I Found My Thrill...

We're all pretty tapped out financially after paying all the moving related expenses, but my daughter got creative this past weekend and gave me a gift that I'm thrilled with.  What was it? 
Simply a set of small spray bottles, a package of colored markers and a bottle of rubbing alcohol that she picked up at the dollar store.  You might shake your head and wonder "What's so thrilling about that?", lol!
And the thrill is this:  I'm going to be able to experiment with using alcohol inks!  We used this video as a reference to create our own.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6z5JgUOw3U&feature=related 

I now have six 2 oz bottles of alcohol ink (six different colors) to play with.  Ranger alcohol ink is about $3.50 for .5 oz, so my daughter saved approximately $80.00!
Next, I'm going to try making my own decorative tapes.  Here's a post about that:  http://juliekintaiwan.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/make-your-own-faux-japanese-masking-tape-tutorial/
Then on to paper flower embellishments courtesy of this post: 
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-torn-paper-flowers.html
Oh, and maybe some shrink plastic buttons too!
http://scrapbooking.about.com/od/pagestarterideas/ss/shrinkpunches.htm
Do you have any money saving tips for creating art supplies, embellishments, etc.?

New Adventures

I recently moved across state - an eight hour drive - and have been staying with my daughter and grandson while looking for a place of my own.  And hooray!!  I signed a lease yesterday on a modern, well insulated and well maintained two bedroom apartment.  It's upstairs from my daughter's place, but I made sure it would be okay with her.  After all, when most young people move out on their own they really prefer having some distance included in their independence, lol.
I'm not sure how long it will take to actually get moved in and settled but I'm looking forward to having my art supplies available again.  Art supplies are top priority - with kitchen things running a close second.  It's been challenging creating journal pages, etc when the only materials I have are eight pastels and eight water color crayons.  I am so looking forward to experimenting again and delving into new techniques.  All the wonderful videos and classes available online!  My fingers, hands and spirit are just itching to get started on all the new adventures (creative and otherwise) waiting for me.  And I'm so very glad to have you here to share the adventures with!!
Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day.

Feeling Catty Today?

Feeling catty today?  Oh, I am; I definitely am.
It feels like one of those days where my "claws" are just a split second from being unsheathed (though I'm not dangerous, really!)  One of those "don't you dare mess with me!" days.
Not that I'm in a bad mood.  Not at all.  I feel  happy, connected, centered. It's just that my tolerance level for general B.S. is low.  Living with a chronic illness and enjoying my sanity/groundedness translates into not having the energy to spare for things that make life more difficult.  I don't want drama; I don't want judgement - and I don't want negative attitude!  I triumphed over despair, fear and negativity last week and I want and need the space, and grace, to celebrate and enjoy the gifts that I've garnered.
I need those gifts to settle in to my soul and grow deep roots.  If I nurture those gifts, feed those roots, then perhaps in time I won't feel the need for claws - symbolic or real - and protecting the wild, wonderful core of myself will be automatic and easy.
Befriending and healing my own pain, triggers and past is an on-going process that I'm extremely grateful for.  But it IS an ongoing process; a constant learning and reaffirming - a practice.  And I've finally arrived at the point where the practice is easier; where I shift more easily and where the gifts are greater than the grief.   As I've always told my kids, practice makes perfect (or as close to it as we can get).
Having your claws on stand-by, feeling catty, doesn't make you a witch or a bitch.  It means you've developed an awareness of, and willingness to protect, your boundaries.  It means that you're learning to listen to the deepest, grandest part of yourself and to honor that.  So...are you feeling catty today?

Blog Tour & Giveaway

Wow!  I was so impressed with the beginning of this blog hop and giveaway that I just had to post.  It's all celebrating (for 19 days!) the kick-off of the book "Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams" by Kerin Gale, and the first stop on the tour can be found at http://remnantsofolde.com/2011/04/30/kick-off-inspired-remnants-curious-dreams-online-tour/