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Boo and I went to Jenny's the other day and Jenny gave me a little birthday present. It was quite a thoughtful gift: a jar of homemade lavender-scented vinegar (for cleaning...she was hesitant about giving such a practical gift, but I think it's wonderful!) and a 1941 edition of Pride and Prejudice (you know how I LOVE Jane Austen's writing). I had noticed the book on her shelf awhile back and she didn't know she had it; Jenny likes to pick up old, interesting books when she sees them. It's very sweet to have a book from her collection.
The vinegar is made from the infused with lavender stems which doesn't color the liquid and smells a bit like honey. Jenny also made some with the flowers that is amazingly fragrant with the scent of lavender (and rather fuchsia in color). She had a collection of jars with different experiments on the counter, which is often the case. Depending on the season, Jenny has science experiments in the kitchen. This time it was the vinegars and herbal simple syrups (coincidentally, there was a post on Design*Sponge today regarding herbal simple syrups...and herbal sun tea). It's always a delight to see what Jenny has been investigating.
I also went thrifting with Jeff's mom the other day (well, we just quickly went to one shop that was having a 1/2 off sale). I picked up this little guy (which, according to Three Potato Four, is a Turkish Pot):
I have another one that is a bit larger and also orange that I got with my mom during our last visit, but it's still at their house.
It's orange and enamel, so you know, perfect!
I think these pots would be great for melting butter for artichokes!
Pink is not a color that I have much of in my house. I'm not opposed to the color, I just like other colors more. However, I recently picked up a sweet little clock at a thrift store that I couldn't pass up.
I think it would be perfect next to the bed and it keeps time nicely. But, if I find an orange one...it certainly will get replaced (sorry, cute pink clock).
Then, the other day, I remembered I had a little dome with a base that had a little figurine in it that my grandmother gave me as a child. So, I managed to find it in a box and re-wrap the figurine (it's not really my taste) and since the base looked like grass and I happen to have a little plastic pig (I think from my childhood as well), I put him in the little biosphere...at least for now.
It reminds me of the work of small stump (I love those little cows).
Anyway, I'm living with a bit of pink right now...we'll see how long it lasts! And whether or not I can visually fit it into my space.
How do you fit something irregular to your space? Do you even care? Sometimes, it's just enough to be surrounded by things you like and figure out a way to make it work.
While watering my poor neglected succulents the other day (eep...they got a bit scorched from the sun when I brought them outside for the first time this year), I found a very curious spider. It has made a web in some dead lavender branches (you can see it if you look very closely) and right in the center of the web is a vertical line of securely wrapped prey with a space in the center where the spider camouflages itself. You can find him by following your eye up the line of wrapped-up prey until there is a space...the little piece above that is the spider...he looks just like his food. Isn't nature a.maz.ing?!
After mentioning in the last post that the embroidery floss I used for the three Lichen Jar pieces are naturally dyed, I must admit that I've been stalking the Internet gathering information on how to dye with natural sources myself.
This process actually started when I was in college, trying to constantly make things not only from scratch, but from natural materials and from recycled materials. But, I then got into beeswax and making my own paper and that was the end of that (by the way, I'm still s.l.o.w.l.y. working on the fine art, it's just that I juggle so many interests at once). When I started needle felting, I inquired at my little local yarn shop about natural dyes and the gal mentioned that the shop didn't recommend natural dyes because the mordants were often so toxic (that they included heavy metals). So, I resigned to the fact that natural dyeing just wasn't for me. Then, recently, I found some dyers online who don't use toxic mordants and still are able to achieve beautiful results; Barefoot Shepherdess (who naturally hand-dyed the embroidery floss I started using) is one of them...you can find more blogs of gals that dye using natural sources on the left-hand column of my blog.
So, my recent endeavours into natural dyeing started with the tea-staining of my fabric that I use for my for your Wall pieces and Jars...but I also have a 5 gallon bucket full of black walnuts that have been steeping since the fall that I have to process. I also have oak trees that have galls on the undersides of their leaves...and the leaves eventually fall from the heaviness of the load that the galls put upon them. In the late summer and fall when I walk under the oak trees, I occasionally step on them and they POP. I've started to collect them as well. Last, but not least, I collected some bark off the ground from one of my parents eucalyptus trees on my recent visit...my mom believes that it is a lemon eucalyptus, but I couldn't confirm it, the leaves are so high that I couldn't test it out to see...or rather smell (yes, the leaves indeed smell like fresh lemon when touched or crushed).
Well, I have a bit to get myself started. Now, with the help of some books that I plan to get my hands on soon and some more internet research...let us see what happens!
By the way, there was an post on Modish today about natural dyeing. You can find it here.
Whew! I finally listed some new Lichen Jars! These three new ones are special; they feature naturally hand-dyed embroidery floss from Barefoot Shepherdess (be sure to check out Yuki's blog as well)! Ooh, and all three are made with the unbleached muslin that I tea-stained!
Here's the first:
This jar is has a wide-mouth, so it gets an extra helping of lichen. The colors are: yellow (gardenia), teal (gardenia and indigo), and dark gray brown (alder).
Next up...
This wee jar has lichen in: peach (sakura), teal (gardenia and indigo), and light green (yomogi).
Last but not least...
This wee one features lichen in: pinky red (madder), dark gray brown (alder), and light green (yomogi).
Now, how about I get started on some for your Wall pieces with this lovely embroidery floss next?!
We're home! And while I visited my family, I helped my sister Lindsey get her Etsy shop running! It's called brokenlynx and she's had a great deal of jewelry made for some time and wanted a bit of help with photo editing and getting a couple of pieces listed....Man, to have had that help when I started (shudder to think of my first photos)! She's truly talented and I wish her good luck, but I don't think she needs it.
So, I thought it would be a bit of fun to make a couple of treasuries inspired by the first two pieces she listed. By the way, Lindsey upcycles vintage jewelry (most of which is tired and ready for a new life) into fresh, modern pieces!
Up first, good luck, of course...in the form of horseshoes!
charm bracelet no. 1 (third row, first picture)
Second, well, Southern California was baking while I was there!
bracelet no. 1 (second row, second picture)
It's been pretty quiet around these parts while I was gone, expect it to pick up! Thank you for your readership!
The Poppytalk blog hasn't dissapointed lately with some great inspiration. First, a rad modular bookcase:
And it's held together with everyday objects: binder clips - yes!
Second, wallpaper perfection (well, for a gal such as myself who likes modern mixed with grandma fussiness):
Sigh...love.
I love the integration of natural history or nature in a home's decor (if that isn't obvious by my work). I just found an article on the Storque regarding the home of Rebekah Dortmund, owner of Little Byrd Vintage. Here's some Etsy Find highlights from the article:
vintage NATURAL HISTORY specimen dome
By the way, a little reminder that I'm currently visiting family. The current status of the shop is that I'll ship after the 19th when I return. Thank you for reading....I know it's been a bit sparse. Your comments are always appreciated.