Avocado and Onion Skin Dying

A few months ago I experimented with avocado dying and used alum as the mordant.  That is what was recommended in the information I'd read.  This time I'm going to use vinegar to set the color instead of alum and see what, if any difference there is.  And recently on Rughookers Yahoo group there was some chatter and questions about onion skin dying.  So I thought I'd do another experiment and post this link on Rughookers for interested readers to check out.

Of course today's avocado experiment has the variable on how strong the liquid was that I used before and how much wool for the uptake of the color.  However, it is always nice to have different values of the same color so it will be fun to do the dyeing again.

I've gathered a sampling of reclaimed wool, wool that needs a little color boost and some of the same wool previously used in the other avocado dye project for comparison.

Here is some wool that will be used for the avocado dye pot. Bits and pieces of this and that and wanted to see how it might tone down the bright yellow.  The 4th piece from the left is just like what I used for the avocado before.

This is wool that will go in the onion skin dye pot.  Since the dyes look sorta similar in color inside the measuring cup, thought it might be fun to see the difference in the results from like pieces of wool.

This picture blow shows the avocado liquid on the left, which was achieved by cooking a collection of avocado seeds (with skins) which I halved or quartered in a pot of water.  On the right is some onion skin liquid that I pulled out of my freezer from juice saved from a previous simmering of skins which I put in a nylon stocking.

These are 2 cup measuring cups and will start out using just one cup until I see the results and will add more to each pot as I see fit.  I will post a picture of the results when the dying is done.

Sensational Seasonal Swap

I am participating in the fun and rewarding Sensational Seasonal Swap on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers/ .  The rules were that the pieces had to be exactly 8" x 8".  The purpose of that was so if anyone wished to participate in all four seasons they could choose to display just one season at a time, attach all four in a row, or two seasons at the top and two seasons on the bottom. 

In addition to being a quick mat to hook because of it's size, we were also asked to just trim the excess backing off (finish the edges so it wouldn't fray)  and gently tack it to the back so that the recipient could decide later how they wished to display their mats.  So for those who don't like the binding aspect, this was a relatively fun and simple project with great rewards at the end.

Today I received my swap mat from my partner Marci Braun.  Oh wow, am I ever happy happy with my mat.  I know women like her who hook so evenly that the project looks steamed when it is still in the process of being hooked.  I've a friend Bonnie who goes to Woolley Fox who is just like that.  Well, I think Marci's hooking is just the same way.

I know, I know you all want to see the mat and I'll get to that.  But, in addition to the mat she sent some delicious over dyed wool, some Ghiradelli dark chocolate and a very nice hard cover journal which I will take to write special things in when I go to rug camps.  But, my first entry will be for the first of the four seasonal swaps and friends I make along the way.  It will be nice to journal my hooker friendships and special moments.  Okay, here is the mat.

Isn't this cute as the dickens?  There are so many things it says to me.... first, I live in the woods and there are trees in the foreground and background.  There is the comfort of a home where someone is probably hooking in the lighted room, and the Snowman is decorated in Christmas lights and hat to keep him warm in the chill of winter.

I plan to do all 4 seasonal swaps and Marci has set the standard for me to try and achieve for the next 3.  In the event you are considering joining I want to mention it was not a requirement to sign up for all 4 seasons.  And, the swap partners will change so that I won't get Marci for any of the other 3 seasons.  But I definitely plan to participate in the others as this was fun.  So, if you would like to join check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rughookers/ , join and inquire about the seasonal swap because our next one will be due sometime in March I think.