moving forward
back to the old normal
WordPress help desk replied in less than 24 hours
the fix and return to the Classic Editor was quick and easy when you know the trick
while I spent time talking to the flowers
the miniature rose is adding sunshine to a rather dull start to summer
often overlooked the hosta flowers are delicate, like fairy gowns
before the deer got in and ate them
fresh peas almost every night – until the deer torn the vines down
once again I’ve strengthened the fencing
so on to making good use of the indigo vat
several years ago I bought a large, unused, linen table cloth (52″ x 110″) at a charity shop
and had the brilliant idea to shibori stitch and dye it for a summer bedspread
well, you know what happens to some of those ideas
stitching was almost completed on 36 inches – I use extra strong upholstery thread
and then it ended up in the “to finish later” pile
last week, looking for fabric to dye
I finished the pattern, cut it off and tightly gathered up the shibori stitching
then dyed it in the super indigo vat – only 5 dips
carefully cutting/pulling out the threads took several hours
but it was worth it
not sure where this will go from here but it has given me some ideas
and look Kate, it even has a hexie!
finally Kate’s envelope from Australia arrived
with lots of beautiful “scraps” to add more hexies to the blue and white piece
thanks, Kate – maybe I’ll get some done for Scrap Happy July
better get to work…
p.s. – I should add, I only finished/dyed a 36″ x 54″ piece of the fabric so it is not the bedspread I started
Oh wow I love your dyed fabric.
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Cathy – thank you, now to do some more!
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Beautiful dying. I’m in awe you can make an indigo vat – I went on a course a few years ago, but have never had the confidence to make one.
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Bekki – I’ve tried many different vats, taken numerous workshops and I still have to work to keep a vat healthy and dyeing. It is a living organism but, saying that, it isn’t life threatening (this from a nurse), it doesn’t cost a whole lot to set up and time is passing quickly. What do you have to lose? Maiwa Handprints, in Vancouver, Canada has great instructions on their website, they have an excellent printed handout on all natural dyes and a trustworthy mail order system. (I don’t get anything for this pitch). Just go for it!
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Thank you for your thoughts and info. You’re right time is passing quickly and it all depends where one puts one’s focus. If I just steer it in the right direction I will do it. Right now my heart is leading me to watercolour painting –
but when I do look up from that I will certainly take heed of your encouragement.
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Bekki – always go with your heart. I get excited about dyeing in the summer when I can be outside as much as possible. Are you painting outside? Perfect time of year to do it, enjoy.
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Unfortunately not perfect outside weather here: wind and rain last few days 😦
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Bekki – very un-seasonal weather here too, like Nov. one day and then summer the next with rain and snow melt causing serious floods on the mainland.
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Oh dear, that didn’t sound good.
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Bekki – the combination of a late snow melt in the mountains and heavy rain has made for anxious times for some people.
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Simply stunning, you are such an artist!
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Blandina – thank you. Are you still stitching – or are you busy making baby things?
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incredible! and so satisfying to find something that you have already done most of the work on.
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Aimee – and so good to get something finished – or at least moved into a different pile.
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That dyeing is amazing! The flowers are pretty too!
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Sue – thank you 🙂
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Your shibori is awe-inspiring. Gorgeous!
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Hi Heather – thank you. So nice to hear from you, hope all is calm and healthy in your piece of paradise. Stay well.
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Wow, that’s a stunning piece of stitching and dyeing to be sure! Just beautiful!
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Sue – thank you, I’m happy it finally got finished.
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That shibori piece is sensational. I know it’s not a large piece, but you could add to the outside and build it up, if you wanted a bedspread-sized piece, couldn’t you? I’m glad the scraps work for you, I wasn’t sure if some of them might not be a bit meh….
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Kate – thank you. I’m working with the scraps, sometimes “meh” is ok so they don’t take over and shout “look at me”. I gave my 30 gallon indigo vat away as it needs to be used more than I had the time and energy for, now my smaller container would not hold such a large piece so I have considered working with several smaller pieces.
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OMG Jeanne your shibori is overwhelmingly stunning. What concentration to get it tied so perfectly.
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Karen -getting it tied tightly is critical to success but after all the time taken stitching one just has to stay focused, the strong thread is hard on the hands. I know you know only too well that it is only occasionally we are truly satisfied/happy with our own work. With this one after washing and pressing I just felt “wow”.
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That bedspread is beautiful! I am glad you got the classic back!
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Kjerstin – I added a p.s. to the blog as it is only a 36″ piece of the linen so not bedspread size. WordPress response was quick and very easy.
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