Some time ago, I made a post about Offbeat Bride--a great resource for those of us who like to operate outside of the traditional. Well, the site's founder has started a new blog community called Offbeat Mama for moms of the same nature. And my blog post on fairy mailboxes has been reposted there.
So go check it out along with all other great articles on being an Offbeat Mama including fashion remixes for moms to be and handling holidays when your Pagan.
Showing posts with label fairy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fairy. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Enchanted House: The Blank Slate
In my last post, I talked about the big project I had planned. Well, my husband and I bought a house and I now have all summer to decorate it and to blog about it!
Welcome! This is the living room as viewed from the entry. Its hard to see from here but this room has a wonderful cathedral ceiling. You can see the rooms other impressive feature--the fire place. The door in the picture leads out to the sun room where you can glimpse the decaying hot tub. The more we look at it, the less salvageable it seems.
From this view, you can get a better sense of the room's cathedral ceiling and the lovely two-story window and window seat. The window seat will most likely play home to one of my dollhouses. As for the decor in this room, I'm thinking a subtle forest fairy theme similar to one I attempted in my current living room. The colors will be in greens and browns with lots of organic elements. The art styles will be either Art Noveau or Pre-Raphelite. For the furnishings, I'm going to try to stick to rustic but I'm not sure if I'll lean more American or European.
The next room is the dining room. See those mirrors--they all over the downstairs hall as well. So far, only two people have liked them--my mother who thinks that they add more light and my daughter who likes to watch herself dance in them. And while I'll concede my mom has a point, they won't work in the more Gothic style I have planned for this room.
The kitchen is one of those rooms that will have to wait. While we're getting new appliances right now, I probably have to live with the beat up cabinets, white laminate counter, and white laminate wood floor for another year yet. However, I hope to take the woods a little darker with a stone counter top and tile floor--something in the vein of European country.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is nice and large. I'm playing around with a sort of Elven Celestial theme. I want to stick with a palate of blues, silvers, and greys. I keep going back forth between more substantial wooden pieces or more modern pieces in black and silver. I know I want to use lots of sheer fabrics on the windows and around the bed. I'd like to do something with the ceiling too, but the I'm not sure what I want do to will work on the textured ceiling the room.
I would love to say that we bought some charming old Victorian in need of some TLC, but the truth is we bought a house in subdivision that was built in the 1990's instead of the 1890's. It did meet all of all our requirements--nice layout with lots of space, two bathrooms, good sized kitchen, nice sized yard (almost 1/2 acre), city utilities, and no major work need (there is some minor stuff that we hope to take care of in the next week or so).
However, some of previous owners' choices are a little--well, not our style. Some may like the walls of mirrors and white carpets, but well if you've read this blog any you know my tastes run a little more "exotic". So I hope to take you along as I transform this "blank slate" of white and mirrors into something rich and luxurious. While there will be some changes that take place right away (paint) there are other project we have planned for later (such as kitchen and bathroom remodels).
However, some of previous owners' choices are a little--well, not our style. Some may like the walls of mirrors and white carpets, but well if you've read this blog any you know my tastes run a little more "exotic". So I hope to take you along as I transform this "blank slate" of white and mirrors into something rich and luxurious. While there will be some changes that take place right away (paint) there are other project we have planned for later (such as kitchen and bathroom remodels).
So while we take care of some leaky pipes and few holes in the drywall, let me take you on tour of the future enchanted house.
Welcome! This is the living room as viewed from the entry. Its hard to see from here but this room has a wonderful cathedral ceiling. You can see the rooms other impressive feature--the fire place. The door in the picture leads out to the sun room where you can glimpse the decaying hot tub. The more we look at it, the less salvageable it seems.From this view, you can get a better sense of the room's cathedral ceiling and the lovely two-story window and window seat. The window seat will most likely play home to one of my dollhouses. As for the decor in this room, I'm thinking a subtle forest fairy theme similar to one I attempted in my current living room. The colors will be in greens and browns with lots of organic elements. The art styles will be either Art Noveau or Pre-Raphelite. For the furnishings, I'm going to try to stick to rustic but I'm not sure if I'll lean more American or European.
The next room is the dining room. See those mirrors--they all over the downstairs hall as well. So far, only two people have liked them--my mother who thinks that they add more light and my daughter who likes to watch herself dance in them. And while I'll concede my mom has a point, they won't work in the more Gothic style I have planned for this room.I have this room slightly less planned out than the living room, though I'm picturing a palate of reds and golds with dark, heavy wooden furniture. I have to admit, I really like the light fixture in this room and quick coat of black paint will make it perfect.
The kitchen is one of those rooms that will have to wait. While we're getting new appliances right now, I probably have to live with the beat up cabinets, white laminate counter, and white laminate wood floor for another year yet. However, I hope to take the woods a little darker with a stone counter top and tile floor--something in the vein of European country.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is nice and large. I'm playing around with a sort of Elven Celestial theme. I want to stick with a palate of blues, silvers, and greys. I keep going back forth between more substantial wooden pieces or more modern pieces in black and silver. I know I want to use lots of sheer fabrics on the windows and around the bed. I'd like to do something with the ceiling too, but the I'm not sure what I want do to will work on the textured ceiling the room. Part 2 of The Blank Slate tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Letters to the Fairies, a variation
If you've read the Fairy mailbox post, but find yourself lacking a place to put such a thing, don't despair. My daughter has come up with an interesting way to write to the fairies and all it requires is a sidewalk and some sidewalk chalk.
Sidewalk chalk is fun, even when you aren't writing to the fairies. For a little extra decoration at your next door party, use the chalk to draw pretty swirls, flowers, or vines on a sidewalk or patio.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Book Review: Tiny Treats
A few weeks ago, to celebrate the end of school, the fairies brought my daughter the book Tiny Treats by Julia A. Monroe. The books shows how to make tiny, fairy-sized, edible food from other foods. This books is great if you are going to put on a fairy picnic or tea. The food is just the right size for our fae friends, as well as yummy (for the most part) for our human ones.
The book is listed at 8+, but my six year old daughter seemed to be able to do most of the recipes we tried with just a little help. The food is adorable and for the most part very easy to make. I will admit some of the combinations sound less than appetizing (in particular the sandals made from Nutter Butters and Fruit Roll-Ups). But of everything we tried, we liked.
My only other complaint is that some of the instructions are little vague or could be improved upon in small ways. For instance, we made the tiny watermelons on pg 19. The instructions tell you to put the lime halves your using as the outside of the watermelon into a muffin tin so they don't roll around. Well, they still roll around. I found that if I cushion them with paper towels first, it makes it easier to fill them with watermelon jello insides as well as move them to the fridge to set.
We also tried the sub sandwiches on pg 18. However, I couldn't find the breadsticks they suggest, so we used small dinner rolls instead. Also, my daughter is not a fan of pepperoni, tomato, or onions. So, we used her favorite sandwich stuffs instead, cutting down pieces of chicken and ham to fit on our tiny buns.
A friend of mine tried the Jelly Roll on pg 30 and said that is a great and easy snack that kids can make themselves. My daughter and I also tried the perfume bottles on pg 41. This is a great recipe for younger kids if you just use slightly larger candies. In my daughters case, I used Jolly Ranchers (though be careful, some stand upright better than others).
We also made the hats on the same page. These are lots of fun to decorate. My only advice is that if you want to cover the tops with Fruit Roll-Ups that you do that before you frosting the tops to the bottoms.
However, my favorite recipe in the entire book is the tiny cakes on pg 34-35. They are so very simple to make--just two sandwich cookies frosted together, then covered in frosting. And like the hats, they are lots of fun to decorate. More over, I can see lots of uses for these beyond fairy picnics. They would make great treats for school or favors for a party. And the little wedding cake that's made the same way on pgs 36-37 would be adorable at a shower or even at a wedding.
Overall, I thought this was a great book for kids and adults alike. While the instructions could be more detailed, the pictures are great. And the food is fun.
The book is available through the American Girl website or in local book retailers.
The book is listed at 8+, but my six year old daughter seemed to be able to do most of the recipes we tried with just a little help. The food is adorable and for the most part very easy to make. I will admit some of the combinations sound less than appetizing (in particular the sandals made from Nutter Butters and Fruit Roll-Ups). But of everything we tried, we liked.
My only other complaint is that some of the instructions are little vague or could be improved upon in small ways. For instance, we made the tiny watermelons on pg 19. The instructions tell you to put the lime halves your using as the outside of the watermelon into a muffin tin so they don't roll around. Well, they still roll around. I found that if I cushion them with paper towels first, it makes it easier to fill them with watermelon jello insides as well as move them to the fridge to set.
We also tried the sub sandwiches on pg 18. However, I couldn't find the breadsticks they suggest, so we used small dinner rolls instead. Also, my daughter is not a fan of pepperoni, tomato, or onions. So, we used her favorite sandwich stuffs instead, cutting down pieces of chicken and ham to fit on our tiny buns.
A friend of mine tried the Jelly Roll on pg 30 and said that is a great and easy snack that kids can make themselves. My daughter and I also tried the perfume bottles on pg 41. This is a great recipe for younger kids if you just use slightly larger candies. In my daughters case, I used Jolly Ranchers (though be careful, some stand upright better than others).
We also made the hats on the same page. These are lots of fun to decorate. My only advice is that if you want to cover the tops with Fruit Roll-Ups that you do that before you frosting the tops to the bottoms.
However, my favorite recipe in the entire book is the tiny cakes on pg 34-35. They are so very simple to make--just two sandwich cookies frosted together, then covered in frosting. And like the hats, they are lots of fun to decorate. More over, I can see lots of uses for these beyond fairy picnics. They would make great treats for school or favors for a party. And the little wedding cake that's made the same way on pgs 36-37 would be adorable at a shower or even at a wedding.
Overall, I thought this was a great book for kids and adults alike. While the instructions could be more detailed, the pictures are great. And the food is fun.
The book is available through the American Girl website or in local book retailers.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Kids Project: Fairy Mailbox.
If you have young children (or even older ones) who believe in fairies, this is a fun, ongoing project you can do with them. A fairy mailbox is a special mailbox that kids can use to write the fairies and receive messages from them.
The idea originally comes from Cultivating Sacred Space by Elizabeth Murray. In the chapter on her own garden, she mentions a knotty hole in one of her trees that the neighborhood children use as a fairy mailbox to send letters and small gifts to the fairies (as well as receive them, sometimes). So when I moved into the enchanted cottage, there was an old mailbox in the backyard that my mother had put there as a birdhouse. A light bulb clicked and I knew it would make a perfect fairy mailbox for my own daughter. She loves it and checks it everyday in case the fairies have sent her something.
For ages 2 and up, with adult participation.
What you'll need:
Old metal mailbox, or other weather-proof paintable container
Primer for metal (or whatever material your mailbox is made out of)
Paint, various colors
weather-proof varnish
various ribbons and lace
bells or wind chime
paper
metallic ink pens (available from scrap booking supply stores)
fairy treats (see instructions)
Prime the mailbox for painting. Explain what a fairy mailbox is to your little one. Then, together, paint the mailbox however you want. You can paint flowers, fairies, animals, plants, stars, hearts---whatever motif you think the local fairies will like. And you can use whatever method you like best. In my daughters case, we used sponge shapes she got in a painting kit to put flowers and birds all over the box. However, you could use stencils or decals or just freehand designs. Afterwards, cover the box with the varnish to preserve you paint job. Tie the ribbons and lace on the handle of the mailbox to create a decorative pull to help the fairies (and your little ones) open it.
Next, find a spot outside where you can mount the mailbox so the fairies can find it. An old tree trunk works well, or you can use a post. In our case, the box was already mounted on a pole outside so we painted the post as well. Hang the bells or wind chimes nearby. The fairies will like to fly by the box a lot and that way you'll be able to hear them.
For letters from the fairies, use paper that has the edges artfully torn. You can use ordinary computer paper, just carefully tear off the edges to make the paper seem more rough. Write the letters addressed to your child (or children) with the metallic ink pens. If you can, use a fancy script print (or cursive if you child can read it). Write about the things going on in your child's life (latest trip to Grandma's, school activity, favorite toys, etc). As an extra touch, use the pen to add glitter trails (make * all over) or tiny fairy footprints. Originally, I signed these letters "the fairies" but my daughter began to ask what the fairies' names were. So now they are signed with a fairy name (such Daisy Starshine) and the rest of the fairies. The fairies also like to leave presents, usually in the form of a small piece of candy, stickers, or some other small trinket. On special occasions such as birthdays, they like to leave something bigger.
Encourage you child(ren) to correspond with the fairies. Younger children can draw pictures and older ones can write notes (great writing practice by the way). And they can leave presents for the fairies too, such as flowers, leaves, shells, or pretty stones.
The idea originally comes from Cultivating Sacred Space by Elizabeth Murray. In the chapter on her own garden, she mentions a knotty hole in one of her trees that the neighborhood children use as a fairy mailbox to send letters and small gifts to the fairies (as well as receive them, sometimes). So when I moved into the enchanted cottage, there was an old mailbox in the backyard that my mother had put there as a birdhouse. A light bulb clicked and I knew it would make a perfect fairy mailbox for my own daughter. She loves it and checks it everyday in case the fairies have sent her something.
For ages 2 and up, with adult participation.
What you'll need:
Old metal mailbox, or other weather-proof paintable container
Primer for metal (or whatever material your mailbox is made out of)
Paint, various colors
weather-proof varnish
various ribbons and lace
bells or wind chime
paper
metallic ink pens (available from scrap booking supply stores)
fairy treats (see instructions)
Prime the mailbox for painting. Explain what a fairy mailbox is to your little one. Then, together, paint the mailbox however you want. You can paint flowers, fairies, animals, plants, stars, hearts---whatever motif you think the local fairies will like. And you can use whatever method you like best. In my daughters case, we used sponge shapes she got in a painting kit to put flowers and birds all over the box. However, you could use stencils or decals or just freehand designs. Afterwards, cover the box with the varnish to preserve you paint job. Tie the ribbons and lace on the handle of the mailbox to create a decorative pull to help the fairies (and your little ones) open it.
Next, find a spot outside where you can mount the mailbox so the fairies can find it. An old tree trunk works well, or you can use a post. In our case, the box was already mounted on a pole outside so we painted the post as well. Hang the bells or wind chimes nearby. The fairies will like to fly by the box a lot and that way you'll be able to hear them.
For letters from the fairies, use paper that has the edges artfully torn. You can use ordinary computer paper, just carefully tear off the edges to make the paper seem more rough. Write the letters addressed to your child (or children) with the metallic ink pens. If you can, use a fancy script print (or cursive if you child can read it). Write about the things going on in your child's life (latest trip to Grandma's, school activity, favorite toys, etc). As an extra touch, use the pen to add glitter trails (make * all over) or tiny fairy footprints. Originally, I signed these letters "the fairies" but my daughter began to ask what the fairies' names were. So now they are signed with a fairy name (such Daisy Starshine) and the rest of the fairies. The fairies also like to leave presents, usually in the form of a small piece of candy, stickers, or some other small trinket. On special occasions such as birthdays, they like to leave something bigger.
Encourage you child(ren) to correspond with the fairies. Younger children can draw pictures and older ones can write notes (great writing practice by the way). And they can leave presents for the fairies too, such as flowers, leaves, shells, or pretty stones.
Monday, June 2, 2008
My Other Summer Project
Hi, my name is Danielle and I'm amateur writer, among other things. I work as a substitute teacher during most of the year, but that means I have my summers off. I always try to find something to occupy my time during the summer, a project if you will. Well, this blog is going to be my summer project.
I live in an enchanting little lakeside cottage. It's enchanted, in part by its location, but also by all the work I put in to decorating it and all the fun projects I try to come up with for my daughter and myself. I hoping to post these here as the summer goes on. I like to introduce the rest of the world to an enchanted lifestyle, full of fairies, magic, nature, and all sorts of other wonderful things!
Like I said, I'm an amateur writer and I do have another writing project going on. Its a novel called Dusk of Innocence and can be found here at Elfwood. It also has an associated blog here at LiveJournal, though if I like blogger enough I may move it here.
I live in an enchanting little lakeside cottage. It's enchanted, in part by its location, but also by all the work I put in to decorating it and all the fun projects I try to come up with for my daughter and myself. I hoping to post these here as the summer goes on. I like to introduce the rest of the world to an enchanted lifestyle, full of fairies, magic, nature, and all sorts of other wonderful things!
Like I said, I'm an amateur writer and I do have another writing project going on. Its a novel called Dusk of Innocence and can be found here at Elfwood. It also has an associated blog here at LiveJournal, though if I like blogger enough I may move it here.
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