Thank you! I made it.

... five little words that I hear myself say more often than I realized, until someone pointed it out to me recently. I've tried (and failed) multiple times to maintain a blog about my sewing exploits, but the bottom line is, sometimes it's just hard to keep up with it.  What I've realized recently, however, is that while I do sew all the time,  I also create many non-sewing things as well.  Essentially, I'm attempting to broaden my scope with this blog by posting about all of the many things I make.

I guess I didn't realize that the frequency and extent to which I make many of the things I have is unusual until I started paying attention to how many times I utter the aforementioned phrase.  I'm proud of that.  I come from a long line of DIY-ers, and that's one of the traits I couldn't be prouder to possess and share with others.

The first project I want to share on the blog today is one that I've been mulling over in my mind since I received these incredible pieces of dry coral in December from a dear friend who has been living in Hong Kong for the last year (Thanks, AG!)  Knowing me as she does, she gave them to me and said, "I know you'll make good use of these!"  I couldn't have asked for a better souvenir.  She was right.  Of course I would do something with them... but what?

I've tossed around a few different ideas in my mind, until one day at work, it struck like a lightening bolt-- color block them.  Dip-dye them in a water based paint.  Can't believe I didn't think of that sooner!  So here's what I did this morning.  They're all ready for their next life (of which I shall post when I get there.  I all ready have the next phase in mind, but I'm just looking for the right materials).

Step one:  I mixed up a few different acrylic paints to make the colors I wanted.  Next I diluted them a bit so it would be easier to absorb.  What I didn't anticipate is the ombre effect that the more diluted paints gave to the coral.  It's actually amazing.

Step two: Dipping those corals.

Step three:  Laying them out to dry.  I honestly have no idea how long it will take for them to dry.  I have never worked with the coral/acrylic paint combination before (I know, you're all thinking "But why??")  I'll keep you posted on what they look like when they're dry.

Completely simple... completely awesome.  I'm excited.