Happy Earth Day !

Since 1970,  Earth Day has been observed on April 22 to raise awareness of sustaining our planet's natural resources. It is now celebrated in more than 192 countries each year. We chose the map quilt below, because it reminds us of the iconic photo of Earth from outer space, as shown on the Earth Day Flag.

The Island, 41 x 38", by Alicia Merrett, U.K.

Alicia writes, "Maps have fascinated humankind from the birth of civilization; now we have progressed to contemporary aerial photography and GPS.  Maps describe features of the earth, tell us where places area, and lead us to destinations. Maps can also be products of the artistic imagination."

Alicia has done a fabulous job of creating an island with apparent mountains, roads, rivers, and even little buildings in settlements shown in the close-up below.  

Close up, The Island by Alicia Merrett

Alicia continues, "This island is completely imaginary - it just exists conceptually on a blue ocean. But, I have borrowed the cartographic symbols of a typical aerial view and used them to describe it."  We love the vivid, clear fabric colors used in this highly innovative and fascinating original design.   Alicia's work is  machine pieced, appliqued, and quilted. It was displayed at the 2015 World Quilt Show in Florida, U.S.A.