Tuesday 30 August 2011

August Bank Holiday Monday means Cultural Day at The Mill.
This year Chinese Day.  Cooking demons, the Lion Dance,
story telling, Tai Chi etc. etc, plus workshops for children.

I decided on printing flags, on a Chinese theme of course!
I had to bone up a bit on this one, discovered that Pagodas
originated from Bhuddist Stupas, amongst other facts.

Obviously dragons feature a lot, as do lions.  Since I was
cutting the stamps I thought these would prove a little
tricky, and then remembered it was the Year of the Rabbit.

Oh, we did have fun - over fifty flags made by children
from 3 to 12.   All a bit frantic so no photos.   

Before I put all the workshop stuff away I though I 
should print off a few of the stamps
which are still useable(!) for my record.


Spots ready for colouring


Bamboo also turned in to palms trees!
There were three stamps for the leaves,
only one left with a missing leaf, still it
gives an idea of the whole


Nose and whiskers optional



Thursday 25 August 2011

Moving on

The summer dyeing workshops are over for this year.
Except for an Indigo Weekend in September, 
although I guess that comes under Autumn!

For the next few weeks I will be taking stitching
workshops all over the West Country, and then
I will have time to catch up on my own work.

October/November usually means India.  Oh,
I am getting itchy feet, but will have to wait until
February.  The good news is that we will be
taking a whole month off!  Hurrah!

Yesterday I was a guest tutor at an Embroidery
course.   Years ago I taught a short course C&G on
machine embroidery.   Old files, notes and samples
retrieved and dusted down. Subject - Thermogauze,
or, as we called it in the 20th c, Vanishing Muslin.
After revisiting notes, deciding there were enough
samples, I just had to get into the grove.



made of silk sari pieces, woven and laid on
Thermogauze, then stitched with the addition
of recycled sari thread.   It's very raggy!  A little 
block printing to complete the process.


a silky flag with gaps between the strips.
The stabilizer held it altogether for 
stitching, then it was gone.

my little Indian flag, to wave in the wind

The workshop was great, and as I left at lunchtime
I could see some amazing work being produced.


Wednesday 17 August 2011

The season is slowly but perceptively changing.   The nights are 
drawing in and today, the last of the Summer Workshops for children.

Blue, blue, all is blue, including myself at the moment. Still have to
store the workshop equipment, including the indigo bucket. 

Indigo under a gazebo, as the white clouds covered the sun.  

So great revealing the magic of indigo cloth, and then the mad
dash to dip and discover.

I managed to grab a couple of pix during the mayhem.


Nice pieces of clamping and manipulation


I think these are amazing
two best friends managed to
produce matching t-shirts

My last indigo workshop at home this weekend.
Never mind, there is always next year!


Tuesday 16 August 2011

a package has arrived for me


so many labels
wrapped in blue plastic
and it's taller than me

but what's this?



explosive materials?
no, it's only silk velvet and muslin - I think!
perhaps I should take it out into the garden
and prod it with a long stick.  Ha, ha!

Monday 15 August 2011

indigo harvest



the 'bunch of grapes' after a dip in the indigo vat


ne-maki, or thread bound circles

both these pieces are now on their way to Australia
bon voyage

my photographic session came to a swift end,
a goodly dollop of rain.  However, I managed one
more shot before I had to dash inside


a smallish piece surfaced from the indigo basket
another dip in the vat lost the white   I like this 
effect - dark blue with lighter blue - might have
a special use for this particular piece

Sunday 14 August 2011



shibori harvest time,
ripe for the picking

Thursday 11 August 2011

hanging out



A small kantha from Dhaka, Bangladesh
You can enlarge the image.  


I first thought these might be ladies, note
the possible green bra.  There again, perhaps
 musicians!  On the left a dole drum, middle
looks like a percussion instrument.  Jury is
still out on the right hand figure.  

Monday 8 August 2011

home again


A too short, but lovely break.   Very Cornish weather!
In the right order, it rained during the night and the
days were warm with amazing skies.


The view from the rooftop restaurant at Tate St. Ives.
Slightly moody, taken through glass, with reflection of moi!
The actual colours so amazing.  White sand going down
to a turquoise and bright blue sea.


Young Ben tucking into olive bread at
Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Watergate Bay.

A treat for me


A bit indigo, don't you think!

Busy days on the beach, watching boats in the
harbour.   The odd pastie or two consumed.
My big grandson Sam and his group opened
Falmouth festival.  Their first proper gig, and they
were fantastic - well I would say that wouldn't I.


Tuesday 2 August 2011

blog break


Tomorrow I will join my men in Cornwall.
Where we are staying is more a 'not' spot 
than a 'hot' spot.   A few days to wind down,
a bit of beach combing and looking in rock pools.

The shop will be open for business on Monday.

Meanwhile the elephant lilly


It looks like a helicopter, waiting to take off.
Five more flower heads emerging, slowly. 
 I'm impressed.  Note to plant, please wait
for the full display until I get home.