Dyeing along with natural dyes

So it has been a little quiet on the bloggy front. I imagine we all go through phases where the impetus to write is not there and things just fall into a lull. Sometimes it is like that with creative flow and the urge to produce wanes. Mind you this is rarely a problem, as I always have a backlog of things that I wish to do. Sometimes I plan to start one thing and instead fall into another project without thinking it through.
It seems to me that once I start dyeing wools, I can't resist starting a project to utilise them.. Hence yet another hooked project started on impulse, just because some yarn came in out from the cold and hung in my room for less than one day.
I have managed to finish the second top (to match the first Pillow I did.) The one hanging in the first picture is not complete, but having tried to take a photo at night with flash did not produce a nice quality picture. That top was finished last week and is still waiting to be sewn into a cushion... and still I started another project!

This time the wool is thicker - a 8 ply I think and makes a bigger square.
I am using a 1970's Vogue crochet pattern , the square is designed for a baby blanket  in finer cotton . I think it comes up a treat in a bigger hook.

I must say I am jolly pleased with purple carrots! I have extracted such a range of colours from them. It may be due to the length of time spent on the stove top cooking, or soaking time or due to the different wools and manufacturing additives or just the type of pan I cooked it in (aluminum or steel)- alum is a mordant or the containers I let the wool and dye mixture rest in (honey and yoghurt containers- both which also can react with dyes) Whatever the reason the colour range has been fun to watch.

The skein on the left appears almost grey with a hint of purple and on the right a stunning magenta.

Top left : purple carrot- first batch
Top right : purple carrot - first batch second night, reheated dye
Bottom left : acorn dye
Bottom right : pomegranate dye

Tomorrow, if I have time, I will complete my second pillow and plod along with my crochet or knitting depending on the whim that takes me.

Hoping all is well with you and big hugs to Kim and husband xxx

Pillow Finish

Yup i've finished my cushion. I karate chopped it so that it would sit in this chair. The cushion is too big for this chair, although it is hard to tell from this picture. The colourings quite suit the chair dont you think? This is my curb side pick up chair. Yep, I picked it up of the curb (only moment after it was put there) it was awaiting rubbish collection. Hard to believe. i am forever hanging my legs over the arms when watching TV. The  rest of the family hate it...they think it is dirty... God I am not going to eat my dinner off it and really it is in very good knick. Bah hum bug to them!

Sun drenched photos in the back yard this morning... strong wintery light

In the shade at a reclaimed wetland. The wattle trees are just starting to bloom.

 I used a grey wool material to make the pillow

Such a magnificent and grand eucalyptus tree. Couldn't resist taking a photo whilst I wandered around the wetland

The ducks wandered up looking for a feed...no such duck luck.

I started to look for feathers and found a few in the water

A find at the local op shop which has now become a project for my father to renovate. He is staining them coco black and I have requested a matte finish - which is causing my father grief  (cause everything in his life has been stained mission brown or cherry red- aaurgh)... but he is the most obliging of dads and is doing a wonderful job of  up marketing these for me. Cant wait until they are done. I am keeping the handles... LOVE LOVE them

See you soon!

Crochet Flower Bag - One bag three ways

I started my crochet flower bag in the beginning of April. I was admiring Sophie Digards work and thought that I would be able to produce something along the line of colour and form in my own design and have now finished my flower crochet bag. Once again I have used tapestry wool so that I could utilise a wide range of colour. One skein of wool produces one flower. Of course I have intermingled colours for the center and petals of the flower.

So having finished the bag, finally, I rewarded myself with another outing. This time a visit to Willunga. Fortunately for me (maybe not my purse) the Willunga Farmers Market was on today. Apparently it is held every saturday from 0800-1230 hrs. Such lovely quality produce from local regional makers - in amongst the usual fruit and veg producers ( not to be scoffed at - their produce was top knotch) were olive oil products, artisan breads, bee and wax product, wines, jams and chutneys, flowers and herbs and  the most beautifully crafted handmade pasta that had vibrant natural colours. It didn't take me long to spend $50- pasta , flowers, persimmons, plums , sourdough bread and lavender brownie devoured in a matter of minutes)

After I spent my dosh it was time to photograph the bag...ummm hard to do in such drab surroundings. She jests. It was hard to stop taking photos.

Anyway as usual a heavily laden post about a silly bag but you get to enjoy the surroundings anyway.

First stop the vineyard. Its a lovely time in the hills at the moment with the green grasses from the rains and still a few Autumn leaves clinging to vines before the real cold settles in.

I bought a bag in an op shop for $5 just for the hardware - it had plenty of buckles and straps that I could pilfer for my bag. I could have gone with a tan colour which was equally nice against all the vibrant colours.

So short handles for shopping bag mode. It really is a very large bag and comfortably fitted in all the above mentioned purchases.

When you clip together the side straps it becomes a triangular bag. It makes it a little more secure if you dont have a lot in the bag and want to protect your purse as the top opening becomes considerably smaller.

With the long strap attached to the side loops it becomes a carry all that you can sling over your shoulder.

Next photography spot a lovely gum and grasses, just across the road

My purchased proteas make a stunning accompaniment with my bag

 Who doesn't like an old wagon? This one was waiting for me on the side of the road

After the photo shoot I couldn't resist stopping in at Dowie Doole winery....more quality stuff (wines) I couldn't resist! A few came home with me.

And just a few shots after I visited the winery. Pity I can't take you for a little winery tour, it was really good. mmm mmmm. I had the whole winery to myself as well, so it was really special to get such undivided attention.

Glorious light on a glorious day
Thanks for sticking with me. Cheers! Monique x

LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TUTORIAL