Should old acquaintance be forgot...

It will be a quiet night for all of us here as we welcome the new year in our pajamas.  There's lots to think about and prepare for as the big changes of last year (some good, some bad) continue to make their mark on the year ahead.  No matter how you spend (or spent) this evening, I hope that this new year brings you many blessings and great joy.  Remember as you go out into the world tonight, or tomorrow or even the day after, that we are all connected.  Happy New Year!

Thank you for this little bit of serendipity

Right after the Newtown tragedy, my best friend from high school posted a request on Face Book for help for two of her 5th grade students.  Their parents were out of work and the kids (growing insanely fast, as kids are wont to do) really were hurting for new clothing, shoes, etc.  Months ago, when I was employed, spending a couple hundred bucks on something like this would have meant eating at home a lot more during the month, but it would not have kept me from paying a bill.  Now that we are a one-income household, every dollar must be carefully considered (a work in progress for me--something that is sure to bite me in the rear end at some future date.)

I really wanted to help these kids though.  I could do nothing for those 20 lost children in CT, but I could certainly do some small thing to help these two kids.  I looked at all of the accounts--all of the Giftmas money had been spent, money in the checking account was already accounted for...then on a hunch I checked my Pay Pal account, where all of my money from my readings go.  I'd had used this account to supplement Christmas spending as well and was pretty certain there was a 0 balance.  Strangely enough, I still had a balance of $65--just $10 shy of what I need to buy both boys "cool" shoes. 

As an extremely poor kid growing up, I can't tell you the importance in kid/teen world of having "cool" shoes.  Other kids are ruthless and generic brand shoes from the big box store don't cut it.  A day after they arrived, I got this message from my friend:

"The shoes were a hit! I wish you could have seen their faces! They said to tell you thank you! The rest of the kiddos kept complimenting their shoes and the boys smiled all day long!!!"

So thank you, all of you, who have made my first year on Etsy wonderful.  I've always known I had great clients, but this tiny bit of serendipity you brought into my world was a great way to end 2012.   Have a blessed and safe New Year!

Be the Good

Last year around this time I wrote this very stuffy article about New Year's Resolutions and how best to maintain them throughout the year.  This year a lot has changed in my life and public tragedies such as the shootings in Newtown, CT have left me with a very acute sense of my own mortality.  I spent the weekend after that horrible shooting in a depressive haze.  All around my little town, flags a half staff waved in constant reminder of the evil that had occurred. 

I live my life like most human beings, with death pushed into this tiny compartment of my brain where it gets ignored.  But events like the shooting bring death out of its corner, as I'm suddenly reminded of how quickly everything I take for granted can be destroyed in mere minutes.  Right after the shooting, a picture of Mr. Rogers was circulating Face Book.  Attached was the following quote, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

So this year I'm approaching the whole New Year's Resolution thing differently.  I cannot save the world, nor single-handily stop tragedies like that from happening, but I can be a force for good. I can be a helper.
 
There are still practical elements of my resolution list...for example, I'm creating a list of goals that don't have absurd requirements attached (getting up at four a.m. to go running when I never get up at four a.m., no thank you).  On the not so practical side, I'm trying to work out my goals to be an even mixture of giving and self help.  The problems of the world seem to great to tackle on one's own, but there are little things that one can do everyday to be the good in this world.

And so I encourage you, on that list next to the "go to the gym," "find a new job," "lose ten pounds," to include a small service project or two, commit to helping out a local shelter or soup kitchen, vow to save a tiny sum each week to donate at the end of the year.  As a friend posted a few days ago, "Somehow, not only for Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessings, the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart’s possessing, returns to you glad.— John Greenleaf Whittier

Many blessing to you and yours in the New Year!

So You Want to Learn to Read the Tarot.......(Part One) Your First Deck

I was always a little afraid of the Tarot.  It seems silly now in retrospect to be intimidated by a deck of cards, but I was.  So when I finally got brave enough to begin this journey, I started off slow, collecting decks without much thought or knowledge behind why I chose each individual deck.  I bought what I liked, mostly based on my reaction to the aesthetics of the cards.  Five years later, I now possess dozens of decks.....many of which are beautiful to look at but not really good to read with.  I hate to say this, but I was completely closed-minded when it came to traditional decks.  I wanted nothing to do with the traditional decks like the Rider Waite Tarot, which seemed incredibly boring and blah to me.  When the time came to actually start reading, I went with a small deck from a cheap kit for the simple fact that I found it easier to manipulate the smaller cards in my hands.  Unfortunately the cards did nothing to help me learn the tarot.

You see, while it may be obvious to some, it wasn't obvious to me at the time that the pictures contained on each card actually meant something, and that by using a more traditional deck, I'd be able to pick up the meaning of each card better than if I just picked a deck because it was beautiful or "cute."  Even if you aren't drawn to traditional decks, I highly encourage those wanting to begin reading to start off with a good standard deck.  Traditional decks can be found in all sizes (if you have small hands like me).

A bit of warning though, traditional decks do tend to be loaded heavily with Christian symbolism and imagery.  If this isn't your thing, I'd still argue that starting with this type of deck is still going to be your best bet--not only will it aide you in the learning process, you'll find that a lot of your clients will identify with this imagery, and can get them past the "fear" of seeking out your advice.

Finally, if you want a deck, go buy one.  It's not bad luck to buy your own deck.....if you wait to be gifted one, you may be waiting forever.  There's no time like the present to start learning to read the cards!

Celebrating Giftmas with the Advent Calendar

Cheesy Advent Calendar

I hate Christmas.  Growing up, it was a time guaranteed to bring out the worst in my parents who often would fight it out on Christmas Eve over how much money mom could spend on presents for us.  (We won't even get into the fiasco that was the years my father bought presents).

But now that I have rug rats of my own, I am constantly trying to find ways to celebrate the season in a way that both honors the birth of a man who preached peace and doesn't leave the kids feeling like they missed out on the Giftmas side of things.  This year my six year old is spending Xmas with his father, so it was even more of a challenge, especially since my spoiled little man really doesn't need two Christmases worth of toys.  That's were Cheesy Advent Calendar, purchased from big box craft store came in.   

I've spent the last few weeks scouring the Interwebs looking for Advent ideas as a way of celebrating without focusing entirely on the getting side of things.  Ideas out in the World Wide Web were sparse (it seems that a lot of people punted after coming up with a dozen or so ideas), so I'm going to post my list here.  The cool thing about the advent is that it can tailored to any family's specific ideas and beliefs fairly easily, as well as the age of the children involved.  I'm hoping to add a lot of service projects on to my calendar as my son grows.  This year is very craft heavy, and we may end up as epic craft fails, but hopefully all little man will remember is that we tried.

Our Advent Calendar (edited to add the results of each activity)

*1  Read the story of Baby Jesus and make a Nativity (was strangely excited at the idea that Jesus had a birthday....very insistant that Mary be significantly taller than Joseph....)
2  Decorate tree and drink hot chocolate with marshmallows (Little man refused the hot chocolate, of course)
3  Watch a Charlie Brown Christmas (He wasn't impressed at first, but it won him over by the end)
4  Buy a toy for a needy child  (He was confused by this, so maybe next year....)
5  Build a Plane Workshop (He loves these and they're free!)
6  Make Snowman pictures (This was an epic craft fail)
7  Read the Polar Express (Loved it)
8  Take Christmas tree pictures  (Put up with holding his sister in his lap for about 15 minutes)
9  Sing Christmas songs (never got around to organized singing, though he burst out in song many times)
10 St Nicholas Day (traditionally celebrated 6 December) (this confused him)
11 Go see a movie (Went to see Rise of the Guardians--we all loved it)
12 Salt Dough Ornaments (we ended up going with shrinky dinks because it looked cooler)
13 Make Christmas cards (this was a mixed bag....the child happily made cards...in pink, blue and purple)
14 Look at the Lights (The biggest hit of all of the ideas, he loved this, especially since we went to an organized display)
15 Visit Santa (He was very excited and actually smiled for the camera!)
16 Make Paper snowflakes (never got around to this) 
17 Read The Best Christmas Pagent Ever (never got around to this)  
18 Make Gingerbread crayons (ran out of time)
19 Make peppermint bark  (epic cooking fail)
20 Make gingerbread cookies (cheated and made chocolate chip instead)
21 Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas (I found the man-child watching the DVD in his room before we could all get together to watch it....he loved it anyways and watched it four times)
22 Make wrapping paper (didn't happen :(  )
23 Reighndeer ornament (Also didn't happen)
24 wrap presents (this became mommy wrap....oh well....)

*I had to adjust our calendar to match up with little man's Christmas vacation, so we are actually starting our calendar on the 27th of November.
       
           
               

What to do when your Tarot reading predicts something horrible

The other day I ran across a question someone asked on a Tarot forum that's fairly common.  The person had sat for a reading and their reader told them that the cards predicted they'd be physically assaulted sometime in the next few weeks. To me, this type of reading smacks of scam for so many reasons It's an unfortunate but sad reality that there are a lot of people in this business out there to scam people.  Some signs your reader is attempting to scam you:

• He/she predicts something terrible for you in a very specific time period
• Why is this a scam?  Tarot cards are like forecasts--they speak of what is likely to happen if you continue on the path you are on.  Just like other forecasts, they are not 100% accurate--everyone has free will and can change their path as they wish.  Additionally, Tarot tend to be vague when asking for specific dates.  I've had my best luck with giving out general time periods--like the season--when something will happen.
• He/she tells you that something bad is going to happen one or two cards into the reading.
• While this isn't always the case, the vast majority of Tarot spreads start off by examining the current situation or the past.  Its very rare that a spread will discuss the future a card or two into the reading.
• He/she offers spells/charms to ward off whatever bad thing is approaching
• In and of itself there is nothing wrong with someone selling spells or charms.  However, it should set off alarm bells if the reader "just happens to have" the spell or charm available to ward off whatever they claim is approaching.  Especially if the fee is a substantial one.
• He/she tells you that you are cursed and offers to fix it, for a fee
• This one always gets me because oftentimes the person didn't come to the reader knowing or thinking he or she was cursed--so how are they going to fix a problem that didn't exist to begin with?

It's entirely natural to feel weird or uneasy when going for your first reading.  But trust your gut.  If you feel like the reader is trying to sell you more than you want or need, politely decline.  You are under no obligation to return to them for additional reading, spells or charms.  Don't become the poor soul who returns week after week out of fear.  They are not the only one who can help, and oftentimes the help you may need will be available for free or can be done on your own.   In the end, there is nothing wrong with readers getting paid fairly for their time and expertise, but no one should ever part with their hard earned money out of fear.

Getting back to reality.....

So my maternity leave from this blog was a bit longer than I intended........life seems to creep up, interfering with all the big ideas I had for my time at home.  I finished off my maternity leave from work, ran around like a madwoman trying to out process the Army and now I'm here.  What's next?  I have no idea. (Hopefully that doesn't disconcert you....a Tarot card reader who doesn't know what's next.)  Everyone comes to that point in their life from time to time--huge change is extremely overwhelming.  If you find yourself in the same boat, give yourself leave to not be superwo/man. 

It's okay to not know what you want to be when you grow up.

The world is full of possibilities.......but don't let those possibilities crowd out real life.  Take time to enjoy those around you.  For right now, I'm going to try and take my own advice and enjoy the demanding new creature around my house.

The Baby formally known as the bowling ball in my belly

Tarot.....Getting What You Pay For

A Little Shameless Self Promotion

I have a little Etsy shop (cough **link is on the top right** cough) where I sell readings for what I consider pretty cheap rates.  I've been reading Tarot for friends and family for five years, but still feel I'm a work in progress, thus I've priced my readings to match where I feel my level of experience lies at this moment in time.  It's been my experience that people will always pay the least amount for something that they can (which I can completely relate to) but in the case of Tarot, this isn't always the best strategy.

Tarot card readings are a very different sort of thing, and while it's completely true that there are scam artists out there trying to lure you in with a cheap reading, then con you into extra readings, spells to prevent horrors from occurring, pouches and oils to ward off evil, etc, for the most part, an honest reader is going to give you what you pay for and make no promises that he/she can solve your problems.

Card readers price their readings in all various sorts of ways.  I price mine by the card.  A general good rule of thumb is that the more complex the issue, the more elaborate the spread and thus the number of cards (and the price) increases.  Coming to a Tarot reader with a question about where your long term relationship is going or what career path you should choose and hoping a three card reading will cover it is akin to putting a Band Aid on a bullet wound.....it's not going to do the job.  The complexity of the question and the answers you need require a reader to see the whole picture.....this is simply not possible with a small reading.

A good rule of thumb is to think of the complexity of the spread as a measure of how life altering the issue you are asking about is and base your decision off of that:

• One Card Reading:  Yes or No Answer questions (Will the cute guy that asked for my number call me?); Fun questions (Is my baby a boy or girl?), Energy questions (What should I be aware of as I go into my job interview today?)
• Three Card Readings (past, present, future reading):  Short term relationship reading (Tell me about my relationship with X, who I've been dating for two weeks), New job reading (I'm starting a new job tomorrow, where is position taking me?), Change in direction reading (I've been thinking about changing my college major.....what do I need to know?)
• Five Card Reading:  Relationship Problems (What are the issues surround the bad blood between me and my in laws), Issues where "baggage" may be involved (What is keeping me from committing?)
• Six Cards +: Varies depending on type of reading.  Generally this is where we get into the complex career/relationship issues.  

It is very important that if you are seeing a reader in person, that you have an idea before any card is spread, of exactly what questions your reader will be answering and how much the reader will charge you.  Oftentimes, in person readers charge not by complexity of the spread per se, but by the time your reading takes.  Complex readings can easily take an hour, as your reader should help you formulate your questions, lay out an appropriate spread and interpret it to the greatest detail possible.

Blessings!

No Sew Flannel Blanket.....Does it Work Like the Tutorial Says it Does?

**I'm a little obsessed with the Craft Interests that I sort through on Stumble Upon and many times I've found myself wondering (as I looked at some tutorial or another) does that really work in real life?  Can anyone truly make that?  In an effort to find out, I've decided to start a weekly series:  Does it Work Like the Tutorial Says it Does?  Each week, I will honestly chronicle my attempts at crafting stuff I find off the web.  I figure if I, butcherer of paper, epic failure at scrap booking and sewing can make something, anyone can.  For my first go at it, we'll try a No Sew Fleece Blanket.**


I'm an obsessive crocheter, and so the first time I saw a fleece no sew blanket, I'll have to admit, I thought it was cheating.  (Cheating on what, I don't know).  But now that the rug rat is just a foot shorter than me and needed a blanket for summer care "quiet time," I thought I'd give it a try.  I found this tutorial on Instructables.com:  No Sew Fleece Blanket and got to work.


SUPPLIES

• 2 pieces of flannel (I guessed and bought a yard and a half of each which equaled a 40 x 48 inch blanket not measuring the fringe)
• sharp scissors
• yard stick
• 5 x 5 inch piece of cardboard
• patience
• ability to stand on your feet for a few hours

I bought a new pair of scissors ($8) and a yard stick ($2), so that added to the cost of this blanket (though I figure I'll use both items again later).  The flannel ran me about $15 at WalMart, though I'm sure I could have possibly cut this price down if I'd waited till one of the craft stores had a sale on fleece.

TOTAL TIME TO COMPLETE
 
Four hours, interrupted by getting aforementioned rugrat in bath tub, then later out of bath tub, then finally reading him a bedtime story.


PHOTOS OF THE MADNESS

Pin that sucker down!

The first part was the most challenging.....getting all of the selveges cut off and then cutting the fabric so both pieces were the same size.  Cutting a straight line fails me so I did as little of it as possible, trying to use the straight edges of the fabric that where already there.  I ended up cutting two sides, plus trimming a third.  You can see from this picture that my cutting leaves something to be desired.  Additionally, I pinned everything down with the help of my husband, who held the first pinned side down while I smoothed out all of the wrinkles.  Patience is not a virtue I possess.

Sad proof of my epic cutting skills

The fabric was mostly straight as you can see from the picture above.  I kept the five by five piece of cardboard to use as a guide in helping me make the rest of the fringe, after my first cut proved I have no eye for straight lines, even at a short distance.

My first attempts a cutting fringe

Use the cardboard square as your guide!

As you can see from that first pathetic cut, having a guide was necessary, at least for me.  It also helped later on when I couldn't put the ruler flat against the fabric because one side or the other was already tied.  The video says no wider than a finger, but I would have been there all night, so I went for approximately every inch.

I do recommend tying as you go, this definately helps keep things lined up properly.  I would stop every foot or so and tie fringe until I reached five inches from my last cut, so I wasn't trying to lay my cardboard guide under or over the bumpy ties.

One End Down!

Finally Done!

OVERALL VERDICT
Doable, but time consuming, at least the first time around, the no sew fleece blanket turned out well.  The fringe is very forgiving and hides any minor unevenness very well.  I would definitely make another (but not while I'm eight months pregnant....being on my feet for four hours was not a good idea).

Learning the Tarot: The importance of Clarity & Reading the Tarot

If you read this blog regularly, you've probably gathered that I'm in the military.  Very, very soon after my little parasite is born, I will be taking a HUGE leap by letting my contract expire after eight years in the hopes that I will be bringing a little sanity to my life.  It is a big leap because while husband can feed us and keep a roof over our heads, paying my credit card debt down (racked up long before I ever set eyes on him) is really not in the budget.  We have about four or five months of savings to cover us then it's back to work or.........(actually I really don't know what comes after the or).  It reminds me of those old maps of the world when it was still thought the world was flat and one could sail over the edge into the mouth of a great monster.  I'm headed to that monster right now.....oh sure, the water is fine now, but soon, I will get pulled over the edge........

It was in this agitated mood that I approached the Tarot one night (can you see where this is going?) and asked about my immediate future.  The cards came back to me, not as I'd hoped, (with a glimpse of the future or some hint as to what avenue I should take) but instead with a reading that made me say, "No shit, Tarot!"

My very first deck, used for personal readings only

What I got back was just an immediate reflection of what I already knew......conflict: between having many choices ahead of me and trying to make plans.........my short term future:  BIG Changes coming!  How I see myself: feeling like I'm becoming a big moocher because I'll be staying home with the baby for a bit.....and then funniest of all, the over emotionality of my future outlook card .  I say funny because as anyone who has had a baby knows emotions are insane right after birth and for a bit thereafter.....with my first child, I cried at the drop of a hat for a long time, at anything (though mostly baby commercials).....things are a bit hormonal at first.

So now, getting to my point.  Reading the Tarot is more than just shuffling some cards, laying them out and looking up meanings in your favorite guide.  Clarity and connection are important.  Clarity of mind allows for a true connection......not a reading jumbled with emotions  and desires of the reader.  If you have decided you want to study the cards, it's important that you prepare yourself each time to read the cards properly.
Some ideas on how to do this:

• Read in the same spot every time.  Pick a place without a lot of distractions, away from noise as much as possible.
• Create a ritual.....I'm not talking spells and curses here.....just a routine that you follow each time you read.  For example, you can shuffle the same way every time or split the deck exactly the same way.
• Give yourself a moment of silence before you begin touching the cards.
• Clear your mind of everything but the focus of your reading or question being asked.  Let nothing else cross your mind until you have finished laying out the cards. 

Clarity of mind is very important for those seeking a reading as well.  Coming to your reader in an emotional state will get you a very disconnected reading.  Try and approach your reader with a calm a mind as possible.  Push all thoughts away of anything else but the issue or question at hand.  Focus in on it until the last card has been drawn.   Keep this in mind and you too can avoid your own, "No Shit, Tarot!" moment.

Elephants Remember Joplin.....and Bears too.....

 

Today I sent off these three little guys to a wonderful little girl name Cee Cee who is working very hard to raise money for the victims of the devastating Joplin tornado last May.  These guys will be part of her toy drive for fifty five children who survived the tornado that will attending a special camp on the 17th.  You can read more about her and even help her in her efforts (even if you're not a crafty person) by visiting her Face Book Page:  Elephants Remember Joplin.  These guys were made from the first crochet pattern I've ever committed to paper, Flat Teddy Bear.  And while I think the pattern turned out pretty decent (not great, but decent), I'm not fond of that white bear.......grey and tan bear look pretty cute......white bear looks a little shady.....giving me an "eye" even...........maybe I'll stay away from the color white on future bears........

Lady Love Tarot loves Tarot (and nothing else, apparently)

Long ago, when I was but a wee lass (and by wee lass I mean awkward teenager), I had a teacher who was the quintessential former flower child....long flowing clothing, messy hair, eclectic friends.  One day, while we were out on the playground, I lingered near her and another teacher, as she did a spread from the Medicine Cards for her coworker.  Fascinated, yet slightly scared of what she was doing, I pushed the idea to the back of my head for many years, until, as an adult, I found myself studying the Tarot.  It was only then, nearly twenty years later, that I remembered the Medicine Cards and sought them out on a trip to the local book store.  They were still in print, just as I remembered them.....eagerly I bought the package and took it home, ready to delve into the wisdom the cards might hold.

It was then that I was highly disappointed.  What had seemed highly mysterious, mystical even as a kid, was obviously nonsense.  There is little in the way of symbolism to connect to upon looking at the cards.  To make matters worse, the corresponding book seems to be filled with trite, condescending Native American "spiritualism."  (And by spiritualism I mean a complete and total butchering of what the author probably believes Native American believe.)  It made me sad, looking back on that teacher, that even as an adult (she was easily in her forties at the time) she could not see the mockery this made of Native American religions.  There may be really good alternatives to the Tarot out there, sadly this is not one of them.

Saturday, uh, Sunday Crafts Recycle Everything I Would Have Thrown Away

This weeks crafts are awesome recycling of crap most of us think is useless once it has served it's original purpose.

Old T shirts

Probably the coolest use of something most of us have in abundant supply, I'm dying to try out this rag rug using all of those old tan Army shirts I own once my ETS date rolls around....so close, yet so far.........  This beautiful rug idea comes from Julie Ann Art:

Recycled T shirt rug by Julie Ann Art

Sandwich Box

Milk jugs, in general, drive me nuts.....they seem so useless once they've served their original purpose.  That's why this idea from Family Fun is so awesome. 

Sandwich Box from Family fun

Cell phone/charger holder

I love this reuse of one of the most useless of all of the things that cross our recycling pile......a phone/charger holder made from a lotion bottle by Make It Love it.

Phone/charger holder from Make It Love It

Tin Can Garden

There are many tutorials out there on how to reuse tin cans, but I thought this one made the cutest use of them.  I highly recommend using a Smooth Edge Can Opener, which can be found in most local big box stores or online. 

Tin Can Garden by Kaboose

Now, I just need to find the illusive practical reuse of a toothpaste tube.....

The Scariest Card of All

I was minding my own business, laying out the cards for a client when it appeared.......that pesky card that plagues Tarot card readers world over. 

Death..........my personal nemesis as a card reader. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the imagery of the Tarot, I love the symbolism, but it oftentimes comes off as far too melodramatic.  I cringed as I set the card down.  This reading, unfortunately, wasn't for a client in front of me, but rather some poor soul  who would be opening an email from me and see it staring at them in all of its melodramatic glory.  I wouldn't be there to reassure them, "It's not really Death!  I swear!"

But it is, (at least when it's you're reading) and all you can think about is: my future says death.  Guh.  Despite what Hollywood would have us believe, Tarot Card readers (at least legitimate ones) don't normally go around predicting their clients' deaths.  The card Death, like all cards in the deck, is symbolic.....it asks us to be ready for change.  Big change.  Life altering change.  Death, after all, is the greatest change a living person will ever go through.  When Death appears in your reading, the cards are giving you a heads up.....change is coming.....life as you know it will never be the same again.

In the case of my client,  Death was actually a very promising card.....her financially life had been really difficult up to this point.  The change that the Death card promised forecasted a promising financial future.  I can only hope she took my explanation to heart.  I cringe to think she stopped reading at the word death.

Random Saturday Crafts

So I've spent way too much time lately on StumbleUpon.  Like way too much time.  I think I'm slightly addicted. And to add to the madness, I'm now adding (on a daily basis) to the list of crafts I want to attempt.  Here's of collection of what I've come across in just the last few days.......


SOAP!

 

Solid Bath Sugar Scrub by Teach Soap 

Directions for these beautiful solid bath sugar scrub cubes can be found at www.teachsoap.com along with a ton of recipes for making soap, bath fizzies, lip balms and lotions.  Awesome website......looks like tons of fun.


DOILY LAMPS

 

Doily Lamp by More Design Please

I grew up really poor.  Unfortunately, like my mom, I've always had this desire to make things (usually crap, but every once in a while I do pretty well), so when I was about eight or so, I discovered paper mache.....the perfect craft for the poor kid who wants to make something all of the time.  This Doily Lamp by More Design Please takes the idea of paper mache and turns it into something beautiful with very little effort.  Gone are the hours of sanding and panting.....this doily lamp is pretty much good to go from the moment it dries.....no painting skills or patience necessary.




PAPER FLOWERS

 

Paper Flower Balls by Find Inspirations

Flowerless weddings seem to be all the rage these days.....what better way to avoid the allergies and expensive of real flowers by substituting with paper flowers?  In the past when someone mentioned "paper flowers" I instantly cringed....thoughts of tissue paper in bright colors filled my head, but Find Inspiration's take on paper flowers is both beautiful and elegant.  With a bit of time and patience, these beautiful flowers can cheaply replace some or all of the floral arrangements in your wedding.

Have a great Saturday!

Gilded Tarot: A Review

The Gilded Tarot, for the price (currently around $17 on Amazon.com), is on the surface, a pretty good deal.  The set comes with a 78 card deck, a companion book filled with card explanations, and a tulle drawstring bag to hold the cards.  Unfortunately the price alone wasn't enough to sway me into becoming a fan of this deck or the set.  On the pro side, the images on the deck are a bright contrast to the black background.  However, the computer generated, cut and paste feel of each card left me feeling cold.  There is nothing to connect with....perhaps it sounds strange, but the images (though medieval in theme) were a bit too modern for me.  The book, while detailed enough, is a little on the convoluted side in the meanings it gives for each card.  This definitely wouldn't be the book to start with for the beginner.  The drawstring bag, while a nice freebie, is not the appropriate storage method for a deck a reader plans on using on a regular basis, nor does it provide much protection for the deck.  What it ultimately comes down to is personal preference. If the images appeal to you (go here to see several images of the deck) then this might be a great addition to your collection.  This however isn't the deck or set for a newbie, nor does it provide the "connection" I felt needed to exist between the reader and the card images.

Two Awesome Craft Tutorials

The other day while looking into magnets for my Etsy shop, I stumbled across some awesome tutorials from a fellow blogger, Celtic Mommy.  The first is for oval cabochon necklaces, and I think you'll be impressed.....her results are beautiful and every bit as professional as I've seen for sale on many websites:

Handmade Oval Necklaces by Celtic Mommy

In addition to the broach tutorial, she has an awesome glass magnet tutorial:

 

Handmade Glass Magnets by Celtic Mommy

In addition to lots of photos and clear directions, Celtic Mommy provides links to vendors so you can hunt down supplies fairly easily.  Have a great Saturday!

Tarot Philosophy

Before I gave into my curiosity about the Tarot, I can remember being slightly afraid of it, if that makes any sense.  I knew nothing of the people who studied it, and assumed that all Tarot readers were mysterious women casting spells and curses.  In realty of course, I now know that Tarot practitioners come from all walks of life.  But I think that image is pervasive, keeping people who might otherwise benefit from seeking out the guidance of the Tarot.

I like to tell people that the Tarot is one of the first self help books, only in card form.  The Tarot is less of a fortune telling device and more of a guidance tool.  Most of us know the answers to the questions we have, but other things......fear, false security, laziness......all get in the way, leaving us in confusion when we come encounter conflict and change.  The Tarot helps clarify our thoughts and desires.  There is nothing new under the sun in the way we relate to one another, thus the Tarot is able to help provide a forecast.  Forecasts take into account all conditions and then provide a probable outcome.  This outcome, much like the weather forecasts, isn't set in stone, thus it may not always be right, but it can definitely give you a good idea of where you are going if you continue down the path you're on.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that there is nothing to fear from the Tarot....in the right hands, it will provide you with a powerful tool to improve your life.

New Deck!

Lisa Chow's Oracle Deck

Shadow and Light Tarot--A Review

In a world full of Tarot decks that look like a cross between Harry Potter fan fiction and LARPing fantasy, The Light and Shadow Tarot is a breath of fresh air.  It's black and white, block cut style images are beautiful and provide the intuiative reader with lots to work with in terms of imagery and symbolism.  The cards are on the larger side and a little bit thinner than I'd like, making it a little more difficult to shuffle and requiring a larger space for spreads (so those with small hands, beware).  However, if you're just looking to add to your collection, this is a unique deck that any Tarot addict would enjoy owning.  That said, I believe this will sit in with my collection and not my reading cards......I am at heart an old woman and stuck in my ways.  While this deck does a good job of remaining true to the meanings (as I understand them) of each card through its extensive imagery, I feel like the change in the minor arcana from Knights and Pages to Prince and Princesses is slightly frustrating.  Perhaps it's a bit limiting of me to expect all decks to keep to the same general format, but I am stuck in my ways and the change makes reading quickly and easily very difficult.  Anyone else feel the same way, or am I being a crotchety old Tarot snob?

10 Things to Make with Your Kid That Won't Look Like Crap: Mother's/Father's/Grandparent's Day Crafts for the Craft Challenged

Okay, so maybe it is the thought that counts....especially when it comes to kids and crafts.  I personally love seeing the things that my son creates.  But when we start moving from the things that we stick on the fridge to the things we wrap up and give, I want more.  I want a craft that will last for years....something the recipient will love and use, or at the very least keep for years.  So when macaroni necklaces and egg carton jewelry boxes just won't cut it, here are 10 adult assisted kid crafts family will love and cherish for years:


1) Photo Books
I am wretched at scrap booking....most of what I create ends up looking like the cat made it.  Fortunately that all changed with companies like Shuttefly and Snapfish.  I created my son's baby book this way (my handwriting is wretched as well).  I've also found this is a great way to create "handmade" family gifts from kids.  Currently my six year old is writing a "book."  He dictates stories to me, which I type up.  He then draws pictures to accompany the stories and I photograph him telling me the stories or drawing. Not only do the grandparents get a mini photo album of him, they get a little time capsule of sorts in his stories and drawings.

Exclusive artwork from the man child's latest book.

2) Painted picture frames.
This time of year, millions of mothers are going to find themselves the recipient of picture frames made of all kinds of materials....Popsicle sticks, round plastic lids, construction paper.....pretty much anything but real picture frames.  I know it's crazy but cheap, plain picture frames abound and can be found everywhere from IKEA to your local dollar store.  I found these at IKEA and had my son paint them:

The man child goes for coverage above all else....

I took one to Iraq with me and gave him the second with the same picture in it of the two of us.

3) Iron On Tote Bags
From the mistress of perfection comes an idea that is both practical, inexpensive, and will immortalize a few of those million drawings papering the fridge...Iron On Tote Bag

4) Hand Prints
What better way to remember just how little your little ones were than with hand prints.  There are numerous ways to use hand prints in pretty, useful crafts.  Two cute, useful gifts:  Hand Print Mug& Hand Print Apron

5)  Casts
With a little help from Mom or Dad, kids can make this cool and useful paperweight/catch all perfect for that special someone's desk:  Casts

6) Shrinky Dink Pendants
Silly name, but lots of fun, Shrinky Dinks provide another cool way to use a child's art work.  Pictures can be shrunk down into pendants, rings or charms for an easy jewelry project that won't attract the bugs:  Shrinky Dink Pendants

7) Magnets
Always useful and appropriate for both male and female relatives, kids can create magnets and recycle all at the same time:  Magnets

8) Coasters
This craft requires a little more help from mom or dad, but produces great results.  Use kid's drawings in place of napkins for a personal touch:  Coasters

9) Bath Fizzies
Perfect for mom, grandma or aunts, these bath fizzies from Martha Stewart are colorful and fun.  Have kids help combining ingredients and decorating containers for the special ladies in their life:  Bath Fizzies

10)  Cookie Mix in a Jar
And finally......what could be easier and more appreciated than food?  Cookie Mix in a Jar

Asking the Tarot

For a lot of people, Tarot Card Readings are rare....sometimes even once-in-a-lifetime events.  So it's a pretty safe bet that when someone sits down with me, they have never sought guidance from the Tarot..  I find that a lot of people want to "test" their reader by being vague, leaving details out or outright lying.  In the end it is my client's reading, and what they choose to disclose or keep to themselves is up to them, but a lot of these things are counter-productive to a good Tarot reading.  Now don't get me wrong, readers don't always have the time for the reader's life story, and if your reading has to fit in a short period of time, then disclosure of a great amount of personal info may be unnecessary and wasteful.  Here is what I like to tell my clients:

1.  Keep your question or issue in your mind during the entire reading.  Focusing on the issue at hand can be difficult, but keeping it in the front of your mind during the reading keeps the reading from rambling off in different directions and can give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead.


2.  Keep follow up questions directly related to your original question.  Maintaining the original energy of the reading builds on the momentum already built by the original reading.


3.  Not sure what to ask or how to ask it?  Ask your reader for help. It's their job to help you get the most out of the reading.

4.  Avoid "yes" or "no" questions--ask questions instead that give the "big picture."  Yes/no questions are very limited and leave little for exploration or discussion.


All this said....Tarot readings aren't just limited to those with problems or drama in their lives.....sometimes half the fun is just seeing what your cards have to say.  Simply sitting down with a clear and empty mind and asking for an open reading may be your best bet and just may offer the best insight into your life.

Flat Teddy Bear

While I was deployed to Iraq, mommy guilt was at an all time high, thus my little velociraptor was the recipient of many many things I would not have bought otherwise.  And when I wasn't buying stuff for the the rug rat,  I soon found myself falling into the trap of  buying things just to get mail.  While I love my family dearly, they SUCKED at sending me anything in the way of packages, letters or cards (fortunately I have some really cool friends who picked up the slack).  This, however, gave me ample opportunity to add to my stash, which would have been fine, had I not been sharing a metal shipping container with a roommate.  (She was very understanding, fortunately, about the whole yarn thing).  With very little to distract me after my long shifts, I found myself with a lot of time to crochet.  Here's one of the first things I made--Flat Teddy.  Cheap (the one pictured was made with scrap yarn and cotton balls because that's what I had at the time), safe for all ages and easy to ship.....this would be a good project for charity.  It's been months since I've one of these guys, so please let me know if you run into any errors or typos.

FLAT TEDDY BEAR

Teddy Bear Front (make 2)

Head

Chain 6

1Turn, sc across (5sc)

2Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 3st, 2sc in last st (7sc)

3Turn, sc across (7sc)

4Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 5sc, 2sc in last st (9sc)

5Turn, sc across (9sc)

6Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 7, 2sc in last st (11sc)

7-9Turn, sc across (11sc)

10Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 7sc, sc dec over last 2st (9sc)

11Turn, sc in ea st across (9sc)

12Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 5, sc dec over last 2sc (7sc)

13Turn, sc across (7sc), tie off

Begin Arms

14Ch7, with 7^th chain still on hook, connect (with a sc) to 1^st sc of row 13 and sc across (7sc). Chain 7.

15Turn, sc in each ch and sc across (19sc)

16Turn, sc across (19sc)

17Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 17, 2sc in last st (21sc)

18-19Turn, sc across (21sc)

20Turn, sc dec across 1^st 2sc, 17sc across, sc dec across last 2st (19sc)

21Turn, sc across. Tie off (19sc)

Begin Body

22Turn, join yarn in 4^th sc with sc, 1sc in ea of next 12sc (13sc)

23Turn, sc across (13sc)

24Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 11sc, 2sc in last sc (15sc)

25Turn, 15sc across (15sc)

26Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, 1sc in ea of next 13sc, 2sc in last sc (17sc)

27-28SC across (17sc)

29Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 13sc, sc dec over last 2sc (15sc)

30Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 11sc, sc dec over last 2sc (13sc)

31Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in each of next 9sc, sc dec over last 2sc (11sc)

Begin Leg One

32Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 4sc (6sc)

33Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, 2sc in final sc (6sc)

34Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, sc dec over next 2sc (6sc)

35-36 Repeat rows 33-34

37-38 Repeat rows 33-34. Tie off.

Begin Leg Two

32Attach yarn with sc in 7^th sc of row 31 with sc, sc in ea of next 3, 2sc in last sc (6sc)

33Turn 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, sc dec over next 2 st (6sc)

34Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, sc in each of next 3sc, 2sc in final sc (6sc)

35-36Repeat rows 33-34

37-38Repeat rows 33-34. Tie off.

Begin Ears

In 1st st of row 2, hdc 5.  Sl st across top of head (5sc).  In last st of row 2, hdc 5.  Tie off.

Place the two teddy bear fronts, one on top of the other, right sides out, and stitch together (I single crocheted them together, but any method of sewing together should work), stuffing as you go. Using a yarn needle, create the bear's face.