I Didn't Know My Own Strength

Lost touch with my soul
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength

And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break

I didn’t know my own strength

Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break
There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I thought I took all I could take

I didn’t know my own strength

And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain

I didn’t know my own strength

Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break

I didn’t know my own strength

Thank you Dear God for your strength.

Hand Dyeing With Lumiere Dye and A Bead Organizing Tip

Finally last night I tried my hand at dyeing lace!
I have kept a box full of "things to dye" since the 1980's when I was tea staining everything for the dolls I used to make and sell.
Frank even bought me a wonderful starter dye kit years ago of Lumiere Dye at a Quilt Show.
Still....I had NO idea what I was doing!

Using my glass of water that I had been drinking, I dipped pieces of lace in the water, then put them on paper towels and painted the dye on with Q tips.
I mixed water and dye right in the dye caps because I couldnt get up to get the proper supplies.

You see, Teddi had just fallen asleep at my feet after barking for 10 million hours straight almost an hour so I was only able to use what was within my reach for fear of waking him up.

After I did several pieces, the paper towels I had used to catch the dye were such a beautiful shade that I wrapped them around the crochet pieces and rick rack and pressed firmly until the dye transfered to them.

Now in my humble opinion, the queen of lace and silk ribbon dying would be my pals

 Pam Kellogg (she no longer selling her hand dyed lace as she devotes her time to her amazing crazy quilted pieces) 

Pat Winter (my favorite silk ribbon hands down) and

Nicki Lee (the best lace flowers, butterflys and beautiful bits). 

I proudly use their beautiful laces and ribbon.

However if you find yourself with a lot of laces waiting for some color,please don't be afraid to try it!

I did nothing "right" yet they still turned out good enough to use in my quilting.

Teddi The Yappy Yorkie

Here are some useful links for the correct way to do it ~ if you arent being held hostage by a yappy Yorkie!

Pam Kellogg's tips on Hand Dyeing

Hand Dyeing by Sandie Willmott

Great links to purchase ~

Patwintergatherings on Etsy ~ hand dyed silk ribbon

RavioleeDreams on Etsy ~ huge variety of hand dyed lace items

 Have you recieved your latest issue of Pat's"Crazy Quilted Gatherings"  yet?

In the Spring 2012 issue, she has included her pattern for her beautiful water bottle holders.
I am in the middle of creating mine now and as is the case with all of her idea's, it is an easy and fun Crazy Quilt adventure!

I thought you might like to see how I have decided to organize my beeds so I can be inspired by the colors and have them next to me on my tiny quilting spot.

I thought it was my own idea until I saw similar idea's all over Pinterest!

I used a heavy duty glue to attach strong round magnets (purchased at Michaels)

to the top of my beed containers.

Let it dry for 24 hours and then attach to any metal surface.

At first I used a tray so that I could carry it from place to place but then found this biscuit tin and liked this idea best of all.

A lot of folks are using this idea for make up ~ what a great idea!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1 -9

A Gift of Lace, Buttons and Rick Rack

Recently a local reporter did an article on my crazy quilting and shortly after, I received a call from a local woman that offered to give me all of her lace, buttons and rick rack.

When I went to her home, I discovered that much of it had belonged to her grandmother and Mom.

She said her Grandmother purchased much of it from a door to door salesman, beautiful Irish lace decades old.

For this perfect stranger to share such precious things with me, buttons her Grandmother and Mom had touched and saved all these years ~ meant so much to me.

I made this pillow for her with some of the buttons and lace and rick rack.

I also made this simple lace heart for my dear friend Lisa to celebrate her birthday.

The bias tape below was pure white, I used avocado skins boiled to dye it, giving it this time worn look.

I am celebrating what I am sure will be an early spring!

The birds in my garden are singing extra loud and splashing in my little pond all the day long.

Get in your gardens if you haven't already and look for signs of spring ~ I know you'll find them!

Avocado Dye

I simply boiled 3 empty avocado shells until the water turned a dark greenish tea color.
I ran the dye through a strainer and put the trim in the water overnight.
The next day I air dried.

The original directions I found said that silk fabric will dye a much darker shade, cotton turning a more time worn look.

February Crazy Quilted Block for CQJP

My crazy quilted block for February is of my Beautiful Funny Valentines ~
My twin babies Jaclyn and Cheri. Well okay, they are 29 now but my babies they will always be!

My due date was Valentines Day but they arrived 2 weeks early on January 31st.
Jaci was 5.4 pounds and Cheri was 3.9 pounds.
The doctors said Cheri would be in ICU for a month but God answered our prayers and just a days before Valentine's Day, we brought our baby home.
Jaci and Cher were best buds and when they were about one, had their own language only they understood.
They have grown up to be even more wonderful than I could have ever imagined

If nothing else good ever happened in my life, their birth would have been enough.

"My Funny Valentine.....
You make me Smile with my Heart
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay Little Valentine stay
Each day Is Valentine's Day."