The Celebration of Easter

Happy Easter: Ostern, Pesach, Eosturmonath, Great Day and Great Night and I hope you had a blessed and holy Passover!

The Jewish celebration of Passover, The Feast of the Unleavened Bread was practiced by ancient Israelites at the beginning of their New Year, the Spring Equinox. The Christian Easter, depends on Passover for not only much of its symbolic meaning, but for its dating on the calendar.

Our Christian celebration is linked with the observance of Jesus' resurrection three days after his entombment, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon and the true meaning of re-birth and the promise and the cycle of life ever-lasting.

The name of our holy day 'Easter', is derived from that of the Teutonic goddess Eostre, or Eoster, or Ostern and was celebrated during the pascal month of Eosturnmonath, meaning Great Day or Great Night.

What may appear as diverse rites of Spring reveal themselves as sharing common cultural beliefs in life, death, resurrection and rebirth. As the Night begins her retreat, and the dawn of the new Light and Life begin their ascent and resurrection, the balance shifts within each of us.

It becomes a time of renewal, and rebirth...to time to lay down the old, and begin life anew. We set out our baskets of eggs and we celebrate this happy occasion, just as nature celebrates her own time of new growth.

In the wild forest, the hens sense the spring time change and begin to lay their colorful eggs. Perhaps our own ancestors went out to hunt them, perhaps bringing them back in their nests, or in baskets imitating them. Our nest-like baskets of decorated eggs and the Eoster Egg Hunt, remind us of this lovely revitalization of nature and our common sharing in the joys, goodness and abundance of life.

The symbol of the egg banishes the past and starts afresh. It is a symbol of purification and it is a symbol of rebirth. As we crack our eggs, we peel back the white of the melting snow, and we release and free the golden sun within.

My own decorated eggs, and tables filled with fresh flowers from my parents 60th Anniversary party on the 9th symbolize their own rich bounty that continues on into our holy season 'Eostre' or Easter. The little birds or bunnies sitting on their nests and all of our Easter eggs, whether dyed, natural, or fresh, symbolize the rebirth of new life and Spring.

Easter blessings to all of you, in all countries, with all customs and cultures. And happiest days of rebirth and re-awakenings for a new and holy season.

Free Easter Quilt Patterns

Free Chicken Patterns Courtesy of My Girls in the Coop!!!

CHICKENS, CHICKENS, CHICKENS! FREE PATTERNS AND TUTORIALS!

HEN PARTY CHICKS PINCUSHION

Quiltscapes Hen Party Chicks Pincushions:  TUTORIAL

  Hen Party Chicks @ Sew We Quilt:  STORY & TUTORIAL

Spring Chickens @ Riley Blake Designs:  TUTORIAL

Printer-Friendly Instructions:  PATTERN'

 I ♥  Appliqué
 ~ Raw Edge Appliqué Basics

Free Pincushion, Pincushion/Thread Catcher,Armrest Pincushion Caddy Patterns:






 LOG CABIN Chicken Pin Cushion!!! 


thanks for the pdf link to the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild and to the photo of a pincushion, made and featured at the  "The Chicken Run" Challenge Group..see lots and lots of chickens!!

 
http://ohsewtempting.wordpress.com/chicken-run-gallery/

 

Riley Blake website:

 http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2012/3/2/spring-chickens/

↑ Tried folding rick-rack for the comb, too.  So cute, makes me smile.

..

"Hen Party Chicks."
You've got to admit, they're adorable ~ Don't they just make you smile?!  

I think everyone should have a basketful of these cheerful chicks.

Printable Instructions HERE

 

NEW MSQC Tutorial: The Chicken Pincushion..you tube demonstration for how to make the chicken pinchushion

More to check out for the same chicken pincushion idea:

Chicken Pin Cushion - Quilt Patterns

www.quiltingworks.com/cabin-fever/projects/chicken-pin-cushion.htm

2 identical log cabin blocks, 4" x 4" (3 1/2" x 3 1/2" finished); 1 square 2" x 2" of ... Lay down one log cabin block, right side up, as illustrated with the dark half of ... Fat Quarter Bundles, Original Quilt Kits, Quilting Fabrics & FREE Quilt Patterns

[PDF]

 Chicken Pin Cushion from QuiltingWorks.com above...

Chicken Pincushions with Thread Caddy Nests...below

Chicken Pincushions with Thread Caddy Nests

Weathervane wall quilt, free pattern by Debbie Busby at All People Quilt

Rise and Shine wall hanging, free pattern by Wendy Sheppard at Ivory Spring
 

Mr. Rooster, free pattern by Caroll at West Michigan Quilter

Cat's Rooster, free pattern by Jennifer Ofenstein at Sew Hooked

Jaunty Rooster, free pattern by Julie Lynch for Benartex

Birds of a Feather wall quilt by Cynthia Scott at Janome

Redwork Chicken Embroidery Pattern by Cheryl C. Fall for About.com

Rise and Shine Placemat Tutorial by Vicki Welsh

 Rooster Quilt Block, free pattern at How Stuff Works

Chickens in the Coop, inspired by “Birds of a Feather” from Kevin Kosbab, made by Laura Boehnke for All People Quilt 

Hen and Flowers wall hanging, free pattern at All People Quilt

Cocks Crow in the Morn, free pattern by Kaaren Johnston at The Painted Quilt