#3

I've been working on another Small Study since my class with Gwen Marston, and it's finally done!

My Small Study #3
9.75 X 12.5 inches

I started with that central square of fabric, which was a 6 inch square, and picked all my colors from that.  I was trying to only use that 6 inch square, but ended up finding the rest of the fabric and using a little more.  This one was difficult to do, as I was trying to not repeat my previous efforts too much.  I think I did OK.  It was nearly over-done before I finished, but I kept simplifying and it finally jelled for me.  I was missing Gwen's input!

Here's an F.Y.I. - Gwen will be teaching in this area again next tyear.  She's teaching a number of classes (multiple days) at Quilted Strait quilt shop in Port Gamble in April 2014.   Candy and I are already signed up!

We, along with the whole West of the U.S., have been experiencing quite a heat wave the last few days.  Since it's been so nice, I decided it was time to dye/paint/sun print some fabric again!  So, that's what Candy and I did this morning.  The day started out cool and cloudy, but eventually the sun came out.  I don't think the sun printing was too successful, though.  But it was a beautiful day - not too hot and a nice breeze.  It was really pleasant out in the yard.  Ahhh . . . summer!  (Finally! as my DH would say!  He's been anxious for the rain and cool weather to stop and for summer to get here.)

Here is part of what we did, drying in the sun.  The sun moves very quickly here this time of year so I spent quite a bit of time moving my dyeing boards around to try and keep them in the sun.  I think that's why the sun printing didn't work too well.

Many of these fabrics were re-dyeing or over-dyeing some less-than-successful pieces from some years ago.    When Susan Purney Mark spoke to my quilt guild a few years ago, she told us not to be hesitant about re-doing pieces.  She said sometimes they're just not done yet!  So, what the heck, I thought I'd give it a try.  I sure wasn't using them like they were, and I probably couldn't make them much worse.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?  Well, I haven't even ironed my pieces yet, but I *think* I improved at least some of them!  I'll know more tomorrow, after I iron them and really look at them in good light.  

I hope all of my friends in the U.S.A. have a stellar 4th of July!  Happy Independence Day!