Monday, March 12, 2012

black bean moonday

I've got the blues -- purplish-blues, greenish-blues, dark blues and light blues -- the black-beans-in-the-dye-pot kind of blues.

Black beans soaked in plain water in a stainless steel pot for two days. The animal fibers, white-to-beige silk and wool, were mordanted in an aluminum pot in an alum solution for 18 hours. The plant fiber, white and blue/white cotton, was mordanted in soy milk for 12 hours (thank you, Deanna, I learned that from you). I used separate dye-pots for the different fibers. I ended up using mordant and am glad to have taken the extra steps -- this is the first time I've gotten good color onto cotton. No heat was used with the dye-pots, only room temperature. I included the already-blue cotton print to tone down the white and it looks great. The wool yarn is gorgeous as is the textured silk (the photos are unedited for true color). A success in my book.

And the beans went into the freezer for a nice Spring Equinox black & white meal next week. 




Today is a waning moonday in Scorpio, an auspicious time to let go, to end connections thoroughly. Scorpio is a psychic sign with an inward impulse. In general, this isn't an easy-going time and can be very intense.

As the moon travels through the zodiac each month, we experience the feelings and impulses of each particular sign. In the same way the earth and the moon travel creating seasons, we have inner seasons, each ripening into the next. We might feel closed off as we go inward with Scorpio now, but we will surely open outward again when the time is right. I experience this every month with the Scorpio moon -- early this morning I randomly opened a book to a page that led me down this trail of thought although it wasn't about Scorpio or even the moon. But it was perfect. Not weakness or over-sensitivity, just an inner season.

Scorpio rules the sexual organs and the urinary tract. As the moon is also waning, maybe problems in those areas can be healed once and for all. As an example, if I had chronic urinary infections, I would plan on beginning a healing course of treatment during a Scorpio moon.

It's all good.



36 comments:

  1. were all the fibers white, other than the blue print, before dyeing? who would have thought that black beans would dye to blue...something i need to try.

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    1. Deanna, yes, everything was white or cream except one wool cloth was a little more beige. I'm going to add that to the post. A really satisfying project!

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  2. yowza!! I will never throw out my black bean water again!!!

    sorry to comment as Anonymous, it's the only one that would work

    k

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    1. k, yes, never throw out your black bean water -- throw something in there, even if it's a white sock! (Soaked in soy milk first. Ha.)

      I'm trying to guess who this is -- kasha?

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  3. Wow! Black beans just went on the grocery list! As the weather has turned back to winter here, I am making lists of all the things I want to experiment with this spring and dyeing is on the top of the list! I was wondering why I became quiet today and now I know. Thanks for always inspiring and sharing your vast knowledge.

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    1. Hi Jeannie -- oh, good -- it's a pretty decent blue considering that it's from a food, yes? You'll have to let me know how it goes. Enjoy this time of quiet.

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  4. I read this post very closely because of the blue dye and fabric. Scorpio is my DH's birth sign and what you wrote here is so true. I can see the blue fabric go into many of your projects. BTW, I signed up for Jude's Contemporary boro #2 starting at the end of April. The same day I return from Japan!!! Have a great day - hugs Nat

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    1. Nat, yes, I'm going to be doing this again for sure. We'll be eating lots of black bean soup around here! I'm so glad you're taking the boro #2, too and I can't wait to see your photos of your trip on FB! It will be a whirlwind autumn for you!

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  5. really?!?!?!?! blue from beans??!?!?!?
    oh, my, wow!!!
    that yarn IS gorgeous....just ...
    wow.

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  6. So now I am inspired to do this for my weaving! Black beans dying my beige strip, we'll see how my first attempt goes!

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    1. Jo, go for it! It'll be fun plus you'll sort of be cooking dinner at the same time.

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  7. The black beans have given off wonderful colour...and that Deanna is a wealth of information (and very generous with it).
    Definately think I will have a play with this. The colour is beautiful!!!

    Jacky xox

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    1. Thanks, Jacky, I hope you have fun with black beans, too!

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  8. What beautiful blue colors and to think...from black beans!
    Amazing.
    I really want to try this one. (another thing to add to my "want
    to try list". lol!)
    Gorgeous fabrics. What fun it will be to use these beauties.
    <3

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    1. Marie, thank you -- never thought blue could be easy, but in this case, it was! My want-to-try list is getting long, too.

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  9. gorgeous colours!! enjoy eating beans and will now try dyeing with them too, what a great idea.

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    1. Saskia, we'll be eating a lot more black beans around here now, too! And thanks!

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  10. The best way to have a blue day! There was a noodle dish someone brought for lunch at the basketry worskshop I went to, the noodles were a lovely inky purple colour....they were mung bean noodles, and I couldn't help thinking about dyeing with some..and here you are, done it already with black beans.

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  11. ...dyeing with the beans, not the noodles!!

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    1. Nanette, oh how fun, I'll have to check out mung bean noodles. I've heard of mung beans, were they ground and made into noodles? Cool. Thanks for the foodie tip!

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  12. hey Peggy....GREAT GREAT GREAT! do you think the color is permanent?

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    1. Thanks, Grace -- I still haven't washed these with soap but from what I've read here and there, I think it is colorfast. I'll let you know if it's not!

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  13. Peggy, these blues are amazing!!!! You are most excellent at this dying gig!
    And yes inner intense (((sigh)))

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    1. Well thanks, Nancy! I'm living and learning, don't know about the excellent part! Thinking of the inner season idea takes the edge off a little. ;-)

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  14. Jumping up and down in my chair! I've got black beans in the cupboard...

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    1. Deb, then you've got both blue dye and dinner! ;-))

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  15. Wow Peggy, these blues !!! (this way is a good way to "have the blues")
    (must look for black beans .....) Love the "blue moon" colander

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  16. Els, thanks and yes it is having the blues in a good way! I like that.

    I've had the colander about 25 years and I bought it used. I love it, too.

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  17. I lovelovelove this. I am going shopping at Whole Foods later this morning...black beans and butter milk are at the top of my list.
    Thank you for this...and the idea on your banner. Wow!!!

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  18. If you are wondering who posted above...it is Mo'a.
    Dear sweet blogger does not seem to like my name, the way it is spelled :)

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    1. Mo'a, so glad you like this outcome, it really couldn't have been easier. The clothespins are the handiest, cutest, best way ever to store embroidery floss, I saw it in an organizing article somewhere and have about half of my floss stash rolled so far!

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  19. Beauty - found you through Jude's link today... will be coming back!!

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