13/3

Today I took a test run with my costume! I dunno if I'll be wearing those boots for long on Halloween, but the rest looked great I think! Here's hoping for warm weather in TN!


Many congratulations again to TreeGoddess for winning the Meowclops necklace yesterday!

Stop by tomorrow for a free pumpkin printable! ^-^

13/2

Today has been a busy day here at Faerie Gardens! I have been getting a lot of writing done, and a few of us spent some time working on Halloween costumes. Jacqueline made pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes, and later we're all going to watch a scary movie or two...

But why are you here? To find out who won, aren't you? Well I went over to the Fruit Machine at classtools.net and put in the names of every one who entered - twice if they left us a suggestion! And the winner is...

TREEGODDESS!

TreeGoddess, I am not sure how to reach you; so please leave me a note by 4pm tomorrow or I will have to draw someone else's name... If you prefer, you can reach me at bunnykissd (at) gmail.com. CONGRATULATIONS!

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more fun & goodies! ^-^

FAE Exhibition: Moonlight Masquerade

Aquariann, with the help of Caren, has done it again!  They've gathered together some of the best of the FAE Team work, and created a lovely exhibition.  This month's theme is Moonlight Masquerade , and she even used one of my pieces in the banner!  ^-^


See my Bat on the Moon?  There! ^^^
Click the banner above to see the full exhibition, but here's a little sample:

Etsy Buy Handmade FAEteam

Wishcasting Wednesday

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box [at the link] below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.
~ Jamie Ridler

This week, Jamie was inspired by the Mary Oliver poem, Wild Geese, and particularly the line, “You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”  She explains further here: http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/the-vulnerability-of-desire, but today's question is one I try not to think about. She even explains why I feel this way:

It’s scary to share what we really want if we feel we’ll be judged. I’m worried that if I say I love chandeliers, fashion and going to the spa, you’ll think I’m a snob. You’ll lose trust in me, thinking I must not be as down-to-earth as you thought I was.

And it's true.  If I answer this question, people might think of me differently, but I am still ME.  So...

What does the “soft animal of your body” wish for?
The soft animal of my body wishes for mountains of soft cuddly bedding, frilly dresses and floofy skirts, hair that flows in thick curls to my waist, silky petticoats and camisoles, warm fluffy sweaters, hot cocoa with home-made marshmallows, warm sunshiny days with warm lakes to swim in and warm rocks to dry off on, ruffled panties and fluffy socks, cheese-drenched crunchies and mouthfuls of dark chocolate, flaky pastries and rainbow-sprinkled cupcakes.


mosaic created with flickr toys

PURPLE DAY

Today is Purple Day. People all over are wearing purple to raise awareness of bullying today, in support of LGBT kids who need to know it gets better, and in memory of those who didn't hear that message in time.

PURPLE represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all children to have: spirit. To know that times will get better and that they will meet people who will love them and respect them for who they are, no matter their sexuality.

So please wear purple today!

13/1

There are 13 days til Halloween, and our family is in full Halloween mode here.  Spooky movies (sometimes it's just the acting) and Halloween festivities are daily events!  I thought it would be nice to bring some of our merry & mischief making to the blog-o-sphere and share our excitement!  So the first thing we'll do is have a contest!

And the prize will be this necklace:

Inspired by the Neopets petpet, this spooky kitty grins at you with one eye shining, fangs ready for playful nips...
Hanging from a 23" ribbon, the pendant measures less than 1" in diameter and about 1/2" thick.
How do you win?  Well, just leave a comment on this post by 4pm on Wednesday the 20th - for an extra entry leave a Halloween idea for us to try! - and I'll draw a name from the commenters tomorrow to win the necklace!

But before you comment, perhaps you'd like to know what we've already been doing!

We got out all our pumpkins and bats and decorated the house for Halloween, including making our own silhouettes for the windows and strewing the front with fake spider webs.  We went to Oswego Pumpkin Fest, prayed at our pet cemetery, and bobbed for apples!  We had a special fall feast one night, and have had Lil Debbie Pumpkin cakes, chocolate covered candy corn, hot apple cider, and pumpkin Pop-tarts (YUM)!  We've worn Halloween themed candy necklaces, spider rings, and glow in the dark fingernail polish.  We colored Halloween pictures, gave the kids Halloween pencils, and played games of chance with Halloween candy prizes.  The best thing so far was sneaking outside after dark to scare the girls in their bedroom, by tapping on their window. 

WHEE!  So, leave a comment to get a chance to win the Meowclops necklace, and suggest something else halloweeny for us to do - or even a movie! - and get a second chance!  GOOD LUCK!

PS: Don't forget to head over to Faerie Garden Fancies for all kinds of new Halloween goodies!

It Begins Tomorrow!

The 13 Days of Halloween...

...begin on Tuesday the 19th!
Be sure to stay tuned! Fun, games, and giveaways are coming your way!

COMING SOON!

The Thirteen Days of Halloween!

Stay Tuned!

BlogCarnival: Horror Movies

MysticWynd asks us: Tell us about your top 3 favorite horror movies. What is it about them that scares you?

The girls and I have a Halloween tradition of watching all kinds of old horror movies and horrible B movies all month long.  We have so many favorites and try to rotate the ones we rent each year.  We started with the classics, like Cat People, Frankenstein, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, which the girls found more funny than scary; then we added some more recent films (that are SUPPOSED to be laughed: Beetlejuice and Young Frankenstein.  Recently we've added some *really* scary movies that make us clutch each other close and scream out loud; last night's Paranormal Activity left us scared to go to the bathroom alone!

But *my* top three horror movies...  I have to say my absolute favorite of all time is The Creature from the Black Lagoon.  I don't know why for sure.  Maybe because he really is just in love with the girl.  Maybe because of the underwater scenes.  Maybe because I saw it with my mom in 3D when I was just a kid.  Who know!  But it has a very special place in my heart.

Then I'd have to say Night of the Lepus.  Dr. McCoy, from Star Trek is in it.  And giant bunnies.  Giant blood-thirsty bunnies.  No seriously!  It's really not funny at all.  It's really quite scary...  Or maybe it's all in my head how scary it is... I dunno, but I'll find out soon.  The DVD just arrived from NetFlix today...

Finally, I'm going to have to add the movie from last night.  Paranormal Activity.  (Sorry, no link, too scary for me to find a good one right now. Hehehe.  Go here and look for yourself... (omg they have a PA2 coming out!  >.<))  It was kinda dragging at the beginning.  Not a lot going on through most of the movie either.  But near the end it gets freaky, and the girls and I were yelling at the screen, and when the end happened, we screamed and held each other.  Not only were we scared to go into the dark bathroom alone afterward, but I know I had trouble getting to sleep!

How about you?  What Halloween movies do you like to watch again & again?  Scary or not, let me know!

ETA: Here's the link to the Paranormal Activity trailer. *shiver* And Paranormal Activity 2 looks just as scary...

Etsy Blogger of the Month: Margaret of SplendidLittleStars

Say hello to October's Blogger of the Month...


Click the link above to check out Margaret's blog, where she shares the things she loves: photography, art, making things, nature, gardening, and food.  She's got two Etsy shops; one called Splendid Little Stars with wonderfully hand-dyed clothing for children, and some things for me!


Sumptuous Silk Velvet Scrunchie, hand dyed, soft for hair
And the other shop is called Sparkly Park (funfunfun!) and carries lovely beaded earrings.  These are my fave:


Lavender fantasy earrings, copper tipped glass and sterling silver
Don't forget to check out her shops and blog, and see what's there that might be calling to you...

• SplendidLittleStars Etsy Shop
• SparklyPark Etsy Shop
• SplendidLittleStars Blog

Product Review: Flavored Almonds

A long while ago, Emerald came out with cocoa roast almonds, and I loved them.  Great chocolatey flavor and low carb.  Well recently I discovered Blue Diamond Butter Toffee almonds, and they've also got a Dark Chocolate version too!  There are a bunch of other flavors and brands that have come out recently too...  So of course, I decided to do a taste test!

(Note: A serving size for all of these is 1oz/28g, which is 20-24 nuts.)

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds, Dark Chocolate flavor:
Calories per oz:  150
Total Carbs:  6g
These have an excellent chocolate flavor without being dipped in chocolate; I don't know how they get the flavor on, but it's nice & dark just the way I like it.  The calories can be adjusted by having less, and just a few really are a nice sweet treat after lunch or for a snack.

I give it...

Two Ears Up!
Blue Diamond Natural, Oven Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate flavor:
Calories per oz:  160
Total Carbs: 9g
Not as good as the Emerald brand.  More of a hot cocoa flavor than a dark chocolate flavor.  Still yummy and good for me.

I give it...

One Ear Up
Blue Diamond Natural, Oven Roasted Almonds, Butter Toffee flavor:
Calories per oz:  160
Total Carbs:  9g
Again, I don't know how they get the flavor on the nuts without using a melted sugar or fat, but these are so good!  Buttery and rich, and just a few make a good dessert, especially mix & matched with the Emerald Cocoa Roast...

I give it...

Two Ears Up!
Blue Diamond Almonds BOLD, Blazin' Buffalo Wing:
Calories per oz:  170
Total Carbs:  5g
These are a yummy snack, but a little hotter than I like.  They do have a nice Buffalo hot sauce flavor, and are low carb, and easily calorie controlled with portion size.

I give it...

One Ear Up
Blue Diamond Almonds BOLD, Habanero BBQ:
Calories per oz:  170
Total Carbs:  5g
Again, an excellent flavor, spicy with a nice sweet BBQ, and like the others, low carb & calories can be easily adjusted with portion size.

I give it...

Two Ears Up!

Both Emerald and Blue Diamond, and several other companies, have many other flavors out there to try.  I've seen ranch and wasabi and other more traditional flavor too, but haven't wanted to try them.  If you have, and think I should, leave me comment!

Mermaid for Ripples

Well I am a little sad. Ripple has closed without ever posting the ATC I made back in June for them. But they did a tremendous job! They had over 900 art donations and raised over $11,090! And while many artists contributed, both unknown and well-known alike, there really was only one person running the Ripple blog, the person who got the whole things started, Kelly Light. She did an amazing job!

I still would like to offer my little bit of art to someone who donates. So I will send this off to the first person who donates to the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund and sends me the email confirmation of the donation. (Just fwd the email to bunnykissd [at] gmail.com.) If you're not interested, please pass the message on to others who might be! Thanks!


Click for larger view...

Wishcasting Wednesday

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box [at the link] below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.
~ Jamie Ridler

What do you wish for an abundance of?

Well, the first thing that popped into my head when I read this was LUCK!  But I am trying to minimize dichotomies in my life: good, bad, lucky, unlucky... things just *ARE* and choosing a side is judging and judging *anything* ultimately leads to judging myself; so ... What am I really wishing for?

I think over the past week or so.  Life's been a merry-go-round, up & down, round & round, and really going nowhere... I was sick with a cold, yet started my first days of subbing this year; spent some time out with the family, but felt pretty alone and distant; the rainy weather turned nice and I wanted to spend time together with my partner, but was too stressed to enjoy it and feel I ruined the whole day; and today after working with people who do *not* share my ideals of what teaching should look like, I found my car with 2 nearly flat tires, and the autoshops all closing before I could get a tire.

So yes, the first thing that popped into my head was LUCK!  I feel like things have been going all Murphy's Law on me, and I never felt like that before.  I've always felt very lucky.  Sure I had rough spots, but they always worked out ok and nothing THAT BAD has ever happened to me, really.  So do I really need LUCK?  I'mma hafta say no.

What do I really want more of though?  An ABUNDANCE of?  Well for starters, more of that ice cream I just finished.. omg YUM!  XD 

No... seriously though, I'd like more energy, aplomb, and financial solvency to deal with life's little rough spots.  I'd also like to find my life bubbling over with joy, laughter, sunshine, music, dancing... Like I've somehow recaptured the feeling of swimming every day...

or the night of the Shine Campground Cotillion!

I am ARTIST

Artists are people who make change, people who touch others, people who create work that matters. If you design a new interface, you’re an artist. If you create a story for a non-profit that spreads around the world and raises awareness and changes lives, you’re an artist. If you look a kid in the eye and teach her algebra in a way she understands, you’re an artist.

So why is it difficult to be an artist?

Because artists break things. Breaking the status quo, the established rules, the way things usually are.
~ Seth Godin, good experience






Human, The Killers
I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind

And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Cut the cord

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Hear my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could

And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

You've gotta let me know

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?


And sometimes, between the pictures in my head and the movements of my body, there are words. Words that flow and grow and trip merrily off my fingers and onto the page like they were never mired in the physicality of my body & brain...


Claim the name of your creative spirit! Go visit Jamie Ridler Studios!

Mosaic Monday Bunday

It's time for another round of Mosaic Monday Bunday!  Last week's theme was CHOCOLATE in honor of Milton Hershey, born September 13, 1857.  And again there is no winner because we had no guesses...

Guess today's theme and win a Mosaic Monday Bunday prize!
(Remember Mosaic Monday Bunday always features rabbits!)


Top, left to right: Halloween Butcher Bunny art doll sculpture, Blue Bunny Ring, Split Hare keychain
Middle, left to right: Kawaii Usagi (Rabbit) Canvas Field Bag (PINK), 7 Radical Rainbow Moon Buns - Amigurumi Bunny Rabbits, Tumsy the bunny necklace - Yellow
Bottom, left to right: Rabbit Art - Parfait, Fiona the Big Red Bunny, Batty Small Orange Halloween Rabbit Plushie Hand Sewn with Black Bat

Queer Etsy Street Team

It's been a while since I talked about them, so I thought I'd rebroadcast some of the great things QuEST has been doing.

As you may remember from my post in June, QuEST has a team shop which, at the moment, is donating all profits to The Trevor Project. So far we've made just under $100 for them and would like to give them more. If you are able, please head over to our shop, check out the great items for sale there, and buy one to make your donation!

More recently we've been collecting items to donate to the Human Rights Campaign which will be auctioned off at their National Dinner in Washington DC this fall. There's some really great stuff pouring in for it; I donated one of my necklaces, similar to this one, and this postcard:

I can't wait to see what else ends up in the basket... And how much it goes for! ^-^

We're planning so many other wonderful things! Be sure to keep up-to-date with all the happenings by Liking our Facebook page and adding our blog to your reader!

Wishcasting Wednesday

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box [at the link] below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.
~ Jamie Ridler

How Do You Wish to Come Out of Your Shell?
This is such a timely question for me today!  You see I'm a substitute teacher and have been for several years now, but I have never worked in the middle school of the district I work in primarily.  Well tomorrow I'll be subbing for one of the art teachers there - and it's my first day back to subbing this school year!  This is a big deal for me, as middle school is where I am hoping to find a permanent teaching position after finishing my masters, and while I've worked in other middle schools without any real issues, I've heard horror stories about this one from other subs.

I *so* don't want to fade into the background and be just another *babysitter* to the kids.  And I don't want the kids to walk all over me.  I want to be a fantastic sub, I want the students to like me, and the other teachers to notice me.  I don't want to be too terrified to say anything and avoid the staff lounge.  I want to interact with everyone and be the best sub they've ever had!

Mosaic Monday Bunday

It's time for another round of Mosaic Monday Bunday! (Whoops! That's me alright! A day late & a dollar short... LOL!)

To recap: No guesses for the August 23rd theme which was HARVEST and there was no contest for the past two weeks. So we're starting fresh here!

Guess today's theme and win a Mosaic Monday Bunday prize!
(Remember Mosaic Monday Bunday always features rabbits!)

Click any pic to see its Etsy listing!
This one should be EASY-PEASY!  Leave a comment with your guess and I will be drawing a winner next week! Extra entry if you can guess *WHY* I chose this theme!  Good luck!

For other Mosaic Monday posts, click here!

Mosaic Monday Bunday

It's PAST time for another round of Mosaic Monday Bunday, and still no guesses on August 23rd's theme which was HARVEST; and no guessing for this week's again (not enough time for everyone to enter), but be sure to tune in on Monday September 13th for another chance to win a one of a kind piece of art!

Today's theme is TIME!
(Remember Mosaic Monday Bunday always features rabbits!)

Click any pic to see its Etsy listing!
For other Mosaic Monday posts, click here!

Wishcasting Wednesday

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box [at the link] below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.
~ Jamie Ridler

What do you wish for less of?

I wish for less worry, stress, and sadness for myself and my family.


September 9, 2010 ~ Lake Ontario, Oswego, NY