How to make Your Own Smudge Sticks

I use smudge sticks every time I sit to meditate, read my cards, preform a ritual, have a fight, start a new season, feel like crap, basically, I use a smudge stick for everything. With the discovery of fire, people began to notice that aromatic smoke was produced by burning dried plants. As herbs, roots, resins and barks are transformed from their physical form by fire into smoke (spirit world form)it opened their eyes to change. This transformation is evidence of the spirit within substances. There are many websites on how and why we smudge, the 'proper' way. I prefer to create my own rituals and "circle time" and I like to make my own tools as well. Before I begin anything: project, craft, ritual, making something to be used sacredly, I always ask the Universe for guidance and sit for a moment in silence. When I'm finished, I always thank the Universe for watching over me as I preformed a new task.

 
I gather everything together before I get started when beginning a project...I hate being interrupted or having to stop and go. It messes with my flow. In Native American Cultures and various other cultures everywhere, certain herbs are used for certain ceremonies. I use what I like and what speaks to me at that time. I use white sage for a total cleanse. I like  the smell of lavender and rose together, and I add those for love and peace. Patchouli is my favorite fragrance of all time and I have a powder that I add into my sage to spice it up a bit(so punny, sorry.) I also use thyme, rosemary, lambs ear, and chamomile. I do only use organic ingredients and materials if I can help it...I'm sure inhaling pesticides and GMO's isn't good for you.

Lie all of your ingredients out and mix and match until you are pleased with your selection. Using a thin hemp or cotton start in the middle and start to wrap the herbs together. I wrap back and forth tucking leaves as I go, until I get to the end and I simply tie a knot. 

I then take craft paper or a recycled paper bag and roll the smudge stick into a paper tube, tying it off with string long enough to be able to hang. I cut a little slit in the top of the tube so that it would hang up and down and not all wonky. This way all of the moisture will come to one end and not get all moldy and such. Let the stick dry for about a week or so and then use it to your hearts content. 

Wolf Moon

Whew! The holidays flew by in a rush. Almost so fast it was hard to enjoy them! I have been making and planning and procrastinating quite a bit lately, but I think I figured out what's going to happen. I'm going to be HAPPY! I know without a doubt what I want out of life, and I almost have a plan figured out how to financially support my dream and keep my family loved and fulfilled.
 Since forever, I've known that I love to help others. Listening, offering guidance, being there for them. My hands sometimes feel as if they are on fire with energy and I just have to touch. I have repaired my own soul through help from others and a lot of hard work on my part. And I know that's what I want to do. I want to help others find themselves. I want to help them heal and mend the broken pieces. I want to offer guidance in growth, both spiritually and physically. Through art, meditation, writing, yoga, and a lot of personal soul searching I feel as if I can help others heal. I'm combining all that i do into a package/service to offer. I've only been offering things locally, but with Skype and via phone, I will now offer to help others anywhere. In the next few weeks I'll be able to cement all of the boring stuff so that I can get down to business.

 I've also been reading cards for others at home. You can go to my facebook page and get a card pulled by commenting on the daily post. Stop by!

Tonight is the first full moon of 2014 and I'll be making smudge sticks for my Etsy shop and sitting with the spirits. There are so many things that you can do during a Full Moon to help your energy. At the full moon the energy builds and builds....there's an explosive outgoing aspect to it. All of nature grows and is more vital at the full Moon. This surge allows you to take action on behalf of any new Moon intentions you set, as well as set new intentions and beginnings. 

• You could use this evenings moon to release any old internal baggage you've been letting weigh you down. Write everything you want to rid yourself of; be it bad habits, or bad relationships, anything that does not lift you up. Find a container ( I use a cast iron pot) and using a candles flame burn all of those slips of paper and watch the smoke disappear, taking with it your anxiety and frustrations that surround the subject.
• Sit in a quiet place and allow yourself to become centered. If you are able, try to get somewhere where the light of the moon can be seen. Imagine that light as a healing light and let it bathe you with it's beauty and power. Strengthening your soul as well as your will. As it washes over you allow your mind to quiet down and accept the purity and cleanliness of it. Feel your soul becoming rooted in love and trust; of yourself, your power, your love. Believe in yourself and allow your body to be healed in the strength of the moon.
• Set an intention, something that you want to accomplish or create in your life. Write it down, or paint it...create something that you can come to and be reminded of what you wanted. Intentions set under a full moon create a powerful wave through the universe, letting all who will listen know that you are ready to accept change. 

I hope this finds you well and helps you through all that you are experiencing. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have questions or comments. You can reach me through facebook, twitter, pinterest, etsy, or through my email-happysappytrees@gmail.com. Namaskar!

Home Again, Home Again...

Just a tiny taste of the many many many photos I took. Can you guess where we went? Dude, so much to catch up on, but this weekend is being spent making and painting. I promise to start posting again Monday! 

Find Yourself in art- Free Print!

Quote by Thomas Merton
Art by me!

I've been preoccupied with my birthday, a beta of my online course, and now my anniversary! So blogging has taken a backseat. I'll return soon, with fun stuff for everyday! Until then, please help yourself to this free printable! Print it out, hang it up, share it...whatever you want. I hope you enjoy, free art sure makes me happy!

Wild Abandon is a Good Thing

For most people, when they reach a certain age, they start to think if something they enjoy is not making them money or giving them status then it's not beneficial. I do NOT believe this. And I really feel like one of my biggest truth on this earth is to teach other how to relax and enjoy life. The easiest way I have fun is COLOR! Getting messy and putting my hands in squishy paint is soothing!

Supplies

Craft paint (cheap) in all of your favorite colors
Large sheets of heavy weight bristol or watercolor paper
pencil
ink
water
apron
paper plate or palette of some kind

What to Do

Fill you palette with all of your favorite colors. Begin by dipping your fingers in paint and smearing it on the paper. Use all of your hands. Finger tips for dots, palm for smears, side of the hand for moons- whatever you want. Paint fast and loose! Let it dry a bit and then take a pencil or pen and scratch a design into the paint or write something positive. Let your painting dry and hang it on the fridge. Was it fun? 

If you found yourself getting too serious or technical about it start all over. The whole point of the practice is to loosen up and enjoy yourself!
Make a whole series with the same color or smears...try to awaken that inner wild child of yours!

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

Pablo Picasso 

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

Vincent Van Gogh 

Birthday Giveaway!

I'm 38!!!

Today's my birthday and I'm having a Giveaway on my FaceBook page. Go to the page and like it, and then leave a comment under the giveaway link telling me 'What you Love About today" and one lucky reader will receive a -special made just for you One of a Kind piece of art, doo dads, glitzy stuffs, and other fun thingys to create a beautiful journal spread! All in a cutey patootey arty package sent straight to your door!

Love is my Fuel-Art is My Vehicle

Scrap paper, china pencil, acrylic and stencils on 98lb Mixed media paper

Goddess at Hand

 This is my latest painting, I have quite a ways to go, but I'm really in love with the background. It's ink and acrylic on a wood panel. and I placed painters tape all over the wood so I could take it off at various stages and get a 'raw wood' feel. I hope to finish her this evening! And I was thinking about covering her in clear embossing powder as the very last step to seal it in. Is that a good idea?

It's okay to fail.

So, obviously, I didn't make a post yesterday about my amazing upcycled lamp shade. EPIC FAIL.

 As I began to cut into the shade I found out a few things.

1. I don't really think things through.

2. There are NO side supports on this shade.

3. I didn't have a back-up plan.

well, poop. So I had to run out to the store and buy a new shade and come back to the drawing board.

But that's the best thing ever-

I didn't get defeated. I didn't get down on myself. 

I learned a lesson(maybe check it out all the way, have a back up) and I'll keep going.So for now, the doily's are chillin on my worktable and I started a new project. I'm going to keep thinking about the doily's until I figure out a solution, but I'm not going to give up. I have faith in me. I'll come up with something eventually. and it wasn't a failure, it was a learning experience. I totally know how to tackle this when I get a new plan together!

 Until then, we'll just say this project is to be continued...

DIY Doily Lampshades

PART 1-

 I've been buying and collecting doily's for a long time; sure I could crochet them myself, but when I go to the thrift store or to a yard sale and they're .25 It's hard NOT to buy them rather than make them...besides, it's upcycling! So go out in yonder world and return with a whole bunch of beautifully intricate doily's. Most of mine we're round, but some were 'runner' style, long rectangles, and some were obviously practice crochet because they were a bit wonky. Regardless- Your going to be stitching them around a lamp shade which is no perfect circle or square so no worries! I will eventually remove the fabric that's on the metal frame of the shade, but I wanted to make sure the dye worked out and that I had enough doily's before I had a naked lamp chillin' in my living room- I'm doing this on the sly anyway, so I want to destroy the original at the last moment.

 I just sort of eyeballed the amount that I would need- I'll probably overlap them in some areas...

 I then laid down some plastic and sprayed the fabric. I used Tumble Dye by sei in pink and blue. And I also used Color Shine by Heidi Swapp in teal, mustard, chartreuse, and primrose. Color Shine is typically a scrapbook/mixed media type spray- but I figured, ink is ink-right?!?

I also decided while I was at it, that the doily would make an awesome stencil for one of my canvases- so I laid it across the canvas in progress and sprayed away- I think it'll be a cute background element!

My next steps will be to let them dry completely and iron over them to heat set the ink. I'll post about that and how I finished the project on Thursday! Stay tuned!!

Make More Art

The world needs more creativity and less negativity...so I'm gonna do just that- today starts the ass bustin making week...i'll post picks of all of the FINISHED stuff I make! Did you hear that? FINISHED?!? 

Freebie!!

Welcome!
To all my readers new and old I'd like to gift you with a little print to keep you on your own true path!

Please feel free to share it, love it, like it, print it out and hang it where you can see it everyday!!! 

Ding Dong Style

 Weird title, but there's a place called Pinky's and they have the best burgers and such, ever- if you get it 'ding dong style' it comes with crunchy peanut butter, sriracha, and honey cilantro slaw...it's crazy good- and things that you would never imagine putting on your burger...together. That's how I live, I mix anything and everything that I like all together and give it a try. Usually it works out for the best! Writing, painting, fiber, collage, fashion, music and life...everyday, all day. That's my ding dong style. I like to take chances- and sometimes i need a little self motivation...I tend to drag my feet...but when I finally try that something new, I'm so happy i did! It is always an adventure...and what else is there, really? 
 Today's adventure went like this...
I was invited to join Lisa Rough's awesome hullabaloo-" GREAT BIG SUMMERTIME BLOG HULLABALOO, an intimate and sometimes vulnerable celebration of the human spirit.  I like to imagine us all sitting in a circle together, perhaps around a crackling fire….  bearing witness to one another’s stories that display such breadth of courage, tenacity, and hope.  It’s not too late to grab a seat and share your story (or art, love letter, bucket list, etc.)–  there’s nothing else I would love more! " (grabbed Lisa's words from here)

I of course, drug my feet, and I wasn't even sure what I was going to write about, other than my love of expression and the joy of being female...when I finally settled down and began to write- I couldn't turn it off...words like water poured out of my fingers! What came out of me was a testament of authenticity...or, be yourself dammit!...and then

I SENT IT IN!

 To be read by people who know nothing of me and have never read my writings and ramblins'- who may or may not understand my ding dong style. And guess what? I'm okay! It was painless, and if no one gets it or likes it- I won't be hurt- because, I did it for me! It was what I was feeling, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. And if i even affect one woman with my true self for the good, then hot diggity, i'm on to something! I will have made a difference. And that is my ultimate adventure. 

Get over to Lisa Rough's blog Sacred Circle- she has a summer-full of amazing creatives posting daily on her blog, and it's spectacular!

Rainy day faces

Intuition-a practice worth listening to

 Intuition, that thing that your gut does when you aren't thinking with your soul. The tiny whisper that vibrates through your body that you know you should listen to. It's your soul knowing whats right for you, and your 'logical' self not listening.
 Why? What are you afraid of?
 Me- being wrong.
 I get afraid. I question my spirit and think "does my intuition really know better than I do?" the answer, quite simply, is yes. In my life, I believe my spirit/energy/soul has been around a lot longer than my 37 years. And I know that I have definitely put it through some adventurous growing this time around. But it still knows more than this body of mine ever will.

"How do you 'hear' your intuition? Just listening doesn't seem to do the trick." And it probably won't either. Think about how full your mind is right now...your reading this, maybe judging it, fending off a child, eating a burrito,  listening to the radio/TV- anything...how often do you really take for yourself? Just quiet. No electronics, no noise, no other distractions. Hey, I have 4 kids and a child like husband, I know all to well how hard it is to find a bit of quiet. But for your sanity, connection to your intuition and relationships with others I urge you to TAKE IT! You need quiet time or meditation every day! You don't need a designated space (although it makes it easier to quiet down, quicker) or a gong or candles or anything. All you need is you, 10 minutes, and a quiet private place to just be. Just sit somewhere comfortably, sit don't lie- you'll fall asleep and defeat the purpose!  And begin to breath. Really inhale at a slow steady pace and then exhale at a slow steady pace, try to inhale and exhale at the same slow deep steady pace. Ideas are going to form, and inner conversations are going to sound...when they do don't get frustrated! Just nudge them away for later reflection and come back to your breath. Concentrate on breathing fully. That's it! Just breathe and be, nothing hard is involved. The more quiet time you give your mind, the tighter your soul and mind/body become. You'll stop second guessing yourself. All good things come with meditation.

I meditate everyday, if I miss it for a day i feel...frustrated, angry, easily aggravated. It's soothing to my soul, and I really feel like it fine tunes my 'intuitive channel' and i can hear it more clearly. Since I've really started giving myself meditation time and started listening closely to my intuition, its gotten stronger. My inner voice is strong and positive. and I found that listening has also given me a new sense of strength and confidence I never really had before. Your intuition knows you better than you know yourself. Take some time to listen to it and embrace it. After all- it's the real you!

Layers of Adventure

 I love to create, but sometimes I fall into this place. That place where I worry if I'm marketable, if others will appreciate me and my work, if they will even understand. I've been there for awhile, and then today, I realized that I DON'T create for others! I create for ME!
 When I paint for myself, I make things and use materials in ways I never would have, if I put thought and direction into it. I'm not saying a plan is a bad idea...it's just not the way I work. I create freely and intuitively, then I find the imagery in the art. Then I pull it out with high and low lighting-some of my paintings are ten even fifteen layers deep, but each layer tells a story of the adventure of the piece. The growth of the the releasing of creativity. When I forget that, painting becomes a chore. But today, it was a gift!
 Let yourself free, and take an adventure into and with your art, you will be surprised where you end up if you just LET GO.

Release That Inner Child!

 Fingerpainting For Grownups is a new 'local' workshop that I'm planning for August. I love to be creative and messy, and sometimes I don't have a project in mind, I just want to play with color. So this workshop will be all about releasing your inner child! That carefree feeling you had when you were young, scribbling and splashing color for colors sake, with no end result in mind. I feel my most creative when I just let myself go and splash color around, scribbling away. Afterward, I can look deeper into the painting and find the imagery that wants to be found...but this is the first step- the one that gets those creative juices flowing and makes me want to create forever!

 I haven't planned an online version yet, because I have a lot of 'releasing' questions that I ask as others are working. Questions that may make you look into yourself and figure out what inside of you is holding your 'inner child' back. and I can't quite wrap my brain around how to get live to you to work together and question you at the same time...chat and live stream? I'll figure it out, but for now it will be in Gastonia NC in August, more details to come soon!

Happy MAY!! FREE PRINTABLE!

Copy and save and print and share!!

My day of Pinterest-

 I've been in a crafty mood of late and Pinterest is always helpful for inspiration. Here are some of the projects I'm making today! (You can find where I repinned all of these and their links here.)

I'm adding pockets to everything!

Alabama has to have this- today!

This is almost the color I want my dreads to be this fall.

If I had this reading nook I'd never get anything done!

I'm making these for dinner!

This is my new e-course, coming in MAY!

Make More Art

Make it! Quit thinking about creating for someone else or to sell or hang or for a show...Make art because it feels good. Make art because you want to, have to. The process is the art...the end result is just another object. Run, now, and get something to make your mark with. NOW.