Prayers to Pluto

Today I started planting for spring! Last spring I ordered some Black Devil Pansy seeds from Alchemy Works http://www.alchemy-works.com/viola_x_wittrockiana.html , or Viola x Wittrockiana. I became interested in them for their use in rain and love magic, but most notably for their relationship to Pluto. In flower language pansies mean "think of me." I didn't get them planted in time last year, but this year I've started all 20 seeds, so hopefully they will germinate!

 
Last year I did manage to grow the California Poppies http://www.alchemy-works.com/eschscholzia_californica.html . I made some blog posts documenting their progress.

Appliqué

Pink triangles for a skirt that I've started cutting out fabric for. My plan is to sew them on using the appliqué technique. The technique, taken from the french word appliquer meaning to cover up, was originally used to cover up holes or tears in clothing or other pieces of usable fabric. Gradually it came to become used for artistic effect. 

Appliqué on a Turkish Whirling Dervish cotton dress.

House of Dior (French, founded 1947), Christian Dior (French, 1905–1957). “Venus” Dress, autumn/winter 1949–50, Haute Couture. Machine–sewn, hand–finished gray silk taffeta and tulle; hand–applique of gray silk tulle and horsehair petals, hand–embroidered with opalescent, gold, and silver gelatin sequins, feather paillettes, synthetic pearls, and clear crystals. Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope. Via the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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