bee creative

collecting

The older part of the boardwalk.

I walked underneath so that I could stand at the tide line. 

I sat for a little while.

Some brick collected from the beach to make pigment with. For a long time this was an industrial area.

And a few more rocks that seem like possibilities.

I found a beautiful oyster shell with barnacles to add to a collection of rocks and shells I keep in a bowl outside.  The clam shells were collected to store pigment in.

Time to wash that bowl...

Stacking dots in various ways.

I love the softness of this one. 

change of season, change of form

Rearranging.

I might be able to make pigment out of this rock.  I keep holding it in my hand, considering how old it might be.  It could be a few thousand years old.  Some rocks are a million years; the oldest billions of years old.

A red twig dogwood, native to this area.  The leaves less than a year old and one of my favorite Autumn colors.  Left to fall, they will become mulch. 

I will try making pigment from them too.

bindweed

Bindweed, Morning Glory, Calystegia sepium or Convolvulus arvensis (I am not sure which I have, it's one or the other), weed, invasive, ruderal species (plants that grow on disturbed soil); all names or identities we give this plant depending on your perspective. 

It's also a plant with potential. 

I took a terrific lake pigment class from Natalie Stopka this weekend. The focus was on making pigments from plants considered invasive or ruderal.

For the homework, I started by making a dye bath with bindweed leaves.  The fabric samples are cotton and silk, both mordanted with aluminum triformate.  The paint sample is the pigment "in process."  It should be the same color when I am done, just a smoother texture.   I also gathered some vines for basket making.

I love the idea of finding ways for something that is considered unwanted or waste to be useful or appreciated. There is such a need for us to do this in our world...and to redefine what is unwanted into something that just hasn't found it's purpose yet. 

Next up, buddleia, which is a concern in this area....

 

 

something more

 

Blueberry ink. 

It was a dot but the paper was out on the porch during the stormy weather yesterday and the pigment drifted.

Lily pollen ink

 

Something more.

the same but different

About a month ago on an impulse I bought some yarn for socks.

Today I realized it was the same color as the fabric I dyed with goldenrod and marigold.

Knit 2, purl 2...it's soothing. 

 

This morning's sky, first day of fall. 

Early morning ten days ago, still summer...

The same but different.

small spaces

The world seems small early in the morning.

Listening to poetry, knitting and drinking coffee.

The cats quiet for the moment.

 

 

 

keeping busy, with breaks

Some more playing with pigments:

This piece of brick was soft enough that I could use a rasp to powder it.

Added a little stone fruit gum and I had paint.

Dots are always good.

I also spent some time canning and loading up the dehydrator this weekend.

This made me smile. 

And there was some sewing.

With breaks.

Everything that fits together has been sewn together, but some of the squares just are not cooperating. I am basting those squares to a 3 foot by 3 foot section of the backing fabric.  Where the edges overlap neatly they have been sewn down.  In other areas I am going to have to put a "filler" piece. And in some areas I will applique a strip over the edges to cover where there would be a raw edge. 

To borrow a phrase from Jude, I think this could be called

"design mending..."

 

someplace to go

 

This is an experiment that was started a couple weeks ago. 

Charcoal pigment painted on wood.

With the first batch of pigment I forgot to add gum so the charcoal didn't stay on very well.  I added a bit more powdered charcoal this morning and then poured some stone fruit gum right on top.  It's pretty much sticking now.

Not sure what the next step is but for now some digital layers.

With Autumn crocus.

Two layers of boats.

This layer was used for the sailboats.

The ferry left Friday night, heading to Alaska.

Thinking about nostalgia.

 

 

treasures

Lunch break, sitting on the grass outside the building.

Two perspectives.

Things gathered.

Fabric from Jude.  There was a plan when it was cut out it but I don't remember.  A new opportunity now.

The lids contain dried pigment. Honey could have been added to keep it from cracking.  It could still be done.

The dahlia a gift from a friend, from her garden.  The bottom rock is crumbly enough that it might work for a pigment.  Both marking a special day and I will try making pigments from them.

The other rock I will keep for awhile.

A favorite book, Everyone Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall.

I was doing a bit of research and had the thought that to hold a rock is a way to hold time. 

That making a pigment can be too.

That something made, telling a story, holds time. 

 

 

 

just hanging on

A couple nights ago I woke up to Gibson draped across the crocheted table runner I had hung for a curtain...the one on the top that he is just pulling himself over in this picture. His front legs were suspended to one side and his back legs to the other. I am sure he would have found a way down but I rescued him before he broke something.

This morning I caught him in the act climbing up the other panel. Both runners are down for repairs now.

 

While visiting a nursery today I found a few things for the garden and visited a little with this garden helper.

And this one too.  It was a lovely afternoon.

Hoping to get back to some sewing soon but I also have some more colors to play with.  This is goldenrod in the center and cosmos for the petals. It had more pigment at first but a lot brushed off as it dried.  Something to problem solve... or maybe accept.