bee creative

waste not

A new challenge has been on my mind and it is pure coincidence that I am posting about it on Earth Day.

This is what I am starting with: 50 projects that use up what would be commonly considered "waste," weeds or salvaged materials.  Depending on how long it takes me to get to 50, I may keep going.  I've already got ideas to start with such as making a rag rug, making paper with paper scraps, pieced clothing, baskets and...

Dandelion wine!

It will be a small batch as I really don't know whether I like it or not.  Two cups of petals are now soaking in water for the next week.

This could qualify as a project although it feels a bit like cheating.  All I did was gather some vines and put them in the tins.  Mom was the one that tended the fire.  The top piece of charcoal is from Mom and Dad's fireplace. 

Along with some other things, my aunt sent me this beautiful table runner that has tears in it.

So many possibilities!

This isn't a daily challenge, I am just going to take my time and see what I can do. 

 

 

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....

 

 

the blue collection

This morning I finished mending the pillowcases I recently dyed blue.

I haven't cut the afghan I knit yet but am still planning to. It's lovely to wrap up in right now, like a giant shawl. I've done that a couple of nights when I've gone out to look for northern lights or falling stars.

Blueberry ink made from some very wrinkly tired blueberries.  It isn't strained so it has some speckling. 

Maybe better that way?

 

bee at work

I don't really like the flavor of fennel but grow it for the bees and the birds.  I will be trying some as a dye/ink/something for color soon.

This morning I finished the shirt I have been working on by adding a few patches.

The pattern is "The One Yard Minimalist Top."  I am really happy with this pattern and know I will be making more.  There is a lot of potential for creativity and I have a lot of ideas. 

Last time I visited with Hazel I mentioned that sometimes I get overwhelmed with ideas, there is so much I want to do.  There are definitely worse problems to have. 

I want to  make more moons for sure. I am thinking of these soft ones as "children's moons."

Some of the fabric that recently went in to the indigo vat took another dip today.  Pretty sure this is the last dip and I will start putting the pieces together for a skirt on Sunday.  The skirt I have planned seems more of a summer wardrobe item so I want to finish it soon. 

The shirt counts as #3 for the "waste not" project, fabric reclaimed from another project. Patches were scraps.

along the way

color, plants and cats

The fabric that went into the indigo vat is done for now, washed and dried. 

It will be cut and sewn and then perhaps dyed again. 

Not sure what to do with this piece. It was going to be part of a shirt but maybe not. Or maybe differently than first intended. 

I love how the dots aren't a solid white. 

The last of the lilies in the garden is blooming. The variety, Scheherazade, was breed by someone here in the area where I live.  The flowers are where I walk so I decided to remove the pollen right away, before they stained something.

Pollen with alcohol added.

It's a kind of magic when there is a shift in color.

 

I started subscribing to the Wild Pigment Project's "ground bright" shortly after taking a class from Tilke. It's a really great opportunity to interact with pigments that I might not be able to gather on my own.  The pigments being gathered are "waste stream" pigments; so important to me... I also love that I had something to share, waste not!

During the class I realized that I had a lot of branches with gum on them that could be collected by soaking the branches and then filtering the water. I had shared with Tilke that it had made a lot more stone fruit gum solution that I thought could be used before it went bad (it ferments) and she suggested drying it.  And then she asked if I'd like to contribute some for one of the ground bright subscriptions.

My subscription arrived today and I have to admit it was a bit strange (but not an objection of the label) to see myself described as "artist."  Maybe because it is strange to see someone else describe who you are?  And artist isn't a label I tend to use ... it's a word that I am still working on defining. Either way, it's a lovely and thoughtful description and one that I appreciate!  

I highly recommend watching the Feedback Friday that featured Tilke and Natalie Stopkka to anyone wanting to know more about Wild Pigment Project, Tilke, or pigments.

And here is one of the guilty parties who broke a 1/2 gallon jar of gum solution that was sitting on the floor by knocking something on to it during a "zoomies" session.

When did his ruff get so big?

 

indigo weather

Fabric that I was using as a sheet.  It really wasn't strong enough so I've decided to do a bit of experimenting with it.  

A puffy cloud inspired by Jude.

I am using clay as a resist.

More experimenting.

I finally made paper! 

There will be more of this. 

Paper counts as #2 of the "waste not" project since I made it with recycling, old screen that was salvaged, and left over dye water (which didn't alter the color at all).

 

 

things can take time

This is eggshell that I am grinding for pigment.  It's out on the porch and every time I walk by I stop and grind for a few minutes.  After a day of this, it's almost a fine powder. 

Some things collected today, others a couple weeks ago. 

All possible colors for dye or pigment.

Hemp that I've had for several years. 

It was a project that didn't turn out well.

It's been waiting for me to realize it will make a fabulous base for stitching. 

Maybe a bag?

All of these are possibilities for my "waste not" project. 

P.S.  I stepped out into the garden at about midnight.  No Northern Lights but it was warm and the sky was full of stars, including the big dipper. 

busy day

Finally finished the tank top and am very happy with it.  I will be making more with scraps.  The fabric was from this top and a skirt that I made and never really shared here.

The rest of the scraps from these three projects will be used for twine or stuffing a pillow form.

I am officially calling this #1 of my "waste not" project (50 projects made from things that might be considered waste/garbage).

I also started the last square for good enough COVID 19.

I used one of Jude's little houses for the center.

It seems so appropriate since so much of covid was about staying home.

The yellow is some of the fabric I dyed with marigold.

Today I used the leftover dye bath to make a lake pigment.

And I started an indigo vat (fructose), bundled up a pillow case that I had dyed with fresh indigo a few years ago that needs a refresh, and worked in the garden for a few hours.

Should sleep good tonight.

things I did today

Two things from the garden:

So good.

Testing rose hip ink made last fall and charcoal made from pruning. I am going to make ink from the charcoal.

I also collected marigolds to make a lake pigment with, probably tomorrow.

Not from the garden:

Lazy boys, I napped too.

And...the tank top I am making with scraps (linen) from other projects.  

The tricky part was making the arm holes.  I wanted the lighter color (which is a plaid) on the top but there wasn't enough fabric to make a yoke.  I had to piece fabric together to make it big enough.  In this picture the left side has the arm hole cut correctly and the right side still needs to be cut.  I also cut the neckline a little deeper. 

Now to make the other side and clean up the edges. 

Hoping to be done before we have 80+ weather.

looking for the joy

This morning I finished the shirt I started yesterday so that I could wear it...perfect for a warmer day. 

Forecast a high of 75 F.

A table cloth that belonged to one of my grandmothers, or maybe one of the great grandmothers. 

The floral print is faded but still beautiful. 

It still could have been used as a table cloth but I rarely use tablecloths (cats!) and wanted to have this be useful, not stored away. 

The fabric, linen, was a dream to sew.

I added a few inches to the width so that it could be a layer over a tank top. 

I will probably be posting everyday for awhile. 

Maybe just an image of something that brings me joy, a way to continue...