Woodland Wanderings

Faeries & Bergamot

Wet, soggy and very very green Spring greetings to my fellow "woodland wanderers!"  That about describes the state of my yard right now since we've had nothing but rain for the past several days.  But as I type this I see a bit of sun peeking out-- yay!  Perhaps this weekend (Mother's Day weekend actually) I'll be able to get out and enjoy it.  I was lucky enough to go to the annual Faerie Festival last weekend, beween raindrops :) and had a blast looking at some of the costumes and listening to some great music by the Gypsy Nomads.  It's a tradition for me to add a new plant or two to my herb garden, purchased at this festival, and this year I found a lovely rose scented bergamot and another scented geranium, which I happily carted home after a lovely day spent romping around in a field with other faerie folk.  Fun times!

I've been dreaming up all kinds of ideas for some lovely new products I'd like to offer, and will be putting some of my healing balms up in the shop this weekend.  I've been slowly putting together a compilation of herbal personal care recipes, lore, and interesting tidbits that I plan to put together in an altered book.  Some of the collage work I've been doing will tie into that idea, and I hope to show you more glimpses of that work soon. 

So hopefully between working in the office, doing a bit of gardening and some celebrating of mother-hood this weekend, I'll get to have a bit of fun working on and finishing up some of these new projects!  I hope you all have a lovely rest of the week and weekend!

One of my pieces from the "Kitchen Botanist" series

Wylde Sage Soaps

Oh the simple pleasures!  Freshly made Wylde Sage Soaps, my latest batch.. still curing.  They'll be ready Mid-March.  Available on the site now if you want to reserve yours.  Whimsy Hollow's Shop They smell delish.  I've also put up some soaps on Art Fire. This is a new online market for all kinds of handcrafted items. I've put up a link to on the right side bar should you want to register yourself or check out my current offerings. I can't wait to go back on and browse the rest of the shops! The weather this weekend has been gorgeous!  Heading out now for another hike and hopefully some picture taking.

Off to Rabbit Hollow...Again

I'm a real Beatrix Potter fan, and when I saw this sweet little watercolor I just had to do a quick post.  I'm sitting here by the fire after a LONG work day, dinner is done, and I'm procrastinating going out to check on my two furry "boys" Cedar-n-Sage (our adopted rabbits).  They have a great little set up-- their own little house (aka my outdoor studio), and fenced play area.   Problem is it has been soooo cold out that I have to force myself out there each evening!  I'm heading out there now though-- to rub their ears and give them some fresh greens.  These little guys are just too sweet.  Promise to post pictures of them on the blog soon.  Hope everyone is home safe, warm and snug and sipping chamomile tea.  I heard rumors of spring-like weather this weekend-- we'll see.. maybe some of this snow will MELT.

~Night All.

Enchanted Garden Journal & New Slippers

Another post from the woodland, several this month.. how unusual!  It may not be spring, as a matter of fact as I'm typing this there is some snow falling!  But the promise of spring to come is helping me to s-l-o-w-l-y getting those creative juices flowing.

A glimpse of my newest journal... Enchanted Garden.

And keepin' it green with the latest in Faerie Slippers.. these have been appropriately deemed the "IrishSpringers."

More Faerie Slippers, and details on other Whimsy Hollow creations can always be found on the website if you ever feel the urge to browse.  Whimsy Hollow

Thanks for stopping by the blog, and remember I always welcome comments so please say hello so I know you were here! 

Birthday Wishes

Celebration in our home this past week and continuation into weekend.  It's so hard to believe... my beautiful baby girl has turned 15.  I'm so so proud of her!

When I first heard this Tori Amos song, it hit home. This one's for you sweetie.

She's a girl
Rising from a shell
Running to spring
It is her time it is her time
Watch her run with ribbons undone

She's a rose in a lily's cloak
She can hide her charms
It is her right there will be time
To chase the sun with ribbons undone

She runs like a fire does
Just picking up daises
Comes in for a landing
A pure flash of lightening
Past alice blue blossoms
You follow her laughter
And then she'll surprise you
Arms filled with lavender

Yes my little pony is growing up fast
She corrects me and says
"You mean a thoroughbred"
A look in her eyes says the battle's beginning
From school she comes home and cries
I don't want to grow up Mom at last not tonight

You're a girl
Rising from a shell
Running through spring
With summer's hand in reach now
It is your time
It is your time
So just run with ribbons undone
It is your time yes my angel
It is your time
So just run with ribbons undone

Run run darlin'
Ribbons undone

Plant Ponderings... Yarrow

Don't want to get your hopes up, nothing is blooming yet, and the lack of vegetation in my little neck of the woods is causing me to have some withdrawal symptoms. I've been dreaming of having fresh herbs again, mulling over what I'll grow this year, and missing the return of some of my old green friends. I started taking inventory of my tinctures made from last year's harvest. Some almost empty, and some I'd even forgotten having put up--that was a nice surprise. Yarrow was one of the "lost but found" tinctures I found residing in the cool darkness of my herb cupboard. Thank goodness it was clearly labeled, so no mystery involved in its identification :) I love my herb cupboard. It's in a little area set off from the kitchen where my husband put up some extra shelving and counter space for me, but it could use some organization (adding another chore to my ever growing spring to-do list). In any case, let's not get too off-track as I often do (they don't call me the woodland-wanderer for nothing) this yarrow has a bit of a story. I started exploring the woods and lake near my home more seriously last year, and was happy to discover lots of lovely yarrow growing wild, undisturbed, unsprayed and plentiful. I have never grown yarrow myself, and promptly got started checking my online references, books, and favorite herby blogs to be sure I had the right plant. Feeling certain, and slightly devious, I prepared for our next early morning hike, this time adding a small shovel, large baggie with damp paper towels, and my official wild-crafter's badge. Just kidding about the badge, but there is a pretty serious-looking park policeman that I've seen on rounds there before, so one never knows it could come in handy. I went to the pretty little spot where the yarrow was growing, made certain there was lots of it nearby, gave thanks, and dug up a small bit, while my husband patrolled the area, instructed to hoot like a screech owl if there should be a threat to my herbal-highjacking. All went without mishap, and once home I immediately transplanted it with care in a large pot on my deck. It took off beautifully, and soon delicate white flowers and ferny soft leaves abounded! I ended up making a tincture of its leaves and flowers in grain alcohol, and there it has sat since.  Patiently waiting. 

Yarrow's Latin name is Achillea millefolium.  The name comes from Achilles, the Greek warrior because legend has it that he stopped bleeding on the battlefield when using this plant as a poultice. I'm happy to say it grows easily in my area as a perennial. It comes in pink, yellow and white varieties, mine being the white which is strongest for herbal medicine. Yarrow is one of the best herbs to use to prevent congestion from building up in the lungs, and to break up existing congestion. Yarrow tea is a good remedy for severe colds and to help reduce fever. When used externally it can help with cuts and wounds, and can even be used as a bug repellant, which I fully intend to try out this year.

I look forward to Yarrow making its appearance in my garden this year, and welcome learning about other uses for Yarrow... or any herbal insights for that matter, from any of you other "wild-crafters" out there!

Green Blessings!

Magical New Banner

The weekend goes by all too quickly doesn't it?  I've been busy working on some new items for the shop, and have sadly discovered that tomorrow is Monday.

My latest passion is handmade paper.  What a fabulous way to use my dried herbs and oils, and I've always loved the textures and feel of natural papers.   Not to mention the simple pleasure that comes from repurposing and recyling "junk" into lovely handcrafted art.  I just finished pressing the latest batch, delicately scented with rose geranium.  Heavenly.  For inspiration I'm burning some of my new rose incense.  My feminine side is showing tonight.. I feel an affinity toward pink and roses.  Perhaps the fact my husband is out watching the game has something to do with it ;) tonight is the "girl's night in!"

For fun I purchased a magical new banner from Tiffany Jane.  I have a link to her blog on my side bar (Beyond the Vintage Path).  When I saw this I knew it was perfect for Whimsy Hollow.

Wishing you all a lovely evening, I just discovered that we haven't eaten dinner yet.  Thank goodness for left overs.

Winter Dreams Journal

The problem with woodstoves is that they create such coziness in my little reading nook, that all I want to do is read, dream and stare out the window.  No snow to speak of yet, but the stark winter landscape is a nice contrast to my contented laziness.

Truth is, I have tons of work needing to be done, and had even contemplated (briefly) going into the office today to get some sort of resemblance of being caught up accomplished. But I'm not, and I won't, and weekend "me-time" is just too precious to squander. So here I am.

Perhaps after posting this I'll package up an order, and then go make my latest decadent treat, hot chocolate with chilies and cinnamon. Dagoba organic chocolate makes a delcious version of this called Xocolatl. Oh bliss!  I also have several delicious books calling my name, and for the next 15 minutes there is no one home but me. Oh the possibilities..

I recently created a Winter Dream Journal, just for myself.  I was inspired, as I always am when looking at the creations of Joanna, a talented artist and reiki master teacher.  You can get to her magical blogs from my side bar.  I'm participating in the Spirit Journeys Workshops, and this is a glimpse of my Winter Journal.

 

I was inspired to try out some of the techniques Joanna described for us, and really got a kick out of learning what a "signature" was, hand stitching it into a book whose cover was created from an old book I had lying around (I love recycling!) and creating my own book spine from leather.

The journal's cover art was prompted by one of my favorite tarot decks, Claire Nahmad's Fairy Pack.  This card was pulled for inspiration, and fits into the Winter theme so beautifully.  The beautiful full moon glow last night had me in a creative, contemplative place, and the lesson that corresponds with this lovely card took my breath away:  "Isis is smiling down upon you.  Your strength is centered in the woman within, the gentle force.  Your magnetism, mystery, and grace are irresistible.  Express these qualities in the light of wisdom so that no shadows fall over your full-moon glory.

Wow.  How cool was that?

Hope all you other Spirit Journey-ers are able to spend some time creating for yourselves today, feeling snug, warm, nurtured, and basking in that full moon glow!

Nesting

Winter always brings out my nesting instincts.  By nesting I mean curling up with good books by the fire, brewing pots of herbal teas, starting and hopefully finishing up on creative endeavours, listening to great music, you get the idea.  It's an introspective time, one to be savored, not rushed.  It's a time to NOURISH one's self, and loved ones.  A time for making stew!  A time for dreaming, a time for planning gardens (life's garden, and my weeds).  It's a magical time.  Our fast paced schedules  will continue on, but be certain to take time to go outdoors, especially at the first snow, and LISTEN to the winter silence.  BREATHE the crisp air.  I always find these times are especially good food for the soul.

Winter Blessings!

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

~Robert Frost

Late for the party!

Late, but I'm here!  Have been out all day... but the my magical woodland waits patiently, beckoning all who dare to enter!  Come in won't you?

 

Even Bella the Good Witch of the Hollow is here, won't you stop in for some tea?

Perhaps Bella will do a reading for you with her newest tarot cards..

The forest sprites have started their Fall decorations... there are little pumpkins painted with henna!

 

There will be dancing under the stars tonight, and flying on our broomsticks.

I've got a big pot of stew simmering away in the cauldron, so bring your appetites!

And if you want to be entered in my little Halloween drawing, be sure and either leave a comment to let me know, or email me.  The drawing will take place next week!

This drawing will be for Cinderbella-Donna's magical shoe!  It fell off during one of her wild broomstick rides, and since she'd rather be barefoot and skyclad, didn't mind if we used it as our give-away!

   

And here she is Cinderbella-Donna herself.. quite the beauty isn't she?

 

The night's still young.. think I'll have a bit of a cat-nap now so I can join in on all the late night fun!

Have a FRIGHTFULLY good time partying tonight all!