The Mountains

So my annual mountain trip has come and gone. I yearn for those cresting blue giants again. Such beauty only two hours away. I keep begging my husband to move there, I'd never tire of that view. The Earth, Sea, and Sky older than time and bestowing their breathtaking grandness upon my eyes each and every day.

This year's trip was different, marked by the addition of my little boy in all his perfectness. He adores being outside, the movement of trees and all the sounds of nature. He hates to be sticky though and I completely agree. Most of our trip was plagued with warm rainfall and muggy grey skies. The sun came out only when we were leaving and I was able to take these great photos.

One of the most enjoyable moments for me was the long walk I took with my husband and boy. The cabin we stay at is on the river in the town of Elkton, VA. It's such a small little blip on the map, mostly local business, residences, and many many farms. We walked from our cabin by the river up to the main road, passing lots of farms and plenty of things for me to forage and collect. It rained most of our trip, my husband and boy staying dry under the safety of a large golf umbrella, myself dripping and damp from standing in the rain with my Audubon wildflower identification guide.

I managed to find Chicory and Datura, another poison for Hekate. There was a Mullein but there was only one and I didn't want to take all it was so I left it.

Here are the giant Datura plants within the rusty fencing of a field of beans, they were as tall as I. As always, proper petitions and offerings were left to the spirit of the plant. The thorn apples taken from these were the size of walnuts! I plan on offering a limited amount to my customers since this another one of those "hard to come by unless you grow or wild harvest this yourself" plants but in a very limited quantity.

Winter berries and beads

So after about a month or so of unpacking, straightening, and decorating, I finally have the time to do some crafts. Our new apartment is lovely and I'm enjoying spending time making it our own. My craft room is coming along at a slower pace then the rest of the place but it's starting to take shape. This is the first time I've had a room devoted solely to crafting so I want it to be organized and perfect, both of which take time.


The room itself gets good light despite the winter sun and my Sage is still doing well. Remember when I started growing plants from seeds? It was a larger undertaking than originally expected and only the Sage survived! I still have yet to harvest anything from it since it is still quite small but I'm sure once it warms up and can be put back outside then it will flourish!


The apartment community is full of trees and woods which is lucky considering it's straight off such a busy road and area. There's a large Holly bush right outside our balcony and many more scattered throughout the property (in fact one of Gypsy's favorite "spots" is right by this cluster of three of the largest Holly trees). I've also found Juniper, Oak, and Birch. Once the leaves return I may even find more of nature's treasures along the way.


Over the holidays I gathered many holly branches (under the cover of darkness like the sneaky witch I am), used a few for decoration for Christmas, and dried many of the berries for use in future projects. The Juniper above shall have a similar fate, being dried and used for decoration and projects. I love it's dusty little berries, the color reminds me of cold bitter winter winds.(By the by, isn't the Macro setting on our new camera just the bee's knees? I'm loving it!)


In addition to all the organizing, I've been working on a few projects here and there, this one included. It involves some hand bead work and newly learned french knots and embroidery. There was no pattern used here and I just kinda went with it as I always try to do, just letting the muses guide me. Unless I'm working on something very particular and specific I try not to use patterns. I enjoy having the shapes unfold around what I'm doing as it's a very organic process that way and it always produces better results. Try it and see what you come up with! This motif is going to become a tarot bag or similar sack of holding. I'd love to know what everyone thinks!

Cold Spring

Today I'm devoting solely to some crafting and cleaning. So far I've organized my craft area and desk, watered the seedlings, moved around some furniture, and completely revamped my altar. I've been pretty productive so far.

Today I made a trinket bag with a really vibrant spring theme. I've had this cotton yarn lying around for a few years. I got about 50 yards of it at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and have never really found a purpose for it. I thought the colors, pastels wound with red thread, were really perfect for the season. I knitted up a quick rectangle with it and stitched it up with red embroidery floss, attached a braided handle to wear it around your neck or tie it to a belt or something, and glass and wooden beads for decoration. This was my first time adding beading to anything and I think it turned out well. I get a really good vibe from it, very strong and cheerful. I really plan on making more of these today. They take no time at all and they're really fun.

The seedlings are going strong! This is the Flax here, but many of the others have sprouted. I keep forgetting that Rosemary and Lavender have a longer germination period then most of the other seeds I planted so I was getting quite impatient! But now their little sprouts have poked their heads about the soil so I'm happy.

I wish the light was better in this room, but alas. This is the upper part of my altar. I just added this part today since I usually run out of space on the bottom part quite quickly. The upper part changes the most here. On either side of the vintage glasses used as tealight holders are two needle felted eggs I received in my last swap at Craftster. The pretty lady in the center is a vintage find from the 40's or 50's I believe and I sometimes use her as a Goddess figure. The little wreath behind her is woven Willow branches.

Below is the more working area of the altar. This is the cleanest it will ever be. Incense is burned down here, charms and amulets are charged, stuff is constantly being done on this part of the space. Either that or I do it outside. But for those times when I can't and the nosy neighbors are watching I do this stuff inside.



I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful day and for those celebrating have a wonderful Spring Equinox.

Started my seeds today

So this morning I decided to get a jump on things and plant my seeds. It's such a beautiful day I thought it terrible to waste it on silly things like sleep. I planted half my seeds in the cut off bottoms of water bottles, and the other half in those newspaper starting pots I was telling you about. I really just didn't feel like folding all that newspaper. Heh. They're now sitting outside on my back porch in the wonderful morning sun.




Here's some strawberries. I hope they do well. I'd love to be able to pick these right of the vine and eat them. That would be wonderful. The beans are in there too, but they're hiding.

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!

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 :)

More Oils and clothing rant

Yesterday I decided to strain and bottle one of the oils I had made. It was the "earthy feminine" one and I was head over heels excited. I did end up putting too much clove in it so that scent is the most powerful but it still smells nice and would be great for a winter scent. I don't like to make my oils in too large of a batch since they keep better otherwise. If I sold the oils then maybe, but until then I like the small batches. Also I know I should keep oils in amber bottles, but I ran out! I have to order more but until then this will be fine since I keep my oils in a dark box. The labels are just sticky labels that I write on using my quill pen and ink I've mixed myself. Yes, that is my kooky handwriting :) I always write the given name of the mix and then the contents as a quick reference on the large bottles. On the drams I just give the names. I always record the amounts and ingredients in a separate notebook (which actually right now is a beat to crap composition book so I need a new one) just in case I want to make more later.

As you can see I put my terrarium behind my new bottled oil, which is doing quite well. It has even sprouted a few new mossy sprouts which are too cute for words. I'm quite thrilled.



On another note, I went clothes shopping today which is always a mixed experience. I don't think they make clothes for women who have breasts. Everything is strangely shapeless which on my body would make me look pregnant. I'm no twig, I wear a size 12 pants which to me is what a typical woman's shape is. But even for me I can never find anything that is flattering unless I modify it or take it in or let it out. Personally, I don't feel like paying $25 for a shirt that I'm going to have to take in myself. I've tried shopping at plus-sized stores but everything there is a little big for me. I'm stuck in this clothing size limbo. This is why I usually go to thrift stores and work from that since if you can shop right you can find some swanky stuff at second-hand and thrift stores.

On a different note, I did get some cute new boots today. I stole the picture below from the website of the store I purchased them from. Aren't they cute? They have a wingtip style and they're really comfy. So I guess my shopping today wasn't a total bust :)

Scented Oil and rants.

Yesterday was a "me" day. I ran some really fun errands to two thrift stores and the global market. The global market in this area is all Hispanic and Asian foods and it's a treasure trove for herbs. Yesterday I picked up some Safflower oil, Mullein, Hibiscus, Lavender, Rose petals, and a huge bundle of fresh Rosemary all for a ridiculously reasonable price. Within a 20 mile radius there are only 2 pagan stores. I'm familiar with the owner of one since she was a regular installment at the bookstore I worked at a few years ago. She's the High Priestess of her own coven and tradition and while she's an alright woman she seems like the "crafting only for money" type of gal which is really disappointing. It doesn't matter if I agree with her coven's tradition and beliefs because I'm not a part of it. But the only way to become High Priestess in her tradition is to pay for each step and class, and her prices are not cheap. I think you should earn money for your coven in different ways. But that's just me. Anyway, the point of me talking about this is because I think a lot of pagans get all their supplies from specialty stores. I'm definitely more on the frugal end of things preferring to shop at thrift stores for bowls and containers and such and global markets for herbs. I also grow my own Lavender but its flowering season was over which is why I needed to get some. I only go to the pagan store for things I can't get, like Frankincense or Dragon's Blood or something. I enjoy the thrill and hunt for new things at the thrift store, so I suppose I'm predetermined for it or something.
Anyway, today I decided to work on a scented oil. I wanted it to be flowery but earthy as well. So I added a ton of lovely herbs for just that. I used Rose, Red Sandalwood, fresh Rosemary, Mullein, Hibiscus, Frankincense I then stuck them in a jar with some safflower oil since it has no scent and its rich in vitamin E :). Also despite being slightly windy outside it was still a lovely day so I did all my work outside, to the chagrin of a nosy neighbor who I told I was making potpourri for my mother.
I live in a very uptight neighborhood who frowns upon difference. If you want to plant something new in your front yard, you have to make a request to the Home Owners Assosciation in order to do so. So everything I plant is in the back :).

Cold Leaves and Moss Terrariums

It's been a crazy few days. Went to see Doug Stanhope in Baltimore on Thursday which was really awesome. He's a really vulgar comedian that makes hilarious and socially relevant points that you can't help but agree with. Been doing some knitting too and spending some time outside since this is one of the first actually cold days. It actually feels like fall now. The air has a cold bite to it and the sun has been mostly overcast which cast a cool light on all my photos. Normally I touch them up a wee bit but it was unnecessary. Today felt like an outside craft day so I decided to try my hand at a moss terrarium. Basically what a terrarium does is provide a mini ecosystem for the plant. It creates its own humidity within a container. I used a good sized glass jar from the thrift store. It's always handy to pick up jars if they're large and cheap especially since I find uses for them all the time.
First I cleaned the entire interior of the jar with some bleach since you want to deter mold as much as possible. Then I put a layer of small gravel rocks, about an inch high, on the bottom of the jar to produce drainage. I got the moss from my backyard. I dug it up using a trowel and got the dirt from the same place as the moss. Something about the acidity in the dirt.

Then you water it but not too much. And that's pretty much it, or so says the internet. I really hope it goes well, because I'd love to do a Venus fly trap terrarium as well. When I lived in an apartment by myself about 3 years ago I had several Venus fly traps but I could never keep them alive because I didn't know the best way to regulate their moisture. I tried a lot of things and most of them failed. Now I'm excited at the prospect of such compact and easy container gardening.

Look at how beautiful that moss looks with all those little leaves. So neat.