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What do you call a full moon?


That might sound a silly question.  You call it a full moon, of course.  But a full moon has different names given to it at different times of the year.  Those names vary slightly according to which reference book or website you consult, but here are the most popular: 

January -Wolf Moon

February - Snow Moon

March - Worm Moon (also known as the Egg Moon)

April - Pink Moon (alternatively, the Seed Moon)

May - Flower Moon

June - Strawberry Moon

July - Buck Moon

August - Sturgeon Moon

September - Harvest Moon

October - Hunter's Moon

November - Frost Moon

December - Cold Moon

Apparently the naming goes back to Native American culture, a way of keeping track of the seasons, the names reflecting what was going on in the natural world at that time of year.  The Worm Moon, for instance, was to do with Spring, the weather warming up, earthworms rising to the surface, migrating birds returning to the land.  More info about each month's name can be found on this page from Country Living magazine - link here - and more info about the moon in general is available via the Royal Museums Greenwich site - link to them here.  I love all those words applied to the moon's visibility.  A waxing crescent moon, a waning gibbous moon, a waning crescent.  So evocative.  

But why am I telling you all this?  Because of my current obsession with doll making, that's why. 

I've completed three dolls so far.  Except for adding ribbon loops to hang them from, and I also want to make labels to attach to each, explaining which moon they represent.  I'm still working out how to make those labels appear stylish enough.  My calligraphy skills are non-existent and the labels need to look a certain way.  Not like they're simply an address tag on someone's luggage.
The doll on the left has to be either November's Frost Moon or December's Cold Moon.  The middle doll is surely April's Pink Moon, while the doll on the right is slightly harder to place.  To me the colours are of early autumn.  That time of year when you get odd days that make you think it's still summer.  But those warm, mild days are deceptive, and you know in your heart that the season's turned and summer's really over.  I might leave off assigning a name to that doll until I've made a few more.  

I'll need to dig out the gell plate and print more fabric, but have temporarily run out of calico or enough plain white cotton to work with.  I did try printing on synthetic material, but it proved too difficult to stitch into, both by hand and by machine.  In fact, the sewing machine threw a major hissy fit every time I tried using the painted-on synthetic material.  Lots of snarled up thread and ominous clunky noises.  Shan't be trying that again!  

Okay, I'll finish here for today, and settle down to watch the early evening news.  That'll no doubt be full of gloom and doom.  Maybe I'll dodge the rain showers and go out for a long healthy walk afterwards.  Nothing like fresh air and burning off the calories to brighten the mood.  Bye for now.  

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