I have noticed over the many years of gardening that there are years when a certain bulb, tree, bush or self seeding perennial just seems to capture ones attention more than the others. This spring, thus far it has been the scilla, that have turned my front lawn a beautiful shade of blue. I wondered whether I might possibly be able to extract that true blue from the flowers and transfer it to natural fibers. Edgar and Byron were in agreement for giving it a go and it certainly wasn't a disappointment. I did a hot water extraction and then left it for a few days. I also did a silk wrap that I so love.
( the yellow is dyed with black oak)
I have left some of the fabric in the sun now for a few days and it certainly seems to be holding onto its true blue shade. I am going to collect some more blossoms this week and place them in my freezer so that I may dye with them later.
such fresh clean blues, both in the flowers and the dyed results. so nice that you have little furry helpers too!
Posted by: k | May 03, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Such a beautiful blue garden carpet these delicate flowers are, Margie ! You really did a fantastic job with these dyeings. It sounds you added some magic powder, the result is so subtil and poetic ...
And what a clever idea to freeze your gatherings !!!
Posted by: Nanou | May 03, 2011 at 01:50 AM
your furry friends have such sweet expressions..cant but smile every time i see them...
Posted by: jenni | May 03, 2011 at 03:44 AM
we can find something to dye with almost at our reach
and there's hardly anything more exciting than experimenting, isn't it ?
and now the purple covered stone is intriguing me ...
thank you so much for all these gorgeous blue & poetic photos today
I'm in color & dye heaven :)
xoxo
Posted by: Sonia / Cozy Memories | May 03, 2011 at 04:00 AM
That's beautiful! Love the pottery shards too...
Posted by: Jannette | May 03, 2011 at 04:25 AM
Have you tried pounding some of the flowers into the fabric to give some texture and deeper areas of color? I love this blue and am amazed that such delicate flowers provided such a beautiful color. Happy days to you.
Posted by: Sherry Harmes | May 03, 2011 at 04:58 AM
i have been obsessed with grape hyacinths lately. and i am looking forward to the wild indigo in a few weeks.
and scilla is a favorite, too. i love what you've done with the silk. and so clever to freeze some for later.
Posted by: KarenLR | May 03, 2011 at 07:13 AM
I love these little flowers. They are always a sure sign of spring to me. And look what you and your kitties have done with them. So pretty.
Posted by: tara | May 03, 2011 at 07:14 AM
how wonderful! i love these little flowers also. i have been wanting to try the grape hyacinths and see what color they might leave!!!
Posted by: brittan | May 03, 2011 at 07:19 AM
That Stone is LOVELY!!
Happy Spring!!!
Posted by: RaeA | May 03, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Wow, we have sprouts here in northern NB but no blooms yet. What a beautiful shade of blue. Once the fabrics are cured and pressed can you wash them?
Posted by: Holly McLean | May 03, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Blue is my favorite flower color! And of course those true blues are so elusive. I love that you are using them to dye your fabrics. I planted many blue bulbs last fall that are now blooming. My absolute favorite deep blue though is that of the chinese forget me nots. So easy to grow too!
Posted by: Laura | May 03, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Such a lovely post - the blue flowers are so dainty - they also made me think of flower pounding. There are loads of how-to sites if anyone cares to google "flower pounding." I wonder how the blue of grape hyacinths would work for dying!
Posted by: Ruth | May 03, 2011 at 09:57 AM
yes, that blue is so beautiful and clean. great work margie.
Posted by: melissa | May 03, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Your blues made me gasp with pleasure. I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful they are to my (blue) eyes.
I have signed up for my first natural dye workshop in a week's time and I'm so excited. I wonder if you understand just how inspirational you are...
Posted by: nicole | May 05, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Oh these images are delicate and exquisite. So subtle. I'm excited to see that surface made of pottery shards. I find Victorian shards in my garden every time I dig. I have been collecting them. I see a project coming on.
Posted by: Emma | May 08, 2011 at 04:53 AM
Hi Friend, Its been so long since I've left you any comments. I'm very sorry. But I have been around! You're photos always capture me. But I am wondering HOW on earth did you dye that fabric with those flowers!?!?!?
xoxo
Janee
yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com
Posted by: Janee Lookerse | May 12, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Hey again,
I used one of your images in my "inspirational images" post today! Here is the link if you'd like to see:
http://yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com/2011/05/chicken-with-no-head.html
Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Janee
yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com
Posted by: Janee Lookerse | May 13, 2011 at 03:14 PM