All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Over the past number of years and especially since May when we began the manifesting of COSMIC HOUSE, we have been reading many books, viewing videos and listening to radio programs and pod broadcasts and discussing ideas on everything to do with global warming, energy systems, waste and recyling, water wars, community gardens and growing our own food, the value of material things, sustanibility, spiritual and planetary renewal and lots of other big ideas! Cosmic House has spawned these discussions with troubling as well as exciting ideas. It has been wonderful to work together and to fuel our directions in the physical creation of our little-BIG house, COSMIC HOUSE.
We would like to pass on some suggested books etc for your bedside pile.... and if yours is anything like ours....it is a towering pile, a vertical library of great porportion!
Just a few to begin with: PLEASE ADD MORE TO OUR LIST!
It would be great to hear from you and to add your suggestions to the pile!
Omnivore's Dilemna - Micheal Pollen - in fact any book of Michael Pollen.
Abundance and Depletion - Life on the New Home Front - Sharon Astyk
Trash -
Poetics of Space - Gaston Bachelard
Smelling Land: The Hydrogen Defense Against Climate Catastophe - David Sanborn Scott (CBC pod cast from Ideas as well)
David writes in his Preface to the book,
"Smelling Land also touches on the energy systems of life and of Earth. It's intended for poets historians, legistlators and industrailists every bit as m uch as for engineers and physicists. "
COSMIC HOUSE is about thresholds, doorways, portals, - points in time and space where we currently find ourselves and looking beyond the now into what may be in the future. As we build our house, it speaks to us about transformation and renewal and the hope and hard work which lies ahead.
Please add to our list of books and ideas as these thought manifestations in the end, will aid all of us in beginning to turn the tide on the continued old industrial way of thinking and doing... ...we are as much responsible for all of this as are our neighbours, so let intention and action be our guide in making the best choices for the future.
Now enough of words and back to our sewing and felting needles!
Archive Photos of the Process
I - Applying the Sculptural Elements to the Portal Opening
This continues what felt like an entire month working on hands and knees. 'Molding' the felts into the archway of the portal. A very satisfying process.
Above: Left portal begins
Left: An eye peers mysteriously from piles of wool
Morning Illumination: the early morning sun shines through the Green Man in-process. He greets us each morning when we enter the studio; glowing like an otherworldly diety; meeting us with his wise gaze.
Over the past number of years and especially since May when we began the manifesting of COSMIC HOUSE, we have been reading many books, viewing videos and listening to radio programs and pod broadcasts and discussing ideas on everything to do with global warming, energy systems, waste and recyling, water wars, community gardens and growing our own food, the value of material things, sustanibility, spiritual and planetary renewal and lots of other big ideas! Cosmic House has spawned these discussions with troubling as well as exciting ideas. It has been wonderful to work together and to fuel our directions in the physical creation of our little-BIG house, COSMIC HOUSE.
The sinister tool mistress, Miss Kate!
She says to herself..."hmmmm my next experiment will be to....."
Having a break the day Robin brings her hand-molded monkey masks to the studio!
Ahhh those felting needles!
COSMIC HOUSE OPEN STUDIO
On August 15 we served tea and cookies and a peek at work-in-progress for COSMIC HOUSE.
Exhausted after a full day of talking and explaining our process, we lie down on our printing and ironing table covered with our 9 soft and luxurious felted cloths and promptly fall asleep!
Green Man emerges....the portal to the Cosmic House
Needle felting wool on lutradur cloth.
Our friend and fellow felter, Robin, offers 2 days helping us in the studio, working on the Green Man portal.
Thank you, Robin, for your wonderful energy!
User Beware - The sensational super turbo needle cluster tool!
Listen to your mothers! Do not run with this tool!
Lethal weapon!
Final Felting in the Fullness of Time!
Sew, you think you understand the cosmos? 
Coming from a week off, we are now ready to jump back in the saddle and begin working again. Time to reflect a little on our 'little - big' COSMIC HOUSE.
It grows in the sun and sleeps in the stillness of the night; and it is not dreamless. Does not your house dream? and dreaming, leave the city for grove or hilltop? 
Wool wool wool
Maggie sorting wool
What joy! Rainbow colours for Green Man and the portal panels!
Kate beginning to needle dry felt in the Green Man's face. 
