Flowers of Myddfai

ALPHRA LAVENDERS #5

2010-03-11T02:31:00.001-08:00

ALPHRA LAVENDERS #5
Originally uploaded by AARON_400D

It has been a long and hard few years. All my work has been on stop for so long. I am happy to announce that my daughter is now through Hodgkins and I can at last be free to return to my loves and interests and continue work on this project at last.... slowly begin rev up the engines. lol.

I am looking forward to restarting all of this again... In some ways this period has been very good to come back and look at this with new eyes.

Perfumed garden...

2009-05-03T08:52:00.001-07:00

Perfumed garden...
Originally uploaded by iamkhayyam

Everything has been on hold.

Due to family illness I was unable to even think let alone work on this project.

I am slowly returning to the light and looking forward to taking up the threads and working again on this.

Thanks to all for their patience.

Janita

calculations

2008-06-23T15:27:00.001-07:00

Antique Japan Abacus - Soroban Wooden Calculating Tool
Originally uploaded by softypapa

It has been a while since I have posted although it doesn't mean I have abandoned the project. My life complex as it is often calls me in different directions and I must follow.

During the festival week I created some pot-pourri sashes with essences to see how it would work.. I made some small linen with pure silk linings .. filled them and stitched.. They smelt beautiful and It was a little experiment for the bigger work to come. Not necessarily using the same essences but the same ancient process. Hours later the essences had spilt into the linen making them unsaleable... a good lesson which has me thinking now.

I know how I shall approach this. The next problem is mathematical as I have to work out the height and width of the piece and work out the size of each embroidered botanic so that the piece will hold the 92 authentic botanicals that the physicians used in their healing.. I have figured out I will need to use 8 rows of 10 prob 2 rows of 11 to complete.. The spaces between each machine embroidery has to be calculated and I will use one of my experimental pieces as a guide to the size of the botanics. This will give me a projected overall size of the piece.

I knew this would take time... I am glad I have no time restrictions . I am enjoying the process and how the project is growing organically and naturally.

As far as the background blanketing I am still no nearer in making my decision.. Well a little nearer ... a light went on this evening but I shall see how that will sit.

experimental piece

2008-04-17T09:35:00.001-07:00

花的辐射(Radiating Flower)
Originally uploaded by 山牛映像(Photos by Shan Niu)

After a lot of glitches with the new machine and I am still not out of the woods yet... I have at last begun my experimental piece before launching into the main work.... I am still not 100% on the background colour or thread yet but my decisions are getting closer. I now realise that if I want any chance of getting on with this and cracking on I need to use a thread that will be reliable and consistent in the machine. I have already been breaking needles left right and centre so I really want reliability. The fiddly work and creative embroidery will come with the botanicals.

I knew that this would be slow. But it is moving forward and that is the main thing.

still searching

2008-03-03T03:29:00.001-08:00

wonderment
Originally uploaded by littlelakey

I've had quite a few glitches with the various ideas I have had..

I am still uncertain on exactly what type and what colours of thread I am going to use for the main blanketing of the large piece. One of the insights that I have mulled over now... is that I have some really beautiful specialist artisan dyed threads that takes measurable time to prepare ..... which I don't mind.. but would be best set aside for the floral and plant work. Plus the technique I would have to use on some of the samples would be too thick for what I have in mind.

I am coming round to the opinion that I need a reliable thread that will be problem free for the background colour and shading as there will be a lot of area to cover with the machine... the rare dyed threads from these specialist dyers can be applied for the botanicals.....so with that in mind I am now going over all types of thread to come to a moment when zen happens...

umbrellas and skeins

2008-02-23T01:11:00.001-08:00

Skeins into Balls
Originally uploaded by abalonee

My equipment finally arrived late last week. I had been keeping my sample skeins ready for balling and was eager to begin.

The umbrella is slightly different from the one in this picture and rotates on a base for ease of lifting off onto the ball winder. At first because I had bought the ballwinder on ebay it came with no instructions. It had wool wound round but when I need to wind mine it somehow got lost ! After some emailing to the States and some helpful photos back from Travis it fell into place and I was off! The sample skeins are wound ready for the next stage which is the experimental piece...

I am preparing myself as I have to get into a mind set before I sit down... I like to be calm and focused and need peace and quiet so that all attention is on what I am doing. Still waiting from the dyers in North Wales for some samples ... but I have a possible great supplier in the US who have been very quick and helpful . I would like to incorporate them both for this project..

collecting balm

2008-01-17T17:26:00.001-08:00

I found a window space between all the rains that Wales has been inundated with this month and took the car up to the Gardens to meet up with Kristina to collect the raw material for which she had dried and stored for me at the Botanic Gardens.

My there was a goodly lot. I am so grateful.! Kristina during the course of last year when she was cutting back would pick up and dry and store in various places.

When I arrived and parked it took me a while to find her.. I went to reception, then up to the offices who tried to contact her on the walkie talkie ... it was then suggested that I go to the oust house? (not sure of the name) on the other side of the apothecary gardens. I walked through the dried river like beds and up around the garden behind the botanical cinema (which is amazing) and finally up into the house... I spoke to another gardener who again tried her on the walkie talkie and then suggested she might be upstairs in the offices... climbing up the narrow wooden stairway and under an eve and there she was.. it was great to see her again.

We talked away about news in the garden and the project as we were collecting ... then took them to my car and piled it up in the back of the terios. Decided to go for a hot drink at the cafeteria and chatted away some more .

I Climbed back into the car as twilight was beginning to change the light... enjoyed a different and much easier route home (thanks to Kristina) and the balm has been in my car drying out even more....

Mina has promised to help me crumble and store the herb as it is lying now waiting for attention.

off I go

2008-01-07T11:26:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone.... Off I go...

I am starting the project. After a year of thinking, rusing , cogitating. (and still LOL).... there is enough decisions for me to make a start..
I feel elated excited and as this picture conveys taking me off to new skies.......

Off in the next couple of days to collect the raw material that Kristina has so kindly been keeping for me.... But that side will be forming later....

Sending off for more samples of thread... I am just hoping there will be enough for me as this is very special hand dyed and the dyer is retiring :-( so I will have to try and calculate how much I will need and check if there is enough left in her stock for the project . otherwise... could create problems..

As thoughts turn to Autumn

2007-09-30T05:30:00.001-07:00

As thoughts turn now to Autumn, am now thinking about the dried material I collected from the Botanic Gardens.

Kristina contacted me to say there is more but was going away so I must make contact again, she will be back now. I have crumbled what Melissa I have and stored it in a cool dark cupboard waiting for the next process which will be to add dry and wet fixative.... and of course more dried raw material... I am going to need alot!

I have been thinking much this summer on the project on and off.. ie what is the shape, what is the background colour how am I going to approach the construction of the piece... all work in progress. Answers are beginning to at last arrive and settle which for me is a good sign, they are the right ones for this... Still technical issues to iron out, next is putting these thoughts onto paper... not too much or I will get bored. More a silhouette a blueprint for me to build on. Nothing is worse when everything is worked out ,there is no artistic freedom to move and change which I feel is key to keep this vibrant and alive...

Dore Abbey / the concert and perfume

2007-06-11T11:05:00.001-07:00

Dore Abbey

Jeminas school held its annual music concert yesterday at Dore Abbey in the Golden Valley Herefordshire.

The Abbey is very beautiful inside and out. It lies in the heart of the Golden Valley. The Abbey was built in the 12th century 1147 to be exact and thus why I chose the piece for the girls to learn and sing. I thought it would be heavenly as the piece is the same age as the Abbey, I felt it would suit... it did. They sang the latin beautifully and the ornamentation in the melody was meticulously executed and beautiful high and ethereal. The piece was Hildegard von Bingens 'Columbe Aspexit'.

The weather was warm and clammy but inside the Abbey was cool and calming. Watching the rehearsal I sat near a rather beautiful flower display. As the music poured through the Abbey wafts of incredibly beautiful natural perfume from the flowers filtered the air in a blend of delicious redolence. Lilies, dogroses, stock, peonae wafted past my nostrils in tantalising sweet keen odour It was bliss. Staring up at the ancient wall paintings, and stained glass a feeling of deep happiness and peace held me.

My finest singer took the solo in Pie Jesu from and expt from Faures Requiem. I have been teaching her since Year 6 when she was just 12 . Her voice was pure strong and just beautiful. Tears came to my eyes. I was so proud of her and what she has achieved. Not to mention the fact she had just finished walking 16 kilometers that day to get her Duke of Edinburgh Award! This was her first coming out and all her family were there. She was so nervous and sought me out as soon as she arrived. I took her out into the field with Aimee and warmed them up and the let them sing the mediaeval piece then her solo. By then she had calmed down. Walking back to the Abbey I quietly spoke to her giving help ......

One of Mr E's best I think......Wonderful concert ..... well attended and beautfifully played by all.

Visited Myddfai on my birthday at last

2007-05-09T07:47:00.001-07:00

Today is my birthday....... David asked what I wanted to do and I said I would like to visit Myddfai. I have been wanting to go for quite some time but somehow have never managed.

We drove up into the hills and soon came into the one road that services Myddfai with a few lanes surrounding.... We parked by the centre which is splendidly unassuming complete with a little herb garden of lemon balm and borage ...and walked into the the little room plainly adorned apart from some white tiles on the wall that had been painted with the Myddfai healing plants. Next to it were various pictures of the Prince of Wales who had visited in March 2007. and a notepad asking for locals to put down which photos they would like copies of...

We carried on up the road. The main impression is that how the church stands proudly in the centre and the houses circle round it. Reminded me of how Dorstone was when we first moved down into the Golden Valley and how untouched it was.

I went inside the church not before I notice a beautiful red peony just outside one of the windows. It smelt so light delicate and petal like.... a beautiful perfume... Inside, again , humble, very unassuming with a sweet exhibition of locals who had made stained glass window pictures which include the lady of the lake and the physicians table... you could plug in and there were lights behind so one could see the glass illuminated.....absolutely charming....

We wandered up and down and I found a cottage for sale just one up and one down like my one I used to own in Holmfirth... I said that if I had the money I would have bought it and used it to work up there.. It was beautiful with a splendid view of the mountain to the rear garden. Later we went down to Llandovery and found the details where an offer had been made on it. I popped into the information centre and delightedly picked up a translation of the Physicians text in the Red Hergest Book.... just what I have been looking for.

We drove up to Llan-y-Fan-Fach and walked part way up to the lake. We had begun to run out of time.... if was drizzling fine rain but all the same very invigorating. It has been wonderful to help me consider .... I am no longer going to make a needle more a standing stone with the healing plants on now.... it feels right..... see how this idea develops now...

Came home to a post from Kristina from the Gardens and wanting to know if we still wanted to do the guided walk up there.... how timely...

I hope to take the girls up there again this weekend now I know my way about a bit more so Mina can take photos for me....

a wonderful day

2007-05-02T16:01:00.001-07:00

07 091 National Botanic Garden of Wales
Originally uploaded by Nicole_Daily.

I was at the Botanic Gardens yesterday for the opening of Medicines in
May. It was a beautiful day, the botanical drawings in the Gallery
were lovely, the spread of welsh cheeses, crackers and fruit was perfect.
Speeches from the New Director was made and I had a wonderful
conversation with Kristina Patmore who has created the Apothecary Garden
there.... Later I enjoyed a guided tour and talk of the Apothecary Gardens and
enjoyed talking with Gareth a historian authority on medicinal plants.

I strolled throught the wonderful apothecary shop which they have
lovingly re-created there and enjoyed peeking into the glass shelves and
much to my delight saw moulds for original I think cachous....... and
how they were made and the medicinal powders held inside. The outer
casing which was made of rice paper would be moulded then the next the
same moulded type after the powders fitted inside would be gently sealed
with water (I think it was water)....... the Apothecary shop was just
how one imagines it would be with spice drawers opening.... antique
bottles including poison on the shelves....and just outside a touch and see
about the myth and legend of the Physicians of Myddfai.

I shall be going up to Myddfai as my wish for my birthday coming up
on the 9th. I want to take in the area and look at insect and birdlife
up there. I will be going later in the month on a walk with Kristina
from the Gardens and another who is putting together a walk up to the
Llyn - y- fan - fach who is a medical herbalist........ and others. It
is quite a hike apparently and I will see the lake......plus plant
life......

Kristina left me with 4 huge piles of lemon balm which is drying
.......from the Garden.... The Myddfai section of the garden is
particularly lovely. The woodruff was out....and many plants growing happily.....
interestingly enough geranium robert which technically speaking has no
scent when curiously I rubbed the leaf it gave off a musty dusty almost
tobaccoey scent.

viola riviniana : -dog or wood violet

2007-04-02T15:44:00.001-07:00

Viola riviana : : Skogsviol : : Common dog-violet
Originally uploaded by northofsweden.

well I seem to have had a complete block on this one and became involved with the viola odorata on my walk. I should have consulted the authoritive list as when I consulted with Kristina Patmore at the Botanic Garden in Wales she informed me that this is the plant the physicians used and not the odorata.... This little wild dog violet has no smell but I am happy to comply..... I plan to use this little flower on one of the panels borders.

Kristina was also very sweet in that she said that the early writings could be taken in different ways..... but I wish to stick with authenticity... ah human error ..... but it is good to rectify... I am removing the odorata from the log now..... not in disrespect but to continue the natural flow of things.

teething

2007-03-22T10:42:00.001-07:00

I sat down at the machine this afternoon and set her up for free machining. Placed the quilting foot and rethread bobbin. The bobbin , a red thread was a lighter than the top which technically should be the other way round but I reversed my canvas and she whizzied along very nicely. It was excellent having the paintbrush control effect again.

However, I started to get a few clogging problems when I forgot a few things. I don't think it is serious just have to remember. Usually when something goes wrong it is the sewers fault and it is a matter of going through the procedures systematically.

The machine is exceptionally fast which for me is fantastic as I have a lot of blanket cover work in threads and this will make the task quicker and easier for me.

My next sampling on the machine is to see how it really copes with multi layering , gold and silver and fine detail work.... will keep y'all posted.
I will post up samples when complete.....to both group and here.

bellis perennis

2007-03-22T06:28:00.001-07:00

fragaria vesca

2007-03-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

. Fragaria vesca or the wild strawberry is one of the 92 authenticated
plants listed by Prof Turner as being used by The Physicians of Myddfai.

At present I am collating the photographs looking at the plants. The next stage of research is looking at how these plants or plant were used in the physicians pharmacopaea's formulaes.

In the front of our Barn where I transferred many old perfumed roses, set underneath their canopy, is a ground cover of wild strawberries. The birds love them .....

I will add more to each plant as I uncover their virtues and healing in this project.

fennel

2007-03-15T17:31:00.001-07:00

From the medieval times when it was hung over doors on Midsummers Eve to ward off witches and evil spirits , Fennel has been culitivated in the MIddle East, India and China for thousands of years for its culnary and medicinal properties. The name is derived from latin foenum meaning 'hay' and the oil contains coumarin and its sweet delicate aroma resembles aniseed. For perfumery it is used in herbaceous formulas . This one from profumo.it is clean sweet delicate and aniseedic...what I love about salaam's oils is their true to character with no extra unusual untrue notes.... what you get is the plant in all its spirit.

crocus sativus

2007-03-15T17:01:00.001-07:00

I love the fact that plants not only can give perfume in essential oil and absolute but some also give dye to colour clothing and food. Saffron creates beautiful yellow hues. Saffron is expensive and is used in gourmand and eastern cooking as well as perfumery. I have been playing around with natural dyes for many years.. I enjoyed weekend courses on the banks of the River Wye simmering local plants and dyeing premordanted fabrics of cotton, silk and wool to create a range of natural colours that are just beautiful. I incorporate this in my packaging of my perfumes and will continue to do so as this is my blueprint my thumbmark. Saffron absolute is derived from the dried stigmas and styles tops of the saffron Crocus (crocus sativas) = C. officinalis). Some 60 to 70 thousand flowers are required to produce 1lb of saffron powder. It wa cultivated in Crete in Minoan times and was popular in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, appearing as an ingredient in many famous perfumes of the day... providing a very rich, distinctive and slightly earthy note. The main constituent is Safranol. The Arabs to whom it was one of the most important of all perfume materials, introduced its cultivation to Europe in the 7th century. By the 16th century English Saffron was considered the finest in the world being grown around Saffron Walden.

taking the plunge

2007-03-15T16:46:00.001-07:00

sewing machine
Originally uploaded by rich the asian man.

. Well after being totally in awe of her for nearly a week now... much to humourous delight by all...... I read the pamphlet oiled her up.... and paced around...

Today I took the plunge...... she is fast!!!!!! The spool was wound in seconds! The threading is a little different from what I am used to but the real fun was trying to use the automatic needle threader.... well I couldn't get it! and because I just wanted to see what she could do shelved that for another day.

It is very earlier days as at the moment I have just tried the straight stitch taking her up to the 6mm..... beautiful stitch put the pedal to the floor and she flew in my hands....... and reveresed her back up...all on painters canvas and a fairly thick cotton .....

I will continue gently now next using a thicker thread on the bottom and reversing my fabric so I shall be working from the back. and using the quilting foot as well as no foot to see how we go.... alot to try out before I start ....... this will take quite a few hours before I feel as comfortable as I do with my brother but there is no doubt she is a thoroughbred, perfect for me.

threads and woodruff

2007-03-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

I Have continued thoughts and plans and samples on the machine. I am still unsure of the background colouration and what weight of threads to use. I am playing with a red background today and applied the beginnings of Galium odoratum (woodruff) ... fragrant flowered herb with whorls of lanceolate leaves and creamy star shape flowers. Interesting to note is that several species of this plant are used to curdle milk in cheese-making. I am using a heavier weight cotton and threads and am unsure at present how it shall develop. I liked the way I did the digitalis sampler that is on the NP group photos but I feel I need to explore fully different techniques until something clicks. These samples are all work in progress and will define the movement of the project. Finally back on internet so can catch up with NP group and continue working on this so I can post it up. Havn't felt like blending today although I still think about it and work things out in my head. There is a dusting of snow on the mountains and a cold north wind....brrrr.

The story of the physicians of Myddfai

2007-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

January 12 2007 The Physicians of Myddfai It was another spring morning and the farmer of Blaensawdde was watching his flocks on the shores of Llyn-y-Fan Fach on the slopes of the Black Mountain. As the first rays of sunlight hit the shimmering waters there was a strange rippling on the surface of the lake and then he saw, sitting on a small rock the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The farmer gave his heart ..... he could think of only to share his barley bread but with a smile she refused Cras dy fara Hard baked is thy bread Nid hawdd fy nala It is not easy to catch me With that there came a gentle breeze and as the waters on the lake rippled the sun glinted. For a moment he was blinded and as he looked again there was no rock and no maiden.... Twice more he came to the lake and twice more he was refused in the same manner. The third time he waited all day until the day cooled as the sun dropped from the western sky.... One by one the stars appeared mirrored on the lake ..... he felt despair.. with a sigh he threw the bread onto the water. " I have no gold, silver or riches to offer thee, just the bread grown by my own hands from the rich earth. It is all I have to offer , save myself which is yours forever". and threw the last bit of bread into the water as the moon rose over the mountain tops and laid a cold light over the broken waters. He turned to give one last look and there standing on the lakeside was the lady of Llyn-y- Fan laughing gaily.... " Truly I will have you for you offer as much s any true man many. But, beware, if you strike me three causeless blows no matter how gentle I will return to the lake and never more be with you..." They were married and three sons were born...........sadly, three causeless blows were struck by the husband on three occasions which on the last occasion the faerie lady returned to the lake from whence she came. Their sons grew strong and wise and it was the fairy blood still flowed through their veins for they succeeded in all that they turned their hands to. It is said that had they chosen they could have become the richest and most powerful men in all Wales, but they had other purposes and turned instead to healing. Maybe it was the fairy blood within them, and maybe their mother visited oft-times to give them advice, for their herbs and remedies were renowned. They were the first of a long line of physicians. excerpts from Lancaster University Alan Dix edited by Janita Haan Morris sourced from Myths & Legends of Wales by Tony Roberts Welsh Legends and Folk Tales by Gwen Jones note: The 14th century manuscripts that survive show the physicians access to European medical writing of their day as well as their sophisticated use of plant medicines.

Flowers of Myddfai

2007-03-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

There is much interest in this, so I have decided to create a daughter to Janita's Attar, dedicated only to this particular project 'Flowers of Myddfai'. I feel you can follow the development, the story the decisions, travels, the photos that belong to this fascinating story about the Physicians of Myddfai.... I have chosen to call it Flowers of.... as I am working with embroidery, natural perfume using the authenticated list from Professor Turner of the herbs and flowers used by the Physicians, to create something to be enjoyed for many many years to come and hopefully long after I am gone.

I hope you will share this journey with me so please comment about anything you may find here.

Janita