Monday, June 2, 2014

moondala moonday



A nettle moondala -- a May mandala -- or just #5 of 13 moondalas, my monthly sew & dye ritual -- there are many names for this little bitty cloth. It is a tulip-dyed moon on a nettle-dyed background, all wool with cotton embroidery threads. Little hairs are stitched onto the leaf-centered spiral, just like the little stingers on the nettle plant, herself. As nettle is a beloved plant to me, the nettle patch is one of my favorite parts of the garden. A perfect example of making food your medicine, we eat steamed nettles in the spring before she blooms and I drink dried nettle infusion year-round. Nettle also freezes nicely so we're able to have it in winter soups, too, or in any recipe that calls for a cooked green.

Today is a waxing moonday in the sign of fiery Leo. Since Leo's ruling planet is the Sun, Leo days may feel warmer than normal, something a person welcomes in the winter, but not so much in the summer. It's pretty hot here today, maybe the sun is making up for those freezing temperatures with snow that we had only a few weeks ago. If you find yourself more self-confident now -- enough to be extra-frank and straightforward with other people, well that's a Leo characteristic, too.

To sunny days ahead.

6 comments:

  1. Smiling--as always--when I visit you here--I am about to unplug from the computer for a few days to facilitate information transfer to a newer computer a friend is gifting me...so I'm glad I had a chance to drop by.

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  2. Beautiful May moondala Peggy, all of them together, just divine. Quite hot here....Leo days?...for the start of winter, a little sunburn for me today.

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  3. those are gorgeous. i like the way you share your lifestyle with us.
    long ago i sent a moon cloth and i've decided to use it as a base for a prayer/wish flag. thank you for all the inspiration you share.

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  4. Half way through the year already!
    These really are striking Peggy, how will you present them at years end, will they be a banner?
    Theyd look lovely framed up with mount frame cut outs for each one I reckon too.

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  5. You are doing such interesting project with the moondalas blocks. I love all the different stitches you use for each one. They look very lovely together - Hugs Nat

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  6. Pegggy I love your moon blocks, the collection looks beautiful together. Nothing better, natural dyed wool, hand embroidery, and full moons.

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