mother nature smiles
when we take the time to tend
and nurture the land

***

Well... we had our first home-grown salad of the year; yesterday... 
complete with the first strawberries of the season.
It was wonderful.

MondayUPs




Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.

In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff... 
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...

***

 I remember back in 9th grade... we had to make a leaf collection for Biology class.
I got an A+.
I had been pressing leaves and flowers for years and years before that... 
and still collect them when I can. 
(one of my pressings is shown in the photo at the top)
Pressing flowers and leaves has been a hobby for people for a long time.
The oldest known collection was that of Antonius Christophori Münchenberg, 
a set of native and cultivated plants he mainly collected in Gotland, in 1701 and 1702.


So... what can you do with these lovelies once you press them?
Here are some cool ideas:


You can make pretty handmade paper, colorful cards... 
and collage them onto things like old bottles and such.


You can use them in making candles... put them onto lampshades...
or make some gorgeous framed pieces.


And, of course, you knew I would show some jewelry applications :)


but then I got to thinking about printing options...


And then I saw these incredible leaf cutting works of art!


Here are a couple cool links on Pinterest for more ideas...

for the weekend



Happy Mother's Day... especially to my own mom.

It's been a busy week here... and I've worked in the studio quite a bit.
I have (finally) organized most all my beads and supplies... and only have a little bowl of old jewelry to dismantle. It's amazing... and took way longer than I expected it too... but that's ok.

The herb garden is looking lovely, and although some of my bedding plants in the yard look a little ill (yes, I'm talking about the ornamental grasses I just put in---ergh).... there are others that look fabulous (like the hollyhocks!). We even have some morning glories peeking out from the dirt :)
And in the next couple of days we can probably harvest our first crop of lettuce.
It's wonderful.

I haven't been getting much quality sleep... and find that I have been overwhelmingly exhausted... but fortunately, I have still been doing alright. We even went to Barnes & Noble for our weekly coffee/ dinner date... and got some amazing books. We also had a couple excellent meals at our local Flying Star cafe... and it was delish.

And so we look towards another week. 
New adventures... new jewelry and art to make... lots of photos to be taken...

Much love to you all...



(here is a photo of my mom back in 1950-ish)

friday finds



I read... alot.
I love the written word.

I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).

***

Today I am featuring blogs by people here in ABQ...
or that have lived here in NM at one time or another...


High Road Artist
Santa Fe Daily Photo
Folk Art Life


***

I'm sure I've missed some good ones...
so let me know and I will do another post on ABQ down the road...
when I take the time
...sitting with a cup in hand...
the words flow more free

***

 ~it's all in the balance~

And have I mentioned how much I love the sound of clarinets in jazz songs?




your time is coming...
just hold on -- it'll be alright
look toward the sky

***

(photo is from the patio of the Flying Star cafe
on Paseo del Norte here in ABQ... with a great view of the Sandias...
taken yesterday)



serenity smiles
peace washing over me like
rain on a hot day

***

I don't understand living with anger all the time.
Letting it rule your head and your heart...
making all your decisions for you
clouding all your perceptions
and infecting everyone around you
...just sayin'.

***
(last night I went to Trader Joe's... and saw these lovely hydrangeas
...they make me smile)


MondayUPs


Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.
In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff... I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...

***

 We all have boxes lying about.
You never know when you might need to wrap up a gift... or mail a package.

 Owning my own business... I always keep a selection of small boxes and packing materials around. 
But what else can you do with them?
And so...today's links are all on recycling cardboard... 

 ***

"In most cases, cardboard can be easily recycled, though recycling collectors often require that cardboard boxes be flattened before collection. Tape, labels and other items can be left on the cardboard (they'll be removed at the recycling center).
Cardboard and paperboard can't always be recycled, however. Pizza boxes and other food containers are often contaminated with grease, rendering them useless for recycling. Other cardboard containers are coated with wax or other substances to give them more strength when wet -- these usually can't be recycled, either. Juice containers, milk cartons and some produce boxes are resin- or wax-coated and are not always recyclable."

 You can read more:
here 
here 
and here is a map thingie where you can find recycling centers by putting in your zip code. 

***


And if you're crafty... there's always these ideas of things to make from cardboard
... from the ever popular kid's castle and doll house...  to store displays and journals.



furniture... lamps... even deer "trophies..."


to fashion... jewelry... and art... 




and then there is THIS GUY... you can read about him


*ALL photos for today's post are off the internet... and found on GOOGLE.

for the weekend...


This collage will tell you a little bit about my week (all these photos are from this week).
Working in the yard a bit... making jewelry in the studio... 

But it's been a difficult week. 
I seem to be in a pit.. .both physically and mentally... and my spirit, in general, is down.
In my head... I know it will get better... 
But in my heart... it feels like I am wading in an ocean of mud and muck.

And so... I try to get good rest (I've been having bad dreams all week for some reason)
...I've been trying to eat well... and enjoy the cooler weather...
and try to work on my jewelry and photography every day. 

Much love to you all... see you on Monday.


friday finds




(all these shots are iPhone shots I took while watching older episodes of CSI the other night)

***

I read... alot.
I love the written word.

I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).

***

Today is a slight departure from our usual blog links... as this time,
I am going to be listing links online that aren't blogs... but sites.

I love CSI (the original).
And so I wanted "to show the love" so to speak...
for some places online and such where you can watch your fav TV shows.
Everyone needs a little "guilty pleasure" time now and then :)

Hulu
Zap2It
TV Video Online
Graboid
TV Show
I Tunes (there is a fee)
Netflix (there is a fee)
YouTube
Xfinity
TV Guide Channel
TumTiki
Clicker


PLUS!
Don't count out your local library system. They offer lots of dvds of your fav shows and movies.
As do Hastings, Redbox, Blockbuster and FYE shops.
You can get some great deals at Amazon.com for used movies and TV series...
and, of course .. .Ebay (but beware of pirated copies!)

And lastly, but not least...
online TV networks... Places  like NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX, A & E, etc...
often stream there shows for free.

So go make some popcorn... put up your feet.. and have some fun!



toes in the warm sand
thinking 'bout the year to come
things are heating up

***

I have so many goals for this coming year...
(photo taken yesterday)



cooing at sunrise
dancing feet on my rooftop
too soon they fly off

***



too hot to handle
the fire escapes from your eyes
and ignites me

***

no rhyme or reason... just came to me whilst looking at my photos of this iris

MondayUPs




Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.
In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff... I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...

 ***

 Monday's are (traditionally) laundry day here in the Russell household.
Which means.. .that is usually the day I strip the beds and wash all the quilts that have been used that week. 
Otherwise, I tend to do a load every day... or every other day... 
of clothing or towels or whatever. Anyway.

 I was thinking about laundry.
And it got me thinking about my one niece.
Years and years ago (back in the 80's)... she had my sister saving dryer lint.
Now mind you... it was the 80's... think of pretty pastel dryer lint...

 And yes, it was beautiful.
I can't recall if this was a school project or whatever... but my niece made paper.
So today... On my MondayUPs theme...
 I am featuring cool things you can do with dryer lint.

-----

First... are the (sorta) more expected uses:
Making paper
Making fire starters
Putting out for the birds to use as nesting material
Making eco friendly pots for plants
using as filler for pillows and stuffies
and here are some more uses: here




Then.... I found fabric... clothing, and accessories: 


and then... ART!
Like sculptures, miniatures, eco friendly art for leaving in nature... and more...

for the weekend


It's been a week.
And most of it I thoroughly enjoyed.

The good:
Weather... not too hot... and for the most part, sunny and clear.
I watched some great (older) episodes of CSI... snuggling on the couch with my dear Brina.
I planted the herb garden (all in pots this year)... and have a plan of attack... so to speak...
for the rest of the front and back yard.
I've listened to the bees... which have returned in a HUGE pack... and are busy slurping the pollen from my locust trees.
Have seen lots of quail... which are loving my back yard... and visit almost daily.
Got flowers (for my birthday) from my mom, brother and nephew... and a lovely bouquet from BAJ.
And also got a lovely sterling charm from BAJ... who knows I collect them.. .and love them.
I was also the featured artist in the current issue of AURA magazine... how cool!




The bad:
Allergies. Lupus. Headaches.
Nuf said.


The Ugly:
The son is having a hard time.
 I love him so... and wish him the best... but he is going through alot right now... 
and I worry for him. It's been tough.

And so. Another week goes by... full of good coffee... good music.. much love... 
and a few trials and tribulations. ... which is normal. We shall survive. 
We shall grow... and gain strength... and fortitude... and be blessed. 
Much love to you all. 
See you on Monday.



Plants/  Herbs planted this year:  Lettuce: multiple varieties, Chives, Rosemary, German Thyme, Sage, Basil- Boxwood and sweet leaf, Tooth Ache plant, Parsley - curly leaf and Italian, Marjoram, Wheat Grass  Oregano, Strawberries--- 2 big bins, Mint, Dill and Lemon Balm.
Plus we have Lavender, Hollyhocks, Morning glories, Sunflowers, Cosmos, Marigolds, Wisteria, red yucca, decorative grasses, geraniums, a pot o' mixed flowers...and roses coming up.

friday finds




I read... alot.
I love the written word.

I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).

***

I've been working in the yard this week... enjoying planting some herbs...
and listening to all the bees in my flowering locust tree (it nearly vibrates!).
And so... I've been thinking about my "country" roots...
and decided to feature like minded blogs this week:


FarmGirl Fare
Junk Gypsy Company
On the Metzger's Farm 
Pioner Woman
Juniper Moon Farm


***

I took this photo late last night... with the moon smiling above my locust tree.



blooms full of pure joy
bursting with such happiness
even the bees sing

*** 

the bees are back... and flying around the yard



breathing in beauty
surrounding myself with love
nurturing the self

***

Sometimes you have to step back and take care of yourself.
Not to be selfish... but so that you can continue to take care of others... to be fully capable...
for whatever happens. So you can take on tomorrow.. and whatever comes your way.
 And that's not selfish.... and it may be one of the best things you can do for the rest of the planet.
---just a reminder---




your heady perfume
is intoxicating me...
my wisteria moon

***

a couple blocks away... .a wisteria is blooming
and the scent wafts to my door by moonlight...

MondayUPs



Usually on Mondays... I feature things having to do with recycling... upcycling...etc.
I call these posts MondayUPs... because Monday's can be rough. In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff... I am featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books... wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods.

Today... however... is my birthday.
It is also EARTH DAY.

And so I thought I would post a little about the history of Earth Day.

Started in 1970... it was the brainchild of a Senator Gaylord Nelson... from Wisconsin. Some say it was in response to a recent oil spill in California... others say he was inspired by the protests of the VietNam era... and wanted something ecologically themed.
Either way... it's been around awhile... and there is now a whole network associated with the cause.


To me... I have always been sort of a "hippie child.".... I love trees, gardening, walking in the woods collecting photos of botanical subjects... smelling the earth... walking barefoot... you get the idea. I have a penchant for wearing flouncy skirts and natural fabrics. I wear essential oils instead of perfume. Anyway... I have made a practice of planting something on Earth Day for several years now... and this year is no exception. And so today... I am working a little on my potted herb garden.. .and enjoying the nice weather.


I received some lovely flowers from my mother, brother and nephew... and they are gracing my living room. The flower shot (above) is of some flowers my dear husband gave me :)

Below is a photo of one of our locust trees (I love it... it is very fern-like in appearance)... and of one of our afternoon visitors... amongst the hollyhocks.


And here are some links about Earth Day: