Today's Inspiration? The Moon!

Sometimes, when it's a nice clear night, I stop to admire the simplistic beauty of the Moon.  I think and wonder about the millions of people that have seen the moon over the centuries and I am in awe of it.

Here are some Moon inspirations that I've collected to guide my next project for the New Year:

A Trip to the Moon, by Georges Melies, 1902
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JDaOOw0MEE

I'll be sure to post photos of my completed project as soon as it's complete.  Thanks for letting me share today's inspirations with you!  - Nichole

Got Holiday Cards?

Well, I guess it's that time.  

You know - that time of year when you dust off the old address book and cringe at the thought of never having got around to transferring that new address into it? Ok, so maybe that's just me.  Guilty.

This year, I'm on it.  All addresses are getting updated and card writing commences right away.  There might be several weeks before any of those holiday wishes need to reach mailboxes, but let's be serious.  Who writes all of their holiday cards in one sitting?  So I'm creating a system.  A caramel apple cider and card writing date with me, myself, and I once or twice a week until I'm done.  Don't hold me to it, but I'll try.

Here are some of the cards I have created to send out to friends and loved ones - available in my shop: www.etsy.com/shop/WildHeartHistories

Close up of glitter detail.

Close up of glitter detail.

A Queen Among Faeries

In California, in a small town called Alameda, in an old Victorian house on Alameda Avenue, there lives my dear Grammy and Grampy. Their house is a comforting place to be and all are welcome who come knocking at their door.  I've never met people as dearly loved as they are by so many.  But besides the special people who fill this home with love, there are other things just as precious and sweet if you take a closer look.

From the ghost, Charlie, who lives in the attic (don't worry, he's the original owner of the house and he likes to clang around a bit in the attic), to the old flowery wallpaper that peeks through a closet upstairs reminding you of the house's century-old history, there are endless reasons to be drawn to this special place.  

Surrounding the house are beautiful maples, an abundant little apple tree, a sweet bird bath, amaryllis, orchids, and my favorite - jasmine. There also is a small village of faeries that reside there too.  

If you know Grammy, you wouldn't be surprised by this.  She's just as magical I think.  And we all know magic draws magic after all - don't you think? She's often found to be sitting with the faeries in her backyard, enjoying their company, introducing them to new faerie friends, and bringing them flowers, river stones, pete moss, and love.  They peek at you from underneath a berry patch, or sit atop a toad stool watching the moths and bumblebees stagger by.  Others can't be bothered, too caught up in their own beauty and taking in their reflection at the pond.

The village has grown steadily over the years and now boasts tree houses, swings, a grotto, and lake.  How clever these little faeries are to establish themselves amongst such beauty and kind neighbors!

This makes me think of how we all possess our own sort of magic, a personal legend if you will.  Grammy's faerie magic extends beyond her home - it lives in each of her children and grand children and all of the people who are lucky enough to know her. 

She always greets with a smile and light heart.  Her judgements are few yet just.  Her personal legend has been to bring joy and acceptance, to give love without expectation.  Perhaps that's why her faerie friends choose to make their home with her.  She is certainly the queen among them.

Who would have thought so much magic could exist in one sweet little garden, hidden behind an old Victorian home, along a neighborhood street of a seaside town