it is what it is.....


hanging out to dry

huge walnut leaf





to be perfectly honest (and why wouldn't I be?) I was very disappointed with the first results: hardly any kind of imprintsso back to the drawing board, and more willow leaves were rolled into the bundles (from the grey willow rather than the yellow one which I first used, haven't yet sorted out if that makes a difference) and hydrangea flowers from a friend, as they happened to be wilting in a vase - have I mentioned it is deliciously HOT! over here, a dry heat, very summery indeed - and then some cloth strips were refolded and wrapped around copper pipes ; all the bundles went into a stainless steel bowl together with an old alum mix from 2016 I found at the back of my dye cupboard  for good measure; I added a teaspoon of alum and a generous measure of copper/vinegar, also rediscovered in the dye cupboard; I am pretty sure the aluminium pot first time round contained old colours, which is why the oak apple mordant gave such rich tints, instead of being neutral.
I am quite satisfied, although not completely over the moon with the final, very subtle results and say to self 'it's the process that counts not the end result'
However I have not made notes and therefore will not be able to replicate exactly, hmmm so much for my initial determination to act with forethought and a system! it is how I do things
best cloth, as it as leaf imprint, walnut, and several shades of brown

I like this one as you can actually see the leaf veins, walnut again, in this case a huge leaf, i.e. larger than my hand

willow outlines






Comments

Mo Crow said…
(((Saskia))) these gently subtle colours reflect your watery world
Marti said…
Well I for one would drape your cloths over my body Saskia because they hold an earthy soft beauty that soothes. I've rarely gotten good imprints or strong colors from the natural dyeing that I do and I am one who feels that it is the journey rather than the end result that matters most to me.

When I feel the need for some "umph" or a bit of strong definition in my dyed cloths, I sometimes take a few strands of steel wool and spread them on the cloth, scattered along leaves, petals, bark, twigs, grasses and often get some interesting and strong markings. Also, I prefer to solar dye my bundles but sometimes start them out on the stove in one of my cooper pots but I truly love the idea that the sun and I, as well as the gifts of the land, combine to create earth magic...you do too for over the years, your many cloths give that alchemic sense...
Saskia said…
they do indeed Mo! always as I look at the photo's, deciding which ones to use for the posts, I am struck by the similar shades, how they echo each other

thank you Marti, such encouraging words; if I hadn't hoped for more distinct prints I probably would have been better pleased with the outcome.....however I have learnt just that little bit more about dyeing and mordanting and am now happy with some of the very subtle results, those leaf veins especially touched an inner nerve! to be continued.......
You may be disappointed with your leaf prints, but the marks from the string are enchanting! They remind me of seaweed underwater, or heat waves in summer.
Beautiful!!
jude said…
what is, is enough
Saskia said…
Never doubt I love those string effects too Dana, however they were 'a given' as in been done before; what I was attempting were eco-prints India Flint-style, with help from Marijke......and as they failed to materialise as imagined was rather disenchanted....I have come to appreciate the subtle results, especially after then kind comments!

absolutely Jude!
Nancy said…
These days it is nice to find someplace subtle, someplace calm to rest your eyes, your soul. I like the wiggly lines and the second to last pic ~ I see a town in the distance, or a train...old west across the plains. xo
Saskia said…
well Nancy you sure have a lively imagination! I am looking at the fabrics in a whole new way now

tungsten

tungsten

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