I’ve never been good at precision. I can do it when I must, but I feel like I have spent much of my life longing to more precise, especially when it comes to making things. I look at the carefully placed, sewn and designed items of others and think…why can’t I be more like them? This world we live in values precision, and I have always been a bit random, a bit messy a bit all over the place.

This is why I have found myself falling in love with the “dirty pot” method of botanical printing and dyeing. Even when I try to create a specific design leaves and bark shift as I roll them around the copper or iron pipes or concertina the leaves into a press. It doesn’t matter since every reveal is a wonderful surprise of pattern and unexpected color.

Every dye session is like wrapping up a present and every unwrapping feels like my birthday. I’ve never been good about waiting to open presents and the ability to “gift” myself on the regular with totally surprise combinations feels like a magical power.

Added to this is my love of plants and flowers, just not on my clothing. I don’t think I own one single floral-patterned item of clothing. How wonderful to discover that I can add what I am calling “goth botanicals” to my wardrobe.

I also like scarves, A LOT.

I’m lucky to live somewhere with a plethora of vegetation that produces good prints and so happy that my love of the humble onion extends to golden green hues on fabric.

More to come….