Do You Believe in Fairies?

Well, I do...now. I didn't want to. For years I resisted. I thought the stories were just made up to frighten children. I suppose I should back up a bit. Quite a few years ago, I worked in corporate America. At some point my fellow employees decided that I collected fairy figurines.

I didn't but I didn't tell them differently. After a few months and several really nice gifts, I felt a shift in my perception. It was as if the fairies needed me to believe. A relationship developed that continues. They send me very accurate messages, daily, through oracle cards. (Whenever the card "Peace of Mind" comes up in a reading, I brace myself for trouble!) I enjoy their energy and give them gifts in return. Doreen Virtue calls them nature angels. Their energy is very happy, uncomplicated and nature-based so I feel that as accurate. Until a few weeks ago I didn't believe in angels. Stay tuned to my next post for that story.

Doreen Virtue as several fairy related decks that are really nice. See her website for more info. http://www.angeltherapy.com/
To connect with others who may also be interested in fairies go to our company website http://www.journeysinhealingcenter.com/

Repurpose/Upcycle

Of course you've seen posts like "100 Uses for Denim Jeans" or "Upcycled T-shirts That You Can't Live Without!" and other ways to reuse much-loved memorabilia from your past. Great way to save money and keep memories alive. Not to mention a fun way to stretch your crafty muscles. Even more, consider them as energy. 

Here's how I understand energy. Everything is made of energy. Actually, on a very basic level what holds the particles that make up our world (and ourselves) together, is energy. There is no escaping it but it isn't a bad thing. All energy has a vibration. The higher the vibration the better. 

Love and joy are very high vibrational energy. (Isn't that what the Law of Attraction is all about?) If an object like a concert t-shirt, gives you real joy when you look at it then consider repurposing it into a pillow or framed wall art so you can see it every day. Imagine how that will raise your energy vibration! Even if the Law of Attraction isn't your thing, more joy would feel really good.

If you are interested in more information on repurposing and upcycling, please visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RepurposeUpcycle-South-Bend-Mishawaka-150127706265/ 

or our Pinterest board https://www.pinterest.com/ladyblades58201/repurposeupcycle/

To connect with other people who are interested in Energy and the Law of Attraction, please visit our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/JourneysInHealing/

Busy, busy, busy and loving it! As I announced in my previous post, I have been helping with the Krauser Kollar. I have to say, I really think it's going to revolutionize dog training for good! There is nothing like it. Be sure to stay tuned for more.

My collar covers had some exposure at one of the dog events I attended. It included a frisbie dog demo by the woman that we met at a Pet's Connect event 2 years ago. She already has one if our covers and it is her dog's photo I have been using on my display!

Working on a costume for a Shakespeare play has been on my to-do list for almost a year. What a pleasure and honor to be able to costume my friend's son as Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream! (Photos to follow)

Halloween is almost here... Yay!! It really should be all year. I have always wanted to surround myself with cool, macabre items. Skulls, spiderwebs, dark and beautiful things. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying I want my home to be dark or gloomy. I just enjoy a few pieces of elegant darkness, you know, for balance. I spent time at a local art event speaking to artists whose work excited me and fit the macabre label. I will be opening an online store for just this type if art. Michiana artists. Actually, I have collected quite an inventory from one artist already... How does Maudlin in Michiana sound as a name for the store? Please comment or email me.

Unbelieveable things are in the works for The Stitchworks! A dear friend who does dog rescue work recommended me to a mutual friend for some stitchery magic. The small contribution to his invention has become a working partnership and TONS of possibilities! I don't want to get too excited, nor share too much yet, but it is looking good so far. Look for some of my work at the Michiana Pet Expo this weekend in South Bend, IN!  ( http://www.z943radio.com/petexpo/ ) This could not come at a better time for me. The losses that I have had this year had taken a lot of my creativity away and made my brain a foggy mess. The brightness brought by opportunity has started to root and grow. t is beautiful.

Return to Making Art

New look, new outlook.

The gods seem to want me to return to my work in the arts. I'm ready! I have been looking deep into my heart to see what I really love... and it's dark in there. I mean things dark and macabre. You will start to see more of those things in my work from now on. Nothing has changed except that I am letting a part of me that has been hidden come out to play. I still prefer to live in the Light but Balance is required. The "Pain Series" of art quilts has been knocking on the back of my mind begging to be let out for over 2 years. It seems time to open that door. Paint, dye, thread-painting and wool are really exciting me lately so some of these may be creeping into my work in the near future. (Does it sound like some kind of multi-media art quilting may be in store?)

Halloween is just around the corner so much more of the dark and macabre will be in the media and with Etsy.com waging war on metaphysical shops, the time is right. If any of you, my dear readers, are creating art along these lines, please contact me. A co-op and online store is in the works for artists of our "style" with fantasy, macabre, magical and metaphysical works included. We have our first investor already!! Any help with website building would be appreciated.

Recently a dear friend requested that I make some pillows from clothing worn by a loved one who had passed on. Everyone was really touched and I felt honored to be able to help. Memorial pieces fit perfectly into my path working with those who are nearing the end of their days and with Spirit. If you have clothing or bedding that you associate with a departed loved one that you would like made into a special piece please send me an email or visit my Facebook page. Photo courtesy of  Kitty Cooney Hoye. 

Uses for Essential Oils

One of my favorite websites has given us a list of 20 uses for essential oils that I just had to share with you today.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Candles-Soap/20-Uses-for-Essential-Oil

At the end is another link that gives 20 more.

I recommend going to a store where they sell essential oils that you can test. Collect one or two at a time (they cost about $10 here in the Midwest) and save tons on cleaning and fragrance products you would ordinarily pay too much for and reduce the number of synthetic chemicals in your environment, too.

A Nice Time

I attended a lovely luncheon with members of my father's side of the family today. Why is it question of the day: When we were younger we talked about our kids, now it's about our pets. Why is that? It was a good time. Cousin Becky (and husband Bill who I met for the first time) from California, Cousin Linda (and Terry), cousin Jane (and Dave), Aunt Veedie (and Michael), Aunt Florence, cousin Larry (and Pat), my mom, cousin Ross and myself were there. There is something different about being from such a large family - having not met someone doesn't seem odd. All of them remember having eaten wild mushrooms as a kid and some still hunt them now. I took a small bag of Cauliflower mushrooms to Larry and Pat and they were excited. We talked about the places we used to hunt that no longer exist, those we go to now and where we'd like to go.

I'm sure it seems like a crazy hobby to those who don't like mushrooms, but they make those of us who enjoy them, very happy. Yesterday, Lance and I went on a 3 hour hike and each took home a large bag full. I found 5 different kinds (2 very different kinds of cauliflower, fall oyster, pestle-shaped puffballs, chestnut Boletes) cleaned and ready to cook or freeze. Lance also found cauliflower and buttons which I don't care for. I also picked up a bag of hickory nuts (I like these better than pecans). We laughed about the two deadly varieties we saw and were amazed by some strange-looking types we've never seen before. I will still go hunting this fall but I have enough in the freezer already to feed me for the winter. I will probably share what I get from now on.

It has been several days since I was able to get any sewing done so it's time to get back to work. The week ahead is bound to be very busy with the Arts & Crafts class on Thursday, the local GLBT Pride event on Saturday and the Niles, Michigan Apple Festival on Sunday.