Witches brew - Shibori

Rusty Roo workshop - Day 2 - 

after another delectable meal, beautiful sunset, lengthy memorable bonfire and a good nights sleep . . . . . 

We woke early to heavy mist, a Koala in the tree, wallabies at the ponds, birds squabbling on the bird stands . . . . and a full Cameron cooked breakfast . . .  mmmmmm!

We were all eager to open our eco dyed parcels, which looked gorgeous with all their additives . . . and then after congratulating ourselves on the great results, we got stuck straight into  tying and sewing our material - which took us all morning . . . . then when they were ready we dipped them in the Shibori vat, which Nancy had heating on a small wood fire.

We dipped out lengths of material at least three times and then took them out and rinsed them in clean water.

  

Some of us printed onto white material while others chose to overprinted the Eco dyed material with the Shibori.

Lunch, some more dipping and then time for another meal and another bonfire . . . tomorrow will see us doing out last minute projects, discussing where to from here, sharing information and then packing up . . . . I so adore these long weekends with friends learning a new process . . .

We all agreed that this is another process we will be repeating . . . 

A very enjoyable weekend . . . now to weave and sew . . . .Thankyou one and all!!!!!!

Eco Dyeing at the Rusty Roo

What an incredibly enjoyable weekend. 

There were seven of us at the Roo trying our hand at the process loosely referred to as 
Eco Dyeing. 






Cameron set up an area under the trees, and Nancy Brown our tutor, supplied the material, knowledge and incredible wealth and diversity of experience. 

Nancy's blog is a good read.
https://nancybrownstudio.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/gumleaf-sauerkraut/

https://nancybrownstudio.wordpress.com/category/artist-in-residence-2/

Using natural materials, like gum leaves, flowers, bark, and a few contrived additives, like old railway sleeper pegs, salt, red cabbage and onion skins - we - wrapped up bundles of the ingredients in our material- boiled up the bundles, and  soaked them overnight. . . . . 

The bundles looked a little like giant sushi rolls !!!  Quite beautiful. Even if you were not expecting to acquire some beautifully printed material - the process alone is very enjoyable. One pot had plant materials, one copper additives and one iron . . . 

Early Sunday Morning after a full Cameron cooked BBQ breakfast, we took the soaked bundles out of the pots - 

The results were surprising, interesting and distinctly wearable . . . .  we all agreed, we will have to do this again. 

 Tomorrow we will be trying Shibori . . . .mmmmmmm!!!. . . .we are all excited!
Nancy has made up 'the beast' and the blue gorgeousness is foaming and frothing . . . I imagine we will feel like witches working with a brew.

Now it is time to relax, reflect, and then for a delicious meal, some wine, and a bom fire. Nancy has her Guitar and 

Linda has her Shakuhachi (Japanese Flute which produces relaxing rain sounds)

Another wonderful day