Monday, May 28, 2012

Science and Motion!

**Added Tuesday, 5/29/2012
There are several comments about the performance of the pens that indicate that cold temperatures make the markings reappear.  Washing may help to remove them permanently.
Also -- the pens may bleach some darker fabrics and they should be tested.**

First the science.  I recently bought a few Frixion pens and thought I'd give a short report.

Here I have marked some machine quilting.  I know, I don't need it for swirling background, but I don't like getting in a corner, so I mark it roughly.


This shows the quilting I've done.


and with one swipe with a hot iron - it's gone!
It's a miracle!!


click here to get to Amazon where you can order some or see what they look like.  I didn't find them at Staples, but I haven't checked anywhere else.

Now Motion!

After training for 2 months I completed my first 5K race here in town.  It's a big event with runners from all over the world and after 9 years, I joined in.


I have less than a week to say I'm 49 and I thought doing this race would be a great addition to my Jubilee Year.

It is very hot and humid (not my kind of weather, at all).  Here is me and Mr. V. heading to the race.


I'm hot and tired, but remain undaunted!


Relief and satisfaction!  You know this will call for Champagne this evening!


We decided to round out our Memorial Day morning with a puppy wash - poor coco.


I love these scooby-doo ears!


She is not into it.


She relents -


Will she ever trust her dog pool again?


I hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day.

29 comments:

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Those Frixon Pens have taken the quilting world by storm...but in my opinion really need to come with a warning label. I'm not sure if you are aware but the marks will reappear if the item is exposed to temperatures under -10C...not a temperatures that are all that likely in a home, unless you keep quilts in the loft...or take your quilt on a sleigh ride :o) But still something worth noting. I did a little test on my blog awhile ago, please feel feel to have a look. http://janeweston.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/frixion-pens-be-aware.html

I hope you don't mind me saying, but I just thought you might like to know.

BTW Congrats on the race...hope you all found a way to cool off at the end of the day! :o)

Anonymous said...

I just bought those pens and will have to try them out, you are very funny I love you pictures on your race and must say I would like to do our Bridge to Brisbane in September it is 10 klm just have to try and talk someone in to doing it with me,

Michele said...

LOL! Poor puppy. My pup acts the same way and he gets warm baths in the sink. Congrats on your race. Quite an achievement.

Angie said...

Congrats on the race - that's a Jubilee achievement for sure! Enjoy your bubbly, I will raise a toast in your honor this evening as well!

Janet said...

Congratulations! You look like you have too much energy at the end of the race - you should have run further - just kidding lol! Enjoy your champagne!!

Sue said...

Well done to you and Mr V. He looks like he's struggling a bit.
My experience with dogs and water is it has to be their idea to go in.
Another cork for your table. Ha

regan said...

Congrats, Barb! Awesome Jubilee accomplishment! Woohoo! And thanks for the info on the pens! Love that! And poor Coco.....my labs didn't like their baths either! lol

Karen said...

The Frixion pens can leave a white line on darker colors after it is removed. I had it happen to me but I was lucky that the line just looked like part of the fabric and it was a small area on a block I was doing the applique on. Paulette from "Sweet P Quilting" did a post about the problem. You can read it here.
http://sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com/2011/12/seeing-white.html
Congratulations on your run. I wouldn't have made it 1/4 of a mile.

MB in MI said...

Our BQFF Judy just gifted Barbara and I a Frixion pen--very cool. I'll bet coco felt better after the bath!! :-)

Maureen said...

Thanks for the Frixon tip.
Congrats on your run!
Cute puppy photos!

YankeeQuilter said...

Congrats on the race! A lab not liking water? Surely it is the suds that she doesn't like!

Miriam said...

Wow, 5 km!! Congratulations!!

Enjoy the champagne! :)

Are you planning some more races?

Poor Coco!

Thimbleanna said...

Congrats on the 5K -- You're amazing! I keep saying I'm going to do one, but I never manage it. Maybe someday -- Haha!

Kim said...

Good for you running a 5K!
How did you prepare?
Looking good....the big 5-0 is a huge reason to celebrate.
I've gotta get moving cause my big 6-0 is on the way :0)

Happy Sewing

Anonymous said...

Beware! I fell in love with the Frixon pens but went to a Diane Gaudynski workshop in Paducah and was shown how they bleach certain fabrics when ironing. Proceed with caution if at all. Love the Scooby Doo ears. So awesome.

Anonymous said...

being a doubting tom, i am not so sure the markings are gone....put the piece into the freezer and see if the marks "come back".....

Anonymous said...

Well done on your run! A good attitude always makes it easier...and then there's the reward at the end.
LOVE the action shots of Coco in and quickly out of her bath - hilarious.

QuiltSue said...

Congrats on doing that race, that is quite an achievement to add to your jubilee year.

Poor Coco did not look impressed with the beauty treatment, but I bet she soon recovered.

I have used those pens and love them. I did know about the temperature thing, although I heard that it was at -25 that they returned, but since I don't keep quilts in the freezer, I didn't think it was a problem.

Mayleen said...

Looks like you had a great weekend! Not sure CoCo thought it was such a great weekend though. Love the shots of her trying to avoid her pool.

Congratulations on the 5K. Are you planning to do any more?

Judy in Michigan said...

Congrats on your run!! Bubbly will be well deserved. Frixon pen markings will return when very cold (like in the car in winter) but once the quilt is washed a few times, there will be no problem (at least that's what I'm hoping). Love the Coco shots!!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Congratulations on your race!! So are you now adding running to your list?

Linda in NC said...

You are still barely in your 40s. Might be the wrong end of "barely" but still...

Congratulations on a race well run.

Fabulous Coco ears!

libbyquilter said...

once again coco steals the show~!
although i am in total admiration of you for being able to do the run.

the frixion pens are new to me. i try not to have to mark my quilts but when i do i usually use the ones that leave a blue line and rinse out with plain water. so far i've not had any problems but i can get pretty creative in my attempt NOT to have to use them. i've heard some horror stories:-O

:-)
libbyQ

Sue-Anne said...

Congratulations on finishing that race! Poor Coco, doesn't look very happy at all.

Janet said...

I use those pens in some circumstances but not all, it's a personal choice. Yay for you and Mr Fun on your run.
Great action shots of Coco, you'd think the dip would be good in hot weather.

Sujata Shah said...

You trained for only two months? Wow! That's amazing! Congratulations. A good thing to add to your jubilee year for sure!
Love all those shots of Coco. She doesn't show that she is happy at all but it was so hot.. Are all dogs like that? Not liking the water?

Rachaeldaisy said...

Look at you go!! You running star!! and with done with a big smile, that's style!! Coco is such a sweetie, great photos of her flying, Coco the Super Dog!! It's so interesting to read all the feedback about the pens, I'm curious to try it out.

Lori said...

Hey! You finally did your 5k! Awesome Barb!! How fun to have hubby do it too. So, how long did it take? Did you and hubby run the whole race together?

I love my frixion pens!!
Coco is a hoot. I thought she would love a bath in her little pool!!

Dixie Howard said...

Barb you are so cute - got the gangsta lip point going on in one of the photos! Good for you to join in the race. Maybe I'll try it for my 60th in 8 years? Thanks for the info on the pens - always looking for new tools.