A Walk in the Park & Bella's Birthday

My daily routine at work is very simple, but enjoyable. The best part of my day is walking in the park full of natural native plants and trees. Seven years ago when I joined my work I was looking for plant materials for basket weaving. I looked for different kinds of plants then. Taking up eco-dyeing is a natural process for me. Working where I am on the campus with gardens and trees cannot be more perfect for eco-dyeing. I got to know most of the eucalyptus trees that are good for dyeing. Lately I dyed using windfall leaves. They give a better and more mature colour when dyeing. A walk in the park can't be more interesting when you have something to look for. 

This time of the year the eucalyptus trees are shredding their barks. Bark can be used in the dye pot as well. Look at the lovely fresh new skin underneath it and that exact colour will come out in the dye.

After a windy day, leaves fall and end up at the side of the walkway. Sometimes I scoop them up or choose leaves that look inviting. 

This particular tree is "Silver Mallee" (E.crucis). I know it gives excellent colour results. It's not very dense so I only collect the leaves from under it.

This giant eucalyptus tree shredded the bark completely all at once. I love the looks of bark spreading around the base of the tree leaving a clean smooth new skin. They look best after the rain. 

Some leaves gathered on the ground under the tree. I love these ones because they are still fresh and lie flat and are easier to pack them into silk bundle.

Here are some of the results from the walk in the park. The leaves are from the "Powdered Gum" (pulverulenta). It was one of the several eucalyptus trees in the park. The result would have been better if I left it longer before opening the bundle. It has been very hot and humid here lately and by leaving the bundles too long it causes the mould to grow on them. 

The above piece I used mixed leaves of "Powdered Gum" (E.pulverulenta) and "Blackbutt (E.pilularis). I like experimenting by mixing different leaves in one bundle. 

This heart shape was a single leaf from the top photo. I posted the image on my Facebook page and surprisingly got a lot of positive comments from my friends. Thanks guys. 

I just love this piece. I got  a branch from young shoots growing underneath the bush. It looks very much like "Round-Leaved Mallee (E.orbifolia). I hope I'm right from the photo in the book Eucalypts Vol.1 by Stan Kelly (1969). 

Never too young to start eco-dyeing! Here is my DGD opening her bundle that she dyed using rubber bands, seaweed and eucalyptus leaves sneaked in by her mom. Today is a special day for her. It's her 3rd Birthday Jan. 9th. She is 3 year old. Happy Birthday Bella. Hope you are having a lovely day. We love you very much...!

Enjoy

Nat