Fox

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It is funny how life works...I did not plan on sharing this story, but the way the events happened left me
with such amazement that I thought you might appreciate hearing about it.....


Over a week ago I was at my favorite thrift store and came across this beautiful matted fox picture.
It is rather large and it is an actual photo someone took. The picture was so striking and I immediately thought of my daughter who loves wolves. So, for a small price I took my prize home and gave it to daughter number 3.

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daughter # 3 and wolf friend (edited in)....

Fast forward to this past Friday 6, 2012....

My son and I are driving early in the morning and out of the woods dashes the most beautiful Red Fox I have ever seen. It ran right in front of us and leapt safely into the woods on the other side.

It was rather majestic and large and strong for a fox. It looked like the picture of the fox  above except it had a black and white band toward the tip of its tail.

On Saturday 7, 2012 I go to my favorite New Age type shop and I walk around slowly

looking at each thing and I get to the back of the store and find a parchment with a Fox Prayer

written on it.

It calls upon creator to allow the essence of what fox represents to become
a part of who is praying.
sample:
...........
"Gift me your keen senses
That I might see more of what is around me and use it to accomplish my goals.
To bring discernment into my life.".....


I quickly bought the parchment and brought it home.

Also early Saturday morning I was looking through some of my favorite art and saw a FOX!

(it is at the bottom of the picture.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenwaller/1374996928/

I decided I would honor fox by creating a quilt piece:

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The fabrics surrounding fox are African, but remind me of Native American symbols.

The flute player to the left reminds me of the Kokopelli.

Among the Hopi, Kokopelli carries unborn children on his back and distributes them to women; for this reason, young girls often fear him. He often takes part in rituals relating to marriage, and Kokopelli himself is sometimes depicted with aconsort, a woman called Kokopelmana by the Hopi.^[1] It is said that Kokopelli can be seen on the full and waning moon, much like the "rabbit on the moon".

The fellow on the right reminds me of the Anasazi Tribe.

A very ancient Native American Culture.

I have been listening to this earlier in the day before I began the Fox piece:

R. Carlos Nakai - Canyon People (Canyon Trilogy Track 7):http://youtu.be/xmon0j14gbc via @youtube

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I continue to work on the corn.....

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The leather for the rattle hung in the full moon.

I wet the leather and filled it with sand.

It is in the house now because it is suppose to rain and it needs to dry and stiffen.

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I brought a cup of tea to my desk and at one point stopped stitching and looked at my cup and realized there were words on the tea back paper!

Another fun surprise/message to me...

Love it!

Have a great week!

<3

Stitching corn and Spring thread

My recent thread and fabric acquisition. The colors are "springy" and I am loving

that orange-y color! We have had Spring-like weather recently and lots of sunshine so I 

am thinking about this:

Remember Grandmother's quilt? Time to pull it out and begin stitching on it again. Spring

will always be my reminder for my Grandmother. She loved gardening and being outdoors.

Lastly, I have been stitching up some corn....

Have a great week!

<3

Muffy

So this is what I have been up to, well besides driving the children all around, laundry and yadah, yadah, ya......

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You are probably wondering, "What does this little bear have to do with anything???"

This was a gift to daughter #2 for a birthday many moons ago. The teddy bear is called:

Muffy Vanderbear.

While thrifting on Saturday at one of my favorite spots I found this:

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I found two little cherry pies that go with Muffy Vanderbear. They came in the little bakery

boxes, but the boxes were not that beautiful. Anyway, I got both of them for $  .99 cents.

Pretty good deal....

I must confess, my daughter could care less. I am the one who wants to collect

the muffy bear "stuff".

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My next and most exciting find was this:

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A needlepoint frame! For a mere $  .99 cents! Yes, I love it. Very useful indeed. Also, a little sneek peek

of something I am working on. A little remake of something I have already stitched before. It is going

to be a gift for someone who has been a great inspiration to me. 
Oh, and by the way...we have had all 4 seasons in one day this past week...crazy!
Have a great week!

<3

This and that!

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This is a piece of embroidery I completed today. I have been working on it for a while. It is a gift, so I am not showing the whole thing. It is not that it is so complicated it was just a matter of finding the time to focus. (My word for the year!)

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A closeup of "weathered heart".

I wanted to add beading but did not have the right color beads so I did what any penny saving girl would do....I made up my own "beads" by doing french knots in the color I wanted : )

There is always a way around things when you are creating. That is what I love about stitching, embroidery, etc. You can make do with what you have.

<3


Loving this house:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/david-cats-eclectic-scandinavian-hideaway-house-tour-165915
<3

weathered heart

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a weathered heart.......

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a (wip) work in progress...

<3

Sweet face, books and day off!

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My day off was a combination of things....found this book, which I had so long ago. I remember
it was sort of sad but Mayas strength is inspiring. It is about her confronting her own life with strength and dignity. Her tragedies and strengths.

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This book is hilarious! It is like your best friend being, lets say blunt and honest about what you should eat. She does not hold anything back including swear words. lol!  Overall I can say I agree with what the book espouses, but there are some things that I think can be balanced. They recommend being complete vegetarian and at one point in my life I was an extreme vegetarian. I know it was easier to win the weight battle, but there has to be a balance because each person is unique. I will take the "hay and leave the sticks." Meaning what I feel works best for me.

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A fun book to dream of beautiful rooms.....

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I finished this little dolls sweet face... I am pleased.....

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 I sketched in my little journal and dreamed up new creations and ideas.....

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chatted with daughter #1 on line, ate way too much chocolate (but I bought the one the Skinny Girls book recommended so I do not feel too guilty..lol!)http://danareva.hubpages.com/hub/Organic-Chocolate-VS-Regular-Chocolate I paired my lovely chocolate with bunches of

 of hot tea.

Have a lovely day <3

Paying attention

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I have cloth hanging on my walls and this piece keeps standing out to me....
When something keeps grabbing my attention it is time to take a closer look....pay attention. *
Maybe it is about waking up to the fact that each day is a gift and that the desire to be cared for is something that happens automatically from spirit. Perhaps my definition of  feeling nurtured and safe needs to be redefined so I find more gratitude in each day. It is about accepting the divine feminine within and the strength that comes with that....
Maybe it is about me being kinder to myself. Be the nurturer to me. 

It is about acknowledging the mother in me and that I am so busy running around trying to be the best I can for everyone else. Maybe she is saying "Hey you!"

"Pay attention to you!" 

or

Perhaps another reason it keeps "jumping out at me" is because it is part of my original quilt pieces that needs to be finished!

 : )

I must have it finished by April...more to come about that later.

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This cloth continues with lots of words.....

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another view of this cloth....

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This is a new picture of daughter #1....
I am grateful she is strong and wise beyond her years....

I am missing her because she lives far away, but she is always in my heart <3


* addendum: Perhaps the goddess figure stands out because I am traveling through menopause. Waking at night soaked and then  freezing! sometimes during the day turning so hot while trying to work :/. It seemed turning 51 was like going around a corner and realizing that you must change your ways and care for yourself. That extra 10 pounds that literally came out of nowhere....fast! Knowing exercise and eating good things are the only way through this. Changing my thoughts too! 
just thinking.....
: )

adding

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As I have tried to be more disciplined about stitching I have realized that each moment that we stitch we are "adding" to and building the blocks of the quilt...Each stitch makes a difference. The piece grows ever so slowly. I see life is that way. The little things we do each day add up. Good or bad. 

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back to stitching.....

<3

she's back .....

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to her stitching ways.....

: )

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Have a great weekend!

<3

after the fact

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A recent find...I have just begun reading this book. Love it!

Part 1, “Handbook for Earth-Connected Parenting,” gives techniques for developing a child's inner wisdom and sense of the sacred: dream journals, visualization, Tarot play, talismans, and interactions with the natural world

Part 2 is a guide to the specific seasonal festivals, and offers a comprehensive collection of practical and enjoyable ways to celebrate the sacred days of our ancestors. Make a bean rune divination system, gather smudge sticks, grow grass pots, assemble a “dream pillow,” create altars the authors offer easy-to-follow suggestions. 

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Although it is after the fact aka Halloween I am still enjoying this candle lampshade....

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reminds me of shadow puppets.

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finished this!

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almost done with Frida Kahlo. I want to add some earrings and perhaps add more detail to the flowers.

Trying to figure out how to add the 5 o'clock shadow with thread??? I have had to rip it out twice!

: )

Gathering Earth Spirits

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pinecone spiral dance...

As Fall continues to descend on us daily I was inspired to gather Earth Spirits and play. Inspired by this:
http://youtu.be/B4jV87O_cMI

Thank you Deb @ Bee Creative for giving me the information!!!! http://beecreative.typepad.com/

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rock and acorns 

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wood, stone, and acorn ....

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I went into a local business and came across this postcard on a bulletin board.  

It seemed to "call out" to me when I saw it on the board. 

Initially I walked away from the board but, decided to go back

and look closer at the postcard.

I asked the person in charge of the place of business if they knew this person??? They replied "No, but said I could have the postcard."

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This is the backside of the postcard.

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Later in the day I was visiting a book, crystal, stone store. I went in to pick

up some rose oil and I quickly dashed through the store and look what I found!!!!

It jumped off the shelf at me!!!! (metaphorically speaking.)

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THE BOOK!

This is a story of one women's journey in to the supernatural world.

 As a child she thought everyone experienced the things she did.

 As she grew up she realized that not everyone was aware of the paranormal and that angels and spirits are around us everyday. She became very quiet about her awareness. 

As she has matured she realized that it was important to share her story so that others who may have experienced similar experiences would know that they are not alone...

"She is an everyday mother and wife."

A lovely music box song by George Winston.

Lastly, I have been working on a skull for my Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar, to honor
those who have passed on. I ordered a pattern from Sublime Stitching. I love her stuff and we all need
to support our creative fellow Sista! : )

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Stitiching Fun!

stones

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I began this project many months ago. I was inspired by this:

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2010/7/18/margaret-oomens-little-urchin-crochet-covered-sea-
stones.html

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I finally found some stones near this ancient stone fence near my home.....

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I am uncertain how old this fence is but there are many of these for miles and miles of road...
Ancient bits of history. I wonder as I drive along who built them and what were they like?
Were they building them to mark their land or keep their sheep from wandering?
It does not matter. I love the Ancient charm.

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Inspired to take both projects further by this:

http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/half-moon-day.html

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Boro Madonna aka Water quilt... just adding a little more stitching, fabric and gathering to this one.

<3

Mittens and a feather

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I wanted a small project that would be quick and satisfied my stitching desire so I decided to stitch up

a feather.

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I was going through some papers and found this cool chart....

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Lastly, this is Mittens the cat. She is our adopted cat that showed up before the Summer began. She is sooo sweet and is so much more adorable than this picture shows. She is staying warm on my car because I just got home and the car is still warm from driving it. The children named her "Mittens" because she has 6 toes on both of  her front paws only. It looks like she has thumbs. She was starving when we first found her and now she is looking rather healthy.