Berries!

I'm still plugging away on swap stuff that I can't show off. Add house guests and a fresh load of design work and there's really not a heck of a lot time left over.

I noticed some lovely red spots hovering close to the ground yesterday. Tiny wild strawberries! How lovely is that?

I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the dramatic lighting here. Thanks to the morning sun I didn't even need to crack open photoshop to get this effect.

We'll have to see if we can gather enough for a small batch of jam :)

Morning Dew and Mozzie Bites

I can't really show you any of my crafty goods at the moment because they are for swaps. I know, I know, it hasn't stopped me before. I'm going to try my best to behave and post something else instead.

One of the projects I'm working on at the mo' is all about inspiration and wonder. For me inspiration springs from finding loveliness in little things and making magical the ordinary.  I think that eggbeaters are just about the neatest thing ever invented... I'm sure that given the opportunity they could do just about anything. I'm also rather in love with mossy places. How can there not be magic in those incredible colours and textures? Here are a few mossy landscapes that I took snaps of this morning while getting eaten alive by the mozzie brigade.

The Guest Room

We've been here two weeks and the house guests are set to start coming in just over a week. My grannie will be crossing the pond and staying with us for a while... best get that guest room sorted!

This is the glorious view from the guest bedroom. It's a cozy room with pretty views on two sides and a sweet smelling breeze that comes in from the two windows.

As you can see in the last thumbnail it's not all sugar and daisies just yet. Our deck is a mess and there is a pit where our pool should be. No worries, just a few weeks and it'll be looking just dandy.

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.

No. 3 The Empress

Here's my latest attempt at the Major Arcana ~ The Empress.



The Empress is a mother figure and this lass is pretty much looks the part of motherly perfection. The arch behind is pattern paper, representing domestic skill. There's also some handmade paper peeking over her shoulders to hint at the wheat fields usually depicted in this card. Usually the Empress is crowned with 12 stars, representing the 12 months of the year but I've given our gal 12 pearls of wisdom instead. Lastly a heart shaped locket signifying her association with Venus and 2 halves of a pomegranate hidden within... a lusty and fruitful symbol :)

GREEN!!!!!!!!!

Just look at that glorious colour! Everything seems so lovely and bursting with life today. *dreamy sigh*

We had our front door fixed today. It's been sitting broken for about 2 weeks. One of the things that distinguishes rural/small town life from the big city is the pace in which things are done. We've waited for the door to be fixed, for our garage doors to be replaced, we wait in line while people chat in shops... we wait for about a million other little things... but it's something that I find I've quickly grown accustomed to and don't mind in the least. As long as things get done eventually we'll be alright. I wonder what the rush was in the first place.

I figure I must be assimilating rather nicely because I even find myself humming along and rockin' my head to the local classic rock station. Hell, I don't even cringe when Rush comes on anymore! Less than a year ago I would have gagged and begged for the station to be changed as soon as Geddy Lee's 'distinctive' voice wavered over the airwaves. My poor husband has lost the button labeled "Tom Sawyer" that he enjoyed pushing at every opportunity :)

In praise of St. Joseph and Thanks to the Gods :)

We've been very fortunate and have managed to sell this joint and buy some new diggs in no time at all (although it felt eons).

After seeing over 20 houses we've decided on this pretty thing...



A 100 year old farm house sitting on 2 acres of rolling hills or 'toboggan slopes' as the husband calls them. Hell, it even has a babbling brook!

We had originally dismissed the house because the price tag was a bit high, there were dead flies everywhere, and it needs some work.... then the price dropped and we had a second look. We held our breath and took the plunge.

So thanks to the Gods, Goddess and Saint Joseph we are ready to move forward and start living a magical life once again :)

The Hierophant

My partner in the 'craft a tarot card' swap left the second card choice up to me. I chose card no. 5 'The Hierophant'.



Looking through my collection of old photos I came across a group shot of a gang priests (Do they travel in gangs I wonder? What exactly do you call a group of holy men?). Anywho I thought this fellow was suitable.

The Hierophant is/was also called The Pope or High Priest in some decks. In the journey of the Fool the hierophant is a wise man who gives advice, helping him to cope with his fears, bringing him back to reality.

I was raised Catholic, and although I never had a priestly sage to turn to, I was fortunate enough to know a few nuns who gave wonderful bits of wisdom. I remember speaking about one of the priests that struck fear into all of us and a sister telling us "A priest is just a man. He is God's agent... but he is not God." Another told us that sometimes feeling lazy might be God's way of telling us to settle down and take a break once in while.

I may not follow the same path as those nuns but they were wildly wonderful people :)

10 Houses in 2 days.

We've seen a fair number of houses these past few weeks and there's not a hell of a lot out there. It's frustrating because I don't think that we're picky, we just expect a reasonable return on the money we invest.

The hubby thought aloud tonight and said that perhaps we were spoiled, maybe our expectations are too high. I reminded him of the house we visited this afternoon with cat shit on the floor.

So far we've seen about 20 houses and nothing has really stood out. We're not looking for something that is perfect, we're open to a renovation project, but within reason. Taking something back to the studs isn't something we want to tackle right now... unfortunately many properties in our budget seem to require that level of work.

We also don't want to be house poor and exceed our budget. We're starting to feel stuck and something is going to have to give or we won't have anywhere to live soon.

Because I'm greedy

Soooo... because I was very pleased with myself and the Star card, I made myself a Star card too yesterday.



The colour in this photo is way closer to the originals than the previous photo I posted.

Next up? The Empress!

Star

I've always wanted to make my own tarot deck, so when I saw a swap on craftster for handmade tarot cards I jumped on board.

I'm really happy with my efforts today. Here's card No. 17, The Star.



There's a few symbolic things missing from the card but overall I'm pleased.

I'm really hoping that by making cards I'll gain a better understanding of the Fool's Journey and a deeper appreciation for the symbolism used (even if I do cheat and forgo using some the symbols in my own deck).

We're back

The kiddo and I have been away, spending some time in our old home town. The poor thing misses the city something terrible (I have to admit that I miss that big old place as well). Once back home I managed to do a little more work on my fat fibre book which is beginning to take shape. The pages still need quite a bit of work but I'm happy with the progress so far.

While we were away I picked up a few old photos for my collection. Just look at this old gal... she's wonderful!

And these two will make quite the pair :)

I'd like to image that if these two were a couple that, despite the stony exterior, they were probably quite a riot and suffered terribly from fits of giggles.