Shows, Frogs and Dyes, not particularly in that order

I know it's been a long time since I've written anything. So much has been happening, too!
Elizabeth got a full scholarship to go to Evergreen College, so there hasn't been any hope of her taking over my blog. But, I'm very proud of her :). She's been helping me on her off days.
Lately she's studying tree frogs. They're very interesting, really.
I always hear them this time of the year in the back field, but have never really paid much attention to them until now. Here's a nice link with information on their different calls and habits.

In the meantime, I've finished with my Madrona Fiberarts show. It was great to see everyone there! Suzanne always does such a great job with this show. She has so much to do and everything always seems to run so smoothly! I only wish I had time to take some of the classes there. I got to see Sheila and Michael from Ernst Glass, who I always, always really enjoy seeing and talking to. I was lucky enough to have Maria and Kari helping me out some of the days, too.
Maria is a super salesperson and Kari demonstrated the sock machine for me. Thank you both :)

I also went and visited Stitches West this year to check it out for two days. This show is extremely packed with vendors and buyers! While I was there (or after), I had the pleasure of visiting my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson nearby! :)
I have to say (and can you believe this?) I missed the nice weather in Washington! It rained in CA while I was there.

In the meantime I've been experimenting with some new dyes. Considering these are all acid dyes, I am amazed at the difference in them. For you people that don't do dyeing, you might not know that different dyes take different amounts to get the same depth of shade.
It sure would make things simpler if it was all the same, but I don't know if that's possible.

That's not really what I'm amazed about, though.
What amazes me is that different dyes can be so different in their light and washfastness.
You would think they would just dump the ones that don't do so well, and only sell the good ones.
Paula Burch has a wonderfully informational website on dyeing.

Someone asked me how long I've been dyeing. I had to think, because it's been quite some time since I started. I think my first try at dyeing (not counting Rit on fabric) was back in the 80's when I started spinning on a spinning wheel. We took a class on lichen dyeing. Washington state is a great place to find lichens for dyeing! There is even a book that I have that was written especially for lichens and lichen dyeing in this area. I believe the women that wrote it were from the Olympia area.

Well, I've gone on and on and no pictures, unfortunately. I lent my camera to Elizabeth to take pictures of tree frogs :) Next time I write, I promise to have some pictures!