Fabric prints from bounty of nature 大自然之靈感印染

 

What do you think this? My belief is "less is more". 

Just a few pine lines and euc leaves to make this natural prints on silk.  I made this sample  for the upcoming workshops.

 How about this?  Simple layout of leaves printed on wool blend with shades.

 My friends asked how come I have the time or energy to do lots of creations while I spend some days weekly in hiking and biking. 

Well, I'm too addicted or the passion drives me crazy.  Indeed when I do outdoor activities particularly nature related, my mind is full of ideas and inspiration.

Just last hiking on Lamma Island we went up from one bay to the other with stunning views.

 Within 3 hours easy trails walk, we're on the top........

 with the view of Hong Kong Island.

 The strange looks of rocks are naturally stacked.  This looks like a dog.

 While I passed by the casaurina trees on the island, to my surprise the pine lines are so long as 80cm which I've never seen.  It must be a good find for natural prints.

 Other than hiking I got inspiration with the energetic biking team.  We biked along the sea coast for 50km today.

 Tired?  No, today's weather was fine for the long ride.

 

The panoramic view is gorgeous.

  A bike and boat ride is leisure.  What's more? Wow, found the eucalyptus blown off.  Can't resist to take home for the experiments.

 I recalled my last visit to a friend in Tuscany, Italy.  She lives in the brilliant region with the lined cypress.  Such picturesque view!

 With the ideas of the beautiful nature, just a little pine needles and assorted leaves, I made the placement for the prints on fabrics.

 Here's the outcome.  My simple natural prints on silk.

 

 Layout from the inspiration of Tuscany cypress

Such bounty from nature. 

This is the simple and  basic natural contact prints skills on wool blend.

Want to do this?  My ETSY instant download pdf file has the step-by-step tutorial.

Tuscany theme landscape botanical prints 植物印染掛畫

 On Christmas eve, the oven is cooking a turkey while the other cooker is boiling a bundle of wool flannel.  That's the Tuscany cypress landscape I printed for the Christmas table setting.

平安夜, 火雞待在焗爐, 那邊的煱子烚著我的植物絨布包扎, 兩個多小時加熱, 待乾便車缝完成一副以桉樹葉印染托斯卡尼主題的桌墊或掛畫.

 I used assorted euc and kinds of unknown leaves collected behind my area.  Just love the edge of a pine look.  

 The upper part all of silver dollar eucalyptus and a few needle pines.

 Bottom is of Tuscany cypress theme.  I laid the small branches and barks of eucalyptus.

 Before and after

 So, you can see the shades of leaves but one or two others are not quite strong prints.

 Silver dollar euc are always the most impressive

 A wall hanging   ......            

or a table runner is the Tuscany landscape I wanted.

  

 When I use the brush I can make a bright and colorful  painting.   Why should I bother to take a longer time to boil and wait for the unexpected botanical prints?  That's the bounty of nature !  Whatever it is we appreciate the process.

Tuscany inspired eco printed wool shawl 植物印染羊毛被肩

 

 Thinking of Tuscany, my mind recalled the scenery of lined cypress on the undulating hills.  I used the simple strokes of casaurina and a few rose and euc leaves to make the eco prints on the wool sheet and turned it into shawl-vest. 

意大利托斯卡尼柏樹散佈於鄉野間, 曲折蜿蜒形成優美的景象.

 我以一些桉樹葉, 玫瑰葉及幾條馬尾松以植物印染技巧在羊毛絨上做出我的 "托斯卡尼" 主題被肩背心.

 

 Landscapes of Tuscany is brilliant no matter day and night.  The scenic views around my friend's medieval town Sarteano

 Since returned from Italy a week, I've made a few eco prints and wool felt stuff with the theme of cypress.

 I put the casaurina, rose leaves and assorted euc leaves on wool sheet

 Bundled and boiled in turmeric pot for 1.5 hours then added logwood chips into the pot to make the dye a bit darker yellow.

 Unbundled it...... as expected....

 Let it dry on the floor with sunshine ....... 

We're into fall, quite a crispy day and all dried in no time.

 I cut the wool sheet two arm holes and lined with my dyed silk straps.

 All done in a day

 I dance I wrap myself ........

 My Tuscany dream realised.  I put my feet into the scenic region and got inspired by the brilliant views.  This is the theme of "cypress"  multi- styled shawl.

  

 Slip into arm holes make it a vest

  

  

 Or casual wrap or drape

  

 The tie lines are striking

 Simply a wearable of my "Tuscany dream"

After the shawl prints, another project is in the make.  My plate is full, can't help myself.  Any way a break is need.

Until next time.