Sunday 3 July 2011

Winding Up The Weekend

It's been so lovely and sunny here all weekend.  For once I haven't had to go anywhere or do anything particular so most of the time I've been in the garden, picking fruit, tidying up the flower and veg beds and making stuff at the patio table.  Such a treat - hopefully it will set me up for the coming week, which may not be so good.  Our work team has now moved in with another, same building but different office, and the atmosphere is a little ... well, sometimes okay, sometimes a bit iffy.  There are problems I don't want to bore you with but hey-ho!  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Anyway, here are the updates:

I have started to make use of my new natural dyeing book,  Dyes from Kitchen Produce.
Dyes from Kitchen Produce: Easy Projects to Make at Home
So far I've experimented with 
Little Hard Windfall Apples
 The resultant colour is a very pale yellow cream when rinsed and dried
 Begonias 
 This beautiful shade fades to a pale pink when rinsed, but still pretty
I have also finished the manky footstool I bought for a few pounds, painting it grey and distressing the legs then spraying areas in silver.  I also recovered it in striking black and white sample fabrics.
Before
 After
Next thing I made was a quick skirt from a huge swatch of fabric I bought for a £1 from a chazzer. 
It was one of those easy two-hour patterns.  I might make a top to go with it.

Final make was a little knitted dog from the hank of natural wool I bought from the Woolfest.  He doesn't look exactly like the pattern, which was in beautiful white cotton yarn, but I love him.  Any ideas for a name?

I have also been visiting my gorgeous new grandbaby and there may be more pictures soon - you have been warned!

Have a lovely week xxx

7 comments:

  1. You have been very busy and what beautiful results. I love your footstool. It must be so much fun making colours from natural sources. What surprises and your little dog is precious. A for names, maybe Pixie
    Have a great week
    Helen

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  2. Your footstool turned out beautifully, love the black and white fabric, it looks great fun coming up with different dye colours, as for your sweet doggie, he looks like a "Woollie" to me,

    lily

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  3. From manky footstool to funky footstool, far too cool to put your feet on.

    The pooch's name - he looks like a Ralph to me, or to give the full kennel name Ralph Stitchington Radders. x

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  4. Thank you for your suggestions - I have to say that the literary genius that is Nick has come up with the winner! Ralph says thank you too xxx

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  5. I love seeing what you've been dyeing! It all looks lovely and that foot stool is definitely much funkier now you've worked your magic on it! Love that skirt too and Ralph is the perfect name for your little knitted mutt :) x x x

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  6. Blimey, I've been busy & not blogged or even read blogs booo. However in my business I have not achieved a fraction of what you have. Wow dying your own fabric - cool. Love the skirt and I would call the dog woof ha ha. Need to read your woolfest blog next. Keep up the good work, you're inspiring me xx

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  7. Oh and the footstool looks brilliant xx Claire

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