Looking up

outside layers peel... old leaves fall... dead wood drops....

blossoms burst out, new shoots form, growth begins,

it all happened when i wasn't looking...

What did make it into the dye pot...

...got a lovely rusty orange colour brewing up weeping cherry leaves ...
fabric left in overnight on top the fire place, keeping the just below simmering.

India's words tattooed in my brain "Time is your friend".

and a deep purply charcoal from the bark in a cast iron pot... dyed over night.

This became a really thick rich dye, i keep replentishing it and re-using it

What didnt go in the dye pot...

...this moss has been growing on the roof of dads shed for years, it looks like tiny mountains...

very tempted to boil it up and see what colour it gives... but resisted... had to touch and explore ..... so velvety and soft.

A cluster of mini mushies...

fly agaric - Amanita muscaria

The mad monk tells me he boils them and eats them, the 'Fly' in fly agaric comes from the sensation of flying or delirium when ingested... Celtic druids, Indians, cultures from all over the planet have used them in some form in spiritual ceremonies.... witches and warlocks brewed them up to make a flying potion....

they do evoke a sense fairy like wonderment...

India Flint workshop

A little bit of this, and a pinch of that...

sprinkled lovingly on a merino felt ...

incantations whispered over a bubbling pot...

a wriggle and flick of the willow stick .... Majic!

While i was off on my adventure at India's workshop, i stayed with two lovely ladies, also students, at the backpackers in Warrnambool... and at night i would dream of pots bubbling away, full and overflowing with flowers and petals and leaves, and the incredible array of colours... i couldnt wait to get into class the following day and play .... weeks later... and im still having the dreams, i wake up smiling.... with that same anticipation, and need to go and play and explore some more... Thankyou India