, TOO RESTAURANT

Went to visit Dad at the VA, then we had breakfast for lunch at the Moondog, Too Restaurant in Port Orchard.  They were quick, I didn't have time to paint it.