More Fun With Yellow and Gray

 

This picture of Maeby was not posed!  I was working this morning and saw that she was laying with her paw on this pile of solids, so I grabbed my camera and took a picture before she noticed that I was watching her.

I've been thinking for a while about a grayscale quilt -- something inspired by the look of classic film noir with some bright white, deep black and lots of grays in between.  The problem, of course, is that the gray fabrics I have aren't varied enough to achieve the look that I'm after.

I do, however, have tons of black and white prints.  I pulled them all out today and am going to try some bleach discharge and overdying to try to create a range of grays.  I have a pile of squares with pinked edges in the washer with Synthrapol right now.  When they come out, I'm going to try a few bleaching and dyeing experiments.  Hopefully some good grays will come out of it!

 
I'm going to try out these iDye packets that I found at Fabric Depot yesterday.  They had some samples in the store of fabric dyed with this stuff and I was pleasantly surprised by how intense the results were.  These probably aren't the best choice for something that's going to be washed a bunch of times, but I'm just playing around with color, so I'm going to take a chance and try them. 

In other news, I'm trying to learn how to use this fancy camera.  My mother got a new, even fancier, camera for Christmas, so she gave me this one to use, which was incredibly generous and awesome.  It has a telephoto lens and everything.  I feel like Veronica Mars! 

I'm pretty intimidated by the camera, but I will master it!  I will also make a cool patchwork camera strap.  If you know of a good tutorial, would you please tell me about it in the comments?

Comments

[Kaye Prince]

Can't wait to see how the fabric comes out Elizabeth!

You and I both seem to have had some good luck in the "camera from mum" department - My Mum recently bought herself a new camera and gave me hers when I was home at Christmas. It's by no means as fancy as yours, but it's definitely better then the one I had!

Here's a link to a great strap tutorial; it's actually a strap cover so then you can reuse the strap you already have and make a removable cover for it: http://fabricfamilyfun.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/patchwork-camera-strap-cover-a-tutorial/

[Nikki]

Congratulations on your new camera! I got mine for a wedding present from my hubby and I LOVE it! Earlier this year a friend and I made camera straps (I didn't want just a cover) and we used this tutorial:
http://ikatbag.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-make-camera-strap.html
You can see how mine turned out here:
http://countrymousecrafts.blogspot.com/2009/09/craft-weekends.html
and here:
http://countrymousecrafts.blogspot.com/2009/09/and-another-one.html
I wanted a patchwork one too to look like the AMAZING ones that House on Hill Road makes (but I can't afford!) It was a learning experience to sew vinyl for me - but I'm new to all this.
Hope you enjoy looking around - I love checking on your blog!
~Nikki

[Ginger]

I JUST got finished dyeing a 40's vintage (acetate) dress with the iDye - I used two packets, one of the poly, and one for natural fibers. The color of the dress was unwearable by anyone with any skin tone, so I figured 'what the heck?' I was quite impressed with the vivid tones I got on the parts that were natural fiber, and the rest of it is pretty good too, which I found amazing, since most sites I consulted said that acetate is undyeable. I can't wait to see how your fabric turns out!
Have fun with the new camera - it's incredible what you can do with one of those...

[Cheryl Arkison]

Grey is a hard one. I've been trying to collect what I called nice greys. But now I am realizing I should just collect any grey because in the store it is impossible to tell what it might or might not work with at some point. Not surprisingly, it is hard to find greys with tint in them.

[Crystal]

I would be afraid to dye the fabric....but I am interested in seeing what you come up with. But you talking about film strips have given me an idea of a block I might try.

I am way jealous of the new camera! Congrats on becoming the new owner!

[wishes, true and kind]

Ha! My cat thinks she is a quilter, too! I admire you for tackling the intimidating camera. Someday I want to learn more about photography and finally take some decent pictures. Can't wait to see all your results as you master that baby!

[stella maylor]

I've seen a cute patchwork strap on this blog:

http://thesproutzstore.blogspot.com/search/label/camera%20strap%20cover

I'm still too scared to try dying fabric!

[Corky]

I, too, have been thinking of grey and yellow - I have this amazing scenic print from Micheal Miller (only two small precious FQS) and a yellow birdie print from Fabri-Quilt. Luckily I have a couple yards of that one. Hop over to my www.PiecefulDays.SquareSpace.com (becoming just PiecefulDays.com) to see some pics. Love the idea, still working on the patten to use. I would welcome ideas. Corky

[sarah lynne]

i have an older digital rebel, and love it. its a good camera for stepping up to an slr. i found the national geographic photography field guide helped me understand a lot more about how the camera work.

i like the straps others have recommended, i'll ad this one

http://theobjectproject.typepad.com/the_object_project/2009/08/semihomemade-sewing.html

[Kate Conklin]

a great camera makes such a difference. I can't wait to see how the fabric turns out. I'm glad you post so often.

[Aimee]

ooh - I'd love to see how the fabric turns out! I've bookmarked this http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/01/camera-strap-cover-tutorial.html tutorial but haven't used it yet.

[Audrie]

I'm loving all the greys and black / white prints! I just got a bunch because I'm working on a commissioned quilt with those colours so they're on my mind right now :)

[Candace]

You'll love your new camera. I haven't made it, but I like this strap because it has a pocket for the lens cap, and I plan to make one.
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2009/08/strap-cover-with-pockets/

[Rossie]

Oooo...camera fun!
This is my go-to book when I'm not able to get what I want from my camera. It's short, simple, and full of pictures. Written for film cameras but all the same logics apply to a digital SLR.
(buy it used for $0.01!!!)
http://www.amazon.com/John-Hedgecoes-35mm-Photography-Hedgecoe/dp/1855857146?&camp=212361&linkCode=wey&tag=freshmodernqu-20&creative=380733

[Katherine]

A Veronica Mars reference? Could I love you more? Following you for my first quilt..... allons-y! xo

[Beth]

Oh, Veronica, don't get caught looking in Duncan's window!

[Claire]

I really enjoy your blog but have never managed to leave a comment. As it happens, your Veronica Mars reference is what is prompting my first ever comment. Fantastic quilter and blogger who alludes to Veronica Mars in her posts? I'm sold!

[Michele]

Ooh... I have a hard time finding greys that go well together too. There are so many different shades, some can be pinkish, or blue, or even yellowy or green. Its really not my favorite to work with, I am really curious to see what you come up with.

[Alissa]

Cannot wait to see the outcome of the dying... gray and yellow. Sigh. So pretty.

[Laura]

Oh nothing is better than getting festive presents (like cameras or sewing machine) because your mom gets a new one!!! Hope the fabric turns out well!

[Sara H]

My 6 yr old son requested I make him a quilt with a grey background and yellow stars on it. I was thrilled he made such a request, but finding greys that work together has been a huge challenge. They can look pink, purple, green, brown... not so neutral! If you find a great collection with lots of greys, let us know!

[Jessica]

I had to comment re the picture of your kitty. Ours loves to lounge around on my fabric and projects also. And our kitty looks very similar to yours! My husband just glanced over and mentioned it also. :) I recently wrote a post about her "attacking me" through the opening of my sewing machine while I was trying to quilt. She is too funny!

New reader and enjoying your blog! Thank you!

[Jeannine]

Love your color sense, just so appealing, what's your secret?
A camera strap tutorial that I found useful is:
http://crapivemade.blogspot.com/2009/11/patchwork-camera-strap-tutorial.html
Has good instructions and graphics....

[Annette]

Awesome camera!! I'm anxious to see how your fabric turns out. Sounds like a fun project.

[AmieJ Designs]

I love the grey and yellow combo. I use it a lot on bags. Your kitty looks just like my handsome Fred. He also likes my fabric a lot.