India Flint made a lovely vision wandering the garden in the early hours of a clear, blue Thursday morning, preparing for the busy day ahead. Each time she passed the window (as I kneaded the day’s bread), she seemed to have discovered yet another collection of delights – from the creek, the paddock, the garden; and so armfuls of leaves and flowers were carried to the big table in the Dairy for all the fun ahead.
It wasn’t long before we were joined by our excited group of participants and the best part of that cake was demolished before the morning session of stitching, stories, teaching and learning got underway.
Then it was off to scout for more specimens and the group went off in all directions to collect….before completing and bundling their work and re-grouping in the paddock…
where India worked hard to stoke up the remains of our annual bonfire…
There was lunch in the loggia before the thrill of unfurling the first of the morning’s work – the silk pouches (to ultimately contain the wraps that were still simmering away in the paddock).
A sense of excitement mixed with concentration and expectation hung in the air as parcels were carefully unwrapped to reveal spectacular colour and pattern….
Each piece was entirely different and hung on an olive branch to dry…
while we wandered back to the big cauldrons smouldering in the eucalypt clearing….
And here is what they contained…
Bundles of lovingly wrapped lengths of wool, pressed with botanical finds.
Each bundle was patiently untied to reveal….
As lengths of fabric were unfurled, the ground was littered with a colourful confetti of leaves that had yielded their magic and the scent of eucalypt swirled all around.
The post & rail fence was adorned with everyone’s work for a photo opportunity….
Before the day came to a close in a wave of golden light.
India promises to return again next year, when a favourable breeze blows her in this direction….
She’s even left one of her cauldrons here (on purpose!), so watch this space if you’d like to join in a repeat performance of this special day next time ’round, and be ready to pounce – the list is already long….