Fungi, cabbages and kings, the pickers, that is.

 Yesterday's walk was largely about fungi

I thought at first this was a flattened baseball

Top, looking fairly  inconspicuous, then the reveal

the gills underneath. Such wonderful design in nature.

Where those tomato vines were thrown into the trees which I foraged, a brave little volunteer. I must remember to check next year for picking.

On the subject of food, and rising prices, here's why I will always support the farmworkers

Back breaking incessant work, and no benefit from higher prices at the end of the chain. I always thank them with a prayer when I unbox my Misfits, because they feed me.

The wall hanging is in rough draft, pinned onto a backing of unbleached muslin, and is now on the wall, so I can see it over a couple of days, move pieces around and start stitching again. 

I tried several overlay ideas, didn't like any of them, so I think the open areas will be many colors of sashiko stitching instead. That seems to be more harmonious. I'll save the overlay idea for another future piece. I think I've been influenced for the good by that kantha work I showed you recently.

And, in keeping with  my long-standing support of MoveOn, here's the latest sticker, supporting library staff besieged by book bans.  This is on the fridge,  and my Twitter and Spoutible accounts.

Happy day, everyone, read a book, and, to the library folk among our blogistas, go you!

Nalbinding and what happened next

 I got interested in nalbinding, after looking at sprang, which is a netting idea. Nalbinding is sn ancient Scandinavian textile form, related to knitting and crochet but done with a single large big-eyed needle .

In the course of doing that,  I noticed Sally Pointer was using her own natural cordage, string to me, so of course before doing sprang or nalbinding I thought I'd learn to make my own thread to use 

 Like spinning your own yarn, always more fun to make rather than buy. Also I can always use string for houseplants and outside.

And I found another maker showing how to make cordage from daylily foliage, of which I have plenty waiting to be tidied up.

In previous years I've converted daylily and iris foliage into hand made paper. This year it's string.

Up shortly after dawn, can't sleep well anyway propped up to protect my eye, I thought the heck with my shoulder, I can just do a bit of making or I'll perish from the need to make.

Out at five, still cool, and there's a supply right at the step. 

Already pre damped by the sprinkler, ready to go.

Pausing only to appreciate the Russian sage coming out with the last of the daylilies and the first of the brown eyed susans

I gathered up an armful of daylily foliage 

Separated out the green ones, split them and put them on the deck to dry out

Then started learning to make string.

And here's my first try, with two joins, so as to have a continuous length. It's bumpy beginner work but strong . 

Now I'm thinking of making a supply and dyeing it with some of the natural dyes I have in the freezer, so as to use it for a coiled basket kibd of container. 

What fun, all before breakfast. Temps will be high again today so I had to get out early to do this. Very happy despite whining shoulder.

Yesterday more kitchen table politics. Here's MoveOn's new sticker, now on my front door to greet anyone who comes.

Old, but not done yet!

Happy day everyone, keep hope alive. Si, se puede! And support Ukraine. Slava Ukraine! Home and abroad, it's all about freedom.