Finally back into creative work again with dyeing my silk scarves and creating cards an decorative tags. Here are some of the newest batch. I get more intrigued by a three stage dye set than just a single shot so some of these are quite labour intensive, though I think worth the effort.
Some card bases are made up ready to embellish with threads and beads. These are all hand dyed cottons.
Many years ago I walked into an alley way in Kendal, Cumbria. I'd been drawn in by a small hand written notice in a shabby window. "Open house books » ". A small courtyard revealed a low green wooden doorway hung with some climbing shrubbery and I ducked under into a dimly lit, low ceilinged room. It was filled with books. All around the walls, either side of the old open fire place and piled on tables and chairs, books were stacked and stuffed into every nook and cranny. The gentleman had decided to open his house and private collection to the public and most of the books were for sale, at a price!
Continuing the serendipitous theme I ambled amongst the shelves and let my finger trail across the spines. Leather, cloth, paper... these were not your average library books. I stopped at one which seemed to catch my eye. After I thought it might have even been endowed with more light upon it. The deep brown binding with it's golden lettering and star accents had no dust jacket but looked tidy if a little old. I opened the cover...
Some card bases are made up ready to embellish with threads and beads. These are all hand dyed cottons.
Many years ago I walked into an alley way in Kendal, Cumbria. I'd been drawn in by a small hand written notice in a shabby window. "Open house books » ". A small courtyard revealed a low green wooden doorway hung with some climbing shrubbery and I ducked under into a dimly lit, low ceilinged room. It was filled with books. All around the walls, either side of the old open fire place and piled on tables and chairs, books were stacked and stuffed into every nook and cranny. The gentleman had decided to open his house and private collection to the public and most of the books were for sale, at a price!
Continuing the serendipitous theme I ambled amongst the shelves and let my finger trail across the spines. Leather, cloth, paper... these were not your average library books. I stopped at one which seemed to catch my eye. After I thought it might have even been endowed with more light upon it. The deep brown binding with it's golden lettering and star accents had no dust jacket but looked tidy if a little old. I opened the cover...
... and found it to be full of MAGIC!
Well actually not magic but a collection of knowledge of arts and science from 1660 ! From how to grind your own paints, build a trebuchet and delice cattle to using brimstone and "Concerning the secrets of Angels and Devils".
Having lent it out I've just got it back this evening and it really deserves a deeper reading.
2 comments:
Such a book that spans and connects human minds and hands across time. I can imagine it.
Magical book and magical dyeing. Good to see you here again, although I seem to have missed a few posts.
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