Woad Dye

Just found out about this medieval dye from France being revived and marketed in products by Bleu de Lecture.  French blue was in vogue way  before the aniline  mauve craze of the industrial era. Woad is plant based and looks to be a good alt for indigo (which crocks). This will add to the range of naturally sane blue colored possibilities.


The video from Des Racines et Ailes. is lovely and informative, even if you don't speak French  

photo credit: workshops from botanical colors, 

Woad Dye and Denise Lambert of Bleu de Lectoure

More on natural dyes at Botanical Colors. 

the light goes on

and on. Check out the latest universal light shows at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120124.html
This post is to remind us that we are born of Stars (The Living Universe, Elgin) and that we are the light with the power necessary to change the way poor perceptions have  misguided life. It is also the year of the dragon, wow all this magick is now!!
photo by Bjørn Jørgensen/NASA (Grotfjord, Norway - 1/23/12).

Shame on US

Tris is back, though banned in 1977 for use in children's pajamas, it is now turning up on changing tables, car seats and other foam filled infant products.

banner for occupy seattle (occupy chaplains) 

stencilled panel by michael, fabric border finish  by djb

Flame retardants are chemicals meant to protect us, but once again the "cure" is might be worse than the disease. The effectiveness of flame reatarding toxins is being questioned but the health consequences of this body of  "halogenated flame retardants – those containing bromine or chlorine – can cause endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and adverse effects on fetal and child development and on neurologic function."

Toxic flame retardants found in many foam baby products

By Robert Sanders, Media Relations | May 18, 2011

KOMO television just aired this "news" a few days ago.  Washington State legislators are seeking a ban, so this news is about the politics more than the health of children. That is a sad reflection of what our media considers important.

Common Threads Initiative

Patagonia, has launched an EBay shop for their used gear and garments. With headings : Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Reimagine.

According to ecouterre, "Patagonia created a virtual swap meet on Wednesday for buying and selling used Patagonia gear—an unexpected retail model that’s a first for a major brand.......

The Common Threads Initiative addresses a significant part of today’s environmental problem: the footprint of our stuff,” says Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder and owner. “This program first asks customers to not buy something if they don’t need it. If they do need it, we ask that they buy what will last a long time—and to repair what breaks, reuse, or resell whatever they don’t wear any more. And, finally, recycle whatever’s truly worn out.”

Not only will Patagonia be putting used clothes back into circulation, but it also won’t profit from any of the transactions.

The program is groundbreaking for several reasons. Not only will Patagonia be putting used clothes back into circulation, which could cannibalize new sales, but it also won’t profit from any of the transactions. Patagonia, Chouinard adds, is the first company to ask its customers to take a formal pledge to reduce consumption and keep products out of the landfill or incinerator."