April Newsletter

NO. 45 | April 2025

From the Desk of Madison Moore is a monthly newsletter of friendly writing on living a creative life. Here, we celebrate the joy and magic of making things! And by reveling in the expansive definition of making, we acknowledge that we make things everyday. More concretely, I write about the process for all the kinds of things I make (books, clothes, illustrations, quilts, paintings, ceramics, baked goods, flowers…).

But, creativity is also more than an isolated craft—it’s a life practice. So you will find me writing about life, the natural world, home, food, and more.

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Most of the time, I write this newsletter at least a week before I’m due to send it out to you. I like reading it back and letting the thoughts develop before it’s out of my hands. But, today, I admit, I am writing on March 31.

This is because there are a lot of big things happening in my life right now. These things span all categories of decision-making: home, career, art, money. And, each have the possibility to make impactful change in my life this year (and far beyond).

I will be the first to admit that it’s really scary! And hard to contend with them all simultaneously. I also know that I’m being vague, and I hope that in the coming months I can share more. So, instead of getting into the details now, I want to write about how I’m approaching the fear of so much change (even though it’s probably good change).

There are two quotes from The Artist’s Way that I think of in times like this. The first:

In my experience, the universe falls in with worthy plans and most especially with festive and expansive ones.

Julia Cameron is a big believer in the idea that we can expect help from the forces at work in the world. And, if we can learn to be open-minded, we will recognize and accept the help as it appears to us. She believes that we are all worthy of dreaming big. The second:

Answered prayers are scary. They imply responsibility. You asked for it. Now that you’ve got it, what are you going to do?

When we are faced with big changes, even if they are changes we have dreamed about, we must come to terms with the fact that they will actually change things! Opportunity does not often mean a free-ride to paradise, but instead a chance to keep working at that end goal. So, yes, a celebration is in order. But, then, you should probably get back to work.

I have been feeling all this stuff at the big-picture level. Am I making the right choices? Is this going to work out? Am I equipped to say yes? But it’s also very much part of my day-to-day right now: research, phone calls, emails, visits, existential pondering.

I am maintaining some important rituals as support beams. I still write in my journal each morning. It’s a place to encourage myself! Yes, you’ll get through your to-do list today. Yes, your creative work is still there for you. Yes, you want this. Yes, it’ll work out. (Please note that all of this comes after the existential dread.)

I am spending time outside. I have started to think of March as a time of absorption. While the earliest blooming plants have started to open their buds (pussy willows, hazels, skunk cabbage, for example), everything else in the forest is still absorbing the warming temperatures and abundant moisture. It’s a collective inhale.

Alder Catkins

And, I am still making creative time. Right now, I’ve embarked on a mini sewing marathon to sew a few personal garment projects before moving on to sewing a giant batch of fish bags and a couple gifts. Sewing is one of the least mental crafts for me; I just get to sit down and make! So it’s grounding me in this time where everything else requires a lot of thinking.

Alessi Bias Dress (sewn 3/30/25)

In all, I am taking it day-by-day, feeling-by-feeling. I hope to come to you next month with a little more solid ground to stand on.

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Our little seedlings are doing SO well! Some new methods we tried for germination + seedling health have really worked (so well that we have already had to plant up a few things). We were visited by a bald eagle this month, and I got boba with mango jelly shaped like stars. You could taste the sparkle. Delightful! Finally, I have dropped my quilt off with the long-armer. We may have a finished quilt in April, friends.

This month, I’m excited to spotlight the work of Bird Warde! I love their illustration, and they create tons of excellent merch featuring a range of adorably-depicted creatures. They are truly an animal and nature lover, making them one of my favorite accounts to follow!

✷ Tracing paper I’ve started to use while sewing (also works as a tear-away stabilizer!)
✷ Do you have a favorite source of interior decor inspo? Please share!
✷ Similarly, do you love your couch? I hate mine! Please share!
✷ Seed starting video I used some tips from this year!