unboring brown...

the original photo posted by Sandy... 'transformed' in photoshop...

brown seed head

While looking for some of the spring colour, I couldn't resist adding this seed head which has given it's own decoration through the winter.

Not-So-Boring Brown

Brown was once one of my least favorite colors.  It was just so... blah.  And then suddenly, a few years ago, I suddenly found myself slowly developing a liking for it.  I don't know why.  I don't know what sparked it.  Maybe an appreciation for the less "exciting" colors is something that comes with age.  Perhaps it is a sign that I have matured.  

Whatever the reason, I like brown.  It's such a versatile color.  It can be rich and enticing, like chocolate.  Or warm and inviting, like a cup of tea.  It can be sturdy like oak or deep like mahogany.  But brown always makes me think of things that are earthy and natural - trees, fallen leaves, acorns, squirrels...  The bracelet above is an homage to all those things and my ode to (un)boring brown.

UnBoring Brown - Washi screen

I love Japanese Washi paper. Whatever dominant color you chose, it's going to be exciting, even browns. I recently finished a "To Do" book last month called "Brown Blossoms." You can see the book over in my Etsy shop or at 1000markets (yes, it's the same one.) I thought I'd enlarge some parts of the book cover, and make a Japanese screen. Picassa is good for collages and such, if you've never used it before. It's free photo software from Google, though I have to admit, I wish I had Photoshop at home.

(un)Boring Brown

"(un)Boring Brown" to you? It certainly was to me - I had great fun creating this small quilted piece of work.
My starting point was a photo found doing a search for images of chocolates which I know is an obvious choice of brown this close to 14th Feb. but it was the first thing that I thought of when I saw the idea. I can't post the photo due to copyright but it was a box of beautiful pralines in frilly paper cases.
After various thoughts on how to interpret this I decided it was too boring just manipulating it in GIMP I wanted to create something. Lots of mulling over later (which included rick-rack, yo-yo's, pinking shears etc.) I became very minimalist (especially because my brown fabric stash is virtually non-existing whereas my button collection is huge) so went down the button route and had a great time rummaging.
No chocolates were harmed during this exercise and no calories added either!
Hope you enjoy!

(Un) Boring brown

This is one of those photographs that people look at you and wonder why you are taking it. 

walnut-brown

all those browns in one piece of silk are so lively - the colour is made by walnuthuls together with some other natural materials. For me brown is the favourite colour to wear and to work with. Brown softens, brown is down to earth, brown is yummie!

unboring brown

I must admit that this is a sample from a couple of years ago but it is brown cross stitch but hopefully not boring :-)

Brown is full of texture

Exciting Brown

I am so pleased that you have chosen this topic. Yesterday, I felt a little sad for a blog friend who posted that one of her friends had compared the natural colours that she achieved using eco dyes to nicotine stains. Personally, when I see the products of natural dyes, I love them so much that I want to do the same things myself.

The first picture is a piece of silk that a friend sent to me. It has been dyed with chestnut leaves and natural dyes. Next to it is the natural colour of Vicuna, fibre of the gods (collected without cruelty). The first picture inspired me to make the nuno felted scarf in the second picture in honour of the New Year for the Trees (Tu Bishvat) which was on Saturday. Trees and their bark hold so much brown and are amongst the most inspirational things I know of.

(un)Boring Brown

The year hasn't begun to show off all the colours yet, so I thought we'd do brown. Sometimes it seems boring, but when you think about it in nature, it plays a strong supporting role. Feathers, fur, skin, rocks, earth, wood, and so on. In the kitchen things look so much better if they have been "browned" to perfection. And then there is coffee, tea, and don't forget chocolate!

So, what can you show to prove Brown is Not Boring?

Here are some exciting carved beasties from the choir stalls in a Victorian Gothic Style church in Leeds.