Kenning Stone

Up In Smoke

2011-12-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Already I have opened a Christmas Gift this morning! My niece wanted to share this whole thing with me so I opened the gift for her while she was still a-bed.
It's a censer - for burning sage incense. I will bless the ground where the Temple is to be constructed for the first time on Christmas Morning. It will be blessed many more times before I recommence to Temple constructing in the Spring. I will do this for two reasons: 1) so that the energy for the Temple stays strong in my heart and b) so that the energy of the Temple area stays sacred and strong.
Anyway here is a picture of it - it's brass and it's heavy and my niece said she had a wonderful conversation about the Temple with the little old man from the West Indies or thereabouts.
I am very excited about using it for the first time tomorrow. It will also be perfect for sanctifying and blessing any homes that I bless in Spring. (Can't do it in my own house though on account of I'm sure my parrot would not find anything sacred about it sage incense smoke).

And you can bet that I'm going to add all kinds of yarns and bells and beads to it eventually and I'm going to let it form a wonderful patina of soot and wax and smoke (might take a few years). But yeah....it'll get all grunged up yet.

Some things are just too big

2011-10-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Like tree roots! I really really do not want to use large earth moving machines and such for this project, but I am just not capable of pulling up tree roots and large roots rotting under the stone floor and foundations - not good for the stability factor. I'm truly hoping to get most of the Temple done with shear woman power (and probably some man power).

I did the best I knew though - previous to making this spot the 'official spot' I asked permission from these tree elementals and the Oak tree. None of these trees were healthy and the energies of these tree elementals agreed to be moved to various other treed areas of my yard. Admittedly, I am just learning to use my intuition in this way, but as far as I could tell the tree energies were pleased to help with this project.

Eventually I hope to plant evergreens behind the Temple and at that time I will ask these elementals if they wish to return to this area to help with the new trees.

After cleaning up this mess I will have to remove the ratty shed as well. That is a beautiful Old Oak and it will look so wonderful as it leans it's protective branches over top of the Temple.

And I've added a few more loads of field stones to my ever growing pile here in the yard - I'm very pleased with it's progress. Even if I don't get any of the foundation dug I will be happy cause of the amount of field stones.

More field stones

2011-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

My brother found a fabulous pile of perfectly sized stones. I asked the farmer for permission (granted) and have since been to the pile 3 times with Pappy's 3/4 truck. Each time I have tossed rocks into the truck box for 45 mins. This does not fill the box but it seems like a good amount of time for my wrists. When I get home it takes about 1/2 an hour to unload. All together one rock trip like this takes about 1 1/2 hrs. A good amount of exercise I think. And WoW does time ever fly when I'm tossing stones!

Notice the lovely Tall Leaning Pine tree that stands over the pile of rocks. This is the only tree in the entire field - it's a big field.

Heard something about a Temple

2011-09-18T10:17:00.001-07:00

Last fall, 2010 It occurred to me that I had to build a stone temple. I decided it would be a Temple dedicated to Nature, hence the name:

FOX NATURE TEMPLE

Well that was only about a month before the snow was to start flying so the best I could do at that point was work on a design - which is what I've been doing all winter of 2010-2011. Spring came and along with it rain, rain, rain, and rain and cold - summer started very late.

It's September 2011 already and I still haven't got the spade in the ground yet. I am still so hoping that a major portion of the foundation trench will be dug before winter sets in. I never really got a proper garden going either this summer (one of my goals) but I did manage some things:

Got the screen house done (local contractor actually)

Got the garage cleaned out, fixed up and painted.

Got through two weddings.

Blessed and cleared a new home.

Helped the family bring in three humungo loads of winter firewood. We'll be good for at least two years now. AND AND AND

My neighbour across the river brought be 3 mini buckets (he has a wee little mini front-end loader tractor thing) of field stones. Then I went and brought about 5 loads (little utility trailer pulled behind my lawn mower) of stones from his field. So that was the very beginning of my pile of stones. One day my brother mentioned seeing a huge pile of stones in a farmer's field not far from here so I got permission from the farmer to take those stones. I went with a 3/4 ton truck to collect stones for 45 minutes. This gave me about 1/3 of the truck box full. When all these stones are together on my yard - it still doesn't look impressive - but I will get more stones on the yard before winter and anyway it's a good beginning.

My second accomplishment was to decide the exact location. All winter I was thinking of the temple going up in the back 40 under the young trees (all under 12 years) of my new growth forest. But I finally decided that was too far from the house. Then I couldn't decide where I wanted it. I had thought about putting it under my 100 yr old Oak (I'm guessing), but that would mean demolishing a shabby shack, wiping out a few scraggly tiny-leafed elm trees and moving a compost pile - so I tried to think of other areas.

Then one day I was talking to Pappy about chimney's and stone floors when he asked where exactly I was planting this temple. I told him that I couldn't decide and that's one reason I hadn't actually started digging yet. His first suggestion was: "Why not put it under the watchful, embracing arms of the Wise Old Oak?" I figured I couldn't argue with a Wise Old Man talking about a Wise Old Oak - now my goal is to get that area of ground cleared before the next new moon - should be a perfect time to start construction!

It would really be perfect if I could decide on a stone and chisel something pertinent on it and lay the corner stone. We'll see about that though.

From the time of hauling firewood I managed to snag 10 - 8 foot Red Pine logs - these will become the 8 columns and 2 half columns down the nave thus creating the two side aisles.

And, my sister and her hubby (who are renovating a large house) had just decided to get rid of their 3 Selkirk chimneys - I've snagged one of those so that I'll have a nice safe chimney for the temple fireplace. It will be hidden with field stone of course - but I like the safety and efficiency factors.

The design up above is the 2nd version. I didn't really want it to be 'T' shaped - it just kinda worked out that way. This way I get my aisles with light streaming into it from the side windows and a long(ish) nave and I get the extra room for the Library and the Sacristy in the arms of the 'T'.

listening

2010-05-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

i head this:

sometimes i make art with the peeps on PDA, but

i've chosen to go into listening mode at this time. well, i'm blogging now, but generally as i go about my day and i have time to pause ever so slightly i will try to listen. i want to hear things that i don't usually hear. in order to hear things i don't usually hear i must learn to listen in a way that I don't usually listen.

there's all kinds of stuff/life to listen to aside from the usual loud, annoying, noises and endless babble of radios, tv's, traffic, and a particularly happy parrot. that's as specific as i want to get at this time.

i will go now and listen and when i have something of note to report, or just feel the need to comment on my progress i will report in.

in the meantime here is a picture for you to look at:

it's a chimney that stands alone in a big field. the house burned down around it some years ago and the farmer that bought the property from the former owner was wise enough to leave it standing.

i think he knew that the chimney wanted to say something. so everyone here in this little town is being forced to listen to it (even if they don't know it). i try from time to time to hear what it has to say. haven't heard anything yet, well not consciously i haven't. well....i heard the call to take the photograph.

listening

2010-05-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

i've chosen to go into listening mode at this time. well, i'm blogging now, but generally as i go about my day and i have time to pause ever so slightly i will try to listen. i want to hear things that i don't usually hear. in order to hear things i don't usually hear i must learn to listen in a way that I don't usually listen.

there's all kinds of stuff/life to listen to aside from the usual loud, annoying, noises and endless babble of radios, tv's, traffic, and a particularly happy parrot. that's as specific as i want to get at this time.

i will go now and listen and when i have something of note to report, or just feel the need to comment on my progress i will report in.

in the meantime here is a picture for you to look at:

it's a chimney that stands alone in a big field. the house burned down around it some years ago and the farmer that bought the property from the former owner was wise enough to leave it standing.

i think he knew that the chimney wanted to say something. so everyone here in this little town is being forced to listen to it (even if they don't know it). i try from time to time to hear what it has to say. haven't heard anything yet, well not consciously i haven't. well....i heard this:

hgtht

2010-01-26T16:46:00.001-08:00

tjuyymk

2009 SPRING PHOTOS

2009-05-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

We're having a terribly late spring this year, but yesterday and today it's almost pleasant (though nights are still too cold to think of gardening).

Anyway, there is some green and sunshine and buds so I took some pics. and since I'm practising my digital art skills, I've digitally enhanced my photos.

2009-05-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Lydia's Reveal Review's first receipent is Francis Mk, to read the review and to look at her art piece just click on the award.

Three Good Princesses - the Finale

2009-04-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

While Queen Deirdre finished thanking all those who’d helped prepare for the fair, King Olaf sent a man-at-arms off to search for princess Evergreen. Then, once again he stood before all of the people, and he spoke, “Good people of the realm, now you know that your king and queen are retiring and as promised we must now name the princess who will be your next queen.” The he turned and stood before his eldest daughter,

“Wordsworth”, he said, “Have you chosen a groom and a wise elder?” Wordsworth curtsied before the king and said, “I have father, this is”, she paused to glare at her groom who understood immediately what was expected of him and he blurted out,

“I am Professor Julius Aimes, I am a professor of botany from the Queen’s University and I do beg your pardon your lordship, but I would have someone explain to me why I have been kidnapped and brought before you!”

The queen was flabbergasted, “Kidnapped? Wordsworth….?”

Before she could continue Wordsworth interrupted her, “Mommy dear….it’s merely a misunderstanding…in all the excitement I have merely forgotten to mention a few details….a moment please.” She grabbed her ‘groom’s’ elbow and pulled him to the side and whispered into his ear, “If you marry me you shall be king!” She smiled at him sweetly.

The young botany professor was not impressed, “Marry you? You!? You could have killed me!” He looked at the royal couple, “Her solders, they could have killed me…and this”, he pointed to elder Goddard, “This wise elder”, he spoke the title sarcastically, “allowed this injustice without a word.”

The king looked impatiently at princess Wordsworth, “My dear, was this gentleman taken against his will?”

Princess Wordsworth was nonplussed, “Not at all Father, the ‘botanist’ merely misunderstands the whole situation and he has clearly misrepresented himself. Had he been less duplicitous, he would be in his dirty little garden.”

Turning to the botanist she said, “You gave me to understand that you were a lawyer, what is all this nonsense about being a botanist?” She spat out the word as if she’d been talking about a dog catcher.

The botanist was newly insulted, “Marry you? You? I had no intention of marrying you!” He suddenly stopped and looked around to once again notice that is was in the company of the royal family, “Where is princess Evergreen?”

The queen spoke, “We’ve sent for her….”, but before she could ask what business it was of his the man started to make demands, “I demand to be released, I demand safe passage home, I demand…”

“Yes, of course”, The king knew his eldest daughter well enough to understand what had happened and now he must make restitution with this man before continuing on with his royal business, “Our royal apologies Professor Aimes, obviously there has been some profound misunderstanding her, you are free to go of course. Perhaps, since you are here you could enjoy the festival and tomorrow a carriage will be provided to take you home.”

“Yes….that will do…no, may I stay for the full week of festival?” Before the king could nod yes, the good professor was already elbowing his way through the crowd.

King Olaf turned to his daughter, “Any other prospects for a groom, my dear?”

“No father, but I do have an excellent wise elder,” She introduced Elder Goddard.

“Indeed, and what wisdom did you see, Elder Goddard in allowing Professor Aimes to be dragged here against his will? I should think that a man of knowledge and courage would council against this sort of thing.”

Elder Goddard came forward and spoke in a knowing, eloquent voice, “Your Majesty, begging your pardon, but the princess was obviously under a lot of stress, causing her to make poor judgements. The man was not in any immediate danger, but I felt it best to accompany the group so as to keep a protective eye on him. If I had released him, I am certain the princess would merely have found another ‘groom’. I had a good feeling about this gentleman and thought it best to ride out the whole situation. I still do have a good feeling about today.”

Princess Wordsworth opened her mouth to protest, but a quick glance from King Olaf caused her to shut it without uttering a word. The king looked at the elder, “Wise decision indeed, it’s a shame you have come here as a part of princess Wordsworth’s retinue, for unless she can come up with a groom in the next few minutes her petition for the crown will be rejected.”

King Olaf turned now, hopefully to princess Pantheonia, “My dear, who is your groom…..Pantheonia? Pantheonia? Finally the princess realized she was being addressed, “Father, mother…look, this is the man that I will marry. He is the most talented, the most sensitive, most passionate artist. He is Balthazar, he is my love.” Balthazar grabbed the brim of his hat and with great flourish he bowed most elaborately.

“Mmmmm….yes”, the king didn’t know what to say. The two were obviously in love and as far as he could tell they appeared to be a perfect match. He hoped with all his heart that he choice of a wise elder was wiser than the average elder. He addressed the artist, “Sir Balthazar, I wish to thank you for making my Pantheonia so happy. Would you please introduce her elder?”

Balthazar was all manners and stepped aside to allow young Elder Bertram to come forward. “Your Majesty, I introduce Elder Bertram.”

Queen Deirdre smiled sweetly, “Elder Bertram, you are rather young….how long have you been studying?”

“Your Highness, only ten years, but with the most renowned elders from this realm and beyond. I could arrange for my tutors to speak to you, to vouch for me. I have excellent ‘political skills’.”

The queen was impressed, “Well, I do appreciate your confidence. I’m sure you could handle the politics of the royal court, but…I wonder…how would you handle these two?” She pointed to Pantheonia and Balthazar who stood arms around each other, staring into each others’ eyes.

The young elder opened his mouth, but he had no answer.

The king turned to face the people, “Since Evergreen ppears to be a no-show, and Princess Pantheonia is the only princess to have fulfilled all of the requirements, we must trust that the gods in their wisdom have chosen…”

Just then Evergreen came running through the crowd, “Father! Mother! My gods! You just wouldn’t believe whom I just met.”

The king was not pleased by this interruption, until it occurred to him that Evergreen had said that she ‘met’ someone. He hoped with all his heart that this was the ‘good’ that Elder Goddard had referred to earlier.

“Evergreen, I will give you five minutes to explain your outburst, then we must move on. This is to be Pantheonia’s day.”

“Oh….Pantheonia won the crown? Congratulations Pantheonia….I’m so happy for you. I am just so excited, I must share my news, “First let me apologise for missing the big announcement, but I had met up with Mrs. Mada and she told me that this morning, here at the fair she had met Mr. Feldson. Well, the upshot is that they are trading their homes! Now that Mrs. Mada’s family has grown and left and her husband died last year, she no longer needs such a large house and property. However, it is perfect for Mr. Feldson and his young family. Plus since her land has so much good fire wood he will supply both himself and Mrs. Mada with wood as part of the deal.”
The king thought that this was not sounding like a groom was suddenly in the picture, so in interrupted, “My dear, this is wonderful, but..”

“No, no….I’m not finished…there’s so much more. Mrs. Mada’s only concern was that she’d be terribly lonely being so far away from town and with nothing to do. It came to me just like that, ‘Mrs. Mada’, I said, ‘The king and queen are looking to move into a small cottage on that side of the river, why don’t you let them move into your ‘new’ home? They’ll fix it up really nice I said and you could be the queen’s lady in waiting. I know she’d love the company, wouldn’t you Mother?”

The queen, who was clearly impressed barely had a chance to say yes before Evergreen went on, “Since Mrs. Mada’s pig is already there, they will be reunited, she was very pleased about that….but it will be Mr. Feldson who takes the pig hunting for truffles in the Old Oak Forest. He says he has already sold enough truffles at market today to buy a sled. She was very happy with the whole arrangement and wants to talk to the two of you. What do you think?”

“Evergreen, that sounds perfect, but this really isn’t the time..”

Again Evergreen cut her father short, “Daddy, daddy that’s not all, that’s not why I’m so excited, well of course I am…”

“Evergreen!” King Olaf was losing patience.

Evergreen turned around and reached into the crowd, “Look who I met at the market. Do you know who this is?”

The king was flustered, “Well, yes this is Professor Aimes, a botanist from Queen’s University.”

“Yes, yes….the ladies and I were trying to decide on the winning rose, and we all agreed on the perfect white rose but no one could remember the latin name for it and this gentleman speaks up and says, ‘It’s the rosa splendorus.’

And daddy, although I have never actually met Professor Aimes before, I knew immediately that the man who stood in front of me was the botanist that I’ve been corresponding with for ten years now.”

“Now Julius, tell daddy the rest.” Professor Aimes took Evergreen’s hands and looked into her eyes as he spoke, “The reason I was in the law building at queen’s University, where I was kidnapped, was because I had finally mustered up the courage to decide that I was going to ask Princess Evergreen to marry me. I had no idea of the royal protocol, so I was about to get advise from my legal friend. That’s when I was hit on the head….but I’ve forgotten all of that now and I want to thank Princess Wordsworth for opening the doors for me.”

Finally, the king was as excited as Evergreen was. He spoke to the botanist, “You don’t happen to know a wise elder do you?”

“As it happens“, mused the professor, “I came here with an elder.”

“So you did”, beamed the king, “Elder Goddard, if Princess Evergreen and her groom,” At this point the king turned to Evergreen, “I’m sorry my dear, did you accept the professor’s proposal?”

Evergreen blushed, “Yes, I did, I’ve admired him from afar for a long time. I have always hoped.
King Olaf and Queen Deirdre put their heads together and whispered. Then King Olaf turned again to the crowd,
“My good people, I introduce to you Queen Evergreen and her groom, Professor Aimes, soon to be king. Their councillor will be Elder Goddard.”

A loud cheer went up from the crowd. Princess Pantheonia and Balthazar had left a long time ago. They had thought the day too beautiful to waste on politics and had gone to the venues to buy fare for a picnic.

The only royal who was upset was Princess Wordsworth, but not for long. After all the cheering and congratulations had died down and everyone else had wandered back to the festival, young Elder Bertram found Princess Wordsworth weeping silently under a blooming rose bower.

“My lady, you are the famous royal lawyer are you not?”

“Go away” she said.

“My lady, I have heard many of your teaching speeches and I’ve observed you in court. I am always impressed. You are a woman of great passion and sharp wit, I have learned much from you.

Wordsworth, was not usually easily flattered. Despite this she felt different this time.
“Passion? I speak of facts, laws, logic, not wistful emotions.”

The young elder was not put off by her rebuff, “Ah, yes of course, but you do it with such passion. And your voice, it’s beautiful, melodic and confident and strong. I wonder, would you perhaps be interested in joining me at a poetry recital tonight? I have always thought you were the embodiment of poetry.”

Wordsworth was completely floored. No one had ever dared to speak her like this, “Me? Recite poetry?”

“Yes…I can see that you want to.” He smiled at her warmly.

“Do you mean it?” she asked sceptically.

“Of course, I am an elder, I am sworn to speak only the truth.”

So as Elder Goddard had predicted, the day had gone very well. At the celebration dinner later that evening, King Olaf and Queen Deirdre talked about how pleased the were that they had a queen who knew how to run things and that she was happy to have someone to share her love of nature and her realm. She had someone to help her care for her forests and gardens while she was busy at court.

Earlier they had gone to talk to Mrs. Mada and fund her to be a delightful lady. She showed them their cottage and although they thought they might have to add a room or two they were very pleased with the whole set up.

They watched their three daughters on the other side of the table. Evergreen and Professor Aimes seemed to have so much catching up to do since their last letter.

Pantheonia and Balthazar had turned away from each other long enough to agree to continue designing for the royal court.

And Wordsworth was beaming and blushing in turns as she spoke to her date. The king and queen were very surprised at the turn of events concerning Wordsworth. They were very happy for her, though. Apparently she had found two new passions.

So the realm had a new King and Queen and Old King Olaf and Old Queen Deirdre were able to experience a normal life in a prosperous kingdom under the guardianship of loving benevolent rulers.

The End.

Holy Moly….that was a long stretch. Sorry about not a having a fabulous picture to go with this but I just didn’t have the time. To wit, I will now be stopping with the stories - at least for the summer. I’ve been having a hard enough time trying to find time for this in winter….in summer it would be impossible.

I hope to come back in fall.

Thank you all for reading my stories. Have a blessed fun summer. Namaste.

Three Good Princesses (Episode VIII)

2009-03-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Pantheonia awoke from a wonderful dream wherein Balthazar and she stood in the centre of a circle of Ancient Oaks. In the company of their friends and family they spoke their marriage vows to each other as white blossom petals from the nearby apple trees floated down upon them….the air was sweet and fresh….and just as the bells in her dream rang out to announce them as Mr. and Mrs., the bells of her waking life rang out to announce the opening day of the Realm Fair.

Pantheonia jumped out of bed to get ready for the day…which meant seeing Balthazar again…and of course the possibility of being the next queen, which would be the icing on the cake. There was so much to do to get ready; her hair, her new dress, her new shoes, she wanted to make a posy for Balthazar to slip into his vest pocket for that special touch; she wanted to be sure to have two ladies-in-waiting to be with her all day to witness her engagement (she felt certain it would happen today); and on and on.

Wordsworth, quite unlike her dreaming sister, had been up most of the night making sure her ‘groom’ was well out of sight and sound, making sure the men-at-arms would present him properly attired and at the right time. In her head, she went over and over what she would say about her ‘groom’.

She both fretted about and delighted in the fact that her Wise Elder had been so silent and unquestioning. She was sure he was up to something with his acceptance of everything she did. On the other hand she fully expected him to accept everything she said and did.

In short, princess Wordsworth started her day in a a rather tense state; she would have to pick something festive to wear today to counter that mood.

Evergreen was also awakened by the tolling bells, although she had gone to bed still trying to find solutions to all of her current issues, she had slept well and this morning she felt joyful and quite ready to take in another beautiful day - a perfect day for the opening of the Fair.

As she absentmindedly slipped on the same day-dress that she had worn yesterday, it occurred to her that both Mrs. Meda and Mr. Feldson would be at the fair, perhaps she could bring the two of them together and they could talk more directly to each other instead of Evergreen having to relay messages between the two of them.

Feeling very confident about the possibilities, Evergreen tied her garden scarf over her hair and off she hurried to the Fair to help the ladies of the Garden Club get set up for the Flower competition.

King Olaf and Queen Deirdre had been up well before the Fair bells rang. They had been organizing this very special Fair for many months. The Realm Fair was their way of sharing the kingdom’s bounty with all of their subjects. It was always a day of celebration of a year of good work and helping each other. But this year’s fair was going to extra special because of the big announcement; the next Queen of the Realm and her Groom.

The king and queen had seen very little of the three princesses this last month, and only hoped that they had all found a groom and a Wise Elder so that they could all be eligible. They were careful not to have any preconceived ideas about who they would pick….they wanted to leave their minds open until after they had met all of the grooms and Elders.

So for now the king and queen enjoyed the parade, the entertainers; they chatted with the vendors in the market; they strolled in the splendid gardens greeting the other revellers, reminding all that the big announcement would take place at noon in the centre square.

Finally the moment arrived. King Olaf stood on the podium congratulating everyone on another wonderfully fruitful and peaceful year. The people of the kingdom stood before him, beaming with pride and expectation.

Princess Pantheonia, looking resplendent, and gushing with joy was escorted lovingly up to the stage by her groom, Balthazar. They were followed by the young Elder Bertram, who was really only about the age of Patheonia’s older sister…it was just that that was kind of young to be an Elder.

Shortly before Queen Deirdre was finished with her speech, Princess Wordsworth elbowed her way through the crowd. She had a tight grip on the arm of a rather reluctant, befuddled young man who was being ‘assisted’ by two men-at-arms. Although, once the young man realized he was in the company of the king and queen on fair day he forgot about his struggles and went along more agreeably with his escorts. The silent Elder Goddard followed his group up to the stage and took his place behind the groom as he had been instructed to.

As she ended her speech, Queen Deirdre turned around to look at the prospective Royal Couples. She was pleased that before her stood at least two nice looking gentlemen and two respectable Elders. King Olaf, asked his daughters if they had had any word from their youngest sister. Neither of them had. He looked disappointed, but he continued;
“Well, we have all of these good people waiting for an announcement and Evergreen has had as much of an opportunity to show up prepared as her two sisters so to be fair we will have to continue.

Alright, there's the big cliff hanger....we'll have to wait til next week to see how this plays out, tee hee. Thanks for reading my story...see ya next week. (((Angels to Readers)))

Three Good Princesses, Episode VII

2009-03-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

King Olaf was very pleased to see his youngest daughter, Princess Evergreen sitting quietly in the garden. She was usually so busy, he hardly ever got to speak to her, "So, if you have not been looking for a husband, have you been looking for a piece of property for myself and your mother?"

Evergreen was startled out of her reverie, "Oh, Daddy...yes, I do have my eye on a lovely wooded area on the other side of the river, but nothing definite yet."

Just then King Olaf was called away by his secretary...and so Evergreen was left again to her thoughts.
I could ask Daddy to buy the land out-right, but no....although he was a king, King Olaf was terribly frugal in his personal life and would never throw money at an expensive Oak Grove, and he would not agree to pushing a man off of his own property.
I could give Mr. Feldson a sled, but he would be too proud to accept such a large gift. Anyway I just know that somehow Mrs. Meda can be helped with all of this if only I could figure out this puzzle.
Well at least I have managed to convince Mr. Feldson to keep Mrs. Meda's pet pig. Now that her husband was dead and her last child had moved to another village, there just weren't enough scraps from her table to feed the old girl. Mr. Feldson on the other hand still had a pile of children at home and the pig would be well taken care of.

Evergreen was pleased with that but she continued to tease her brain for solutions to the whole oak grove, Mrs. Meda, Mommy's and Daddy's retirement home puzzle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally with only two days left before the Festival of the Realm, Pantheonia and Balthezar stood in front of a magnificent gate. Balthezar was awed by it's splendor and showed Pantheonia some sketches he had done shortly after arriving in the realm. Pantheonia blushed which Balthezar noticed and it stole his breath away. He held Pantheonia's face in his hands and whispered, "Pantheonia, my darling...your blush has made you even more beautiful than I ever
could imagine. I am weakened by the presence of such a delicate marvel.....why do you blush?"

"Balthezar, my love, it pleases me so that you truly appreciate my talent as a designer. You see, I am the author of this gate."

Just then, an old man in grey robes passed through the gate and Pantheonia gasped, "By the gods! Balthezar!....an elder!"

"My love, he is only an elder...does he frighten you? I shall defend you..only give me the word."

"What? No! Stay...stay...no, we must find..I've been looking for, but I haven't told you, have I? I'd forgotten completely....I've been in a spell..." Pantheonia stumbled on with her story. She quickly told him the short version about her possibly becoming the next queen.

Together they ran to the old man. Princess Pantheonia called out to him, "Sir, sir, my good man, a minute of your time, please."

The old man stopped and turned to look at his persuers, "Princess Pantheonia, to what do I owe the honour of your presence?"

Pantheonia curtsied politely to the elder, "Sir, you are an elder, yes?"

"I am indeed, my lady...seek you council?"

"More wholly than you think, sir."

She told him of her need for a royal wise man should she become queen.

"A fine and respectable honour you offer me princess. I have, however dedicated my life to teaching the youth who come to the east river bank for what education I can give them. If it please my lady, I would continue to teach the children as the universe sees fit. However, I would not leave you without good council. We do have a young man at the hermitage who shows much promise as an elder. We have long believed that he would be much happier working in a more worldly office than we can offer him. Would you like for me to introduce you to him?"

The princess agreed and the old elder took her and Balthezar to the hermitage to meet the young, Elder Bertram. Both Pantheonia and Balthezar thought him most suitable for the Royal Office of Wiseman and convinced him to accept the possible position.

Since it appears that we are down to about two days before the big announcement we'll just leave the story at this point and continue on next week. Thank you all for reading my story...(((hugs))) Ly

Three Good Princesses; Episode VI

2009-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Princess Wordsworth's man-at-arms knocked loudly at the monastery gate and waited impatiently for the door to open for the princess was in a great hurry. When a cheerful young monk opened the gate, the man-at-arms questioned him immediately, "The locals say that an Elder keeps here, where is he?"

The young monk was undaunted by the soldier's boldness and answered with a smile, "Yes, brother Michael is an Elder, though he is very busy".

The soldier was not concerned with the Elder's business, "Tell him the princess Pantheonia wishes to seek his council, now!"

Startled, the monk gasped, "The princess! Goodness, yes, bring her in, don't leave her out in the carriage...I shall fetch Elder Michael."

The princess met the Elder and offered him the office of Royal Wiseman without even asking him one question, but she did have one requirement and that was that he be prepared to leave at this very minute. Elder Michael was flattered and agreed to step into the carriage at that very moment.

They all returned to the carriage; the man-at-arms, the princess and Elder Michael all got in. elder Michael sat quietly but the sight of the gagged and tied man in front of him made him rather uncomfortable. After five minutes he just had to ask, "I beg your pardon, my lady...but, the gentleman here? is he a dangerous criminal?

"No", was the princesses only answer.

"Perhaps he has been threatening to harm you or another"? The Elder tried again.

Again, the princess simply replied, "No".

The Elder felt a little more comfortable, but then something new bothered him, "Then, my lady, if he is an innocent, harmless man I must advise you that keeping an innocent man against his will is both immoral and unwise."

The princess glared at the man-at-arms, who as soon as he realized he was being glared at, called for the driver to stop. Before the carriage had completely stopped, poor Elder Michael had been tossed out on his ear.

The next day, in the next village, the royal carriage came to a stop. Again the two men-at-arms made inquiries regarding the possibilities of any local Elders. They were advised of the location of a hermitage in the forest.

The royal carriage promptly rode off into the woods. Princess Wordsworth was introduced to Elder Sarah, who also agreed to leave for the royal court at once. Alas, Elder Sarah was also moved by the sight of the poor bound man who sat across from her in the carriage and she made the mistake of judging princess Wordsworth's decision.

Elder Sarah was also tossed out on her ear.

The princess became very concerned that she would not get back to the castle by the opening day of the fair with a suitable Elder. However, things continued on as they had until they were sent to a cave to meet Elder Goddard. Like the others, Elder Goddard felt it his duty to provide council to the royal court if he was asked, so he got into the carriage.

Elder Goddard also looked dubiously at the bound man sitting in front of him. The Elder even went so far as to check the man's bindings to make sure they were not too tight. Satisfied that the man was in no immediate harm Elder Goddard said nothing for the remainder of the ride back to the castle.

So that is tonight's episode...my apologies for being late with this one. I've been baby-sitting a friend's cats which takes up a lot of creative time. Thank you for reading my story. Brightest Blessing to y'all.

THREE GOOD PRINCESSES (epidsode v)

2009-03-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

"I am astounded good sir!" gasped Princess Pantheonia as she gazed at a charcoal sketch of herself, "I have seen the work of many artists both at home and abroad, I try to keep up with the new talent, but never have I seen such beautiful work rendered so quickly. Have you any completed paintings with you that I might better judge your full talent?"

The artist pulled a small canvas from a stack of paintings that leaned against the building near his painter's stool where he had sat as he had done a quick charcoal study of the fair lady now before him.

Pantheonia looked at the painting - it too was a portrait of her. She brought her hand up to her heart and whispered, "Such passion....so profound....how is it that I have never seen your work before?"

"My dear lady....I am so pleased that you admire my work. My eyes have followed you these past days as you made your way through the market. You are as beautiful and fresh as a Spring morning. Might I say that with you as the muse, I could do naught but create a work of profound beauty. You are a walking, breathing study in elegance. 'Tis a rare gift indeed for the artist to meet the muse of his dreams in his waking moments.
I am Balthezar, my good lady, and I have come to your realm only a year ago. If I be not to presumptuous, might I have the lady's name to title my portraits?"

Well, you can completely understand that Princess Pantheonia forgot most of why she had been looking at the work of street artists. Already two weeks had past while Pantheonia had been searching for an artist-husband but these two now became so enthralled with each other that she forgot to bring up the subject of why she'd been in the market.

Ok, that's enough blathering from these two romantics....we'll check in on the other two princesses next week. Thanks for reading my story....namaste.

THREE GOOD PRINCESSES Episode IV

2009-02-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

It took a good week for Princess Wordsworth to get across the lands of the realm to get to her old university. It was time well spent she felt because the Queen's University was where all the really best students went to become notable lawyers, such as herself. Of course she had been allowed into the university without question. However, she had proved to be an excellent student and as a full fledged lawyer she had become a valuable asset in the king's service.

Inside the law building of the Queen's University a quiet professor paced pensively up and down the hall. He stopped pacing only when Sir Alfred Lairs came out of his office and spoke:

"Ah, yes...Aims, have you been waiting long? Why don't you come with me to the tavern...we'll discuss your issue over lunch...hmmm?"

"Well but for one thing friend Alfred....the tavern is only for lawyers." Replied Julius Aims.

"Indeed..Julius....here, why don't you just throw this on." Sir Alfred used one hand to pull his black lawyer's robe off of his own shoulders and tossed the cloak at Aims. It landed on Aims' head. He chuckled:

"I'm sure they can't tell one lawyer from another...as long as one eats and pays."

Aims pulled the cloak off of his head and flung it widely so that it clipped Sir Alfred smartly but landed on his own shoulders in a mess.

Laughing the two men walked down the hall casually already discussing Aimes' issue.

Outside, near the university entrance, Wordsworth stepped from her dusty carriage. She glanced left, right and even turned around to survey the grounds:

"Not many about...must all be at the noon day meal", she mumbled to herself.

"Just as well...fewer witnesses. Over a week getting here, a week to find an elder and possibly more than a week to return home. That leaves absolutely no time to be picky or judicious." Princess Wordsworth turned to her men-at-arms:

"Right...we've no time to waste, as soon as I make my choice you step in swiftly."

The princess walked through a side door of the university with the men-at-arms following at a discreet distance.

The halls were quite empty and when she checked a few rooms she found only small groups of professors with students or very old lawyers arguing legalities. Finally though, as she rounded a corner she spotted two young gentlemen deeply into their discussion and very much alone in the hallway. She stepped back around the corner so quickly that the two men-at-arms bumped into her. She furrowed her dark brows at them but said nothing.

She peered carefully around the corner. The taller gentleman had a sophisticated air, intelligent looking forehead and sounded very confident. Definitely not her man. The other man, she thought as she looked at his scuffled hair and ill fitting over-cloak looked like a potential candidate. His cloak indicated that he was obviously a graduate of the Queens University, but his unsophisticated style and the concerned look on his face told Wordsworth that he was not a lawyer doing a lot of highly paid work. Yes, Princess Wordsworth thought, this was her groom. She whispered to her men:

"The shorter one." Is all she said.

As soon as the gentlemen came around the corner, the men-at-arms knocked both professors unconscious. They quickly tied up Sir Alfred and stuck him into a nearby closet, but poor professor Aims was thrown over the shoulder of one of the soldiers and unceremoniously and quickly taken to the waiting dusty carriage and tossed in.

Princess Wordsworth was very pleased, and so would the poor professor be once he found out he was to marry a princess - of this Wordsworth was certain.

So, that is all I've written this week so it will have to do....thanks for reading my story...we'll be back next week to see how Pantheonia is doing.

Three Good Princesses (episode III)

2009-02-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile princess Wordsworth rode in a small, neat carriage pulled by a pair of sturdy horses. She was attended by two men-at-arms and she was already miles from home. As soon as the king had mentioned a groom, she knew exactly what kind of husband she wanted and where to find him. She would not settle for anything less than a well educated lawyer (as she herself was). On the other hand she did not want someone who would be constantly arguing with her or challenging her. So her goal was simply to find the worst, well educated lawyer she could find. Princess Wordsworth was heading for her old university at the far end of the realm.

Meanwhile, princess Pantheonia was not quite as decisive as her sister. However, she did know where she might go to 'put out feelers' and 'get inspired'. She rode off on her pony to the city market grounds where bohemian artists would be displaying their talents; philosophers would be having heated discussions and writers would be taking it all in and jotting down notes.

Pantheonia felt certain she would find a handsome creative type who would be the perfect foil to her own sensibilities.

For the next few days Pantheonia wandered about the market and tea shops, stopping to discuss politics, church verses state, raising families, weighing the good and bad of various past and current rulers and all manner of topics in her search for the right man.

Back at the castle a week had passed and princess Evergreen still had not found a piece of land near the river and near the castle. We join her now as she rides her pony along the road that runs parallel to the river. But she was now on the other side of the river for she had already scouted the castle side without luck.

As she knew she would, she soon came across Mr. Feldson. He was felling the smaller oaks of his ancient oak grove for firewood. Evergreen felt great sorrow for this magnificant ancient grove.

"Good morning Mr. Feldson, I see you've decided to continue felling your oaks." She called out loudly so that Mr. Feldson would hear over his chopping.

"It must be so princess Evergreen - It's free wood for me. I haven't enough money to buy wood elsewhere, as you know." He answered politely.

"Well how about if I found you a forest with plenty of dead fall?" asked the princess.

"I'd be happy to burn dead fall my lady, but I haven't enough horses or a sled to transport the wood back to my property here." Mr. Feldson replied.

"I see your dilemma good sir - How if you at least leave off cutting down oaks for a couple of weeks while I tease out a solution?" Evergreen asked desperately.

"I'd love to grant you the time, my lady, but my son is here now to help me. In a month he'll be off to the next village to start his new job - then I'll be without help."

Disappointed at not having a solution Evergreen rode on - she wanted to check with some members of the gardeners' guild to see how the flower competition preparations were coming along for the upcoming fair. After that she had to meet up with a group of neighbours who'd agreed to get together at home of a neighbour to help repair his home after a fire had destroyed a part of it.

Evergreen would spend the afternoon there and on her way home she would stop at the widow Meda's home to see if the old lady would be willing to give up some of the dead fall in her woods in exchange for Mr. Feldson collecting wood for her supply. Then all Evergreen would have to do is find a sled for Mr. Feldson to transport the wood.

That'll do for now....hopefully I'll be able to post on Sunday this week. Thanks for reading my story. (((hugs)))

Three Good Princesses, episode II

2009-02-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

Now the princesses enjoyed a lively session of chatter before queen mommy finally shushed them to announce that king daddy had something special to say. The ladies shushed and king stood up and smoothed his beard before he said,

“Yes, yes, now my dear princesses are all gifted, talented young women, any one of you would be perfectly suited to be the next queen. However, your mother and I want to make certain that we choose the right queen and therefore we have devised a test to help us make that decision.

Now, I know that you ladies have all been very busy with your educations and your pursuits, but your mother and I have agreed that one of the things that has made our reign so special has been that we have always been able to share the good times and the bad times with each other.

Therefore, we are giving you all one month to go out into the realm to find your future king and, as every ruler can always use some good council, you must also find yourself a wise advisor. We know, of course, that does not seem like a lot of time but a good ruler must be a quick and good judge of character and must also be able to make fast decisions from time to time.

So, there you have it....you must bring your future king and your future advisor here before us on the first day of the Kingdom Fair and queen and I will announce our royal choice.”

Well, you can imagine that the princesses were all very excited about the news. They all three were as proud of the realm as the king and queen were. They loved their parents and agreed that it was time the couple relaxed and enjoyed a normal life. They also agreed that they were all responsible for keeping the kingdom peaceful and prosperous and must therefore try their very best to find responsible partners.

With that in mind princess Wordsworth and princess Pantheonia asked the royal parents to bless their quests and they ran to their rooms to pack their bags.

Princess Evergreen was not in such a hurry though. She sipped her cup of tea and asked the royal parents if they had any specific plans in mind for their retirement.

“Well”, queen mommy said, “We’ve been doing so much travelling during our reign, what with keeping up with foreign countries and being accessible to the public and all – what we’d really like is just to stay at home and relax. I would like to grow roses and maybe even have some ready for next year’s competition at the fair. And, Daddy here has always wanted to start a private library; you know collect books and muse over them by a nice cozy fire.”

“Well then”, said Evergreen, “You won’t want to be clamouring around this huge castle. Everyone will find you out and pester you with questions and concerns and they’ll never give the new queen a chance. I know.....why don’t you buy a small parcel of land near the castle? You could always pop by easily if you like but you’ll have peace and privacy in your own quiet little home.”

“That sounds perfectly suitable”, exclaimed king Olaf, “I am already looking forward to doing a bit of fishing in the river and tilling up a bit of earth for your garden my dear.”

“Alright then, let us all keep our eyes and ears open for an available piece of land. Now, with your permission, Mommy? Daddy? I must attend to old widow Meda. She is concerned about her supply of firewood for next winter.”

“But, Evergreen darling”, questioned Mother, “Hadn’t you better start your search for a groom?”

“Oh Mommy, I’m sure that will resolve itself in time. You must dream about your rose gardens and your libraries, and I must search for firewood”.

With a gentle curtsy Evergreen left the royal parents muttering to herself about people who chop down young oak trees.

Three Good Princesses

2009-01-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time in a kingdom far far away, there lived a very happy royal couple.

King Olaf and Queen Deirdre were very benevolent rulers and they had created a wonderful happy kingdom.

But they had been ruling for many many years and now they wished to just enjoy their kingdom like any ordinary folk without having to be constantly concerned with the daily affairs of running a castle and a country.

The problem was which of their three good and intelligent daughters should wear the crown next? They loved all of their daughters and so they could not decide. However, they did decide to call in their wise Elder to help them make a decision.

The eldest daughter, Wordsworth, was a lawyer. True, she was a little headstrong and aggressive but then being able to hold your ground was an important trait if you were to be a strong ruler.

The second daughter, Pantheonia, was an architect. She was rather more concerned with creative, artsy things, but again being able to come up with creative ideas was very helpful when developing a growing kingdom.

And the third daughter, Evergreen,.....well Evergreen was a little less formal with her education. She spent a lot of time in the Royal Garden and on the Royal Grounds, and in the Royal Forest, and in the neighbours fields, and in their gardens, and in the community forests, and .....well, lets face it - she was a bit of a tree hugger. But if nothing else, the Royal Couple and their wise Elder all agreed that at least she would have a good lay of the land.

The wise Elder did have a suggestion so one day after spending the entire morning dealing with decisions about which bridges needed to rebuilt and which ones merely needed repairing, and

settling disputes, and dealing with foreign dignitaries, the King and Queen requested that their three princess daughters to come for a Royal Tea.

So there is the beginning of our next story....Thank you for reading, and we'll see you next week.

With Roba's Help IX

2009-01-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

After leaving Laudina's shop, Roba decided to walk home. It was quite a walk but she needed the time to think of another approach that she might take with Laudina. The Elf seemed to be so good with children, Roba could not figure out why she was not trying to raise a family of her own.

The walk proved unproductive, all she had decided was that she would not worry about Laudina for now, she would just concern herself with her own shop and if Laudina was not able to discipline herself then she could work as Roba's employee if she liked.

With that decision made Roba made sure that she kept herself very busy so that she did not have to worry about the Elf or about the possibility of never having a child.

One morning, Roba awoke earlier than usual. She wondered what it was that had awakened her, but she could not remember hearing a noise, or feeling cold, nor anything unusual. Since she was awake though she decided to ask her body how it was doing. This was just a little meditative practise that her mother-in-law had taught her. She had just started, when she suddenly knew that she was pregnant! Her body felt distinctively different. There was more 'activity' in her very cells. She could not explain it, even to herself...but she was absolutely certain.

She reached over and shook her husband awake, "Tinteán, I am pregnant, I am pregnant....we will have a baby!"

Tinteán jumped up, startled by all the yelling and not quite understanding, "What's wrong, what happened?"

"I am pregnant, we're going to be parents!" shouted Roba.

"That's great, that's wonderful, Roba.....finally, but I thought you said the Elf couldn't even get her business off the ground never mind being anywhere near having a child....so, how can you be pregnant?"

Roba was as perplexed as Tinteán, "I don't know...your mother is never wrong....we will have to ask her when she gets back. At the moment I don't really care."

And she continued not to care about how this was possible for the next nine months. Laudina was not able to discipline herself enough to get the adult shoes made, so unhappily for Laudina, she had to go work as a clerk for Roba. This was just as well for as Roba got bigger with child, she needed extra help at the shop.

When Baba Yaga got back home she was as surprised as Roba had been and had no explanation for the blessed event.

Roba finally had her wonderful, healthy baby girl nine months later and the little family was over joyed. One day when the baby was just a month old, Tinteán had to leave for just one night so Roba asked Laudina to stay in the house with her and the baby. Laudina was very honoured to be asked into the home of the new baby. She had always been enamoured of the large size of human babies. She thought them exquisitely funny.

So that evening while Roba prepared supper for the two of them, she could hear Laudina playing with the baby. Intrigued by the song the Elf was singing, Roba put down her stirring spoon and walked over to the door of the baby's room and looked in. There was Laudina sitting in the rocking chair with the comparatively large baby in her lap. She sang a sweet lullaby and smiled at the child and tickled it's chin until the infant smiled. Roba could see that Laudina was beside herself with awe and joy.

Roba suddenly realized the moment that had made it possible for her to have a child. It had been the moment that she had told Laudina that if she ever had a child she would want Laudina to be it's nanny. That was the moment Roba's baby also became Laudina's. Roba felt this was wonderful, Laudina was very good with children and now she could help Roba with all of her children, for she knew she would have more.

"Laudina", Roba whispered, "How would you like to start yet another career?"

"Oh, I don't know Mrs., I admit I haven't been much of a shop keeper yet, and I'm getting used to The Emporium. If it's all the same to you..."

"Nonsense", interrupted Roba, "This is the perfect career for you and I know that you will be perfect at it. How would you like to be the nanny for my baby?"

"Mrs.? My very own big baby to watch over? That would....that would...be perfect! I'm very good with children you know."

"Yes, I know", smiled Roba, "you can start your new career right now".

And so Laudina became the nanny for all of Roba's five children, and there has never been a better nanny in all of Kenning Stone.

The End.

With Roba's Help VIII

2009-01-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

For the next month Laudina spent time with a professional cobbler, she worked very hard and the Cobbler reported to Roba that Laudina had been an excellent student, very professional. It was agreed that for the next few months she would spend one day a week with the cobbler, but otherwise she go back to her shop to see how she would do on her own.

Roba rented the basic tools of a cobbler’s trade and searched for a small supply of leathers to start Laudina off in her second shop. There were no other cobblers in the immediate area so if Laudina just worked hard the shop stood a very good chance of succeeding.

On the first morning of Laudina’s new opening Roba stood at the door of Laudina’s shop and looked at her, “Now, you understand that this is not a place for children to play. Yes?” Laudina looked a little hurt, but she nodded, then Roba continued, “And people and elves will come off the street to order a pair of shoes and you will measure their feet and you will make shoes for them, yes?” Laudina picked up a piece of cut leather and with just a hint of indignation in her voice she said, “I have already started on a pair of ladies’ shoes to show customers the quality of my work, does that satisfy you?” Roba only smiled weakly and said, “I’ll be back in a couple of days ......good luck”.

Roba hurried to her own shop....she really could not continue playing this game with Laudina. She certainly could not keep throwing money at her business ventures if there was no promise of their success. And more to the point, Laudina seemed completely disinterested in getting married. Roba had been paying a nice single grocer to deliver groceries to Laudina, and she completely ignored his suggestions to take her out. She had especially found an old cobbler with an elf apprentice in the hopes that Laudina might find something in common with the apprentice elf, but that too fell flat. If she would not get married and didn’t want to have a baby, Roba was hoping that perhaps a successful business would be Laundina’s ‘baby’. The problem with that was that Roba wasn’t sure she had enough money or time to find that special talent in Laudina.

Roba was so busy at her own shop for the next week that she had little time to worry about how Laudina was doing. She was just finishing the work on a special order for a young lady’s birthday gift when her assistant, Leeha reminded her for the fourth time about the new cobbler. Roba jumped up, “Oh dear, I was suppose I’d better go see how she is doing. I am almost afraid to think of what I will find. I guess I will run over now if you don’t mind.”

On her way over to the shop Roba tried to be positive. She imagined finding Laudina hard at work on her fifth pair of shoes. She imagined the Elf wrapping a pair of expensive shoes for a well to do lady. She pictured the well to do lady asking Laudina if she would have time to make a pair of shoes for her daughter’s birthday. Roba was actually feeling pretty good as she came up to the shop and opened the shop door.

‘Ah finally’, Roba said to herself as she stepped into the shop. For there was Laudina pushing a newly made shoe onto a child’s foot and tying up the laces. The child was very pleased and smiled with glee as she twirled in circles looking at her new shoes. Roba clapped her hands together, “Good work Laudina, I am so happy to see this.” As Laudina hopped off of her stool and smoothed her skirts, the young girl leaned down to the Elf and gave her a big hug and ran out the door. Roba looked around the shop...”But where is the child’s parent? Ah..the shoes were paid for beforehand, now that is very clever Laudina....perhaps you are meant to be a cobbler after all.”

Laudina fussed over a mess of leathers trying to put it into order, but she said nothing. Roba stopped smiling, “The shoes are paid for aren’t they Laudina?” Laudina did not look up. “How many shoes have you made and given away to children then? Laudina?”

“You will be pleased to hear that I have four legitimate orders.....they will be paid for.” Laudina looked up at Roba. Roba thought carefully about what the Elf had just said, and she responded carefully, “That is wonderful Laudina, very good news and how many shoes have you made and given away to children?”

“Four”, answered Laudina.

“And how many of the ‘legitimate’ shoes have you started working on?” asked Roba

“None.....but there is time yet.”

“Laudina, I am sure I don’t need to tell you those shoes are the ones that should be made first. It is great that you are making good quality shoes, but customers will be very unhappy if they have to wait too long to receive them.”

“The children need shoes now.” Was her only response because she was now busy polishing a small newly made pair of shoes that were obviously for another needy child.

“But Laudina, I can’t keep giving you money to make shoes for children.....this will not help your shop to succeed. Oh Laudina, I was so hoping that this would work. Perhaps we should just find you a good job. If I had children I would certainly want you to be their nanny....you seem to be very good with children, but I suppose that is not likely to happen either.” But Laudina was not paying attention to anything Roba was saying for she was busy attaching big satin bows to the pair of shoes in her lap. She held them up for Roba to admire. Roba smiled and walked to the door.....”You will start to work on the ordered shoes immediately won’t you?” Roba spoke loudly. “If all four pairs of shoes are not completed by the end of the month we will just have to find you a good job and leave behind your dreams of owning a shop. I am sorry Laudina.”

Laudina put down the pretty little shoes and went to the counter. She picked up a large foot pattern, and a large piece of leather and started to trace the pattern. Roba left the shop much less excited than when she had entered it.

That's it for now then, hope I see back here next week. Thanks for reading my story.

With Roba's Help Episode VII

2009-01-04T10:44:00.001-08:00

By six o’clock that evening Laudina was being whisked away in a fine small carriage by a very formal, courteous business Elf by the name of Mr. Tedador Blouse. Laudina had been so impressed that she actually gave Roba a little knowing wink before getting into the carriage. Roba was pleased that things appeared to be going well. Tomorrow morning she would be leaving on a weeklong trip with Tinteán and now Roba felt like at least a little had been accomplished.

Seven days later Roba returned from her trip. She was anxious to catch up with Laudina’s news about the shop and the gentleman. It was well before closing time so she hurried over to Laudina’s shop as soon as she had changed and unpacked.

As Roba neared Laudina’s shop she heard many cheery voices coming from the shop. “Finally”, thought Roba, “There seems to be a lot of business going on in there, that is wonderful for Laudina”. But, when she stepped inside she was shocked. The shop was filled with about ten children of all ages. They all had a long string in their hands onto which they were stringing beads and baubles of all kinds. Laudina was sitting cross-legged on the floor with the children. As soon as she saw Roba, though, she popped up and dawned her proper mature Elf image.

“Mrs. Roba, you are home! Wonderful....would you like to inspect the wonderful

work that these children have been doing?”

“Miss Laudina, may I have word with you in the back room first?”

As soon as they got to the back room, Laudina turned to Roba, "Mrs. Roba, I am certain you will be very amused at the work the children have been doing....”

Yes I am sure I would but it certainly will not be up to saleable standards. Furthermore, I don’t see any paying customers in here. Have you sold anything while I was gone?

Well ......

Have any customers come into the shop?

Well.....I’ve been so busy with the children all week....

All week? How did this start?

Well the very night you sent me off with that Mr. Blouse. We were riding along to the restaurant all nice like and we were passing the shop on our way, so as I was pointing it out to Mr. Blouse when I noticed three children looking very confused. I called to the driver to stop and I asked the children what was their problem. They said they had lost their way and they were trying to get home to supper. So of course I asked Mr. Blouse would he mind if we brought the children to supper with us before we took them home and he says, ‘We will not be dining with any children tonight under any circumstances!’ Very certain he was, so I got out of the carriage and brought

the children in here. I gave them beads and string to keep them busy while I made sandwiches for them. Then I took them to their homes. It was a fine evening.

And then...

Well the next day they came back to say thank you. They were very polite children. They brought some friends along and asked if they could play with the beads again.....and well I just couldn’t send them away, we were having such fun.

Dear Laudina, I don’t mind you having fun with children or helping children. In fact I’d be very pleased if you had some children, but you must make time for your business if you want to be a shop keeper. Are you sure you want to be a shop keeper?

Oh yes, Mrs. Roba, please don’t think otherwise, please!

The next day, before closing time Roba hurried over to Laudina’s shop, “How are things going today Laudina,” She asked. But Laudina looked bored and uninterested in the work she had in her hands.

Oh alright, I guess. A lady came in today, I showed her some earrings and she liked them well enough. She bought them.

You don’t sound very pleased.

Oh, I am....it’s just not as much fun without the children.

Laudina? I hate to say this but, perhaps jewellery isn’t the thing for you to be doing. Maybe we should try something else. Is there anything else you might be interested in?

Shoes! I have always been interested in shoes.

Shoes? You want to sell shoes?

No, no, there’s nothing creative in selling shoes, I’ve always wanted to make shoes.

Oh my, Laudina, well alright, how about I arrange for you to apprentice with a cobbler for a little bit and we’ll see how that goes. You are going to work very hard aren’t you?

Roba was genuinely feeling sorry for the Elf, she liked Laudina and hoped that even if she herself could not have a child she would at least like to succeed in helping the Elf succeed.....but it wasn’t looking good.

That will have to do for now....have a great week....and namaste.

With Roba's Help VI

2008-12-27T16:40:00.001-08:00

VI

That evening Roba and Tinteán discussed the possibilities of helping Laudina. They agreed to find a reasonably good shop to rent for her that was not too far from The Emporium. They would rent it for one year and see how well she was doing at that point.

Tinteán was not at all sure that anyone was going to get pregnant as a result of this, but he knew his wife was quite capable of making things happen. As for Laudina, well it sounded as if she could use the help in any case. He was willing to invest in both her and Roba.

However, he had his doubts about Roba’s plan to get the Elf married off so that both women could have babies. From what Roba told him, it sounded like the Elf was too old to have babies. He felt that Roba was conveniently forgetting this fact.

Roba, of course, had not forgotten about it at all. She knew that stranger things had happened in her own life – anything was possible. Furthermore, if she could get Laudina set up successfully she would make that much more of a good catch. For now she would go along with the Elf’s wish of being a shop keeper.

So the next morning Roba and Tinteán searched for and found a rather small, but cozy, well built shop with living quarters upstairs. It was only a couple of streets down from The Emporium. Tinteán took notes and measurements and sent a couple of his carpenters to build shelves and displays. It had been decided that Laudina would focus on inexpensive handmade jewellery for now. That would keep things simple for her and it would not conflict so directly with The Emporium.

Roba had many old jewellery making tools and a lot of supplies so she had enough to start Laudina off. However, Roba sent Laudina to her favourite supplier to find a few more items that were a little more Laudina’s style and colour.

For the next month, every day, for two hours, Roba made time to sit with Laudina in her shop and taught her how to make jewellery, how to price items, how to complete a sale, and how to keep records. After that month, all the items were put on display and the shop was made ready to open and the shop was opened.

Laudina felt excited and nervous, and Roba felt hopeful. Roba asked Leeha to help at the new shop for Laudina’s first two days and after that she would have to leave Laudina on her own because things at Roba’s shop were falling so far behind. So she told Laudina, “I will come and check on things at the end of the day, alright? Have good day tomorrow Laudina.”

Roba worked at her own shop all day. Just before closing she had a chat with Leeha and asked her if she wouldn’t mind closing so that she could go and check the other shop and give her the news. Before she even got to the door of the new shop, Roba noticed that the closed sign was still up. She rapped loudly on the door, calling, “Laudina, Laudina, are you in there? Hello?” She peered in and there she saw Laudina, scurrying for the door,

“Oh, Mrs. Roba is it that time? It’s been so quiet here today, I just thought I’d take a little noon nap.”

“Laudina, it’s closing time, have you had the closed sign up all day?”

“The closed sign?...Oh...oh dear me, isn’t that a funny thing? I must have forgotten to turn it round. Well that would certainly explain why there have been no customers, eh?”

“Laudina!”

“I know, I know...I promise, I will not forget tomorrow, I promise. Dear me, how could such a thing happen?”

“You must pay attention. Well, leave that for now, I was just having a chat with Leeha and she’s met a nice gentleman, Elf, Elf gentleman, who is in the business, has a fine jeweller’s shop in another district. He’s a widower also, and she thought the two of you might hit it off. He’d like to take you to dinner tonight. How would you like that?”

“A gentleman? What! Now?”

“Well, you could go upstairs to freshen up first. I’ll go home now and send a carriage to pick you up. The two of you will meet at my house. That sounds alright doesn’t it?”

“To tell you the truth Mrs. I’m a might bushed, I thought I’d go up for a cup of tea and lie down.”

“Laudina, you just woke from a long nap. Now, upstairs, I’m sending a carriage.”

Well, now that the shop is going and Laudina has a gentleman caller everything seems to be running according to Roba's plan so we will leave them until next week. So thank you for reading my story. Namaste.

WITH ROBA'S HELP; Episode V

2008-12-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

Roba stared at the door as it closed behind Baba Yaga.

"Roba?" Tinteán asked, "Are you alright?"

"Did you hear that?" She asked still staring at the door. "What has the elf got to do with me having a baby?"

"Darling, you and my Grandmother are far more knowledgeable about the strange turns of the Universe than I am. I cannot possibly answer a question like that. Why don't you hire her to work in the shop, see how it goes...and take it from there?"

"I don't think that will be enough, she wanted a shop of her own. She wants to be independent - like me!"

"Perhaps she has only come up with the idea of a shop because she hasn't a husband and so children are not an option for her right now." Tinteán reasoned.

"Well, how am I supposed to change her options? Am I to find her a husband?"

"Dear Roba, go find her, talk to her, let her work in the shop - see where that takes you."

"Yes, I will do that much...but, hold on, I've sent her away! I don't know where she's gone to. And, I cannot think about this right now, I must open the shop soon. "

Roba and Tinteán ate their breakfast and tidied up the kitchen before saying their good-byes for the day. By the time she had walked to the shop she'd managed to calm herself a little and was able to think a little clearer; 'I will make this work', she thought to herself, 'because we do want to have a baby. When the child comes, I will certainly have to make time for it, so I'd better make time for it now.'

As she came up to the shop, Roba realized that she would not have to look far to find Laudina, for there she stood in front of the shop door. Before she had a chance to say anything Laudina bowed her head. She said, "Good morning Mrs., it seems we are alike in that we like to get to our duties early."

Roba said nothing, she unlocked the door of the shop and stepped just inside the threshold, where she turned and looked at Laudina and said, "If you go find Leeha, convince her that you were the ghost and bring her back to me, then you and I can sit down and talk about business, yes?"

Laudina nearly smiled in spite of herself, "Mrs. Roba, you are a fair woman indeed, and I shall return with your former shop girl. We Elves are very good at convincing people...ahem...yes, well I'd better be off then."

Roba opened the doors and went on to have a busy day of taking care of customers, filling orders, receiving goods, and stocking her shelves but she had no time to create any new work. A week or two of this and she would be running very low on items. However, she promised herself that she would not worry about that, the Elf was right, she was very convincing and Roba was certain the Leeha would be returned to her.

The Elf did prove to be right about her powers to convince; the next morning Leeha showed up at the shop with Laudina. Roba thanked Leeha for returning and asked her to get the shop ready for the day while she took Laudina to the back of the shop;

"Sit down Laudina," Roba managed to speak before the Elf started talking. "Laudina, you said that you and your late husband had never had children. If you don't mind, would you please tell me why that was?"

Laudina thought this was a strange question from a potential employer, but she was anxious to please Roba, so she complied, "Well, I don't rightly know, we tried of course; it just never happened. I did want a child at one time, of course the Old Woman of the Oak Tree said I was destined to care for a much larger creation. Course I'm a bit old to have a child now. She was the wise one of our village you know. Is one required to have a child to work here, is that why you ask?"

"What?, no, no.....I was only asking." Roba was unsure of how to proceed, "Are you perhaps courting anyone now? Not, not...that it's necessary...it's just, well, I... I don't know anything about you....I like to know something about my employees, that's all."

"I'm not courting anyone now, no....as I've said I've been putting all of my energy and resources into the idea of a shop."

"So there's no possibility of you starting a family soon, getting married and all of that?"

"As I've said, I'm a little too old to be starting that....a husband maybe...but a child....I should think you'd be the one interested in that kind of thing. You are very young, just married."

"Yes, yes...I am rather interested in that....yes of course. That is why I ask.....I find it an interesting subject." So, what kind of shop were you interested in starting? You say you're prepared to put all of your resources into it, what kind of resources do you speak of?"

"Well, now we are talking about something interesting! I find all of these sparkling jewels and glittering chains and satin ribbons in your shop wonderfully amusing. Since it is what you know best perhaps that would be easiest for me to learn and for you to teach."

"And your resources?"

"Ah, well there I was referring to my talent, my ambition, my love of beautiful things."

"Oh....alright.....do you have an exsisting store, here in the village? Any cash with which to purchase stock, supplies, that kind of thing?"

"No, dear, no....this is why I've come to you...you must help me to gather all of this and put it into order and so on. Yes?"

Roba did not know what to say next. She took Laudina's hand and lead her to Leeha, "Leeha I am sure you can find some packing or stocking for Laudina to do, if you wouldn't mind. Then come and see me in my office please."

Not long after, Leeha joined Roba in her office, "You wanted a word with me Mrs.?"

"Yes, dear, Leeha do you know many Elves, any Elves, adult male Elves?"

"A few", Leeha answered, scrunching up her brows, "Why do you ask?"

"Ah, it's just poor Laudina....having to find a career now at her age....and she's all alone. That's...that's why I hired her, and I want to help her and I just thought if she had ....someone, a friend....it might be easier for her." Do you know someone who might be interested?"

"Not off hand no, how about I think about it, ask around. I'll get back to you, alright?"

"Yes, that sounds fine for now, thank you."

Roba was flustered for the rest of day trying to devise a plan whereby Laudina might get pregnant. But each plan seemed more rediculous than the last until she finally resolved to leave the whole business alone until she could talk to Tinteán about it that night.

I think that is plenty for tonight, so BRIGHTEST BLESSINGS to all of you for the CHRISTMAS SEASON. Thank you for reading my story, see you again shortly.

With Roba's Help IV

2008-12-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

The very proper elf now lowered her gaze and said nothing.

"Well...are you?" Roba folded her arms and prepared to wait. She did not have to wait long though, the elf raised her head and smiled. This time she spoke much faster,

"It's just that I know I would make a good shop keeper - just like you! I've been...studying you. I could really learn from you. It's...it's because my husband has died and we were never blessed with children that they might help me now and I was at my wits end.

But then you came back from your trip to Yugoslavia and started up your shop again and it just blossomed my dear. You were such a success and you took care of yourself. I need to do that, and I thought; I could do that! I could run a shop...if you would teach me.

But, but you did not hire me and well, I thought, I thought if no one else could work for you then you would have to hire me. And if you gave me a chance - you would see, you would see. Well I just had to try something. You see?"

Roba sighed with impatience. It would be so much work to train her.

"At the moment", Roba began slowly, " I am too angry to say anything, except that I do not want to see you in my baby room again. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mrs. Roba"

"Then please leave my house, now."

Laudina stepped down from the rocking chair and walked towards the door. Before walking throgh the door she turned and looked at Roba and said, "Thank you for reconsidering me as your new shop keeper." With that she walked briskly to the front door and left.

Roba went to the kitchen to start breakfast regardless of how early it was. Tinteán soon joined her and so she told him about how she had found her 'unhappy spirit'. Just then Baba (Tinteán's grandmother) came in carrying a small travelling bag and a coat, to make this announcement,

"Just last night I got the strongest urge to go visit Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle behind the Round Hill, so I will be gone for a few weeks. Before I leave though, I have come to check on something with you Roba dear. You haven't had any dealings with a particular Elf have you? Lately"

Roba knew that her husband's grandmother was a very astute and wise woman. She had a way of knowing things that others did not. Therefore, Roba knew that Baba's question was no simple matter.

"Yes, I have just this morning in fact. Why do you ask? What do you know about Laudina?"

"Ah, is that her name", Baba asked, "Well I don't really know much about her, but I can tell you this my dear. You will not have a baby of your own until you help this Laudina to have the baby she has always wanted."

"Baba! What news is this? I do not know this Elf. How do I help her to have a baby? She said nothing about having a baby. She said she wanted to start a shop."

"Roba, I only know what I know, and I am sorry but I must be off now. I don't know when I will be back so I wish you all the brightest blessings with your situation.

Thanks for reading my story, Namaste and we'll see you next week.

Paper Digital Art & Images by Kim Challenge

2008-12-12T16:50:00.001-08:00

I've been working on a Challenge over at PDA. What alot of fun that has been. If you signed up for the project you received a free digital art page and WOW was this a fabulous page. I was very inspired by it and the other requirements for the challenge, they were:

You had to use the phrase "IN MY WORLD...", and you had to use at least one of the 'rusty' items that was displayed and you had to use at least one of the images from the digital page.

And lastly (or rather firstly) you had to make some distressed paper which was easy cause the challenge was preceeded by a tutorial for distressing paper. That was the most aromatic fun I've ever had!

I am currently working on putting together a book, and some of my pages for the book were not turning out right. Since the PDA chal lenge was about recycling I decided to recycle these pages into a second book. This second book became my Challenge Entry. So above you've got the cover and following this we have the interior pages:
The text from the original book had to be covered so I recycled papers like the paper used to wrap Christmas oranges and others which I distressed myself.

With Roba's Help, Episode III

2008-12-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

Here we are telling the story of: 'With Roba's Help'

III
To get at the source of her‘unhappy spirit’ problem, Roba stayed in the shop for the whole day. She touched and looked at everything and anything. She searched every corner, she checked the door and the floors for creaks, she checked the windows for drafts. She even checked the chimney for possible spirits.

By the end of the day not one strange thing had happened so after Roba and Tinteán had supper she bid him a good night. She collected a blanket and a pillow and went back to the shop. There she made herself comfortable on a small sofa and closed her eyes.

The next morning she woke very early, but other than that she had slept well and soundly....not one disturbance. Exasperated at not having found a ghost or even a large rat, Roba started to walk home. The twilight air was crisp but calm and peaceful. However, Roba’s thoughts were not peaceful. Her search for an unhappy spirit had proved as fruitless as she herself was.

She did not dwell on these thoughts but because she had been thinking about it she went first to the empty crib. She would just sit still beside it and wait for morning. It was still too early to prepare breakfast. The house was quite dark, so Roba carried a small candle to light her path. She looked at the empty crib and imagined a small baby sleeping peacefully. Roba stood quietly, eyes closed, taking notice of her own body. Was there anything different yet? Did she feel different in any way? Did she feel any more tired, nervous, more full of life? Did she even feel hungrier, anything?

“No”, she answered herself, “I feel just like myself”. She had spoken out loud and just as she finished she felt the rocking chair beside her rock just a bit. Roba waved the candle over the chair but all she saw was a patch quilt bundled up in the seat of the rocking chair. Roba put down the candle and made to pick up the quilt for she intended to sit and rock for a while. She picked up the quilt, but there was still something on the rocker, a child, curled up on the seat.
Roba leaned forward to have a closer look, “Not a child, an elf” she whispered, “What are you doing in here?”

“Mrs. Roba, good morning. Thank you for providing me with lodging for the night, you have been very kind.”

“You have not been invited into my house”! Roba reminded the elf, “Who are you and why are you in my rocking chair?”

The elf stood up on the seat of the rocking chair so that her soft black eyes looked right into Roba’s eyes. She answered in the typically stiff, polite manner of elves, “I am so pleased to finally be meeting you. My name is Laudina Bursa. I have followed you here from your old shop. I knew of you when you were yet with your old shop. I have been in you shops. They are unique and their ambience is harmonious. You have been very creative and successful. You have started a new shop here, so I have come here to find you to ask you for something.”

The elf had been speaking so slowly that it took Roba a while to realize that it was now her turn to speak, “You had to sneak into my house to ask me something?”

“No, of course not”. Laudina continued to look directly at Roba as she spoke.

“Wait up”, Roba said suspiciously, “I know you...I remember you...from somewhere.

Laudina said nothing, she waited.

“You came to the new shop; you wanted to be the sales clerk.” Roba remembered her well now. Laudina had been one of the first to apply for the position. She had no experience at shop keeping, or keeping books and no experience with art. Possibly a year from now, when the shop would be in full swing, routines well established, everything in order, Roba would be happy to take on a novice. Now though she needed someone who knew what they were doing so she had sent Laudina away.

“I still do want to be the sales clerk”, Laudina replied with what Roba could only describe as hope in her voice.

Again, Roba looked at the elf suspiciously, “You haven’t been the ‘unhappy spirit’ that’s caused three of my clerks to run home, are you?”

That was a long one! Thanks for reading my story...we'll continue next week, Namaste.

With Roba's Help II

2008-11-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

If you want to have some fun go join Paper Digital Art and Images by Kim, She is hosting a Way Big Distressing Paper Tutorial/Challenge that goes to December 14th - so there's lots of time to play.

Here's Roba - sans pic

Everything had been going smoothly since the day she had been married about a year ago. After the wedding her husband immediately began working on their new home. Tinteán was a building contractor and he made it his first order of business to have a beautiful country home for his new bride and a cozy modern building in town for her shop.
The buildings were finished at about the same time and it took a good bit of time to furnish and organize both. But the newlyweds had enjoyed all of this very much. They both enjoyed the creative aspects of their lives and they also enjoyed travelling.
Whenever Tinteán had to leave town to see about constructing a building elsewhere, or if he had to buy supplies, Roba would go with him to see what kind of jewels, stones, paper or ribbons she could find for her art work. Her new shop was now even more successful than the old one she used to have in her home town.
As their life together was taking on the smooth rhythm of work, evenings at home and a bit of travelling Mr. And Mrs. Tá me made wistful comments about filling those empty bedrooms they had built in hopes of having a family. But it had been over a year now since they had begun to talk about it and still Roba knew she was not pregnant. Although neither potential parent was overly distraught or discourage, still they felt it would be wonderful to share their full life with children.It was just as well though for at the moment Roba had to look even harder for a new shop clerk. Better still she should find the source of the “unhappy spirit.”

'WITH ROBA'S HELP'

2008-11-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

If you want to have some fun go join Paper Digital Art and Images by Kim, She is hosting a Way Big Distressing Paper Tutorial/Challenge that goes to December 14th - so there's lots of time to play.

I'm posting my second story today without a picture - I've been working on another project and just have not had time. I'll see what I can do about getting the real pic number one up before next Sunday! So here is 'With Roba's Help'.

Leeha waited nervously for Mrs. Tá me to walk through the door. She could not arrive fast enough. Leeha had only been working at The Art Emporium for two weeks. It was a beautiful, brand new, cozy shop and she'd love to keep working here but she just could not take the strange ocurrences any more. Twice already this morning (and it was only 10:00) she had been scared out of her wits when objects flew across the room and nearly it her.

Ah, here is the mistress coming now, thought Leeha as she ran to the door watching the space about her for flying objects. "Mrs. Tá me, I am very sorry", Leeha blurted out before Mrs. Tá me was even completely through the door, "I really love the shop and the customers and you but I really cannot take these unhappy spirits any more. I must quit."

Roba Tá me was fast becoming an unhappy spirit herself, "But Leeha we've been getting on so well, you are a clever sales girl...surely we can work this out?"

Leeha shook her head slowly, "I'm truly sorry Mrs..but just this morning it was throwing things at me! I really think it hates me. I am sorry...I must go." She spoke quickly as she stepped out of the door and hurried down the street.

Roba stepped away from the door and allowed the young lady to exit. She had no answers for these young girls...this was the third clerk who was frightened into quitting because of some mischievous spirit. Roba herself had not seen, heard or felt anything odd. She had no idea what these girls were talking about.

As long as Roba was in the shop, or if there was a customer about the emporium was a peaceful, successful shop. Now Roba had to tend the shop herself and she had so many other things to attent to. Like looking for a new shop clerk. Leeha had already been difficult to find because word was getting around that the shop was haunted.

Thanks for reading my story *** we'll continue next week *** Namaste.

ROBA XVII

2008-11-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Let's just get right to this juicy bit with Roba:
Roba was about to greet him with a cheery hello, but something in his demeanour stopped her. Mr. Tá me was approaching her almost as if he was angry with her and when he stopped in front of her she could not tell if he was about to scold her or give her a hug. He seemed to compromise; “My dear Roba..” he said calmly as he took both her hands in his, “Again you surprise us with your presence …you do pop in and out don’t you”?

“Tinteán, are you angry with me? I know it’s late…perhaps I should come back in the morning?” Roba wasn’t sure what to do. “No…no…don’t do that, no I‘m not angry at your late arrival….he assured her. Roba tried again, “Something else then?…you don’t’ seem yourself.” Tinteán blushed as he fumbled for words, “Well…yes, perhaps, to tell you the truth I was rather upset that I’d missed you the last time you came to visit my grandmother. I was away on business that day, and I do wish you would have notified us so that I could have visited with you. That is all….and now it seems only a happy chance that we meet this time….and for that I am very much grateful….so do come in to join me for an evening tea.”

“Well…I do apologise Tinteán, I dare say I have been rather spur-of-the-moment lately, although I will blame your grandmother for that.” Roba continued to talk for she was not ready to go inside just yet. She was enjoying the garden. True it was winter, but it was a mild evening and large soft snowflakes had begun to fall. For some reason Roba was feeling quite warm and cozy. She suddenly remembered why she had come. “Tinteán?…the reason I’ve come tonight, I wanted to ask you something.”

“My business is doing rather well….and I was thinking of helping things along by building a larger shop in a busier part of town. Since you are a builder I was hoping you would extend me credit enough to build my new shop”.
Roba waited….but Tinteán seemed speechless. He looked crest fallen, disappointed, sorrowful….Roba could not tell what he was thinking, “You don’t trust me to pay you back? You’re too busy? What is it?”

He opened his mouth as if to say something then closed it, then he finally said, “A shop?…This is why you have come to see me?”
Now Roba was embarrassed, “I assure you that I am an astute business woman, my business is sound and I will pay you every penny.”

“Yes, you are very independent.“ He stood tall and looked directly at Roba, “Well…..here is my offer then, I will build you a shop on two conditions…” Roba interrupted him, “Conditions? I assure you that I am an honourable business woman”.
Now he interrupted, “Roba, my dear, believe me I do know you well enough to know that you are honest, and trustworthy and an excellent business woman, nevertheless I have two conditions….do you want to hear them?”

Roba was getting very frustrated, she certainly didn’t think she would have to argue like this to get him to build her shop, but she was also curious, “Yes, do go on.”
He proceeded in a very business like manner, “My first condition is that besides the new shop you also allow me to build you a new home…”

“I cannot pay for a house, sir..” Roba interrupted again.
“Ahhh…” Tinteán waved a finger at her, “Do not interrupt my dear….there is one more condition and that is, that you marry me.” He smiled.

Roba’s mind went completely blank…then before she could even think of answering yes or no, the images of her interior shop sketches came into her mind and she realized something. She had not been drawing shops and houses…she had been drawing homes. Homes where people lived and raised families, and ate meals together! A warm smile poured over her face and she knew, she just knew that the reason she had come here was not to get a shop built but to start a new life with this man, with Tinteán. She just knew that this time she was wholely on the right path. To her own surprise the word ‘yes’ fell from her smiling lips. Tinteán and Roba embraced warmly and together they walked inside to share their news with Baba Yaga who, Roba was sure, already knew it.

After they had a wonderful Yule Wedding, Roba’s husband built her a new shop in the busy part of town, and a home with plenty of room for children just outside the town and they lived happily ever after.
fin
Alrighty...then... I hope you've enjoyed this little fairy tale. I've enjoyed writing it very much....it's the first story I've ever written and as I have mentioned somewhere before...I've just been winging it from week to week. But I think it turned out ok. Do join me again next week...if all goes well I will start another story....if not next Sunday....then shortly thereafter. Namaste )O(

Warm Hearthed

2008-11-04T19:04:00.001-08:00

I got this medallion from PDA (Paper Digital Art & images by Kim). It made me think of a fire burning in a fireplace. And when I went to look at what Creative Wednesday was up to...it turned out they were doing houses...so I thought what a great mix! I love the way this turned out...the whole card just looks and feels warm and soft. You can't see it in the pic here but there's gold coloured metallic ink splotched across it..so in reality is has wonderful glittery, fire effect. (the 2nd image is the back of the card.) You can also see this card on my Etsy shop.

Thanks for looking at my card, Namaste )O(

BLOG 3 OF 3 ROBA XVI

2008-11-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Well I have 3 quite different subjects to cover today.....so I figured I'd do 3 separate blogs....but they are all dated today November 2nd. So here's Roba: her background comes from ArtandImagesbyKim, I actually 'won' the digital art page that it came from by playing a game on her Paper and Digital Art Ning Network. The game was alot of fun and anyone can join and have fun playing so you might want to check it out. Ok...here is Roba for real:

When she picked up the hat, Roba wondered why she should be still now. She was busy and everyting was going well enough. She sat on her working stool and looked at the hat.

She realized that she felt like she had when she was in the woods wondering if she should go down the right path, the one that made her feel like she was comfortable yet hungry in a strange way. Roba thought this was odd because she had actually chosen the left path, the one that had made her smile. Had she somehow gotten off of the 'smiling' path? Perhaps Baba was right, perhaps things could be better, but how?

There were no trees or crows or breezes here to befriend and although business was good she could still not afford to keep closing her doors to ride across Kenning Stone or shove all of her customers out the door just so that she could sit still! Still, Baba had thought it important enough to lure Roba across Kenning Stone to give her the hat. Roba looked at her cat curled on his pillow. He meowed at her as if to agree that Now was really the best time to sit still.

Roba took a deep breath and walked around the counter. She hurried her two customers as politely as she could make their purchase she locked the door after they left. She went back to the counter to sit beside the red hat. The drawings of the shops that she'd been working on earlier were in front of her so she looked at all of the sketches. She had kept a few of the 'interior' drawings as well. They looked so warm and quaint and peaceful. Roba realized that she herself did not feel entirely 'peaceful'....again she felt strangely hungry....no, she thought...she felt a longing...yes more like a longing...she couldn't pin point it any further than that.

Looking at the pictures she suddenly realized what she needed to do! She needed a better, bigger shop in a better location. This building was old, expensive to maintain and was not in a very busy area. It had been left to her when an uncle died. If she could get even more business she could have help for her shop and maybe even someone to help with her Mother. Roba was confident that this was exactly what she needed to get back on the 'smiling' path. She just needed a little help.

Roba was so excited she didn't bother to find someone to watch her store. She ran home to let her mother know that she was leaving for an overnight trip but that she'd be back by noon the next day. She packed a small bag and was on her way. It was late when Roba arrived at her destination and because she had been busy the whole trip thinking about what her new shop would look like it never occured to her that she could have timed her arrival better.

Businesses would be closed and people would be having supper. She chastized herself, but thought that this would be one business man that would welcome her at his home. When she arrived at the gate she was pleased to see that indeed he was at home....in his garden.

That's it for now....we are close to the end now....Thanks for reading my story and looking at my pics. Namaste

Blog 2 of 3: View Thru my Window REVEAL Winner

2008-11-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Reveal Award for the theme: View Thru my Window was Gerdie Fisher. Go to Lydia's REVEAL to see her winning entry and find out what she's won. While you're there check out the theme for the next REVEAL.....you could be next winner.

Blog 1 of 3: Halloween

2008-11-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pumpkin images from Halloween....Halloween was a blast...we had about 96 kids. One family was from as far away as Norway House!!!...Someone had told them they should come look at or display. My brother scared all the little kids by setting off screamers (bit of cheap fireworks)...the kids actually loved it! We had lots of big kids too. If you want to see a bit of our display you can scroll down to a previous blog where I have pics of the Ghost Ship.

WEE WITCHES & ROBA XV

2008-10-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

These Wee Witches arrived as the result of an invitation from Gothic Arches.....have a close-up look at them...are they not freaky lookn'? They are now for sale on my Etsy Shop.

Now back to Roba: And so Baba made herself busy with the tea. Roba realized immediately that she had been lured over falsely, but she also knew that the old woman knew that Roba would not have come if she had been asked to because she had just opened the shop again and was very busy.

Now that she was here, Roba was more interested in why the old lady wanted to talk to her. So she started the conversation: "So I see you are still wearing your old red hat". "Yes, yes....which reminds my dear," Baba spoke as she poured tea for the both of them: "I imagine you have been very busy with your shop, but have you been remembering to sit and listen?" Roba thought for a second, then said: "Well no..I have been very busy at the shop and Mother is needing more and more help these days in the evening...so I must admit I've forgotten about it. Why do you ask?" Baba Yaga said, "Tsk..tsk..tsk...Roba Dear, it is very important to listen." "But why?" asked Roba, "Everything is well enough ....and I am very busy."

"Nonsense", scolded Baba Yaga...."Busy is no way to go through life...you want to enjoy life...isn't that why you walked for months to find a red hat?"

Roba was embarrassed, "Yes...well...I enjoy making beautiful things with all of the gifts people have given me." "Of course you do my love," Baba spoke softly..."but what will you do when you run out of gifts? I'll tell you what, I was just in the garden listening to all of my new friends there and a particularly lovely monks hood gave me an idea. Why don't you take my red hat? It can remind you to sit still and listen for a few moments. Yes?" The old woman asked as she went to a stool to get the hat and placed it into Roba's hands. "But, I couldn't" protested Roba, "It's your favourite hat."

"Oh nonsense"...scolded Baba again, "It's an old hat...if you like, you can give it back to me the next time you visit." "Well", Roba paused, she was quite certain this was the very reason Baba had lured her all the way here. "It might be some time before I am back this way."

"I'm sure I can wait", Baba clipped, "....well, you will want to be getting back before dark, so let's finish our tea while I make a sandwich for you to take on your ride home".

Indeed, Roba was home before dark since her visit with Baba was so brief. The next morning Roba took the red hat with her to the shop and tossed it onto the work counter, for she had to hurry and open her doors. It was getting close to Yule Season and customers were already at the door.

When there were no customers that needed help Roba sat behind the counter and sketched pictures. Some days she sketched the ladies or children that came into her shop, but today she was sketching the shops across the street. Sometimes she would use her imagination to draw their interiors but they always ended up with a dinning table set for diner, or a warm rug in front of a roaring fire and when she realized that those things were not possible in a shop she would crumple up the paper and go help a customer.

Well past noon it was when a customer asked Roba if the red hat on the counter was for sale. Roba apologized and explained that she had forgotten to put it behind the counter.

That's it for tonight....see ya next week....thanks for reading my story...Namaste.

Paper Patchwork on Arches

2008-10-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sunday Gothic Arches theme is Paper Patchwork.........Well, if you say 'patchwork' to me the first thing I think of is patchwork quilts, so I made this patch quilt for the fuzzy teddy. Thank you for looking at my card.

REVEAL WINNER & ROBA XIV

2008-10-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

First, You might want to go look at the REVEAL site - we had a new winner *Stuff by Steph* for our last cycle , you can check out her entry and her prizes. While you're there take note of the new theme and consider entering the current cycle. Now I won't make you wait for the Roba Story, So here is the next chapter:
After many days of travelling they were glad their trip was over when they reached Roba’
s village. Roba noticed that it looked exactly as it had before she’d left. Baba and Mr. Tá me
thanked her for her company, gave her more small gifts, wished her well and continued on, for they had a ways to go yet before they could stop for the night. Roba’s mother was surprised and pleased to see that her girl was well and home. After a long tea and supper with her mother, Roba finally had a good sleep in her own bed, which she had to share with Cosán, her new cat..
The next day Roba loaded up Anois once again with all of the saddle bags and lead him to her shop. She brought all of the bags into the shop. She spent her first day back dusting and cleaning the whole shop. On the second day she laid all of her goods on the counter. She was surprised that there was so much . “What will I do with all of this?” She wondered. She fingered a set of buttons, then smoothed a square of fabric, she picked up some strange coins. “All these items… they all just need a bit of love and attention and they could become beautiful keepsakes, gifts, and art. Before long Roba realized that most of the day had gone by and she was very pleased when she surveyed the progress that she had made. She now had many beautifully decorated items, and art work laid out before her. She cleared a wall with a shelf and placed all of her new items on the wall or on the shelf.
The next morning Roba opened her shop, started to work on more of her objects while she waited for her first customer. For the next few weeks Roba continued, to make her new art…she enjoyed this work very much and gave little thought to her failed adventure, except to think of the friends and people who had given her gifts that she now worked on. She did, however, notice that all of her old customers were returning and new customers were increasing. Her new objects were selling well and business was growing. So it went for the next few months.

After some time Roba received a letter from Baba yaga. She was not feeling well and would love to see Roba again. Roba was very concerned, especially because it took her a couple of days to find someone to watch her shop for her while she went to visit Baba. When she arrived at Baba’s home in Cóimheá she was surprised to see the old lady picking flowers outside. Roba went to Baba’s side and asked her if she should be up and about? “Oh,…you are here! Roba, my dear…I have missed you. I am so pleased to see you.” The old lady held Roba’s hands and kissed her on the cheek. Roba, a little confused said, “Well I was very concerned about you when I got your letter. How are you? You look well enough”.
“What?” Now Baba looked confused…”Oh yes, well of course I am fine…now that you are here..you will stay for tea won’t you?” She begged.
Alright…that is enough for my bed time story….gotta get to bed, work tomorrow….Thank you for reading my story…Namaste.

GHOST SHIP

2008-10-13T18:13:00.001-07:00

This is our Halloween/Harvest display this year on our parents yard. Every year on Thanksgiving the whole family (20 plus people) get together at my folks and we put up a display in their front yard right along the highway so all the cars passing by can see it. This one was my sister-in-law's idea I belive. It turned out better than we'd ever hoped. The guys did a spectacular job building a ship in less than 10 hrs. The weather was dismal as it usually is on this day - cold, rainy, overcast.....but that doesn't stop us. We work on it all day from about 9:00 am to about 4:30 pm...then we all go in to a tiny little house that is totally overheated with a wood stove and we eat like pigs. We don't all have room at the table so we usually eat in about 3 rounds. It's the same at Christmas. But the food is excellent, and then we wait til it's dark, and we all go out and stand on the highway to see how the display looks in the dark. It's a blast, I almost think it is more fun than Christmas.

ROBA XIII

2008-10-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

After taking care of Anois, Mr. Tá me showed Roba where she could wash up while he prepared tea. During their discussion over tea, Roba learned that he did in fact know Baba Yaga and that she was actually his grandmother. “But, why then did you give me directions through the pathless forest? Surely there is an easier way to get to her house?”
Roba was very upset now remembering all the trouble she had getting to Baba’s house.
“Well”, Mr. Tá me said with a smile, “that may be but, I have found that anything having to do with my grandmother is best dealt with directly. And, if it was my grandmother you were looking for that is the most direct path.” After Roba shared her story with Mr. Tá me he said, “You seemed to have had a bit of an adventure, let me tell you of my upcoming adventure. Business has been going so well that we’ve decided to move to
Cóimheá. We feel there will be plenty of growth there. That is why I am here tonight…I’ve sold this house so I’m just tying up loose ends, gathering a few items and tomorrow when Baba gets here, we will be off to Cóimheá.” Roba suddenly remembered something, “But it has just occurred to me, that is in Kenning Stone….Northern Kenning Stone. That will be a wonderful adventure for you. I have been there - it is a wonderful town.” Then it was his turn, “But Roba…it has just occurred to me - your business is done here, why don’t you travel back with us?” Mr. Tá me seemed very pleased with his idea. Roba, however, was not so sure and said she would have to sleep on it. “That sounds fair” mumbled
Mr. Tá me. He seemed to be trying to figure something out. “Ah!” he exclaimed, “why don’t you sleep here tonight…I will go to my grandmother’s, spend the night there and bring her back in the moring to get your answer?” “That does sound fair”, Roba said slowly. “Right”, he said and without further discussion he picked up his hat and coat and left. The next morning when Baba and her grandson returned in a handsome carriage Roba really could not come up with even one reason why she should not travel along except that she would not have enough money to pay. “Nonsense” they both exclaimed when Roba came up with this excuse. “You are a friend and you are doing us a favour for you will no doubt be wonderful company for us on our long trip.” So it was decided.
Mr. Tá me tied Anois to the rear of the carriage, he ran to the house and came back with two suitcases which he stowed on the back of the carriage and the cat which he deposited on Roba’s lap and they were gone. In town they picked up their driver and now Roba was on her long way home. Her same old home….well at least she did not have to walk all the way back. She had a ride and company. Now, although Roba did not have to walk it was still a very long trip. Mr. Tá me spoke very excitedly about his business and his new start. Then he asked Roba about her intentions. She explained that she hoped she could make a fresh start with her little shop, but had no specific ideas about it. She asked Baba many questions about her youth and Mr. Tá me’s youth. Baba laughed…”You must stop calling him that…his given name is Tinteán.” Then Baba would answer Roba’s every question with a funny story so the three enjoyed their journey very much.

That's it then.....Namaste and thank you for reading my story.

Vase

2008-10-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is this cycle's theme for Lydia's Reveal:
A VASE....if you'd like to participate click here.

ROBA XII and Vintage Maison

2008-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Finally, another Swap opportunity has arrived! It's a Christmas Can-Eh? Swap. I have like no time for this, but I had such fun with my very first Swap last winter I've been waiting for another to show up. So that is good news.

Here is my 'dans ma Maison...il y a du vintage'. I actually got one done this week. Last week I didn't get it done til Friday!

Still need some entries for my Reveal Challenge...don't be afraid to drop in an entry. You have til Sept 30th.

and...we'd left Roba and her buds wandering about the forest again didn't we? so let's just see how far she's gotten:

Roba, Anois and Cosán walked contentedly along their chosen path. Roba consiously took in as much of the beautiful forest as she could so that she did not have time to worry or fret. And this is why she was able to notice small flashes and sparkles every once in a while on or just off of the path. The first time she saw a sparkle about a foot off of the path it startled her but after investigating the source she was pleased to find a small ruby quartz stone. Roba had no idea what it was exactly but it sparkled so brightly she decided to keep it. And so as they walked she watched for more sparkling gems and was surprised each time to have found another and another gem, or marble, or stone. Eventually she had so many she took them out of her pocket and packaged them neatly into Anois' saddle bag along with all the coins and gifts people had given her. After some time of walking and searching, Roba heard the cat meow...so she looked up and thought she saw a small house. At first she worried that Baba's hut was still following her but as she got closer she realized this house was larger and different. Roba and her 'friends' walked up to the door. The house looked neat and tidy and was well built. Roba reached out her hand to knock but just as she did the door was opened from the inside. Both the visitor and the homeowner stood in silence for both were surprised to recognise the other. Mr. Tá me was the first to speak "Miss Roba! How come you to be here? Surely you have not been lost, walking about in the forest since I left you at the bridge?" Roba smiled, "No, no..." She started, but Mr.
Tá me interrupted "Then you have found your Baba Yaga with the Red hat?" Something about his smile made Roba think and she blurted out: "Do you know Baba Yaga! What are you doing in these woods? Do you live here?" "Roba, my dear, I simply cannot answer that many questions here on the doorstep. You look like you have walked for at least some time in these woods. Why don't you come inside and relax. I will make Anois comfortable and what is this? My young cat has led you here? I'd wondered where she'd gotten to. But I will be in shortly to prepare tea and then we can talk.

SABRINAakaWISHCRAFT IS THE WINNER & FLOWERS

2008-09-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

We have our very first REVEAL THEME WINNER and she is Sabrina Baskey-East aka Wishcraft. To see her winning entry click here. To see the next REVEAL theme that you can enter click the icon to the right. You could be the next winner of the REVEAL THEME AWARD. Give it a try, any artist can enter.

And here is my very very late 'Flower' for dans Ma Maison...il y a fleur.

ROBA XI

2008-09-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

First, I'd like to remind anyone who is reading this that there are still 2 days left to vote for your favourite entry on Lydia's Reveal Challenge - so don't be afraid, go and vote.

.....and to our story:
Having eaten her fill Roba looked about and saw her pony and the cat staring at her as if to ask her 'Where to next'? Roba remembered what the Old Oak had said in her dream and she resolved not to be lost or worried. Perhaps it was this place, this forest of Tall Trees that was magical, and the creatures, houses and trees all had magical power. She stood still and asked herself the same question that Anois and the cat had asked, "Where to now?" She could smell the freshly washed forest, she could hear Anois chomping at a tussle of grass, she could feel the sunshine...and a breeze! Roba openened her eyes and right before her was a young sapling that was being bent by the strong breeze. It was the only tree that seemed to be affected by the breeze so that Roba got the impression that it was specifically pointing west just for her benefit. since she had followed the cat to her current spot without paying attention to the exact path she was not exactly sure where she was...however, she was fairly certain that the river was in the opposite direction. Since things were unfolding alittle strangely lately, she thought she would take the chance. She asked cat, whom she had named Cosán, what she thought of the idea. Cosán mearly meowed. Roba took the meow for a yes, thanked the sapling for it's help and she rounded a bush that stood in her new direction. There on the other side the three travellers came upon a path! Roba did not recall seeing one path her whole time in the forest. Cosán scrambled ahead as if she knew the path well. They were all very greatful for the path as it made the going so much easier. Not far along though Roba came to a fork in her path. One did not seem more worn or wider than the other. She sat down at the merge of the right path, she sat very quietly and still. "Is this a good path for me?" She asked herself. She waited and waited - no breeze, no one spoke to her, she did feel especially warm and comfortable but kinda empty....like she was hungry. But she couldn't be hungry, she had just eaten. She decided to try the other path. As soon as she settled herself, a warm smile came to her face. She did not know why...she just felt warmth, and joy and love. Her question was answered.
Alright, next week we'll see where the left path has taken Roba.....Brightest Blessings.

CATTY ART

2008-09-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

This 'dans ma Maison il y a....du 'cat' house turned out kinda Oriental Lookin'....I like it.

If you'd like to HELP US FIND A WINNER for our last REVEAL Theme, you can go vote at Lydia's REVEAL.

ROBA X

2008-09-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

Roba and the Ancient Oak Tree

The house did not reappear, but Roba was still a little shaken by the experience. She did not know how much time she had lost fussing with the house and napping…she really did not want to spend the night in the woods. Roba continued to stumble through the stream or thick bushes searching for a path she might follow. After what seemed like hours, Roba started to hear thunder, the wind picked up and got cooler. She immediately searched for protection. It was Anois who found a huge ancient oak with huge knurled roots - she curled up deep into the roots and Anois bedded down in front of the opening just before it began to rain - hard. Roba was frightened and worried, but she was also dry and safe for now….so again she fell asleep in her little den. She had a dreamed that the Oak was speaking to her: “Live easily on the Earth. We will keep you safe and comfortable. You should not worry or be confused - if you are confused - we are confused and cannot help you then.” Roba woke up shortly after the rain ceased feeling confident that she would be alright even though she would certainly not reach the bridge before dark. As she and Anois continued their walking, Roba thanked the pony for finding the oak and protecting her from the wind. After walking for some time Anois suddenly turned off to his left and came to a small clearing of lovely green grass which he ate for his supper. Roba realized now that she too was hungry. She noticed too how easily Anois was able to find food. She thought of Baba Yaga and how Baba thought of everything as her friend. These thoughts lead Roba to recall how her dreams had been speaking to her - perhaps if she could have another dream she would be able to find a path, or some food, but as she had just had a nap she was really not tired enough to sleep again just yet. She also remembered that the oak had told her not to worry or be confused. She did not know what to do so she mearly sat down on a fallen log and looked about her. She saw that the sky was now clear and sunny and so she said: “I love the blue sky and the warm sunshine”. She looked at Anois and remembered how helpful he had been: “I love you Anois”. Roba smiled….this was fun. She thought of the oak tree that kept her dry and she thought of Baba Yaga’s kindness: “I love you Oak Tree, I love you Baba Yaga”. Roba sat still, listened and watched the forest, after the thunderstorm everything was really quite peaceful. As she turned her head there was suddenly a young cat in front of her. This was a surprise, she had not seen where the cat had come from. How had a cat found it’s way out here? The cat stared at Roba and meowed. Roba got off of the log and went to pick up the kitten, but it turned and leaped through the brush. Roba followed the cat, who lead her away from the river for quite some time before stopping in front of a small tree full of ripe sweet nuts. Roba smiled and thanked the cat: “I love you little tabby cat”. As she walked around the tree plucking and eating the nuts she also noticed berries growing close to the earth - they were ripe and sweet - just what she’d needed: “Thank you beautiful Earth for this bounty”. Roba was lost but she felt wonderful.
Ok…that is very long…so we’ll have to stop and leave Roba in her lostness for now.

PINK ARCHES

2008-09-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here is my Pretty in Pink Gothic Arch. I just couldn't have it be totally ink and that is why there are green ribbons.

ROBA IX

2008-09-07T15:29:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that? 9 episodes and we're not even finished...anyway....
First....I had time for a theme card so here is my
Theme Thursday
'Halloween or Autumn'.
I'm not quite ready for Halloween (or Autumn) so I call this 'Days before Halloween'. It's for sale on my Etsy Shop

Also,I'd like to remind everyone to join me at Lydia's Reveal for my new Art Challenge Site.

Now here is Roba IX: back and front

Roba said her good-byes, called to Anois and excepted the package of food from Baba Yaga. She walked into the forest with a sigh...she did not look forward to the hard walk through the forest....it would be even more difficult now that she had no hope of a magic hat in her life. They crossed the stream to the other bank where the walking was a little easier...but after only ten minutes, Roba was surprised to see a small hut just ahead. When she got closer it was clear that it was the house of Baba Yaga. "That could not be!", thought Roba...she had not walked in circles...she had crossed the stream...yet there was Radharc blissfully eating the bread crumbs that Baba had tossed up on the roof. Roba took a deep breath and walked away from the house along the river. She had just got to the point where she had started laughing at herself for being silly and walking in circles when once again she came upon the hut. Roba was very confused. She had been following the river up stream all the way. She would not get to the bridge by dark at this pace. After the fourth or fifth time of coming upon the house Roba sat beneath an old tree and cried. She was exhausted from keeping her balance in the stream and fighting her way through the branches and frustrated at still being only a stone's throw away from the house. The sun was warm and the moss covered ground soft, so she softly cried herself to sleep. Roba dreamed that a rabbit had come near her and whispered into her ear. "The house is very fond of you and wishes only to say good-bye." Roba woke with a start - she was cwertain that she had
heard a voice...soft and low but very clear. Roba jumped up to look around - she peered through the trees in all directions but saw no one. Brushing off her dress and calling for Anois to follow her she continued her walk. In only a few minutes there again was the house. It occurred to Roba that perhaps her dream was right - so she walked carefully to the house, cleared her throat and spoke: "ahem...Ah, you are a lovely cottage. I was very comfortable and pleased to spend several days with you. I do hope we shall be able to visit again..mmm, but I must go now to my own home...so I wish you well, and good bye...good bye...". She waved at the house feeling very foolish. The curtains flapped wildly out of the windows as if to say good-bye to her. She turned and was careful to observe that she was walking up-stream. Roba stepped into the river and walked without looking back.
Ok...I haven't had time to write any more than that so we'll stop there for now.. and Thank you so much for reading my story and looking at my art. Namaste

ELVISH HOUSE FOR DANS MY MAISON...

2008-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my Dans Ma Maison il y a .....lutin Card. I drew my elves using energetic, sketchy lines, then scanned the sketch to add colour on photoimpact.....and gave them a happy pointed house like their happy pointed hats. This card is for sale on my Etsy Shop.

Thank you for looking at my blog.

A NEW CHALLENGE & ROBA VIII

2008-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

First, some exciting news:
A NEW CHALLENGE
I love doing and visiting as many Challenge Theme Blogs as I can...in fact I've been having so much fun I've decided to host my own Challenge Blog. So today I'm introducing

LYDIA'S REVEAL.

This Art Challenge Blog will be open to anyone who feels they are creating and being artistic. Any medium you like: art cards, painting, fiber-art, cross-stitching, sculpture, jewellery, photography, whatever.

The cycle is only twice a month, on the 1st and the 16th of the month. So you'll have plenty of time to come up with something fabulous.

I know this Theme Challenge thing is usually for Altered Artists, art cards, etc. but I would really like to encourage all artists to join so that we can all share ideas and skills and encouragement.

There will be a winner for each cycle (1/2 a month) who will be chosen by the participants/readers/viewers and there is a virtual AWARD for the winner. So if you are interested please go to LYDIA'S REVEAL for more details.

Now here is ROBA VIII:

This is Baba Yaga's Charmed little house:
“The hat is only a hat my dear, Roba”…the old lady smiled. Roba looked into the face of Baba Yaga: “But….I..saw you…every time you put on the hat something wonderful happens. When it is raining and you put on your hat, the sun shines. If you are hungry…you go into the forest with your hat on…and you come back with the sweetest nuts and ripest berries. When you wear your hat the creatures tell you secrets….” . “Oh dear…I can see that you have confused some things, Roba…but then I do wear the hat a lot and I can understand how you come to believe such a thing. But, truthfully my dear…the hat is only a hat. The wonderful things you have witnessed are all on account of my wonderful friends as I have told you.” said Baba Yaga.
Again, Roba looked directly at the old woman: “But what friends do you speak of?…I have been here for several days. I have seen no one and yet all of your needs are taken care of. Your little home is comfortable and although I should think you would be very lonely out here…you seem to be very happy. It seems a magical place.” Roba was very dumbfounded…why had she walked all this way, had given up the hat after it was in her hands, and now she had to walk all the way back with no hat, no way to change her life, no magic to save her. “You look very disappointed my love” said Baba Yaga. “But I will tell you this: “If you make friends with your life all the rest will be magical. All the creatures of these woods, the sky above, the wind and the earth are all my friends, I tell them every morning and as often as I can that I love them, for are they not lovely indeed? And always they share with me and so I have shared with you.” She smiled. Roba felt even more disappointed. “This poor wonderful little lady was really a little daft. I wonder that she is able to take care of herself out here“ thought Roba. "Perhaps someone comes every once in awhile to check on her." In any case it was time to go back to Kenning Stone.
Brightest Blessings for now……Thank you for reading my Story and looking at my Pics.

BACK TO THE CHALLENGES

2008-08-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been out of the challenge loop for a while, but I think I'm finally and happily back now. I've really missed participating in these challenges. I'm starting with the Gothic Arches challenge cause they've got such a wonderfully simple, yet fun theme: Black and white with a touch of red. The original drawing is a 1870 sketch called The Roseleaf .....I covered it with white paper and then went over specific lines with black pen and I added the bow and skirt. I've kept the bling off cause I think it makes the black/white/red thing more dramatic. My friend Kim aka imagesbykim gave me this waxed string...which kinda just looks like brown string...but it's actually a reddy-brown colour and I love the way it behaves. It's like wire....but not so rigid.

Thank you for looking at my art card. Namaste

ROBA VII

2008-08-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Roba VII
After a few days Roba was convinced that it was certainly the hat that was the cause of the old lady’s charmed life and that made her think of her own unhappy life in Caonach to which she must return. Roba had noticed the old lady taking a nap in a hammoc every day before lunch, her friend, the crow always near by. The hat was hung from a nearby tree branch. On this day, Roba walked quietly to the tree. She watched the crow as the crow watched her, but he said nothing. She picked up the hat and quietly stepped back and back and back until she was behind the hut. The crow watched her the whole time. Roba felt very bad….she could not possibly steal the hat! She put the hat on her head and sat still….It did not feel like a special hat. Suddenly Roba heard the crow cawing as it flew up. She whipped the hat off of her head and ran to Anois’ saddle bags and stuffed the hat into it. As she came out to the front of the house she saw the old lady searching about. “Roba, my love…it seems the wind has blown away my hat….perhaps you could help me search for it.” “Well, yes of course…but I must be off soon for I fear I have stayed your welcome for too long already.” Roba rushed over the ‘look’ for the hat. They searched for a few minutes when Baba Yaga said: “Well not to worry…I am sure one of my good friends will return it soon enough..perhaps the wind himself will blow it back.” Baba laughed. “You must pack up your pony and get going if you hope to reach the bridge before dark. And I will prepare a lunch for your journey”. With that Baba went to the house. As Roba stood next to Anois, putting his saddle bag on, Roba pulled out the hat…she could not steal from this wonderful old lady who had been so good to her. She smoothed out the hat and walked around the house to the front to sit on the bench and wait for Baba. “Ah“…cried Baba, “You have found my hat”.
“Yes” said Roba sadly. “You don’t seem very happy about it my love”. The old lady smiled. “Oh, I am, I am..it’s just that it seems to have made this a wonderful place for you and I am sorry to be leaving it”. “Well, the hat is useful..but it hasn’t ‘made’ anything around here…what are you talking about love?” The old lady continued to smile. “The Hat…it’s a magical hat..isn’t it? Roba whispered.
Baba shook her head: “The hat is only a hat my dear Roba.”
Alright...that must be long enough for tonight......Thank you for reading my story.....and Blessed Be.

ROBA VI

2008-08-18T04:20:00.001-07:00

So..this week we actually have some business to take care of before we get to episode vi of Roba:

(My sincere apologies....I've been having technical difficulties and was unable to post Sunday night. )

Now, I’d been in my small home in Kenning Stone Relm finishing up the last episode of Roba when I heard some rustling at my back door. When I went to check I found these small bags at my door step. Well it was quite obvious that they had been left by Wood Elves. They are shy creatures and no one has ever seen one full on (one usually just manages to catch a fleeting glimpse of the little guys). They are a very creative folk and I guess they thought that since I’m a creative type I would appreciate their artistic endevours. So they have left me some of their treasured envelopes. The Wood Elves are great collectors of things and in this case they have collected envelopes and packages that people, elves and other creatures have received in the post. They’ve added a few paper scraps here and there, repaired and cleaned them up a bit and so that’s what we've got up for sale on eBay this week.

Our second blog item this week is Can-Eh? Can-Artistry - It’s a new forum started by kim aka imagesbykim and it’s for CANADIAN ARTISTS. We’re just starting but we’ve got many wonderful artists already….so you might want to check it out - it’ll be fun to help a Canadian group grow. Watch for the twice monthly challenge starting in September. And now, lets get back to our story:

Roba sat on a bench that stood outside along the west wall of the house, while the old lady took a kettle from a small fire pit near by. After pouring the tea Baba removed her hat sat in the shade sipping her tea in silence. Roba did not speak either because now that she was so near the hat and the old lady she did not know how to accomplish her task. Surely she could not steal the hat and a wise old woman would not just give up such a prize. After they had both finished their tea Baba finally spoke: “Now my love, what is your name and how is it that you come to be an old lady’s guest? “ Roba was very brief and said that she was from a distant realm and was only traveling through….yes…and peddling her wares. She tought of the gifts she’d received in Anois' saddle bags which gave her an idea: “..I also trade goods - that is a handsome red hat you have there….perhaps we cold do a trade?” “…this old hat? You flatter an old woman..I am sure it is too worn to exchange for your good wares…and I am rather fond of it as it is a very practical hat. It keeps my head warm in winter and cool in the summer heat.” Roba was disappointed but went on about her travels. When the sun was very low in the west Baba Yaga told Roba that of course she wouldnot be leaving for a few days..for she had travelled far and she must rest for a time. Roba did not argue..for she felt quite relaxed with the old woman and peaceful in the lovely green forest. Over the next few days Roba experienced many strange things like every morning the sun shone through her window to wake her and yet she always watched the sun set in the same window as she laid down for the night. The old lady's garden seemed especially verdant and lush yet she seemed to spend very little time in it. although, every day after breakfast, the old lady would set the red hat on her head, walk to the centre of the garden, cross her hands over her heart and her smile would beam as brightly as the sun beams that shone down on her. She would stand so for a short while and then sometimes she would adjust a pumpkin or tie up a dangling vine. But usually she just went to a corner of the garden where there would be a pile of freshly picked corn or beans, or peas. Roba marvelled at this. Baba Yaga just laughed and explained that it had been her friends....her very good friends. But Roba had seen no visitors come or go.

ROBA V

2008-08-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

After what seemed like many hours of walking, mostly right in the stream because the bush was thick, the woods changed into a forest of tall cedars, which Roba was most grateful for because there was next to no brush under these tall thick trees and it meant that Mr. Tá me spoke truly and this must be the Tall Cedar Forest. Roba and her pony had not walked far into this forest of trees when she smelled some wood smoke which made here think of food and how hungry she was. She followed her nose and soon came upon a clearing in the centre of which stood a small stone house - well more like a hut. Roba Thought: “ this must be the home of the Baba Yaga. It suddenly occurred to Roba that she had not thought at all about what she would do or say about getting the red hat. She had so enjoyed her travels and new friends and the gifts they’d given her (all of which were packed neatly into Anois' saddle bags) that she had given no thought to actually getting the hat. As she pondered the strangeness of this an old lady with a crow on her shoulder appeared from behind the house. Roba watched as the woman went to a bench near the door, leaned over and picked something up…the big red hat. The crow flew up as Baba Yaga placed the red hat on her head. As soon as the hat was adjusted the old lady walked right up to the tree that Roba stood behind calling as she came: “Hello, hello, come, come…it is wonderful to have visitors.” Roba stepped sheepishly from behind the trees. “Come, come repeated the old lady and Anois came out from behind a stand of trees. “Good, good cried Baba Yaga as she walked up to Anois. She patted his neck and whispered into his ear. As soon as she stepped back Anois pranced eagerly towards the back of the hut…”Wait”…cried Roba…”what have you done to my pony?” "Do not worry, my dear...he is a good and happy pony. He deserves a treat and I have sent hme to a small bucket of oats that I have prepared for him....". " But...but..how can you talk to....how did you know?" Roba stammered. "Oh now, now you are very excitable are you not , my dear?. It is nothing, we are all friends and

Radharc warned me already many hours ago that you were on your way." "Radharc? Who is Radharc?" Roba was confused. "Only my friend" Baba Yaga explained, "they are all my very good friends...but never mind that my dear...I have a guest and we must have tea and then we can visit, yes"? Roba sat on a bench that stood outside along the west wall of the hut while the old lady took a kettle from a small fire pit near by. After pouring the tea Baba Yaga removed her hat, sat in the shade and sipped her tea in silence. Roba did likewise as we have said now that she was so near to her goal she did not know how to proceed. She could not steal the hat and surely a wise old woman would not give up such a prize.

ROBA IV - THE WOODS

2008-08-03T20:52:00.001-07:00

Since we are late with this....we'll just get right into the story:

"My apologies miss...I did not intend to startle you." My name is Tá me. I have been travelling for quite some time, as I expect have you. Perhaps we could entertain each other with some conversation as we walk to Triska. Roba found this to be agreeable and the travellers shared a pleasant conversation about Triska, the village they were walking towards. Mr Tá me asked Roba where she was from and to where was she travelling. Roba had always been very straight forward with anyone who'd asked her this: "I am looking for a particular old woman with a red hat who lives in Yukoslavia." "Well", the gentleman said "At least you have found Yukoslavia. In fact you must have been in the region for some time now. As for an old lady with a red hat, I am sure there must be more than a few in all of the country." "Well, my old lady is very old and lives in the Tall Cedar Woods of Yugoslavia." "Ah, then both you and I must be both pleased and vexed. I am pleased to tell you that I know those woods and we are not so far from them so that is both our joy. But your vexation will be that you will have some back tracking to do and as I must move on to my business in Triska, I will be most vexed to have to part company with you." "Oh dear.. how far must I back-track wondered Roba." "Well now I must apologize yet again for frightening you. I only meant that it is a couple of miles back...where you will recall we crossed a stone bridge. You must follow the stream trough the woods for I cannot say how long but you will find an old lady at some point." As before Roba was sorry to have to part with another new friend. Just as she was having these thoughts, Mr. Ta me turned to her and said: "May your path be easy and I hope to see you again Miss Roba, you are a brave woman in more ways than one." Roba thought the brave woman bit was a little odd but as she was more concerned about her 'path' though the woods she turned to Anois and said: "Well then, we must turn back to find the bridge." They reached it in no time at all and Roba stood beside the bridge looking downriver: "My but the woods and bushes are thick here. I do hope we find a path before long."

Ok, I can't make these episodes too long..so we'll end it there and thank you for reading my story, (it does have an ending).....Namaste.

ROBA III

2008-07-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

First, business: I have 3 art cards for sale on eBay: Character Home, Two Piggies had Tea and Old Country Church. Now, the people at Theme Thursday needed flowers for their theme this week. And lucky for us Roba here was able to help us out cause for some reason she is in a field of sheep and flowers. (The second image below is the back of the Roba III card). For Episodes I and II...see my previous blogs. Now let us check in on Roba and see how she is doing this week:
Roba had only packed enough food for a few days - so, now on this day by noon she was quite hungry. However, she knew that just around the bend ahead was a small hamlet. Roba knocked on the door of the first small house she came to and as she would do many times before her journey was over she asked the lady of the house if she could perform some task in exchange for room and board. She was very skilled with her hands and could sew on buttons, darn socks, mend rips, or weed a garden, also tend animals or care for children. Most people were grateful for the help and were so pleased with the work she did that they often gave her a food pack for the road or sometimes a small gift. After her first few days she had travelled further than she'd ever travelled before and she started to notice how the land was a little different in this town or how the fields grew different crops. When she'd gotten very far from Kenning Stone Realm the people started dressing a little differently. The Road looked different, the sky looked different, and different flowers bloomed. Roba made many friends and some days as she walked along with Anois or as she sat on someone's porch mending a blanket, the time passed so pleasantly that she would forget about the purpose of her journey. After many weeks and months of travelling and working, Roba found herself walking yet again away from one village and towards the next. The next village was only a couple of miles ahead of her. She sang softly to herself and Anois as they strolled along. "Hello" said a voice from behind her....Yeah aha....that's where we're leaving it for now. Namaste.

ROBA II

2008-07-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

Gothic Arches Sunday’s theme this week is Handwriting - this is fabulous, besides being a wonderfully fun idea, it fits in well with my current theme - Roba. - to wit, here is
Episode II:
Over the next few weeks, Roba thought often about Baba Yaga’s red hat. She would stand at the door of her quiet shop, feeling sorry for herself. She would sniffle, pull her grandmother’s linen handkerchief from her sleeve and wipe her tears. Roba thought of herself as a good person. She worked hard, she never harmed a soul, she deserved a magical hat as well as the next person. It was unfair that some old woman, who lived in a hut in the woods had the magic hat. Roba was young and ambitious, she could be a good wife, she could raise happy children, she could have a prosperous shop. If only she had the magic hat. The old woman was being selfish with her gift, not even using it for beautiful clothes or a big house. And so went Roba’s jealous thoughts…on and on until one fine day when again she stood at her shop door pondering all that should be, she could not tolerate the unease of her dull life any longer. Roba had nothing keeping her in Caonach…well except her dear mother, who was in any case able to take care of herself for a while. Her mind made up, Roba packed a small case, took some gold coins from her meager fund and locked up her quiet shop. She kissed her dear mother good bye and walked out the door….but which way was Yukoslavia?…Roba had no idea…for some reason this made her think of Anois, her pony. She went to the stables and called to Anois, who was happy to be going for a walk….Anois was always happy, and Roba thought he might make a good companion if nothing else. She let him choose a path and that is how they started their long journey walking into the west. At least, thought Roba, they’d have the beautiful sunset to watch as they walked in search of Baba Yaga and her red hat.
That's it for episode 2.....Thank you for reading my blog.....Namaste

ROBA

2008-07-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here is my Skinny Saturday entry, If you haven't guessed - the subject was 'Hats'. I had such fun with this one! I luv the way it turned out. I remembered my stach of Oriental paper...I just went all giddy when I found this red paper. The second image is the reverse. ***At this time we will just cover a little of Roba's story - This is Roba - She is from Kenning Stone Realm. She was just your average person from the village of Caonach. Like your average person she enjoyed the various seasonal festivals. At these festivals there were often tellers of tales who came from all over Kenning Stone Realm. One year during Oíche Shamhna a very old teller named Seanfhear told many stories, but they were all stories about an old Baba Yaga with a Red hat. He told how one time she wanted to cross a lake - so she went into her hut, put on her red hat and proceeded to walk to the edge of the lake where she first felt the coolness of the water, then she put her hands over her chest and smiled sweetly, then proceeded to walk across the water...like it was solid ground. Another time she was hungry and wanted some of the beautiful cherries that hung on a nearby cherry tree....but she was too old to climb trees....so she put on her red hat, left her hut to walk to the cherry tree...on her way there she heard birds chirp, she felt the breeze on her cheek, she felt the long grasses brush her skirts...when she got to the tree she removed her hat, placed it on the ground upside down - she put her hands on her chest and smiled - and whoa if a hat full of cherries didn't fall from the tree and fell right into her hat.*** That's it for now....when I get the next Roba card done we will continue with the story.

PEOPLE DO HAVE WINGS

2008-07-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Since I'm on vacation...I've been able to complete a Theme Thursday card. So here it is: Front and Back. I like to complete my cards totally....the front, the edges and the backs. (kim aka imagesbykim taught me well). I often like the back as much as I like the front. Any way, the theme was People with Wings. I did the original pen sketch myself...scanned it, and then added the colour and details. Quite a fun process. The title is 'People do have wings' and this card is for sale on my Etsy site.

Pink House

2008-07-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my Ma Maison il ya....du rose . Actually had to do a couple before I was happy with this one. This theme actually made me go out of my comfort zone cause I don't usually work in pink. But I do like GOLD and Pink.
The second card is just an 'extra' 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" art card for a buyer.....Yes I actually have a few of those! I've really been enjoying working with gold ink, gold paper....Oh to work with real gold leaf....someday. Anyway I was having trouble with this one, until I added the wire ribbon then suddenly I really liked it. Some of it comes across as yellow....but it's really gold.

MERMAID

2008-07-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the new new theme from the Sunday Gothic Arches people: Mermaids

I luv drawing like this....there's so little thought or editing going on....it's just what my hand feels like doing. Her little dangling objects include a miniture ships wheel and propeller! They are from a model ship building set. This little Sea Deva is for sale on my Etsy site.

SHAWDOW BOX & OTHER THINGS

2008-06-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, first the doll, (for a full view scroll down to my previous blog). I had wanted to mention that she came about because I had another play date with my friend Kim aka imagesbykim and this time we were covering the topic of dolls. So I made this 12 inch high lovely paper doll. She has moveable arms and legs. She is on sale now on eBay.

Now this 'Skinny' Saturday card. I've been waiting since last week Saturday to have time to work on this card...I thought it was such a fun theme. Here is the result....I luv all of these objects, especially the very tiny round metal things....I don't even know what they are...I just know that they came from a model ship building kit! How fun is that? The skinny shawdow box card is for sale on Etsy

dolls

2008-06-26T20:30:00.001-07:00

This is Anuata, she's Tahitian....well I least I think she looks Tahitian....she has always enjoyed life very much, but she has always dreamt of having a pair of fine leather boots....now, as you can see she is very excited to finally have a pair of real leather boots....they make her want to dance.

My favourite part is the hair...which I made entirely with wire that I linked myself.....and her wire swirl buttons.

houses arrive

2008-06-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

RowHouses finally arrive in Canada.....After many weeks I finally get to see all of my houses, and here they are for you to see.

I want to thank all of the artists who created my lovely houses and a special thanks to Jeri Aaron aka artfulgathering for hosting this swap. And also many thanks to Kim aka artandimagesbykim for introducing me to my first swap......very fun......namaste to you all

Father's day

2008-06-15T16:50:00.001-07:00

Dans ma maison.....il y a du soleil - The Sun, another great theme, here is my sunshine beaming in thru a high window on a beautifully set dining table - under a totaly delicious chandelier. The sunshine is actually metallic gold pen so in reality it glitters. This lovely house, and my Gothic Arch Flourish card are both on sale now on my Etsy Site. Oh yes, and I've been tagged by Mary-Beth aka myjournyintoart. I don't mind sharing 6 unimportant things about myself, so:

1 - My favourite thing in the house (besides my critters) is my wood stove - luv it.

2 - I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree

3 - I luv clothes lines - I have one

4 - I like doing laundry

5 - I'm a vegan wanna-be

6 - I work one full time job and 2 part time jobs

(and I must admit I do not forward these kinds of things.....sorry).

Fairy Tale

2008-06-09T20:23:00.001-07:00

This was a wonderful Dans ma maison...il y a..Fairy Tale theme to play with...I may do another just cause it was such fun....it will be totally different than this card. If you don't recognise this tale it is Cinderella. I wanted something more sombre just to contrast with the usual idea of Fairy Tales. Its a scene in between all of the evilness (of her step family) and all the hoopala that happens after the Fairy Godmother has done her magic. I like that betwixt and in between time. It's why you have to keep trusting. (The black line reads: It's difficult when you don't realise your Fairy Godmother is already there.) That'll have to do for now cause my 18 year old cat is really bugging me to go to bed so that she can get in between the warm covers. Namaste......ly

PAINTED BIRDS

2008-06-03T16:26:00.001-07:00

Painted Birds from Skinny Saturday have arrived, they are flying, and singing, and displaying..Birds always put me in mind of ultimate freedom, natural joy, the way we would all be if we'd stop worrying and fretting so much. I always think of colour when I watch birds...even ravens are irridescent and common sparrows have an aura that always shines. These two are called 'Two Wide Awake Birds'. I've put two of my latest 'theme' cards up on Etsy and most of the others will follow in the next few days. Namaste or as my Friend Kim aka imagesbykim likes to say: 'Nammy'... you might want to check out her blog cause she is still collecting comments for her give-away.

Ma Maison....Metal

2008-06-02T16:32:00.001-07:00

Here is my first "Dans Ma Maison il y a"..du Metal. Luved this theme....as it happens I've been picking up bits of rusted metal wherever I could find it on my walks. The roof is made of 6 small bits of rusted metal. The ribbon, the dangling chain, the windows, and the door knob are all metal.....I didn't have enough for the door itself or that would have been metal as well. I had to settle for a wood chip for the door.....it worked out well even so. Thanks for lookn'.....Namaste

MayPole Arch

2008-06-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my Gothic Arch....whew...just made it. If you recall the 'real' Gothic Arch people were taking a break this past week so I had to come up with my own theme and it was May Pole Dance at Nite.Of all the themes I've checked for the coming week Skinny Saturday's 'Bird' Theme and Dans Ma Maison...il y a Metal sound the most interesting so I will aim to get those two done. And my 'maybe if I have time' Arch theme will be......stained glass. I really should be mowing my yard, but my mower has died....again.....big whaayy!

CRYSTAL SHIP

2008-05-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my Theme Thursday 'Travelling' card. At first I wasn't liking it but when I took it outside to look at it in the natural sunlight it looked so light and bright that I could just feel myself in the Crystal Ship sailing in the clouds and i loved it. So it's called 'Crystal Sailing Ship in the Silver Clouds'. The ship is made of a string of clear beads, the cloud is handmade paper. That's all for now, must go work on my Skinny and/or Arch.

Keys

2008-05-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

First, I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments re: last weeks theme cards....very much appreciated. The teacup card, the flourish card, the home card, and the celebrating girls card are all up on eBay now along with Gwenevier's Castle. Now, themes for the week, themes for the week.....Me thinks this theme week is going to be quite the challenge...1) my favourite, Gothic Arches Sunday has taken a break til June 1st, whaaaaah b) skinny Saturday is 'le Parisien', which sounds lovely but I don't know from anything Medieval French *Theme Thursday is 'Travel' which sounds like the most do-able one....and you have to consider that last week was a long weekend which really helped. This week is a regular week. But we'll have a go at it.....let's see .... I will give myself an Arches Theme....lets saaaaaay......May Pole Dance at Night! That should be a good one....and if time allows I could do some research and maybe come up with some kind of Medieval Paris thing. Ok, good luck with that bunch Ly! Ahhhhh...you've noticed my keys....yes, yes, my friend Kim aka imagesbykim had a tutorial to make fab-u-lous keys and I just wanted to jump into making my own...but I didn't have any keys....so I had to make my own from scratch!!!!! Check in every once in a while cause eventually I'll let you know where/when they are up for sale.

arches 'flourish'

2008-05-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is my Gothic Arches Sunday card. Another very fun challenge. She looks fabulously overly swirled which is what I was going for. The grey/black outter edge is slightly raised. The lady is an altered image but all the swirly black and gold flourishes are my handy work. It's been an excellent week of theme challenges and I'm hoping to get the resulting cards onto Ebay this weekend and tomorrow we will start the whole thing over with theme thursday. I'm hoping my friend Kim aka imagesbykim will join me next week with some of these theme challenges. This week she's been busy trying to reach her goal of 100 blogs - so if you'd like to be eligible for her contest all you have to do is check out her blog and leave a comment , it's that easy, good luck.

Theme and Skinny

2008-05-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I've managed to finish Theme Thursday's 'Girls' and Skinny Saturday's 'Home'.
I wanted the girls of Theme Thursday to be on the wilder side so they got a sprig of grape vines - very 3-d...but I luv the result.
For the skinny card (3"x5") you maybe can't see it but it took forever to do cause the bed outline, the quilt, the cats, and the pillow are all petit pointed....the texture on this one is great. So I still have the Gothic Sunday to do - the theme is flourishes....sounds fun.

Theme Thursday

2008-05-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of trying to catch up with the Theme Thursday people. This 4x4 art card is for last week's theme: coffe or tea...but I'm only a day off. Not to worry though, I've already got a super good start on this week's theme: Girls. So I'm quite positive I'll have that done by Saturday....cause Saturday I want to start on a Skinny Saturday card and on Sunday I'll start the Gothic Arches Sunday card. I'm particulary giddy see what the topic of that one will be.
That will just have to do for now. I hope to be back soon with some photos. Anyway the point of doing these themes is to force me to move on making cards so that they can go up for sale somewhere. Oh and for anyone who likes to enter contests...and hopefully win you must go visit my friend Kim aka artand imagesbykim .....Namaste

More of the Book

2008-05-09T18:12:00.001-07:00

I don't have anything current to put up yet....not much time for art this week and probably not much more this weekend.
So I have put up a couple of new pages from the book I mentioned earlier.
The Title of the book is 'Ear the Earth'.

Enjoy.

BLUE DAY

2008-05-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

This is as blue as I got on blue day. Kim aka artandimagesbykim got her item bluer. However, I am pleased with my blue rearview mirror dangler. That's where this little item is going to hang. We had a loverly evening that lasted way past my bed time. As always though the evening of artsing with Kim was educational.

So, that means I was visiting on Thursday evening, visiting on Saturday evening and today...Sunday I went to have tea with my friends Tim and Di. I had not spoken to or seen these two all winter so I thought I would bring them a sample of all the Altered Art/Art card stuff I had been working on (they are without a computer). Di quite liked one of the books I had made some months ago. Here is the cover and a sample page from that book:

She even bought it. The front and back covers are made with plaster of paris and glue.

COUNTRY CHURCH

2008-04-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

I can't make up my mind if this is a castle or a church. Either way it looks quaint. For me it belongs in a old country European village. Luv the sap green ribbon. This one even comes with it's own stand. Probably I will put it up on eBay.....will let you know.

Tomorrow my friends and I are sending off all of the rowhouses that we worked so hard to finish - to the USA. With a wine and cheese party...should be fun!

Ta!

On eBay now

2008-04-28T16:45:00.001-07:00

I'm showing you Gwenevier's castle again because she has finally made the leap to eBay! So if you're interested in owning a castle here's your chance. I've also listed a couple of ATC's on eBay.

Construction is also going on on my 3rd castle/church and it should be ready for a reveal soon, so please keep watching.

finished 1st swap

2008-04-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Finally, all my row houses are done!

I decided to make the last three houses all the same, but look at what happened - their cut is the same, their size is the same, doors - and that's it. This project has shown me how wonderfully fun, varied, colourful, simple art cards can be. My friends Kim aka imagesbykim and Gerdie are also doing row houses and theirs are beautiful but completely different than mine. I love that.....such variety!

All the houses are made on mat board, the roof is vellum, the doors are real wood and the flowers are from digital pages from imagesbykim.

It's difficult balancing the colours of the 3 different houses so the two end ones look a bit too yellow and you can't see the crackle finish very well.

And you may recall that I had run low on embellishments but Kim and I went on our whirl-wind Winnipeg buying trip and I managed a great haul and a very fun day! If memory serves we hit 3 dollar stores, China town, a packaging place, lunch, grocieries, Steinbach, SuperStore, and topped it off with ice-cream Blizzards! and came home with pounds of fun stuff....which has yet to be organized into pretty boxes. As you can see I've already started using said goodies: the string, the hanging frame, the yarn, beads, red wire, beads and corner embellishments (on the centre house). None of the houses have names yet......any name ideas? anyone? I haven't named any of my row houses yet and there are 13 of them.....help!

6 days off

2008-04-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Tonite is the start of my 4 days off! 6 if you count weekends, so hopefully I get to everything on my to-do list. That list includes a full whirl-wind day in Winnipeg - pickn' up supplies for art fun! There's lots of non-art things on my list; a yard, a pile o' wood, a porch, a loft, part time jobs (no vacation from those) a house to clean, but I'm hoping every day will end with a lovely hour or two of relaxn' artn' and a cup'o tea.
But never mind that now ......check out this rowhouse....it's a beaut...I'm running low on art card 'jewellry' so I had to make my own out of heavy wire....I like the results....the heart, the moon, the circle.....they look more ancient this way...more rugged....like something you might have found in the earth. The flowers of course are from digital pages that I got from imagesbykim. They are growing fabulously in these old window boxes. Back to work now so that I can add a new house soon..........Namaste

Lovely day

2008-04-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

I am having way to much fun making these houses....they are quite time consuming but they are turning out great...

On the weekend I was splitting wood and noticed a small wood chip...it looked exactly like a little door...so I took it inside, shortened the ends a wee bit and it popped right into the door space of this house that I was working on! I just distressed it a bit, added a wire handle and violet! i mean voila!

Also today was my parrot's (Opie's) first walk over the bridge of the season.

I was going to take her after supper....but when I glanced into the porch there she was IN her cage ready for a walk. I really have to laugh at her sometimes...so we walked first and had supper later....Namaste

cozy homes

2008-04-09T18:28:00.001-07:00

So these are my three distressed rowhouses with flowers. I must add that these flowers have come from digital pages I got from imagesbykim and they inspired these houses. In the case of the two narrower houses the ribbon strands are free/moving whereas on the wide house the ribbon strands stay in that position. The ribbons are made of wire. All the doors and windows are translucent. All of the houses are made of mat board. The narrow house windows are made with wire. The 'shades' of the wide house windows are vellum. I think I'll make more of these. Namaste

more rowhouses

2008-04-07T16:49:00.001-07:00

It's Monday.....I have managed to finish 2 more rowhouses and 2 more have been started on...so I think I am doing not to badly. You can't see it in this picture but the 'door' is translucent.....I'm having great fun with these 'glass' windows and doors.

Apart from art, 2 other things I have been very pleased with are my attempts to get a little more green. I have started disposing of my cats' litter in a more green way and not just dumping it in the local landfill....and I've begun composting all the pounds of vegetation that my parrot throws onto the floor. In both cases I'm using a plastic pail with a lid and I'm layering food bits or cat doodoo with strips of newspaper (it's working quite well to keep the smell down)...so I'm recycling newspaper as well.

Speaking of chickens....my parrot has been able to go outside (in a large cage) twice now for about 10 minutes, in a windless alcove where the sun is shining . She is very happy with this as she is able to compete with the crows in a cawing match.

Houses

2008-04-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here is my 2nd castle, Gwenevier's Castle, not as elaborate as the first, but then Gwen is not as boastful as the Black Knight is....Gwen has a quiet confidence about her..she's silver cool. Take note of the translucent windows...it will be going up for sale soon somewhere.
The first picture is of the reverse of the castle....I am as interested in the backs as I am the fronts....this one turned out especially well...nice texture.
The other two houses are from a RowHouse swap I'm working on for Hostess Jeri in Texas aka artfulgathering. I've got about 4 done in various stages....speaking of which...I've got to go work on some more right now.

Notice the translucent windows on this one too.
I think the 'glass' windows and the swirly smoke are fun!

miscellaneous

2008-03-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today, as you can see I'm practicing taking photos and scans to load them onto my blog. The card is an example of the beautiful cards that my friend Gerdie makes by hand. I always feel special when I receive one of these cause they always have a warm cuddly feeling. Not unlike seeing my parrot (she's 16)and my baby cat (14 years old!) getting along so well. They are actually warming their tails by the wood stove.
The third pic is of Opie being very impressed with the flowers, I actually think she thought they were another parrot cause she started making courting/nesting noises to them.

practice

2008-03-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Alright, I think it's been a couple of days...so I must add more or I'll forget how to do this. My next castle is not finished yet and I'm also working on some row houses for a swap I'm doing with Kim aka imagesbykim and other friends. But I had done some sketches not too long ago (winter of of 08 yet)....I still really enjoy them when I come across them....and hope to do something with them yet....so I thought I'd practise by putting these up. I luv their energy...

2nd Posting

2008-03-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a quick day at work and now I'm home and back at play. I've just put the finishing touches on my latest piece. I was working on a design for background paper and when I added a touch of red to it, it just popped! and I knew that it would become the walls of 'The Black Knight's Castle'. It's got quite alot of detail for a 5x8 ish art card. There's even a working drawbridge...very fun....I won't mention what's behind the door. It's just gone up on my Etsy shop if you want to get more details.

It's been a very productive weekend, getting my blog up and running.

Kathy, thank you for the welcome.

Medieval Sky

2008-03-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share one piece of my art to give you an idea of what it looks like.

I was doing a series of Moon inspired Art Cards....I started with the black background....it is done with black carbon paper which I luv to work with. The stars are metallic ink, and the moon was made with a filligree embellishment that was actually sewn on. I'm pretty sure Kat aka alteredkat sells these on her website, just follow her links.

The card is well made and finished on the back including the title and my signature.

If you are interested in this piece you can find this one and others like it at my Etsy Shop.

Open Doors

2008-03-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

My doors are open!

Well symbolically speaking anyway. It is spring...time for new beginnings, fresh starts.....a perfect time, I think, for reaching out and connecting with others. I have always loved the use of symbols and trying to figure out their meaning. The meaning is not always clear and forthright...but I have figured out that they are always about connectedness. And I want to try to live this connectedness instead of just reading about it. So I thought this might be a good way for a wanna-be-hermit-living-in-my-own-head type of person to start connecting and sharing with others. Now, I don’t know that I am terribly adept with words or prose but I do enjoy creating visual art. Art of course is symbolic of what is in our hearts.....and sharing what is in our hearts is the deepest and best kind of sharing......cause if it is done right it is always truthful and honest....and that is what makes it so appealing and beautiful.

But we must start with the small, near and dear stuff; it is a bright sunny day...also auspicious for good starts. It is still cool out (this is Manitoba Canada) but things have the ‘feel’ and smell of Spring. My silly parrot ‘Opie’ had decided to lay eggs very early this year....so by March 16th she had laid 2 eggs and sat on them for almost 3 weeks at which time I took them out of the nest (they are not fertile eggs). At this very moment she is sitting in the cat’s basket in front of the woodstove basking in the warmth of the stove. I took her early nesting as a symbol that I was to get moving with my ‘baby’, my altered art, my Etsy shop, with my blog....that there was no time like the present. Also I had some reconstruction done in the bathroom recently and because of that for two days in a row I found a huge spider in my bathtub.....I took this as a sign that I was to get moving with my ideas of sharing and connectedness. Spiders and their webs are ancient symbols of connecting. I had not thought of this immediately but one day my Mentor, Kim aka imagesbykim (one day we’ll devote a whole blog to her) mentioned that I must blog “....because it’s like one huge spider web”...my mind immediately tweaked to the two spiders in my bathtub...and I knew that what she was saying was true for me.