Dying Crochet Thread and more

I have had some Jacquard Acid Dye color mixes ready for a while, and decided that I had best pull them out and use them before they went bad as it has been weeks since they were mixed. I wanted to try dying some cotton thread, so only began with three of the dye colors.  

I pulled down a hug ball of white crochet thread and wrapped some around my fingers in little bunches, and some around this cereal box. The "cereal box" thread was brush painted with a few different colors of dye. I just went across the box, coloring the thread about 2" down each strand; they repeated with the next color, and the next until all of the white thread was no longer white. I was not sure how it would come out...and did only one "box worth". 

 But it is fabulous! I'm going to have to re-think and do this some more as I love varigated and overdyed threads!  

The other colors were submessed in little dye cups...baths of dye for each little bunch of thread. A couple of the cups had more water added, to lessen the intensity of the dye bath. They all turned out so nicely...  

...that I did a whole bunch more today. They are sitting on my brown "dying towel" waiting to dry. Tomorrow, I'll be busy wrapping all of this thread around little cardboard spools.  

AND, I had a lot of this light blue/teal 4mm silk ribbon from super buy on facebook...and didn't need dozens of packages of the same shades...so dyed them too.  

  They are waiting to dry. So, I'll have thread and ribbon in similar colors...such pretty playthings! I'll show you how these ribbons look in a couple of days after they have dried and I'm pressed them.   EDITED TO ADD: 5/5/2012 I was asked about the size of the crochet cotton, but the label is no longer on this huge ball of thread, so I have no idea. It is equal in size between Perle 8 and Perle 12, and is a 3-ply twist. The ball is measured 5 inches tall and 15 inches around, if that helps. Hugs!  

   

OPEN REGISTRATION for the next BASIC CQ COURSE

This BASIC CQ Course (BCQC)  REGISTRATION will remain open until midnight on May 4th   The class will run for about five weeks.  

  These 12-Tasks comprise this basic class:   1 - How to Use the Class Blog 2 - Selecting Supplies 3- Design Principles of CQ 4 - Sewing the Block 5 - Surface Beading Techniques 6 - Template Seams 7 - Shape Seams 8 - 11 Various Silk Ribbon Flowers 12 - Finishing (lace, charms, etc.)   The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions.   Link to the Basic Supply List You WILL be required to get your own supplies to complete the about 8 x 10 size block. Basic CQ supplies include silk ribbon, pearl cotton threads, tiny beads, etc. as the photo above indicates. None of these are in large quantity for a single block.   You will be required to use a quilting hoop (Q-snap is fine). You WILL be required to access the private class blog (upon an invitation sent to you) and post photos of your work as you progress through the class.
  If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address you wish me to send class instructional handouts to.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email and Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held. Watch for BOTH of these emails, check your spam folder. If you do not receive by Monday morning, email me to let me know.   This is an ON-LINE internet class.  You will need to follow some simple instructions to register and gain access to the private class blog. Your name and email will need to be entered; but NO social security or credit card information is required. Just basic information to "recognize" you as a class participant. Since the class blog is Hosted on a Blogger platform...it does work best with a G-Mail Email address...but others have also worked just fine. If you do not have gmail, it is possible that you could need to set up a temporary account...just to get on the blog. I can still use your "normal" email to send you homework assignments.   You will need to be able to take PHOTOS of your work, and UPLOAD them to the class blog. You will get instructions on "blogging" so don't worry if you don't currently do that now; you will learn. But, you DO NEED to have an operating camera and be able to take photos, AND save them to your computer. So, you do need a basic understanding of how to save these photos and then retrieve those picture file for uploading.   If you take photos with an Iphone, Ipad, etc. then search for the free APP by Blogger...it has helped many students with fast uploading directly from their device to the class blog. I do not personally have any of these Apple devices...so am not much help at solving those "techie" problems.   NOTE: You will be given class handouts/instruction in the form of emails and pdf documents.  The pdf files can be opened with Adobe Reader (free software on the Adobe.com site)
 You need to be able to open these handouts/instructions and save them. You can also print as you desire. In total, the course contains over 200 pages of information...so paper/printer will be required if you want to retain a hard copy of this information.   Hugs, and I hope to see you in the class!    EDITED TO ADD, 5/5/2015 Registration is not closed. We have 49 folks signed up for the class. Hope to see you the next registration if you missed this one. Hugs!  

Class Fun!

My poor blog is suffering...from too much Class fun! I have been amiss at posting things being so busy. I shall try to do better. But, perhaps when you see what we've been up to in the recent classes...you will understand!

The BCQC is the Basic Class...and covers the same block/techniques for all. It also "introduces" students to how I choose to teach and run my classes. You might think that everyone making the "same block" would be boring. So, far from the truth...just take a look at some of the more recent blocks...all the same...yet...all are very different.
 

Nancy B

 

Karen M.

Nancy W.

Shelly H

And not to be outdone...the ladies in the ICQC 101 (Piecing Class) have been designing and dreaming up some gorgeous blank canvas blocks just waiting to be stitched upon!

Kathy L.

Mary C.

Louise K

Sarah A.

And...the newest of the classes announced...the ICQC 102 (Paint, Dye, Ink) is a huge load of fun! I can almost hear the giggling through the computer screen!

Nancy T.

Alice T.

Cheryl J.

Colleen B.

Dawn H.

Hazel R.

Marg R.

Marilyn N.

Ruth C.

Simone dK

Teena K.

This is as much of a "thank you" post as it is an inspirational and informative post. I so enjoy "watching" ladies learn new things, experiment and step outside of their normal level of comfort...and the enthusiasm that comes across in the class blog posts is heart warming to me. I'm having such a good time teaching this way...and so thanks to all of you that keep signing up to join me on this crazy adventure! May we all continue to smile, have fun, and keep learning.

Painting and Drying Frame

While painting ribbon, as it lay on my table...I began thinking about how I might do this vertically. Dipped ribbon is easy to deal with, but painted ribbon requires brush strokes. If "ombre" style was to be done...the ribbon needed to be painted along the length. This is not possible with dipping into dye cups.  

I thought about using a set of stretcher bars or my quilt frame. However, once dye gets on it...it might come off on my future work...not a good idea. But, since i make my own frames now anyway...and had all of the "connections"...all I really needed was a good design and more 1/2 inch PVC pipe! But this "model" was way too tall, making me stretch to paint the ribbon. And the ribbon on the backside (from wrapping) was too difficult to get to.

So, I created a wider version that was still tall, just not AS TALL as before. I used my prior side pieces as the width, just needed to cut one more of those.

 The ribbon painting was still a lot of work, and I'm not entirely sure it's a good use of my time.

The ribbon was pretty when rinsed and dried; but not as "ombre" as I had hoped for. Still, it is going to make some very pretty woven roses! I do love my large drying rack/frame however...and may use it for a block or large needle-art piece after all...as the little bit of dye on it came off with bleach water.
So, if you have downloaded the free instructions on building your own frame...you can adapt by cutting different pipe lengths (horizontal ones were 25 inches, and vertical ones were 15 inches) and have a cool large frame or drying rack!
Hugs!

Dying and Painting Lace

The ladies in the ICQC-102 class have been painting and dying laces and ribbons. They got me wanting to create some pretties too; so here are some of my latest efforts.  

The upper left corner has the painted (acyclic) pieces. The upper right corner has the Acid Dye painted/dipped pieces, and the lower center has the Procion MX Dye pieces.

Here are some of the Acid Dye Ribbons (rayon seam binding). All of the photos are after things have been rinsed, dryed, and pressed.

Hope you are having at least half the fun that these ladies are!
 

Open Registration for ICQC -101 Designing and Piecing CQ Blocks (Required for all other Intermediate Course Registrations)

Hello everyone. It is time for another ICQC Registration Open Period...where has the time gone!    Lot's to share with you about this week...but no time at the moment. Heading off to the hospital to visit with my mother...they are keeping her for a couple of days...as she has gotten a "bug" and is dehydrated. So, I'm in a run...sorry...and will not be answering you very quickly today if you email...but I'll be busy getting to everything when I do return later this afternoon. Hugs!   Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course (ICQC) 101-Piecing Crazy Quilt Blocks is now OPEN for Registration   You Must Have Completed The CQ Basic Class to Register for this ICQC Module.
Registration is open 20 through 22 April   The class will begin on 23 April and should take 4-6 weeks (or less).   These mini classes will comprise this first course:   A - Printing on Fabric B - Color Theory C - Selecting Fabrics D - Designing Blocks E - Adding Lace & Trims F - Piecing CQ Blocks    The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions.   Link to the Basic Supply List    You WILL be required to get your own supplies to complete the different class tasks.    If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address (if different) you wish me to send class instructional handouts to. The email address (if different) you wish me to use for Class Blog Access.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email and Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held.    This is an ON-LINE internet class You will need to follow some simple instructions to register and gain access to the private class blog. Your name and email will need to be entered; but NO social security or credit card information is required. Just basic information to "recognize" you as a class participant. We will follow the same process you used in the Basic Class.   This is the first module of the ICQC. Future modules will require that you complete this one.
  Hugs, and I hope to see you in the class!    

Open Registration - 10-12 April for ICQC-102

Registration is now open for the Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course (ICQC), Module #102 (Working with Paints, Dyes, and Inks)   Registration is open 10, 11, and 12 April. Class will begin on 13 April
You need to have completed ICQC-#101 Module (Designing and Piecing Blocks)  before registering for this #102 module.   This Course covers: --Painting Backgrounds -- Painting and Dying Lace Motifs -- Inking Lace and Charms
To register please email this information: Name State/Country Email Address
to me at: shaw.kathy@yahoo.com before midnight (CST) on 13 April.
The class instruction is FREE. You will need supplies. A draft supply list is under the Class Tab of this site.
Hugs,

Hope Your Day is Bright and Sunny!

Sending Easter Hugs!  

Eggs and More!

  If you are doing a little egg dying this week...toss in a few pieces of lace after you have dunked all of the boiled eggs. Rinse...and you have a rainbow of lovely lace pieces.These can also be over-dyed later. Just paint little touches on top of the solid colored pieces.  

  Love butterflies for this! Quick and easy!   p.s. Rayon lace will work...cotton not so much.   The dye I used was the jelly type cake icing food coloring dye, mixed with hot water/vinegar.  

One tired grandma...

It is Spring Break here...so the kids are out of school for the week. One of my sister's called, she wanted to take her grandson to the Tenessee Acquarium and wanted to know if I wanted to go and take Aidan (dear granddaughter).   

  So, even though my shoulder is still giving me fits...I thought it would be a great idea...since it involved no lifting. Hugs!  

My photos are not the greatest...this little point and shoot style camera tried it's best...but most of the place were dark and the fish tanks gave off a strange light.  

   But, we did have a good time...and walked, and walked, and walked! All were tired when we got back home. Would recommend it however...loads of things to see!  

  Even my tired spots...have tired spots. This getting older is not the weak! Hugs!