moonday rolls

Two silk eco-dyed bundles -- one rolled, one unrolled. I'm so curious about that eucalyptus bundle because I've never used eucalyptus before, but I'm giving it a little more time. The unrolled silk is from a mix of red leaves -- it has swaths of mauve/purple that I really like, if the color holds it'll be a nice component for something. No mordants were used on either of these and both were steamed. I've decided to finally start recording the results of my eco-dyeing, maybe with a little swatch stapled to the page even.

Last week I went to Goodwill looking for silk or wool clothing to cut up for dyeing and found a pair of white wool slacks lined with white cotton. I took the scissors to them in short order. A stack of wool and a stack of cotton are now ready to roll. I just wish the slacks would've been a larger size! 

Today is a dark moonday in the sign of watery Scorpio. This is a highly psychic time when curiosity, insight and intuition run strong -- and when desire, sensitivity, and emotions are intensified. Scorpio is no shrinking violet.

Scorpio rules the reproductive organs and pelvic region. Our increased sensitivity may make problems in these and other areas feel harder to deal with. At the same time we are also more receptive and healing treatments may be more effective. 

I think using our intuition is a very good way to start the week.

moonweb stitching

The first threads of a moonweb took hold last night on a white silk organza mooncloth. The basting stitches showing on the black velvet might be made into tiny stars, we'll see. I like the feeling of a web taking form from my fingers. I like feeling like a spider. This morning I decided that the next frame threads must be done correctly, like a real spider does them, shown here in an animated graphic. No proper web begins with radius threads.

The tree stump reflecting itself in the mirror reminds me of the one on my design wall. The round mirror looks like a porthole in the wood fence and that is really the only reason it's there. 

Thanks for coming by and happy weekending with nice weather. It's due to snow here so I'll be in my favorite chair spinning at least one web. xo

hearts-a-bustin moonday

I came across this 5' volunteer shrub in my backyard this morning, funny how things seem to suddenly appear like that. The seed capsules are lovely. I think it's Euonymus americanus, also called hearts-a-bustin or strawberry bush. I had no idea.

I've been wanting to stitch around the edges of the green cotton chenille rug for a while -- it's just blanket stitching with cotton t-shirt yarn. 12 stitches at a time, no thinking required. Now I wish I had some magenta t-shirt yarn. That's my little camera case made with the blue.

Today is a waning moonday in the sign of Leo. Self-confidence rises on Leo days, good for making presentations or otherwise being in the spotlight. Playful, expressive, outgoing, and heartfully generous are other fine Leo qualities.

Leo affects the heart and circulation and the upper back. This means that healing in those areas may be enhanced and at the same time, they are also more susceptible to stress. I'm thinking about what will be good medicine these next days.

It's a nice synchronicity to find the hearts-a-bustin shrub today -- a reminder to keep an open heart and mind. And how we sow seeds by letting go.

I wish you good weather and a happy heart.

knitting green

This is how the coffee table looked this morning. That green sweater that I started two or three years ago -- it's been so long that I've lost track -- is close to being finished.

I decided to try a green hexipuff for the beekeeper's quilt, a slightly different color. The holey sea stone from Lyn is a sweet holder.

Thanks for visiting and happy weekending. I'll be right here knitting green. xxx

full moonweb

A moonweb holds, supports, strengthens, extends, connects -- and inspires because I'm getting all kinds of stitching ideas from this.

This is the 12th of my 13-moon itty-canvas paintings.

If you would like to share your full moon art, I'd love to see and post it here. Leave a link in the comments or email me a file. xo


*Visit Kathy, the Woodland Quilter, to see and read about her hand-stitched Full Beaver Moon, a component for her moon quilt.

*Nanette at Stitch and Sow writes about the aspect of connection belonging to this Taurus moon. And see her lovely eco-dyed linens and cottons stitched into mooncloth.

family tree moonday

Yesterday we remembered our loved ones. We cooked old favorites, decorated skulls, took photos, made dry ice smoke, drank IZZEs and Icelandic beer, and watched football with the TV muted. And we had chocolate cake. I think even our visiting spirits had a nice time.

Today is a full moonday* in the sign of Taurus. This is a climactic time of fulfillment to recognize, name, and celebrate things that have come to fruition. Both a full moon and a new moon make the high tides higher and the low tides lower. Today a powerful storm on the U.S. eastern coast approaches, magnified by waters rising to meet the full moon. Being an inlander, I don't experience these powerful rhythms of the moon and the sea firsthand. I do, however, notice the full moon's influence on my sleep and in my body.

Taurus helps us to be strong and stable. I hope the people, flora and fauna affected by the storm have strength and stability.

*I'll be making full moon art tonight. If you'd like to join me in this monthly ritual, I'd love you to share your art by leaving a link in the comments in the next post or emailing me a file.

boro more, dye more, snow more

I've mended the pajama pants a few times already. By now they fall into the category of boro, which means a mended and patched raggedy textile. Another area just gave way so I patched it with more cloth from Herm, a clothmate gone to the great beyond.

The rich brew in the dye-pot is from red maple leaves that dried up before I had a chance to make dye-bundles. I had hoped to experiment with Kathy's very successful method here but ended up with just one silk bundle using the dried leaves. It snowed a few inches last night with more on the way -- I don't know what happens to red leaves in the snow, but yellow ones seem to lose their color. I do hope I get another chance!

Every October we make an altar in memory of deceased loved ones for our Day of the Dead family gathering. The magnifying glass was my grandparents' whose photo is magnified (circa WWII).

Thanks for coming by and happy weekending ahead. xxx