The Art of Productivity

I look at the title of this post and I can not help but laugh.  Productivity has not been one of my strong suits over the last year.  No good reason, or at least none that I can honestly put my finger on.  I only know that it was as if I was in limbo.  I had the desire.  Yet when it came time to exert that desire something inside of me just fizzled and nothing occurred. Although at times I can over think things, this is something that I have promised myself to just accept and move on from.  The lull seemed to be felt my many and I was not singled out alone it seems.  Finally I seem to have come out from under the wet blanket that covered me and once again I feel that surge to create and produce something…. anything.  

 

I have once again started to dabble in my writings.  I have had several ideas as of late and have started to once again put them to pen and paper.  Of course I will share them with all of you when they are in a more presentable manner.  

 

I have also been craving to create in a crafty manner again.   I have even reopened my Esty shop and am bound and determined to start posting items once again.  From my hand made willow runes to embroidery sachets,  home grown potpourri, and so much more; soon my shop should be up and running at full steam.  When it is in a more presentable state I will post the link on my blog, just in case you would like to check it out. 

 

The out of doors has also been calling me.  The sweltering heat of last summer threw so many things out of whack and the usual time I spent outside was greatly reduced.  I am also eager for this to change as it will inspire me in all my areas of creation. Nature has a way of doing that.  Last night we received a welcomed rain and already I can see the life peek through.  Spring is not far away and newness will be everywhere. 

 

I guess sometimes we do just need to sit and be still.  Sit and listen to the hushed voices around us and what they may be saying.  It is so easy at times to get caught up in all the noise and clamor that we lose site of what the true goal may be.  I am looking forward to the spring cleaning of my life as this new year transpires.  I have a feeling that it is going to be an interesting one indeed. 

 

Blessings

I Have Been Bit by the Creative Bug

I have been in a bit of a crafty mood as of late. I think it all started with the workings with my willow twigs. They somewhat inspired me. Although the crafts that came forth from them were not necessarily spectacular, they had meaning to me and it was good to put the leftover twigs to some kind of use. I still have a basket full of the left over twigs and more still scatter the ground. I think the remaining twigs will go towards the building of my fairy village I have wanted to create for some time now.

Each day I walk my yard and the area under the tree house is quickly awakening to spring. The sweet Williams are pushing their head outs, reaching towards the sunlight as well as the lily bulbs that I planted last fall. They are cluttered with an abundance of dried leaves and such that have fallen and blown through the earlier fall and winter months. I think the weather is warm enough now that I can clear the debris out and allow the plants to spread abit.

I have gathered stones along with my sticks for the area. I think when all is said and done the fae will enjoy their renovations. I noticed that the primrose has sprouted as well as the foxglove. I also purchased three new rose bushes to plant and I have been thinking if there is any way I could plant one of them near this location. I am not sure if they will receive enough sunlight; yet the color and aroma is something I am sure the fae would enjoy.

I have also convinced Vincent to let me plant a small plot for vegetables and some additional herbs. Of course this means we will need to purchase a rototiller so that I can start working the ground. Goodness but I have sympathy for those in years before when such things were not available. I am also excited about the new piece of equipment as it will also allow me to till the perimeter of the bottom yard and plant the bachelor buttons I have been wanting to plant for some time now. It would be just my luck to get this place just the way I like it and then move…

Another craft I have been toying with is the making of sachets and/or charms. I have sent a couple of these out to friends and am still playing around with different ideas. I have missed sewing with my machine. I still have many projects that I need to work on.

I do not know where all this creativeness is coming from or really what I will do with it all. Even my runes have been calling me again and I am eager to work with creating some new sets. Quite possibly it is the coming of spring and the newness that it always seems to bring. This last winter was definitely one of hibernation for me. I became quiet and drawn into myself and it seemed that the creative juices stopped for a bit…

Yet finally that seems to be something that is slowly changing. So many of you have given me new ideas and suggestions as to what I could do.. I thank you all for that. Inspiration is the only word that best sums it up. And then of course there is always my craft of cooking and my kitchen. The area I seem to feel most at home with and my ability seems to flow most freely. I have been trying new recipes and ideas and I am hoping to be sharing many of them with you in the coming months as they all involve fresh items, from vegetables to fruit and herbs.

I am hoping that this is not merely a phase that I am going through but something of a new area for me as it has been nice to keep myself busy. What kind of things have you been working on as of late? Are there new crafts that you have created? Have you started your summer garden? Maybe it has not become quite warm enough and you are just browsing through those wonderful seed catalogs that grace our mail this time of year. Whatever it is I wish you joy with your new creations.

Blessings

The Willow Has Spoken - And the Winner is

Well it is time... Time to let a winner be chosen for my Emotional Willow giveaway... As many of you know, I love giving little things away and although I will start off with some things, it always grows to more.

 

So many of you left wonderful comments. Some of you even shared some of your own doings with the willow. A few I have already tucked away in my goodie book for later use. Thanks for sharing.

 

The person chosen as the winner is definitely the one who is suppose to be blessed by the willow items. First I used a number generator and she was the one chosen but I am not too keen on number generators and like to handwrite the names and pick a winner at random. Lo and behold the same name was chosen again... I took this as a sign that the fates had spoken.

 So without further ado... the winner of the Emotional Willow giveaway is Faerie Sage over at Faerie Sage Kitchen. And she is even a Pisces.... so a happy birthday to you dear, there will be a few extras tucked inside to celebrate the grand occasion. Please drop me an email when you can with your mailing info and I will shoot your box out to you in the next few days.... Congrats and I hope you enjoy all your goodies.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Emotional Willow

This last month (January 24th – February 20th) Willow has been represented. I have a special love for the willow as we are blessed with many of them encircling our pond. Their gentle ways have always been a trait I love about them. They hang over the water in their sheltering way, swaying as the breeze blows through them. Such resilance they have, as I have witnessed it when the ice has covered them and pulled them towards the ground with its weight. Yes, there have been times when they have broke yet more often they have bounced back after the ice melted.

The Willow is the tree of enchantment and is ruled by the moon. This could be another reason why I am so attached to the willow as I also hold a dear fondness for the wonderful moon who will be in all her beauty in the next days. The willow tree is often found near water and thus is influenced by it. Legend says that the Moon Goddess gave rain to the willow as a gift because of her love for it.

Willow is an emotional tree, encouraging us to explore the range of all the emotions that may rise up within us. We should not hide our feelings but allow them to be expressed in a safe place. Healing will often come from this expression of emotions. Tears may also fall, once again exhibiting the connection with water.

There are times when we must allow ourselves to submit to the watery world of our emotions as well as our subconscious.This release will allow us to be carried to a fuller and deeper understanding of what is truly inside of us. In turn we will be more able to show our true self. We learn that with every loss there is the potential for a new beginning.

I spoke a couple days back about the many twigs and sticks that had fallen from my willow and my intention to gather them and put them to some use. As I gathered the sticks small and large, I realized the abundance that lay on the ground.  In turn I began to understand the emotional release that the Willow wants to give. Year after year I watch as the wind blows and sticks fall to the ground. I have often wondered why. If the Willow is so flexible and able to endure the winds and ice without breaking why does it lose so many small twigs and sticks? Then I realized the answer. The sticks are excess that is not needed. Loss of them does not hurt the tree to any extent that would cause serious injury. In fact, the subtle pruning allows the weaker twigs to fall and the stronger ones to remain. Just as we release the emotional excess that is not necessarily needed, the Willow does the same.

In honor of the beautiful Willow and her reign this last month as well as the coming Full Moon, I would like to share a little piece of my willows with you. From the sticks that I have gathered thus far, and a little of my imagination, I have created a few items.

A stalk of Willow Twigs entwined with jute, copper, and stone

A Willow Star entwined with copper

And lastly a set of Willow runes

Just leave a comment. Be sure that your profile if set to public and that your email is accessible. Otherwise just leave your email just in case you are chosen I want to be able to contact the winner. I will keep this open through the end of the month, choosing a winner February 28th

The Willow has many facets and many things to share with those who seek it as a friend. Next time you come upon a Willow tree, stop and pay homage. She is turn will bless you in a manner only the Willow can.