Natural Dyeing and planting dye plants

I planted many dye plants in my garden this spring. Some of the plants are: madder, marigold, zinnias, fennel, coreopsis, black eyed susan, indigo, sun flowers....

I have started to harvest Indigo, marigold, coreopsis, black eyed susan, sunflower, fennel. I have also gathered local a Desert Sage and used Rebecca's recipe for dyeing.

I found local yarn-Full Belly Farms. I'm getting some very interesting results and the process is kinda like chemistry.

A few photos of garden and dye process included for the Indigo, coreopsis, and marigold. I am reading books on plant dying such as: 'Harvesting Color'

by Rebecca Burgess and 'A Dyer's garden' by Rita Buchanan. I have 'Wild Color' and another book on plant dying. However, the first two books are my favs. The final yarns Indigo=blue , Marigold=yellows, Coreopsis=orange/burnt sienna. I really like the coreopsis result best!

I have been keeping in touch with my son via Facebook. Get to see posts of my daughter who is pregnant with her first child. My first grandchild. It is a boy. I played with some photos she posted to create this piece. I do feel good when I can be visually creative.

Knitting up a storm

My xmas present to several family members this year is knitted and then felted slippers. I've been knitting a lot this month!

These are slippers before felting. My 12 lbs dog here gives you a perspective of how big they begin.

Sewing projects

Finished two projects practicing on my new Pfaff 2140.

First I created a circular needle holder(I really should take before and after photos--often forget and then get interested in documenting the end results). Many of you knitters already can relate to the jumbled & tangled mess these needles get themselves into! But, walla...organized!

Next I worked a birthday present for my Niece. She is turning 8(I learned to crochet @ this age). I made her a bag for her first knitting project.

WOOL

I have been dying and washing wool(Lindsey Cleveland) in October.

Not any color photos...oh the red and pink yarn(Over dyed Quince and Co. Yarn)in my last post....and raw fleece is just washed and dark merino(Mendenhall Ranch) is dyed with red acid dye.

I have had a fabulous summer!

I have had a fabulous summer. Looking though my photos...I've been many places. I like this photo of Me, Digs, Frida and Oliver. We are chillin' on an autumn morning. Knitting is @ my feet.

I was @ the last Farmer's Mkt. this a.m. with Sierra. All the summer pickings will be missed. I think the winter squash I purchased will last me a few weeks. I am so glad that there are many local farms...growing lots of different foods!

On another note...I purchased my first sewing machine. Well, the first I got as a gift

when I was 19-20 years old. The 'Simplicity Seammaster'

sewed costumes, PJs, curtains, seat and cushion covers....many many items. This has been my machine for 25-26 years. I am planning to keep learning on my Pfaff 2140 sewing and embroidery machine for the

second half of my life. I know it is a huge learning curve...but, I'll get it. It

is really fun when it preforms with no effort...and creates cool stitches. A bit frustrated learning buttonholes today. But, I think I learned alot! My first project finished is a circular needles holder for

knitting needles. It took me over two days to finish. I have lots of ideas for future projects!

Finished another pair of Fiber Trends felted slippers...someone's getting a real cool pair of very thick and warm slippers! Can say who they're for yet.

I have many special birthdays this November! One is my Mommy!

I snapped this photo of her with Diego. She has really come along way with my dogs! This is a fun photo...a slumber party photo!

Hailey's(my niece) birthday is in November. She and Kai were @ my slumber party too(early october). Dig's has come a long way with kids...he used to hide! My bro Chris is another B-day. And a very good family friend b-day is this Nov. I am normally very awful @ remembering bdays. So if I ever remember your bday(even once) consider yourself lucky!

My life and summer...

It's all about me....My morning joe on the deck.

My garden grew garlic and onions...and tomatoes and basil are on the way!

My organic cotton knitting project is coming along....

My dogs and family are eating local rice:

http://www.massaorganics.com/index.html

and local

Farm fresh veggies and local grass fed meat:http://www.nevadacountyfreerangebeef.com/index.html

(Stored in recycled yogurt container for doggy food).