Obsessions revisited.....

I realise I have been neglecting my blog lately, in fact I didn't realise that so much time has slipped by.  My latest (in a long list) obsession has definitely taken over.  I decided to make some 'Inspiration Packs' using hand-dyed fragments of lace, crochet trims, fabrics and motifs.  I am so delighted to say that they sold extremely well and lots of different colours were requested....

Yellow Ochre

 

Every container that would hold a dye bath was utilised, washing machine full of net bags containing varying shades, ironing board (yes I did say ironing board!) was permanently on stand by to iron each and every piece once it had dried.  Our kitchen table was littered with fragments to be sorted, pressed and displayed before being photographed.

 

Rich Teal

 

Housework ignored, a last minute dash to buy new boxes of dye before the store closed, the array of colours went on and on... my obsession was taking over!  Ashes of Roses, Shades of Grey, Purple Haze, Green Earth, Raspberry Crush, Sea Foam, Sugar Almond, the list was growing by the minute.

 

Sugar Almond

 

The hoover was working overtime as I was cutting, ripping and tearing fabrics, trims and lace in preparation for dyeing.  My Etsy shop was left to its' own devices, not even checked as my dyeing gained momentum. 

 

Shades of Grey

 

and then - I came to my senses, having dyed enough fragments to stretch from here to California I decided enough was enough!  Time to get back to the real world and actually make something with some of these fragments.  There was a gorgeous set called Bitter Chocolate which was a duck egg blue tinged with chocolate edges.  I had dyed a small amount of velvet which I was particularly pleased with so I decided to make a couple of corsages with it.

 

 

 

 

 

the finished corsages

 

Normal service has been resumed although I do have a confession to make.  At my local flea market I did buy some lovely bits and bobs which are just dyeing (excuse the pun) for a dye pot!

 



trims and tablecloths 

 

Until next time, hope the sun is shining where you are...... Jayne

 

p.s. I have to admit I have an ochre and brown dye bath on the go tonight - ooops, well you have to wean yourself off slowly...



 





 





 





Back to normal...

After all the excitement of the last few weeks things were settling down and getting back to normal and then out of the blue a tummy bug hit.  The best laid plans etc, out of the window.  However, a week on and I am raring to go (well almost)!  Inspiration packs have been selling like hot cakes and Etsy shop opening preparations going well. 

Raspberry Crush

 

Gill P and I are having one of our 'making days' tomorrow to fine tune my Etsy shop.  Chorizo, squash and pasta dish prepared, strawberries washed and hulled, teapot rinsed and at the ready!  Hopefully it will be ready to open by the end of the week. 

 

At Tynemouth flea market yesterday a lady was selling tiny doillies, something I always look out for to use in my work.  I bought twenty five lovely pieces....

 

 some unusual shapes and sizes

 

 

Today some of them ended up in a teal/grey pale dye bath, they have been soaking all day, I am really pleased with the result a very antique looking grey shade.....

 

 

shades of grey in the making

 

 

A fantastic purchase today from my favourite charity shop as it was closing - just in the nick of time to find this box.......

 

 

as you know, I have a bit of a weakness for a battered box, what would this contain I wonder?

 

 

a bolster pillowcase

 

 

pure Irish linen double sheets and pillowcases

 

I own one vintage pure linen sheet which I inherited from my grandmother, and have been looking for another for quite a while.  Imagine my excitement when I realised that this was an unused set, scalloped edged and a little drawn thread work.  The only fly in the ointment is that they are very grubby so will probably require a lot of tender loving care to restore them to their former glory.  I am wondering if they were a unused wedding present.

 

Until next time, so lovely to see the sunshine, Jayne x

 

 



 









Done and Dusted!

Sometimes orders take you much longer than anticipated for no particular reason.  On Tuesday I finally posted my completed order and ridiculously could have skipped all the way home.  There was a lot of extra dyeing to be done, so maybe that is how time ran away with me.  Here are a few images taken using my new 'props'....

large cream corsage using vintage lace and crochet

 

 

large black corsage incorporating fabrics and centrepiece from the Victorian bodice

 

 

browns and taupes embellished with a daisy and smoke mother-of-pearl button

 

 

shades of pistachio

 

 

seven shades of grey

 

I am pleased the way my book enhances the corsages, what do you think?  I have been making another corsage for a 50th birthday present and the lady loved it so much she has asked me to make her a one with a matching wristcuff all in shades of reds and corals.  They dye pot beckons.....

 

My next post will be entitled - Back to the very beginning.....

 

Until next time, spring is just around the corner, I saw the first snowdrops in Northumberland at the weekend.  Jayne x