Fibermania

Dye Bottles

This was one of my better ideas. I would find those bottle caps that flip open and closed and have both the ability to load the bottle with dye and cap it, while having a nice spout to pour the dye. I thought that softer plastic water bottles were just the right thing and there are so many that have the topper that pulls out and then snaps back closed. Or so I thought.
I tried Wal-Mart first since I was already there, and no gots. Then I went to Bed Bath and Beyond, just across the street and again no gots.

Thirdly I went to Target. I was just feeling hopeless when I spotted these Smart Water bottles which were way high on the shelf, too high for my short tyrannosaurus arms to reach.

 I then accosted another shopper with the requisite arm length and got her to fetch them for me. Only 10 were available and I need 13. Hmm. Will have to make do. The bottle is soft, perfect for squeezing the dye out and the cap flips up nicely revealing the opening which looks just right too. Happy Mel!

I am very finicky about spouts and lids and softness of bottles, from years of experience. In the beginning I used those plastic ketchup (catsup, if you like it better) bottles, but the lids dripped, just when I didn't want a drip. When does anyone ever want a drip? And they were also not clear. Clear is way better. Much easier to tell the red from the fuchsia, or yellow #3 from yellow #2 if the bottle is clear. 

I found ketchup bottles right off at Wal-Mart and carried them around in my cart for a while but thought better of it.  

If this water inside didn't have these ingredients I would just pour the powder directly into the bottle, have a shake and be all set. But I don't know what effect these chemicals might have on the dye/sodium carbonate mix that will  be involved so I will make tea or something from all the water therein.

I mentioned needing 13 bottles. When I got to the check out, there was an abandoned Smart Water sitting there waiting for me, bringing the number to 11. Then when I got home I see that I have two more caps which I can transfer to other bottles and now I have all 13. Again Happy Mel.
The dyes I mix are (from Dharma Trading Company)
Yellows, #1, #2 #3, Orange #6, Red #10, Fuchsia #13, Turquoise #25, Cerulean #23, Black #44. I mix my own greens (lime, aqua, kelly) and purple, magenta. Add those up and you get 14. Well, I don't always use black. 
I would be dyeing today but it is still looking like we'll get more rain. This can't last much longer. But I must say the garden loves it and the rain is keeping it cool on the mountain. Yesterday it was 91 in Chattanooga and 71 up here. Nice.

After my knitting group yesterday, I went over to Northern Tool and bought this garden cart which I am declaring MINE, ALL MINE. There will be no bricks, or rock carried in this darling. No muddy tools left in it. And no mud caked on the inside.

It holds a lot of stuff, but is still light enough (polystyrene) that I can wheel it up our hill or driveway.

And when I want to wash it out, I have this new fireman's nozzle which projects a stream of water strong enough to put out the Chicago Fire. And also has a nice setting for just watering the garden.

Very Happy Mel.