I know I said I might skip this week's WOYWW but here I am again! I simply have to share my new obsession: eco-dyeing. I had known about this process for a while, but I was put off by the need to boil things in the kitchen for hours - all the set-ups I'd seen involved open pans and complicated contraptions and I told myself I didn't want to steam up the kitchen and I didn't have the right equipment, ingredients, etc. etc. - basically making excuses. But then I realised I can do it on a smaller scale, put it in a pot with a lid and use clips instead of sandwiching it between planks of wood or whatever. So here's my "work desk" this week, ie. the kitchen counter and the cooker. (yes, that is the same rose I bragged about last week, poor thing, but at least it had the chance of being immortalized in an art project and there are dozens of buds coming through and this first one was already on the way out - call it premature deadheading!)
This was my pot cooking for 1.5 -2 hours - I think the cooking time could be reduced to just around an hour, but I'll experiment a bit more. There are some rusty screws, teabags and some white vinegar thrown in for good measure (in addition to the alum I pre-treated the paper with) weighed down with a piece of broken clay pot, but it's not an exact science - anything goes!
I had the best results with the marigold I collected from the garden and a tree we have that has very dark red leaves. My initial papers only had hydrangea petals, but then as I got more adventurous, my prints got more grungy and more exciting! These are just some of the results of the past few days of experimenting (and of course, these are all double-sided):
Even my cover sheets came out looking pretty cool and interesting!
I have enough papers now to make a couple of books - I might do that. For now, I'm just having too much fun making more papers!
This pretty rose will be my next victim, though I'll give it a few more days to enjoy its beauty before ruthlessly cooking it. I must say I feel a bit bad about it, but it's no different from eating salads or cooking vegetables, right? I mean I never felt bad about cooking a carrot. I guess it's about destroying something beautiful that's giving me second thoughts. Which is why I'll wait until it goes downhill, then I don't need to feel guilty about it.
Happy WOYWW! Did you see
Murphy on Julia's post? How adorable is he? xx
Zsuzsa i'm really surprised you have never tried this before, it's a wonderful way to produce something unique. I think we all get eluded by things we read or see but everything can be done on a small scale. You should try doing this outdoors on a 2 ring camping stove it's very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteYour papers would make beautiful card toppers my friend. So glad to see you post this today, always love seeing your pretty makes.
I saw Murphy yes.. fell in love within 2 seconds hee hee.
Hope all is well with you and the family WoywW Hugs Tracey xx
Well, that’s an interesting process with such varying results - I can see how you’ve become entranced by it as you never quite know how it’s going to turn out and the resulting papers are just perfect for a book (or three!). I think it’s ok to use the rose because it’ll be preserving some of its gorgeousness rather than being chucked in the compost!
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 14 xxx
Oh my GOSH!!!! I am in love!!! I have never heard of this technique....I know, I live under a rock, but I must say the results are fabulous! Just awestruck. Now, like you, the whole process sounds a bit daunting and not too sure I want to pull out the kitchen sink to try it. I may have to research it a bit to see what it's all about! I can't wait to see the books if that's what you decide to make. Who am I kidding, WHATEVER you make out of those gorgeous papers will be amazing! I would love to see your garden, that flower.....errrr ummmmm victim....is quite beautiful!! LOL I get what you are saying however, it would be hard to escalate it's fate! LOL Hope all is well my friend and blessings and hugs across the miles! Felicia #30
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing results you've got from your experiments. Isn't nature amazing?
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Annie x #16
You have had some fabulous results from your paper dyes. It is an addictive process so have fun with it. Love the ATC, envelope and card you sent me, thank you. Angela #7
ReplyDeleteI am so going to bookmark this to come back and pop over to YouTube for a search on eco-dyeing. Those papers are GORGEOUS. Really just so stunning. Love them. You are such an inspiration :D
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (2)
I am in awe of your incredible papers. I am not quite as brave as you with papers. I have made papers once, but mostly, my eco-dying is with fabric. You don't have to boil them. You can put something in the bottom of your pot and steam them for the same amount of time. I allow mine to sit in a plastic bag for awhile (several days in fact) and when I can no longer stand it, I unveil them. They seem to do better the longer you wait, but again, that is with fabric, NOT paper. I understand any type of paper can be used, but watercolor paper seems to work best. One friend sent me envelopes she eco-dyed. They were fabulous. I am SO glad you tried this/. If you need any tips I can offer, feel free to check out the eco-dying projects found under Labels on my right sidebar. Happy WOYWW from # 12.
ReplyDeleteHi Zsuzsa! I know it's been ages since I visited, but thankfully life is getting easier and I am super happy to be here. I've been curious about this art form and love how you first over thought, then simplified the process to work for you - exactly what I do with everything! LOL! The results are truly astounding! I mean wow! So very cool. I live in a humid climate and have wondered about mold, because in the past somethings have molded: mediums or such, for some reason or another. Anyway, maybe one day I will give this a try. Thank you for the inspiration and continued friendship from across the miles. Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteI am a freak when it comes to rust dyeing. Go to almost any blog that plays with rust dyeing or using rusty bits in eco-dyeing, and you will NOT read a thing about the safety precautions you need. If there is even a hang nail, or a tiny cut on your hands, the rust will get into your bloodstream and mess with the hemoglobin in your blood. Always, always, always wear gloves when you are going to pick up a rusty bit. I carry disposable gloves with me when I go walking in case I find a piece of rust on the ground. You can NEVER be too safe when it comes to rust and rusted bits. I can't emphasize that enough, dear. However rust and rust filings turn your papers a very unique color and give you results you won't find elsewhere. You actually have a lot more great leaves and flowers than I have. I was truly impressed with your results, as I said before.
ReplyDeleteWow, Zsuzsa, I'm glad you eventually bit the bullet and got on with this exciting new adventure! Your results are really impressive. I roared with laughter at you dealing with your emotions regarding the rose, and not feeling guilty about carrots haha! Who decided that roses are beautiful and carrots aren't, anyway!! Perhaps you should try dyeing with carrots as well, just to redress the balance!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and for your good wishes for my operation on 9th July. It is certainly a relief that they can do the lumpectomy. I'm glad you liked my card, and also the wannabe tigers in the garden! They really are beautiful creatures and your hubby is right in what he says. Our next door neighbour wouldn't share his views though - she is so keen on her garden and hates seeing cats in it!!
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #26
Wow, Zsuzsa, what fabulous fun you're having - I knew Elizabeth would be impressed as she does lots of fabric dying, as she has been saying. I think your papers looks stunning. I look forward to seeing what you do next with them (if you can do something other than stroke them!) Have a good week Helen #11
ReplyDeleteI am blown away by what you are doing. You have some of the most fabulous papers there and I can only begin to imagine what a wonderful book you will make with them.
ReplyDelete6, 7 & 8 were my favourites if I was asked to choose but I love them all in truth. I think the reason for my attraction to those is the little touches of deep orange or rust. You will make some beautiful books from those pages and I so look forward to seeing them.
Hugs, Neet 10 xx
Your dyeing process brings back fond memories for me. When I was at college we did lots of natural dyeing with plants, I usually ended with as much on my hands and clothes than was on the fabric but I loved it. I was thinking about it the other day as I found the dye baths in the greenhouse the other day, maybe I will find some use for them again. I would love to see how you use the results but I can understand that the process is as much fun as using them to make something. Wishing you a very happy and creative woyww, Angela x23x
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated WOYWW. I did some eco-dying in an online workshop last year. Forgot how easy/satisfying it is. Definitely something I will do in the coming months. Your results are fantastic. Ali x #15
ReplyDeleteWow wow..great results with much less of the faffing that I’ve always associated with eco dyes. Great stuff Zsuzsa, I think the slightly early sacrifice of the odd rose is well worth it, so much better than just letting it fall to the ground in a flutter of petals. In a stack, they look remarkably fabric like…did you have to iron or weight them during the drying process?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about this technique before! Your results are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you tried this Zsuzsa, it's such fun and I find it totally addictive! I use an old jam making pan and press the papers between old wall tiles and secure them with rubber bands. They can also be boiled outside with a camping stove so you don't steam up the kitchen. You've got some fabulous results and I'm afraid when I'm eco-dying nothing is safe, I beleive the flowers are happy to sacrifice themselves for immortality in print!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Diana xx #28
What a fantastic way to create papers Zsuzsa and how fabulous they look. No wonder you are hooked. Look forward to seeing what the next sacrificial flower looks like when eco dyed. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #9
ReplyDeleteLittle wonder that you've been eyeing this process for such a long time, Zsuzsa - those papers are so delicious they could be eaten! Wowza!!!
ReplyDeleteHo there Zsusza, thank you for your earlier visit and your kind comments. I am visiting in order this week which is why I am so late! Those papers are awesome but I'm not sure I could go there just yet - definitely on my back burner though! Happy WOYWW, stay well, stay safe, Cindyxx #18
ReplyDeleteI'm running a little late this week... What amazing effects you get with that technique - they look incredible! Not sure whether I have the time or patience for this. Happy belated WOYWW. Take care and stay safe, With love & God bless, Caro xxx (#29)
ReplyDeleteI can see that as a very addictive transformation there Zsusza! fab results and well worth all your efforts - what perfect pages they will make for your books. xx Jo
ReplyDeleteOhmy, what an interesting post this is, I'm tempted to try 'eco dying' now too... LOVE the results!!! Have a nice weekend you beautiful one, hug from Holland! Marit #13
ReplyDeleteOoh Zsuzsa, they are fabulous. There are just so many things to try, aren't there?
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, talking of using carrots for art, you should check out Margaret Molinari (@margarts) on Instagram. She prints onto fabric with found objects (including carrots!) and gets the most amazing results...
Sorry for a late woyww I was sure I'd 'been'! Well your dye-ing turned out brilliantly! I've suddenly remebered, when my eldest daughter was little she loved carrots soooo much, they turned her orange! Happy late woyww ((Lyn)) #6
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