
The dye pot is a permanent fixture at the top of my driveway.

My friends laugh and ask what I'm brewing.

The giant pot with steam rising from it was once used for frying turkeys.

Now it's used for cooking up magic.

I've used up every single leaf that I pressed last fall. Until the trees yield more, it's eucalyptus.

I've been making books recently too.



Even playing with some new designs. Books that I might be able to produce in less time.

Using papers dyed with last fall's nine bark leaves.

I've bound so many books that the act is almost calming. Satisfying.

Not so much with my metal stamping. Oops!

I've also been making newborn head wraps.

And I've been thrilled to see them modeled on actual newborns! Thank you so much, Ashley Childress at SweetLilPics and Giselle Salazar at Giselle Salazar Photography for the beautiful images! I can't stop looking at them!

I can't stop making head wraps either.

If you're interested, they can be purchased in my freshly stocked Etsy shop.

My Etsy shop is not new. I opened it four years ago. But I never put a single thing in it.

Until now. I'll be adding some books before long. Not nearly as long as it took me to add my first item. Promise.

And I'll be keeping an eye on the next crop of eco-dyeing material emerging in my yard.

Happy spring to you all!
Your books are delightful, and the headbands are gorgeous! thanks for sharing them ~
ReplyDeleteThanks Bobbie, for coming by and for commenting!
DeleteYour books are gorgeous, as are your headbands. Your waple book made me laugh this week when you posted the photo's on your other blog, it's beautifull and so terribly funny at the same time. Love it =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Monique. Your books are gorgeous too!
DeleteThat waple book is small - 2 inches by 3 inches - and I used a 1/16 stamp for the plate. I didn't even NOTICE my mistake until AFTER attaching the plate to the cover, AFTER binding the book. It was looking through my camera's macro lens that I saw my blunder. Sigh. I miss my eyes.
Wow ! Leslie, you're sure cooking up MAGIC in that dye pot of yours !!!
ReplyDeleteGreat book (not my kind of work) and the baby headbeands are sooooo cute !
(with the babies in it ;-) ....)
Thanks, Els! Yes, I love seeing the headbands with babies IN them!
DeleteI want to come to your house!! One day we will get together. Everything is simply GORGEOUS that you make. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe should get together, Linda. We live close enough to each other! Thanks!
Deletei need to take a class from you on making these books .i am loving the fabric .is it wool ?
ReplyDeletegreat post leslie !
That would be great, Kathy! Thanks!
DeleteThe fabric is mostly wool. The second photo is of a section of an old Gap sweater that I picked up at Goodwill for $2 and tore into strips. The third photo is raw silk. The small piece on the left in the top photo is also silk - a small piece of a silk sweater, also found at Goodwill. I will eventually stitch these into pillows or a quilt, or who know!
Such a busy bee! I remember fondly working with you in that garden of yours.
ReplyDeleteI remember that too, Patricia! It was my first experience, and I loved it! (In case you couldn't tell.)
Deleteonce the magic bug bites
ReplyDeletethe dye pot is always cooking
every day
(well almost)
I dye a little...
lovely Leslie!
I don't dye every day, and I can't even say that I dye often enough to warrant leaving the dye pot in the driveway. Nevertheless.
DeleteThanks, eb!
Leslie! Oh, OH what a magical post, so beautiful I can't stand it... (pause while I pour through it again) ... Your designs and colors are lovely, and your newest book "Maple"is a jewel. And the little head wraps. I could go on and on. You are an amazing artist Leslie. I just love how your art muse takes you down different paths, but all so much you in each creation.xoxo roxanne
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, Roxanne! I must admit that I love having my attention drawn in so many different directions. I never get bored!
Deletexo
good for you!! yay! a real shop!! I know it will do very well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cat!
DeleteGlad you put those in, they are so amazing....I love your waple book, very wabi wabi! Do the neighbor's think practical magic is happening at your place? xox
ReplyDeleteThanks, Corrine! I'm not sure what the neighbors think. They do peek over the fence every once in a while!
Deletexo
Leslie, you are making such wonderful creations!! Oh my, those books, and the dyed cloths, and the baby head adornments - I am blown away, such endless beauty!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vanessa! Hope you get your truck!
DeleteLeslie! This is just chock full of yummy! You know how much I love your books, but when I saw your pretty head wraps on IG, I was so intrigued. They are even more beautiful on little heads!
ReplyDeleteIt must feel really good to be using your shop after so long. I've never used mine. Congrats, and all success to you!
xox
Thanks, Chris. I think I've found a happy mix of books, sewing and photography to keep me busy but not bored.
Deletexo
hello there!
ReplyDeletethose leaf prints are just delightful, my eyes can't get enough of them.
Thanks, Monica. I can't seem to get enough of them either!
DeleteThese prints are breathtaking, so unique and so ethernal!
ReplyDeleteI love the textured dye. Just gave me some ideas. Need to look into this asap
ReplyDelete