I hope to finish this full moon art cloth before the next new moon on Friday. I'm adding little braided tassles today -- the house braid is woven from some hand-dyed perle cotton by and from Jeannie. It is gorgeous thread.
And stuff on the sewing table this morning -- just started saving labels from the thrifted clothing I take apart to dye with.
Today is a waning moonday in the sign of Scorpio. Once again, we're drawn inward to focus on our desires and cut loose of what we don't want or need any longer. Scorpio moon times are considered to be highly psychic so give your intuition credit and go with its flow.
Scorpio affects the groin area, reproductive organs and urinary tract -- that means now may be a good time for healing problems in those areas.
The feel of a Scorpio day is cool and moist. With our furnace running so much lately, I've been noticing how dry it's been in the house, the opposite of cool and moist. We realized the humidifier wasn't set right so it was an easy fix. That led me to research ideal indoor humidity levels and I came upon this article. Coincidentally, I know the author. She writes that plants in the home can create as much humidity as a humidifier and has an anecdote about it that I loved.
Wishing you a great week.
it is my understanding from various sources that eucalyptus must be simmered/boiled for a couple of hours before it will release its color. i've had little experience with euc since it does not grow here, but i simmer the leaves in hot water before bundling and then bundle and simmer some more.
ReplyDeleteHi Deanna, yes I have gotten color from boiling the leaves but not with making prints. I followed India's instructions for eco-printing exactly. I'm guessing maybe the varieties that we get shipped to Colorado just don't give a lot of color when used like this...or the water affects it...or....
ReplyDeleteI am honored that the threads are being used in your full moon piece. It is a beautiful piece of art. I have had the same problem with euc and wonder if something happens to the leave chemistry when it is cut, stored, shipped, and finally ends up at my house. Thanks so much for the article on humidity. It explains why my sinus and skin acted up last week at Mom's. Although Seattle has the natural humidity, her house is too dry. I thought that was the case when I would go for a walk in the rain and have my sinuses clear. Since every window sill at home has plants residing, I probably have a more humid home in the desert! Who would have thought! LOL! Wishing you a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteespecially love the stitched lines on your piece and the whimsical braid. i've got a little pile of labels, too. (ps. i've noticed some of my comments are not making it here, but know that i'm always looking)
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy, I will put my 10c worth here re eucalyptus leaves. If you get the leaves from the florist, those leaves don't dye as well. You can test it by the smell. Stronger the smell the better the color. Try and keep the dyed cloth out in the open to oxidize it. I found that the color gets stronger that way. We have so much eucalyptus leaves here and I tend to gather the fallen leaves - have fun...
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy...eucalyptus dyeing can be a little fickle. I have had some good batches and some really poor ones.
ReplyDeleteI find that the lighter the colour of the leaf (more silver green), the better the colour you will get.
I usually make a dye bath cooking up the euc. leaves for at least an hour. (or an onion skin or red cabbage bath). Then I pop the fabric with the wrapped leaves in the bath for about an hour just simmering away. If you can leave the bundle at least a few days to a week you should get good results.
Looking forward to seeing more of your dyeing 'play'.
Love the thread Jeannie dyed and sent you....beautiful of your little cloth.
Jakcy xox
Jacky xo
Hi Peggy, I don't have very good luck with the dryed leaves. With fresh ones that I grow, I just wrapped them tightly in my premordanted(alum)wool, steam them for an hour, then leave them set in a plastic bag for about a week. I get bright orange prints. Love, love India Flints discovery!
ReplyDeleteI also love your moon dead-line for your house quilt.
Lovely full moon project...
ReplyDeletewhat are you going to do with your labels?
xo
Jeannie, I am honored to have received them. Thank you. Glad to know I'm not the only one about the eucalyptus. The other comments here are very helpful though. I'm thinking of expanding the houseplant population around here now, that's so great you have a lot of plants! I appreciate them much more in the winter, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy -- oh that blogger, sometimes it just misbehaves, but thanks for telling me. Yes, some labels are just too cool to throw away!
ReplyDeleteNat and Jacky and Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input. I am starting to realize, along with Jeannie up there, that maybe we just don't have access to the right kind of eucalyptus to get the colors that some areas produce. But I'll keep trying, I have a blouse "curing" right now and it did take a bit of color. We'll see. Thanks again!
Thank you, Marie. I have no idea what to do with the labels, just can't throw them away. Packrat that I am.....about certain things anyway! ;)
ReplyDeleteThought I commented...musta missed it. Anyway, I like how the tassel makes the roof of the house look like a party hat! Everyone should live in a celebration house!!! It's a beautiful cloth. I really love it!
ReplyDelete