Dyeing sort of

The countdown to my trip is on -- approximately two weeks. In preparation, I have been shopping for clothes. Yes, I know it's unusual given that I so dislike shopping, but I did need some things. I bought a pair of cotton pants (long) and several blouses. I noticed that one of my pairs of shorts (as in one of two...) has nail polish stains from my last visit to Israel when a lovely flamingo pink bottle fell and splattered. I guess I should get another pair or two. Black of course.
I had two white shirts, one cotton long-sleeved, and one linen short-sleeved, with wonderful folded texture, but alas, have yellowed or stained. I decided before they got relegated to the rag pile to attempt dyeing. Inspired by the flamingo pink nail polish, I purchased dye in that colour and am in the midst of dyeing. I did the linen one full strength (so far it looks lovely) and the cotton, slightly less strong. If they take the dye well and the stains are sufficiently hidden, I will have extended the shirts' useful life for a bit longer for less than $3 a pop. If not, I have wasted $5.91, 5 tablespoons of salt and 5 litres of water. I hope the dyeing takes because I so love the detailing on the shirts.
I have two more white shirts which are yellowing. I'm thinking maybe snow dyeing. I have to either get "snow" from the skating rink, or try crushed ice. Hmmm. Do I have time before I go?
My sewing machine started to hiccup about a week ago and Menachem took it into the shop for me. Although I try to clean the bobbin casing area religiously weekly, it turns out that lint was the problem. Not surprising because I have had the machine for close to four years and hadn't got around to servicing it. I will have to try to service it on a more regular basis.
In the absence of my machine, I got some beading done. A few months back, my F.A.T. challenge was "on your street". I used the sewer grate for my "inspiration" and made a piece using a background of bits and pieces of white fabrics (wedding gowns, lace, assorted "gifted" fabric samples). The grate itself is made from strips of snow-dyed fabrics in a grid pattern. I hand embroidered the vertical grid lines and then beaded them. I was going to put, either physically or shadow stitched, items which fall down sewer grates such as rings, keys, etc. but in the end, the white fabric just called to me "yellow snow"... so I put a few random yellow silk ribbon stitches and beaded in yellow. I think I'll call it "Meltdown", referring both to the snow-dyed fabric and the yellow snow. I pillow case finished it and now just have to do a little quilting to hold the layers together.
Then I have to seriously tackle the baby blankets!
I also bought some yarn in the dollar store for crocheted baby blankets.
I fear I will not finish the baby blankets in time for the blessed events. Oh well, better late than never.
I would post photos but I hear now that our camera is kaput. Oy.