New Year Visioning

I'm invited to a party this PM, sharing time & goodies with friends who will play games. At times I enjoy games, but those times are rare, & dependant on the company & the game!
Apples to Apples & Balderdash are fun, as are Domino games. Peggity (a 50s varient of 'Go') I adore, & as a teen was a 'Peggity Shark.' My dyslexia makes Scrabble unbearable, so I don't usually participate in that. The Transformation 'Game' is a delight, but my friends usually say it's too 'serious, . . .

So I'll be bringing collage supplies as my 'back up plan' - one of my favorite New Year's Eve activities is doing a treasure map or vision board! I have made these occasionally - the first was at New Years with friends ~ 12 years ago. One couple thought they wanted to adopt a child, but hadn't begun the process. They EACH put a photo of an oriental child on their boards, & within the next two years, adopted their son, then a few years later their daughter!
Another friend wanted to take her husband to the red rocks in Arizona, & that was the 'one thing' on her delightful board that hadn't manifested yet. (within a year, they had gone)

Earlier in the month I made a 'dream board' on the New Moon. I'll be intrigued to see what images come at this hinge between the years, what images I'll choose for seeding the future. The word that came for 2009 is PRESENCE, so whatever I'm drawn to will support that intention.
For tomorrow, Tori mentioned a blessing jar suggested over on Robyn's Blog - & I had to check it out! Sweet ritual: "Sweep, Smudge & Blessing Jar" Lots of choices for the contents of the jar! & one of my galfriends gave me a sweet little ceramic jar for blessing words - think I'll use that!

Blessings upon the New Year!

Two cards on the New Moon

My grand daughters spent the afternoon & stayed overnight Sat. After a day full of sorting & clearing, we did some collage.
I made my New Moon cards in Capricorn Cards.
They LOVE cutting & pasting with Grammie - it was a nice way to end the day. We used a calendar I brought back from Hawaii a few years ago as the 'base' photos - Alyssa chose an orchid, Kakay some Red hot pokers.

The first is Soul Dance. The essence definition for Plumaria is "Brings awareness of family roots. Restores spiritual integrity for native peoples."
When I visited the Big Island, Plumaria was an essence I was drawn to make, & did so early the last morning. I felt blessed that a native man (one of the grounds workers) helped me get a sprig of flowers, & brought me another - Pikake - which he was very excited to show me! I had looked the definition up on the hotel computer before going out, & felt that 'spiritual integrity' was really 'tapped' with his assistance.
The little girl REALLY reminds us of my Kakay 'rocking out!' . . . there's a sense of fairies, & the dignity of the woman on the left.
"I'm the one who is excited to BE HERE, who hears the music of the spheres & dances my own dance! I am the one who sees the essence behind the symbols, the turn of the seasons. I am the one who transcends the wheel of life, & finds the beauty wherever I AM!

The second card, Petroglyph, draws on images from Peru , with a shaman in the center, & a blue butterfly on the Right. "I am the one who has been present from the dawn of time. I am the one who provides light to draw on the stones of your soul! I am the one who shares the secrets, & tells the stories. I am the one who remembers. Drugma Cho Dron Wong Mo - the dragon depository of the Dharma! I bring forth the heart of all that is."
I was given the name as I studied a Buddhist version of Reiki; the week before, a psychic had tagged me 'Wisdom Keeper!' I puzzled over the Tibetan name - then made the connection - 'dharma,' wisdom teachings, 'depository' - something to keep them in - ah ha! Dragon Mother, Wisdom keeper!!

Clearing the way

Around this time of year, I often find myself clearing & sprucing up around the house, at times painting, at others, working on clearing & cleansing. The sun in Early Cap. is transiting my 4th house - so a great time for this inspiration of moving energy! I moved

Most of my creativity has been focused on making little blessing stars, for family to hang in their cars, a Victorian Cone (shown above, & inspired by Caroline's post), & other holiday goodies. Now I'm more seriously addressing mountains of paper & other stuff - went through the clothes that had mounded on top of my dryer (in one of those sweet off kitchen alcove closets) & put a bunch into a 'pass on' bag; finally moved the big coffee table into another room for crafting. Etc.

Look for more creative activity SOON - & stop by Vestella's Vale for other updates - including the inspiration of the search for a new broom!

Oh, & Molly over at Herspeak has a wee give away! Check out Monday's post - there's still time!

Give Aways - just in time for Christmas!

Melissa is having a great give away for her 4th anniversary (or Blogoversary) .... darling valentine 'fixings' & Ophelia (who hosted a 'fab' paper trade - my FIRST! is having one on hers as well :) So head on over & leave some comments!

As one of the others said, four years ago I hadn't even heard of blogs - tho I was busy creating my own websites! I love the opportunity for interaction with blogs - occasionally get an e-mail from someone who encounters my site, inc random orders of flower essences!

Burr - cold here! Hope it eases up a bit tomorrow so I can get over to Oregon Mutual & do some harping!

Word of the Year - PRESENCE

Today Michele posted a blurb on KaleidoSoul about her new SoulCollage card for her 'word of the year,' which was done in response to a suggestion from Christine Kane in her 'resolution revolution' a different way to post intentions for the coming year - "Several years ago, my friend Kathy and I decided that, instead of making resolutions, we would pick a word that would guide us throughout the year. It would be our touchstone. It would remind us of living our lives at the BE level." (as opposed to 'do' - if I 'do' this, I'll 'have' something else, & then I'll 'be' happy! So let's just start with 'be!')

This time of the Gemini Full Moon is a great time to focus on a word! (The full moon is always in sign opposite the current Sun Sign - in this case, Sagittarius) Michele writes: "Gemini rules our thinking and speaking, how we communicate to others. Words that harm or heal. Words you speak to yourself. The inner critic. Gemini and Sag work together...Sagittarius asks you to take a risk and expand into new territory. Which leads to my "Word of the Year".
&
"At the time of the Full Moon [December 12, 2008 at 11:37 AM est] Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn are together- think of a meet-up at Starbucks in the sky, both sitting at a table having Lattes. Mercury deals with the way you think, your issues with siblings and day-to-day communication. Pluto the cosmic garbage cleaner shines a light into the dark places you so want to hide from.
"This Full moon packs a wallop of energy as there is a Grand Square in the sky in the mutable signs of Gemini [Moon], Virgo [Saturn], Sagittarius [Sun/Mars] and Pisces [Uranus]. The opposition of Saturn to Uranus...forms a Grand Cross to the Sun and Moon, which will add to the power of the Full Moon. The Grand Cross is a spectacularly stressful planetary dynamic in which conflict between the planets builds up into a crisis which forces a release and ultimately, a transformative change." {Reprinted from The New Moon Journal, an online e-zine featuring astrological coaching tips, tricks and techniques for using the sky energies for personal empowerment written by Michele Bailey-Lessirard. Subscribe }

-- Now Saturn is presently 'sitting' on my natal Saturn - in the 2nd Saturn return during this life journey. The first happens in the late twenties, & is a time of setting priorities, getting things 'in order' (getting married, buying a house, having kids are common 1st Saturn Return tasks) . . . 2nd Saturn return is honing of priorities - what to keep, what to discard.

As I thought about a word for the year, my recent work with SoulCoaching & the spiritual book group came together, & the word "PRESENCE" slipped into my mind. Later, as I readied my massage haven for the first appointment of the day, I pulled an Angel card (from the Transformation game set) & . . . PRESENCE! OK, OK!! It's one of the cards added on the 25th anniversary of the creation of the original deck, & shows an angel in a shower of light. & naturally, when I went to look for it in my 'home' deck, it was close to the top. Naturally.

Presence - I AM the one who shines forth my crystalline being! I am the one who is present & willing to step up & be counted! I am the one who shines brilliantly, to show the way for myself & for others! I AM the Presence of the Divine! When I am present, I am able to fully experience & enjoy life!


The card was created in conjunction with a 'full moon dream board' as per Suzie - again, with the focus on Moon in Gemini. It didn't turn out very 'yule-ish,' nature speaks through: mountains, ocean, desert!! There's a mother & child, & a woman washing (printed on a washboard, square to L of tree) 'we was mostly 'bout survival'
Other words: 'Wrapped in Pride '(from an article about lovely African handwoven cloth - prints of which border the board), 'Treasure,' 'Success for the Soul,' 'Energy & Tranquility.'
I wish us all of these this season. &There's a cocoon, for wrapping up & dreaming - emerging new & whole! & a fountain & a wee nest, . . .

Wize Elders - grandparents

This card honors my parents - my mother was 'fuzzy' her last several years - loved this muted photo of the woman on the ladder; she was a birder & wonderful cook 'cookie moon' in upper rt & bird) & has her initial - L(ois) on that heart!

My dad was a fly fisherman, & worked at the Post Office - always brought home 'pretty stamps!'

Wize Elders: We are the ones with Buddha Nature, we nurture the children & grandchildren with the 'extras,' our love flows strong & sweet. We pass on skills, baking, fishing, birding, crafts, knowledge & curiosity. Shining our lights for the ones who follow.
We sing dreams to life, & light the way home!

2nd Card - Rainmaker

Here's the card that was 'hiding' (in the basket of magazines for gleaning images) for awhile - the second card I made. Now the 'good guys' card has gone missing!! Guess I need to get serious about a 'home' for the cards. I have so few I enjoy proping them up around the house - but where, . . . .

Rainmaker - I am the one with an umbrella on a dry day!
I am the one who does the rain dance, the Ghost Dance, the dance for deer & buffalo. I am the one who goes before.
What do you have to tell me? To keep hoping, to wish for what you desire, to be prepared for the rain to fall, the sun to shine, the day to dawn full of hope & promise! To carry on, without doubt, to perceive your success.

These are the papers I made for the altered paper exchange (my first!) I'm excited to see what the others have done. I played with dilute acrylics, metallic powders, & Celtic rubber stamps. I got the metallics a few weeks ago, to use on some of my SoulCollage cards - they have been fun to use - copper & silver.
Last year I got my dau-in law Angie a small kit of these for her fimo pieces - they are so rich, & change the look of the medium entirely!

Two New Cards!

Last night I created two new cards. There's one I made 'between' these & the last - but it's hiding somewhere :) There are so few that I tend to prop them in different places.

"The Good Guys" - We are the ones who see the sparkle in your eyes & joy in your heart!
- I am the one who makes healthy choices for body, mind, spirit & emotions
- We are the ones who encourage you to dance, to free your spirit to soar. We are the ones who see your wings, as you see our halos! . . .

"Make a Wish" We believe in magic! We wished for you, & you appeared!
We are the young in spirit, the old in soul. We believe in fairies & angels, in magic lamps & wishing pools.

Make a wish! We bring your heart's desire!

For the first card, I chose images of men looking straight at you, with smiles & a sparkle; & the 2 images with women - looking at the first woman, & swimming with the second. I have taken a workshop with one of the men - Jon Schreiber (center, with his hand under his chin) . . . lets just say, I've been attracted to enough 'bad boys' for this lifetime!

The little girls are blowing bubbles, with the help of their dad, while the little boys scan the water, & the genie is just emerging from the lamp! The girls have mulberry paper wings, as does the gal in 'Hope of the Future.'

These cards make me smile when I see them!

Birthday

Today's my son's 35th Birthday!! (gasp - how on earth did that happen?)

I took the day off 'in case' he came to town or we went somewhere to celebrate - he still works on his BD (aren't Birthdays National Holidays? I loved having my Birthday as a PAID holiday at Breitenbush!)
Anyway - it's sunny, I'm in shorts (inside, lol) & I have a whole day ahead of me to do some serious shaking & moving! & maybe make a card in honor of my Number One (& only) Son!

Cheers :)

December Days

Sunny out, & delightfully temperate weather! I did some much needed yard yoga this weekend, & dedicate this as a 'sparkle week.' inspired by Erraid, a branch of Findhorn!! I've added a couple of blog rolls - one of folks engaged in SoulCollage (see not that these cards are not to be sold, traded, or bartered and are to be reproduced only for the personal use of the maker of the card.) & one of other Artists whose blogs I've stumbled across! If you know (or have) a SoulCollage blog - let me know!

I hope to post new cards soon! But for now - off to FlyLady for a few suggestions on the Sparkling! Have a lovely day :)

Dances with Digital

Here are a couple of Polyvore creations - Beauty & Night Gate
Also some earlier ones - Door to Knowledge
& Sanctuary of Dreams
Creative in the garden today as well - deadheading, clearing, giving the yard a trim :)

Creative - take two!

Whew!
I just finished my month long journey with Soul Coaching - what a delightful 'Merry Band' I met along the way!

My intentions on Creativity took a backseat to this exploration of soul, now I'm ready to begin again :) I've made some progress with space clearing, filing papers, sorting clothes, sorting books, re thinking my living space.

My daughter (who lives next door) is getting married at the end of Jan, & found a house across town they've made an offer on! So rethinking my yard as well. We had cut a gateway in the chain link fence, & they cut the large shrubs on their side, so I'm looking at options for my side. & with my 'grandparent duties' shifting, more time for gardening - or whatever!

The corner in the photo has the matt board for SoulCollage cards on a lower shelf, the collage print on the wall is from a nun who uses torn tissue paper to create images; the crocheted curtain to the Rt hides my electrical box :)

So, here's to more creativity in December!

Wings

Coming home from work today, listening to a talk given the City Club; the speaker said "We need to know who we are, so no one can tell us who we aren't!"

May we all be that to each other! I'm going to go play with the mags a bit, & see if any images jump off the page!

toodles

Door to Knowledge

Here's the latest polyvore creation - these are too fun! I don't have a photoshop type program, so it's intriguing to work with this site!
(I tried to post a photo, but couldn't figure out how, . . . so here's the link) http://www.polyvore.com/door_to_knowledge/set?id=4724474

I took the SoulCollage card I made Tue, & one that's in progress to 'Sister circle' tonight, & it was fun to see the reactions. Several of the gals are counselors or psychologists, so they 'got' it right away; others are more pragmatic, & seemed intrigued but less familiar with such.

We're working our way thru "New Earth," & I realize I am so much more kinisthetic & process oriented - find it easier going (the reading) than I expected, but I want to DO more!

1st Soul Collage Card

"Hope of the Future"

With Seena Frost's 'SoulCollage' finally in hand, I pulled out the files of images I'd been gathering & created my first 'on paper' Soul Collage card! I had done some on Polyvore (there's an easy way to, ahem, 'use up' a couple of hours!) but only larger collage on paper! I'd stopped by the art store 'one more time' & picked up a sweet little pair of Danish embroidery scissors, that the shop assistant (who does decopage) hadn't noticed :) & a UHU glue stick, recommended by SoulCollage facilitator Suzie Wolfer.
The wings are from a scrap of tissue paper, & there is a small Buddha head on the mama's arm.

I AM the one who rises above expectation
I AM the one who carries dreams on my back & hope in my heart
I soar beyond the hills & canyons, into the sunset of the soul
I am the one who reaches into the field of dreams
I am the one with wings.

May she wing into my dreams!

Here there be Dragons

Two or three Mondays each month I help at my youngest granddaughter's play school, & watch them dress up, create art, get messy, eat snacks, & clean up! This morning I took a turn with the pastels & art paper -

The heart circle is a coffee filter - last month they dropped ink in three 'fall leaf' colours onto the filters, then whished them around in the ink on the table, & some the resulting papers went into the stack to choose from. The quote is on the wall above the paints - 'What children need most are pictures on the walls of their minds & experiences to attach words to.' Bev Bos

Here there be dragons - I was born in a Tiger year, but had a powerful shamanic awakening in a Dragon year. The Tslagi (cherokee) bespeak the dragons of the Smokey Mountains; I have a tatoo with 5 'dancing fairie dragons' spiraling on my uppper arm, Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Sacred Sound (Metal in the Chinese trad)

Anne McCaffery's Pern series has long been a favorite, I love just about any dragon story, especially those with





empowered princesses; & when I paint faces, cloudy dragons often show up . . .

This is the 'Creation Station' whence comes the blog name! Doesn't it make you want to get out the paints & MAKE SOMETHING?!

Luck

Feeling Lucky?
Here's a link to a sweet site, & a great giveaway!! Check out the fun quilt patterns, & roll the dice :)

Quan Yin & Athena

Years ago in a workshop, another participant 'read' that I have a connection to Quan Yin - who was that?
I was more familiar with the Roman & Greek dieties, with the North West Native American Myths! Over the years, she has come to me in many ways.

Goddess of Compassion, Mercy, & Healing, she holds a crystal vase to pour this compassion out unto the world. Taking Buddhist Reiki (& Refuge) 12 years ago, the lama commented that one needed power with mercy - either by itself was too onesided. Quan Yin is one with both.

A friend who leads dances of Universal Peace taught a beautiful dance honoring the Korean 'Kannseonbotsi' & talked of the bodisattva vow, one who has attained enlightenment, but chooses to remain in the world, to assist others on their path of awakening. Participants are invited to invision Kannon cradling someone you love, then the community, & finally, the whole of humanity.

I paired her with a bright eyed Peruvian owl, representing Athena, the Greek goddess of Wisdom, who brings order, justice; inspiration & blessings to artisans. Another name for her is Athena Glaukopis - see Thalia Took's wonderful information on her, & her decks of Goddess & other cards! & enjoy these little ladies.

Star Lady

About 8 years ago, faced with a long narrow piece of wall where an old chimney ran, I decided to make this sweet 'star lady' to grace my healing space!

Vesta, Lo'oet, Mother Mary, healing Buddha, . . . her cloak is of stars, beads & a small star button adorn her . . . . at her feet runs a stream bordered by rocks with petroglyphs. She now hangs on the wall behind my big harp, Rowan, & blesses our songs.

Today was our monthly (third Sat) Downtown Art & Wine walk, & I played Rowan for several hours at the bookstore. & had an inquiry about further gigs - so will see what that brings!


This is one of the rocks, with a little goat - leaping into the future!