5/16/2014

From the sea


It's been a fine, fine week
filled with many things
that just
make my heart sing


Pebbles were aligned,



tides were watched,
while in between


there was quite a bit of dunking.

I'd dyed a thrift shirt
in honor of my friend's visit


and much like in days of old
watching a photograph come to life
in the darkroom tray,
so too, my shirt's colors
after a dip in the salty brink.
Magic
pure and simple.


Kelp jewelry
and an abundant assortment of seaweed gifts
piled along the shore
inspired an experiment ...
what if they might give color?
Although I live by the sea, I have never tried.



So I waited, mustering patience
while my seaweed bundle
rested for five long days.

This morning, I unwrapped her




and I do believe a treasure trove of possibilities
await.


: : :


My  Friday Find ... joining in with the gang over at Kim's place
to celebrate life's simple pleasures.




30 comments:

  1. haha! a question pondered, now answered!
    I wondered if there was magic in them there seaweeds/kelp. yesssss.

    oh. another question. does Isla not like the water? (and you thought I'd be scraping your brain ;) )

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    1. Jen dear, you are a very perceptive person! Furry one does NOT like to get wet, will jump a puddle any day vs. a tiny bit of damp on her lily white paws. That being said, we did have an amusing time watching her almost be submerged from her own excitement - pair of geese paddled in, taunted her with their close proximity and girlie just about lost it.

      yup, magic EVERYWHERE. Ain't it grand?!

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  2. Interesting results, love the pinky shades, I have a load of dried seaweed waiting to be part of the same experiment, just haven't had the opportunity yet.

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    1. Do please post when the time arrives, Debbie ... curious about dried vs. fresh.

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  3. I really enjoy seeing how so many of you (well actually, not that many of you) create such beauty when you do your own dying. Maybe someday I will be bold and give it a go.

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    1. Oh yes, DO, Jill. Little miracles these bundles of color, but BIG pleasure.
      Write if you have questions - have a book recommendation to send your way as well.

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    2. DyEing. It's a fine distinction, but critical :-)

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  4. The pebbles have aligned and the experiments with sea water and seaweed have indeed produced some amazing results and left you a precious gift. Wonderful.

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    1. One of the best bits - and an added, precious gift - is that I dug the seaweed into the garden when finished. Since no harmful mordants are used in the making, all good in this organic garden!

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  5. Oh my goodness! What wonderful results. Almost like a childhood Christmas when you can unwrap such a gift. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

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    1. Color from flower gardens is one thing - this, from the sea garden, quite another.
      Feeling great excitement about the possibilities, Penny.

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  6. I love your seaweed dyed shirt - the colours are wonderful. In fact all the pics in this post are lovely!

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    1. More dyeing to come on that shirt, I think, Evelyn ... thanks so much.

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  7. Beautiful home, beautiful photos, beautiful pupdog, beautiful seaweed jewelry, beautiful way to dye!

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    1. ... refuse from the shore ... !
      thanx heaps, R.

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  8. I've recently started dyeing with natural produce too, and as I also live by the sea, I think I will also take a basket down to the beach to collect some seaweed for dyeing. Thank you for the idea!

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    Replies
    1. Janice, that's exciting! Please post what happens, if the spirit moves you.
      Which sea are you near?

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  9. Nice, nice results... the sense of peace in your week comes through...

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  10. How lovely to find your beautiful blog via my blog, which is the way of these things, I guess (welcome to mine by the way...). Interestingly, I recognise some names in the commenters above which is how you found me I guess.
    In the early 1970s I lived on Vancouver Island where I had a teaching job. That Pacific coastline is such a delight! We have visited once since and plan to go again someday.

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    1. Many thanks for your visit over here, CS, such a small world amongst the interpixies - one click and whole new world appears even tho someone may have been there a good long time already ...
      I'll be seein' ya ;>]

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  11. Love the picture of dog and beach and the shirt! I tried seaweed several years ago but I forgot about it and it became pretty icky... :)

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    1. ... now THAT would have been one whiffy surprise!

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  12. those stones all lined up make a strong magic

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    1. Can't take the credit for that lineup, Mo ... done by me friend ...
      but I'd say she knows a good deal about making magic ;>]

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  13. I do believe that might just be the toe of my boot....

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  14. I'm a neighbour - on the other side of the Salish Sea - and thank you for the reminder to use our nearby waters for dunking! Such wonderful colours on your thrifty top. Colours from your garden? Magic awaits indeed!

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