First of all, I finished the "Cats Quilt". This is a small quilt, originally designed by DG1, DG2, and DG3 (for Dear Grandson, of course), and fabrics chosen by said grandchildren. I asked them to pick out from my stash six sets of two fabrics each, and they chose lovely combinations that I would NEVER, in a thousand years, have chosen to go together. But they work. Then I had them cut each set into wacky nine patches, so I could sew them back together. These twelve squares weren't enough for a whole quilt, so I asked them what to do to make it larger, and they all said, "Add cats", so the Cat Quilt was born. I am taking credit for it, because a) I suggested that they pick out the fabric, b) I suggested that they cut the nine patches, and c) I designed, planned, and pieced the cat squares. So I think enough of it is MINE that it qualifies. Besides this isn't a competition. It is my blog, my rules, so it counts.
I think I started the above project about two years ago.
When the grandkids came for their annual summer visit in July, I and they wanted to tie-dye some t-shirts. Rather than plunging right in, I decided to practice on some muslin first. So I soaked it in water, we wrapped the fabric, and then next day, we dyed the fabric in a package of Tulip dyes from a JoAnn tie-dye kit. The results were amazing. Just a few drops of dye, a few rectangles of fabric, and we have amazing fabrics. Wow. I was very pumped. Second project.
Next day, I soaked the t-shirts. We tied them. And the fourth day, we dyed them. Well, the DG2 and DG3 dyed their shirts. With really amazing results. Who knew that a seven year old and a thirteen year old could produce such great art work. I'm totally taking credit. I bought the dye. I got the t-shirts. I washed them. I got the worksurface arranged. I organized the project. I get credit. Woohoo.
Then the last day, DG1 decided to dye his shirts. By this time, we had used all the Tulip dye, so he dyed his shirts in indigo, which seems to be a neverending pot of dye. They also came out great. I have really super talented grandsons, don't I? Third project for July.
A couple of days after the boys went home, I went to a guild meeting. The topic was dying fabric, using shaving cream to hold the dye in place (and distribute it into patterns). We each dyed four little samples of fabric (about 4 inches square). Only three of them turned out. I would like to make them into another project, but haven't yet. It was suggested in this workshop that one could use this method for dying socks. I wanted to try it again "at home", so I got some socks, and tried it again. The socks are fantastic.
So there are four projects for July, finished. I will try to add photos soon. (ETA Photos Aug 9, 2011)
Hope you can finish some good stuff for yourself, too.
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