Dia's Creation Station

Encaustic Wax

2010-01-26T20:59:00.001-08:00

Mmmmm - got a box of 'pretty colours' today - a set of encaustic wax 'crayons'
Last year when I took the beeswax collage class, Diane mentioned encaustics (& had us do a bit of drawing, if we wanted, with regular crayons to get the idea) . . . . so today I stopped by Merri Artist & picked up a box of colours. There are also little pots of wax mixed with medium - but while handy, those are more expensive - & I tend to pick up art supplies (what, you too??) & then not necessarily USE said supplies.

Here's a video with some examples - & take a look at this lovely "Gold Dragon" by Martina Loos I want to do things like this!!
I've watched several of the videos, & it looks like a lot of fun. I have a tiny iron that I used for the beeswax collage, & a little iron that I got when I was making Christmas presents. It doesn't get super hot - so it may be just right for Encaustics - or it may be too cool.

The white 'mountain' peeks are made by painting wax on the iron, then drawing it up - same with the sky & green at the bottom. Martina uses tools to remove wax, & a smaller heated 'clip' to draw with wax . . . hope to have some goodies to show off soon!

New Card, fun socks

2010-01-26T10:48:00.001-08:00

I've found myself posting (even creative stuff!) over at the Vale more than here - sorry!!

It took me awhile to get started making soul collage cards, & I still do it sporadically - but it's so fun!!
(In the beginning, I visited several frame shops & had them cut 8x10 card stock in half, so I had a stack of 'blanks' - I left some big, too.)
Last weekend at my grown neice's BD party, there was a participatory art project - a canvas on easel with acrylic paint 'background' - & lots of mags to cut images from, more paints, stamps, etc.

I brought along a little board for me, & a couple of the bigger ones for my granddaughters (who needed to come with us at the last minute) - so they could do their own art, with all those supplies! I did another card myself, (like the idea of painting on it first!! & acrylics dry fast) & they were SO engaged. Kayleen painted a small (~ 4x4") square on a piece of card she found, & on a magazine cover!! They glued some images, but loved all the colours!

Mine has to do with creativity - the crochet lace in a hand, the oriental painting & supplies, the bit of basket & on the other side a lovely rich brocate.

My daughter said I could put grommets & ribbon on the one I made, & sell them at the Sat Market!! (one wouldn't call it soul-collage!!) I thought of finishing them with beeswax, & perhaps getting a few of the encaustic colours sold at our great little art shop, & playing with those. A booth is only $15, & I believe you can sign up sporadically - which is much more my weekend style!

The other projects have been knitting lots of fingerless gloves. I finished a pair for my neice at her party, & while there, I thought of using some of the small 'left overs' for orphan socks, & of a way to incorp the heavier yarn with some fine (& harder to knit with) 'sock' yarn! I've finished the first pair (& a few heel & toeless anklets) & am having fun with that project!

The blue sock is one of the 'anklet's - which my dau suggested using for ballet!!
Here's a close-up of the heel on the blue, purple & red 0ne - I bound off the heel & foot, then picked up stitches around the openings, using a long crochet hook (that way I can replace the toe or heel in the future, if need be). The heavier yarn is wool with a bit of silk, the panda silk: bamboo, wool & silk. They are quite comfy in either style! I used a pair of my mom's bamboo needles - they are a bit long for socks; I intend to pick up some of the shorter ones on my next trip to the knitting basket! (there's my 'anklet' yarn in the 'triangle' box on the Rt!)
Since it's just around the corner from my office, I'm 'tempted' to go in often . . . .

Soul Collage treats

2009-09-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend my 9 yr old granddaughter Alyssa was decorating her 'writing notebook' for her class, & needed some images from my store of old magazines - & when I was helping her look, I found some that inspired me . . . . & then some more . . .

So after a hiatus of several months, a group of SC cards came forward.

It seems that's my tendency in art/craft - something will engage my imagination for awhile, & I'll find myself involved in that media or with that subject, then interst will shift.

The first card: Tower & Labyrinth I bring you peace, a 'breather.' Time to step aside, let go, let down your hair - move into the tower of tranquility & repose.

Firekeeper, Protector
We remind you of the Heart of the Fire, of our protective warmth & secret depths. I am the tender of the Sacred Flame, guardian of the hidden treasure.

Heritage I carry the traditions in my eyes & on my shoulders. The dream catcher snatches away aught that threatens to disenpower. I dance to the ancient drum, & call you to remember your roots, in the depths of time!

Dragonflower I am the transformation! Open to the possibilities & catch the sun.

N W Passage
The NW adventure is your for the asking - move through the Northwest Passage & come home! Open your crown & remember the mer-people (mermaid with child on the Left above the Orcas) Hear the sounds of the Northern winds & whale song calling.

There's a lovely enrty on the Threads of Spiderwoman blog about the symbol of hands with an eye in the palm - such a fascinating symbol! I have a hamsa (eye of Fatima) pendant I picked up in Los Vegas (!) after admiring my girlfriend's piece.

Wedding Book

2009-08-11T15:41:00.001-07:00

Last week our receptionist asked if I'd be willing to write the text for her son's wedding ceremony in a journal. For years I've been the one in the office to do fancy writing or calligraphy (when I was a kid, I had a calligraphy booklet, & copied the different fonts using a regular pen!)
Of course I said yes :)

They went to the art shop around the corner & picked up this lovely journal made & handbound in Tibet of fibers from an endemic shrub which grows quickly - the pages have a nice texture & it's renewable.

I used a 'Micron' pen with archival ink, which I use to transcribe songs I've composed or arranged for the harp.
The script is a loose 'Italic' which worked well with the fine-tipped pen. They had laid out the text by page - I used different spacing on a couple of the pages, & marked faint guide lines in pencil on each one.

Our receptionist's husband is the officiant, & she said he's got most of the script memorized for the special day!

I showed the book to my daughter, who got married in Jan - suggesting I'd be happy to do the same for their ceremony & vows. I'm also playing for a wedding this weekend - maybe I should add a blurb about wedding calligraphy to my wedding harp page, lol!

Seriously, this is a very sweet way to preserve your wedding ceremony & vows - I don't know if they're using this for a guest-book as well, but that would be a nice combo.

Handiwork

2009-06-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I stopped by the local yarn shop (yummm) & picked up a few skeins from their discount area - a lovely lavender (alpaca & tercel) for a shell or top of some kind, & a linen blend for a bag!

My daughter brought me an 'ergonomic' bag that one of her work friends was passing on several months ago, & the fastener is wearing out - plus I seem to (always) overpack it . . . just keep putting in a few more things, . . . I was perusing the knitting books for a pattern, & saw several bags that looked fun, inc a book By Cat Bordhi (watch her cast on a moebius here) that adapted the points from a jester hat into a bag, for pockets!! I hadn't checked at the library yet, so did a search for bag patterns on-line, & found this lovely Bag list! They also have a list of hats & socks & . . . .

Fun to try to determine from the pattern names if it would have elements I can use for my own 'ergonomic' & practical bag! I love the look of felted bags, & want to do some of those as well - but the linen won't lend itself to that process!

Here are some favorite bags - Juli has done a nice job of creating a pattern for a larger bag - either for toting stuff to the gym, or for those LONG knitting needles. I like her use of buttons at the end of the I-chain handle.
I have a lovely collection of needles from my mama, inc some my Uncle whittled for her one afternoon, when she commented she'd like some wooden ones in a size she couldn't find in the shop!

How fun it will be to begin . . .

Table Play

2009-05-21T21:29:00.001-07:00

I have an old wooden table that's been on my front porch for about a year - it was white - but about a week ago I had my granddaughters help me paint it blue - & we've begun painting flowers & spirals & hippopotomi, according to the 4 year old (her 9 yr old sister painted this one) ! They love helping paint the table - I drew the basic patterns (except the hippos!) & they have helped me fill in some of the designs with acrylics.

Sis added a heart, the letters & a purple hippo. Kakay's hippo patch is green. I think we'll paint designs all over the top, & just borders on the side pieces (which fold down)

Sis can remember when she was 4, & the table was in the back yard of their old house. When ate out there when it was hot, or when there were several guests - Kakay thinks we should leave it in my yard - where we're painting, so we can eat outside (it's almost warm enough - but I'm planning on putting it back in my dining 'nook.'

Today the youngest cousins were busy painting - KayK working on her 'hippo,' & Gregory his own pictures (the red was a tree at first)

heART cards

2009-02-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

The heART cards arrived this week - & they are all so beautiful!! They arrived wrapped in pink tissue paper - perfect for making some more beeswax collage :)

My grand daughters quickly began 'claiming' cards - "I want THIS one!" . . . I explained that while we could make some similar ones, these are mine for now :)

THank all of you for making this exchange so fun! Some of my favorites are the itty bitty ones - who would have thought??

Of course, i love doll's houses & minatures - just received some dolls from England, & am thinking of making 'herbal healer's' cottage, based on Monica Furlong's 'Wise Child' series, set in Middle ages. Several homes are described in great detail.

I've checked a few doll house books out from the Library, & have been jotting down ideas. When Mary & Josh were young, I drew paper dolls, & we loved doll house stuff. For several years she played with one from her grandparent's attic, then gave it back to the aunt for whom it was originally constructed.

Our dear friend Kate also loved doll houses, & refurbished one from her own childhood - which entertained my kids for hours. The grandkids have passed a sturdy wood 'kid style' home back & forth - i'ts currently at Emily & Gregory's home.

I gave some of the earlier beeswax heart cards to my office buddies & a group of gal friends - stamped a word on each (my original idea for the heART cards) & everyone smiled at getting a home made valentine!

Thanks again to all the heARTists for participating in theValentine's exchange!

heART Card - the creation

2009-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a brief tutorial on beeswax collage - feel free to ask questions!

I found a 'butter warmer' at Bi-Mart, it's perfect for warming a small amount of wax. The tea light lasted for all twenty valentines. For a larger project, I'd use a double boiler or crock pot, but for a small job, this worked well.

I propped the brush against my knife rack, to keep it upright. I used a piece of cardboard as my surface for placing the elements & ironing them.

The base is a watercolour paper circle, covered with a 'donut' cut from a pretty red & gold print napkin. Next comes a doily.

Each step includes painting the surface with melted beeswax, then heating that with the blow dryer (which seems to work fine) & Ironing that layer down.

This is repeated for each layer.

I covered the center of the doilies with a layer of pink tissue paper.

Next is a heart cut from a napkin scrap. I covered this with a layer of plain red tissue.

I printed hearts on red tissue, using gold acrylic paint on a stamp I'd cut into a heart shaped eraser. & last - a shimmer of gold powdered pigment, to outline each heart! Viola - heART Art :)

The valentines remind me of the ones my mom would help me make, using construction paper & doilys. Before deciding on the stamp, I'd thought of running a banner with a word (like a candy hart) across each heART, but I like the gold stamp!

Last Friday, I picked up a two pound block of beeswax from a local beekeeper - so I'm well set for salve & collage :)

Harp Dance

2009-01-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

I finished the Beeswax collage valentines, ready to ship off to Mother Henna!! My 'trial run' cards I'll be giving to 'friends n family.'
I'll outline the process later :) As a kid, my mom would help me make construction paper valentines with doiles; when I saw these, I finally had the inspiration for the cards. Each has a heart or Harp stamp (hand carved on a white heart shaped eraser) for the heART in the center.

Inspired by a lovely SoulCollage card 'she dances the world into being' created by Ilah; (& here's a card by Rainepresence - both posted on KaleidoSoul) I did this little Harp Dance piece with the rest of the wax using a small pressed board 'picture' I'd picked up at St. Vincent's a few days ago for 25 c :)
"We dance on the gold strings of the universe, singing the llano, soaring & spinning amongst the stars!"

The gold on red in the corners is from large paper party napkins I'd picked up at Goodwill; I've had the lino cutters since High School, & used them occasionally over the years.
My 8 year old grand daughter carved the other side of a heart shaped eraser I used to make the valentine stamps.

I got a call this AM that the beekeeper had dropped off 2 # of wax at his mom's sewing shop for me, at ~ price of one pound if I'd gotten some at Michael's craft shop! I picked up a small 'butter warmer' (over a candle) at Bi-mart last week, & it works well to heat the wax! Just have to prop the brush against something, as it's not deep.

Waxing Poetic!

2009-01-10T21:38:00.001-08:00

The 'Waxing Poetic' Class was great fun! The teacher Diana is the Children's Librarians at our local Public Library - & does the blog :)
She's also done SoulCollage, & said she'd been thinking of doing more, so that was fun! There were 5 other students, & a great flow to the class.

Basic tools are: fairly lightweight paper (tissue paper is great!), a small crock pot or electric frying pan to melt the wax (a combo of white & 'normal tan' beeswax - NO PARAFFIN!), inexpensive brushes (~ 1" wide), & either a blower that's used to strip paint (Darn, I forget what she called it! - that one gets very hot, looks like a hairdryer) or an embossing blower; & a quilting iron (I have one of these mini irons already :)

We made 3 collages, using several materials for backing - a medium weight card stock, artist's canvas on cardboard, canvas on wood, & a pressed board. The lighter weight boards buckle a bit, so you need to take that into account when you choose what to 'play' on!

We began with the card, & basic technique of painting some wax on the background, heating it with the blower (not long, & keeping it moving), then applying a piece of tissue. You could put a bit of wax on top, & then either 'blow' or iron. Ditto, ditto, ditto!!

Darker colours first, in most cases, tho you can also do some 'framing' with dark colours at the end. Old patterns are a lovely option (the curved lines on the upper L of the 'Egyptian' piece are from a pattern!). This was done on the canvas, & black & white Egyptian figures are from the 'goodies' I received in Ophelia's Give Away. the black circles on white (& in the lower L of 'Egypt') are painted in black ink on white tissue. We also did some transfers, using acetone & RECENT xerox pictures, transferring the image to white tissue paper.

My 4 year old Grand daughter 'claimed' the picture with the Girl on the Moon - my Full Moon in Cancer Dream board! It's her birthday Sunday, so I'm letting her have it :) The moon image is also from Ophelia.
The blue wavy circles were a print I did in class (from a stamp Diana brought). Stamping was done with acrylic paint on tissue paper from an art store. She had some lovely bits of paper to choose from! Old printed paper napkins are fun - the word in the lower L of 'Full Moon' are the top layer from a napkin! The gold is on white tissue; the white disappears into the wax!

I brought along some 8x5" matt board to use for a SoulCollage piece; so after doing my 3 'class pieces,' made a card. The statue was from a magazine, the black circle from that sheet of white with painted circles, the coins from blue tissue printed with coins, on a background of painted tissue & handmade paper, with another piece of gold on white tissue.

Gatekeeper: I am the one who stands watch at the gate, who monitors the flow, who welcomes abundance & grace. I am the one who watches, who listens, who waits.

Other techniques we played with - incising a design or line into several layers of wax, & colouring in the groove with oil pastels (you can wipe off the excess), using the iron to melt a BIT of crayon (she had the 64 colour box!) One gal embedded a feather she'd brought, & that turned out well. Diana often mounts the wax pieces on white board in a frame - no need for glass! The wax will scratch, but is a fairly permanent, & old, way to preserve images! I plan to do more :)

ephemera & Beeswax collage

2009-01-08T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today the 'goodies' from Ophelia's give away came in the mail! Little odds & ends, with sparkles of colour & pattern, fun things for altered journals, collage, etc. There are a few pieces of music - I never quite 'dare' to cut up the music I have; tho I've considered playing with some copies; these will be perfect!
Saturday I'm enrolled in a beeswax collage workshop at the local Artists co-op studio & gallery, Currents. Here's the blurb:

Waxing Poetic: A Beeswax Collage Workshop
Diana Anderson, Instructor

"Learn to make a multilayered collage using wax, color and paper. Build layer upon layer of wax and paper to create a translucent collage. There will be demonstrations on incising, wax transfers and embedding into the wax. Supplies to bring: Xerox copies of a few favorite images sized under 5”x 5”, apron or old shirt and a few pieces of your favorite papers. Some paper will be available."

I've seen some of these, & they're lovely. The beeswax gives the images a patina & depth that you don't see in ordinary collage. I've been gathering 'bits & pieces' - some from Ophelia, paper from the exchange & some scrapbook paper, a few of those 'favorite images.' This should be fun! & always nice to explore a new technique.

With my daughter getting married in a few weeks, we need to make little baskets for tht flower girls, & a ring pillow. Dresses are picked out, other items are being assembled; the space booked, & the harpist (me :)

New Year Altar Collage

2009-01-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

2009 begins.
I spent NY eve doing a wee altar collage (on the inside of a small box, so it stands up on its own) & then at a NY party with a group of friends.

Sacred space calls, pearls, a red heart bottle, a small buddha, an archway, whispers of presence as we dance into the next phase.

Soon my youngest grand daughter turns four, the wheel turns, life dances on.

New Year Visioning

2008-12-31T18:19:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-12-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-10T08:55:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-09T00:16:00.000-08:00

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 exch an ge (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!

2008-12-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-21T22:35:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-20T01:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-18T23:26:00.001-08:00

"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

2008-11-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-17T00:26:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-16T23:08:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

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!