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Thursday 27 June 2019

Craft Stall and Eco Dyeing

27th June 2019

Goodness it has been ages since I posted on my blog, really don't know where the time has gone!!

I had a craft stall in the local craft fair.....








...sold some cards and indigo dyed tea towels and met some lovely people.
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As I was walking home last week all these leaves were lying on the pavement beneath a huge eucalyptus tree, just had to pick up a few, was hoping they would eco dye orange. 


I usually just steam a bundle whenever I have dyed this way before but thought I would investigate on Google. This person boiled the bundle in a mixture of white vinegar /water and a small amount of rust water. so thought I would have a go. 


Could not believe my eyes when I took the bundle out of the pan, I rinsed in cold water then left to almost dry in the bundle. When unwrapped after it had completely dried this was the result!


Close up, rather a sludgy colour but might look better with a hand stitched outline.


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One of my neighbours has an allotment and I offered to weed and water while they are away.....





....found this beautiful dandelion seed head, 9cm diameter, so brought it home for my vase of seed heads, don't know how long it will last.....






Monday 17 June 2019

More from Chihully at Kew...

17th June 2019

Friends came to visit and we had a brilliant time at Kew despite the showers!

STUNNING CREATIONS IN BLOWN GLASS....













....large installations in the gardens and Temperate House....







....view from the balcony...









...this exhibition is on until October and well worth a visit.

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I bought this kit in Ally Pally last year...


...really enjoyed making it.


Sketch book samples ....



....my next slow stitch project using rust and eco dyed fabrics from my stash, I always like to have something I can pick up when the mood takes me!


....another wip, it still needs something, maybe seed stitch and another tree.


Had a lovely day with my granddaughter yesterday celebrating her 3rd Birthday, how time flies!




Friday 7 June 2019

Four small projects finished and more started!!

7th June 2019

Where is this year going??
Didn't realise it has been 2 weeks since my last blog but I have been quite busy....

...remember this, a fabric collage inspired by Deborah O'Hare using hand dyed/painted fabrics from my stash....


....stitched on wadding....


....free machined and hand stitched, now in my sketchbook!


Next completed project...

.....a wall hanging made using scraps of indigo shibori fabric from my stash with added stitch and shells, now hanging in my bathroom!


Last finished project a little cardigan for my granddaughter, actually more red than pink!!

An easy pattern and really like the shawl collar.

I get a real sense of achievement when I finish something.


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Samples started ....

......muslin pasted....



....ideas from these 2 books by Amanda Hislop bought at Oxford Summer School....



.....when the muslin is dry I pasted on seeds, tissue, tea bag paper and lens tissue for a textured background on 3 small pieces....



....next day when dry painted....

...sea shore...


....trees....


....sand dunes and sea...


...ready for stitching!

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My last completed project.

I saw work by Sue Nicholls at an exhibition and loved her work, all the things I like in free machining, trees, seed heads etc.

This piece of work was an experiment and sample inspired by her.

Scrim tacked onto calico as I wanted a fine texture surface...


.....first stitching, the fabric puckers slightly...


....so backed with this...


....used 2 threads in the needle..




....the result...


....now in my sketch book but would like to make a picture at a later date.

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Have enjoyed quite a few walks....







...an early morning sky...




...beautiful young deer in Richmond Park...




....so, a busy and productive 2 weeks!