My first natural dyed wool quilt.

The wool fabric I used in this quilt was natural dyed from1994-1997, when my girlfriend Deb Hardman and I first began learning/experimenting with natural dyes. In 1999 as my husband and I traveled the United States in our RV, I designed and hand appliqued different blocks from our wilderness adventures. When we came home I pieced the tree and star blocks and hand quilted it all. The boarders represent the four seasons of plants and critters living in our yard. The dyes have mellowed some in the last 20 years but it has been in continuous use in our cold months and I have machined washed it. I have been careful not leaving it in the sun. This quilt has so many wonderful memories sewed into it from gathering the plants, dyeing with them, our travels, family, friends and home. It's a treasure to me.

A section of the winter boarder,

with snowflakes and holly.

Spring with robins and a nest.

Part of the Autumn boarder.

Weaving on the Earth Loom

I've added a few rows to the loom, the wool is easy but weaving with a growing bittersweet vine is a challenge. I don't want to break the tips so it keeps growing and does it keep growing! I have to check it daily to keep up.

Song of the Sky Loom

Oh our Mother the Earth,

oh our Father the Sky...
weave for us a garment of brightness:

May the warp be the

white light of morning,

May the weft be the red light of evening,

May the fringes be
the falling rain,
May the border be
the standing rainbow...

That we may walk fittingly where

birds sing...

where grass is green,

Oh our Mother the Earth,

oh our Father the sky!

Herbert Spinden

I love Native American poetry and this one seemed to go perfectly with todays post.

Full Strawberry Moon

Every Friday (if there are no interruptions) Spring though Fall I go to the Lake and quilt for a few hours. I invited my grandson who loves to fish to go with me. He fishes while I quilt.
What a special time we're having.

Last Friday was the Full Strawberry Moon.
I appliqued and quilted a moon block which will be added to my moon journal quilt.
 

This strawberry moon had a fish and pole memory stitched on it.

All the moon/sun blocks in my journal, all with Full moon memories, with more coming. Someday I'll stitch it all together. Just pinned to the wall now.

"So we are connected to the moon. That gives us power, a connection to the Earth and the moon, men don't know about."
Cecilia Mitchell

Mohawk

The Elders tell us that the women has access to special powers. The Earth Mother give her love in a Special way to the Woman. She uses these power to nurture, heal and guide the people.

Michigan woodlands in June

I packed a picnic and up North my husband and I went for the day. The woodland flowers are so delicate and in full bloom.
Columbine

Lupine

Lupine with butterfly weed, I love Mother Nature's color mix, purple and orange!

The fungi/mushrooms are new and still soft.

We arrived to the river and a mother turtle had just finished laying eggs. I don't know how she climbed up this hill. The sad part is the raccoons will be here at night digging up and eating all the eggs.

After our lunch a relaxing time watching the river go by and quilting.

Cute little magical island filled with ferns.

At home the roses are in full bloom. I planted 3 climbing plants on our front porch last year. This year their really taking off.

I always wanted a "rose covered cottage".

From my rosa rugussa plants (they have a wonderful strong rose smell) I pick the blossoms everyday, some I am drying to make into cream and others I'm keeping fresh to distill into rose water.