Last year weeds happened to my orange cosmos (it always starts growing very late for some reason – then blooms into October where it’s too wet to collect seeds properly), this year slugs have overrun our entire property, so I had one plant. For that reason I had a handful of flowers in the freezer from last year and collected all summer from my one little very brave specimen to get enough for a reasonable amount of wool. Continue reading “Frozen flower dye”
Stand
If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
Oak leaf dyeing
I’m about a month later than last time, but the leaves are still green, acorns have mostly fallen off or will in the strong wind which is now dominating our days.
Oak leaves are a bit pesky to harvest, they don’t let go if you rip at them, the tiny side twigs however are easily torn off. So you need to grab individual leaves and pull backwards to leave them undamaged, a test in patience. There are already buds at the base of each leaf, the tree surely doesn’t mind that I grab the old ones just weeks before they fall anyway. Continue reading “Oak leaf dyeing”
Warped stretcher bars
Normally they say that if a canvas won’t hang flat against the wall and wedges don’t solve the problem, restretch. If the frame itself is warped, get another.
So what do you do if you are “poor” and kept a large bundle of previously used bars in your barn for better times, and, when assembled anew, some of them warp? Continue reading “Warped stretcher bars”
(slightly) Disappointing survey
45 people viewed the post, “only” 13 voted. I’m not impressed, people, get in the game! It’s just a little mouse click – I expect much better turnout next time. 😉 And now it’s too late obviously, you know me, either I move fast or not at all.
I had another think and decided to change course and not listen to any of you (us), since the votes were so close anyway. Many thanks to those of you who played. Continue reading “(slightly) Disappointing survey”