On the beach

I went for a walk on the beach today, I haven't been for so long despite it only being across the road. It has changed so much. Masses of sand has been blown up so the dunes now encroach more onto the beach. The mass of small pieces of wood I normally find have been covered by sand and become part of the dunes. There are more wild flowers and self seeded cultivated ones. The Rosa Rugosa and perennial sweet pea have spread over much wider areas.
It will change again but when you don't go regularly you notice the changes more.

From the Earth part 2

Connie Flynn

The Kitchen Witch

Bahar Bzc Bozaci

Fabienne Dorsman Ray

Mine on the left Liz Hewitt on the right

Chris Lines

Fabienne Dorsman Ray

Books by various artists, the dark colour one at the back is now sitting on my desk.

Caroline Bell

More beautiful work from the exhibition including my own. I think the blue piece might be by Shelley Rhodes but I don't want to attribute pieces to the wrong artists when I am not sure.

From The Earth part 1

Connie Flynn

India Flint

India Flint

Mary McIntosh

Lizzie Godden

Mary Moorkens

Overview of Mardlebury Gallery

Firstly apologies to the artists whose names I do not have, have spelt wrong or got wrong. I have been going back and forth in Facebook trying to find everybody's name. You can find further images on Facebook at From the Earth Textiles and caroline bell textiles. 

I visited last weekend, its a fantastic exhibition with some amazing and beautiful work. I only took photos of some 

of the work as there is so much and this post is partly so that my friend Liz can get an overview in case she can't 

get there herself. Liz your work will be in Part 2. If you read this blog and see your work incorrectly or not 

acknowledged please leave a comment and I will edit this entry.

And finally

Shirt detail

 Finally pressed and ready to show, these were all bundled with various leaves that had been rehydrated in hot water and then dipped in iron water. The bath contained purchased liquid madder. I was expecting orange/reds but I guess the iron reacted with the madder to create these colours which I love. My dyeing is getting a bit more sophisticated as you can see from the border on the dress, but it is still very hit and miss and always a surprise to see what comes out. I want it to stay that way as well.

Front of shirt

Back of shirt

Shirt detail

Front of dress

Back of dress

Detail of dress

Shoreline

This is the poster for the next exhibition I am taking part in with friends. I working hard on producing work for this at the moment, really looking forward to it.

Leafy

One of my latest dye experiments, these were dipped in iron water before bundling, I learnt this technique from reading Fabienne's words. https://www.facebook.com/FabienneRey
I have also dyed some clothes will post some photos once I have ironed them, I am very happy with the 
results. Oh dear funny typing again.

LOOK, look, look

So exciting I have managed to upload some photos, lets hope it is a repeatable experience.
We took a short trip to Marrakesh, skeins of wool dyed with natural colours hanging up in the souk.
I discovered a new yarn while I was there, cactus silk which is made from the Aloe Vera plant, what a useful plant it is. Its has a very lustrous finish and weaves up beautifully. Apparently Morocco is one of the few countries that produces it. Seems to me it ought to be more widely produced it doesn't seem to have any drawbacks, doesn't need fertilisers or pesticides and regrows really fast.