I've progressed from PPP #5 to starting PPP #6:
#5 all finished
a start on #6
a close-up on the lace flower
bullions mark the petals' vein
I played with some tatting
trying out a variegated thread
Ankars tatting, but I pulled too tightly as you can see by the buckling on the rings
adding beads to the Ankars tat
I think I need to re-tat this using a gentler hand
I've been working on a fabric card for my sister who loves blue
I have more fabric tags to make.
Each tag has a quote or humorous saying about sisters.
Some will be tucked into lace pockets, and some will be stitched onto
the card. I know they'll make my sister smile.
In the garden, the sedum is turning darker. Soon it will be bright crimson. The nights are getting cooler, and there's a touch of crispness to the air. Summer is almost over.
I've been saving my avocado pits, and this weekend, I cooked up a batch to colour some fabrics.
a baker's dozen pits in the pot
Some had a layer of skin pop off the pit.
the selection of laces, and fabrics washed and ready
After coming to a boil, I simmered the pits until this dark colour appeared, then I turned off the burner and added the fabrics. I left the fabrics to dye all afternoon and overnight.
Here's the fabric as it was taken from the pot. Such a variety of shades, from palest pink to a tawny peach.
After rinsing in warm water, I hung each piece up to dry indoors. The dark piece at the back of the rack is silk dupion. Most of the other pieces are cotton. I even placed a skein of thread into the pot, too.
What nice colours!
Well, that's my week. I hope yours was a happy and creative one.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz
#5 all finished
a start on #6
a close-up on the lace flower
bullions mark the petals' vein
I played with some tatting
trying out a variegated thread
Ankars tatting, but I pulled too tightly as you can see by the buckling on the rings
adding beads to the Ankars tat
I think I need to re-tat this using a gentler hand
I have more fabric tags to make.
Each tag has a quote or humorous saying about sisters.
Some will be tucked into lace pockets, and some will be stitched onto
the card. I know they'll make my sister smile.
I've been saving my avocado pits, and this weekend, I cooked up a batch to colour some fabrics.
a baker's dozen pits in the pot
Some had a layer of skin pop off the pit.
the selection of laces, and fabrics washed and ready
After coming to a boil, I simmered the pits until this dark colour appeared, then I turned off the burner and added the fabrics. I left the fabrics to dye all afternoon and overnight.
What nice colours!
Well, that's my week. I hope yours was a happy and creative one.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz
Wish we ate avocados because it would be fun to try this....the colours look so pretty. I tried dyeing with walnuts several years ago...got some gorgeous colours.
ReplyDeleteDid you use black walnuts, MA? There's a black walnut tree just behind us and I've thought of trying this, if the squirrels don't get all the walnuts first......... lol.
DeleteHugs
Very interesting post! Amazing colors using the avocado pits - never would have thought those 'pink' colors would emerge.
ReplyDeleteThe Ankars piece has an 'antique' look - great colors - and it would look just fine as an embellishment on your beautiful embroidered projects!
I placed the Ankars piece on one of the purple project blocks and it looks quite nice, Kathy. It may find a home there. ;-) As you can see, I do like to add a bit of tatting to my CQ pieces. I was surprised by the variety of colours from the avocado pits, too. I have another baggie in the freezer for another dyeing day. Thanks.
DeleteHugs
the crazy block looks great and so does the tatting, great success with your dyeing too. Will email you shortly
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret! Good to see your comment here!The dyeing experiment was a nice surprise. Hugs
DeleteSuch wonderful colours and textures in your blocks. Very effective dyeing! Interesting how so many different shades come out of the same pot.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the variety of shades that came out of the pot, Jane. Each one seemed different than the one before. I think they'd look very interesting if they were all used together. Hmmmmm Thanks.
DeletePink? Who would have thunk? I love your sisters card, she will too! I
ReplyDeleteI know, right? And the fact each piece seemed to have it's own colour flavour made it so interesting. I hope you're right about the card. I have to get my butt moving on that. Thanks Michelle.
DeleteHugs
I love all that purple and blue! Thanks to you, I'm thinking of trying to make some of those beautiful cards. I think it would be a good way to practice different stitches.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely would be perfect for practicing stitches as well as a nice place for some of your beautiful tatting. I've been thinking of using some of my Christmas fabrics and making fabric Christmas cards for those special people on my list. Thanks Diane.
DeleteHugs
Right, I'm going to start saving avocado pits now. Gee we crafters are crazy people sometimes. Did you use something (mordant) to set the dye, Suz? The colours you achieved are fabulous and varied. Love your sisters card!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dianne! I kept mine in a baggie in the freezer until I was ready to use them. I didn't use a mordant: I'd read that the pits contain tannins that act as a mordant for cotton. Most of the fabrics I used were cottons. The silk fabric will probably not be washed as I'll be using it for a fabric card, so I'm not concerned. However, I am going to wash a half piece of one of the cottons this weekend and test whether or not the tannin mordant works.
DeleteHugs
I cut 1 piece of the fabric in half, and threw one of the halves into the washer, then the dryer. I can't tell from the photo which was machine washed and dried. It seems the tannins in the avocado pit works fine as a mordant.
DeleteWhat beautiful colours from the avocados. I have never heard of that before. Your tatting looks great, I would not have known it was not meant to be as tight as that if you had not told me!
ReplyDeleteRobin, I was surprised at the different shades, too. I have a tendency to pull my tatting too tightly. I think it comes from a fear of floppy tatting......... :-o......... lol. Thanks
DeleteHugs