Whoa...time is flying by

Just noticed I have been amiss in my blogging...really it's been since May 8? Oh my?...I could promise as usual to try to do better....??? lol hmmmm oh well guess such is life...
The month of May has been busy but thankfully my quilting has found time to fit into the schedule. I managed to get away on a weekend quilt retreat with my old guild that helped me get started in quilting when I first moved to VA. As usual it was a wonderful weekend, productive with loads of fun and laughs. I thank them for a wonderful adventure. I have been working on two projects that unfortunately have to stay secret for a while longer...I have no idea how the fabric designers or quilt pattern makers create their lines or quilts and then have to keep them secret for months on end...this short time is killing me ;-) lol

I will show one project I am working on, it involves some free solid charms from the modern quilt guild group I've joined "it is a challenge"...so figured this was the perfect time to finally try the twister gadget ;-) what fun it is....
so here 's photo's of some stuff I'm working on that I can show you  ;-)....hope you enjoy!

Step one was to sew the charms together and add 3 inch border

Use the Plexiglas shape to cut out squares and sew into rows..it this not GREAT?

HQ16 is ready to go too, next up to be quilted is quilt top from my mom's strip piecing

I am having so much fun dyeing silk...

So I have been working on a couple "top secret" quilt projects this past week along with trying to regain my energy after our very quick trip up north.  Bill and I had a wonderful celebration and trip last week but between the emergency room episode and two college ceremonies we found ourselves needing to regroup and regain my energy.....
I am glad I participated in the silk dyeing w/shibori technique online class. It was the first time I worked with silks along with the first time I was introduced to "Colorhue dyes" (quick set dyes).  I really enjoy the ease of using these dyes.  I admit they create softer shades and colors than MX fiber dyes but I enjoy the ease of working with them. It is nice to be able to swish my hands in the color mixtures without getting the norm stained nail-beds or hands from dye that can stay for days.

And finally this weekend I got to play with my art and in my studio....

beads used for pattern resist

pole wrapping and beads

removing beads

all 5 newly dyed scarves

blues and greens

browns and beige

close up

Congrats to our new 2011 Grad-Amy

Well did not mean to get behind...it's a shame I cannot magically have my posts appear via thoughts.... We've been busy and somehow I let it get me off track in my some of my art and blogging...
So I am going to make this a two post day ;-) to try to catch up....lol

First thing I'd like to share is the fun we had last weekend celebrating a family college graduation. Our niece Amy graduated from the University of MI last weekend soit was time for a quick trip up north to be part of the festivities.
Of course as I shared with my family I am feeling jinxed regarding our trips up north...it seems lately every time I plan a visit up north I get greeted upon landing at the airport with news that one of my parents is hospital bound usually via ambulance... And YUP.... this time it was my dad.... So we flew in around noon Friday and after getting our rental car proceeded to a hospital emergency room to try to be some help to my folks. Thankfully we got to spring them, got them home and even managed to have a pleasant quick visit ;-))) it was then onto our hotel to get some rest before Saturday's morning festivities.

Our Saturday began at the U of MI stadium along with the many proud families of the class of 2011.

Amy helped us be able to locate her in the crowd by adding a little special artwork to her cap, of course "an apple" to represent the teacher certification she had just received.

The proud Aunt and Uncle and the new grad Amy

For one of Amy's gifts I took one of my husband's old U of M t-shirts and added it to a one of a kind quilt for a one of a kind graduate ;-)

notice emblem in lower right hand corner

Amy opening her quilt

The day was a grand celebration...the sun even came out for us.
A reminder to all....

 GO BLUE!!!