Concertina Books

The first commission is painted white lettering on black paper,

with a black Tanabats cover and tanabata added to the inside. Silver squares continue to hold the cover to the inside by being painted

randomly on the background.

This concertina is printed in hot pink on a white background

The recipients favourite colour

Calligraphy - Wedding Invitations

Wedding Invitations

Hot Pink

With embossed Heart on Front

Framed, Personalised Calligraphy

And the following 2 framed commissioned pieces are for the same client. Simple, personalised greeting, with the branded squares running through them off the paper and onto the mount. Simple yet stylish and elegant. Sadly photos in the studio under artificial light do not do them justice.

One silver....

And one gold.....
I've so much more to blog....but time is really at a premium this week, so I'll try and do a post or two per night. I apologise in advance for not replying to comments, I do read them and I really do appreciate all the comments and emails I get. It's amazing how much it keeps you going when the going gets tough! lol. Love ya all xxx

OK this Pixie is desperate for a cup of tea...and while my cat Dodger has a new party trick and can open the back door to let himself in, he hasn't quite mastered the art of making drinks yet.... Typical bloke really! but we live in hope :o)

Hand Made Concertina Books

I love, love, LOVE making concertina books. These books are also called Accordion Books or Cards, depending on where you live. They are special, personal and if you have never seen one before become a fascinating concept to those who receive them.

I made one for a 30th Birthday, Simon. In blacks and greys....just as well I had some of that Tanabata left over!

And one for my lovely daughter-in-law to be….Sarah.

I have a couple more on camera that I will add later.

Hand Bound Bollywood 40th Birthday Book

I thought I’d better blog about some of the work I’ve done over the past few weeks, before everyone thinks it’s a figment of my imagination.

Firstly, I was asked to make a 40th Birthday Book from a loving husband for his wife’s ‘Themed’ Party. He wanted it in a hurry and had quiet liked the SPECIAL MEMORIES one on my website.

As luck would have it, I had only just found a full sheet of this paper. The black Paper (called Tanabata) has silk threads running through it and has a mixture of Gold and Silver squares on it. It’s really hard to come by now, so I must admit I was relieved.

The brief was to make a book in Blacks and reds, on the theme of Bollywood.
Boolywood is very sparkly, bright colours and festive….seems like it was just down my street! Lol. But the client has never really seen my work and not having a face to face conversation can be difficult. I would love to have gone overboard on it, but really had to keep it ‘low key’ I’m sure many calligraphers and Creative bookbinders reading my blog will understand what I mean.

Anyway, here are the pictures…..

I just HAD to add these square, jewels to the front......

And continued the squares (in silver) in the inside....
Squares are a recurrent trade mark that seems to run throughout my work. Perhaps I see them as little stars? I don't know, but they get everywhere!

The Fourth Annual Brigid in the Blogosphere Poetry Slam cont.

We woke up to around 6" of soft, powdery, fluffy, magical snow this morning. The sun was shining and it was warm. What a perfect Imbolc morning it was....to welcome back the first stirrings of Spring beneath the snow. And the snow is country wide. Sadly some people didn't get to work..awwww....bloody great news I'd say! Get out there and celebrate!

Anyway.....
Below you will find links to others that are taking part in this The Fourth Annual Brigid in the Blogosphere Poetry Slam
Oh.... the Goddess of Poetry is definitely shining on us today. Thank you to everyone who took part....and the amazing thing is.... through this we have found an even larger world wide family of interesting bloggers than we had before....So welcome friends old and new, and the seeds have been sown. OK,,,, here are some links from others who have taken part....

Firstly my wonderful friend from Lancs. Ambermoggie
and her sweet hubby Mr Mog (I love you both....but you already know that) Mr. Mog, keeping the candle burning for your continued health this year. You have done so well and I'm so proud of you both under such difficult times that you've had. Blogging friends... this couple are amazing and think of everybody first. Probably 2 of the very few who think of others before themselves. They are very special to me, and have been from the first day we met. Please see Ambermoggies Elementals they are truly terrific!
Then theres Cari Ferraro, a Cyber Buddie from way, way back... probably more years than either of us would care to remember! My how time flies. Anyway, Cari is an amazing calligrapher and blends wonderfully her calligraphy and lettering art with her spiritual path. well done sweetie, your amazing! I think next year we really need to get more of those Cyberscribes on board here! Never mind, looks like we're flying the flag for them lol.
I see Moonroot hasn't posted hers yet...after getting us all roped in....little minx. But hopefully by the time you click on the link she'll have it sorted. If not post a message and pester her! lol
I see that Sunny has posted and so has Rose from Living on the Witchy Side and so has Sleepy Kitty.
The Gold Puppy had added hers, and this is where it all started: Roots Up Branches Down
There will be many more who have joined this Poetry Slam. Thanks to everyone for taking part. Bright Imbolc Blessings

The Fourth Annual Brigid in the Blogosphere Poetry Slam

OK, OK, I know I'm a day early if the date shows up....but this pixie is knackered and needs her feather bed. It's been a long day and there's much work that's been done....it's surprising how tiring dumping other peoples crap can be you know! lol. Anyway, the charity shops will benefit. Anyway.... on to the real reason why yet another post.....

A week or so ago I told you about the Poetry slam and a couple of days later about Dave Hindmarsh, I'm over the moon that I've been in touch with him and he's agreed (no actually said he would be honoured) for me to put his poem in my Blog.

I've saved it till now, in celebration of Brigid, Goddess of Inspiration and Poetry, and with grateful thanks to Dave, for agreeing to me posting this.
A beautiful poem by a beautiful, spirit.
I did the poem originally for him as a limited edition of which I hold one copy. Please post you comments and I'll pass them on. With love and Imbolc blessings to you all and to everyone who works with words.

Benevolence

Criticise constructively
Develop well founded opinions
Speak what you think
Contradict, but gently
Violently given advice will vex the spirit
The petals of the soul do close
Retreat in the heavy downpour of the rain
But willingly open and bear all
To the sublime falling dew

© Dave Hindmarsh

And I can't help myself......I just have to post this too.... I find it truly moves me, it should be the way we all run our lives and what we should aspire to. I'm sure it need no introduction, but please take time to look it over and give it some thought.....hmmmmm Namaste xxx

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

The Power of the Goddess – Both Inside and Out From Samhain to Imbolc

The Role of the Wheel of the Yeah and

Connecting to the Goddess in my life

Below - My Inbolc Altar

Well, how crazy can life be sometimes? Work has come in thick and fast despite the recession. I sometimes wonder whether the fact we are being bombarded left right and centre with news and views that we ARE in a recession is all part of a factious rumour, I mean, tell someone something long enough and we start to believe it, right?

In the Pagan calendar SAMHAIN (October 31st) is a time of honouring the dead, our forgotten ancestors, and a time for meditating and getting rid of things no longer useful or necessary in our lives. At this time and after a meditation, I made a braid. Into this I platted the things that needed to go. I wasn’t happy particularly with what came about during the meditation. I knew a relationship that I was hanging onto had to go. I had clung on long enough believing that given enough time, understanding and love that he could change his ways, let go of his fears and become the person he truly was (or I thought he was!) But I constantly had to suffer the humiliation of someone who on a regular basis played pick me up and slam me down games with me. Still I hung on. I gave him time, and space, and still cared for him, but he could only take and not give. The relationship ended after he openly admitted (no actually he shouted at me) that he in his words ‘didn’t care’ how I felt and how painful it was for me to tell me that he was eating Christmas dinner with his ex wife! And I was not supposed to be hurt by this, as it was a sign of weakness! He called me a saddo, because I was upset that I would be eating Christmas dinner on my own rather than with the man I loved. He left telling me how much he loved me! And was looking forward to Glastonbury with me the following weekend…..Yeah right! I knew being with him was like being on a surf board, rising gently towards the crest of a wave and coming slap bang hammering down. The next morning I gave him the chance to say sorry. He didn’t he ended it swiftly and without ceremony. I realised at long last that he wasn't worth it.
I no longer had to put up with crazy emotional outbursts, banging his head off the steering wheel because he couldn’t find somewhere and blaming me, storming off in the middle of Glastonbury and leaving me to cross a busy duel carrageway by myself...yes I know I'm partially sighted, but it didn't seem to bother him! complaining of a few cat hairs on his black t-shirts, being accused of stopping him seeing his kids, not having time to read, not being allowed to eat in his car, and having to put my muddy boots in a carryer bag, on a mat, on a carpet for fear of dirt in the back of the van. No longer do I have to sit and listen to him tell me how much he couldn’t stand the people we went to camps with. Constantly criticising them, because that’s not the way he would do it or because their spiritual path was not the same as him….whatever that is. I didn’t have friends over, as he (in his words)‘wasn’t a people person’. He complained that he didn’t have time for anything because he was at my house twice a week but would sit down and eating a meal I had cooked him. He did nothing for me, unless there was something in it for him. If he cried he wanted comforting, if I cried I was weak. I was walking on egg shells, not knowing what was going to happen next with him, when this shift in personality and his alter ego and dark side would come out, it was not good to see. Sadly, the man who needed to spend more time with his children and be a real father, and who didn't need a relationship or woman by his side to lean on and who preferred his own company, Well he lasted a whole fortnight before needing another woman! WOW! lol. So he's a liar too! lol. Worst thing was, he told other friends he needed to spend more time with his kids, making out he was the doting father, so he lied to them as well. How very spiritual. Using the kids as an excuse for everything is unforgivable. He would have done better for himself perhaps if he had read some of those books and looked deep within as to why he needs to behave like that, and sadly looks like his kids are no further up the pecking order than they were before, time that can never be made up in ANY lifetime. But I somehow think he will realise it far too late. Not my problem any more :o)

I learnt that some people are so messed up, you can’t fix them, no matter how much you love them and whatever you try and you are only making things worse for yourself in the long run trying to drag someone screaming and kicking down another way of life. He had less respect for me than I have for myself. I am relieved, at peace and so much more settled and back to my old self without him. It's hard when someone needs so much emotional support but is unwilling or unable to give it back when needed.

So SAMHAIN.....

The meditation helped me realise my own fear. I had a fear of success, (because I didn’t have a supportive partner) and a fear of money. I’m not materialistic so to crave money doesn’t come easily to me. I value people over money and material things.
So I needed to let go of fear on many different levels. I no longer fear success and realise that to have a supportive partner would be nice (perhaps) but I am capable of doing it alone.

Yule (21st December) Is a time for reflection. There’s something comforting about getting home from work, closing the curtains and getting all snugly and warm in the safety and comfort of your own four walls. It’s also a great time for reading, learning and going with the flow. It wasn’t always like this…. I suffered really badly with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) some years ago. I bought a light box and read self help books and the more I live in tune with the turning of the Wheel and realising its relevance in my life and the effect on it, the more at one I am within myself also. I’ve used this time to find out WHO I really am. What connects me to Mother Nature, what makes me tick and how easily I can just ‘be’ and go with the flow. I have read more books in the last 2 months that I have done in the last 9 years. My creativity is flying, my ideas are coming thick and fast, I am planning for future projects and I’m free to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whoever I want….It’s a good place to be. Oh yes I’ve certainly enjoyed the Winter.

IMBOLC (February 2nd) Is a celebration of the return of the light. One where the body (and nature) starts to wake up a little bit and come out of that restful sleepy almost dead phase. Where planning starts and a renewed energy starts to flow. Ideas started in the Winter slowly start to gestate into becoming real. I have cleared my altar of the holly and it will be burnt along with memories from the past that need to be put to rest. Winter isn’t a great time for clearing out the cobwebs, but at Imbolc we start to look forward to the return of the sun, brighter warmer days and with the optimism of things made new. I’ve cleared some clutter (especially clutter that doesn’t belong to me) and old worn out things I no longer need around me. My altar is renewed in honour of Brigid which celebrates the growing strength of the God, still in His child form, as well as the return of the Maiden aspect of the Goddess. As their strength and light grow, we grow with them. It is a holiday of light and inspiration, a time when our path becomes more fixed, and the seeds that will grow later begin to stir within us. The Irish celebration of this festival was dedicated to the Goddess Brigid, a triple Goddess who represented inspiration, muse, healing, and the arts. It’s a time for inspiration, enterprise, new beginnings and growth.

Arkansas Emergency

There is a severe weather warning for all of the UK this weekend. Well we are still in the middle of the winter and Spring phase you I suppose you can't expect anything else. I have seen photos from all my blogging friends over the last few weeks of their surprise of huge amounds of snowfall, especially in areas of the world where it's just not normal. I must admit I wasn't duly concerned, I just thought..... Oh how wonderful and magical for them. When Ceri started storing up foods, I perhaps thought that they were all getting just a bit too cautious. That was I DID think that until a message came onto a board that I am a member of.

I have known Teri Martin for what must be near enough 15 or more years now and I subscribe to her Quote of the Day, which gives me a large amount of inspiration. I haven't had a Quote for a couple of days and just thought it was a glitch in the sending system.... that was until I received this email!

I have helpers monitoring the list, but when I will get back to you "in person" is still up in the air! I just managed to send this from out of state before returning home.You've probably heard that Arkansas is in bad shape::: NO Internet connection at all. People are freezing in their homes and evacuations are taking place to get them to somewhere with a generator. Electricity is out. Cable is out throughout a widespread area, don't know when it will it be up, so I will be offline when I get home at 10:30 tonight. We have a generator, so at least have have heat and refrigerator. BUT all stores are closed ==

NO food. Jim just told me we've been declared a national disaster.
Please pass this info to this list. Hopefully i will make it home safely.My purse was stolen night before last so it's been a rough 24 hours. I had over $400 in there, not counting my credit cards.. now all cancelled. OY. you can reach me through this earthlink address until 10:30 am pacific time.
hugs, teri

What a worry! And how easy we get complacent and take things for granted. Perhaps all the food hoarding is not suxh a bad idea after all.

Prepare for the worst, expect the best is what we all need to keep in mind I think.
My network of friends are lighting candles Teri, just want you to know we're thinking of you all.

UPDATE: And I've just found this link regarding 9 deaths due to the freezing temperatures http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=79374&catid=2

And more news here http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxyhhC1qV6qWnOdkwks6C1HpYtPAD961JD5O0

UFO Footage

way, way behind with my blog updates. bust with work, chasing my arrrr eeerrrm.....but just had to stop on by with this.
To all believers and non believers alike, watch this clip of UFO's caught on camera...IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!
http://itn.co.uk/news/4edb543dc9584e1e6c5f61636c58a359.html

What do you think?

Amazing People Part 2 - Dave Hindmarsh

Every now and then, but not very often, someone comes into your life who makes a long lasting impression. This happened to me way back in 2000, not long after I had set up the studio in Darlington. His name was Dave Hindmarsh, a qualified chef, but also a fantastic poet with true feeling. He was gentle, caring, kind and with a wonderful sense of humour and positive outlook on life.

I was only reminiscing with a friend a few weeks ago about him, wondering where he was and how he was doing. I didn’t have to wait long….the following week she brought in this newspaper cutting:

Well, so now he was teaching people with learning difficulties at Middlesbrough College! Well, that surprises me not. With his type of personality and generous nature.

I also read that he has faced the challenge of a lifetime and has been involved with the Ben Fogel (who I did work for last year!) an explorer. The programme, Extreme Dreams, is on BBC2 every evening this week at 6.30pm. Dave suffered Trench Foot and was advised to give up….but he didn’t….well that’s no surprise either. He doesn’t do ‘Giving Up’. H’es far too optimistic and positive for that! I’m back in contact with him, looking forward to catching up and have asked his permission to publish a poem that he wrote, which I concerted to book form. So watch this space.

UK visitor to my blog:

Extreme Dreams - BBC 2 Monday to Friday 6.30pm

(Dave's the younger, good looking one - lol)

Lighting a candle

Lighting a candle for my grandmother who will be buried in Hull today. May your journey to the Summerlands be filled with light, for without you I would not be here.

And thinking of my mum at the special time. Love ya xxx

Earth Hour - March 28th at 8.30 p.m

PEOPLE POWER! Please pass this on....

On Saturday 28th March at 8.30pm millions of people around the world,individuals organisations and communities, will turn off their lightsfor one very important hour. Organised by the World Wildlife Fund, theaim is to inspire one billion people worldwide to give a demonstrationto world leaders of their concern about climate change and to ensurethat those leaders take positive action for the future.

Still I Rise

I’m reading a fascinating book at the moment by Dr. Susan Forward and Joan Torres, written way back in 1988 on the subject of mental, emotional and physical abuse. The men who do it and the women who love them. Although this book is aimed at women I know just as many men that suffer at the hands of women, who do virtually the same thing. It’s an emotional journey reading some of the case studies and the verbalisation that these men inflict on their partners to gain control. Quite an eye opener and hopefully it will prevent me from being attracted to this kind of man again.
It took me way back to a piece of work that I did when I first opened the studio in Darlington in 1999. The old studio had the ability to attract people in need of some sort of shoulder to lean on or someone to listen while they one after the other spilled their life stories. I am not a trained counsellor, nor would I want to be, but I have always had time and patience for those in need and I’m there with either the tissues or the cuppa or even a bed for the night.

It was a warm day and the woman fell into the studio in just this way. She looked bewildered, lost and in pain. She stood there (as did many) and shouted out that she could feel waves of energy running up her legs. She said she had never felt this before. We got her a chair, made her a cuppa and started to chat. She had no idea what I did in the studio as I worked upstairs, but as her story unfolded I listened to tell the about the most horrendous acts of mental and physical abuse that I had ever heard. She wept buckets and as the story went on I felt for a woman who was feeling the pain herself so badly, but this was not happening to her, it was happening to her daughter. A mothers pain and anguish that only another mother could understand. Eventually the tears dried up. Her daughter had found the courage to leave this poor excuse for a man (if he could call himself that) and she wanted something for her daughters new house that would give her strength to get over the suffering she had endured. I hugged her and told her to go away and have a think and the hugs and coffees were free at any time.

She returned a few days later, looking 10 years younger and this is what she gave me to write out:

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom? '
Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard '
Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Maya Angelou

It was a huge piece of work. I never got a photograph of it but I did take a print done by a local architect with a scanner and printer large enough to take it.

I really must make an effort to do this piece again and donate copies to Women’s Centres around the country. So many people stay in abusive relationship, thinking that they can make things alright. The tactics used can take many years to heal…. Some never do. A couple of years later and just before I left Darlington, the lady turned up again. Her daughter was fine, had met an amazing guy who put her first, spent many hours building her confidence back up and they were expecting their first child. It just goes to show what is possible with the right man (or woman) behind you. In the wrong hands your life can be fatal!

With love to all victims of abuse and lighting a candle to give you strength to leave it behind and face the future with courage and strength. xxx

Remember - People who use abuse, verbal, emotional, mental or physical are insecure and the only way they can feel important and feed their own ego's is to try to control you and the way you behave. You are not alone. Many of us have fallen victim to this at some time in our lives. Do not feel isolated and do not be intimidated. If you would like the title of the book then please send me a private email where I will be happy to help. Email me at: opalsky2001 (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk
It was printed in 1988 but I'm sure you would still be able to get a copy even if only from the library. I got mine second had and totally a coincidence - I certainly wasn't looking for it. Funny how these things fond you sometimes.

My 2009 Wish List

I didn't publish this at the beginning of the year.... but want to share it with you. for all those sceptic that don't believe in what you get is equal to what you put out there....take a look at this. The list consists of some (would prefer to keep a couple private - you never know who's reading this blog - lol) but the ones highlighted in red are the ones that have happened already and the ones in green are semi sorted so far! Ahhhh the joys of positive thinking.

1) Grow my own veg - YEAH! I heard last weekend that me and 4 friends with the same idea have been given a plot FOUR the size of the ground floor area of my house! And all for FREE! We have a couple of strong, fit, guys who are part of this group and who are willing and keen to do the heaviest work, then we're ready to go! We plan to grow organicallyy and as naturally as possible, Should keep me busy!

2) Find and Join 3 local, social networking groups to meet people with the same outlook and interests in life - Well, I;ve joined 2 which fell at my feet, didn't need to look for them. First meeting next month and a lovely guy has given me his mobile in case I get lost - lol

3) Travel Alone more often - One of the greatest difficulties when you loose your sight is the need to have to rely on people. Your self esteem and self confidence takes a sever bashing. Only by facing our fears can we conquer them. Many people do not drive, so I am not alone there, but I really would like to be at least confident enough to go places alone if necessary. Although I still believe that things are better done in two's or as a group. Hopefully my meeting with one of the groups listed in no. 2 above will see me beating this fear.

4) Visit Glastonbury, my spiritual home at least twice this year.
Well already got a visit planned in the near future with a friend who has never been there and is keen to take me there. I'm sure we'll both get a lot out of the experience :o)

5) Reconnect with old friends - How easy we loose touch when in a relationship and focus on that as the most important thing. Ironic, but these people have contacted me, totally out of the blue - It's good to hear from them again, proving that while our lives take very separate paths sometimes, true friends are there for life. We have basically reconnected where we left off. Great news!

6) To decorate the house and shift the crap -I need to have a grand clear out of things from my past lives. At the end of any relationship there are reminders that need to go to make way for the new. I don't want someone elses clutter, clogging up my home and my spirit! Photos, gifts and reminders have to go. I'm on my way with this one. Bad chi in my book!

And I have had offers of help on this one. I used to love decorating, but poor vision makes it impossible to paint without catching the ceiling and skirting boards. I've got help whenever I need it so I figure if I paint the walls myself, then someone will come and do the glossing.

7) Hold an exhibition -

8) Gain 3 new outlets for my work - Well I've got 1

9) Live a more Eco-Friendly and natural way of life, therefor being true to my Pagan Path - This will probably now fit in with my Organic Gardening bit and other projects in the pipeline.
Surely this is what being a Pagan really is? Well, I think so.

10) Make 3 new friends - Well I've made 2 new friends already. we'll have to see how many more come along. I'm a sociable person so people are important to me. My belief is there's no such thing as too many friends but to have a friend you have to be one!

The other wishes are private, and just between me and my closest friends. If I can achieve half the things I set out for this year I will consider it a job well done. Seems like I'm well on the way!

At the moment I feel like I've got a spring in my step, more energy than ever before and more time and freedom to do the things I truly want to do. My focus is on my business and my life....and I'm loving every minute of it. I feel a buzz in the air and it's not even Spring yet! Bring it on!

Invitation to The Fourth Annual Brigid in the Blogosphere Poetry Slam

To buy this print click on the link http://www.enchantedtattoos.com/artist.php?category=56

What a beautiful painting!

Think I may just have to treat myself.

I found the following on Moonroots Blog. What a great idea! I'm up for it!

Moonroot says:

Feel free to copy the following to your blog and spread the word. Let poetry bless the blogosphere once again!

WHAT: A Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading

WHEN: Anytime February 2, 2009

WHERE: Your blog

WHY: To celebrate the Feast of Brigid, aka Groundhog Day
HOW: Select a poem you like - by a favorite poet or one of your own - to post February 2nd.

RSVP: If you plan to publish, feel free to leave a comment and link on this post, where the Slam originated. Or link to whoever you hear about this from and a mighty web of poetry will be spun.

Feel free to pass this invitation on to any and all bloggers. Thanks to Reya, who began what is now an annual event, and Deborah Oak for continuing it.

Blindness Cure in Sight?

Loosing your sight is probably one of the most devastating things to come to terms with., both on a practical and emotional level. I was however heartened by this report found on the http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090119/tuk-trial-seeks-blindness-cure-scientist-a7ad41d.html website.

British scientists will soon begin trialling a cutting-edge treatment using adult stem cells that could help cure certain types of blindness, they announced Monday. The two-year trial, to be conducted at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh and the Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, will begin this month and involve 20 patients with corneal blindness. The treatment being used involves using the stem cells of dead adult donors, rather than the more controversial research involving embryonic stem cells, and if successful could help millions of people around the world who suffer from corneal blindness, around 80 percent of whom are elderly. As part of the process, adult stem cells are cultivated and then transplanted onto the cornea's surface. "This study is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and it is exciting to be involved in such groundbreaking work," said Professor Bal Dhillon, who is heading the trial. "I probably see two or three new cases of corneal disease every month. On a larger scale, it's a significant problem." A similar study by the University of Pennsylvania in the United States last year found that people with inherited blindness saw dramatic improvements in their vision when a corrective gene was injected into their eyes. Scientists believe stem cells, which are capable of developing into almost every tissue of the body, could prove key in finding a cure for a number of serious diseases, including also diabetes and cancer.

It won't cure me and my condition, but offers hope to those who have corneal blindness.. Excellent news!

The 3rd runway has been approved - Fight it!

The 3rd runway has been approved for Heathrow. Once again this damn Government has disregarded the protests of people from all around the world and especially in the UK and done whatever it wants to do....it's going ahead regardless! Well, we'll see. If it does go ahead, it's not going ahead without a fight!
Not only will a whole village be flattened and people loose their homes, but also the graveyard will be buried under a mound of concrete. this is not some old, disused graveyard...one guy on the video only buried hos wife at the end of last year!

Please watch the video here

Looks like the residents of Sipson are not going down without a fight, and you have many more people on your side! One things for sure, I PREDICT A RIOT! It's waaayyy too long since I got involved with serious campaigns, perhaps it's time to get off my butt and get active again!

Mr. Brown you have put the final nail in your coffin. Your so called GREEN Policies stink! You care not a jot for people and the land we live on. The sooner you are out and a REAL green government comes in the better! Heathrow will be the largest producer of CO2 em missions in the UK! Mr. Brown you idiot, YOU ARE POISONING OUR PLANET, OUR KIDS and FUTURE GENERATIONS! Wake up and smell the coffee!
Don't worry about people loosing their homes, village life or the desecration of graves and the fact that you are polluting the planet to death....yeah just think of the money and how many more planes will land - GET A GRIP!

Subscribe to Greenpeace (it's FREE) for updates and details of how you can help. Think of your children and your children's children!

And lobby your local MP. speak up and be counted, it's your human right! Grrrr can you tell I'm steaming????

OK.... jumping off my soapbox to go and do something a little more sedate....off to do a little more digging in my wonderful garden, while the sun shines. I need to connect with the Goddess!

More Synchronicity

Ho hum....seems like Me and Mr. Carr-Goom are working in synchronicity again when I blogged this long blog here on 13th January, and he blogged this on the 17th here. seems a lot of us are thinking on the same lines again. I'm really think that facing a life threatening or altering situation is a good thing to make us change perspective, realise just what is REALLY important, and helps us perhaps take more risks. Most of us think we will live forever and are always putting things off thinking we have plenty of time to do the things that really matter to us. I would not ask people what they would change if they only had a year to live, I would perhaps give them a time of 3 months, that would spur people into action a lot more quickly and things would perhaps become more urgent, perhaps we would not so readily sweat the small stuff!
What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

And I just love the post by Violette about The Good Wolf and the Bad Wolf, you can read it at this link http://www.violette.ca/blog.html scroll down till you see the heading 'good Wolf, Bad Wolf'

Following is the reply I sent her and my advice....

Hi you glittery people….my 2 penneth worth (or should that now be Euros? – whatever)

WARNING THIS POST IS LONG – And MAY damage your health! At the very least you’ll be as mad as me!
Welcome to my world. hehehe

Great idea to call our two sides Good Wolf, Bad Wolf…Oh I do like that Violette – lol

News, we are bombarded with bad news from all directions. TV, Newspapers and Radio, sometimes seems the world is obsessed and where I think we should be kept ‘aware’ of things (caused usually by power crazed governments and religious leaders) we really should not dwell on them too much. Every now and then I want to run to the hills, live in a cave and come out only when the world seems a bit more sensible. Times are changing. No longer are we stupid enough to swallow these so called ‘leaders’ crap. But put another way, you have to also realise that ‘you’ are not the world. You are you and each and every one of us, I believe can make a difference, just by being ourselves, a little mad, a little crazy, but WE still know how to laugh when it matters, and empathise and sympathies when it matters. What IS important is that we build up a network of supportive people, who will gee us up when we need it and catch us when we fall. The world problems can only be solved one person at a time. What is important is that we realise that we as artists and creative people are probably more sensitive than your average man on the street.
And, I’ve been thinking, if you believe in collective consciousness, then surely putting out negative vibes can just as easily affect the vibration of the earth and this is easily done by the fear caused by the press and the media drip feeding us this rubbish! We should campaign for the right to have only good news! But then as they say, only bad news sells, no wonder the world is in the state it’s in.

PHEW! Have I got a lot to get off my chest girls lol.
Anyway, my advice is – If all else fails and your Bad Wolf is coming out do one of two things.
1) Roll on your back with your arms and legs waving in the airs and scream out – Arrrggghhhh stop the world I wanna get off! (I did this outside my studio once -the lads in the garage next door thought I was having a breakdown – But hey who cares lol)
2) Or the second idea – ala Jack Canfield – Throw your arms up in the air, lean back in your chair, throw your head back and shout – Ohhhh whaaaat the helll!
Try it – it works honestly.

I’m sure I posted on my blog this year on this very same subject.

and anyone who knows me will verify that YES, I really HAVE been known to roll on my back, with my hands and arms in the air, screaming and kicking and shouting...
Arrrrggghhh STOP the world I wanna get off! Great for stress relief when thing get too much....Try it...you 'might' just like it!

OK...It's lvery ate.... and my new feather duvet awaits....so this sleepy Pixie is off to bed.
In love, light and all good thoughts xxx

Amazing People -Part 1- Martin J. Allen Botanical Artist

In my L O N G blog from last night I was telling you of the people who have some back into my life...people from the past. I was overjoyed when one of those friends paid me a surprise visit to the studio last week. We had a lot of catching up to do! I met Bev....oh must have been almost 20 years ago now....although neither of us would like to admit it. Anyway, we went on a Botanical Illustration course together run by a guy who also turned out to be close to me called Colin Swinton. I went to prove I couldn't paint or draw and actually turned out something that I could hardly believe was mine. Anyway, another chap went on his course called Martin J. Allen. Martin was ill at the time with M.E. and really didn't know if he would manage the two days course. He did, and between bouts of being ill, he painted. He went on to submit work in the R.H.S. show of his paintings and won a Gold Medal! Anyway, I asked Bev how he was doing and he's just put on an exhibition and just to show you how absolutely fantastic this guy is go to his website at

http://www.martinjallen.com/pageID_3967352.html

to see how truly amazing these paintings are go to this link here http://www.martinjallen.com/pageID_3967355.html How anyone can paint in 3 dimensions like this, i'll never know!

Quite by accident I came across this piece of work that I had done some years before. It's a quotation by Georgia O'Keeffe the famous flower painter that painted larger than life flowers, which made you feel oh so small. Sadly she died in 1986 aged 99. The quotation reads:

Nobody sees a flower, really,

it is so small. We haven't time -

and to see takes time

like to have a friend takes time.

The quotations continues:

If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers. ...Well, I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower - and I don't.

I've seen Georgia's work and I have seen Martins catalogue. The catalogue does not do the paintings justice. You can see every little hair on the flower. The painting takes your eyes into the very core of the flower. The picture is in sharp and soft focus as if it has been taken with a camera. Amazing!

2 very different painter with 2 very different styles, but both with the ability to make you connect with nature in a way you never thought possible. Well done Martin! I hope your exhibition is a sell out and I know how very hard you have struggled against your illness to overcome and achieve what you have today! Your a star!

By the way folks, the paintings are selling fast so get your orders in!