something different

I took a workshop this weekend with Martyn Brewster, entitled 
The Painterly Print.     A tad out of my comfort zone, but utterly
brilliant.  Silk screen monoprinting, and so much more.

I am learning to love acrylic paint (did I really say that?) 
Brain so full by the end of day one I couldn't even cut paper
straight.  Loved the process.   This could be the beginning of 
a new journey of discovery.

Mark One

Yes, I am still slowly stitching.   Border detail - Indian Applique

Then there are the indigo plants to process tomorrow.  
Their growth is slow this year, which has given me a little
window during a busy time.    I have been looking for signs
of the flowers emerging, they will appear very soon I think!

September Sunday

First thing, a little chill in the air as we set off to Portland Bill.

There were swallows and martins beginning to gather before setting of on their annual migration across the English Channel to Africa for the winter. Our weather wasn't kind to them this year.

The sun peeked out from the clouds, and although there was a little breeze it was very pleasant having a picnic sitting on the cliff top just gazing out over the calm sea.

The field opposite the bird observatory had been planted up with sunflowers now ready and ripe for a last feed before the birds set out on their travels.

After lunch it was time to visit the Harmonic Fields. "a sensory journey. An ensemble of 500 instruments played by the wind.". You might like to try this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-19484017. Strangely beautiful, especially as the wind is pretty strong on the cliff top.

Posted with Blogsy

recipe for a rainy Bank Holiday

Locate left over Procion dyes in the Big Shed

Gather cloth from the box of dyeing failures.
Some very pale and others dunked in thoix
to remove dyeing 'mistakes'

Make up soda ash

Soak cloth and apply dye

Batch over night  Rinse well, wash, dry and  iron

Make a cup of coffee and enjoy the results

It's still pouring with rain but I am smiling

three of the bigger pieces

and there is a shoebox of colourful bits

the colours are rich and strong, not bad

considering the made up dyes have

been stored for at least three weeks

boro

I received an enquiry today about my indigo dyed threads. 

The e mail came from Hong Kong.

Intrigued, I contacted Jay, only to discover she 

needed them repair to repair this fantastic Boro quilt.

With her permission, here is the photo she sent

I am delighted to think my threads are going to be

used in such a way.   Jay has kindly offer to keep 

me posted with photos of the progress.  

Happy Day

we have another little family in residence

Mrs. Pigeon has been sitting on the nest for months

as a pigeon's nest goes, this one is very well made

I really thought this was just a hideaway from

pigeon world, no babies involved

wrong, lots of cheeping going on, and she is busy

there are babies

it's in the wisteria and just visible 

young Mr. Ben was delighted, 

quietly watching the two fledglings

being fed by Mum

a summer weekend

a present from the birds

the house busy with the boys

lovely evenings for eating al fresco on

the balcony

indigo workshop on Saturday which

necessitated the purchase of one of these

tropical heat and humidity - perfect

beautiful blues emerged

too busy to take photos

the vat is a good one

late this afternoon I will be

dipping and dyeing

a quiet Sunday, no visitors or students

time to stitch in the sun

two applique blocks

this year has been so chaotic

no time, or inclination to 'create'

energy drained - too much housework!

beginning to feel the need to get down

 to something 'serious' 

perhaps it's the sun, or the little local

difficulty has almost resolved itself.

happy days

indigo experiment No 1

My indigo plants are looking quite healthy, after struggling through the
weird weather during the spring and summer.    Since the plants can be
harvested and will put on new growth I just had to start experimenting
with different ways to extract the indigo and make a vat.

the leaves were picked and weighed

shredded and added to water, with white vinegar

strained through muslin - and, being mindful

of not using domestic equipment, I found

Ben's fishing net did the business

cotton soaked for two hours

result

light mint

The process took about four hours.    It is a delicate colour.  I read

somewhere that the plant has to go through the heat of summer

for the colour to come.  Ha!    

Meanwhile

I wrapped the sieving cloth around a copper pipe

it is now sitting in a jar filled with liquid from the vat

 I'll let it brew for a few days in the hot conservatory