Challenge in the Dye Pot

Win some lose some; this time I lost.  Since I'm not an expert dyer who can dye by eye and know how to manipulate recipes, the project didn't turn out as I'd hoped.  Unfortunately that is what usually occurs when there is a specific color wanted.  However, the wool will be used and I'm glad it is toned down some.  The wool on the left side is what I started with and the wools on the right side were the result of using 5 tablespoons of Silo Silver recipe from Vermont Folk Art dye booklet.

Last year I took some of that Scottish wool to Woolley Fox and Barb loved it.  She told me to send a sample to Betsy for her to have it milled.  Barb said it had a real old 'rag' look to it which would give age to a rug.  It was used in my Lion and Trees rug (below) in  a few places.  Since the light threads stood out I'm sure the over dyed wool will be even better to use now. 

But it won't be used for the project I had in mind because I was trying to replicate the color of the other wool to be used as a background.  There just may be enough background wool but it is a better comfort level if you know there is more than enough to do the entire background. 

There are factors which alter the results of a dye project ~ well water will produce a different result that city water.  Locality has an influence as does whether it is a drought or rainy season.  So even tho one may have a wool sample and recipe to go by, you may or may not get the same results depending on your water.

I'm envious of you who can manipulate wool color during the dye process.  My friend Lynne Fowler is one of those people.  And frankly I'm not sure that even if I dyed wool every day that I'd be able to do add a spec or two of another dye to turn the wool to the color desired. 

Oh Deer is just about finished then I'll finish Henny Penny.  What's on your frame?

Have a great weekend.

Saundra

Lion, Ducks, Dog and Air

Yes I totally understand the order of words used in the title but FIRST...let me get to the AIR part.  Thank goodness I am enjoying the luxury of air conditioning and just in the nick of time.  The last couple days has only been in the upper 80's but today exceeded the 90 degree point with elevated humidity so this expensive endeavor feels worth it. Okay, okay......

To the LION.  Since I wanted to take the Lion rug to Cape May for the rug show and departure time is getting close finally HAD to work on the binding.  So here is my beauty.  I never seem to be able to pull the corners just right or stand just right to get the perfect picture.  Oh well... here's the king of the jungle.

Now to the DUCKS.  Perhaps many rug hookers fall in love with their new project and I'm no different.  But there is something about this rug from the very beginning that beckoned me.  As I hooked the last few leaves my initial response was to pull out the loops and hook another color.  But decided to just keep it like it is, wait and decide later.  So this will remain unfinished for a bit longer.  Here is a picture with a flash.

And here is a picture in natural light.

There are a few reasons I'm putting this aside.  One is that I need something to hook while awaiting Bev to come to me for color planning my camp rug so will hook in the background and the other foot of the duck on the right hand side.  The other reason is that I've been commissioned to hook a small rug/mat for someone.  I'd really like to start that here where I can concentrate and have my wool available for color planning.   But won't take it to Cape May.

Okay, NOW to the DOG part.  Now what dog do you THINK I'd be talking about????? That would be my Benny Ben.  My wonderful adopted Rottweiler.  The A/C workers here were not threatened by the big boy but he WAS a menace since he wanted to be their best buddie.  So Mom had to intervene and take him for walks and put him on the back porch from time to time.

But here is my big boy living the good life in a climate controlled home.

I love this boy dog.  He is such a gentle giant; loves people and will run past adults to greet the kids.  This was a very wonderful adoption and I've had him about 11 months now.

Tomorrow is September 1st, which means there are only 8 days and a wake up before I leave for camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAAAAA HOOOOOO.  And, I will go to bed tonight also in a climate controled home..... aaah, Life is Good!!!

OH, I need to buy another LIFE IS GOOD tee shirt when I go to Cape May.  I LOVE the Life is Good tee shirts.

Thanks for stopping by.

Saundra