Finished work, dyeing, fungi, bottling and more.

Well it is friday 13th...be afraid, be very afraid!......Ha!

Today l decided l would show you what l have been stitching, making, collecting, dyeing and looking at. The first image is of a piece of Eucalyptus dyed, stitched and felted wool blanket, it was originally cream! It eventually will be turned into another bag. I am really loving how this piece is turning out and think it will make a beautiful bag. All l need to do now is line it and sewn on a silk rope handle .

 I really am enjoying creating these bags from pieces of re-cycled or thrown away materials. This next bag has been created from a thrown away piece of cotton, which was bundled and dyed with Blue Gum Eucalyptus leaves. Then l embroidered it and decorated it with found buttons.

Lined with Eucalyptus dyed silk and re-cycled buttons.

 Back of bag.

 Detail of corner where a piece of Eucalyptus dyed silk has been added.

While walking to the hospital yesterday, l saw this fungi on Putney Heath. There were quite a few broken off pieces, so l bought them home and as you will see from the next image..put them in water to soak. So far the liquid has a yellow hue to it. How exciting!

For those of you who follow my blog, you may remember that l have been collecting thrown away cognac bottles from outside a Convent! Well l haven't been along that route for a few weeks but l was there yesterday and guess what?...I collected another 13 bottles!!!All l need to do now, is decide what l am going to create with these disguarded bottles!um.......

Today's self-portrait!

The next image is a tub of Beetroot juice. This is from the water which the beetroot was boiled in and the skin from each veg. Really deep red/purple, can't wait to use it. I have had good results in the past.

The other week l was in Kingston Open Air Market and a stall holder was selling 7 advocado's for £1..so l bought 14! They were so cheap because they were past their best. I still used the flesh and then the skins and stones where use for dyeing. The skins, which l clean/scrape really well by using an old toothbrush and knife are showing a yellow/orange colour at present. 

The stones dye bath, at the moment is looking pinkish..magic in the making! 

Do you remember all Eucaylptus leaves l picked up from our tree being trimmed?..well here is a tiny bit of it being boiled. The rest is in drying in the garage.

I have been bottling dyes and also been experimenting with freezing some dyes and also some Eucayptus leaves. Let you know the results later.

What would l do without my sturdy bag on wheels?