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Post by koffipot on Oct 26, 2013 14:15:22 GMT
I need some alum to use as a mordant - went to the Chemist's and asked if they sold it. The Pharmacist said he hadn't heard of it!!!!! I asked if he had ever studied Chemistry. Now even I remember Alum from first form. Here's the elderberry "brew". The alum will be with me next Weds. via e-bay, then I can get started on my next project. www.flickr.com/photos/koffipot/10493002325/I'm just busy rolling the hems on another scarf, which I dyed yellow, then drew on some stylised poppy shapes with beeswax and tjanting, applied red dye to the poppies and black and purple to the background, some salt to create a stippled finish. The photos aren't great I'm afraid. www.flickr.com/photos/koffipot/10493109615/www.flickr.com/photos/koffipot/10493302173/
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Post by MTRuth on Oct 26, 2013 16:26:38 GMT
The dye pot looks perfect for Halloween. You just need a witch's hat and you are ready. Is the scarf all finished or will you add more layers? I really like the red on the dark background.
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Post by koffipot on Oct 26, 2013 20:12:44 GMT
I think it's finished now Ruth, I've just done the hand rolled hems (hate that job!). Everyone is wearing their poppies just now, as it's Remembrance Sunday in a couple of weeks, so it's very apt.
I did think of laying some thin merino on the back - red on red and black on black - but not sure, can always change my mind later.
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Post by Shepherdess on Oct 27, 2013 0:12:55 GMT
It's lovely Judith, It's perfect for remembrance. Painting silk is another thing I want to learn. I remember doing batik in middle school.
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Post by koffipot on Oct 27, 2013 5:49:45 GMT
Thank you Ann. Silk painting is a fun, though sometimes quite messy thing to do. If I'd known I was going to use the back bedroom as a workroom when we moved here, I wouldn't have had carpet!! Ah well, when the carpet is really badly stained - and it's getting there - we'll replace it with a hard floor!
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Post by zed on Oct 27, 2013 9:19:11 GMT
It's gorgeous, Judith That's funny the pharmacist hadn't heard of alum. I seem to remember there being a lot of mordants on ebay really cheap not so long ago, I was tempted to buy them 'just in case'
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Post by koffipot on Oct 27, 2013 11:54:34 GMT
Thanks zed. The Pharmacist was in his late 20s and told me that yes, he had studied Chemistry, but it was a long time ago!!! It's 50 years since I failed Chemistry with honours! I'm busy stitching up some nui shibori now, to put into my elderberry dyebath - when the alum arrives! Should be an interesting trial all round.
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Post by amanda99 on Oct 27, 2013 19:45:52 GMT
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Post by koffipot on Oct 28, 2013 8:09:51 GMT
Thanks Amanda, I'd forgotten about George Weil.
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Post by zed on Oct 30, 2013 9:05:08 GMT
I loved Chemistry at school, and I'm pretty sure I still remember a lot, I didn't quite fail, but only just scraped a CSE if I remember right, and thought I'd ace it
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