Hi Everyone! I needed to take a break last week, so I moved Wandering Camera to this week. This month the photos are a mixed bag. I took a few photos of the lunar eclipse through a telescope. The Girl and Her Cat are continuing their adventures in the north while I continue to work in my atelier.

I had intended to use my telescope for the lunar eclipse, so I got everything set up the night before.  The forecast had also called for clear skies, so I thought I was all set.  Then the not-so-proverbial clouds rolled in the next day.  Nevertheless, we decided to spend the evening in the garden and hope for the best. 

Time went by and then, very suddenly, my husband spotted the moon.  I have been watching and photographing lunar eclipses for a while now, and this one was particularly dark.  We could barely see it.  Even a thin layer of cloud made it completely invisible.  It came out  just long enough for me to take this photo of totality, then it went into hiding behind the clouds again.  

I almost gave up hope of  seeing the exit which I find most interesting.   However,  just when the exit started, the clouds parted to reveal a crystal clear moon.    During the entry and exit phases, Earth’s Ozone layer scatters red light.  It also lets through some blue light which is otherwise filtered out by the atmosphere.  The blue band along with Earth’s shadow cast over the moon are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

I am looking forward to spending a lot more time under the stars, browsing the sky with my telescope.  I love the blend of curiosity and creativity they evoke in me.

I have been keeping a very short ( no more than 5-7 items) play-list to stay focused and fulfill my curiosity.  I like calling it a play-list instead of a to-do list because I much prefer a playground over a classroom.  This certainly was at the top of that list.

Finished –

• Photograph lunar eclipse photos – Done
• Sow seeds for plants that I can use for dye or ink making – Done – planted madder

New and In Progress –

• Dye fabric with indigo leaves – New
• Make pigments from ink – No progress
• Hand bind my sketchbooks – 3 done, 1 more to finish – Made progress
• Sew flower blocks for Garden Path quilt – 5 – No progress
• Kitty blankets  3/4 – Made progress
• Block print – carving flowers – Small test block carved, large one in progress – Made progress

Block Printing

Getting acquainted with the new tools my husband got for me on a small piece before I start working on a large project.  I couldn’t pass up a chance of taking a b&w photo before starting on the large project.

The large one is almost finished.  I will share more of my process and something very special next week.

Distant Pages

In the meantime The Girl and Her Cat have ventured further into the stories of the north.   This blue book of paintings was inspired by my love of all things north, specially mythology and stories.

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the pictures and read about their wanderings –

The Shepherd

I would have loved to hear the stories of ancient voyages the shepherd is telling them, but those stories are for their ears only.

Not only did my husband and I have a week of anxiety (it’s all fine now), but lately there is also nothing but grimness everywhere.   I needed a break to curl in within my own world that only resides in my head.  I do hope these posts give you some joy.  I am looking forward to sharing more creative and curious adventures with you soon.

I look forward to seeing your photos and reading about them.

Wandering Camera starts on the last Thursday of every month.  Photos, art and creative-themed posts, including other linky parties are all welcome.

You can continue to link up multiple posts.  

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Have fun!!

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.