Frozen plant material from Blackwell's formal gardens all gathered in late October: Black eyed Susan, Lace Hydrangea, Sage, Oak leaves, Cat Mint and more plus berries (blackberries, elderberries, sloes) from the hedgerows of South Cumbria and a few old keys and rusty nails. Bundled and steamed they produced a good range of vibrant pinks, purples and natural tones on muslin samples.The bundle dye workshop was the first of four workshops producing work considering the arts and

I'd forgotten how gregarious Autumn can be - the last party before the quiet of winter. Last week I was in Wales and collected acorns and bracken for a dye workshop. Combined with rain water and heated for an hour they produced mild brownish tones. I also came back from a visit to Blackwell in Windermere with a bucket of cat-mint thanks to their gardener - this may or may not produce a yellow if I use an aluminium pan... The smaller jar is a thick, tannin-rich acorn dye and m