End of another year

This is probably my last chance to post this year as I can already see how busy it is going to be between now and 2019, so it's time to update my creations of the last few weeks.

More Ecoprinting

I had another go at ecoprinting making a slight change to my first try by soaking the fabric and paper in the iron solution instead of painting it.  I wanted to try 'cooking' it in the oven but was unable to find a brick to weigh it down so that will have to wait until next time.

I used a variety of leaves, flowers and onion skins with differing results.  I must admit some of the leaves were very dry and crumbly and the flowers weren't exactly fresh so I feel there is still room for improvement.

I want to make some books with the printing I have done so far and hopefully my next exploration in eco printing will be with fresh leaves and plants and maybe using alum as the mordant.

Winter Display

For the Winter display I made a wreath, all be it a small one.  I've always wanted to make a crochet wreath but just didn't have the time to do a full size one so thought this was the best option.  Yet again I turned to Attich24 for my inspiration and guide, choosing two of her hellebore flowers for the decoration.

A little snowman also joined the display, along with some snowflakes hanging from a twig.  I also stitched a snowflake in cross stitch to display in a hoop. 

  

And put together .....

No sooner was the display up when Christmas preparations began and took over the mantelpiece.

The snowflakes stayed in place and the hoop was replaced with a crib scene worked in redwork plus all the lights and bits collected over the years.

Mandala Owl

The final stitch has been crossed on the Mandala Owl and although washed and pressed it hasn't been mounted yet.   I can't decided whether to put it in a hoop or frame and it will probably end up being the one I can get most easily!

Really pleased with the end result so hope the little people like it too!

Beginnings of an eco home

I've long been aware of how much single use paper and plastic is used in our home and feel the time has come to do something about it.

My first change was to buy cotton fabric serviettes to save us buying paper ones this Christmas.  Available at a most reasonable cost on Amazon, it seemed something much easier to do than I thought.  With more planning I could have made them myself, and my intention is to make another set in a different colour at some stage.

I wanted to personalise them with some embroidery so used some small mandala designs I have in a book Mandalas to Embroider  by Carina Envoldsen-Harris.  I used a blue/grey palette of embroidery threads to match our décor which I feel have given a great result.

These are some of my favourites......

     

There are still creations in hand as well as those planned to get me through Christmas and into the New Year, so I will be back!

Eco Printing

For a long time now I have been wanting to have a go at eco printing and dyeing and have read loads of posts online as well as purchasing the odd book or two but there's always been something putting me off as it is something completely new to me.

Then in the very first WOW book there was a workshop from Caroline Bell which was so easy to follow I knew I must have a go.

The first thing it required was some iron (or ferrous sulphate) water and as I still have several rusty bits of iron left from the time I was creating rusty textiles, I knew it had to be done.   I put rusty nails and other smaller bits of rusty iron into a jam jar with half and half water and white vinegar and then left them for several weeks.  I gave the jar an odd shake when I thought about it but don't think it is really necessary.

The leaves I used came from around and about, including some wonderful acer leaves from my sister's garden and it was finding these that really pushed me on with the experiment.

Following Caroline's instructions, I layered up abaca tissue and khadi paper with iron water and leaves, clamped them between two tiles and boiled them for 30 minutes.   Because my tiles were only half covered by the water, I did flip them over after the 30 minutes and did the second side for another 30 minutes. (Must look out for a bigger saucepan!)

The Acer leaves on khadi paper

Other leaves on abaca tissue

Other leaves on abaca tissue

Other leaves on abaca tissue

My initial feelings about the results were a bit mixed.  The acer leaves which I used on the khadi paper were really good but the other leaves - mainly oak, birch and sycamore - on the tissue were very black and on first sight, not very appealing.

I wondered whether the iron water was too strong and needed to be diluted a bit; also whether I'd used too much; or it could have been that I boiled them for too long.  These are all options I will explore the next time round.

I haven't finished working through Caroline's workshop as I wanted time to think before going on.  I posted these photos on the WOW Book Facebook group and received lots of positive and encouraging comments, including many suggestions that they looked as though they should be made into books.

When I have made more progress with them I will let you see what I've done.