only a few hours to go

if those of you who purchase the bundle book

[and those who have already bought it]

email me a copy of your receipt

then

i will make a lucky dip

choose three names from a tsunobukuro bag

and send a hand-embellished ecoprint tsunobukuro bag

to each of those three people

if you happen to mention the book on your blog or facebook

[and send me the link]

you will receive a bonus entry for each separate site on which you do so

entries will only be accepted via this email address

wanderbear[at]gmx[dot]com

colour literally gathered from the gutters

we haven't had to look far

for beautiful colours here at Maiwa

they are literally drifting to the ground from 

local trees [within 200 yards of the dye studio]

no adjunct mordants are being used

just

leaves and water

paper and cloth

+

i am having a splendid time

[i do hope they ask me back]

paperwork

today we dyed paper

using florist waste

and

fallen leaves from street trees

happy Hanukkah 

 

draped in fur

after some hours happily stitching inflight
and then a couple more spent chugging through the ranges
in the Red Terror [otherwise known as the Farm Ute]
i am home again
draped in welcoming cats and consuming quantities of honey-sweetened tea

having enjoyed eleven or so blessed days in paradise

all colours derived from locally gathered plant material - including windfalls, garden prunings and the dessicated contents of a vase

with grateful thanks to the keepers of this blessed garden.

riverstitch wrapped

we stitched and sewed

we dyed

 

we ate well

and

inhaled deeply of the fragrance of flowers

made a blot

marveled at the mysteries of woad

shared stories and

created shapes on bodies

for me it was a wonderful week

catching up with old friends who had journeyed far

and meeting new ones

in Jenni Worth's wonderful brewery 

filled with delicious textile treasures that

gladdened the eyes and inspired our work

simple folded paper bag

sometimes you need a bag

and there isn't one handy in your pocket.
so

 catch a passing piece of paper

fold the top down a bit

turn it over

fold [at right angle to original fold]

then fold in the other side

tuck one flap under the top collar of the other

turn it over again

fold it more or less in half

tuck the folded up bit into the collar

open out the bag

what you put in it is up to you

cos

you're on your own now.

i'm busy with my walnuts.