August Newsletter
NO. 49 | August 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.
This month’s newsletter reads a little bit like a series of updates, but there are a lot of things to share, and I’ve been too busy to write anything else!
First, a big reason I’ve been so busy is because we added a new gremlin to our family—meet Alfie!
We’ve had him about a month, and he’s already growing so much! It’s not the easiest thing in the world to have two puppies, but he has won us over with his adventurous spirit and sweetness. He & Otto are more fun to watch together with every passing day.
Today also marks the one year anniversary of the Swim Along Crossbody Fish Bag sewing pattern! I am so grateful for the way you’ve all loved this bag. It is one of the coolest projects of my whole life, and I am celebrating it. You can buy the pattern (or any of my patterns) 25% off through Sunday using the code ONEYEAR.
And the final update I have for you is basically a mini nature log for July. July has long been a favorite time of the year for me, but in the past couple years, it has been way busier than I’d prefer. Being free to appreciate the summer is part of what makes the summer such a special time—something to noodle on next year so I can spend my precious summer months swimming and eating and looking and enjoying instead of knee-deep in projects (like I am now). Doesn’t mean I’ve been too busy for at least a little observation…
Wild Bergamot (also called Bee Balm) has been the star of the landscape this month. These electric purple flowers have been in full bloom wherever I go. I’ve also made some delicious tea from the petals!
Handfuls of berries are lining every path, ripening on different schedules so we can spend the whole month feasting. There’s no taste like a little wild raspberry melting in your mouth.
I see Song Sparrows every day, yet this close-up moment with one was the highlight of my birding month. These birds nest on the ground, flitting around the wildflower fields with abandon.
Mushrooms, especially ghost pipes (left), are popping up. While I can’t ID them all, I look forward to the dozens of species I’ll see through August.
And now, just as the month ends, Goldenrod has begun to flower, a process that will paint the landscape yellow nearly everywhere around us.
So, I warn you, soak in the green, the sun, and even the heat before warmer colors have their day.
The other big highlight of June is FOOD. Between the garden, local farms, foraging, and cooking creativity, we have been eating really good.
Portfolio Peek
This 2024 painting is one of my favorite EVER. Done in gouache, colored pencil, and crayon in my sketchbook, this painting is based on a photo I took camping a few years previous. Dandelions have long been a special plant for me, and combined with the flow-state process that resulted in this piece, I love it from top to bottom.
Amélie Fléchais is a French illustrator and comic book artist. I love her expressive character design, action-packed narrative art, and rendering style. Check out her instagram and books (some of which are available in English).
✷ Neighborhood Patterns is running a pattern sale fundraiser for Gaza through this weekend
✷ I really want to make lamps
✷ A newsletter full of textile goodies from Jessica Lewis
✷ A beautiful summer newsletter from the beginning of the month (rural living in Japan)
What adorable pictures of Otto and Alfie♥️♥️♥️. Thanks for the update !! I do love the dandelion painting🥰
❤️🐶🐶💐🍄
Thank you!