CELTIC WOMAN JOURNAL II

The final Celtic Woman Journal

Here she is again only totally different! I liked the Celtic Woman Journal that I created to take with me on my trip to the UK, but honestly, I didn’t love her. She was too whimsical looking for the serious journey I’ll be on. A serious journey needs a serious journal. I view Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England as a land of mystery. I wanted my journal to reflect that mystery.

Here is a layout of the entire journal

Close-up, can you still see the bottle caps that were in the original collage?

I realized that my collage, Lady of the Labyrinth, was the perfect look I wanted. I ran a digital image of her and went to town on my sewing machine using those wondrous (and oh so hard to work with) metallic threads. I embroidered and free motioned for a long time. (especially since the thread kept breaking and getting stuck in the bobbin!) Then, I used a beautiful fabric I found at one of our local fabric shops for the exterior along with some other exotic embellishments.

Another close-up of the metallic gold, silver and teal thread

Here is a picture of the inside of journal. I added golden fringe for excitement

Celtic Woman number 1 will not go to waste though. I have decided to use her for a sign-in book for those who walk Woodloft labyrinth.

Journal number 1 sitting in the center of my labyrinth

Now..before I say anymore, I want to announce the winner of my Spice Mistress post. I used a random number generator and number 22 is the winner. Congratulations to Lori Saul of Ravenpainting! You will be receiving your $40 gift certificate from CSN soon. Please e-mail me with your address.

I am going to try to find YiFi in the areas I will travel, so that I can send you pictures of this beautiful land. My granddaughter, Marcy, is accompanying me and she is a computer expert. If it is there, she will find it. If not, I will post when I return in August. We are undertaking a long journey to some very rural parts of the UK. Marcy wanted to venture all the way north to Loch Ness so that we might catch a glimpse of Nessie.

It is hard for me to leave my beautiful Woodloft, (my home) at this time of year. Summer in the Blue Ridge area is absolutely breathtaking, but I know I’m going to a place of beauty as well. And, I believe that with every journey you take, there is a lesson to be learned and I am ever so ready for my pilgrimage!

My front deck-what I'm leaving, picture courtesy of Stephanie Oliver

Picture of my tour-where I'm headed!

THE SPICE MISTRESS

THE SPICE MISTRESS

"White" market of Akka or Acre.

Follow me on a little journey, if you dare. We will let the heady aroma of spices lead us down narrow passageways where we will find the Spice Mistress selling her wares. As we stroll along, we inhale the fragrance of pungent spices from every part of the world.

Spice Mistress is a gypsy at heart. and she will always travel to where her trade leads her. Casablanca, Kashmir, Istanbul, Madagascar - these foreign places are no stranger to her.

Today, she is an itinerant peddler at the famous Akka market. Let your imagination take you there with the help of these wonderful photos.

Look at this tower of spices! Photo taken on the Souk Khan at-i-Ziet in the Muslim quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem

I was inspired to create a series dealing with spices from around the world after a friend of mine, Wayne St. Clair, visited Jerusalem last year. He knows how I love to blend flavors with spices and sent me back e-pictures of the spice markets in Akka. The photos that Wayne took had me longing to be standing right in front of those ancient stalls and inhaling the aroma of these gems.

The Spice Mistress Sculpture-first in my new series

SOLD-THANK YOU BETH!

Side view of Spice Mistress

Catlin from CSN has offered me a gift certificate for $40 to be given to one of you in conjunction with my spice posting. Perhaps you can purchase one of the mortar and Pestles to whip up your own special blend of spices. Below is a picture of the one I own and I notice it is offered by Sur La Table, one of their sites. Catlin asked me to post a link to one of their 200 stores, ’lights’ which I had no problem doing since I’m looking for lighting for my Tuscany Suite. This is the room I posted about awhile back. I’m renovating it so that I can offer classes here at Woodloft next year.

There is nothing to do to win the gift certificate but leave a comment and I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday, June 22rd.

Mortar and Pestle I have used for years

A spice vendor in Akka.

Inside Damascus gate

I’m offering Spice Mistress for sale on a Etsy, where you will be able to see more details. Alternately, you can e-mail me. I take all of the major credit cards and checks.

I hope you enjoyed your spice journey. If you’d like to see more of Wayne’s photography from Jerusalem, you can click here

MOON WOMAN COLLAGE

"MOON WOMAN COLLAGE"

Moon Woman Collage

This is a story I wrote several years back. It appears in my book titled,“Grandmother Tree.” I have discontinued that book since it is outdated but I continue to use stories from it and I still believe in almost everything I wrote about Moon Woman.

“Moon Woman”

By the moon’s light, she plucks the herbs from the hidden dells and meadows surrounding her glen. Sometimes she gathers in the full moon and other times she waits for an eclipse. She knows the properties of the herbs are altered by the moon’s different phases.

Being Celtically aware, she practices the earth rites as the old ones before. She accepts the earth as a living entity and believes in the magical order of the trees. She has learned how to become a healer and knows that all illness begins in the mind, dwelled upon until it becomes a thought form. She teaches others to discipline their thoughts for they will take form and that if you can change your thoughts…you can change your life.

View from the bottom

Disciplining ones thoughts is easier said than done. I’m constantly working on it and find that when I get one thought totally disciplined, another worrisome thought seems to take it’s place. It’s the nature of our species I’m afraid, but I won’t give up trying.

Close-up

I used acrylic and textured paints on a birchwood framed board. The dimensions are 8”w x 10” h . and 1 ½ “ deep. I like a thick edge for easier hanging.

Moon Woman can be purchased on Etsy if you prefer to use Paypal or directly from me. I take all the major credit cards or checks. I am happy to ship world wide, just e-mail me for prices.

GENTLE SPIRIT

GENTLE SPIRIT COLLAGE

Gentle Spirit

Gentle Spirit

The seed pod opened-a woman child emerged. She was not complete..still in the process of becoming finished. She was innocent, having the quality of one who has not yet been injured by life. No soul searching..no vision quest..She was just content to be here and to be a living part of the great Mother Earth.

Close up

I wrote the story of Gentle Spirit as well as all of the stories in my SHE WHO WHISPERS book many years ago. I have to admit, some are outdated now. By that, I mean that my own thinking has changed. Some, however; are still right on target and in line with my current views on life. In Gentle Spirit, I tried to convey the feeling of innocence, as best as I remember it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to think and feel as though you were not yet injured by life? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to walk the world and be completely trusting of humanity?

View from the bottom

Gentle Spirit is 11”w x 14” h x 1/12” deep She is an original in which I’ve used acrylic on oil and collaged items. She can be viewed and purchased on ETSY through Paypal or ordered from me via e-mail. I take MC, Visa, AmX and Discover as well as checks. I can ship internationally. Postage will vary from country to country.

Thanks so much.

Details

OPA! GREEK DINNER PARTY

OPA! GREEK DINNER PARTY!

Jason's Stuffed Grape Leaves

Our “Le Petit” Supper Club has really come a long way. We are getting much better at duplicating authentic recipes from world cuisine. This month we chose Greece as our themed dinner. What a dinner it was!

Here was our menu:

Spanakopita
Bakalva
Giouvarlakia with Avgolemono (Lemon) Sauce.
Moussaka
Feta cheese drizzled with Blood Orange infused Extra Virgin
Olive oil...Orange Zest, Cracked Black Pepper,Oregano
and Greek Olives
Pastitsio
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Makaronada me Garides..aka Greek Pasta with Shrimp
Fig Cakes
Greek Olive Bread,
Pistachio Honey Apricots
Ouzo
Greek Beer & Wine

Front of studio

Our hosts for the party were Dean Brandetsas and Val Padar. From the moment I arrived I felt as though I had been transported back to Europe, especially Greece or Italy. Dean and Val are artists and their home has that look and feel that reflects their European heritage. They share their garage studio and as a matter of fact, they have drawn a line smack down the center to divide their work space. Val sculpts gorgeous concrete leaves, and Dean’s talents can’t be covered in this simple posting. I guess if I had to name just one thing that Dean excels at, it would be his furniture crafting. The many wooden tables that he has created adorns their home and garden.

Back of studio

Another view of studio

World's smallest kiln-and it works!

Dean shows fish sculputure backing

Bottom view of one of Dean's tables

One of many hand crafted tables

Sculpted fish gate

Val's concrete leaves

After leaving the studio, we took a tour of the garden where fresh vegetables are grown and used on a daily basis. Fig trees, fresh peas and artichokes abound.

Jerusalem artichokes

Fig tree

Fresh peas

We dined at the table dean hand sculpted over 20 years ago. This table would be one that you would expect to find at any European country home. Look at the array of delicious food!

Val’s decorating is very artistic. She has collected items from the many shows where she exhibited her work and has them displayed in every nook and cranny of their home. I was surprised that she still has several of the vintage pieces she bought from me years ago.

One of many paintings

Artsy setting

Vintage Cheryl Dolby

The fireplace that dean carved out is especially beautiful..and so romantic. He carved a tree that surrounds the mantle and a bas-relief of a man (Dean) and a woman (Val) The inscription reads, "To my love who loves the trees.” They are seated on a little moon in the center. Val has great reverence for trees. She sculpts leaves to depict their beauty.

Detail from fireplace

As an end to a fabulous meal, we were fortunate enough to savor the taste of Dean’s home made Baklava. I traveled to Greece a few years ago and was served baklava for dessert quite often. To be honest, I just didn’t like it. I thought I would be polite and sample just one of Dean's. I was hooked after the first bite. This was not like any baklava I had ever tasted. The honey wasn’t all syrupy and gooey, it was rather ingrained throughout the dessert. I hate to admit it but I am sure I had 3 servings.

Dean's baklava

No Greek dinner is compete without the serving of Ouzo and of course, we all shouted, “Opa” as our toast. I looked up the term, Opa, to find that it is used for no apparent reason at all in Greece. “ Opa” can be shouted out for celebrations or approval. We all had just a small tasting and made plans for future dinner party themes..I think I heard mention of a “local food only” picnic and a Cajun jam fest plus next month it is my turn to have the party at Woodloft, my home. We are going Caribbean! Ya Mon! Hope to see you there!

As an afternote, if you would like to read about my real live trip to Greece, you can check out my posting here I think you’ll like the pictures.

Ouzo served at grand table-OPA!

MY FLOWERED B-DAZZLED ART CAR

MY FLOWERED B-DAZZLED ART CAR

B-dazle on the Roanoke Farmer's Market

Here are a few shots of B-dazle, my art car, and the flowers I purchased at our Farmer's Market yesterday.

CELTIC WOMAN JOURNAL-CARIDWEN

CELTIC WOMAN JOURNAL- CARIDWEN

Celtic Woman Journal

I’m so excited! London, Ireland, Wales and Scotland! I am finally headed to the land of my roots. How I have loved traveling and studying in France and Italy. I have taken many classes in both of those countries and when I arrive, I always feel as though I belong to each one. Yet,I have never been to the country of my ancestors; Wales. My great grandmother came here after the potato famine. She was a Dillon. Her daughter, my grandmother, raised four wonderful daughters, my mother being the youngest. My childhood was steeped in Welsh lore, Welsh myths and Welsh love. I was driven to write a story about Druids and Dryads. You can find it in my book,Layers I titled the story, Caradwen, after the Goddess. It is one of my favorite stories of all time, and I am amazed that I am the author. I always said that the story wrote me, instead of vice-versa. I was particularly surprised at the ending, which my characters definitely wrote, all on their own.

Close-up of Caridwen

I knew I wanted to create a journal to take with me on my journey of my motherland. I wanted her to be mysterious, hold keys and sacred images from that glorious land. What I finally produced was a far cry from this imagery. I worked an entire day adding layer after layer of cloth to my journal. I bought a journal at Stapes store because I wanted it to have the capability to hold pictures, journaling, sketches and alls sorts of other artwork. I then added a ton of fabric, one of my paper dolls which I adorned with a wonderful batik fabric, a celtic symbol, yarn, and ribbons. I used my free motion attachment on my sewing machine and I also embroidered it with celtic looking symbols. She started looking rather upbeat and whimsical..which is definitely not the look I strived for. I think it was the bright color scheme I ended up with that did it. I finally decided that I like her anyway. I used a photo that I scanned of my laundry room labyrinth and printed it onto cloth. This labyrinth is quite large and absolutely fills my laundry room. I love it. I use the image as much as possible since I remember the pain of the 4 months of daily labor it took to complete. To think that before long, this special journal will be filled with adventurous stories, pictures and mementoes from Wales and beyond, boggles my mind.

Close-up of the unwanted black rings

One thing that bothers me about the journal. The rings and the spine are black. I would love to change the color somehow but I don’t know what kind of paint would do the trick. If anyone out there knows of something I could use to subdue the black in some way, I’d really appreciate it hearing from you. I just must do something with those rings-which are closed so I cannot add ribbon to them. I guess I could add another row of ribbon, via a pipe cleaner, to the front by gluing it on-maybe that would at least camouflage the rings.

Caridwen with ribbons over rings

I’ll be leaving June 25th and I plan to try very hard to post a picture for each day that I am gone. That will be 20 pictures! I hope to find ancient doors, ancient people and scenery. You are free to use anything that you find pleasing from my journey for your own artwork. I want to share this amazing land with everyone. I am so hoping to take pictures that invoke the character of my subjects.