Where did April go?

It's been a busy month, suddenly tomorrow it's May.    In the spirit of the season, I am spring cleaning my blogspot, so to speak!    It was all thrown together before I left for India, and I still have a lot to learn.  However, new heading picture, a bit about me, Diary Dates, and - now I feel a bit weak, it has taken several attempts - a Link List, only one so far, more to be added.  Now where did I put my notes on how to!

Interesting weather too!   Snow on the balcony at the beginning of the month, then a little taste of summer, biblical rain, hail and thunderstorms.     When the rain is not pelting down in the conservatory roof I can enjoy dyeing etc whilst watching the blue tits fly in and out of the nest box - they must have very hungry babies in there.   The garden is looking good, but there is a lot of work to be done out there.

Finished April Journal quilt - Summer Pavilion.  Tick.

A page from my Journal

The finished quilt - free 'sketchy' machine 

stitching, minimal bonded fabric and a little

hand stitching.

Brittany Ferries off to Cherbourg, with little Sandbanks ferry in the background.   Taken on a real April day, sun shining, big clouds, a bit breezy and best enjoyed, as we did in the bar of The Haven Hotel, with a little glass of something, and a few nibbles.

Now to attempt the Link List again.

The dye pots are out!

The time has come to just get on with it!   Ten metres of silk/viscose velvet to dye, and the arrival of my parcel from India with fine muslin, which will be transformed into sarongs/wraps.

In the meantime, it's velvet scarves.

The basics - new dyes, new sponge brushes and, in the interests of 

Health and Safety, I have invested in a respirator mask.

An hour later, and there are two scarves batching.   Things are getting a bit messy!

This is a section of one of the scarves in the tray.   The colours are difficult

    to reproduce in a photograph - maybe it is the silk reflecting.   You have to 

     imagine dark blue, going through to dulled turquoise, with blending in between.

Another piece, again the colours are at least two tones darker.

Probably 5 metres dyed - half way there.   Really pleased with the results, as well as the above colourways, I have one I call 'Fire"  just yummy, and another one Indian Summer - rich pinks, oranges and a blend of yellows.   Totally impossible to photograph these so you will just have to imagine!     Guess what I will be doing tomorrow!