Saturday, September 27, 2014

Indigo..

You can't help feeling like a bit of a sorceror
mixing up an indigo vat..

Pinches of this..
Lots of stirring that..


Wondering what colors will surface from green
cauldron once the yarn hits the air..

..because that is when the magic happens.


This was the first time I've mixed a vat alone.
I've got some learning to do, but so far..

L.O.V.E.
the indigo.


~



Friday, September 26, 2014

Fluffer-nutters..



Naturally dyed fibers blended into little spinning nests..

"Fluffer-Nutters"

Hand spun on the drop spindle.

Colors from: Natural local alpaca, silk, 
indigo, madder, osage, cochineal, and 
marigolds from the garden.

.. yummy to spin..

~

Currently carding for the festival, but hope
to eventually add some "Fluffer-nutters" 
to the shop.


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Song Wren



"Palessie" shawl 
by Diana Rozenshteyn

Just starting the shawl, but I am loving the pattern so far.
Knitting up a sample with some of my "Song Wren" base 
that was naturally dyed in Brazilwood.


Knitting a sample for my booth..

I'll be vending in my first festival this fall.
(Information is listed in the side bar of the blog)

Sooo excited!!

If you are in the area please stop by..
I'd love to meet you..

Now off to mix my first indigo vat.
More on that soon..
~

Joining Ginny




Sunday, September 14, 2014

Dye Day..

Yesterday I was kindly invited to join
 a neighboring guild's natural dye day.

Kettle upon kettle simmering outside on a long row of open fire.


Wood smoke,

Steam,

Stirring brews,


Madder, Logwood, Osage, Onion Skin, Black Walnut,
Marigold, Goldenrod, Indigo, Cochineal,

and new things to try like
'Jewel Weed'..

!


Indigo pots yielding
blue locks !!


Rainbow of naturally dyed tea towels.
 The lovely lady who dyed them
has plans to add embroidery.

LOVE these!!



Food, fun, and friends.
It was a most wonderful day..

Thank you to the Mercer Guild for hosting!

~


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Yarn Along..


This week I have been working on dying "similar" color ways.

While the colors are similar, the dye still finds its own path to the yarn 
creating a truly unique skein of yarn.

I love that.


I am calling this
"Late August"


Couldn't resist purchasing this book.

I am feeling the need to let my fingers be free and explore.



~

Joining Ginny..

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cooking..

This week has been full of tomatoes..


Chopping.
Stewing.
Cooking.
Canning.
Sauces.
Salsa.


Cooking tomatoes in the kitchen..
Cooking wool in the garage..

Brazilwood natural dye!


Experiments with color.

I couldn't find my note page on Brazilwood so I had to wing it.
Made the dye bath too strong and rinsing out has been taking a bit longer.

Loving the colors of nature..

~

Joining Ginny