You are Cordially Invited to my MidSummer's 'Faerie Day' Soirée!

Well it's June 24th, and today is officially 'Fairy Day'! So what does that mean? It means that "It's a day for Fairies, magic, and wishes to come true. So for one day...put aside the cynicism of the modern world, embrace the possibilities of the unknown....and believe in Fairies!" 

Do you believe in Faeries? I do of course, but then again I also believe in Ghosts, Leprechauns, Father Christmas and The Great Pumpkin. Ah heck....I'll believe in anything if it adds a little magic, creativity and wonderment to my world.  So today is the perfect day to join in the celebration of the Faerie Folk! 

  

When I was a young girl, my Grandmother used to take me to the library. Oh how I loved to spend the day at the library, because it wasn't just any old library....no, it was a magical portal to the lands of enchantment. It began to occur to me that 'magical' books always seemed to find their way into my eager lil' hands. Oh I didn't actively know to seek them out mind you...
I just happened upon them in my searching,
as if some magnetic force was drawing us together. But there were 2 special books that I never forgot, and they were "Faeries' and 'Gnomes" by Brian Froud! I read and studied those books from cover to cover, and I whole heartedly believed that every last word and picture was 100% real! I remember one day in particular when I read about Faerie Rings and Oak Trees....and I became convinced that I would be able to find signs of the Faeries beneath the big old Oak trees on our property. So I set out with my tools and my book....and I spent the day hunting, and waiting, and wishing very hard that I'd find one. Although admittedly I was also a good bit scared at what I would do if and when I actually stumbled upon them. The years have blurred my memory some, but I'm quite certain that I was successful at locating signs that the Faeries were indeed close at hand, and I'm pretty sure that I almost caught sight of one or two. Yes, I loved those two books SO WELL in fact, that I gave up my Library privileges entirely. For I refused to take the books back to the library. The fines kept piling up, and their threats of revoking my library card finally became a reality. But I didn't care. As I just could NOT bare to part with those books after being exposed to all of the magical secrets they'd given up to me. And of course it never even once dawned on me that the books could be found anywhere else other than the library. So I became a "Literary Fugitive" of the County Library System until many years later when I finally married and was able to change my last name! But the criminal record was but a small price to pay for entrance to the Enchanted Land of the Faeries!So to celebrate this most auspicious of days today, I invite you to a Midsummer Faerie Féte! Come join in the revelry and merriment as we wave a fond farewell to Spring and embrace the Summer Season with open arms. Please come take your seat at our Garden Fairy Table.
(And feel free to click on the images to view them larger!) We have a splendid lil' spot set especially for you,
with fresh ferns from the Fern Grotto! Our Midsummer Buffet is filled to the brim with fresh herbs and vegetables straight from the garden, and many delectable treats,
sure to satisfy any Faerie's sweet tooth. Ahhh...Midsummer! All Faeries know that Midsummer offers up Mother Nature's sweetest and most succulent Fruits of the Season. Faerie Berries are a feast for the senses and they come in a kaleidoscope of colors
to please the palate and the eyes!

One of the most scrumptious ways to serve Faerie Berries is in a Perfectly Pink Raspberry Punch. Cool and refreshing on those balmy Summer Days! Let's not forget the Sweets and Treats, as it's common knowledge that most Faeries are born with an insatiable 'sweet tooth'! We have mini Lemon-Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins that are just perfect for snacking. Or how about some dainty little Faerie Cakes....
petite and sweet and perfect for Pixies! And a Faerie Birthday Cake topped with the plumpest of strawberries, and candles for wishing. Yes, even Faeries believe in the power of 'Wishes'! Oh, and don't forget my personal favorite....Toadstools! But these aren't just any ole' Toadstools! For these are baked with a smidgeon of Faerie Magic and a pinch of Pixie Dust, mixed in with sweet Merengue and
Deep Dark Chocolate! So Yummy and So Cute!

With bellies full and the Faerie Festivities drawing to a close, it's time to bid your fellow Faeries adieu! For Twilight is falling fast and the Fireflies are starting to twinkle their lights in the Hedgerow. But no Seasonal Solstice Soirée is complete without Pretty Pixie Party Favors to carry home! And what better way to transport yourself back to the Realm of Faerie, than a lovely scented Butterfly Candle in the Fragrant Flower Scents of Lavender, Honeysuckle, Gardenia and Sweet Pea! Yes it's true that Midsummer presents the perfect opportunity to embark on a Flight of Fancy in the spirit and celebration of the Faeries who Enchant our Gardens, and usher in the Seasons of the Year. And who wouldn't love to attend a Festive Midsummer Celebration filled with the Mirth and Merriment of a Fine Faerie Feast?! Both Young and Old alike can appreciate a Magical Escape into the Realm of Imagination and Wonder! So this has been the perfect day to embrace the Faeries with our open hearts....but more importantly with our open minds!

All you have to do is BELIEVE!
"Tula, vasa ar' yulna en i'mereth. 
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuv!"  

(All Images © Wendy A. 2011)

Easter Greetings at pingg.com

 
 

Well it has been a crazy year!  Busy, busy, busy...and that's an understatement!  I did want to share some news however.  Remember the days when we sent PAPER cards?  Well I do, and honestly, I am a stationary fiend....so I still love the look and feel of paper cards.  But there is no use denying that we are full force in the technology age and paper does mean we have to cut down trees.  So what's a gal (or fella) to do these days when they want to send a greeting or sentiment to someone special, or where does a hostess (or host) turn when they need to send out invites for a large event?  Well I'll tell you where they go....they go to Pingg!  Pingg is....well only the hippest and most creative On-line Invitation Station on the world wide web!  Here is Pingg's Vision in their own words....

"Our vision is a world where online invitations & announcements can exist in the same sentence as "cool" and "awesome" (or if you're British, "wicked awesome"). The time has come to elevate the online experience--yes people, to RAAAAAISE the bar artistically and technically-so that online and traditional postmarked invitations can live together in peace, harmony and celebration... like yin and yang... like Cheech and Chong."

So why am I introducing you to Pingg you ask?  Because yours truly is one of those crazy, hip artists that contribute over there, that's why!  And I am honored to announce that I was selected the Pingg Plus Spotlight Designer of the week today....woo hoo!  (Can I get a hi-five?)  Hooray!  I started with Pingg last summer and won an honorable mention in their Summer Design Challenge.  Of course I was all over the Halloween Cards and Invites back in October, and now I have a new batch of Easter designs ready to be E-Mailed or Snail-Mailed to all your favorite peeps.
Pingg...Artist Designed Invitations and E-Vites

So help me support the 'Artists Movement' by sharing the news, posting a link, twittering or better yet....sending out some cards and invitations today!  Spread the word and help a sista out!  Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

The Circle & A Very 'Gypsy' Yule!

Well I must admit that I am a little out of my element here.  Of course I was honored when my friend Beth from 'The Windesphere Witch' and the 'Perfume Smellin' Things' Blog suggested I join in a wonderful Advent Blogging event, hosted by her dear friend Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume!  Just to be in such phenomenal company was a gift indeed.  And at first I fretted that I am a visual artist and photographer, not a Scent Expert, and therefore perhaps not qualified for such an invite.  But Beth assured me that if I would just blog about my own personal connections to the holiday season with it's sights, sounds and scent....that it would certainly fit right into the spirit of "The Circle"!  So in honor of the season, I will attempt to share with you my 'Gypsy Christmas/Yule'!


Most of us equate the holiday season with traditions.  Traditions are an important part of the human experience and at no time are they more on display than during the holidays.   And like most people, I do love traditions.  But 'traditionalism', is the belief that traditions should be followed, while change should be limited.  And that is where I tend to part ways with the 'concept' of 'traditions'.   After all, change can be a wonderful way to keep things fresh and exciting.  And everything in our lives and world is always in a constant state of flux.  So for me, that means taking 'traditions' and molding them a bit.  As an artist, I enjoy putting my own unique spin on everything around me.  From my clothing to my photography to my living environment...I like to imbue my surroundings with things that make me happy, like COLOR and SCENT.  And I infuse them into all areas of my life and home, especially during the holidays. 

 

Being somewhat of a 'Bohemian-Lite' at heart, I decided that the 'traditions' of the holiday should be melded to fit my own eclectic sense of style.  If pressed to specify my personal aesthetic, I guess one would describe it as 'Moroccan-Gypsy-Boheme!  I like to mix the old with the new, and contrast textures and materials to create a style fusion.  No rules, other than filling my space with things that delight my senses.  So there is nothing 'traditional' about my sense of style, but I prefer it that way.  Colorful Moroccan lanterns, gypsy scarves, celestial sun and moons, Buddhas, and exotic spices and incense, mingle peacefully with an old Hoosier cabinet, antiques, newer furnishings and hand crafted items.  The result is an atmosphere as varied and eclectic as I am.  And when it comes time to decorate for the Winter holidays, I seek to mold my family's traditions to fit our bohemian style.

My love affair with the colors, textures and scents of Asia, especially in India, as well as Morocco....has been the driving inspiration in my decorating.  So instead of the traditional red, white and green, you will find a multitude of bright colors throughout our home and on our Christmas tree.  A Buddha sits happily next to glittered reindeer and Indian jewelry boxes.  Our tree has a 'Gypsy' theme with a variety of different ornaments.  Suns and Moons, Owls, Jewels, Mandolins, Feathers and Moroccan Stars sit atop a fresh fragrant Spruce.  The dining table is set with mix-matched Indian print plates and the chandelier is also 'Gypsified' with an assortment of baubles, beads and jewels in a rainbow of colors.  Glass beaded garlands flank the mirrors and gypsy rings and incense gifts are used to accessorize instead of the classic Santas and Snowmen.  It's certainly not a traditional Christmas theme...but when thrown together, it is colorful, festive and fun!

And the scents you ask?  What scents accompany a 'Gypsy Yule'?  Wafts of Incense coiling up through the air such as the traditional offerings of Frankincense and Myrrh, which are in tune with the story of Christmas, and well known as valuable gifts from the Middle East.  But we also enjoy the traditional hippie favorites like Patchouli and Nag Champa as well.  Which begs the question...is there really any such thing as a 'Traditional Hippie'?  Rich spices abound in the Indian Spice Markets, and they accompany the resinous incense so very nicely.  We enjoy how their enticing aromas make the holiday season more 'Scent-ual' and festive.  Clove, Cardamon, Anise and Cinnamon brewing on the stove top in some Apple Cider is a welcoming scent to family and friends as they enter our home.  We also enjoy the succulent sight, taste and smell of fruits such as Pomegranates, Figs and Oranges. And lastly, it's always a special seasonal delight to unwrap a bar of Madagascar Spiced soap, richly fragrant with the scent of clove!  It's a splendid excuse to enjoy a warm Winter's bath with some almond or champa oil mixed in to help soften winter's drying effects on the skin.  But more importantly, it's also  the perfect time to relax and soak in the fragrant water, while taking stock of the various gifts that life has blessed us with throughout the past year....as we come full 'circle' to the holidays once again, and look forward to the promising new calendar year ahead.  :o)
Happy Holidays & Namaste!   
~ Wendy

Creative Concepts

~  "Live life with passion, and have a love for all things fun and creative!"  ~

~  "The creative adult, is the child who survived."  ~

I learned a great deal of what I know about photography from my mentor.  He was a fabulous teacher who really taught us how to 'see creatively'!  And some of my favorite assignments were when we were instructed to use our photography to illustrate a concept.  For instance he would tell us to illustrate the concept of "loss" or "isolation."  This is a method that is used very frequently in the advertising and marketing fields, who also happen to be large buyers of 'stock' photography. 

I got my first taste of how to relate through images and words in college.  I majored in Advertising/Public Relations, and often we had to present marketing campaigns with both written and visual elements included.  We had to 'communicate' to our clients and their marketing demographics.  I always loved those classes, especially the photojournalism classes.  And the  'concept' idea in photography just naturally appealed to me when it became an assignment.  So during one of my fun, colorful, tropical periods...I decided to take a very fun, colorful prop that I just happen to love...and attempt to use it to illustrate some concepts.  My prop of choice was the beloved, yellow 'Rubber Duckie'....and I wanted to share with you some ideas of what you can communicate photographically through the use of a fairly inexpensive prop like a rubber duck.

First up are a few concept shots.  So I'll show you the image, and directly above each shot, I'll share with you the intended concept.  You can decide for yourselves if you think I successfully accomplished the connection between the image and the concept.  Concept shots are a lot of fun!

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

 

GO YOUR OWN WAY

 

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW

 

TAKING THE LEAD

 

STAND OUT IN THE CROWD

 

BE UNIQUE!

 

The ideas are as limitless as your own imagination.  My personal favorite is the last one.."Be Unique"!  Actually most of those concepts are ones that I relate to on a personal level.  It took me a long time to learn to appreciate my gifts and relish how I was different....rather than bemoan the fact that I was not the same as everyone else.  So these are important concepts that I try to instill in my children and encourage in others every chance I get.  :o)

Additionally, I've posted a  few other images that I thought might make for good greeting cards.

The 2 images above and below, would make great Anniversary cards, Vacation, Love or Valentine's Day cards.  They basically speak of love...but it just happens to be between Rubber Ducks instead of people.

 

And this last one was just an out-take from a regular photoshoot.  But it also turned out beautifully, and could be used as a Shower Invite/Card, Baby Congrats or Expecting Parents card.

And any of these would look great framed and hung up in a kid's bathroom, playroom or nursery.

Seeing creatively, can sometimes mean exploring concepts and thoroughly working your subject matter.  So look around to find an object that captures your eye, and see how many ideas you can generate from it.  The end result may be pleasantly surprising.  But more importantly, it allows you to enjoy the creative process along the way.  And your photographs can be more than entertaining or aesthetically pleasing....they can also tell a story, make a point or convey a message or sentiment..

Have FUN and do something CREATIVE today!

The Lucky Ladybug

Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home,
Your house is on fire, and your children all gone
All but one, her name is Ann,
And she crept under the frying pan!

This was my Mom's version of the old nursery rhyme.  It was read to her by her Mom, and she read it to me.  I read it to my children, and I hope that they will one day read it to theirs as well.  It seems as though nursery rhymes aren't as popular as they once were.  I wonder why?  They don't really teach them in school anymore, so they are only passed down through books or by oral tradition.  My Mom taught us many nursery rhymes when we were young...but Ladybug was always a favorite of mine.  Although it does seem rather tragic if you really think about it, but I like Ladybugs, so this one appealed to me.   Lil' Miss Muffet and her creepy Spider however...did NOT!

So why DO we like Ladybugs?  Well at first glance, they are rather decorative by design.  Their brilliant shades of red and orange with black spots, make them stand out beautifully amongst the green foliage.  And on top of being a pretty bug, they are also good garden helpers...eating other bugs that cause damage to our plants and vegetables.  Attractive and helpful....what's not to love?  But some of our fondness for the 'little lady', actually stems from Ladybug Lore.  Yes, it seems there are many wide held beliefs about the Ladybug all over the world.  For instance, in my own family, we always say that if a Ladybug lands on you, it brings good luck.  In England, finding a Ladybug means you'll have a good harvest.  In Sweden they believe that if a Ladybug lands on a young maiden's hand, she'll soon be getting married.  And in France, it's believed that if a Ladybug lands on you when you are sick, she will take the sickness with her when she flies away.  So it's no wonder why everyone loves the Ladybug.

We were in north Georgia one year, enjoying the scenery at a state park...when all of a sudden Ladybugs started appearing everywhere.  In a few brief minutes, there were millions of ladybugs flying around and landing everywhere.  We weren't sure what to make of that phenomenon, but a local resident told us that they swarm or migrate once every year.  And apparently that was our 'lucky' day...as we were witness to an incredible act of nature.  I'll always remember that day.  And I'll always love the Ladybug for one other reason as well.  One of the last times I spent with my Dad before he passed away, involved he and I and a Ladybug.  I was at his house with my kids for a visit.  And I had my new camera with me.  So while my Step-mom watched the kids, my Dad and I wandered around his yard, and down by the lake he lived on, to find some photo opportunities. 

And as 'luck' would have it, while we were on the dock, a Ladybug flew up and landed on the old wood of the railing.  I was excited to have a pretty red Ladybug to shoot.  But I couldn't get it to stay in one place long enough to get a shot in.  So I enlisted my Father as my photographer's assistant...and we spent a good hour or more carrying the Ladybug around from place to place in the yard to photograph it.  Dad was responsible for corralling the bug to keep it in the right place, so that I could shoot.  If you knew my Father...you'd know why this was so funny and so unprecedented for him.  But he was as serious about his job as I was about mine.  He even started suggesting new locales and backdrops.  In fact, the close up photo of the spotted Ladybug below on the leaf and wood, was one of his own 'set designs'!

That day will always stay in my memory because it was one of the few times that my Dad and I spent quality time together doing something so silly and spontaneous.  We laughed when the Ladybug would escape and mess up my shot, because I kept playfully threatening my Dad that I was going to have to fire him if he couldn't perform the very basic tasks of his new job as photographer's assistant and Ladybug handler!  I laugh even now, because my Dad was a big, strong man with big hands...and to watch him become so enthralled with that tiny Ladybug was a rare and simple pleasure.  Ladybugs have always been around me.  They land on my family and I quite regularly, and we are always thrilled to be the recipients of some good luck.  And speaking of 'Ladybugs'...I wanted to dedicate this entry to my dear friend Melissa in California who is expecting another little 'lady' of her own soon.  She and her daughter have nicknamed her their 'little ladybug'.  And I am very thrilled for Melissa and her family, as I anxiously await the arrival of the little 'Ladybug'!  :o)