What is really cooking in the kitchen? Well, these days I like making something quick and easy. When I have a bit of time I like to try eco dyeing. I started natural dyeing years ago with wool using eucalytus leaves. Then I started dyeing using synthetic dye with cotton fabric, silk and pearl threads. Recently I discovered eco dyeing from India Flint's book Eco colour. A few bloggers such as Kaite and Deanna are also getting into eco dyeing too. My first project was a piece of vintage kimono silk using onion skins. I was quite happy with it so I moved on to dyeing a silk and linen shirt I got from an op-shop.
The steamer is going on the cook top for nearly an hour. I'm a totally non technical person so I won't go into too much detail except that every plant and flower I see translates into "what colour will it dye?" I used purple hibiscus flowers to dye this shirt.
It didn't turned out all that well, but it's to be expected with the trial and error method (India Flint wears this sort of coloured clothing all the time!). Anyway, I can always over-dye it again. Can you see the silk scarf? It has the same greenish shade as the dye so I decided to incorporate the scarf into the shirt! The scarf also came from an op-shop.
I started cutting into the lovely silk scarf using the Broderie Perse method. I already put in some stitches and I'm so very happy with how it feels. I will add more flowers as I go. I think that I will over dye the whole thing after I complete the stitching.
Here are more dyed pieces. All except one was dyed using the boiling method. The silk and cotton pieces on the left were dyed with clover flowers. The piece on the top right was dyed using eco-dye method with red onion skins and the bottom right two pieces were dyed with camellia flowers.
Okay, what is really cooking in the kitchen? I whipped this To Die For Blueberry Muffin last Sunday for Father's Day. OMG it turned out so well that I made a second batch on Monday this time using mixed berries instead of blueberry.
See how they look? The golden crunchy topping is mouth-watering yummy. You got to try it for yourself. I love baking even though I don't like sweets, but I must say I enjoyed these blueberry muffins with my cuppa tea!
So what really is cooking in your kitchen? We are off to our DS again this weekend and from there we are heading down the South Coast to see a possibility blocks of land to build our retirement home. We all have to start somewhere don't we...!
15 comments:
wow...you've been busy and got wonderful results. i love the blouse and the broderie perse. i especially like the fabric dyed with the red onion skins. and, of course, the delicious blueberry muffins---yum---i do love sweets but stay away from them.
your dyeing projects have all been lovely and unexpected results always occur which is what i really like about it. you're turning the shirt to advantage with the silk scarf, a nice idea. k.
I just bought a book on natural dyes, but haven't started dabbling with it yet. And I'd never heard of using eucalyptus. I have a lovely tree in my backyard! What color do you get?
Love the mottled effect of the piece dyed with red onion skins. Actually, like them all!
This is my first time visiting your blog. Will definitely have a look around.
Reply to Angie's comment. Thanks Angie, you have non-reply comment so I hope you come back and read this. Re eucalyptus dye. You will get a range of yellow, orange to brown colour. It's depends on the type of tree. If I were you, I will try the tree you have in your backyard. I highly recommend India Flint's book the eco colour - Enjoy - Nat
I think you are very creative in your dying projects. When ever I pull out my fabric dyes, I feel like a mad scientist in the kitchen, wondering how things will turn out.
I thought the dying looked good after cooking, but those muffins are making my mouth water. YUM!!!!
Wow Nat...gorgeous, and very clever to overdye...Trust you to think of that!!! Have fun on the South Coast...Dzintra♥x
Wow Nat!
I always love to see what you are cooking :0)
Enjoy your trip! Have fun shopping and dreaming of your retirement home. See you when you get back.
XOXO,
Stefanie
The dyeing results look fun and so do the muffins.
Dying experiments with natures dyes is fascinating, sometimes the colours aren't what you'd expect. It looks like lots of fun and your shirt looks great with the flowers.
I LOVE your inspiring ideas...the shirt incorporating the scarf is turning out beautiful and will be so unique! One of a kind!
The muffins look yummy!
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
Very interesting post, Nat, I think I'll buy that book as I have always wanted to try dyeing. Love the way it turned out, and those blueberry muffins.... SIGH! We don't get blueberries here...
Both kinds of cooking look great! Eco dyeing has thousands of years of history behind it. I like to imagine who first came up with that :) The muffins look very yummy! Love crumb topping. Mmmmm.
I like what you've done with the shirt and can't wait to see it dyed again. Your blueberry muffins look mouth watering good. Enjoy your trip.
What a cook post, Natima! Okay, if you have any of those muffins left, I am coming over for tea. :)
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