The Diva's Weekly Challenge #282: Spill It!

I always enjoy looking at tiles that have a stain for a string. There's just such a deep sense of optimism, economy and audacity in turning an "oops" into something beautiful. I have only done a few stained tiles, but I am going to try more. This week's Diva challenge was, you guessed it, to use a spill as the basis for our work. I was delighted, because only last week, I made a huge discovery. In our new garden, growing next to and around our butterfly bush, is nothing other than 

POKEWEED!!!!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved this plant and its magenta stems, leaves and berries. You can imagine how enticing it is to a child. Doesn't it look tasty and sweet? And yet it is highly poisonous--roots, stems, leaves, berries and all! Mothers warn their children to stay away, and look for those tell-tale stains on their hands and faces.

Armed with my latex gloves, I went and cut some pokeweed for the stain. I had soooooo much fun squishing the berries and rolling them around on my tile! Once the magical magenta was caught on paper, I started to draw. Of course, nothing else would do but Pokeroot, Pokeleaf and what I shall call Pokeflower, although I think it exists under another name!

Is it just me, or is that a cardinal flying over the Pokeweed?

Do you have pokeweed where you live? Have a great week! Thanks for visiting!