Friday, February 6, 2015

Of Moons and Elephants

As some of you may know, I have been photographing the full moon quite avidly over the past couple of years. It all started when I noticed a fabulous full moon rising as I drove home after my late husband's funeral in April 2013.........so I stopped and took a photograph of it, driven by some compulsion I didn't quite understand, to do so. The next month, there it was again, visible in a clear sky. I might add, that in Tasmania, given that we have a lot of "weather", the full moon is often not visible because of cloud. But astoundingly, for 23 months I have been able to photograph the full moon clearly visible each and every time. It is quite unbelievable to me that I have been able to do so. There have been eclipses and "blood moons", enormous orange harvest moons and she is differently beautiful each time. I have become very moon-aware.

A few nights ago, I recorded the Twenty-third Moon. Next month will be the twenty-fourth......two years of full moons. If she is visible next month, I will take the last of these photographs - I think they have served some arcane purpose and I probably will have got something out of my system - I'm not actually sure quite what!





The different moods of the twenty-third moon.

Back to more down-to-earth matters:  a bit over a year ago, I worked out how to knit a little elephant using four needles and knitting in the round - I wrote down the bare instructions in a kind of knitters' shorthand, then promptly mislaid them. Recently, I found them again, so I knitted up another little elephant. This time I positioned him on all fours instead of with "arms" and legs like a teddy-bear. I've had a few requests to offer this as a pattern, so that means knitting another one and taking progress photos. I will then be able to offer this little elephant as a downloadable PDF pattern in my Etsy store (www.susiemcmahon.etsy.com). Needless to say, I find knitted toys so very comforting and such FUN to make. 
I have a few other ideas for PDF tutorials for my store that I plan to work on in the next few months.

The knitting pattern - found!

Elephant in progress

Finished!

On my hand , to show scale.








8 comments:

Unknown said...

Sadly then, an end to your moon gazing and picture taking then. Heavy sigh, I have watched her in your photography taking her positions in both night and morning skies. Hugz, I know that whatever catches your artist eye will be as beautiful as the moon and her flights across the heavens as surely it is a sign from your true love. All is well until thee both shall meet again!♡

Susie McMahon said...

Well......maybe I won't stop, Pamela - it has become quite a major thing in my life, but I don't think I'll be bothered too much if I can't see it one month!

FairiesNest said...

I have loved your moon photos, the beauty of the universe has been a balm for my grief this past year as well. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

SympleTymes Cloth Art By Sherrie Nordgren said...

I Hope you don't stop your wonderful important pictures of our moon. What IS happening with our m00n is very Biblical..your pictures are a delight to see

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

Your elephant is so sweet and reminds me of the vintage toys that children used to play with. :-)

Susie McMahon said...

Thanks all for your lovely comments! I'm glad you like my moon pics - I was starting to think they might be getting a little repetitive......although she always presents such different faces! And yes - knitted toys do have that "vintage childhood" feel to them - perhaps that's why I like them so much!

Dianne said...

The elephant is adorable.

Susie McMahon said...

Thanks Dianne!

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