raspberry, tangerine, and a splash of lemon, all I could think of was sunsets. I knew I could create one on paper, but not on fabric.Of course, I was not just late seeing the colors of the week, but also late with my early morning chores, which include watering my herbs and plants each day it doesn't rain.
Before I went outside, I tore a few pieces of fabric, hoping it would kick-start the thought process. Lo and behold, while outside, inspiration actually presented itself in the form of these blackberries. They were ripe for the picking (pun not intended), and ready to help me dye my raspberry inspired fabric.
Wow, this really worked. But I needed it to be just a bit less blackberry and a bit more raspberry for this to work properly.
So it was back to the garden for some not-quite-ripe blackberries to change the color a bit. Then I had to allow it to dry, so I could remove the excess bits of blackberries that were still stuck to the fabric, even after I shook it several times.
It was time to make some of my handmade shimmering mist. I tried to mix several colors that would turn tangerine, and I hope I succeeded.
And just when I thought I was going to have to dye some "splash" of lemon, I found both yellow rick rack and thread.
A few detail shots showing the birds
the flowers 
and how I can't sew a straight line if my life depended on it!
And here is the overall shot one final time, as we close out Summer of Color for another year.As a side note, I was able to visit everyone who linked through noon my time yesterday, but I see I must have missed two people.
I want to thank Kristin, our wonderful leader, for once again hosting Summer of Color. I have been involved with good hosts, and bad hosts, and let me assure you, Kristin is one of the best!! Now please visit her and check out links to others who have participated in this six week summer of fun AND color!!
Great work with the dyeing and how imaginative to go out and find blackberries to use, and very clever to be able to create both raspberry and tangerine. I like your jolly birds playing among the flowers and, as always, loved to watch your process which always makes the finished result so much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteLove that you used blackberries for dye!! I think I would have eaten them instead...blackberries are a weakness of mine. :)
ReplyDeleteCool piece!!!
Elizabeth this is delicious... a fabulous piece.. I love all about it!
ReplyDeleteHappy new week!
Yes, wonderful wine glasses, great colors, great composition!
ReplyDeletecharming piece ~
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea to dye your own fabric with fruit. I failed to do last week, hope to catch up this week...
ReplyDeletemeant to say, I like your wonky sewing!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous work, my hubby said to use real raspberries - I told him my gelli plate probably wouldn't like it!
ReplyDeleteClever you. LOVE the yellow rickrack.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of great relaxing fun to make and it is so pretty :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so inventive - I love how you got the inspiration for this and how you carried it out - looks fab.
ReplyDeleteDelicious (grin) looking art this week. Those berries make me hungry, but they sure made a pretty dye. I like your birds, oh heck, I just like it all......LOL
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll be!
ReplyDeleteClever and lovely!!!
How beautifully creative. I LOVE the process by which you found color and the way you put it all together. It fills my eyes, but not only that--my thoughts. I am inspired. And that is the greatest compliment I can give.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Elizabeth! I really love the end result; both the birds and the flowers and your ric-rac and sewing. It all makes such a lovely piece, and I bet your craft area smelled nice too ;)
ReplyDeleteI wonder what you are going to do with it?
I'm sorry this challenge is over, it has been lots of fun :D
Wow, very creative!! Great job.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, this is another fantastic piece! I'm really loving your dyed fabric. The yellow ric-rac and thread were perfect for your pop of yellow. Enjoyed reading about your process as always.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness!! This is absolutely fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteoh dear Elizabeth you are so very clever at coming up with ways to meet the colors you need in all your projects-this is so beautiful and very creative!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely wonderful! And I've so enjoyed peeking in at your how you work your dye magic. I'm so inspired! (And quite hungry for blackberries).
ReplyDeleteA wonderful process and such an interesting and different piece!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my faves, Elizabeth! Love your berry dyed fabric, cool flowers and birds. Hugs
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Too bad the SOC is over for this year. I still haven't created with the last palette, but want to say thanks for your nice comments on my week 5 post!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I always learn when I visit your blog.This is adorable, my friend! Love all the details!
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative!!! I absolutely love your wonderful art work on fabric. And using raspberries is so imaginative. thank you so much for sharing your talents with all of us these past 6 weeks. And for leaving me such wonderful comments, too. HUGS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW you are amazing!!!! I took the easy literal way out. YOU are a STAR! LOVE xx
ReplyDeleteYou are really making the most of this challenge. Lovely piece, and I love how you've used the stitching to suit the piece itself. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is brilliant! I love the fresh fruit. And thank you so much for your comments - you absolutely made my day! Yours, Kristin xo
ReplyDeleteYou created magic and the perfect colors with those berries and mist! And nothing could be tweeter (Sorry) than birds and flowers!
ReplyDeleteI would have eaten the blackberries as i do love them with some yoghurt or with porridge, so well done you for using them as a dye!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabric piece, love all the different shapes and how you sewed them, i can't do straight lines either lol. The ric rac looks amazing!
Thank you for your comments over the last six weeks, they are always much appreciated :-) xxx
Love it! I picked blackberries today an made jam! Valerie
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed yours posts for this SOC event. Thank you.
ReplyDeletevery creative piece for SOC!
ReplyDeleteAmazing finale to this year's SOC fest. Love all your fabric and dying work. Thanks for visiting mine BJ
ReplyDeleteWow, I would never have thought of using fruit to stain material. Love how you achieved this super final piece for SOC.
ReplyDeleteI say!!! .. What an ART, Elizabeth .. I am so impressed and a bit envy because I would love to be able to do that too.. I live in a flat on third floor with no balcony either :) So I enjoy to come here and see what you done. Sad it is that the SOC weeks are over already but again I know where you are ;) Thank you so much for sharing and for these few weeks to get a glimpse into your world.
ReplyDeleteKind regards ( To Bleubeard as well)
Mariane
http://cordes.re/blg/wind/?p=1301
Oh, what a great idea to use blackberries! Ours are not ripe yet...maybe in a week or two.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, actually using nature's colours in your work. Did you have a sneaky nibble of one or two of those blackberries? Lovely work, and hey who needs straight lines hehe. x
ReplyDeleteOh I love this, especially the little details with the Ric Rac!
ReplyDeleteThis is a marvelous piece of textile art. I too am not great at sewing straight lines, so I don't even try. The messier the stitching is the better that I like it. I have a book on coloring fabric with natural elements, but I haven't tried using berries yet. Thanks for sharing your process and for all your comments on my blog.
ReplyDelete