mint

I have a friend who is an art teacher.  I get these strange text messages from her.  Or Facebook messages.  Usually about something I know.  One of the last times was using plants for dye.  I went back to my books and saw that mint could make a green.  A grey green.  I thought, hmmm.

I picked up some mint and put it in a pot.  I boiled for awhile.  Strained and then added silk that I had had soaking in water and alum.

It was a cabbage green when it was wet.  It then dried to a sage green.  Green grey.  Something like that.  I wanted something a bit more for ribbons.  So I added a bit of iron and woad.

Wet, it looked more olive.  But after washing it was a silvery green grey.  Of course I did not save anymore of those pictures!

I find plants are interesting.  I always want to do more.  Put plants in water and see what happens when I add silk.  Or see if I can duplicate other colors I see.  I have been collecting inspiration for quilts and yarn colors.  This could be an interesting process in the future.  But for now, more play.  More ribbon.

It is cold and rainy here today and all I would like to do is dig in the earth.  I would like to plant seeds and dye plants.  Maybe in February.

For those few who have contacted me, my Mom's first treatment has gone well so far.  The chemo stops being pumped into her system later today.  She was told there may be some reactions later today and in the next two days.  In two weeks, another infusion of chemo.  They still are not sure of diagnosis so there is a bit of wait and see.  Will this work or, if there is more clarity, will the drugs need to be changed?  Yesterday and today were good days though so that is a plus.