The Island Book with India Flint

On the weekend I had the good opportunity (due to a cancellation) of being able to attend a workshop with India Flint at the Aldinga Eco-Village, exploring plant dyeing on paper and a book structure called the Island Book.

In the beginning, there was poetry and chat, thread and tea and blank paper.

Then there was some drawing with your non-dominant hand.  Well, personally, I was so overcome by DRAWING that I used my dominant hand and didn’t remember the non dominant part (and stuck with it when it was mentioned to me–you have heard my confession, friends).

Then there was a mighty lot of embellishing and stitching and some distressing (of the paper and fabric, you understand–no salty tears involved).  There was mud in some cases.  And lunch, never forget lunch. Stone soup!

Then, folding.

Cutting and tearing and demonstration of other book structures.

And then wandering and collecting plants to try out and cooking the books!  Finally, there was gleeful and cheerful wandering out into the world with damp books and our handmade tsunobokuro bags to wrap these or other treasures in. A glorious day all round, with thanks to the lovely Susan, our host and organiser!