a new calendar cloth

I went to a quilt shop with a friend today and found a retro-style 2014 calendar towel by Moda. I haven't decided yet if it's to use in projects or in the kitchen. How about that label -- remember those? At our house, t.v. dinners were reserved for nights when my mom had bridge club or PTA or something. My favorite was the Salisbury steak with chunky mushroom gravy -- also my first experience of eating mushrooms.

It turns out parsley in the dye-pot is yellow and not green. The lighter yellow wool in the third photo from the top is the parsley outcome. Thinking about colors for the March wool moondala -- I like the indigo blue sky or maybe the sage green with a golden bindweed moon. Of course, it may end up to be all or none of these.

I tried ice-flower dyeing with the tulip petals from this month's flower bouquet. It's an easy technique from Eco-Colour by India Flint -- but I'm guessing that tulips just don't hold that much color? The water acquired a strong mauve color from the frozen tulip petals, but once the cloth went in, it was a disappointment. Having been soaked in a hot alum solution, the cloth turned the mauve into dark blue-green. So then I added a splash of vinegar and it turned back into a nice magenta color. You might think it's all good then but neither the silk or the wool seem to be taking on any color at all. Maybe I played around with it too much. I'll give it more time, waiting and wondering is really half the fun.

I labelled the wood butter jars today and also realized wood butter (to restore and beautify wooden bowls, utensils, cutting boards, etc.) in a small jar would be just right for a hostess gift. It would be great to have a few of these on-hand so I'll be making another batch using smaller jars. I can't even begin to say how good it smells and it's also nice on the hands. I'm a believer.

Thanks for visiting and remember to look up. Our waxing moon is nearly full, the night sky will be beautiful this weekend. xx