Fall Leaves...Craft Project

For years, I have enjoyed finding new and different crafts to do during the various seasons to teach my little ones about nature.  So, I'm  always on the look out for fun projects.  I came across this fall leaf craft through the Parent Magazine online and thought it was perfect since we like love miracle walks and collecting gifts from the Earth to craft with...

Salt Dough leaf prints...

We started our project by collecting various sizes leaves and making sure they had good ridges on the back.  We noticed there were a lot of variations in the leaves, not only in sizes and colors but in smoothness too.   After warming up from our walk we started in on the dough.

I love Salt Dough 

It's to easy to make and so much fun to use.  I've used it in the past to make ornaments for our Yule Tree.  Here's the recipe we used...

Salt Dough Recipe:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
3/4 - 1 cups water
some additional flour for kneading

Of course you can double the recipe if you want to make more.  We ended up with a wonderful soft dough which we rolled out and started cutting circles.  We used a variety of sizes...since we had different leaf sizes to accommodate.

Once we had the circles cut out, we pressed a leaf into each one

We put parchment paper a flat pan and laid each one down on it, popped them in the oven at 250 and backed them for 2-3 hours.  Pulled them out and let them cool.

Then the real fun began...

Out came Mom's acrylic paints, cos as I was told by my little one "I have the coolest paints ever":) and we started to paint our Autumn colors on our leaves.

Once they were dry we used some watered down brown paint so we could apply a wash over the leaf to make the veins of the leaves pop while still letting the beautiful Autumn colors come through.  We  let it dry a second time and then finished them off with a coat of glossy Mod Podge to seal it.

Walla beautiful Autumn Leaf Prints!

Thanks to "That Artist Women" for her wonderful instructions and inspiration :)

Bedtime Soothing

I found a wonderful pattern for a moon pillow that would not only be a fun art project for us, but also provide some much needed bedtime soothing.  Ever since school started my little guy has had a hard time winding down for bed.  Though we've kept a bedtime routine...he still seems to have way too much energy to fall right to sleep come bedtime.  So, I thought this pillow would be a

good way to use some aromatherapy to help him.

Of course, being a kid at heart and having an affinity with the Moon I had to make one for me too :)  Also I should make it known I'm no sewer with either needle and thread or machine...but after having fun last year creating my Empathy Monster for Tam Laporte's Art, Heart and Healing Free eCourse, I thought I'd give sewing another try.

We picked out some soft fleece in the colors we liked...folded it in half and out lined the moon pattern on it...cut out our moons and started to sew them up, leaving a cute little pocket for our scented pad.

We had fun using my little Pixie art sewing machine.  He so wanted to sew on his own, but being cautious I convinced him he could put his hands on mine and help me guide it through.  

Before long we were turning them inside out and stuffing them.

Then we put the finishing touches on our moons, he used his markers to draw on the eyes and smile. While I chose to stitch mine on...yeah I know...but cross stitching and embroidery are types of sewing I enjoy...you don't have to depend on them to hold anything together...lol.

We added a drop of lavender on the pad and stuffed it in the little pocket.  Now we both have a wonderful scented Moon Pillow to enjoy! Oh, speaking of art...

Wild Soul Art is having a GIVEAWAY...FREE seat in Life Book 2013 and FIVE other Prize Packages!

Check it out, it's easy to Enter.

If you'd like to make one of these fun scented pillows with your little ones...or for that matter one for yourself, lol...you can find the pattern and directions Here.  If you end up make one, be sure to come back and share your link, I'd love to see it! Enjoy ♥

Angel Stones

I'm always open to creating and making fun new art projects, especially when I can involve my kids.  One of the lessons in "Angels in my Studio" was sponsored by Kea Pea and called "Angel Stone Project".  Of course living in the boonies I can never find the supplies I need.  Usually it takes a 2 hour trip to the nearest Hobby Lobby...or in this case...have my daughter bring them with her during a recent visit from Cali :)

I took the opportunity for both of us to write positive messages on our stones, hoping to use them as gentle reminders. We really enjoyed the process and of course he loved it cos' 1. it's art, and 2. he got to play with "Mommy's art supplies".




Kea warned that this isn't a project geared for very young kids, cos although it's fun...they do resemble candy. I was fortunate that my daughter was able to find large quarter size stones for me, which made it easier to write for and see the messages.

My little guy was able to address the hard stuff in a positive light, like being afraid at night...due to "monsters".  I attempt to help by giving him a small Dream Catcher that he has above his bed, and an awesome bright night light, I even Sage his room   ...but despite all that...he still has those scary moments.  So he chose to write a message by himself and created a stone that says "It's alright, monsters can't get you".

He created many others, which he asked me to write for him.  One was a reminder to Smell the Flowers and Blow out the Candles" for when he gets frustrated and forgets to breathe. Another was a reminder that the Angels are always with him; referring to one of his favorite books by Doreen Virtue "Thank you, Angels".


In the end we both ended up with a wonderful collection of simple sayings and reminders.  I keep mine on my alter and he keeps his by his bed side.

 I believe it's important to find fun and engaging ways to communicate with our kids and work through rough stuff.  So that they know they can always come to you with what ever is on their mind.  I know that for me, simple practices like these have lead to having wonderful open communication with all my kids...even after they move out of the home and especially during the rough teenage years ♥

Halloween Mummies and Bats!

I have try to create fun and different crafts around the Sabbats and around the seasons for my kids.  It's a tradition I've created with them since my daughter was born 22 years ago.  This year K and I decided to make two different Halloween crafts.  We went out to the garden earlier this week and picked some or the mini decorative pumpkins.

After cleaning them up we, painted them black!  By the way a few months ago I came across this craft mat by Ranger, which I absolutely love for my own art work, cos' I can use it as my paint pallet as well!  Anyway, it is wonderful for when we do art cos' it's an easy clean. 

We than added some googly eyes, and I cut out some foam wings and ears for the little guys.  K likes my glue dots and they did the trick on the wings.  He loved his so much, he proceeded to help it fly through out the house, before it found it's resting place on our family alter.

Then we were off to make the mummies!  These were much easier and fun to make...we took some cheese cloth and wrapped and wrapped and wrapped.

  We used large googly eyes and some of my cocoa ink to make them dirty...fun, fun, fun. 

We had a blast together and we were actually able to complete them before he lost interest, LOL.  Here's our creations!  Aren't they cute!!!

K is totally ready for Halloween we hung the leaves we made two years ago up on the window and he lined up the candle jars we made last year on the windowsill and can't wait to lite their candles.  Of course he's picked out his costume...Bumble Bee from the Transformers :)

Autumn Equinox Blessings

Today we celebrate the Autumn Equinox when once again it marks the balance of equal day and night time hours on our wheel of the year.  I try to choose activities that are fun, creative and different, as well as inspiring and engaging for my kiddos.  We have been blessed to have a few apple trees on our new rental place, much like we had on our Ranch property the past few years, where we've come to make it a ritual to go out and pick apples each Autumn Equinox.

Here's a picture of Keagan on his very first Autumn apple picking ritual. Those trees were much older and the branches full of apples, which weighed them down each year.  Though like here we had many birds stop by and pick over our apples we still managed to find a few survivors.

 

This year was a little more challenging as the apples were sparse and much higher up but we still managed to get up there and harvest some apples!





 
With a little help from brother Keagan was able to reach some too.

Some were just within his reach!

We also did a miracle walk around the property and found other treasures, among them were feathers and leaves that had just turned and fallen from our trees.




We brought them all inside, the boys got out our art supplies. Then each of us picked an apple, I cut the apples open crosswise to expose their central stars.  We each took out our apples' seeds and set them aside for our Autumn blessings ritual.  We then started our creations!

Keagan chose all the Autumn colors he could find and we created apple and leaf prints on our papers.  Dad worked from home today so as soon as he was able to he join us on our crafting venture.

Here's our finished works of Art.







After cleaning up, with much coaching from mom, though it is getting easier as this is something my little one is finally learning to accept as being part of any and all activities.  But after everything was picked up we went outside, sat on the grass and felt the warmth of the late afternoon sun.  With each seed we held we alternated whispering something we felt most grateful for and making a wish for the upcoming year, then we tossed it to the wind.  

 
My little one was concentrating very heard with each seed he held, that I could not resist taking pictures of him.  It's wonderful finding ways to share with our children and teaching them about life and my spirituality in a fun, wonderful and magickal way.





All in all we had a wonderful time, a simple but blessed Autumn celebration!

Braces Free...

How quickly our children grow, it seems it was just yesterday that my son Tyler was a little boy climbing trees and catching bugs.  Today he got his braces off and has completed his sophomore year of High School.  At 5' 7" he's all grown up...before long it will be graduation and then off to college.  My second child to leave the nest. 

It's all bittersweet as we watch them grow and find their place in the world.  So we must truly treasure each minute we have with them, as we watch them grow and spread their wings and encourage them as they learn to fly on their own.

Congratulations Tyler, look at that beautiful smile!

Happy Mothers's Day...

Today I celebrate my Motherhood!  I have three wonderful and beautiful children who chose me to come through into this world.  I am eternally grateful to have been blessed and given the gift to become a Mother to these three beautiful souls, who have taught me much about love and life though the innocence and wisdom all children posses. I also still hold a light in my heart for the two precious souls I lost. 

When I opened my daughter's Mother's Day card today I cried, the words in the card touched my heart and soul so deeply.  I've often questioned what kind of Mother I've been and am to my kids, since I didn't have a Mother image to look up to, someone who offered unconditional love, admiration, encouragement, support, and all the things a child wants and needs from their Mother.  I was a single Mom for most of my daughter's life, we didn't have much and struggled lots and despite doing the best I could, I wondered how our relationship would affect her in her own life as she moved out and experienced the world.  Since I have come to see that the lack of Mothering in my life left me trying to heal feelings of self-worth and enoughness.  So after reading the card, I felt a wave of emotions and a calling to share.

Mom, from you I have learned that fearlessness isn't about being unafraid, it's about doing what needs to be done in spite of the fear... Today I celebrate your Bravery.
From you I have learned that being strong isn't about being unbreakable, it's about picking up the pieces and creating something better and more beautiful than what was there in the beginning...Today I celebrate your strength.
Today I celebrate everything I've learned from you, my courageous and beautiful Mom.
~thank you for everything you've done for me and for always being there for me, you're the best Mom ever. 

I know these are just words, but they give me a sense of knowing that she's okay, despite the rough spots we experienced together.

Though my Mother is still alive, her lack of nurturing and the dysfunctional relationship we still have, leaves me grieving for the child in me that never truly experienced a Mother's love.  The child that lived in fear of the next violent episode of abuse, cruelty and belittling.  I believe she did the best she could at the time; and it sadness me that she continues to fall back into the pattern of manipulation and her dysfunctional ways that lead to pain and hurt.   So, the emptiness still exists despite my many attempts at healing, forgiving and trying to move on and building a new and different type of relationship now that I'm older.   I know there will always be sadness and even pity in my heart for the Mother I have and  for her Mother and her Mother before, for they missed out on the true joy of being a Mother and embracing the gift they were given.  Today, I rejoice in knowing I broke free from the line of dysfunction, that has tainted my maternal line.  Today I celebrate my Motherhood. So for those of us who still carry a space of emptiness from the lack of being Mothered, I dedicate this song  to us and our healing process, from our Mother Goddess.

This is to Mother You...

This is to mother you
To comfort you and get you through
Through when your nights are lonely
Through when your dreams are only blue
This is to mother you
This is to be with you
To hold you and to kiss you too
For when you need me I will do
What your own mother didn't do
Which is to mother you
All the pain that you have known
All the violence in your soul
All the 'wrong' things you have done
I will take from you when I am come
All mistakes made in distress
All your unhappiness
I will take away with my kiss, yes
I will give you tenderness
For child I am so glad I've found you
Although my arms have always been around you
Sweet bird although you did not see me
I saw you
And I'm here to mother you
To comfort you and get you through
Through when your nights are lonely
Through when your dreams are only blue
This is to mother you

Beltane and Keagan's Birthday

What a wonderful fun filled day!  Keagan turned 3 today, although the weather was still on the chilly side we managed to have a wonderful fun day filled with ice cream, cake and dirt pudding.  At least that's what I called it.  It was the first time he's had pudding like that and at first he was confused about the "dirt" but caught on fast!  He love pudding and cookies!  The worms were a different story...he just gave them away, lol.  His favorite gift was the stand alone basketball hoop!  All in all he had a great day.

We ended the day will a little Beltane bon fire...he really enjoyed it, beings it was his first outside fire. A perfect ending to a wonderful fun filled day!