Dyeing, Nature, bundles and embroidery!

I have been having a lot of fun lately learning all about the flowers, plants and trees in  my area. You all know the reason why..can l dye with them? I have learnt so much from India about how to go about using Nature safely. I have started a sort of diary of what is around me, l then take a photo, check it on google and write all the details down. Then when l have dyed with it..in will go the sample.  I have also talked to the Florists around me and they give me their waste when ever l ask for it and also l get onion skins from the Supermarket. It is not often you say you get something free from Sainsburies!Ha

I bring my "hoard" home and then put it into bags until l use it.

Tonight l did some dyeing. Silk for the first bundle...which consists of different coloured roses, rose leaves, plum leaves and fuchsia's.  

 Next bundle is cotton..consisting of large daisies, purple poppies and red and yellow rose petals.

Next bundle was a net bag which l put pink and red roses and rose buds inside and then wrapped up bag with yellow onion skins.

 The first five bundles waiting to go into the pot.

A piece of old cotton pillow case bundle...all rose petals. The pink petals with the yellow tips are so beautiful.

This parcel wrapped up with wool that l had dyed on my Course last week. It was dyed with madder, see last blog entry.

 Loads of odds and sods from florist bundled up in very thin cotton.

Wrapped up into a bundle using rope, Sycamore seeds that are green and pale pink and rose leaves.

A long piece of white cotton that l did not like from last time it was dyed, so over dyed using plum  leaves to see what happens!

Here are a few more embroideried pieces of Eco dyed silk. I take my inspirations from nature, such as tree bark, landscapes or flowers.

Sometimes l like to work the stitches very close together to give the surface depth and character. Other times l like to make one line stitches to simplify the area and clarify what l am doing. I am not sure who actually decides what happens next me or the cloth!

This is the next piece l am working on, which is three pieces of silk worked together and still growing. I wanted to combine pieces together and see where that takes the work.

 More magic taking place..these are the bundles l have just been talking about....

 Now off to see how best to use these gorgeous blue flowers.

Oh before l go wanted to show you the images l took of bees yesterday...they were every where..amazing insects and l just love them...The first one is not brillant but l rather like it.

 Does any one know what these are called~?

Thought l would also show you the sort of things that inspire my embroidery work as l talk about it earlier. Hope you enjoy what you see..!