Jewelweed

 Not a weed a really gave a second glance in the past, but I recently read that it makes a lovely dye.

Oh my goodness, yes! The photo doesn't tell the story very well. It is a lovely blush colour that reminds me of the beautiful dye obtained from avocado pits. I also remember getting a similar colour from fern leaves.  What chemical is in all three to make this fabulous dye? I'm not a scientist, but now feel the need to do more research.  Where else can I find this colour? 

Eye doctor inspiration

 While at my yearly eye exam yesterday, I commented on the sign on the wall that said, No Photos / No Videos.  Dr. Peck said, "you can take pictures, it's ok".  So I did!  The first pic is my eye!  I'm loving the colour palette.  I was watching a short video today about picking a palette based on your favorite colours.  I'm not overly fond of orange, but this is more of a rust.  The chartreuse is definitely on my go to list and the little bit of red just pulls it all together!  Can I duplicate this in dye?

  

This was a poster on the wall.  Nothing special, but I do like the marks!

Not sure about this one:

Can you tell what number is on this? My hubby could not.  No wonder his clothes never look quite right!

Dress update: Rainforest

 

The suggestion was made to add more orange to the Rainforest dress.  Now I think that the left bottom orange beaded fringe is too much!  It doesn't look this bold on the green background, but on the table all I see is the beads!  Eventually I'll figure it out.  

Using Grandma's Yoyos

Back in the '70's, my grandmother jumped into the yoyo quilt fad.  Not hand sewing that I would want to do, but I'm good with taking them apart and reusing the circles!  I'm off and running using the yoyo's in my #morningtea stitching for the next few weeks.  They make such sweet little flowers:

 

August = Sunflowers

 When I look at the sunflowers growing in my garden, I understand why VanGogh painted them and moved to the south of France looking for light, warmer weather and the wonderful colours of the area.  This year's flowers are all volunteers.  I neglected to plant sunflower seeds, but God remembered how much I adore their happy faces.  

"The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you."  Numbers 6:25 

Surprise!

The old saying, "make hay while the sun shines", hits home on sunny days.  It's hard to print with solar fast without sunshine!  I also enjoy using the flowers and leaves from my garden, so once again - I must take advantage of sunny days before the frost kills off the garden.

My printing is headed for a storage basket to pull out in winter when I'm ready to remember the beauty of summer.  

 Do you call them surprise lilies, magic lilies, resurrection lilies, or naked ladies? My grandmother called these lovely flowers, naked ladies. I do too!  They certainly made lovely sun prints. 

Every day is a fresh start

 

For many years, my early morning stitching has been my #morningtea post on Instagram.  This is my current favorite cup for tea (or coffee).  The butterfly has been my symbol for ages reminding me that life is full of changes. I like change.  It feels good to rearrange the furniture, weed my closet of old clothing, or make plans for the future.  

I've felt stagnant recently.  A feeling of just going thru the actions - making a to do list that is almost a copy of the previous day. It's time to re-look at my butterfly theory and try something new.  What is my #morningtea, really?  It's been doing the same thing, over and over and over.  Drink tea, stitch, post...  

It's not that I need a drastic change.  It does seem that my routine has become, well, routine.  I am still writing in my journal every day.  Some days it's not much more that writing the date and temperature.  I find time to garden, dye fabric, art journal, stitch, etc.  It just seems that it's being done without passion.  I'm ready to change that.  I have a year long project on the work table, a commission work for my dearest friend (my sister), plenty of ideas, and enough ideas to last a life time.  I hope to find the motivation to jump in and produce!

Off to the dye pot...  I clipped all my marigolds yesterday.  

cheryl

"Weird Dye"

 

Next week, the girl friends are getting together to dye "weird things".  The idea is to collect things from around the house that will make unusual additions to art projects. Some of the items took the dye well!  I was disappointed with the birch bark -it only took a hint of colour.   It will be a fun get together, and I look forward to a morning of play.

Hibiscus

 All 4 of my hibiscus plants are blooming!