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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

TO DYE FOR

I've been wanting to dye some wool since I got back home from Ottawa as I had a new bolt of wool, lots of dye, TOD spoons, wide mouth Mason jars and a large canner with rack and April DeConick's  Virtual Color Palette  directions. But I had to spend a day cleaning things that only the lady of the house would see after being away for 5 weeks, yeah!!! then I had a two day meeting in Woodstock, N.B. for Soil and Crop and a banquet to attend, My husband was one of six nominee for Farmer of the Year from the Soil and Crop N.B. Club.  Needless to say, a younger and more energetic farmer won the honor after trying to win for three years. All our expenses for the entire two days were paid for and we stayed at  the Best Western Hotel and even visited some friends while we were there.

I had brought a bottle of my own Gewurzt to drink in our room with some friends but I didn't need to open the bottle. There was enough wine and beer to let say, wet the appetite of everyone there.

Now that this business is behind us, I decided to set up a dye kitchen upstairs and I no longer need to use my kitchen for dyeing my wool.
 It's still messy up there as  I've been using that room for storage for my ceramic bisque and paints and glazes and  some supplies after the flood. I didn't take any pictures yet as yesterday and today I was busy dying some color palettes.

This is my first attempt at dyeing 8 values of green palette.

 
 This is the red palette I did today. It was great fun and I'm pleased with the color and I didn't stir the wool much as I wanted to have some mottled effect as it's desirable for hooking rugs. To get an even dye, I would have to make sure the wool was stirred while the mordant is doing its job of setting the dye.

Maybe I should dye my hair while I'm at it... Just kidding...

I also drew my pattern for my Grandmother's trunk Challenge rug but haven't transfered  it on backing yet. Sorry, I can't reveal the design yet and I can't show a picture as we are sworn to secrecy...  Not until the final cut off date. I don't know why I got myself in this challenge as I don't have much spare time to hook and I'm starting very late in the game but I had fun in the last challenge.

Check out Rugs and Pugs great giveaway. A rug kit that is sure to please.

I hope that all that snow will melt shortly. I'm also dying to see some grass outside. Have a great week everyone and thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.  JB
Posted by Julia at 9:42 PM
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16 comments:

  1. KimFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Your wools look great. The red is gorgeous. I love the concept of April's palette. Have the calves settled down since you got home?

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  2. acorn hollowFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    You never stop amazing me! the colors are wonderful. you are away 5 weeks and go out on the town and still you manage to dye wool.
    amazing.
    Cathy

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  3. JuliaFebruary 27, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Thanks Kim and Cathy. Funny you should mention the calves settling down. They've grown a lot since I left but they don't know that. It's as if I didn't left. I thought that they wouldn't recognize me because of my 5 weeks absence but Football reared up on her hind legs when she saw me this morning and she thinks that I came to play football with her. She is more interested in cuddling up to me than eating her grain. She gets excited as soon as I talk to her. The others want to be petted or hugged too. The next one jumps and kicks her heels when I talk to her too.

    I'm weaning them from their milk and they don't really like that as they just love milk. I give them the same amount of liquid but replace the milk with water a bit at a time to make the transition easier for them.

    Football poops in her pail and then knock them down from the holders the little pest... JB

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  4. JackieFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Your dyeing looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing what you end up doing with your new colours!

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  5. Farm GirlFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Well I know what my next project will be at some point. I love the colors and yours looks so great. What fun. Yes, you are gone 5 weeks go out of town and still get that done. I am so glad you did it as when I would read April's blog I didn't really understand what I was seeing as I was so new to rug hooking and I couldn't figure out why anyone would dye wool. I know now but seeing it the way you have done it makes sense to me. Oh I can't wait to see what else you do.
    Now I understand about the raw wool on the bolt and the spoons and the dye you bought.
    Thanks for showing it. It is beautiful.

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  6. The Barn DoorFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Oh wow, your wool looks great! I admire people that can dye wool. I just don't think it is something I want to get into. At least not for now anyway, I am content to just hook!
    Karen

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  7. Sassafras and WinterberryFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    I love your wool! The colors are awesome. I've seen April's book at the Rug Hooking Daily website, but haven't grabbed it up yet. I can't wait to see what you will hook with it! Despite all the chores, it is always good to be home! Glad you had a nice time away with hubby! Congrats on his nomination.
    Happy Hooking and Quilting!
    Courtney

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  8. DorisFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Julia, what a great job you did dyeing those colors. They are lovely. It's wonderful to have you back in blog land - we've missed you. Happy little calves have their mommy back!

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  9. DonnaFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    First congrats to your hubby for even being nominated...it's always nice to be recognized for your work. Bet the weekend was fun despite not winning.

    Cute that the calves missed you...puts a sweet mental picture in my mind. Like my puppy when we go away...tail wag gin when we come home.

    Your wool is just gorgeous! You are a hooker and enjoy making it into a rug. I am an artist at heart and would love to frame it as is in the beautiful color gradations as they are! It will be fun to see what you create with this!!

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  10. Kathy (woolfind)February 28, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Beautiful job with your dyeing!

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  11. dulcyFebruary 28, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Wow Julia! That wool is fabulous! I haven't gotten into dyeing, although I probably should. I have such a tiny kitchen.... but..... this is a very inspiring post! Beautiful job!
    xo
    dulcy

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  12. GayleFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    YUM!

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  13. Tammy BurksFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    I haven't dyed swatches of colors except maybe once....you did a bang up job! I haven't dyed wool in over a year, but I'm getting close to "needing" to dye again...can't wait! Sorry I haven't commented in a while, but I think I'm finally getting back into the groove since coming home from vacation.

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  14. Larkrise garden girlFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Hi Julia, Your wools look great! I bet your happy to be home. I am so happy you have a little more time to blog again. Great Pics of the wools. Cheri

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  15. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Don't know how I missed this post, but I think your values in your wool dyeing are perfect.

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  16. Michelle~Sugar House CreationsMarch 2, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Wow, your wool looks beautiful! If it's anything in real life like it looks on my screen, you have some great colors there. I love a mottled look too.

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