This has been an excellent few days to forged our ideas as much as the heavens. First there was Halloween on October thirty first. I do know, Halloween doesn’t often call to mind a celestial theme—it’s extra for costumes and sweet, and keeping off evil spirits. Nevertheless, its origin is an historic celebration of Celtic tradition held on the halfway level between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It’s one of many celestial impressed methods to interrupt up the 12 months into celebrations each six weeks or so—all primarily based on the flip of the earth and the change of the seasons.
This time of 12 months at northern latitudes, together with right here in Maine, on daily basis we lose a couple of minutes of daylight. The standard of the daylight modifications as properly, angling in low and casting longer shadows because the earth cycles across the solar. Autumn is transferring via and winter received’t be far behind.
Since you possibly can’t change celestial mechanics, it appears greatest to embrace every season because it comes, to get pleasure from what makes every distinctive. Even when it signifies that in a single fell swoop, on account of daylight financial savings time, we’ll lose an hour of sunshine within the night. So for us right here in Harpswell, the solar will likely be setting at 4:30pm tomorrow. Although with darker skies earlier within the night, we’re invited to stargaze—inspired by the darkish, Tom arrange his telescope final night time and aimed it at Jupiter and three of its circling moons, then centered on the faint glow of the Andromeda Galaxy. These stars and planets have been all the better to see due to the added darkish of a brand new moon.
And that new moon now cycles me again to presenting our latest Cloth Collage End Line put up—heavenly our bodies to feast our eyes on—equivalent to Sue Wilson’s “Cosmic Cool” moon (element photograph above). An enormous thanks to all who’ve submitted the next items of celestial artwork and the accompanying tales that interact our creativity.
Should you too have a completed material collage quilt and story that you simply want to share in a End Line, please click on on the submit button beneath for more information.
Studying assets referred to on this put up embody: my web site, Serendipity Quilts, my patterns, weblog (normally), YouTube movies, Spiral eWorkshop, Sea Turtle eWorkshop, Cloth Collage On-line Grasp Class, Fly on the Wall: Susan Carlson Studio Watch, and Patreon.
The suns and moons in immediately’s put up are primarily based on my Solar Portrait and Moon Portrait patterns, out there for obtain from my web site.
And… when you might use one thing entertaining and heartwarming and seasonal to look at, might I like to recommend the film, “Coco.” It’s about slightly boy, his music, and his household, all set on the Day of the Lifeless (immediately, November 2nd). An animated story about this vacation that honors and welcomes the spirits of the deceased—although it may be loved any time of the 12 months, like I do. 🙂
Erika Schögl
From Erika Schögl of Austria:
Though these two wallhangings weren’t my first expertise in material collage, the method continues to be very difficult for me and I’m working slowly with many breaks. The objective is to get higher in selecting material values and obtain the next creative stage for additional portrait initiatives.
Sue Wilson
From Sue Wilson of Pittsboro, NC:
The Moon Portrait, Cosmic Cool, is my eleventh (and ultimate) Face accomplished this 12 months [2023]. Didn’t make it to 12, however I’ve realized a lot, and am very excited to be on this path. Come February, I’ll be a “Fly on the Wall” as Susan shares enjoyable with material collaged fish!
I had enjoyable experimenting with the cool colours on this quilt. I particularly love the impact of the brilliant inexperienced and the contact of crimson on the left facet. I appreciated the concept of suggesting the complete moon… at all times there, even once we see solely the crescent. I’m very pleased with the cool creamy spiral print used for the moon floor in that space, pieced to load the area with spirals.
Whereas engaged on the moon out of context I appreciated utilizing a lightweight yellow-green material for the halo across the moon rays. Nevertheless, after I auditioned it towards the darkish universe background, I didn’t like the best way the sunshine halo made it look as if the complete moon prolonged past the moon rays. Changing the halo with darkish blue made the rays pop.
I pieced the background (all from one material) as a result of the chosen material had a regularity to it that was too “sq.”. I used two colours of tulle as the ultimate overlay: darkish blue over the night time sky and creamy off-white over the moon and rays.
Within the quilting, I used a variegated thread (creamy with blue and inexperienced) over the moon; darkish blue over the night time sky. That is the primary time I’ve wrapped and glued a quilt edge. It was type of messy!
Carolyn Mathieu
From Carolyn Mathieu of Stephens Metropolis, Virginia:
That is my second material collage submission primarily based upon “Serendipity Quilts”! After I shared “Religious Leo” again in November 2022, I knew that Leo wanted a pal!…On to web page 49 and the MOON portrait! I didn’t must put the ebook below my pillow at bedtime like the primary time, however discover myself studying and re-reading the textual content to soak up as a lot as doable. Most difficult for me, is selecting the colour palette and material blends. I consult with my stash and buy batiks that add movement and power. I attempt one thing, WALK AWAY and cross it many instances and sure experiment with materials…until EUREKA….that’s it! Most IMPORTANT are the POSTS supplied on Thursday and Saturday! They’re inspiring and I devour them. They feed the inventive soul. THANK YOU SO MUCH SUSAN AND TOM!
Barb Blake
From Barb Blake from Colorado:
This mission has been a approach to paint with material, and to repurpose scraps….I adore it! Her identify, Madrone, comes from a ebook that I like-The Fifth Sacred Factor- by Starhawk. Madrone was a healer in a futuristic sci-fi novel. I believe that our world wants some therapeutic ❤️????