Scarves

A glimpse of what I've been working on lately using natural dyes. I wish I could look at everything with fresh eyes.. I've spent too long scrutinising these scarves and now I don't know if I love them or hate them :)

Lunches lately

Roasted butternut squash, watercress & sunflower seeds.


Couscous, radish, apple, cashews, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, watercress & vinaigrette.


Crispy crackers, homous, avocado, mango chutney & pinenuts.


Crispy crackers, homous, tomatoes, pinenuts & wasabi peas.

Dream Spring Wardrobe

1. Komodo Lola Dress (Hemp & Organic Cotton, Fair Trade)
2. Komodo Bali Hai Canvas Pumps (Fair Trade)
3. Seasalt Cornwall Sketch Tee (Organic Cotton)
4. Bibico Roses & Dots Wrap Dress (Fair Trade)

Some of my favourite "ethical" pieces this Spring. Over the last year or so, I've tried to stay away from the main High Street chains and buy from more ethically conscious places. This means I can't buy as much since prices are higher, but this forces me to consider each item of clothing I buy. There are such pretty things available this Spring, that I'm not even tempted by any of those other places anymore.

Mother's Day Scarf

I made a scarf for my mum for Mother's Day. I'm still experimenting with natural dyes but I'm becoming happier with the results. I'm planning to make a small collection of scarves to sell. It's exciting!

Margate

Our quick trip to Margate included a stay at the best B&B ever, a trip to Turner Contemporary and a wander around Ramsgate harbour.

Natural dyes... the latest

These are the results from some recent dyeing experiments. I'm testing out different dye concentrations and processes. There are infinite possibilities with natural dyes... it's exciting!

A stainless steel spoon would have been more sensible as I could clean it each time to use with different colours, but I quite like my collection of pretty wooden spatulas.

Bamboo dress

I drafted the pattern for this dress to my measurements and sewed it up in some soft bamboo fabric. I dyed the fabric using logwood extract in a low concentration to get this light colour. Natural dyeing produces such pretty results with real depth, since there are slight variations in how the dye has taken across the fabric with some slightly lighter and darker areas. I think I'll wear this dress lots in the Spring!

Recently

...a bit of card making...



...spending time with my favourite girl...





Simple & tasty meals... quinoa, chestnuts, red onion, runner beans, soy sauce.

Indigo Dyeing

For a long time I've been curious to try natural dyeing and I finally did this week. The process was so enjoyable and the results unexpected and exciting. I used organic cotton voile for the first two scarves, bamboo silk for the third and woven bamboo for the last (which drapes so well and perfect for summer dresses, I think). The bamboo silk fabric (which is 100% bamboo and suitable for vegans) took the dye the best and produced such a beautiful deep colour. The fabric has a lustre and feels so lovely against the skin.

I'm now busy dreaming up plans to do more...

Lately

Christmas Cards

Had fun making this year's Christmas cards and gift tags. Hope I haven't left it too late to post them!

Another

This time I made beads that graduate in size.

Lately

A Wiksten Tova dress that I made several weeks ago and have worn and washed many times. I made it from organic fairtrade cotton. It's perfect for the spring and summer and I'm planning to make a blue striped dress from the same pattern.



Some mini Fimo beads in graduated colours that I made today.



Picking out clothes to take away on holiday to Bournemouth. Please don't rain everyday!



My collection of larger beads. I love the different combinations that I can make with these.

Beads

I made myself this necklace from Fimo...



...which led on to making these beads as a present...



...and these necklaces for two little girls...





The colour possibilities are endless... I'm addicted!