darker?

aug 6

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For no reason I can discern, the indigo vat is working better today. I don't know if it is threatening to modify it or ignoring it because of the heat, or even the heat? But things dipped today are definitely a much deeper color, which is making me happy.

I experimented with a sashiko pattern but it is kind of lumpy. I should draw it out better, and possibly also look up some others.

So, tomorrow, before I try new fabric in the indigo vat I shall threaten to ignore it for longer…

thicker white thread

aug 5

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White thread on indigo makes me think of sashiko (not sashimi!) the Japanese mending and reinforcing stitch that has become an artform all its own. It is done by hand rather than machine, although I saw a dedicated machine last week that only emulates it.

I'm waiting on more indigo so I can rebalance the vat and get darker colors. In the meantime, I'm putting some different resists to see what among the easily available things in the house works.

Northampton on a Saturday

Northampton on a Saturday

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Walked w/Kate, sushi for lunch, HOTHOTHOT and hazy and dreadful, I am cowering in the air conditioning wishing I could make my room cooler. It will get better soon.

I tried to get more indigo at the art store but they were out and dubious about their ability to get more soon. So I ordered some stuff from Dharma Trading and it will be here on Tuesday because they really rock.

indigo starts here!

aug 1

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I started the indigo vat this afternoon. It is a lumpy, smelly chemical process even with a kit full of pre-measured and ready-mixed chemicals. I'm not entirely sure I'm doing it correctly, but some things have come out blue, so that is a good start.

This heart was unplanned serendipity, so I started here.

goofing with the bees

july 31

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I think this one is for Audrey – she who keeps bees and is (still, I think) obsessed with hexagons. The nut I had stubbed my toe on in the kitchen was hexagonal, so I was using it to blot paint off the plate, until I realized it had paint on it and I could transfer that onto another plate… So I did. Hence, hexagon. So to speak.

I sand with the Sacred Harp group again tonight. Last week I felt like I had a grip, this week I was seated next to a dubious person, and we were flailing more. It makes me wonder if my dad might come. The sight reading and the harmony might make him happy.