Under the weather

This is the grizzly scene at my desk. I've been really under the weather and have been consuming tea at an alarming rate. I have one of the three bugs going around, this is the "congestion, torn up throat, coughing and sneezing" one. There's also a puking bug too and I'm very glad I didn't get that one. What I hate the most about being sick is the fatigue. I barely have the energy to think of something to say so all of my projects have been put on hold until I feel better.

I made this mug around the same time I made the other three, but this one is mine. I have a bad habit of while making gifts and crafts for others, I always have to make myself a little something too. Isn't it always important to just treat yourself every once and a while? I think so.

I've started folding newspaper starter pots to begin my seeds in for this year. So far this years I have seeds for Rosemary, Lavender, Chamomile, Thyme, Poppies, Sage, Peppermint, Spearmint, Dhalia, Flax, Black-Eyed Susans, Cherry tomatoes, and String Beans. I'm really excited. When I transplant them, I plan on giving the Peppermint, Thyme, and Spearmint their own containers since they'll grow like little rabid beasts. This year is my first year trying vegetables too and I hope they turn out yummy. If they do, I'll definitely try more next year.

Until then, I'm going to nurse my disease. I hope I get better soon. Wish me luck!

Tidbits of floss and wood

I think everyone really underestimates the beauty of Carnations. People label them as a generic flower and even get insulted if they receive these instead of roses, but I think their beautiful ruffled petals are lovely. They promote healing and they were given to me by someone really special to me. They make me smile every time I look at them. I plan on drying two of them, and pressing the other two so their beauty will serve me in other crafty ways down the road.

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So I've been involved in mostly swapping recently, but in taking a break from those projects I decided to poke around with something I've been wanting to do for a while. I've made several wreathes, dream catchers, and even bracelets using branches, but never just a star. I decided to give it a go.




The twigs themselves are pine from my yard. The black and red cord is embroidery floss and the copper bits are some copper sewing thread I have. There's an assortment of beads on there, including some gemstone beads I have (Red Jasper, Hematite, Unakite), silver bells to keep those pesky bad spirits away, the black and gold glass spiral bead at the top, and a small gold toned honey bee.

This little project was really fun, and surprisingly quick. I think if I hadn't been watching television I could have finished quicker though. It now hangs above my main doorway. I've already made several more, but a growing headache will prevent me from sharing pictures this post.

Hope you enjoy.

I've been working on....

Stuff! Lots of stuff! Is everyone just as excited for spring as I am? I'm really looking forward to going outside and collecting branches and acorns and twigs and things, and just enjoying the sun. In the picture above are some smudge sticks I threw together after a trip to the store for some fresh herbs. One of them is Sage and Lavender (grown myself) and the other two are Sage and Rosemary. They're almost dry, probably another week or so.

Meanwhile it's still dark and cold out so I suppose I will just sit inside and craft. Heh. I've been working on many things, some personal, some for other people, most of which I can't show you since they are part of my swap over at Craftster.org.

These are some natural bobby pins I made the other day. Just kinda got in the mood of it and didn't wanna stop, but I ran out of pins. If I used any more I wouldn't be able to put up my hair. From left to right- star anise, small pine cones, acorns, and a bobbin (I know this isn't natural but I wanted to make it anyway, heh). And the typical action shot below of me wearing the acorn bobby pin. I have long hair and it's sometimes difficult to find stuff to do with it other than keep it down. So making these cute bobby pins was some great motivation to do some fairy-ish messy updo's. Like that glow of my 22" monitor on my face? It's the only way I get a tan :) Haha!






For Christmas my sister gave me this children's wood burner she found in her boyfriend's garage, so I've been practicing with it. I have a GIANT stash of wood pieces from when my mom used to do wood crafting so I only need to buy big things like boxes when I want to do something. The tip of the burner is a chisel tip and kinda clunky but I'm slowly learning to control it. I've been making little charms like the ones above. They're pretty fun and easy to do. I also did one and decorated one of my oil bottles with it.


This is my Sleeping Serpent Oil. Like the tag? I think it's adorable :). It's strung there with some copper wire, teal colored wool yarn with black embroidery floss twisted around it and a few beads. I actually carved out the stars on this one with an exacto blade so it's woodcarving too! Hah! I like how rustic it looks and I'm always thinking of ways to make my stuff prettier. The Sun and Moon charms above are going on some personal bottles of their respective Oils just like the one above. I might do this regularly since making these little wooden charms is easy peasy. And if when I open a shop this would be a cute addition to the bottle.

Here are the Sun(left) and Moon(right) oils doing their thing. I only brew oils in small batches right now because it's only me using them. I use Safflower Oil as my base because it's colorless, odorless, and lots of antioxidants and Vitamin E.

I also bought tons of seed packets because I plan on starting up my herb garden again, but in containers. Also I want to grow a few veggies since stuff like Tomatoes grow easily in containers and they are super yummy. I get most of my herbs at the Global Food market either dried or fresh, grow a couple, and plan on growing more. I really need to expand my stock of herbs but it's hard without buying them online. Might do some personal swaps to get some more herbs, eh? Who knows.

I know this was really just a quick overview of what I've had my paws in and I will be sure to keep you updated. Hope everyone else's crafting is going just as well :)