New Indigo Vat – a thing of beauty!

My new vat has such a nice foamy flower on top now with that sweet bronzy slick to it!  And it’s almost a full 10 gallon bucket so it’s deep enough to immerse all the pvc pipes I want to use!  As you can see, I had a few lengths rolled onto mine.

I’m continuing to pull out some deconstructed screen prints and over-dyeing them but I’m also beginning to use more new white fabric.  Soon, you’ll see more eco-dyed with indigo – there’s possibly no end to this.  I’m definitely planning on keeping the vat going through the winter, perhaps in the basement. We often have a wood stove going down there anyway but you can also keep it warm with a fish tank heating element.

I spent some time today foraging for my natural resources.  The great fern that I’ve been getting at the foot of Lake Q is almost spent.  I think I got the last bunch for the season…sad about that because they’re so pretty!  And I trimmed off a few good brances filled with Japanese Maple leaves from a generous Freecycler who told me I could come and get them from her yard any time! Some people are so good they make you smile! I would like to find a source a little closer but I’m not complaining. And Trader Joe’s did have some seeded eucalyptus which they were nice enough to hold a couple aside for me so they’d still be there when I got there!  Later on today, in between my shots for arthritis and MRI of my ankle, I’ll get some more Sumac and Black Locust, Buckthorn and Alder and some more Goldenrod!

Before I go, I’m going to join Nina Marie over at Off The Wall Friday and tell you about some books that I wouldn’t want to be without!

I still frequently use Finding Your Own Visual Language, A practical guide to design & composition by Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan.  Sometimes, I’ll just randomly go to a page and go with whatever is on that page for a jump start to creativity.

More current is Stitch Stories, Personal places, spaces and traces in textile art by Cas Holmes.  I guess I innately relate to her imagery so I’m drawn to her books, this being among my current favorites.

Two more of Jane Dunnewold’s books have been my constant companions for quite a few years now and continue to be a constant reference for me: Art Cloth and Complex Cloth.

An old standby that I’d still recommend today is The Painted Quilt by Linda & Laura Kemshall.

Have a great week and thanks for the visit!