I'm still pondering and digesting over a week later and likely will be for some time to come. Today, though, the inactivity faded a bit and I found myself outside gathering maple leaves to bundle in a length of dyed linen.
Not sure what the yellow leaves are - birch, perhaps? - but they're from the backyard too. Their scent was pleasing so I'm following India's advice that if it smells good, it is safe to use.
I'll let it brew for a bit and throw in a rusty bit or tea bag, maybe a stone or two even or another handful of leaves for good measure.
For those following the search for Roy G Biv, tomorrow is indigo day. I've got to admit that this one has been hard.
at the moment I'm feeling like 'all roads lead to india' (flint that is!) ..... all my fav bloggy peeps have been meeting up with the marvelous ms flint and look at the wonderful outcomes! I tell myself 'one day' I'll get my turn... 'one day'.....
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed that "one day" comes soon for you. It was a real delight to take a workshop with India.
Deleteactually the advice was that
ReplyDeleteif it smells bad, it is bad
but watch out for some of the sweet smelling ones [ie lily of the valley] cos they can be toxic too. "know your plants" is the best safety advice i can give
Thank you for refreshing my memory! And my apologies for misquoting. I've since found that the yellow leaves are ash rather than birch.
Deletecan't wait to see how it turns out. I would not have thought to use fall leaves as dye. I have my hands wrapped around a can of chrome spray paint these days.....but fall leaves as dye just may make me put down the paint!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the spray paint will be magic in your hands while in mine it would be...spray paint. Can't wait to see how you use it.
DeletePictures of the linen will be posted later. Wrinkles need ironing first.
i will let it brew for a bit ..... then throw in ..... or a .......
ReplyDeleteLOVE it Jennifer. Sounds like a recipe for magic. I know for certain something magical will happen when you incorporate what you have just learnt into all that which you know already.
It kind of is a recipe Susan. You should have seen the dye pots bubbling away {at times} in Cleveland. Three big pots over flames with a bit of this and a bit of that thrown in. It was magical.
DeleteSure you have to bow of the class you were going to take? Really and truly?
And how are things since you picked Ash leaves and boiled them?!? I always like to think that the beautiful red will become beautiful red - but things don't always oblige in that way do they? Will be interested to see what pops out of the pot...
ReplyDeleteThings are interesting and very wrinkly. Need to iron it to see what it really looks like. May throw it back in the pot later today with more of the ash leaves. Photos soon.
DeleteBonjour, please could you put out my work from your blogg? Thank you very much. Amelie joos
ReplyDeleteAmelie, I am not sure exactly what you are asking. If you are asking me to post your work on my blog, the answer is no. While I do occasionally post the work of other artists, it is work that I have seen in person and the photos are ones that I have taken. Sincerely, Jennifer
DeleteAnxious to see what your leaf play provides.
ReplyDeleteHere's to smooth landing...
Soon Kim. Soon. Trying to decide whether or not to over-dye the piece in hopes of bringing in more color.
DeleteJ-loved the beautiful colour of the leaves. I guess with the eco dying there is not a direct colour transfer - but I guess you are keeping notes as regards what turns out in the mix. Must be good to be home to experiment. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteIf only the eco dyeing could be a direct transfer of color... But, no, it isn't. Numerous things come into play to influence or determine the color and I really don't even know half of it. As it is, I'm still trying to decide if/how to use this process. Rust and geometric shapes have my heart...
DeleteIt's addictive, isn't it? I'm a little concerned about the storm coming early next week. It is going to bring down a lot of leaves. I better do some fast windfall harvesting! What to do when the leaves are raked?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your bundles unwrapped!
Yes, it is a bit addictive. Hope you fair well in the coming storm. Will you get rain and wind or are you in the snow area?
Delete