Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Lavender

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Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.

Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.

Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:

  • boosting moods
  • headaches
  • acne
  • hair loss
  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • stress reliever
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • wound healing
  • helps prevent digestive issues
  • reduces inflammation

You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.

Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

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“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown

Candlelight Angel

I hope you’re weekend is off to a great start! I thought I’d take a little break and play with some new ideas and techniques. I like the way she turned out but I’m not completely sold on this style. Looking for something more dreamy.

What are your thoughts?

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Flamingo Mixed Media Painting

I love flamingos, they’re such cool birds to watch. It took some time but I was able to finish my pink flamingo. There are lots of layers and texture in this 6×12″ painting. When I first started, I had no idea that a flamingo would end up here, but there she is. And she is my first 😊

Now I need to give this painting a title. Would love to hear your ideas. The ones I have so far are pretty nerdy 😂 So your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The photos below are a progression of this painting. I probably should have taken more but I really get into the creation process once I start and don’t always think about the photography part. But I hope she inspires you in some way.

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A few interesting Flamingo facts:

  • The word flamingo comes from the Spanish and Latin word flamenco which means fire.
  • There are 6 species of flamingos in the world.
  • Chicks are born either gray or white and take 3 years to get their beautiful pink colors.
  • Chicks are born with a straight bill which curves as they age.
  • Adult flamingos hold their bill upside down when eating.
  • Flamingo colors range from pink, orange to red.
  • Their color comes from the carotene in the food they eat.
  • Flamingos can up to 5 feet tall but most are about 3 feet.

Family Art Journaling

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I thought I’d share these special journal pages with you. They were created by my family 😊

It was a fun time talking and laughing as we passed the journal around. The idea was that each person takes a turn drawing a line in the journal. You keep passing it around and adding more lines until it’s mostly filled up. It’s pretty funny to see the images that emerge from all the random lines. You can add some color if you like and you’ll end up with a fun family art journal that you can keep as a memento for your special day.

Hope this inspires you to create some fun memories this Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Stay on the Sunny side of Life! Art Journaling

I’m almost done packing up the studio and I had a lot more supplies than I thought. So in the midst of the chaos I thought it would be fun to share one of my older journaling pages with you.

I created this fun whimsical design using Derwent Inktense pencils. I love how bright and bold they are. I like that I can create and finish a journal page in a short period of time. It’s satisfying to complete a piece of art that makes you smile 😊

I’ll do my best to get back on track with my blogging now that the packing is basically done 😅 I’m very excited to get the new floor in!

Hope this inspires you in some way today.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Amethyst Crystals

Photo by Sophie Louisnard on Pexels.com

Amethyst is from Greek which means unintoxicating. This crystal belongs to the Quartz family and is associated with the Crown Chakra. A fun fact, in ancient times these crystals were made into wine cups because people believed these crystals would help keep them more sober.

But these crystals are much more than that. Amethyst Crystals are said to be excellent in cleansing and absorbing negative energy. They emit a calming energy which aids in sleep, spiritual awareness and helps to balance the energies of the mind, heart and body. Amethyst crystals are also great to use in meditations. Additionally, they work well in healing the body.

If you want to calm the energy in your home try placing a few Amethyst Crystals around and see how it feels. They’re stunning to look at and the energy they emit is absolutely wonderful. Start small with a few pieces placed around your home or you can try wearing jewelry made with the crystals to get a feel for their energy and go from there.

My sister introduced me to these crystals many years ago and I fell in love with them, so much so, that I have a large 40 pound Amethyst Crystal in my bedroom, plus several smaller pieces placed throughout my home. I love the way they feel and hope you will too.

If you give them a try, let me know how it goes. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of the one who sees.” ~Rumi

Photo by Murilo Fonseca on Pexels.com

Amazing Life Journal Pages

I love the ocean and enjoy spending lots of time on the beach. I lounge on the shore completely immersing my mind, body and soul in the ebb and flow of the waves. It’s a reset for me.

This was a fun little journal spread I made using lots of different things and techniques like collaged papers, stickers, stamped images, stencils, distressing, painting and coloring with markers. I added my quote “This life is Amazing, treasure it!”

I hope you’re able to find and see the amazing things in your life✨

Have a beautiful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Home is Where the Heart Is Art Journaling

This was a fun and whimsical zentangle design I created with alcohol ink markers, Home is Where the Heart is. Sometimes it’s just so much fun to let go and draw whatever comes to your mind! This was created on 9×12″ mixed media paper and will be part of a handmade book that I plan on creating once I have enough pages.

Hope you’re having an amazing day!

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Beauty of Dreams Art Journal Page

Thought I’d have a bit of fun in my Strathmore Mixed Media 9″ x 12″ Journal. I painted her in watercolor paints but with a limited palette of 3 colors. I added a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt which reads “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” What are your dreams for the future?

Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Thanks for stopping by!!â €

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She Wore Flowers in Her Hair Art Journal Page

I came across my Strathmore 6″ x 12″ watercolor journal and because of it’s size it’s a bit more challenging to create in but I thought it would be fun. I just finished her last night and found the quote after she was done and it couldn’t be more perfect “She wore flowers in her hair and Hope in her heart.”

Have a beautiful day!

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