results & analysis

i am not feeling that the colors have been reproduced exactly as they really are but its close enough for today. i was underwhelmed at first... but now i have ironed them and looked at them again and i can see that they will work together. it will be much lighter in value than i regularly work. i don't think of myself as only liking bright colors but these could have a bit more depth for my taste. if i have a grey to put with them i think that would make them work better. not a dark one... just a little darker in value than these, enough to set them off. my favorite piece of all is the little gold one. and then the center of the green. and the pink petals from the peony. when i made the bundles i think i used too long of a piece of fabric. i like the resist of the string but the dye did not penetrate deeply inside. so next time maybe a few twigs for the center and shorter strips. and that last photo is much paler than the others... it wasn't like that in i-photo. i have to work some of the technicalities out in transferring photos. i'll be easy on myself here because this is the first try...

out in the sun in quart jars :
all fabric is drenched in vinegar 4:1
1) rust bundle with vinegar water.
2)artemisia, lily petals, yellow alstromeria flower petals. wrapped up on apple branch. onion skins and a few nails in plain water
3)a)wad of onion skins and curry powder, b)curry pwder sprinkled on with calendula bud centers, c)more petals of lily and alstromeria, wrapped on apple stick, in quart jar with plain water, 7 lilys and alum
4)lichen covered sticks bundled in quart jar with 2 tea bags and alum
5)camponile flowers with peony petals and centers rolled on apple stick in quart jar with rest of the artemisia 3 lilies and alum.

that was a lot of work...gathering supplies making bundles and putting it all away... in the heat... but its done and it will stay there for awhile. we will see how patient i am.

applique

well i am almost finished with the applique for anna's quilt. i find i can't do too much at a time or my hands give out but i am happy to get this much done for my darling daughter in law. the other strips that will surround it are cut out or sewn together as the case may be and pretty soon... by the end of the week(?) i will have the top finished.
my next project is to find a photograph that i want to work from in jean well's class starting may 3 in bend. toni and i will be sharing a room for this 5 day class. we are to bring a photo and colors of solid or solid appearing fabric. 1/4 yd. of 12 colors plus 1/2 yd of two accent colors. i thought i wanted a photo using gray and yellow because i wanted to do something for the bedroom which is in those colors. however i have nearly given that idea up. have you ever tried to find a photo based on colors that you have preselected? its not that easy. then i thought i might just try for a photo with the fabrics i already have... again...not that easy. so i will give it all up and just look for a photo i want to interpret. time is creeping up fast so i need to get on the stick here and stop worrying about what i have no control over. the right photo will find me.
i'm also sewing clothes. got a purple dress cut out and brown linen pants sewn together ready to be finished. i haven't sewn clothes for ages and i am enjoying it.
thats where i am in my process this week.

the beginning

my three clay pots are never empty. one holds the heart, one the soul and the other creativity. together they combine into the sacred ordinary. i have returned time and again to replenish myself. i am eternally grateful.