Even though the temperatures are still ridiculously warm, the angle of the sun is informing my monkey brain in no uncertain terms that fall is here and I better get ready for winter.
For me, that cyclical truth is taking on more urgency because in the not too distant future, my smorgasbord of plant life will be radically reduced.
So yesterday I found myself toodling about in Suzie Cube, pruning sheers and basket in the back seat, looking for a few new plants to try in the dye pot.
I tried milkweed silk and seeds that transferred exactly nothing onto the paper. Though dock seeds did. I'm keeping track of all this information. Soon I'll have an encyclopedia.
(And plenty of time to write it when there's a foot of snow on the ground.)
You say that with a bit too much gleeful sarcasm you old coot.
Anyway... here's some of yesterday's work.
Walnut and red leaves from a burning bush from S's house:
Morning glories and Asters:
Too many plants to list, with a sprinkling of Marlahan Mustard seeds:
One for S. She likes the arranged ones...
And my experiment for this batch... my attempt at some sort of mandala :
I have no idea how this walnut turned out so vibrant...
Another fact finding paper. I pressed several leaves from my Breen romaine lettuce from the garden. And they still transfer their colors. This is good to know as I will have time to press more of them for winter dye pots.
These leaves came from a plant in my friend's yard. Neither of us know what it is. The leaves are green with many yellow spots on them. But their soul is mauve. :-)
Japanese maples:
As I was foraging, I passed by my big lilac bush and noticed a small cluster of leaves that had turned red. I love how they came out, even if the red seems to be a figment of our imagination in 'real life'.
I REALLY like them....
And here is the reverse side on a spacer paper...
You can just forget about 'control' in this art form. You can nudge, guess, try, experiment, and throw caution to the wind.
But you are NOT going to be in charge.
This is good for me.
Maybe that's why I've gone just a little bit goofy.
(Where is your hyperbole generator when you should be using it? A 'little bit'? Come on. Ask anyone in the neighborhood. It's common knowledge that you have taken leave of what little senses you had left. Admit it! Girl, you are PARKED in goofy.)*
*https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=parked%20in%20goofy
Morning glories and Asters:
Too many plants to list, with a sprinkling of Marlahan Mustard seeds:
One for S. She likes the arranged ones...
And my experiment for this batch... my attempt at some sort of mandala :
I have no idea how this walnut turned out so vibrant...
Another fact finding paper. I pressed several leaves from my Breen romaine lettuce from the garden. And they still transfer their colors. This is good to know as I will have time to press more of them for winter dye pots.
These leaves came from a plant in my friend's yard. Neither of us know what it is. The leaves are green with many yellow spots on them. But their soul is mauve. :-)
Japanese maples:
As I was foraging, I passed by my big lilac bush and noticed a small cluster of leaves that had turned red. I love how they came out, even if the red seems to be a figment of our imagination in 'real life'.
I REALLY like them....
And here is the reverse side on a spacer paper...
You can just forget about 'control' in this art form. You can nudge, guess, try, experiment, and throw caution to the wind.
But you are NOT going to be in charge.
This is good for me.
Maybe that's why I've gone just a little bit goofy.
(Where is your hyperbole generator when you should be using it? A 'little bit'? Come on. Ask anyone in the neighborhood. It's common knowledge that you have taken leave of what little senses you had left. Admit it! Girl, you are PARKED in goofy.)*
*https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=parked%20in%20goofy