Thursday, August 29, 2013

wreaths

 

Sage trimmings became a wreath. The orache needed cutting back, too, so there I went again. If I don't get things in check very soon, everything will be coming up orache in the spring. The wreath-making led to rolling up a small orache/silk dye bundle, just playing around.

This time of year is dear. All the many things I hoped to do this summer are rushing at me. I'm making lists and even prioritizing, and toward the top is dyeing with the indigo plants growing in my garden. From reading about dyeing with fresh indigo leaves, I've learned it's a process that should be done all on one day -- from harvesting the leaves to the final dip. The cottons are soaking in soy milk and the silks are ready to go. If I can find the other necessary ingredient, the one that turns the dye-bath from blue to yellow (I forget what it's called), I'll be in business.

I'm starting to look at flying dreams again, a magic cloth piece I started a few years ago. I think I may be going back to this again soon, it sort of feels like it's time.

We're starting to see glimmers of golden light here now -- I'm almost ready to let go of green and surrender to gold! Thanks for visiting and happy weekending. xo

11 comments:

  1. is that a pod in the 5th picture below the stones? it is just beautiful. and i love the roundness of the weaving.

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  2. Hi Deanna, thank you -- it's a milkweed pod, I love love love the milkweed plant. My plants didn't bloom for some reason, this was collected on a walk.

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  3. Love seeing this cloth again...takes my breath away. What are you reading to learn about the indigo? I have some growing and need to dye soon I think. I love how you set the scene of your photos :)

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  4. Love the images, and love the woven circle. I must grow some orache next year, so pretty, can't wait to see how it dyes

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  5. Hi Peggy, love your wreaths.
    Autumn is just around the corner here too, the maples are beginning to turn color, every day a few red leaves come down. I've been to Colorado several times in Fall and love the yellow aspen. Wish I was there now with my dye pot!
    I have some woad in the garden needing to be used also, I think your missing ingredient is Rit Dye Remover (not sure of the chemical name), also washing soda.

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  6. Nancy, I'm using the book A Dyer's Garden by Rita Buchanan. It's sort of old and I'm sure her directions aren't the only way to go. But it's what I have and I'm too lazy to research on the internets about it. ;)

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  7. Thanks, Debbie -- I'm seeing some color already....we'll see!

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  8. Kathy, I wish you could come, too, and guide me through the indigo process!! I'll have to reread my directions -- they call for color remover, Spectralite, and I ordered it from Dharma last summer -- if I'd have known it was available from Rit, that would've saved a little $$, I bet. Live and learn...thanks for the tip though. :)

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  9. I love this golden green time of year, & your glowing woven moon, the right side really shimmers.

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  10. I love your magic cloth. It is so beautiful and interesting. I sit typing with the a/c on, the furnace man is making his pitch to replace the 46 year old furnace, and my list of what I wanted to do this summer suddenly hitting me upside the head. Where did this year go??? My indigo is about a foot tall. I planted late and now I am hoping I can over winter it. I found it interesting how quickly it rooted along the stem if it touched dirt. Our milk weed pods are still green, but they are in abundance along the river. I'd love to be able to spin some of the silk. It is so soft and why the birds use it to line their nests is obvious. Have a wonderful week, my friend. I will be waiting with bated breath to see how the indigo vat goes. :)

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  11. well, I'm intrigued by ALL of your photos (as per usual!) but most especially by the green knitted piece...do tell!

    xxoo

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