January Adventure

**Oh frabjous day! Got this all figured out. This should have been published last week**     

Went to the zoo in January to take photos for a contest they were hosting. Didn't win any thing, but I enjoyed these anyways.

Calypso

     I know this is old but I needed a reason to see if some updates have fixed my problems publishing on my laptop.
     How's it going?

Through

      "Through;" linoleum print & acrylic on hand dyed fabric. All hand sewn. (And I have the nasty mark under my nail to prove it! 0/10 do not recommend stabbing yourself there) This was surprisingly pleasing to sew, I normally don't have the patience for these kinds of things, nor the coordination.
     I have also been inspired by Shelby Burchett of Long Hair Bear (you can find her here), who makes these wonderful crystal-encrusted skulls and other wonderful things. There is a large box of skulls in my bedroom and I've been wondering how to display them, for they are all unique and I have always been particularly attracted to them; they find me where ever I go. Long story short, problem solved! Too bad I am out of driftwood and the shore line is frozen & not the safest place this time of year.

Found muskrat skull on a piece of driftwood from Lake Ontario

Roadkill (?) fox skull in the crystal garden and the drift wood bit it will be mounted on

      I'll admit, I love opossums. They're adorable (when clean) and it breaks my heart to see some many become victims of roadkill. We've had a young one wandering around the house and barn since summer. He/she has been named Daisy. Possible Valentine's card perhaps? Who knows, but be sure to share the opossum love, they deserve to live happily too in all of their fluffyness.

     And lastly, a Scarf for Wandering. Finally used up a scrap of vintage fabric that's been in a box for yearssssssss. Perfect for toting chap stick or a few bills. Couldn't resist adding a little polymer owl on the tassels.
     Heads up: planning on adding new items to my shop later this week! Be sure to keep an eye out.
   

Exploring natural dyes

     Some time ago (late January) I gathered some willow bark, disgusting walnut hulls from the summer and a few other odds and ends from the local environment and set about to experiment using local, environmentally friendly dyes. Today, after many weeks of drying slowly and growing all manner of mycelia, the bundles have been opened, washed and dried.

      Originally this large piece was going to be cut up to sew a little table covering featuring some Canada goose prints I made awhile ago, but now I don't think I could bear cutting it apart!

      Instead I am contemplating turning this smaller piece into a mixed media wall hanging; still with the goose print though. This way I wouldn't have to cut it apart, and I can learn some simple quilting skills as well.

      The technique I used was hobcobbled together from several sources and essentially boiled down to the following:
1. Collect desired dye material. I used willow bark and black walnut hulls. Cons of deciding to do this in the winter... A quick Google search will yield many results of plant materials and mordants/etc that you can find in your area.
2. Soak in a 1:1 solution of soy milk & water. Allow to dry. Repeat several times.
3. Tie up fabric as desired. I added several strips of bark or little pockets of coffee grounds.
4. Add more of the dye material to a pot (depending on what you're using you might want to pick up a cheap one from a Salvation Army or something) and boil the fabrics for a time. This will largely depend on what you want and how patient you are.
5. Remove from water and set aside in something to dry slowly. I've read that some people restrict it to three weeks. Experiment to see what yield the results you're looking for.
6. Untie and be disgusted by all of the mold that is growing on it. Don't lick it. Wash in hot soapy water and get all the icky off. It adds to the color and results in some really awesome patterns. (If you're allergic to mold however, I do recommend leaving  it in a covered container or outside)
7. Dry, iron and use.

      These two were at the bottom of the container I dried them in and stayed soggy longer. I'll definitely be making note of this!

So pretty <3

      I'm hoping to get some more experimenting done while I'm in Washington later this year (!!). I'd still like to sew a Flying Goose pattern thing at some point, and can see that needing some blues or greens...  And not to mention oranges and yellows for a honeycomb patterned quilt... This has opened while new doors for me :D