The Gypsy on Adventure

Deliberate steps...

What have you been doing to get through this shitstorm of a year? For me, one of my greatest joy's is watching our wildlife around our home. And I have become fond of the Jay birds. This one is having issues, I think she may have broken her leg. But they look better than they have in the last 3 days. I make sure to have water and food she can reach on the deck and she is surviving and still flying.  And the sweetest was the mate came down on the deck and fed her a worm! Super sweet to see. They are taking care of each other! I really hope she makes it! (you can see him flying off on the right side...he didn't stay still long for me).

Dealing with the smoke:

We have been doing this with our box fans the last 3 days and it has helped. My eyes and ears are still itchy though. But I am glad we are doing this, it has really helped...we are not coughing as bad as we were.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-diy-an-air-purifier/

Tarot Spread for New Moon in Virgo

The tarot spread layout was in one of my online classes, by Shinjini Mehrotra, you can find her on her website: https://moderngypsy.in/free-classes-resources/ 

My draw today:

 

 

 

 

 

1: The World

An Auspicious period. You have achieved success in your endeavor. Walk in harmony with Mother Earth. Gather your Tribe and give your best.

2. Justice

Principle of consequences. You reap what you sow. Reclaim your power. Take an honest inventory of your life, acknowledge your successes and defeats.

2. Princess of Swords

Dazzle in the delights of your ambitions. Pay attention to your surrounds. Question your reality. Keep an open mind.

3. Judgement

Heading the call of a higher purpose. A resurrection, the rebirth of a new personality. Forgive yourself and other. Be the visionary you were made to be.

3. Queen of Pentacles

Nurturing yourself and the environment around you. Be open to the needs of others. Distribute the wealth you have equally among others. Channel your gifts to create new life.

4. Queen of Cups

Open to sensuality. Seeker of desires and potent pleasures. Rich empathy, creativity and understanding. Emotional intelligence.

Oh and what card did I pull again from the Oracle deck?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denial....hum...what is this about?

Art:

I noticed today a new watercolor class on roladex cards. On https://lexigrenzer.com/ website. I love Lexi, when I met her, I swear we were like family! I have cards, and I just have not started to art yet. So I am heavily leaning towards the class. 

 

 

 

Are you missing art festivals where you can find really beautiful handmade items for Christmas? My friend has you covered!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2637208759850849/?ref=share

The password to get into the group is Hallmark

Friendship:

Ah to end the day with a good friends phone call! It is great to hear from her, you know how life is just busy, and this being a rotten year, it is nice to catch up with those you love. So ending the day on a high note.

 

Ooooh 100 Day Project Starts tomorrow!

Tomorrow starts the #100dayproject. Join in. To play you pick something to do, read, create, research.... whatever for 100 days. I chose drawing Frida Kahlo, because I am taking a class called the Frida Notes and thought this will get me comfortable arting her! #100dayprojectfridakahlo .... draw them, doodle them, write prose, letter lyrics, whatever. Frida Kahlo!! That's it. Join in the fun!!!!
https://www.the100dayproject.org/

Frida was born around the same time of Grandma Carmen, and she was as strong willed as her...so that is why I have enjoyed learning about her..and being inspired by her art...she reminds me a lot of Grandma Carmen....I know a lot of people are over her...but I still find her fascinating...and relatable...

Start the year off with generosity.

A friend of mine posted this, and it is a good cause. If you are looking to do something really nice for a family, donate here. Every little bit helps. I know, when my ex-husband died and we had to come up with funds for taking care of all the details, we could not have done it without a Go-Fund me account. Here is his website.

Go do something nice, its the New Year! Be grateful and pass it on!

I always try to give...and sometimes it is hard...but it is a good thing to do...if you feel like you need to that too, go read about Aitken, he is a tattoo artist:

On Febraury 13, 2013 he was diagnosed with AML leukemia he had a hard battle.  Chemo, 7 bone marrow biopsies, in and out of Emory hospital. In September 2013 he finally was in remission.  He slowly went back to his love and passion of our shop as a incredible tattoo artist.  He's been tattooing over 22 years.  We almost lost our shop when he was sick. This past summer he was asked to compete on Ink Masters but still being under doctors care he had to decline.  

I am hoping he heals up well and gets the opportunity to go on Ink Masters...I love that show!

Heart of Gold

My friend Gina Bee sent me her heart! The bigger one is going in a shadow box for a vampire theme!!!
Bonus was the delish skull pin and heart ring!!!!

National Letter Writing Month

Each year my girlfriend Lindsay who has awesome blogs by the way,  www.lindsayostrom.blogspot.com and www.scribblesbylinzi.blogspot.com, she coordinates PenPals, last year there were like 43 of us this year 97!!! And we are having some fun!

You are just required to send something to your PenPal, and only once...most do more. Some over acheivers try to do everyone in the group. I won't be one of those since I work full time. I just can't. But I am having fun and feeling good every time I go to the mailbox! Great mail vs bills!

The power of GOOD bombing, Lindsay came up with the idea of bombing someone with a health issue, personal reason, or because they have had a shitty week...I nominated my daughter Desi and she got bombed with what she called "Pretty Mail" 

We have decided to dedicate a Facebook group to this and we will do it all year long! It just makes you feel good to focus on someone else and making them feel good and smile for a moment instead of thinking of yourself!

Yes I know, I am going to hell...

This SO appeals to me! We are doing an art swap on cabinet cards...but this rocks me! now I have to find some statues I am willing to paint up! GRIN

Saintly statues get superheroic makeovers

We've seen superheroes cast in traditional religious and mythological roles many times before, from Batman and Superman in ancient marble to Marvel superheroes hanging out with Jesus. Igor Scalisi Palminteri's artwork actually casts superheroes as Christ and Christian saints, decked out in primary colored robes. Go here to read full article.

Well although I sat here at my computer this morning at 6:30 am BLINKING! Wondering HOW was it time to go back to work, the day went by pretty fast, and I even remembered how to use the new phones! 

I walked on both my breaks...I had to do some shopping and pick up some healthy food to start my new year off right at work. Another change today, I had breakfast at home, even though I couldn't eat it all, I am trying to eat in the morning! 

7,078 steps today! WOW! not bad for a work day!  Not bad for a fresh start!

Today I heard from Rena..."I have been LOVING my purple scarf of love, it's so beautiful.....I thought the skein was so pretty...but had noooo clue it would knit up into something like that, sooo cool. I really can't thank you enough Carmen, such a treasure, both you....and my scarf..... xxxx"

This is the yarn her mom had in her stash, last year her passed away, Rena gave me this yarn when we met up at Lindsay's house in October! I made her a small scarf and this large one!  There was also enough to make my cowl hoodie!

 

I am so excited that I am feeling good today! I cleaned the kitchen and then sat down to enjoy some knitting...its an early night, I am going to bed to watch an episode of Merlin!

Artzy Gurls Retreat

I was lucky enough to attend the first Artzy Gurls Retreat in Idaho...what a great time! It took two days of driving where I saw the most beautiful sights of our vast country...and which made me wonder HOW some people eeek out a living on our land...some places were very remote.

It was a whirlwind retreat! If I had to say anything bad about the retreat, could you believe too much art! We started at 9 am and went to 9 pm...so that left no time for playing on the beautiful lake or venturing out to any boardering cities...I think we would have done better at 2 classes a day verses the 3, just for sanity.

BUT saying that I have to tell you I loved every minute of the art! AND trying new things as well, like working with Gourds! Gourds! Me! Can you believe I even tried using the wood burner for the first time and didn't hurt myself with it!? It was awesome with all the things we did.

I wasn't too thrilled with making art for some one else, although I totally understand why we had the exercise. My personality is such that I get high anxiety for making things for others....and when you don't know some one the pressure is on! I had a mini melt down and cried in my room for a bit and then got back to work. I enjoyed learning about my awesome person, but I didn't like the anxiety of the exercise!

I will upload photos to the photo album titled Artzy Gurls Retreat and you can see the photos there! 

It took us two days to drive home, but we went the quickest route through NV, which during the day is a rather boring trip, however, I enjoyed seeing all the colors come out at dusk, the purples and pinks, the blues of the dessert! It has its own beauty...that day was hard on the body we didn't stop much...so I was a bit dehydrated from not drinking anything for fear of NO BATHROOMS in NV! So by the time we got to Winnemucca at 830ish my body was swollen and I tired and hungry and THIRSTY! woooosh we made good time! From Worley Idaho at 8ish am  to Winnemucca at 830ish pm.

The next day was a mere 4 hrs to get to Chris's house! Then we mostly relaxed after splitting our new paints...and having a treat at the local yogert shop! YUMMO! Chris made an awesome dinner and I fell into bed early to get home by 11ish today! Whirl wind fun! 

I love spending that much time on art with like minded people, meeting new life long friends and sharing my life with Chris! I really do enjoy her!

On the way home my son texted me that my daughter has had a stroke or an aneurysm in Texas where she moved...that is not an easy thing to learn while on the road...especially when there is nothing you can do about it...

An Opportunity for some great art!

You really don't want to miss the opportunity to own a piece of her art! I have a piece from her and LOVE it!

Art by Canace: It's a GIVEAWAY!

 
My favorite quote is from Henry Van Dyke "Use the talents that you possess, for the woods would be silent if only the best birds sang." How true and how inspirational! Everyone possesses talents. We all have gifts to give and nothing should stop us from expressing those gifts whether it's art, music, writing, dancing, singing etc. etc... Maybe you want to be a chef! Whatever it is, you need to express yourself and revel in the joy of sharing those talents.

Nuf said.... here's the GIVEAWAY and how to enter:  http://artbycanace.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-giveaway.html

This assemblage entitled "Talents" is created within a wooden cigar box. I think the picture clearly shows its composition. I will be giving this assemblage away to a randomly drawn name from those who leave a comment here... and.... if you post the giveaway on your blog or Facebook linking to me, then that will be a second entry. Just drop me a line to let me know that you have posted to your blog or Facebook and include a link please.Everyone is eligible, no matter where you live around the world I will send it out to you.

Knitted Skelly!

I have never seen anything as unique and wonderful as this!
 
OMG this is fucking sweet!I cannot help but be in AWE!!! This is so AH-mazing! I can't imagine how long it took to create...but I LOVE it! I can see they used wire to hold it all togehter...woooooosh I am just stunned!

Want to read the article? You can here.