alnus glutinosa

Back in October, we gathered Alnus glutinosa cones, also known as Black/European/Common Alder.

I'm pretty satisfied with what it gave :

It gave nicer (well, stronger) results on the silk & (striped) wool fabrics, obviously. Almost golden, really nice, right ?

I'm not the first one who have used alder cones, Eva & Yuki already did before me. I wanted to give it a try & I did. I would like to do it again, if only there are cones left when we'll be able to spend a day out in nature. Who knows when this will happen ? it's already been such a long while ... well October 05th was the last time actually. So doesn't that sound totally pathetic ? (yes, I think so too, and deeply regret it)

Speaking of dyeing, and of naturally dyed fabrics .... I've been thinking about it all these last days, and I'll be committing for 2012, to do just like I did for 2011, which was not to buy any new fabric. At least not for my shop. I may need to buy some silk for my dyeing experiment or if I want to make something like a duvet cover (you get the idea) which require something specific & in a specific quantity. I respected my commitment in 2011, which I am truly proud of (not blowing any trumpets, just saying & feeling happy about that)

photo taken back in July, at Margie's
... so many unforgettable memories

I am aiming in 2012 to use more & more naturally dyed fabrics (or materials) and to reuse/repurpose a maximum. And of course to use all the ("new", never used) fabrics I've been buying along the years, too. I hope to create a happy, eclectic, original mix of all of these. I'm not pretending to create a style of my own, but well, I hope it'll be something good, with a homey, cozy, warm & lovely feeling to it.