First there was a walk home from a distant railway station. Cotinus (smoke bush) growing through a fence….
Then there was a walk home from a bus stop on a major road further from home than the one I usually use. And the amazing discovery of a HUGE maple with finely ferny leaves. Hanging over a high fence.
Well. It was only a matter of time… a recycled linen shirt and a wool scarf…
A couple of bundles…
I love the transformation!
Some of the maple leaves came out pale. 
Those closest to the iron at the centre of the bundle…
Perhaps I chose the wrong side of the cotinus as the one likely to give colour, because…
And the scarf, mmmm!
This one is destined to become a birthday gift.
Local & Bespoke 
What gorgeous prints and colours. I learn so much from your blog. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!
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Thanks, Kylie!
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Lovely results – I don’t think we have that plant so the results were a real suprise to me.
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I had seen others using this plant but I am still as amazed by that purple as I was the first time! I really wish I could get it to grow, but so far too shady.
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oooooooh…last fall I planted a cotinus sprig from a plant exchange and it has grown quite nicely. Maybe by next summer it will have some bits to spare…Love the deep purple outlining the leaf edges.
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It’s pretty, isn’t it? I hope your plant grows and thrives!
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Love this blog! Will now reearch cottons so I know if I can find it in WA. Thanks!
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Fingers crossed, Margaret! Thank you.
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when in doubt, assume that leaves will print from the underside, whereas (curiously) most flowers tend to print from the top
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Hello and thank you! That is what I thought I remembered and what I tried to do. So either… I misread the leaf… or it didn’t print much in any case but the flowery parts did, thus the halo. Or something else that I can’t yet picture has happened. I have not tried enough flowers to know about them so that’s a wonderful tip, and I’ll keep experimenting with this plant which I rather enjoy. Thanks for your wisdom as ever.
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Oh wow! those colours! Gorgeous 🙂
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Thanks, Lucy!
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