Thursday, August 24, 2017

It's all about the Moon!





Who would have thought that when I made a quilt with Island Batik Fabrics for Spring Market last January, it would be shared by Island Batik and Aurifil Threads the week of the Solar Eclipse?  Who would have thought that both of their collections spoke to me in a way that spread across the universe to the moon. Just goes to show you that even a blind pig finds an acorn! (One of my husband's favorite sayings.)

And yes this week has been all about the Moon and the Solar Eclipse.  If you didn't see it personally, you probably watched it on TV. It was interesting to say the least and a once in a lifetime event for many.

My quilt was made using the Zen Collection from Island Batik. Don't you just love all the beautiful blues with a nice pop of green?










Since the fabric collection was called Zen, I wanted to name the quilt something that made me think of peace. While working on it, I was drawing a blank. However, once I looked at the finished project, I  knew immediately what the name had to be. Working with the star fish fabric, the sand dollars, the ripples in the water, and the name of the collection, I chose "Sea of Tranquility" which spoke quiet, stillness and peace to me. Do you agree?



                                                 Sea of Tranquility - 53" x 71"

And if you didn't know the Sea of Tranquility is on the moon and that is where the first astronauts landed in July of 1969. 


No one has been back to the Sea of Tranquility site where the Apollo 11 lunar module (LM) deposited Armstrong and fellow NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin in July of 1969. 


 

I love looking at the moon as it is so beautiful and still. However I have no desire to visit it or be an astronaut. The closest I want to get to the Sea of Tranquility is my quilt. 

Now to make this quilt, I had to have thread and for me the "Purrfect" thread was Aurifil.
I love working with Island Batik Fabrics and Aurifil Threads.They blend beautifully together. Stitching the batiks with these threads is magic like a match made in heaven.

So to get you in a "tranquil" mood where you can "Zen" out - check out these gorgeous fabrics and threads. Aren't they just out of this world?

Island Batik Zen Collection 

See the "Starfish" and the "Sand dollars" and the ripples in the water. They are all involved with the sea.



Island Batik Zen Collection with coordinating Aurifil Threads
"Sew" many beautiful blue "moon" colors and "green cheese" splashes!

 Which is your favorite color thread?
 Is it this lovely Royal Blue - 2730





or this lovely turquoise - 2810












 or this fun lime green  - 1231










or this rich royal navy - 2784

or this light blue - 2720












 or this aqua blue - 5006?














It is really hard to choose a favorite as they are all beautiful. I am so pleased that I got to share my "Zen"  or "Moon Walk" experience with you.

Please leave a comment and tell me which is your favorite color thread and whether you ever wanted to travel in space. I will be choosing a winner through Random.org and giving away three Sea of Tranquility patterns to some future moon quilt explorers. 












Be sure to blast over to the Island Batik Blog where you will learn more about their Zen Fabric Collection.

Then fly over to Auribuzz, the Aurifil blog for an out of the world experience as there is a   great giveaway that will send you to the moon and back.

Before I close, I do have to share that these two wonderful companies have hearts as big as the universe. They support the "Piece for Shelter Pets" project which works with The Quilt Pattern Magazine and the Petfinder Foundation by helping with TQPM Kennel Quilts for shelter pets. Thanks and kudos to them!

Until next time,
                 Nan


24 comments:

  1. I think my favorite is the light blue. So calming. Ever since I was young (a long time ago!) I wanted to be an astronomer. I don't think I ever wanted to travel in space but I definitely wanted to learn about it. As a teacher, I ended up attending quite a few workshops with NASA. Now that I'm retired I don't qualify to attend any more but still pay attention when anything new is discovered.

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    1. Thank you Allison, I bet your workshops with NASA were very interesting. That is really neat. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Of the grouping you have, definitely the turquoise. Otherwise, copper all the way. :)

    I've always loved the idea of space and what might be out there, but have never had the urge to live on the space station or travel to space.

    Thanks for the chace to win.

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    1. Thank you and I have to say I am very partial to the turquoise as well. I agree with you - no space station experience for me.

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  3. I love lime green. Always have loved green. Man first stepped on the moon on my 18th birthday. I grew up with Mercury and Apollo missions always in the news.

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    1. Kathryn, Wow what a memory for turning 18! It was definitely an exciting time with all of the missions in the news.

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  4. Love the blues of Zen. I used it for my pattern, too. No space travel for me, but visiting NASA is fun.

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  5. Love this pattern. I think my favorite is the aqua - 5006, but it was hard to pick a favorite because I like them all! Never wanted to be an astronaut. Not that adventurous. ckrutjo at g mail dot com (Cindy)

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  6. Love, love, love the aqua blue

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  7. I like the Barney color - so lovely and vibrant. I have never had any interest in going into space. I don't like confined spaces and that seems like a requirement

    Thunderfan@protonmail.com

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  8. Sorry, you are calling it royal blue, it looks similar to Barney from another collection but both are lovely!

    Thunderfan@protonmail.com

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  9. Love the turquoise # 2810. There was a time that I thought it would be great to be one of the first "Circuit Riders" in space travel. Instead of a horse, I would have a rocket-ship.

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  10. I love the turquios. I have never considered going to the moon as I prefer knowing the ground is near.

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  11. I am a huge fan of the aqua, and I love Aurifil

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  12. I love your fabric choices!!!

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  13. I like the lovely turquoise. I love most any aqua/turquoise. They've always been my favorite colors.

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  14. Oops... Forgot to answer the second question. Turquoise is my favorite. And no..
    I've never had an interest in going into space.

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  15. I think I would have to choose the aqua blue as favorite although they are ALL gorgeous!

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  16. Royal blue and turquoise are my favorites.

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  17. I like the royal blue and the turquoise.

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  18. Love the turquoise thread! The sea of tranquility quilt is gorgeous! As a kid I thought travel to space sounded cool, but now I'd rather just stay on earth.

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  19. My favorite colors are lime green & turquoise. I'd rather stay on Earth.

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  20. That turquoise is so beautiful and sparkling. It's my favorite! As for traveling in space -- I admit, I would if I had the chance. The view must be amazing!

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  21. Never wanted to travel in space! My favorite thread is the turquoise!

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