Faded Glories.

More silk scarves. This time I used madder and quebracho with alum and cream of tarter. The results were stunning!

Down the Silk Road.

My first real experience dyeing silk was a huge success. Big, flowing, voluminous silk scarves to pack and go, wrap and blow. All dyed with all natural dyes from Earth Hues

. The lightest silk that looks better the more it is twisted and scrunched. Great for traveling... use as a scarf or a pareo on the beach.

These squirrels have multiplied!

Sets of place mats with napkins. Red and white Amy butler on one side, and the squirrels printed on red faux wood grain fabric from Anthology.

Share.

Even squirrels know how important it is to share. My original drawing has been screen printed onto cotton flour sack dish towel for you to share with someone you love. Go to etsy and get one for your valentine... limited edition! Etsy

Table talk.

Placemats a plenty. Just add napkins. Available soon at an etsy store near you!

Indigo ombre.

One of the most satisfying dye techniques is accomplished when dunking one end of wet fabric into the dye bath and allowing it to creep and seep into the fabric, creating an effect called "ombre". Typically one end is richer and deeper and then fades out. That said, my experiences with dying prove nothing is ever really typical, and surely very difficult, if not impossible, to repeat! This randomness is also what makes each piece so special.
The Queen Anne's Lace printed over the dye adds another dimension.

Windows in the wild.

I am not a huge fan of drapes or curtains, but out of respect for my neighbors have come up with a light and airy solution. I made a series of curtains that would provide a veil of privacy yet still allow the light and feeling of the outdoors to come in. I used a logwood dye for the grays fro the fabulous Earth Hues, turmeric (from Penzeys Spice!) for the yellow, and Indigo for the blue.
The silk screen on the yellow drapes is made from the sage, mint, clover and bamboo in my garden.
The spiky flowers printed on the blue and white linen drapes and the gray and white ombre were Queen Anne's Lace from my now empty horse paddocks.

Putting new designs to work.

These pillows are made from organic fabric that was imprinted with ferns that were first hot bundled over a steaming pot and then fern fronds were hammered into the fabric in an ancient Japanese technique, Hapa-zome. The final process was a silk screen of a deer. The back, trim and zipper on the pillows are all vintage or repurposed.