Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Spring Weekend



Last weekend it was beautiful outside, my husband, son and grandsons went camping, Yea, I had the whole weekend to myself! Out came my pattern,



I began cutting out the Sunshine.



I got it half cut out using my natural dyed wools.
I love it so much I decided to keep going making several different wool Sun blocks and Moon blocks making a lap size sampler quilt.
And as Peggy womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com says
"everyone needs a Moon quilt!"



Not sure how this will turn out but how about rust dyed Sun block? We'll see if it makes the cut.



The loom was also calling, I warped it and began weaving a Sunburst.



The center is woven with goldenrod dyed wool, then a circle of dandelions followed by cosmos flower dyed strip of wool. The Red bud tree that shaded the loom died this past winter. I'm sure the sun is going to fade the wool fast but it's ok.



Along with the dandelions the violets were calling. There are so many medicinal uses for violets (Peggy goes in depth on her blog), I was interested in this one remedy, which I read on many herbal websites. When you feel a little out of sorts and don't know why, take a tablespoon (of the following recipe) in a glass of cool water and drink it.
I gathered the violets, rinsed them off, let dry.



Put them in a jar with apple cider vinegar. Plastic first, then cap it, store a couple of weeks in a dark cool place, strain the plants out.




 After the long winter and cold Spring I just couldn't stop. Next the daffodils, some were past peak, into the jar they went with mordanted wool to solar dye. I did simmer this in a water bath first to seal the jar so it doesn't mold.



One more jar layered with wool, cochineal, madder root and Osage orange bark.



As I was weaving I noticed this dove tucked in a spruce tree sitting on her nest.



Spring also means baseball. My grandsons love it.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like such a fun day all by yourself!!! I am anxious to see how your rust sun turns out...the other one is beautiful with the oranges and blues. and perfect weather to spend the day playing, what a good day. I am sure the other wools will turn out great as well. Sarah and I yard saled a bit, found a twin size wool blanket in off white that one corner had some damage. Thinking that would dye up great...hope it does. Enjoy spring! Deb C

Kathy -MIQuilter said...

The wool blanket would dye wonderfully. It will be a lot of fun! You just need to plan what you want to do with it. Ok that's the fun part too.

Peggy said...

Kathy, you are in the FLOW, lady! So much goodness here -- and a new beginning for the Loom Altar (which I would get down on my knees before because I adore it, as you know). Wish we could raise glasses of violet ACV/water and do a little moonwork together. xoxo

Kathy -MIQuilter said...

Peggy, Thank you for all the kind words. We would have a good time together!

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