Well here we are in a brand new month, being kicked off by a full moon. I’m certainly ready to see what kind of magic we can co-create. I don’t know if it’s the fiery energy of July, or the fact that this is my birth month and I feel a natural affinity for the energy of this time, or whether it’s the idea that we have now entered the final half of this calendar’s year, but I most definitely feel a kind of urgency to move things forward. Are you feeling that as well?
I think a good way to tap into this energy is with pops of hot colors, and so how fun that this week’s Summer of Color palette is two reds and a metallic of our choice. My personal parameters for this challenge are to create a small journal in which I’ll be recording in words, art, and photos the happenings of the week; and in making the journal to use only materials readily available within reach in the studio (no digging) and to use at least one piece of handmade paper. Bonus points in keeping with the seemingly established pattern of incorporating flowers in these journals as well.
Here’s what I created this week:
I’ve been thinking a lot about flow this week, and I’m especially delighted I was able to incorporate some of that energy into this journal. It’s one of the energies I’m invoking with intention, and since this is my birthday week it feels particularly auspicious to have my journal reflect that. I chose copper as my metallic, which always evokes a sense of alchemy for me. And I love this particular piece of copper paper because it has a lovely moire pattern which is certainly flowy. The handmade paper is the bit of marbling. I took a marbling class a number of years ago, and using this paper reminded me how much fun it was. One of the things we did was pull a couple sheets from each “pattern” – one for ourselves and the other to be cut up and divided among all the participants. So we all went home with lovely little stashes. I also have a stash of copper components – I was using them extensively at one point in my jewelry and ornament making, so it was no problem coming up with a couple of coppery flowers with red centers to add. I bound the journal with copper wire as well, so there’s lot of alchemical magic invoked, and I used a mix of rounded and straight edges to remind myself to soften all the places that are resistant so flow can actually happen.
Speaking of rounded edges, it’s lovely to celebrate the full moon tonight. This one is known by a number of names including full Buck Moon as this is the time bucks begin growing their antlers. It’s also known as Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, or Mead Moon. I think it’s fun to make up your names as well, and I’m thinking of calling this one the Venus-Jupiter Moon. Have you had a chance to see the dance Venus and Jupiter have been doing over the past couple of weeks drawing ever closer? Lovely! And calling this my Venus-Jupiter moon also feels like a sweet shout out of love (under the auspices of Venus) to my recently departed cat Jupiter.
What about you? Are you moon watching tonight? Invoking something special this summer like I am with flow? Playing with color this week? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Happy full moon! We will be moon watching tonight(if we can all stay awake!) And I love your small journal with it’s flowers and rounded edges made with this week’s hot colors! It’s beautiful!
If you can’t stay awake maybe Mama Moon will visit you in your dreams. 🙂 Wishing you a happy and color-filled week Sharon.
Happy Birthday (Week!) Full moons are great for celebrating and this one marking the halfway point of this epic year is a good omen. It’s been a fun year.
Love your juicy reds and coppers. Fun. It is fun to weave together multiple ideas too. You could use your reds and coppers in some of your ICADs too! So happy to be back online and to read your blog again!
Thanks for the wishes Amy, and it’s great to have you back as well. And here’s to an amazing second half of the year filled with all kinds of wonderfulness!
people are making hay around here
right on time with the moon
your pieces are lovely and vibrant
i wish you a lovely birthday
and awesome beginning to your new year!
What fun and fabulous poem wishes – thank you Tammie!
oh yes I am always moon watching. I love the energy of this week’s colors and equally LOVE your little book!
Happy moon gazing Linda – and wishing you a wonderful July.
Lots of energy. Love it.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi Gloria. Wishing you a fabulous week.
Hope you have a wonderful Birthday Month!! I usually celebrate the whole month, according to my hubby, ha!
And the color red, right up my alley- love all that energy.
Enjoy and thanks for sharing
Thanks for the wishes Sue. And I’m totally with you – I whole-heartedly believe birthdays require a full month to celebrate. In fact, I’m considering making it a season. Toss that thought out and see what your husband says. 🙂
Sounds like a very auspicious beginning to your birthday and birthmonth! I’m going to go out and check out the moon and planets, it’s just getting dark here!
Auspicious indeed! I hope you got to do some sky gazing and maybe some moon wishing as well.
I’m planning to go to a big SF convention this weekend–still waiting to learn if I have a room in the main hotel or not.
Nice Scott – hope you have a fun time!
Lovely piece for Soc! Valerie
Thanks Valerie. Have a wonderful week!
you can call the first one birthday moon, and the second one ??? – because we will have a blue moon end of the month!
happy SOC!
Great suggestion Johanna. And indeed I’m looking forward to that full moon as well – it always feels like a special time when two make their appearance to bless a month.
This is a beautiful piece for SOC challenge
Thanks Virginia. Wishing you a color-filled week!
And to think, we actually have two beautiful full moons this month. All the more to spark your creativity. Happy Birthday week! I love your warm hued journal and your creations generally. Keep ’em coming. Stay in the flow.
Thanks for the b-day wishes and kind words Stephanie. And how fun we get to celebrate two full moons this month. Wishing you much magic and joy and flow as well!
This weeks journal is lovely, well done. x
Thanks Sue. Here’s to more color fun this week.
Woot!! Woot!! My birthday month too! Happy Birthday to us! Love your work. Love the reds. Yes, I am especially attracted to the sky when the moon is full. And indeed I celebrate antler growing season!!!! I will be writing a post soon that will include a great big beautiful moon in our honor….. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful birthday month as well, filled with endless delights! And I look forward to your post.
I love the copper with the red and hope that you had/have a wonderful birthday!
Thanks Lorraine. Wishing you a wonderful week.
This is a beautiful little journal. I love copper with the red.
Thanks Deb. Wishing you a fabulous week of color.
Nice SOC-entry!
Thanks Valerie.
Oh, yeah, I’v been moon watching, it’s magical this time of the year.
Beautiful vibrant art project!
Love and hugs
Maarit
Thanks Maarit and happy moon gazing!
Super piece, sorry I am a week behind… BJ
In my mind BJ there’s no behind, just moving at our own perfect rhythms. Thanks for stopping by and have a color-filled week.