Old dye test was a success. I love the way the colors came out. Several of these pieces are going to be great background pieces for some art quilts.

One piece of the discharged pink silk is being ice dyed. I want to see how it comes out before I ice dye the second piece. Plus my ice maker hasn't caught up completely from yesterday and I didn't have enough ice to dye both pieces. I can't wait to unveil and wash it tomorrow to see how it comes out.

The fabric that I "Ice Parfait" dyed yesterday is in the washer. I looked at it earlier and I love the way several of the pieces came out. As I was looking at the fabric I had clearer vision for our bedroom quilt. I need to sketch out my ideas so I can start working on it next month.

Off to make my top pattern and fold up these beautiful pieces of dyed flannel. Glad I know I can hold on to my dyes for a while.

Finally, a day to spend a few hours in the dye studio. I have been wanting to try the process of "Iced Parfait" since I read in the the June/July 2012 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine. The article was written by Carl Ludington. You all know I love to ice dye and my other style is parfait dyeing, so it just makes sense to combine the processes.

Two of the vats are in colors for our bedroom quilt, that I keep changing my mind on how it is going to look and be constructed. The third vat is of old dye that was in my dye refrigerator. These dyes have been sitting in the fridge for months, so I don't know strong the colors will come out. I just threw in diaper flannel to see what happens. If they don't come out well I will use the diaper flannel as batting in my art quilts.

This morning I also discharged the last of the pink silk in my stash, about 4-5 yards. Since I emptied the icemaker this morning, on the iced parfait dyeing, the silk will have to wait until tomorrow to be dyed. Have to let that icemaker catch up with my dyeing habit. I am going to make a new blouse of the silk and use one of my current tops as the pattern. I found the top in a shop in California, it is lightweight linen, cut on the bias and the most comfortable and flattering top I own.

Yesterday I was honored to help hang the latest show for the Dallas Area Fiber Artists. The show is at the Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas. Beautiful church and gallery area. The Dallas Area Fiber Artists never cease to amaze me with how all of our varied styles and processes work together in a show. Here are three of the walls of the show. I didn't get a picture of one of the wall. Check the DAFA website later for all the pictures.

Okay, time to get back to the studio and start drafting my pattern.

Finding Balance

The Broken Line

A few weeks ago I was listening to a book while in the Studio. Okay, don’t ask me which one. I listen to a couple of books a week and cannot keep track with which one I was listening too at the time. Anyway, there were several profound statements, but the one that made me stop mid-stitch and write it down was that “fear can suck away our creative powers”. Wow, how I can relate to that one. With all the adjustments around my house right now, my creative juices have been sucked out, purified and poured down the drain. It has been a struggle to get back into the studio and “want” to do something.

Honestly, I have been able to complete two baby quilt tops for the Baptism Quilters at church. I am fortunate to be a part of a wonderful group of ladies and one of them is going to quilt the quilts for me. I just don’t have the will power to quilt anything larger than a 9x12.

Another quote from the book I was listening to was that our brains are our “Imagination Machines”. All artists can relate to that one. It is a great concept to ponder and concentrate on while I work. This past week things have mellowed out and I have been able to complete one 9x12 for AAQI (The Broken Line). I have two other art quilts that have been sitting on my board for three months that are growing on me and I have visions of completed pieces.

This week I am going to work on my “Imagination Machine” and finding balance in my life. My days don’t have to be all or nothing, they can be a balance of God-time, care-taking, administrative work and creative time. I hope you are finding this type of balance in your life too.