Autumnal ponderings

Long time no speak and I have missed my blogging. Sometimes too many things can distract if you let them and sadly I did. Its the last day of August and almost time for Autumn. I have smelt her on the air so often this Summer, waiting not so patiently in the wings. The Summer has been like the rest of the year chez Mogs - not the best.

 I have this hope that Autumns gentle touch will renew and revive us both. There have been some good times but this year more illness, both physical and of the spirit. Low periods for us both and a reluctance to get out of bed in the morning almost ever day lately.

 I would hope that the magic of Autumn will bring back the sparkle and vibrancy of life for both of us. Why does Autumn hold more magic in her than any other season for me? I love the first Spring leaves, the warmth of the occasional Summer day and Winters sparkle as she dances ice across the land.

 But Autumn she resonates within my every being. On all levels she brings joy and promise. My physical self enjoys the colours as her gown takes on its russet overdress. It loves the feel of leaves under foot. All these delight me.

 My soul soaks in the wild magic, a barely heard sound on the wind that brings a sudden glimpse of faery.
My inner child fills her heart with ideas and inspiration. she has a need to create and to make. It matters not if that be spun yarn, or an elemental femme or indeed a painted journal page. There is just a Need to try and portray the very essence of joy that I feel.

 My tarot choices change in Autumn. I turn to the Druidcraft and the Faeries Oracle. I still turn my card of the day from the Wild Spirit Tarot. That remains a mystery I try to unravel each day. They don't always become clear immediately but then life itself isn't. For me the important thing is to draw a card and listen for the reply. Autumn is a time for journeying deeper. Is it for you?

The bobbin and batt are a new to me dyer Lanitium ex machina from Finland. I acquired the batts in a destash on Ravelry and today I thought they were perfect a mix of Summer colours with Autumn peeping through. This is going to be a mobius cowl for me I think.

New year greetings

Belated greetings sorry I have been missing. Happy New Year to everyone and I hope this new year brings you creativity, joy and good health.

Have been pretty busy but not sure what with. Two months plus has been lost to viruses. Starting just days after the flu injection for both of us and suspiciously like flu they didn't want to leave us. We only have the flu jab because Mr Mogs oncologist strongly suggested he should as his immune system is now challenged. But after this two months neither of us will be having it again. We both had antibiotics, 3 lots for me and steroids - 1 lot for Mr Mog but both still have snuffles. Mr Mog also had to go and see doctor as he wasn't too well and has now had chest X-ray which was clear and is awaiting ECG and bloods this Friday. But we are both enjoying each day although a spell of proper winter weather would be much appreciated.

Oh and I am now the recipient of my pension today;)

 I have been playing and made a new Goddess Altar.

I have also been spinning

Meet Lugh

We had a trip into one of our market towns today and look who I found in the charity shop:) First picture is courtesy of this website Lugh. Isn't this a stunning picture?  Wiki has lots of  info on Lugh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugh

I didn't realise I wanted a representation of Lugh to come and live with us. Well you never do, do you?

 But look:)

 Found in charity shop for the princely sum of £15.

 I had to get him, he has a mane of fleece after all.

 He is quite heavy and has strapping inside. I suspect he may have been used at the local theatre possibly for their outdoor plays. But who knows?

He is not for wearing, he is currently sitting on top of my Ikea unit where some of  the fleece, yarn and craft stuff is. Mr Mog wasn't sure at first but says he is growing on him. I think he was horrified when I first saw the mask in the shop but said go for it.

He had been sitting there a while when he told me his name. At first I was thinking Pan, Herne or Sol. But assuredly it is Lugh. I am planning to just add a little gilding to his face and touch up his horns as they are showing white in places. I may add some dreadlocks and beads to his mane. What do you think?
His face is latex I think and moves when you touch it. He has been crafted around what feels like a hard hat.
So here is Lugh.

Small pleasures

It's been quite dark here most days and very wet. This does not help the creative juices to flow. Add in the virus that is going around and one feels even less incentive to go and play in the craft room. But ,bad nights and antibiotics not withstanding,  today I made the effort and I am glad I did.

Firstly I must show you the gift my friend has just dropped off when she returned some Charles de Lint books she had borrowed. It's plum leather rolls and my goodness what an intense flavour this produces. A tiny strip melting in the mouth is packed with plum flavour. 

 I had given my friend quite a lot of plums some weeks ago when we had several spare bags full. So glad I did now:)

It has been a long while since I made elementals, too long. I really enjoyed making the felted sprites the other day and it made me realise how much pleasure I get from seeing these fey creatures emerge.
So here we go a new water elemental , her name apparently is Violetta . She isn't quite finished she awaits her finishing touches. But I like her she has character.

Her sister arrived soon after. Her name I have yet to find out. She likes to dance this much I know.

And a picture of the two together.

Then last night a friend sent me a link to altered playing cards and it made me think of using them as individual canvasses that could then be fastened into my journals. I made a start on preparing them this afternoon following the tutorial  here Cards. A messy job but fun.

The last of Autumn's bounty

Today we harvested the last of our fruits. The tomatoes were already finished but we found these few last apples hidden on the tree. I will make a pie for Sunday I think as we probably have friends coming to visit and it's good to share Natures Bounty with friends.
It's been a weird week. Monday we had our flu injections. Tuesday I felt awful and after a very early disappointing morning visit to the consultant about the result of my knee resurfacing I spent the rest of the day cuddled up to a hot water bottle. Consultant wasn't much help. The knee resurfacing had a 50/50 chance of working and it was my choice to take it. Trouble is it has made the pain much worse and he wasn't really interested. The flu injection washed me out. Wednesday was no better and Mr Mog started then with same symptoms. So both of us felt sorry for ourselves. On ringing the doctors we were told that it usually only lasted 48 hours:(
Thursday I felt better and after a first podiatry appointment felt brighter. The appointment was only supposed to be an assessment then a decision as to if I could have treatment on the NHs. But the podiatrist was very nice and actually did the assessment then some work on my feet. They feel so much better.
We were supposed to be going to drop a first birthday present off in cumbria but got partway there and Mr Mog wasn't well so home we went. He had a bad day but today has thankfully been better for both of us. So a reason to thank the Goddess and celebrate in a small way.
I have been playing though

A needle felted mermaid made her appearance. She has joined the other occasional goddesses in my colour journal.

Oh colour I do love thee

Oh colour how I do love thee. You inspire me and you lift my spirits.

 You are a distraction from pain

You give me permission to play

Your colour enfolds me in its beauty

The aches fade as I play

While I await the return of the muse I have things to distract and bring me comfort

And that must be good

Mustn't it?

Apologies for the mixed up formatting. Blogger is playing silly beggars again. All suggestions for a new blog platform gratefully received

Gifts

I received a beautiful present yesterday from an online friend of ours . We have met in person once I think but Sara sent us these as a belated birthday gift. The first is one of those "saw this and thought of you" scenarios and isn't it perfect? It's a tile she found on her travels. Mr Mogs logo when he makes things is a black cat and of course the other "may" mean me;)

 I love it, the simplicity of design but perfect.
Sara also makes things and knew of my love for magpies.
Simply delightful:)

Thank you for all your lovely comments. They are much appreciated. It's good to be back. 

I passed on all the comments about my blanket to the maker. Her name is Sue and she used to blog at WyeSue knits   But can now be found primarily on Ravelry as WyeSue. If you are on there I urge you to go and see her stunning knitting and crochet.

We have come up to spend a couple of days with Sue,her husband and this:-

 This is Boris and he is a sweetie. He loves Mr Mog sitting next to him on the sofa . Last night Mr Mog spent quite a while saying "no Boris" when he kept lifting his head and gazing at Mr M saying "stroke me"

Sometimes

sometimes things can overwhelm
Pain, happenings around us
All serve to distract
The key I think is colour
Bright makes me smile
Rainbows lift the spirit
Natures hues most of all

The blanket was made by a good friend as a joint birthday present. Isn't it stunning?

Autumn

I bet you didn't think I'd blog again so soon:)
Today we went to a Greenwood fair, mainly to see a new artist who I had recently found. She has a definite affinity with hares. Her etsy shop is Wilderness Felt. We had purchased this a little while ago and I was entranced.

Isn't she gorgeous? so naturally when I found out Wilderness Felt would be at the fair we had to go along. There was quite a lot going on especially fun if you had children -lots of fun things to try. We had a little mooch of the stalls and spent a long time with the raptor charity who had brought a few birds along, all rescued some in absolutely heartbreaking circumstances. They had a little owl who couldn't perch properly as it had been found living in a hamster cage:( I spent some time communing with and stroking, a barn owl. he was beautiful.
Mr Mog purchased this felt picture

my photo doesn't really show the hare at its best, its actually more defined in real life. We didn't spend long there so decided to call in garden centre on way home for a bite to eat. there were more colours to be seen today

I sat in the cafe trying to find pieces of paper to write on, i didn't have my note book with me. I ended up picking up a couple of receipts off the tray that had been left on our table. I knew I had to write while the words were bubbling out. I was watching crows over the trees outside, hundreds of them. this is what I wrote.

 A murder of crows or is it a massacre when so many?

Trees of gold and red, russet glowing in Autumn sunlight.

The smell of earth and mold.

Of Winters chill not far away.

But still joy to be found in Lady Autumn's beauty.

Her coat of many colours rustling as she passes

We give thanks for Her bounty.

Sloes and brambles staining fingers as we risk the thorns to grasp them

Sweet chestnuts - again in hedgehog spines.The horse chestnuts drop conkers on my head as I try to pick the fallen ones.

The apples now are ripe and drop gently into an outstretched palm at a flick of the wrist.

 our nasturtiums have had a second flush and are so vivid around Mr Mogs railway