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Friday, May 13, 2011

One More Try - Harvesting Color Giveaway

Hi Knitters,
I am so disappointed right now in Blogger (the host site of this blog). After I posted an extensive review of Harvesting Color, Blogger went down. There were around 50 comments/entries to win a copy of the book.

I also had a review of two important events coming up within the next week or so.

This afternoon Blogger began working again. The entire post has vanished including all of the comments to win the book. So...... here I am again with no time to rewrite the entire post from yesterday.

Quickly then, tomorrow, May 14th, 2011, I am teaching a class at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison (it's on Mineral Point Rd.) from 1-3pm. I am not sure but there were a few remaining spots about a week ago.


Or call Stitcher's Crossing to find out more at 608 232 1500!

After I teach on May 14th, 2011, I am having a drop-in book signing and trunk show for Spud & Chloƫ at the Farm from 3-4pm at Stitcher's Crossing!

Next on the schedule is for May 20-22nd, 2011, I am going to be at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival in Lexington. I am teaching a class on Saturday morning and I am having a book signing/trunk show on Saturday afternoon. I know that there were one or two spots left in my class as of late yesterday.


I hope to see you in Madison or Kentucky in the coming days.

Now to the beautiful book giveaway for Harvesting Color. I am in love with this book and the author, Rebecca Burgess' story. She is amazing not only for this wonderful book of natural dying but also for a year-long project she took on to only wear clothes that were made locally from seed to fabric.

Click here to read Rebecca's blog! This blog is wonderful and interesting and it has gorgeous photography.


Below the following photograph is a well-written review from Amazon. I could not describe or say it better.
This review is from: Harvesting Color: How to Find Plants and Make Natural Dyes (Paperback)
Rebecca Burgess' new book is an outgrowth of over a decade's worth of teaching natural plant dyeing and advocating for a more environmentally-friendly manner of creating our clothing. She worked on the book at the same time that she was 'living' the Fibershed Project, with the goal of only wearing clothing made from products within a 150-mile radius of her Marin County, California home for one year. The book contains information about unique California native plants, such as toyon and coffeeberry, and the dye colors that they produce, but it is far more than simply a California guide. It covers dye plants with a long history, such as indigo, and new methods to obtain stunning colors from plants such as pokeberry.

Each featured plant is discussed and accompanied by a photo of the entire plant, often within its native habitat. Information about time to gather, how to cultivate, and parts of the plant to use for dyeing fibers are included, along with generous photos of yarns dyed in the colors obtained from each plant, and a map of the United States highlighting where the particular plant can be found growing in the wild.

Burgess brings her high standard of environmental consciousness into the book, stressing the importance of the choices we make in what we use as both consumers and artists. She discusses mordants (substances used to 'fix', or keep the dye in the fiber or fabric for the long term), and only advocates using materials that are non-toxic, both while in use in the dye process and when the wastes are disposed. She also addresses the benefits of working to source your raw materials close to home, and how involvement with natural dyes can help you help grow a strong local economy.

All technical material is easy to access by the DIYer, the home craftsperson or the professional artist. The book is organized around what is available each of the four seasons, and includes an appropriate project to use your hand-dyed yarns as well.

Paige Green's photography lifts this book into the realm of fine art, with massive amounts of beautiful pictures that highlight the plants, capture the colors dyed with them, and also portray the sense of harmony that Burgess advocates will come from being more connected to local production of our clothing. This book will appeal to many who are already working with fiber arts, and will also attract those who garden, and seek to live in a greener manner.

Isn't that a clear and informative review? Wow.

There are many knitting patterns in the book for a blanket, a hat, arm warmers, a scarf amongst others. They are sweet simple patterns that show off the handspun and plant-dyed yarns. There are clear recipes, geographical locations of the plants used (there are plants from all over included), fiber information, and so much more. There is also plant staining like with flowers and leaves on fabrics, more like imprints that I'd really like to try as well.

Rebecca is completely inspiring to me. I treasure this book and definitely will put it to use this summer. There is a certain little someone around here who is obsessed with plants, nature and gardening so I know she will help me with some dying projects.
Look at this photo... I want to dive into that spectacular natural wool and stay awhile.

Please leave one comment on this post (please do not email me) to win a copy of Harvesting Color. Please leave your Ravelry ID or your email so I can get in touch to gather your mailing address if you win. I will select a winner in a couple of days.

best, susie

124 comments:

  1. Blogger ate a post of mine, too! Though it wasn't as important as yours :)
    I'm so excited you're going to be in Kentucky next weekend. I grew up just a few miles north of Lexington, and I'm hoping my mom can go to the fiber festival. She already has a signed copy of your latest book that I bought for her, though!

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  2. Gorgeous pictures!

    Rav I'd: Suuzzeeq

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  3. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    I too am majorly bummed about the blogger down-time. I'm working up the energy to rewrite yesterday's post.

    I did leave a comment on yesterday's post about how awesome this book looks! I have recently really gotten into spinning and just this week have been researching dying as well.

    I'd love a copy of this book and thanks for another amazing giveaway!

    (Rav ID: FloursAndFibers)

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  4. Gorgeous pictures!

    Rav I'd: Suuzzeeq

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  5. Wow, that book has fantastic pictures!
    My email is yarnsandtales@yahoo.com

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  6. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    I tried several times to comment and thought it was my computer going crazy:-)
    Thank you for the give-away, the book looks like a beautiful addition to a fibre addict's library!
    Dadzi on Ravelry

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  7. Too bad about your disappearing post! I would love to win a copy of the book (thanks for the hair book link too - I hope it's still in my Google Reader!) My Rav name is JennFM

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  8. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    gorgeous book, love it. Thanks for the giveaway (and your patience in reposting!)

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  9. I would love this book!!!
    beehiverugs@yahoo.com

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  10. The photography is Amazing!!!

    love the hairstyle book also! i used to spend hours doing my hair when i was younger! used to charge the girls $15 a hairstyle before games in highschool!

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  11. Bummer about Blogger. :0( Thanks for giving us another shot at the giveaway, though!

    I LOVE dyeing, and after a presentation at our local museum a couple years ago, I've really wanted to try more dyeing with plants. (I've only done black walnuts.) This book looks awesome!

    Rav id: stitchywitchy

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  12. What an awesome book. I would love to have a copy of this book. I love your giveaways.
    okyarngoddess@gmail.com

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  13. I had ten days of scheduled giveaway blog entries and blogger pretty much ate them. The bones were left, but all the images, edits, tags, etc that I did yesterday morning, maybe 5-6 hours of my time, just gone. Also all of the comments on yesterday's post - gone. Really disappointed.

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  14. That is so frustrating.
    As I posted before, I think this book is beautiful, I love the combination of fiber, color and photography. Swoon.
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Best of luck with Blogger!
    RavID:zimme345

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  15. Oh that book looks awesome! I've got some Spud and Chloe fine in popcorn that I'd love to dye as well, thanks for pointing me in the right direction to learn how- must.get.copy.of.this.book!
    ~Jessica, Rav ID: MonkeyButtBabies

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  16. working with fiber makes me happy ;)
    hypersky5 at hotmail dot com
    R ID;SLucy

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  17. My son tells me I should dye yarn/fiber, this would be a great resource to do so!

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  18. Ooooo, I know someone who would LOVE this book! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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  19. Looks like a beautiful book! april.maston@gmail.com

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  20. oh, what a bummer! i am hearing this all over blogger land today. i realize it's too late for you now but in case you didn't know, if you subscribe to a blog reader (i.e. google reader) you can go to your page...click on "view all items" and your yesterday post is still there. instead of a repost, a copy paste and re-insert the links if necessary would save you a lot of trouble.

    it looks like such an enchanting book i appreciated reading your review of it.

    best of luck with the class...i'm not too far away yet can't make the trip this time around.

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  21. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    So sorry you had to repost but thanks for the giveaway.

    Rav ID: bereve

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  22. well now I get a second chance to enter this contest! Maybe I'll be lucky!

    I'd love to try dyeing my own yarn using plants in my garden and this is such a pretty book to add to my collection!

    Thanks for the contest Susan!

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  23. her book looks fantastic! thanks for the chance to win! and i so very much wish i could make it to KY to see you. it's close, but not quite in my neighborhood. if you ever have a chance to come to nashville, please do! xoxox

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  24. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    It must be because it's Friday the 13th. I still love harvesting color.

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  25. I've added this book to my wishlist but sure would love to win it. I'm hoping to plant a dye garden and this book looks so inspiring!
    Andi
    andibrown@msn.com

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  26. What a wonderful giveaway !!!! I LOVE dyeing yarn ... this looks so perfect !!!!
    Thank You for the chance to win something so special !!!

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  27. What a wonderful book! I love dyeing wool, so this would be a great next step. My daughters would love it, too.

    Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!

    ~daisyhead on Ravelry

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  28. This looks like a wonderrul book. Thanks for the great giveaway/

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  29. That was a bummer with Blogger. I had problems too. I would love this book. I love gathering and creating from nature.

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  30. Blogger got me too - although I noticed a few minutes ago my lost post was up again. Le sigh.

    Fantastic giveaway! I would love this book - I like to dye yarn, and am frequently looking for greener methods. I'm also intrigued by her seed to cloth project (have your read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle? similar thoughts, but with food)

    knitsinclass on Ravelry

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  31. What a lovely book!
    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Elly
    IknitCupcakes on Ravelry

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  32. This book looks so beautiful! schmath@yahoo.com

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  33. That book looks really great. How wonderful of you to offer up a copy to us blog readers!! Would love to win a copy. Tbmccarthy on rav

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  34. LorraineMay 13, 2011

    Would love to win. Pictures look stunning...
    lat0405 - ravelry

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  35. What a lovely book!

    ravid: MariaCrafts

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  36. Awesome!! Haven't even heard of this book but it looks AMAZING. Rav ID: whitsknits

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  37. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    What a wonderful looking book!!

    stuff287@live.com

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  38. Blogger let me down too! I would love a chance to win today. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  39. Thanks for this giveaway. The book looks wonderful. Glad blogger is working again.

    Tricia
    thefankells@mesanetworks.net

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  40. Thank you for posting about this book. I first started doing a little dyeing last Summer with regular dyes. After that, a couple of us started wondering about what kinds of natural things we could use to dye from.

    Isn't the web fantastic for this kind of learning...a library always at your fingertips.

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  41. Lovely giveaway! Thanks Susan!

    rav id:starrynight11

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  42. I noticed that Blogger had trouble last night. I had left a comment that seems to have disappeated so here is another one!
    I love dyeing yarns and I am so interested in learning more about natural dyes that I must have a look at this book!
    Fingers crossed!!

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  43. I would love to win this beautiful book; thank you for the opportunity.

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  44. RavID: TwinMamaLinda

    Gorgeous photos - I so want to learn to spin and have been enjoying seeing your progress. What a joy to be able to color too!
    THanks for the give-away.

    (I had commented on original post too)

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  45. I want to plant for dying this year! LoriAngela on Rav

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  46. Thanks so much for reposting! I could still see the original post earlier, but it appears to be gone now.

    This book looks amazing! I dream about having a place to dye and spin in my near future!

    Rav ID: jessamyb

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  47. Talk about doing one's research,I would love to win the book;to learn about plants,fibers & yarn.

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  48. no worries.. and thanks for the contest! I'd love to win the book. I took a natural dying workshop last year as my mother's day gift, and I'm dyeing (har har) to get started with it this summer.

    justplainbeth on Rav. :)

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  49. It's great books like this one that get me in trouble and make me want to try more! I'd love to learn to spin and dye yarn.

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  50. What an awesome book! I'd love to own it. RavID: Deb722

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  51. What a wonderful book! I'd love to own it. RavID: Deb722

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  52. I'm sorry about Blogger -- it seems to be a pretty widespread problem.

    The book looks really wonderful!

    melonkelli AT gmail DOT com

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  53. I'm sorry about Blogger but so grateful you re-posted. Thanks!

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  54. AnonymousMay 14, 2011

    Gosh! You must be having a rough week! Gorgeous. Book. Would love a copy!

    Reikimom on ravelry.

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  55. What a beautiful book. I'd love to own a copy.
    cornhusker on Ravelery

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  56. What a beautiful book - I would be proud to own it!1

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  57. Beautiful book-excited to learn these methods for my own work and to pass them on to my students. Thank you for another inspiring give-away.

    Susan
    Rav ID susus

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  58. What a beautiful book! It's going on my wish list for sure.
    ckmarkin on Ravelry

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  59. Thanks to the internet I now know this book exists.

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  60. absolutely beautiful!!! lots of blog-eating, from what I've heard...but take a deep breath & try again. sure would love to add this lovely book to my knitting library!

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  61. Darn Blogger!!! We've had problems with them before, too. The book looks awesome! I've always wanted to learn to dye. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    Katie
    rnmama on ravelry

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  62. AnonymousMay 14, 2011

    Would love to have a copy of this gorgeous, thoughtful book!

    Rav ID: dailyfiber

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  63. Today is my birthday. What a great gift this book would make. Thanks.

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  64. Sorry to hear BLogger was evil! Thanks for showcasing this book Harvesting Color. I also liked the girls "hair" book - but our daughter is in her 20's so too old! Maybe the granddaughter in a few years (Hair is pretty short now!). Thanks again. amyroz@hotmail.com

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  65. AnonymousMay 14, 2011

    Love the book - the pictures are lovely. Would love to win a copy...


    Poohtum on Ravelry

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  66. Beautiful Book! I would love to win this!

    knittingknot on ravelry

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  67. Natural dyes look so neat. I am happy to see more books on dying with natural resources. This would make a wonderful addition to my library.

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  68. We have a love/hate relationship with computers, don't we? Funny, though...I got BOTH posts consecutively in my e-mail....it wasn't lost after all....go figure.
    Would love to win this book!

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  69. I'd love to win a copy of the book! (My comment was one of those lost.) My raverly is tullyfamily Thanks for hosting this!

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  70. I would love to win this to gift to our LYS dyeing instructor!

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  71. Lisa BarrettMay 14, 2011

    What a beautiful and inspiring book. Sorry to read about the Blogger troubles, glad they're resolved. Thank you for the generous giveaway - Ravelry ID barrettlisa.

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  72. What a beautiful book! I would love to read more and am now addicted to her blog. Thank you!

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  73. wow! it looks like a fantastic book. I just returned from reading her blog and it was fascinating. I would love to win this book!

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  74. AnonymousMay 14, 2011

    Beautiful pictures. What a wonderful give-away!
    VCR on Ravelry

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  75. How inspiring! This book takes knitting, clothing, living sustainably to a whole new level. I would love to receive the book and become more informed. Thanks for passing this goodness along:)

    (Rav ID: sharonbecerra)

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  76. As someone who is attracted to color but not educated about how to use it, I'd love to read this book.
    FYI, I received both of your posts by email in the same email (the original, I think, and the new one).
    flowerdancer on Ravelry

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  77. Thanks for the chance to win such a beautiful book! I would love to win! Stephanie. indigodogmt on Ravelry

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  78. What a lovely book that I would love to have in my collection! Thank you for the opportunity to win it!

    Wendy
    (Wendeluu on Ravelry)

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  79. Cathy LucyshynMay 14, 2011

    Wow! This looks like a very interesting book! I can't wait to get a peek! I would love a copy of this book!
    Ravelry ID: CMAKmom

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  80. Cathy LucyshynMay 14, 2011

    Wow! What a great book! I would love to have a copy! Thanks
    Rav. ID: CMAKmom

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  81. Beautiful book! I'll be hopping over to her blog next.
    Knitserland@me.com

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  82. Everybody seemed to have issues with Blogger yesterday, so you were in good company. Can't wait to read this book!! Rav id: grandmatutu

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  83. Last Fall I visited a little ,eco-friendly business that specializes in plant dyes for garments at our local farmer's market. The colors were beautiful! I have been "dyeing" to try the process myself. This book is the just "kick-in-the-booty" to get me started!
    Ravelry ID: childwood

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  84. I'm totally intrigued by the book!Thanks for the giveaway!

    Lee (mamagiff on Ravelry)

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  85. I discovered blogger was down when I went to make a comment on your blog; and of course failed :(. Let's hope it doesn't happen again! The book looks fantastic though

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  86. Oh, beautiful! I'd love to win.
    mia@pocoleon.com

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  87. Joanie CannestraMay 14, 2011

    I'd love to expand my dyeing from using Kool-aid/McCormicks into plants!!! This book looks like a winner.

    Bikerbabe on RAV

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  88. Yay! I just brought home some raw fleece from my cousin's farm and need some help on how to dye. Wonderful giveaway! Laura
    Ravelry id: knittingbeekeeper

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  89. Barbara L.May 14, 2011

    I would love to know about natural dying using plants. Would love to win this book.

    Ravelry ID: knityid

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  90. Blogger ate all the posts from Wednesday on - some of the posts came back but none of the comments. Let's hope they are done with that nastiness!

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  91. I just discovered your books. I'm new to knitting and have been watching your tutorials. What kind of knitting needles do you prefer? Any thoughts about Denise interchangeable? Thanks!

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  92. Mary SchaeferMay 14, 2011

    I was planning to buy this book. Sure would be fun to win one. Either way I can't wait to see it. schaeferpieper@comcast.net

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  93. KatherineMay 14, 2011

    I'd love to win a copy of this book. Lovely colors.

    RavID: mydailyjoy
    email: mydailyjoy02creative@gmail.com

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  94. That is one book I would love to add to my meager collection of printed books on my shelf. I've always loved plants and what they can do for us, and this definitely belongs with that category.
    Thank you for the lovely review as well as the photos. I agree, I would just love to have all those beautiful balls of yarn around me. Just to feel them, pet them and look at them.
    MariAngel (Ravelry id)

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  95. AnonymousMay 14, 2011

    Wonderful of you to have a giveaway..this book sounds especially lovely!

    Dyeing to win it!
    KCMDesigns on ravelry! ;-)

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  96. AnonymousMay 15, 2011

    When looking at the pictures of Harvesting Color, I feel a breath of fresh Spring air! The yarn and photos produce a calmness in my being. I would treasure this book.

    RavID:emlizdavesmom

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  97. AnonymousMay 15, 2011

    Great looking book! Thanks....
    jdgough@hotmail.com

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  98. I LOVE color!
    kristi on Ravelry

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  99. AnonymousMay 15, 2011

    Susan, this book looks gorgeous! I just graduated from UW-Madison this weekend and finished my senior thesis that used all local yarns with natural dyes. I would loooove this book!

    Rav ID: nittynat

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  100. This book looks amazing & I would love a copy!!

    My Rav ID is pinkebody

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  101. I dream of farming and knitting...

    emilou on ravelry

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  102. Cool looking book. Thanks for the chance. :)

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  103. That looks darling! my email is toemma@gmail.com

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  104. Boo to Blogger :( But yay for good knitting books.

    Missy T.
    missy.d.thomas@gmail.com

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  105. Beautiful and inspiring book. Thank you!
    Sarah
    simplesd77@gmail.com

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  106. Harvesting Color looks absolutely wonderful...I've been wanting to try my hand at dying...what a place to start!
    Cindy

    Rav; Arrowfeather

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  107. Harvesting color looks wonderful. I've been wanting to try dying, what a place to start!
    Cindy

    Rav; Arrowfeather

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  108. I must own this wonderful book! Just the photographs alone are enough to inspire me to perhaps start spinning?! I've always leaned toward a "natural" lifestyle so this book fits to a T. Thx for the giveaway!

    My Rav name is: treblemaker

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  109. The book looks fantastic! Cannot wait to see it in real life!

    Carla
    RAV ID: twirlygirlCanada

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  110. Tara VanderkampMay 16, 2011

    The beauty of knitting is you never run out of things to learn, thanks for the chance to win.
    Blessings
    tarakristav@hotmail.com
    Tara

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  111. Catharine WilliamsMay 16, 2011

    I love colours! You always inspire, how exciting.
    gregcathyw@hotmail.com
    Catharine

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  112. AnonymousMay 16, 2011

    Always love your posts. This book sounds lovely and I'd adore having it in my collection. Thank you! jodej - Raverly or jodi_l_jaconi@uhc.com

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  113. Oh, that book looks glourious! I haven't tried dyeing yet, but I'd love to give it a go, especially since I love all the wonderful colours the natural dyes produce.
    (I have to give you a "disclaimer", though: ;) I live in Europe. I am not sure if sending the book here would be a problem for you.)
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    Juliane (Llule on ravelry)

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  114. Such a wonderful book! Thank you:)
    lindadawkins@mweb.co.za
    Rav: mamma4earth

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  115. This looks like an amazing book! doeslizknit (on rav)

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  116. I hope you had a good weekend and fun in Kentucky.


    That looks like a very interesting book.

    rav id: bakerpack

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  117. AnonymousMay 16, 2011

    Count me in. Rav ID: swellest

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  118. I found your blog while searching for photos of the Harvesting Color book on Google. I wanted to get a sneak peek of the inside the book.

    I look forward to learn how to dye fabrics and yarns using plants! :)

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  119. I love the colors in the bottom picture. Think I need to start dyeing my own yarn..

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  120. The only bandanas my husband really wants to use anymore are Rebecca's fermented toyon silks. He provides her with the carefully pruned tips of toyon from where he tends land. Soon we'll learn to make our own. ecb182 (at) gmail.com

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  121. What a lovely book. I'm sure I'm too late. But I also wanted to let you know, in case you hadn't noticed, that your original post is back up - in your archives (left navbar) and here is a link also:
    http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2011/05/harvesting-color-could-be-yours.html
    so your lovely review is up as well as Birdsong's.

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  122. Shame on Blogger!!!!
    But the book looks wonderful! pics are beautiful!!
    Would love to enjoy more of it!
    on Raverly: crazyforsocks128

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  123. I'm sorry for the Blogger down time. Brutal.
    But the book looks amazing!

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  124. I would love to win the book!

    Opal002 @ ravelry.com

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