the half way mark

I just hit the half way mark on quilting the queen size D9P top. I chose to do straight line quilting and that means it goes fairly fast. I don't have to mark anything, I just sew along the seam lines about 1/8 to 1/4 inch away. A simple grid system and then on to the binding. I have that made and waiting to be stitched on. We are not supposed to give away our names in the giving of these gifts, so I am going to merely put my initials on the label and leave it at that. It's a quilt meant to be used up - not an heirloom and I hope they find warmth and comfort in the use of it.

Thursday I went up to a quilting/craft show and did a little shopping. There were bundles of Cherrywood hand dyes at one booth-but I left them there. Instead, I bought a hand dye kit for beginners. I have been wanting to try my hand at this dyeing business and this looked to be uncomplicated and very portable-not a huge investment either. I think I can set the small containers in my bathtub , thereby keeping everything I need in the bucket which is, 9 yards of fabric prepared for dyeing, the dyes and the small containers in this bucket, the size of a three pound laundry soap container. How's that for not taking up a lot of room?

We are selling tickets for the guild opportunity quilt at this show, so I am headed up there again today. There is a booth with large cutting mats at a decent price I may decide to buy. My table size mat needs replacing and this might be perfect- otherwise there isn't anything else to tempt me. I will be taking along my hand quilting-with several hours of sitting and encouraging folks to buy a chance at winning a truly gorgeous quilt-I just may get to the end of the K is for Kindness.