January 14, 2011

Coastal Colour and QLD. Floods


Before I begin I would like to join many bloggers calling to give a hand to help the Queensland, Australia floods appeal. Click on the above button to visit Daisy Quilt and read more on how you can help QLD floods 2011. You can also help in other ways by clicking on the list below:


I will try and make a sewing kit this weekend to send off. Thanks everyone for your emails about us here in Australia. 

Today I just want to share some photos from our Christmas and New Year holiday with you. It was a very low key holiday where Mr N and I spent some peaceful time together. We went to the coast near Seabird, our retirement property we purchased in 2010. We couldn't of cause stay at Seabird, it is only an empty plot of land at the moment, but we did stay close enough to be able to take a swim on our beach! I am so excited to say the word 'our beach'! In the not too distant future I will be swimming there everyday. 
Apart from relaxing and visiting many beautiful beaches in the area I was also looking out for any potential plants and flowers for dyeing. I was reading on kaite yarngarden a while ago about Coreopsis flowers so when I spotted them all over the road side I had to stop and gather some to try. Kaite also told me that sea water is mordant. The recipe for this eco dye batch is 2 bottles of sea water, 48 Coreopsis flowers boiled together for 30 mins. I drained the liquid into a jar and stored it in an ice box until we got home. The Coreopsis flowers also gave out a beautiful aroma while boiling. 
 
I was eager to try my concoctions when I got home. I wrapped some vintage silk around eucalyptus leaves and branches hoping to get some imprints on the fabric. I boiled the fabric  for about 30 mins. I threw one ball of pearl cotton in there for good measure. The result is as you see above. 
Beautiful day at Bawley Point Beach. With my newly acquired camera I was so happy snapping away at it. The upward view of eucalyptus trees with crisp blue sky above. Eucalyptus trees are a common sight everywhere in Australia. I have learned to love everything about the tree from its smell, the shapes of the leaves etc. You can use every part of the tree for dyeing. Eucalyptus trees are used in many famous Australian paintings. 
On the left hand side of the Bawley Point Beach is a beautiful rock structure you can climb and walk around it. From when I was young I loved walking on rocks and searching for interesting creatures or drift wood. I found this star flower caught in between rocks. Simple and peaceful place for it. 
Rocks that lie closer to the water's edge get washed over by waves. The algae covers and gives the rock a vibrant green colour. Bawley beach is a surf beach and you can spot some surfers waiting to catch the big waves at the top of the photos. 
Rock formations give patterns that I can transform into stitching. I was looking out for patterns and lines on rock that inspire me to create a sea cloth. More on that later. 

Well holidays would have to come to an end sometime. We are back and started work for another year. Stitching will have to fit in with my daily routine. Completing projects is getting harder. I am looking forward to my online workshop with Jude starting on Jan. 19th. 


14 comments:

deanna7trees said...

some wonderful photos. love that starflower. i was surprised to see how well the fabric picked up the coreopsis color. you are a busy lady.

Unknown said...

yes your photos are beautiful Nat! did the leaf imprints work on the lovely dyed fabric? I can't believe how brilliant that yellow came out! one of my most favourite colours!

Lis Harwood said...

What a creative, inspiring post, so many lovely things going on for you. It must have been wonderful to be on "your" beach. That caught up star flower is just lovely.

kaiteM said...

hi Nat, do you know i have made an "official Jan approved" ozcomfortquilts button which directs people through to JanMac's blog where people can donate QAYG quilt blocks. The button can be saved off my blog and the instructions for installing it on one's own blog can be found here in the comments section:
http://kaiteyarngarden.blogspot.com:80/2011/01/ex-land-army-girl-does-her-bit-for.html
cheers, kaite

RG said...

Hi Nat, thanks for the links...every bit helps.
Love that yellow!!! Love it xx

Sue-Anne said...

How impressive is that yellow dye! Thanks for sharing your holiday photos, looks like you had a lovely relaxing time.

ParisMaddy said...

Hello Nat, Thanks for the Daisy link.

Your beach spot looks and sounds ideal. What a lovely spot to dream...

Gorgeous yellowish-gold colour in your dying projects. Creamy and pure. I missed a post, I think, what kind of camera did you get? It takes wonderful, clear photos with you behind the lens.

ParisMaddy said...

Oh! and I love your new header photos.

Suedio said...

Bawley Point / Kioloa is one of my favourite parts of the world! Your photos remind me that it's been way too long since we've been . . .

Thanks for sharing. Regards, Sue

Janet said...

What lovely photos on the new camera. Love the yellow from those flowers, they were plentiful everywhere. Have you done anything to make it colourfast?

Terry said...

Great yellow and nice photos from your holiday.

I started a sewing kit as well as a few string blocks.

Jacky said...

What a wonderful holiday Nat....sounds like a beautiful, peaceful time with Mr. N checking out your future surroundings. It will be lovely living near the beach.

Thanks for all of the links re: the floods. I have been sewing some quilt blocks for Kaite'
s friend (Ozquilts). Will get a few more done and sent them this week. It is wonderful how everyone is pitching in, trying to do their bit.

Love your coreopsis dyeing...the colour is brilliant!

Jacky xox

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Nat...WOW you did indeed find some colour on the coast!!! Isn't it wonderful how everyone is rallying to help Queensland!!! Thanks for all the links!!! Have a wonderful week...Dzintra♥x

Anonymous said...

Natima I have been so worried about my all my family, brothers, inlaws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and many cousins for the past 2 weeks who all live in the Lockyer Valley Queensland, I am very relieved to finally know after many agonizing days all have survived without serious injuries but have lost all possessions, I would like to thank all the kind generous people that are making quilts for the flood victims through your blog as I am unable to leave a message at oz quilts.
Hugs Lynda xxx

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