situation almost normal

November was not the best of months. We got off to a good start,

but then it all went down hill. Keith's operation was a success,

he's still recuperating - doing well. Shed loads of rain and grey

days, broken up with various new duties. Not a lot achieved.

So, December. Deadlines looming, not even thinking about

the festive season. Fabric, dyes print paste ready to go.

To get me on the roll again, I start the week giving a talk

and slide show of my Indian Journey in February. A local

quilting group, and it's their Christmas party. I can feel

several mince pies coming on.

A little show for you of a gorgeous Rabari Bag. Indigo

linen, typical Rabari stitching. I just love the huge

triangle and diamond shaped mirrors.

It's still gray and raining. Must pack up my 'show' carefully to avoid

a soaking. We can at least close the curtains and escape to the

heat and dust for a while

The birthday boy came home yesterday, in time for morning

coffee and birthday cake .The operation was a complete

success, thank goodness. Fabulous service by good

old NHS. Now to keep him occupied and off the

computer for a few days.

Some beach art, which seems appropriate.

Just another day, or not

Yesterday afternoon I felt the November Journal Quilt coming on.

Torn paper stencils, screened with discharge paste.

Ghost Leaves

With sensible head on I mixed the discharge

paste wearing full respirator mast, and set about

the process. I noticed our window cleaner, next

door. He noticed me looking like an alien (no place

to hide in the conservatory) and almost fell of his

ladder. I am not sure whether he knows exactly

what I do, except every time he calls he must

wonder why my room is a 'creative' mess and

the dyeing area outside is a bit colourful.

This morning, up early, I started quilting Ghost

Leaves. Everything going well - too well?

Keith had been complaining about a spot in

his vision - he managed to get an emergency

appointment at the Eye Hospital this morning.

The quilting was finished conveniently for me

to take it along and tie the ends in. Well, now

I'm home again, Keith is awaiting an op for a

detached retina. He'll be home tomorrow morning.

It's his birthday - hope he can manage some cake.

Endings and beginnings

My summer indigo slow cloth is finished. I feel quite lost not having

a piece to pick up and stitch. Guess there might be a winter slow

cloth gathering itself quietly.

The last patch to be stitched - kantha fish swimming in a sea of blue.

Can you see them? Very subtle.

The wrinkled elephant

Yesterday was a Lentil Winter Warmer soup day . Out came the

new soup spoons brought back from Marrakech. Carved out of

orange wood, simple and beautiful. Very satisfying to use.

I like wooden spoons, especially for eating porridge.

Today I am preparing ingredients for a screen printing session.

There is a slight window in the stormy weather we have been

enjoying. The sun is shinning in the conservatory, so it's on with

lots of warm clothing for a couple of creative days. It seems ages

since I have had a chance to dust off the silk screens.

Magic Paint

Souk Sebbaghine - the Dyers Souk

Cotton, wool and silk yarn

A look in vats, the finished woven products,

mainly scarves - the silk is 'vegetarian' produced

from the cactus plant. Very light and airy cloth,

with a strange 'hand' akin to polyester.

Then the sales talk, Magic paints are used to dye

cloth, they are fast not fugitive like chemical dyes.

Sample scarf dampened, and, sure enough, the

water is coloured. Perhaps not rinsed enough?

This led me to thinking of experiences with 'magic

paint' in India. Powder is placed on paper - you

you have to guess the resulting colour when water

is applied. Result amazingly different and magic.

Sometimes the brain is the last thing out of the bag.

Plus there is always a fair bit of showmanship.

How could fabric be dyed with magic paint?

Last year I bought this simply lovely tray of mineral

pigment as used in Indian Miniature painting.

Magic paint - can you see what colour it will be?

The top left is a green metallic powder, top right dark green,

and the bottom very dark blue.

Indigo chunks and terracotta dish with cochineal - Burber lipstick

Ah, a chink of light - we are definitely dealing with mineral

pigments not only for painting, but also dyeing.

No time for in depth investigations right now, will have to

save that for a rainy day. So far, I believe the pigments are

mix with egg tempera, 'glues' and even acrylic paints, for

painting various surfaces. For painting fabric, use alum as

a mordant. Then there is the soy milk option described

by John Marshall - an excellent website for all things

Japanese.

The blue vases in Jardin Marjorelle were a bit of a clue.

My Indigo chunks are, of course, cobolt blue pigment.

Souks and other itineraries

Crazy places, crazy people. So easy to get lost for hours,

retracing your steps many times.... Scissors from the

Metal Souk. Had to have them. They measure 20 x 10 cm.

Monster scissors, they cut well too. Surely I can't loose

these at workshops?!!

Tassels in so many shapes and sizes

Beautiful perfume bottles

Aladdin's lamps

And finally, the Tanneries

We couldn't decided whether or no to visit. We were

armed with a map and compass (Top Tip No.1, this is

essential, or at least a great help). Within two minutes

of leaving our riad we made a 'friend' who was "not a

guide", apparently. We wandered through a maze of

alleyways, eventually ending up - yes, you have

guessed - at the Tanneries. At the gate a group were

still grasping the handfuls of mint to their noses.

On entry we were also given fresh mint leaves, or as the

locals refer to them, a gas mask. Not a good omen.

Here I offer Top Tip No. 2 - if you feel the need to visit,

go in the early morning. I have a very good sense of

smell, and didn't find it unpleasant, although perhaps

I have become immune to 'unusual' aromas from visits

to India. The scene was grim, certainly not colourful.

The picture shows the lime bath, which removes hair

and other 'things' from the leather. Next up the pigeon

poo bath to soften hide, and then the dye baths.

These were all a bit brown and black.

Conclusion - good to tick off list, curiosity satisfied.

The local do not like their photos taken, except for

money. 'Friends', gatekeepers, et all. also require

cash, as did the man watching us take a photo of

a donkey. Clearly he had nothing to do with said

donkey, but it was another earning opportunity.

Storks and Sneezes

Marrakech was great. Enjoyed the warmth of 35+, blue skies and

total madness. On Sunday, our wedding anniversary, we had lunch

at a rooftop restaurant overlooking storks' nests, thinking of one

flying off to Will and Juliet.

At dinner we had a text to say that Benjamin had been born.

Home on Monday, we went to the hospital with Will to see

Juliet and meet young Benjamin.

On the flight home I was brewing a cold, so had to keep my

distance. Right now I still feel awful (but getting better).

I have done absolutely nothing except sleep and blow

my nose. I did manage to upload pix this morning, so

leave you with a collage of images from Jardin Majorelle