Indigo Blue Table Mat!

I finished my table mat this weekend and love how it looks on the table. We got a slate blue couch and just having something that matches, really warms the area up. The table is really an old cupboard top that had a stained glass front, but that got broken and now it is used as a table top with shelves to put my things.

This is the top, as is. I had to wash it to get rid of the chalk marks, yellow is not easy to get out. It shrank up and warped a bit, but fits the spot perfectly. The mat measures 23 1/2" x 13".  I stuck the candle on top so you could see the colors. I have a reproduction pencil box that sits there and holds my scissors and other items.

I decided it was too white and bright, so it got a walnut ink wash. I dried it in the sun and it got spotty, so I rinsed it down a bit and resprayed, then dried it in the dryer and now it has just the right aged look. The extra washing and drying, warped it more, but is is laying flat now, on the table.

Here is a close up of the staining and my stitching. I used DMC floss, 2 strands of #612. A great color for when you want a lighter, primitive shade.

I also decided my rooster was too light, I do like my darker prim look. I used walnut on the main colors and then tried java ink on the orange, but it muddied it on the outer edges of the tail, but it does look old now. Now I have to decide how I want to finish it. Today the summer UFO's went in a box, they will have to wait till late winter. Now it is time to get going on Christmas, I am hoping to have projects finished in time, this year;)

Christmas or Halloween Block?

Sometimes I get carried away with staining and when I use the Java, I have to be more careful. The first time, it came out too dark, all over. So, I rinsed it out and redried it and this is what happened, a bit spooky for a nativity piece, lol. Guess I need to rinse it out more and add walnut this time, the black tends to pull in as it dries and leaves splotches, which is nice on some pieces, but not what I planned for this one;) As you can see, with java, which is a black stain, it leaves green marks too, which gives it a more aged look. Would like to leave the dark on the rest, but try and get rid of the skeleton marks, which happened totally by accident.

Projects and Winner!

I decided to hang my fabric on the line, I didn't bother washing it, it smells fine, lol.
Plus when I use it in a prim project, it will probably end up getting stained again.
By letting the sun pull the dye into the fabric, I got some nice dark spots, a few areas of green from the black dye and an overall aged look. If you are looking for a true antique look, this is it. Most antiques are aged by weather and water and this is what happens;)

I plan on using some in a jean quilt, so the lighter is good for that and some will go as backings or wool applique backing.

I am also working on a Christmas project. This is a design by Jan Patek. Next I need to add the birds and then decide what extra touches I might add. I was thinking some words and maybe some rusty bells on a few antlers. I really wish I could figure out my lighting better to get the true prim look of my fabrics. Even if I take it outside, I can't get the true look, outside my photos tend to go blue, inside they go red or yellow. Eventually I will read my camera book and figure it out;)

And now onto the giveaway winner. In case you are ever wondering, I do use the random generator to pick a name, I never pick one myself. I have entered contests where I would swear that the person gives to people they know;) So, when I picked tonight's number, I was surprised when I went to look to see who number 10 was. It is Corrine of Quilt Taffy, the wonderful lady who I just won from. But I plan on having more giveaways in the future and some more freebies, finally getting back into the swing of things and getting more organized. So, Congratulations to Corrine! Pick out any pattern from my ecrater site and send me an email with your choice.