Wednesday, May 16, 2012

surprises




This morning I started appliqueing little cloth stones on 2" squares for the magic feather project. I haven't stitched much the last few weeks and lo and behold the light had moved! I had to go find it -- it was in the living room. I thought about how the seasons can be marked by which rooms in the house have good enough light for sewing. Another way of noticing the wheel of the year turn. A nice quiet way.

Then the doorbell rang and there was a happy surprise -- the long-awaited package of indigo, Indigofera suffruticosa, plants from Companion Plants. They were thirsty but look to be in great shape. One section of the buddha circle garden, usually all vegetables, herbs and flowers, is designated for dye plants this year. Two other kinds of dye plant -- Japanese indigo, Polygonum tinctorium, and woad, Isatis tinctoria -- were seeded indoors a few weeks ago. I have to say they look nothing like these little beauties though. As always, fingers crossed.

Wishing you a good middle-of-the-week and maybe a few happy surprises, too.


12 comments:

  1. such lovely stones and oh...those indigo plants. i will definitely send for them next year. my seeds that sprouted haven't grown at all. they just sit there, drinking up the water i give but not growing.

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    1. Deanna, thanks -- I wonder if you could order plants for the fall? My little seeded plants are so leggy -- still hoping though.

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  2. Your stones are beautiful, as are the indigo babes. I will be ordering for next year for sure! I laughed when you wrote about finding the light. I have been doing that here, too. The trees have leafed out and shading the house, as they are supposed to do. That makes my sewing chair nice and cool, but dark! I did go sit under the birches yesterday. So cool and pleasant and much nicer than air conditioning. Wishing you a beautiful week.

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    1. Thanks, Jeannie. At $5 a plant, it was worth it to me and I'll probably do it again depending on how things go from here on! Yes, that's it exactly, my sewing rom is nice and dark like yours, good for daydreaming about what to stitch more than actually stitching. Hope you're having a great week, too.

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  3. i ordered my seeds from companion seeds and now i wish i'd gotten the plants. it's the same story with my seed...sitting there. the stones will make a nice addition to jude's collection.

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    1. Ani, is it too late where you live? Maybe you still can...

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  4. Peggy~ Love the stones. I'm about to start working on mine :)
    Doesn't it feel good to be that tuned in as to notice the shifting light? Just reading your words gave me some sense of calm, satisfaction.
    Story:
    Many, many years ago I was walking into work at a school with one of the fathers and his child. I looked up & ahead at the sky as I always did and there were some amazing white bulbus clouds. So I said, "Oh my gosh, look at those clouds!!!" This father responded in such a way that I could tell he never even looked up. How sad I thought. That's what your 'light' comment reminded me of...there are people who notice, and people who don't.
    I'm glad to be among who do :)

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    1. Nancy, thanks, they're a good stitch fix. And thanks again, what feels really good is knowing kindred spirits via cyberspace :). That was a sad story but maybe, just maybe, you planted a seed. Teachers plant lots of seeds.

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  5. Those stones shall be lovely...I have to get busy today and stitch up some too. : )
    What fun it will be to see the indigo grow. Those indigo plants actually look really healthy
    for having traveled!
    Someday I hope to have a garden that
    grows abundantly.
    Nancy made a good point about how sad it is that some people never even look up
    or notice things...

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    1. Marie, thanks, Jude's stone idea makes sweet little things. Think I'll make some for me now, too.

      My first time growing indigo, hope I can do them right. We have really bad soil, I know everyone says that but in my case, it's true. It's really bad soil that I make into good soil with compost and minerals! ;-)

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  6. I have (or used to have, hope it is still there!) a fairly large indigo plant in one of my alley beds, behind my house. Feel free to use it! It came from seeds from my sister's plant, which is huge now (but in Wisconsin, so not where you can get to it easily). What part do you use for dying, the seeds? If so, she would gather them for you.

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  7. Jo, I remember when you got the seeds, you gave me some! I think that is false indigo, Baptisia australis, a perennial used as a substitute for dyer's indigo, an annual. The fresh leaves are what give the color, I don't really know why it's not used more as a dye plant if it gives color, plus it comes back every year? I'll check it out -- thanks! xo

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