Upcycled and Recycled on Etsy - Winter Blues

No matter where I live and no matter how sunny or warm the place is, I seem to have a period of time where I get the winter blues.  I have come to theorize that it is the short days and the minimal amount of sunlight that I get during the long month of January that does me in.  It has helped moving West but once again I feel that cabin fever and the the-holidays-are-over and its-12-weeks-until-spring-training blues.  At least I know it will pass and with spring just around the corner I am optimistic that I will survive.

And just as always I will try to create my cosy little virtual world (one that is found in an unending summer) and feature some of the Blues found on Etsy this morning:)  Enjoy



By Shufflewing at http://ow.ly/gRekn

From EmmeliWorks at http://ow.ly/gRfvO



From SheikSewing at http://ow.ly/gRdVN

By GroovyGreenGlass at http://ow.ly/gRdDr

From AutumnWindsJewelry at http://ow.ly/gRdiV

By BohemianBlue at http://ow.ly/gRcFF

If You Were Rich Would You End Up A Feature On Hoarders?

 If I were rich I probably be in an episode of hoarders because I just love pretty things and anything new or looks fun.  I don't really know if the only thing that stops me from grabbing up anything and everything is that I am on such a tight budget or if I had the money would I be able to resist the temptation.  I think one of my problems is that I am a collector and crafter with ADHD.  One moment it's, "Oooh Unicorns!" next is "Ooooh Milk Glass" again maybe a day later "Ooooh Cracker Tins!...."  Seriously that is a sign of a problem, thank God I am just as interested in selling the items as I am finding them.  But I have to admit that sometimes it is a little hard to let go of my favorite pieces and I hold fond memories of when I met them.

Over the years (including childhood) I have changed collections like some people change socks.  I am not sure what starts it but in my defense I do think that some of it is due to my love of life and the interest I hold in so many different things.  I was intrigued by herbology at age 10, I have always been in love with archeology and geology, I am an RD by trade, my nickname has forever been The Cheshire Cat (CC for short,) I adore magical creatures, I love nature, history, myths, religious studies, fashion (of my own definition,) recycling, my country (Americana,) my German heritage, Butterflies etc and of course I would like my collections to encompass all that make me, me.  But of course half of the battle is to simply to identify the illness and the next step is to try to manage it and I think I have found some very good coping mechanisms such as Pinterest.

Pinterest heals me (or enables, not sure;) it allows me to have that Hoarder mentality without destroying my beautiful and organized home.  As you will see (if you would grace me with a visit http://pinterest.com/butterflysattic) by my Pinterest page I am definitely, at minimum, borderline just because I have at least 30 full boards while the average person may have 5 - 15 boards.  I bet some of you didn't even know they could have that many. 

Well it is a little crowded in the mind of Colleen (a.k.a. The Cheshire Cat, a.k.a. CC, a.ka. Butterfly) but it is full of exciting ideas, memories of vintage pretties and amazing travels and magical fairies (just through that in there for kicks it is probably more full of Loony Toons episodes.)  But I am sure I am not the only one that is a closet hoarder or at least a hoarder that has managed to keep it from blowing up on them.

Alas another method of coping is creating Treasuries full of the things that I would buy if I won the lotto and would end up having to either move to a bigger home or buy extra storage.  Who knows maybe some of  these featured shop owners may share my illness; I don't really like the term hoarder so lets call it Collectorsitis.

Monday Meet and Greet the Members of the Pacific Postcards Team - Land Of Enchantment

Today's Pacific Postcards Team (PPT Team) Meet and Greet features Debrina Pratt owner of a lovely shop called Land Of Enchantment that sells many wonderful digital downloads.  Debrina has been an member of the PPT Team since April 2011. 

While putting together this feature I took the time to once again browse through her shop.  The shop is amazing and features so many whimsical images you could get lost for hours.  The name is very fitting Land Of Enchantment because all of her images look like they have come straight from there.  Digital imagery is a very time consuming project so the details of her art is truly shows her talent.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LandofEnchantment

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95140940/whimsical-digital-collage-sheet-1-x-3

The Land Of Enchantment's images will meet any novice or professional crafter's needs with wide variety of sizes and shapes.  There are .85 squares for scrabble tiles and 1 x 2 inches for pendants, 1 and 2 inch circles, and 8 x 10 inch for larger projects.  The variety is too large to list each, it is simply a must visit shop.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75360210/whimsical-striped-hot-air-balloon

A little bit about Debrina from her profile page:
"♥a little about me♥ As a full time collage artist, I know first hand that image quality is of the utmost importance and that is what I strive to bring you in each of my uniquely designed digital collage sheets. Starting with legally obtained images, I enhance, hand-color and/or lovingly digitally restore each of them until I reach a final design that I would use in my own artwork!

take a peek at my art here:
http://www.earthangelstoys.com/html/debrina_pratt_-_fairyland.html

follow my blog and sign up for my newsletter here:
www.whimsicalworldoffairies.blogspot.com

Wishing each of you an *iMaGiNaTioN* filled day!"
~♥Debrina Pratt   

Thank you Debrina for being a member of our PPT Team.  Here are some more lovely items from the Land Of Enchantment:

If you would like to join the Pacific Postcards Team please go to http://www.etsy.com/teams/9158/pacific-postcards-team?ref=pr_teams and fill out the application.  The only requirements is a love of postcards and that at least 25% of your shop contains either postcards (new or vintage) or you use the images in your art.

Freaky Funny Friday - TGIF Let's Just Have Fun! - April 6, 2012

I have been very curious of people who are able to live in very small towns after my personal attempt at living in a town of 7,000 in the mountains.  All though there were other (very nice) people, some small shops, and a Walmart I felt terribly isolated and removed from ... well everything.  I did not enjoy the experience but that of course is just because I am me and I am smart enough to know that there are many people that sincerely like it.  But this morning I ran across an article about Buford Wyoming and it really makes me just wonder, who in the world can live in a town with the population of 1? 

When talking to people that have lived in the city all their lives about being so glad to be back to civilization, I hear that they think it would be a wonderful change of pace; to slow down, not have the traffic, to not have crime, etc.  But I think what they do not realize is that if you live in a town of 1 or a town of 7,000 there is no other large town near by to hop over to.  That town is usually it, for hours, so there you sit with a Jones for Dairy Queen and you would have to drive 300 miles to get cone.  Anyway I just was very amused that someone could live for 38 years in a town with the population of 1, here is the link if I peaked your curiosity http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-tiniest-town-commands-a-big-price.html.

With Easter right around the corner I found these just too cute and funny comics on
www.craigboyce.com and had to share:

And of course since I am a postcard junky, here are some cute vintage Easter cards (I think there more cute than funny, but that is just me.)

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!

Aromatherapy Thursday - Grapefruit

I know, I write these early in the morning and you are wondering, "Aromatherapy and Grapefruit?" But yes, a great essential oil is from Grapefruit.  The essential oil is cold pressed from the peel.  Have you ever noticed while peeling piece of citrus fruit, like the Grapefruit, that the liquid that get spurts from a fresh peel has a little bit of an oily look to it?  That is exactly what the essential oil is made of.  Originally Grapefruit was grown in Asia but fortunately they are now grown all over in warmer climate such as here in California.  I love driving by people's houses and seeing those large pink and yellow fruit clinging on to the trees, fighting their weight and gravity.  Unfortunately I don't know anyone personally that grows them so I have to buy mine but there is nothing that compares to fresh Grapefruit.

This lovely lip scrub can be found in ETSY shop AubreyEApothecary  at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AubreyEApothecary?ref=seller_info

Grapefruit has many known benefits, when ingested it is useful as a diuretic and for cleansing the body.  I am not sure if all of you have heard about the Grapefruit Diet, it had become a bit of a running joke more than something that people actually thought was seriously helpful.  But, with that mentioned please do not try something like that; while certain foods and plants can be helpful it can also be harmful if you eat too much of a good thing.  For every good property in the food there is a bad property and if you don't eat balanced you are going to notice that your health is negatively impacted.

Using Grapefruit in aromatherapy has a wonderful soothing and invigorating affect.  It is fruit and light and has this beautiful up lifting affect on the mood.  I always think of sunshine when I smell Grapefruit.  Using it in a diffuser would be a great way to clear the air in your home; while the fruity citrus smell will make the house smell light and fresh, the invigorating and uplifting properties will energize you to do your spring cleaning.    It is also a great scent to have when you are studying, doing taxes, or any task where you may become mentally fatigued.

You can purchase your own essential oil at ETSY shop WildHerb at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WildHerb?ref=seller_info

My personal preference is the Pink Grapefruit since it is sweeter than Yellow Grapefruit; both when using it in aromatherapy and when eating it.  The Pink Grapefruit does not have a strong over powering scent so it is very versatile and blends well with other oils such as rosemary (another uplifting oil.)

Herer are some wonderful products from ETSY that are made with oils from this fun and sunshiny fruit.



When using it topically, please keep in mind that it has been known to cause photosensitivy. Do not use large quantities and stay out of direct sunlight if you are using it mixed in a massage oil. Although it will depended on your own skin's sensitivity, some may find that just a little will be an issue and some may find it is not. Always do a allergy test prior to using any essential oil, also never use it "neat" meaning directly on to your skin (it could cause many problems including burning the skin) and do not smell essential oils by putting them up to your nose (this could burn the tender membranes inside your nasal cavity.) When trying to smell the oils hold the open bottle a couple inches away from your face and with your other hand waft (wave) the fragrance to your nose. When using the oils on your skin you must always mix them with a carrier oil, such as grapeseed, approximately 1 drop essential oil to 2-3 teaspoons of carrier.

Always consult your doctor prior to using any natural products for mental or medical reasons. Do not used if you are pregnant. And no natural product should be used in place of seeking medical treatment from your physician. Safety First!!!!

On The Road Again

So I am scheduled to leave tomorrow for another business trip.  This time for 2 weeks.  I am hoping I will have some time to blog but if I don't I sincerely apologize ahead of time.  I am also hoping to get some pictures this time to share with everyone.  I have never been to Indianapolis (been to Indiana) so this should be a great experience.  Working with the same great group of people so I am looking forward to working hard but enjoying who I am working with.

Until I can get back to the key board...Don't forget me:)
Colleen

New Butterfly In The Attic Blog Schedule and Treasury Fun

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for this wonderful gift pack featuring items from both Postcards In The Attic and Butterfly In The Attic. For details on how to enter go to: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/win-it-wednesday-new-giveaway.html and get your chance to win.

It has been one longgggg week.  I am so glad to be home enjoying my weekend.  I wish it could be like the movie Ground Hogs Day but instead on a weekend.  But actually now that I think about it, it wouldn't matter because you could call out sick every single day but since it was the same day it would only count as one occurrence...That would work! 

This wonderful Postcard Print was found in ETSY shop Andy-Rama at http://www.etsy.com/shop/andyrama?ref=seller_info

Well anyway I survived the work week and I only have 29 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours and 15 minutes before retirement.   Do I hear a Whoop Whoop!! Knocked out another week so that makes?.... OK about 1,536 weeks left; Not bad, Not bad.  I told you I was an optimist otherwise with those numbers I'd be crying.  Besides I may never retire since I am on the "Must Win The Lotto" plan. 

All kidding aside it has been a bit of a trying week so it is very nice to be able to start it off by rolling out my new Blog Schedule.  I am going to stick with these to the best of my ability  but when I travel out of town for business there usually is no personal time other than to sleep so I may have to fudge a bit.

Sunday - Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday.  It will also include things that I find to have some kind of meaning to me: stories, news, etc.  I also think that the Etsy Treasuries people make are inspiring, so at the end of the post I will include those from the last week featuring items from Postcards In The Attic and Butterfly In The Attic.

Monday - Meet and Greet of the Pacific Postcards Team.  These will be all members of my team on ETSY and I will be showing off their wonderful collections/shops.  I simply love love love postcards so this will be a great group of postings for those of you that share my passion.  It will include a mixture of antique and vintage postcards, new handmade postcards and items that were made using postcard ephemera.

Tuesday - Totally Postcards Tuesday. I will be devoting this day to exploring all the details of postcard collecting; from dating the cards to figuring out what type of card they are and just to simply share the beautiful imagery that the antique and vintage cards have.

Wednesday - Wandering Wednesday.  I love to travel and had life circumstances that made it next to impossible to leave the vicinity of my home for years.  But now, I have been blessed with the ability to do a lot of traveling so I will be sharing some of my favorite place in the US.  I have some wonderful spots that are well off the beaten path some you may never have  heard of and will find them to be just as wonderful as the famous places we talk about.

Thursday - Aromatherapy Thursday.  This will continue to be Aromatherapy Thursday but since I have covered many essential oils already it will be expanded to include some project instructions using naturals and scent.

Friday - Fun, Freaky, Wild Friday.  Who wants to have to think too much on Friday.  While I have to work the next day, Friday will always be TGIF to me and I want to find the postings, items, conversations that make me either laugh or say "What in the world?!"

Saturday - Gems and Minerals Saturday.  I love rock hounding and that is how I have found many of my favorite travel spots.  I also love the look and feel of jewelry made with real gems and minerals.  I think that there is a certain energy given off from each piece that you just don't get with the plastic.  I still wear some pieces that are not real because they are absolutely adorable but I don't get the same feeling as I do with real stuff.   In these posts we will talk about the mineral or gem briefly and include some examples of specimens and jewelry made with the stone.

That is it for today and since it is Sunday here are the Treasuries over the last week+.  Thanks all and don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!

Who Doesn't Love a Good Rain?

Isn't it funny how it seems the weather will often correlate with your mood or at least how you feel?  As I may have mentioned before I have been battling a wicked cold and have been feeling under the weather, so to honor me and my sniffles Fresno has just developed its first real rain since, I think, since June.  While this may not seem significant to many, it is actually a great development here.

Not only will the rain add to what little reserve we have but it cleans out the air.  I thank God that while my head begins to clear of its enormous pressure the air is clearing also.  I am surprised at how I have become so accustom to having little or no rain.  In the Midwest a rain storm is nothing more than an inconvenience and not thought of more until a barn is lifted off its foundation or a cow flies by.  But I noticed that I ran to the window at the start of this down pour, anxiously wondering if the Japanese garden will be OK.  Really?  A garden having issues with rain? OK?..  I guess I have become a little spoiled with the fair weather here if I am starting to think that this was a true storm. 

In the short time it has taken to write this little post my big worrisome storm has passed by and it is calmly sprinkling again.  I know that friends from the Midwest must be rolling their eyes by now but not to worry I haven't forgotten what real weather is about; I just had a Fresno moment. 

Aromatherapy Thursday - Patchouli

Patchouli is a shrub that is found in Southeast Asia; it is related to the mint family.  Patchouli has a musky, earthy sent that very nicely blends with other oils for a rich perfume.  Natural musks come from a gland found in specific animals such as Musk Deer and it was used for the highest grade of perfume years ago because of its unique scent and strong fixative qualities.  However since musk can only be harvested by destroying the animal during the 20th century perfume makers started using synthetic musks.  Many people want something natural so instead of relying on the synthetic musks they found Patchouli, along with a few other similar scented plants, to be a great alternative giving Patchouli more notoriety in the perfume industry.

You can grow your own Patchouli by purchasing this plant from ETSY shop JensiesSoaps at http://www.etsy.com/shop/JensiesSoaps?ref=seller_info

Because Patchouli has such a strong distinct scent it should be used as a "bottom note" in perfumes.  This means that there should be less patchouli than other fragrances and should be used to enhance the perfume not dominate it.  Often I will pass by someone that is only using Patchouli by itself  and while I don't find it offensive, it is strong and probably not quite the scent that the wearer was intending.  So when using Patchouli as a component keep in mind that less is more and that it should be used as if it where a musk.

Patchouli is known as "warm" scent that can help relax you and can help enhance sleep.  It also is heralded as an aphrodisiac.  Using Patchouli as a relaxant can be as easy as adding 1 drop of it along with 5 drops of lavender on a cotton ball and placing it in a dish or as complicated as specially formulated massage oil. 

Soaking in a bath water infused with a Patchouli bath salt or oil can be very soothing for most people (but remember to always do an allergy test prior to using any new natural product.)  It has nervine and anti-inflammatory properties that can make it very useful in treating dry and irritate skin.

Here is a list of some scents that would be complimented by using Patchouli as a bottom note:
Lavender, Rose, Bergamont, Lemon, Orange, Rose Geranium, Violet, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang and neroli.  When mixing scents always use just a very little of the bottom and middle notes at first because you don't want them to over power the top notes. 

As with any essential oil, homeopathic treatment, or aromatherapy, you should always consult your physician prior to use and never substitute a home treatment for medical treatment. Pregnant ladies should always use caution (and consult their physician) when using any essential oils, herbs and home treatments. Remember that just because it is natural does not automatically make it safe, so treat it with the same respect you would with a prescription and talk to your doctor first. Also you should always do allergy test prior to using any products with essential oils that you are not familiar with.

Aromatherapy Thursday - Eucalyptus

In the 80's Eucalyptus emerged (outside of a vapor rub) and has taken off like wild fires.   Everywhere you looked they added it to lotions, facial tissues, face masks, etc.  There were bunches of the dried branches tied together with jute and placed in a vases, a swag over every door and floral arrangements had at least a few sprigs of it.  Because of this, I get a little wave of nostalgia every time I smell Eucalyptus.  It reminds of my country home as a teen and brings back memories of fresh air wafting over the little bundles of carefully arranged branches next to the open window. 

This beautiful and frangrant wreath can be found in ETSY shop Eligant Holidays at http://www.etsy.com/shop/elegantholidays?ref=seller_info

It also brings back memories of sick days and sniffles as I plunge my hand into a box of Eucalyptus flavored Kleenex.  By that time I am thanking God that I spent the extra $1.00 for the lotion infused tissue instead of going El Cheapo and allowing my nose to drop off.  Eucalyptus wasn't just a fad because it was a good looking abundant plant, it really has some great therapeutic properties.  It is used in Vick's because they discovered long ago that its oils work the best to open up a congested head and chest.

There has been many times that I have placed cotton balls with little drops of Eucalyptus essential oil around my sick rooms.   I have placed drops of it in vaporizers and in pots of simmering water so I could breath it in.  Provided you are not allergic to it, it works great!

Not only does Eucalyptus have the ability to relieve you from your stuffiness but it can also be uplifting, stimulating and invigorating, all things that we desperately need when we are sick.  But don't hide this wonderful oil away until you are under-the-weather because who couldn't use a pick me up every day?  I have also used it to refresh rooms after I have been sick (or had a near miss) as it is a known antiseptic with cleansing properties.

Aside from the properties that work so well to clear the head and mind, Eucalyptus is also found in things like Icy Hot because it helps relax muscles and relieve muscle spasms.  Eucalyptus is known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic properties.   What a wonderful diverse little tree. 

As with any essential oil, homeopathic treatment, or aromatherapy, you should consult your physician prior to use and never substitute a home treatment for medical treatment.  Pregnant ladies should always use caution with all essential oils, herbs and home treatments.  Remember that just because it is natural does not automatically make it safe, so treat it with the same respect you would with a prescription and talk to your doctor first.  Also you should always do allergy test prior to using any products with essential oils that you are not familiar with.