foxy & yellow

During the cold snowy days of just a short while ago, the strange January snows that got us out of step a bit and snowed in a bit too, I experimented with ice and linen... this strip of mordanted linen was placed in a bucket of water with an old rusted metal latch. The water froze and every day as I went outside to feed the birds, I looked to see the fabric captured in the ice, swirled like a frozen fish..... When the thaw came, I almost forgot this small experiment, but then I remembered and after washing and drying this is the result - something a bit foxy. A few days ago I saw this lovely photo of a fox in a newspaper and made a connection.... pinned up for inspiration right now, I think the fabric might become something in a stitched collage....


Today is one of those dull, milder days of January.... I'm more accustomed to this kind of Winter weather. To cheer things up, I felt like working with bright yellow, so I've just finished stitching this yesterdays doll.... my yesterdays dolls are all hand stitched as they are rather fine and dainty. She wears turmeric yellow and a viola blue band on her skirt.

As you've probably gathered, I'm stitching and working on new things for my shop. I've had a few people ask me if there will be new yesterdays dolls and yes including the doll above. I hope to make a good selection for you to see. Also, as suggested a while ago (last year) in a natural dyes post, I shall be offering some of my own rather special dyed fabrics, individual fabric strips that could become something in your own hands, with your own stitches....

And also I shall be offering: new artist books, mixed media collage work, a few papier mache chairs and anything else that time allows.....

Chatters asked as a comment on yesterdays post: can natural dyes be used on paper? - and this is indeed a good question. I have experimented with natural dyes to make inks and to use as colour washes. I found out that dye liquid can make very subtle colour washes, adding gentle tones to different papers. I like natural dye inks for writing and drawing, and this has reminded me that I never did share my inky results from a while ago, so I shall try to do that next week when I have more time to take photos etc... To make natural colour inks, try concentrated dye of madder and logwood, and of course walnut. Experiment with the colours mixed with gum arabic and a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender... rather interesting.... I'll write more next week....

enjoy your weekend x