The Crafty Studio

Finally my crafty goods have been unpacked and most of my stash has found a place to hide. I don't really have a design style... at all... no really, I'm terrible! For me, decorating is more about putting all my stuff in a somewhat hidden but still accessible space. Although I'd love for my crafty space to stay as neat as it is right now, I know that it in a matter of minutes it will become a disaster :)

For the thrifty types out there... The Books - free, used for tearing up. The Lamp - given to us last week, was awful black glass with painted flowers... spray paint did the trick. The Paper Holder - an old LP holder from a second hand store. The Wooden Desk - $7 from the Re-Use Centre.

Bugs, bugs, and more bugs

Yesterday I killed a load of bugs. I'm not normally the type to squish the wee buggers but these were huge mutant types. One of my many victims was a bumblebee that was least 2.5" long, buzzing about my kitchen. There must be something in the air to make everything so darned big here. There were far fewer indoor bugs today... perhaps they can smell death.

Outside is another story.

I'm sure that there is a gang of mosquitoes waiting outside my door. They've had a taste of my red stuff and want more! They are telling their friends and writing blogs about it. The walk to the school bus this morning left me with numerous bites, a swollen finger, and unimaginably itchy spots behind my knees. It's a good thing we're line drying clothes this summer because it looks like we'll need the extra money for bug spray.

Cleaning house

Okay, I'm going to try to update this wee blog today... it's bound to be messy around here for a while.

Pie

I'm feeling a bit icky today. My sinus/ear/throat is bugging me. I sort of wish I could have lounged on the couch and done nothing today but there's just too much to do. Work, unpacking, cleaning, laundry... ug.



But really, what's to complain about? I live in a postcard for god sake.

The kiddo and I had a bit of a shouty match this morning and so it was "NO TV!" after school today. It really shouldn't be a punishment because he always comes up with great ways to entertain himself. Today it was building a giant fort out of our empty moving boxes. Here he is having a much deserved freezie afterwards.

Inside I was baking pie. I didn't feel like it. God knows I didn't feel like it but the hubby has been nagging for one so I obliged.

There's a whole lot of love in that pie.

P.S. Anyone else get stupid formatting issues on blogger? I'm thinking of switching because it's such a pain in the bottom.

Praise Be!

We have a strange little spot in our new house. There is this weird sort of hallway that connects the old part of the house to the newer addition. It's painted quite dark and is sort of dim and sombre, it's awkward and doesn't quite fit with the brightness of the rest of the house.

Our cookbook shelf happens to fit perfectly in this strange walk through and since gluttony is probably the sin we are most guilty of, what better place to display all the religious bits and bobs that have found their way to us.

Speaking of finds... check out this fantastic find. I picked up a pair of these lovelies at a Christian School garage sale last weekend for just $1!

We still have some items waiting to be unpacked that will finally have a home in our confessional hallway (where the heck is that giant rosary?). All this packing/unpacking is a drag and I'll be glad when all of our things find homes.

Now for the unpacking...

Just look at that mess!



We're slowly getting settled in our new digs. We've still got a few more loads of stuff to bring over (damned stuff) but slowly all of our junk will find a place in the new house. Our fantastic "Home Sweet Home" sign is hanging proudly and I think that this place will be pretty sweet in no time at all.

We woke up one morning to see 3 deer crossing the lot next door. We've seen a chunky raccoon running about. There are wee mole hills scattered all over our side garden. I'm sure that we'll be shaking our fists at all these guys when they get into our veggie patch but for now it's nice to see them out and about.

We took a short break from the unpacking to visit several garage sales this past weekend. We're looking for some bed rails and a coffee table but no such luck so far. I did find these two great vintage books.

Books are probably the very last things I need but who could pass up directions for making meat pinwheels?

What was in those jars anyway?

Even if you aren't magically inclined, making your own incense is a great craft. Loose powdered incense has to be one of the simplest things there is to make... especially with the aid of an old coffee grinder.

Cleansing Incense

This is one of my top three favourite magical blends. I take a bit of frankincense and myrrh, add a healthy dose of copal and few drops of rosemary essential oil (though I'd prefer to use leaves). Grind it all up and ta da! you've got some of the best incense there is. I'll sprinkle this on a charcoal and walk through the house, using the smoke to cleanse our new space. It's fantastic stuff and it smells a treat.



Joy and Laughter Oil

Nice quality almond oil with citrus essential oils blended in (orange/grapefruit/lemon). I also tossed in some dried orange peel since I'm a sucker for natural floaty bits in my oils. I'll use the oil to anoint some very pretty candles I bought and light them in the new house to ensure loads of happiness throughout.



House Blessing Incense

Dragons Blood, benzoin and lavender ground into a fine powder. I'll sprinkle a bit on a glowing charcoal to seal in all the goodness.



If you don't have a local occult or new age shop you can find many of the ingredients for making incense from health food stores and shops that focus on eastern goods and food stuff.

It's a beautiful day. If it weren't for the thump and rumble from our neighbours across the street I might have been persuaded to play hooky from packing for a short while. At least the sound is motivation to forge ahead.



Once again we are living in a war zone. It's a battle between me and the boxes.



Most of the books and crafting goods have been packed away...



I did manage to get some crafting in though :)

Before packing up the herbs and oils in my cupboard I put together a kit of goodies to prepare the new house. There's Joy and Laughter Oil, House Blessing Incense, and a cleansing incense too. I'm also going to make up a nice big batch of Four Thieves Vinegar. The plan is to clean out the whole place and then seal in all the goodness I possibly can.

Anyone out there have their own magical moving tips?

Another find

Today, amidst my paints and screen printing supplies I came across an old box filled with...



... lovely old wooden checkers.

I also discovered 4 wisks hiding in my junk drawer. I don't recall ever buying a wisk so how have I come to own 4 of the things? I think my junk drawer is breeding.

A pleasant surprise

We stopped by the new joint last night to take some measurements. The plot next door has been sold and they've already chopped down a few trees so we may have to contend with a bit of building over the next while... at least there's an end to construction. Hopefully we'll end up with some nice new neighbours :)

The packing continues and I suppose one good thing about it is that you are forced to go through your stuff and give some thought about what you want to lug to the next place. You also discover treasures you forgot were hidden in the back of the closet. Today I came across these lovely things...

Lovely vintage tin reflectors for x-massy lights. Hmmm, I wonder what sort of crafty purpose I can put these to?

Packing... Oh the joys

We've begun packing our things away, getting ready for another move. It's sort of depressing really, putting away all the lovely things that inspire me, all my tools and bits and bobs. *sigh* It's only for a few weeks.



We have come across several boxes that didn't even make it to the 'unpack' stage at this house. Really, we hardly had time to settle in.

Ah well, "On to better things" as they say.

Fingers crossed and all that jazz.