tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89627230759777966842024-03-07T19:16:56.663-08:00Shades of Life From the Dye PotAcross Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-28567021438402150042015-02-27T09:18:00.002-08:002015-02-27T09:18:40.394-08:00Feeding Your SoulIt is difficult to believe that it has been a year since I last posted on this blog. I was inspired to jot a post after searching my local area for something to inspire and fuel my creativity for the weekend ahead. The town where I work, Tahlequah, is full of artists and beautiful surroundings, but it is winter and it is cold. Most have gone inside to warm-up by a fire. The trees are bare of any green (or even white for that matter). I want to dig in the soil. I want to collect natural dyes. I want to use the water from my rain barrel. I want to run an indigo dye pot on my lawn. I want to play in the stream. I want, I want, I want.... The fact of the matter is that all this waiting and anticipation only makes it sweeter when I can do those things. Maybe while I wait I can go to a good antiques store :)Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-36304728299907636242014-02-24T07:14:00.001-08:002014-02-24T07:15:13.183-08:00And the Red-Winged Blackbirds begin to SingAs spring approaches, my dye garden is beginning to green-up a little. The weld has established its basel rosettes for the second year which means "harvest time" later this summer. My madder, though seemingly killed by frost, is starting to shake off the winter blahs. (The real value of the plant lies underneath the top of the soil in the roots.) Last year, I tried my then three year old roots in the dye pot. They were raw and undried. They dyed beautifully! That color is only going to get better with each passing year. My dye plant supplier has given me a list of what she will have for me come April. I can't wait to add to my existing plant collection.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-33786916058556900592013-07-16T14:43:00.000-07:002013-07-16T14:43:17.362-07:00Dyer's CoreopsisMy family and I have been collecting dyer's coreopsis to dry, sell, and use. With all the rain we've had this year, the flowers have responded in force! It's called "dyer's coreopsis" for a reason. The color is lightfast and washfast. One of our native dyes that can make that claim. Five ounce bags of dried flowers run $14.95. Check my Etsy store for availability.<br />
Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-13049145082946018922013-02-04T09:38:00.003-08:002013-02-04T09:38:49.989-08:00Spring in OklahomaWell, it's February. A little early to be calling it "spring", but that is what it feels like and that is the forecast. My dye garden is beginning to shake off it's winter nap. The weld is going to be great this year! Soon it will be time to collect material for my first dye workshop coming-up in April at the Multi Arts Center, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Right now, it is the only comprehensive dye workshop on the schedule for 2013. <br />
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Another dye class on the books is "The red - madder and cochineal". That one will happen at in May at the Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival. Check their website for more details.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-66569431310378880492012-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:002012-12-06T06:11:05.952-08:00Arkansas here we come!Across Generations will be adventuring into the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza for the first time this weekend! Arkansas is one of my favorite states. Folks there are friendly and wonderful. Combine those traits with fiber and you have utopia!<br />
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Several of what I call "pop-up items" will be available at my booth. These are slightly used items that I have ran across which I feel fiber enthusiasts will be greatly appreciate. I don't always have these types of items available, but my travels this fall yielded some great items. Three vintage enamelware pans of various sizes are ready to do duty as dye pots and a wonderful table loom. The loom sports four shafts and was in great shape to begin with, but my husband took it all apart and spiffied it up. The metal has been completely repainted and all the wood sports a fresh finish.<br />
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Stop by and see me. The event is in Hot Springs and looks to be an incredible time for all attending. See you there!Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-57779139554277733512012-08-10T12:17:00.001-07:002012-08-10T12:17:30.529-07:00Drought and dyesThe drought in Oklahoma has really put a damper on late summer dye collections. Nothing stayed in flower very long and what is here is crispy almost beyond recognition. Many trees are already turning colors and dropping leaves due to heat stress. While this puts a damper on fall natural dye classes, it by no means cancels them. We will still have plenty to dye with and lots of fun.<br />
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In the meantime, I'm looking forward to teaching a class on shibori this weekend at City Arts in Oklahoma City. My romance with indigo continues and we will all be "blue" this Saturday.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-16225502862693038572012-01-23T10:42:00.000-08:002012-01-23T10:42:19.457-08:00I Dyed That!Today as I drove towards work, the morning sky looked just like my spot-dyed wool called "midnight". It was various shades of grey and white with a little purple thrown in for good measure. Now I know 6:30am is not midnight, but nobody told Mother Nature what her sunrise this morning should look like. And I was really happy that I could nail the sky's color so accurately in my dye pan.<br />
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I often take pictures with my phone of color combinations, naturally produced or otherwise, that I want to replicate in a weaving or in the dye pot. Some may find it odd when they catch me taking a picture of the upholstery on a chair at a restaraunt or a shower curtain at the bed and breakfast I'm staying at, but I find it normal. Color excites me! Color breaths with life and is the undercurrent to it. Color transmits messages. For hundreds of years, mankind has sought ways to color it's clothing beyond what can be found on the back of a sheep. People have died for color, stolen for color, and traveled long distances for it. I for one will never take it for granted.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-86759093311712610212012-01-18T13:06:00.000-08:002012-01-18T13:06:22.469-08:00New year, fresh adventures!It is this time of year when I begin to line-up fiber festivals, workshops, and seminars for the new year. It is always exciting to watch my year unfold in the calendar and very complimentary when an organization requests my presence. I hope that those reading the blog will scroll down to the bottom of the page, drop in to one of the events and say "hello".Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-88451603347673560662011-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-03T12:00:28.172-07:00Tulsa State FairMy family and I visited the Tulsa State Fair yesterday. Selfishly, my main motivation was to see if my entries earned any rewards. My "Autumn Palette" mat took a first prize in primitive rug hooking, small mats, and my large, hand-dyed, hand-stitched pillow took blue and premium ribbons! This is the first premium ribbon I have ever received at this state fair and I am thrilled!<br />
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Although there are many things to talk about when it comes to fairs, my primary point for this blog entry is to encourage EVERYONE to enter SOMETHING in their local event. Too many times we sit placidly by as the presence of our fine crafts disappear from our local fairs, seemingly dieing never to be resurrected. Your entry doesn't have to be fabulous or even large. It can simply be a "place holder" to say, "rug hooking", "weaving", "spinning", "dyeing", "knitting", etc. is still alive and well in the 21st century! Some people are too shy to put their work out there, but it is one of the most important things you can do. Even if your local event has come and gone for this year, start planning now for next year.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-24113518208368819572011-08-18T10:04:00.000-07:002011-08-18T10:04:16.544-07:00Is It Nuts to Act like a Squirrel?Here we are at the end of August and due to being heat stressed, the walnut trees are already dropping their nuts. (Usually this doesn't happen till late September/early October here in Oklahoma.) At first the nuts were smaller than usual, but the closer we get to "normal" harvest time, the larger the nuts are becoming.<br />
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I like to take the opportunity of my lunch hour to get out of the office and pick-up walnuts. I try to be deligent and get them as soon as they fall, when they're still green. I never pick them off the tree quite simply because the tree isn't finished making them yet. Many times, I feel like an overgrown squirrel picking up nuts and putting them into my recycled shopping bag. There are always plenty to share with my furry bethren as I pass over those that have lain on the ground too long, or are slightly imperfect due to other ways.<br />
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In the park where I typically pick up these little packages of brown dye, there is one tree that has been barren for several years. Today, it yielded three nuts to me! I wonder if that is all it will produce.<br />
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When I return home from work, I will hoard my nuts into drying racks. There they will wait until it is time to relinquish their tannin treasure to my dye bath.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-38103009394698631912011-08-03T10:07:00.000-07:002011-08-03T10:07:38.316-07:00Busy, busy, busy....I didn't realize that it had been so long since I last posted. It has been a long, hot summer and my dye/native plant garden is showing the wear. <br />
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I gave a talk on dyeing wool to the Green Country Quilters. What a fabulous group of ladies! So many good questions and fun interaction.<br />
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My indigo class at Fiber Christmas was just one person shy of being a full fifteen. It was great! I even had a couple of "sprouts" in the group who were very engaged during the whole class. It was great to see all my friends and meet new ones.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-40148495536156402632011-06-27T09:12:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:12:24.305-07:00As Is Wool in Rug HookingI spend many hours playing with dyes and turning wool beautiful colors. Currently, I am working on a sample for a beginning rug hooking class at Woolkeepers Hook-In in Camby, Indiana this fall. As I work on this mat, I'm reminded that some of the best effects often come from "as is" wool. It is a matter of choosing your color palette and looking for a piece that has all of those colors. Although I purchased wool I thought I would use in this project, only one of the two pieces "worked". I went to my stash and found a replacement for the non-working wool that is perfect. I just hope I have enough of it for all of the kits I need!Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-47828057813717642792011-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:002011-06-24T08:59:34.027-07:00Just when you thought you were safe...This past Monday I had a glorious time vending at Texas Rugfest in Grapevine, Texas. It being my fourth time at the event, I see many returning faces that I now consider friends. The downside to the day was the engine hiccup my vehicle had driving back to Oklahoma. My good friend who was with me at the time rescued me with her AAA membership and a 200 mile tow back to Wagoner. (I knew trouble was coming when I found out my husband was scheduled to be out of state for work this week.)<br />
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Today marks the start of another weekend. I'm teaching a beginning rug hooking class at the Multi Arts Studio in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Let's hope the travel is uneventful....Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-8218528725971742532011-06-15T11:46:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:46:38.704-07:00Native Plant and Dye GardenMy garden bed is a glorious riot of color! It's slightly messy appearance reminds me that it is a "wild" thing not to be tamed, but appreciated.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-25333342864453512852011-05-18T14:29:00.001-07:002011-05-18T14:29:01.503-07:00Cherokee EthnobotanyTomorrow I have the opportunity to attend a conference hosted by the Cherokee Nation on ethnobotany. I am really looking forward to it, both professionally (primarily the plant identification) and personally. More later.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-45680506629050367972011-05-17T10:28:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:28:22.945-07:00Weld and IndigoThe weld gave a beautiful, soft baby chick yellow with an alum mordant on the yarn and fabric. I wasn't sure it was going to take, but after removing it from the dye pot, I'm so pleased.<br />
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A long time friend graduated with her doctorate this weekend and I wanted to give her something special. I chose to dye her a silk scarf in indigo using shibori surface design. I actually used four different types of designs and made a duplicate of each. For me, choosing the article of which to make a gift is a lot like choosing the perfect teddy bear, it's all about appearance. My arashi was a little loose and two of the scarves came out looking marbled. It was perfect. Giving a gift that I make or dye or both is like giving a little part of myself. It was well receivedAcross Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-56534272389890607772011-05-09T08:27:00.000-07:002011-05-09T08:27:34.104-07:00WeldOne accomplishment for the weekend was harvesting weld for the first time from my dye plant garden. I've simmered the foliage to extract the color and it is sitting on my stove waiting for the insertion of yarn and fabric. The smell of simmering weld is akin to that of cooking asparagus. More on this adventure in future posts...Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-67890620317693913092011-05-06T06:08:00.000-07:002011-05-06T06:08:24.655-07:00A Balancing ActA busy weekend lies ahead. I bless all those individuals who commission me for work and are patient, because balancing my "real" job, my fibery "extra" job, family, and home work is a feat. For instance, I have a daughter with a birthday this weekend, my weaving guild meeting, a soccer game with the other daughter, dance pics for the youngest, a haircut appointment, church on Sunday, laundry, garden, a commission for 5 pins, a purse commission to finish, rug hooking kits to finish, bills to make out, and a home that desperately needs attention! Oh, did I mention it's Mother's Day Sunday? Calgon take me away.<br />
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The rug hooking talk went really well last night. The audience was wonderful and receptive. It was a lot of fun and I'm so happy they invited me.Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8962723075977796684.post-5107965604567504762011-05-05T13:55:00.000-07:002011-05-05T13:55:27.692-07:00Newbie!Alright, I'm taking the plunge and blogging. Catch me tonight at the Murrell House in Tahlequah for a talk about the history of rug hooking in America. Lecture starts at 7pm. See you there!Across Generationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17604635159112794830noreply@blogger.com0