Leave Of Absence...

I had not realized it had been so long since I'd posted. So much has happened in the recent past that has kept me away from here. Actually, from both blogs. Or should I say, both parts of the same blog.

Well, now that things are beginning to settle, I will thankfully be able to come back and share what's been going on. I am especially excited to share the newest crochet items that I've made and the ones that are soon to be done.

See you soon!

Pentacle/Aunk Amulet

This Beaded Peyote Stitched Amulet Pendant is two-sided so that it can be worn or hung with either the Pentacle or the Aunk facing forward.


Both the Pentacle and the Aunk have a vine with flowers intertwined within the pattern and the rope the Amulet is attached to has a double-strand of size 15/0 seed beads with both small beaded beads & Swarovski Crystals in 2 sizes.

Netted Chain

This simple netted chain is done in 3 colors with 2 sizes of seed beads and measures 22" in length.

Zulu Necklace

This Zulu Patterned Necklace is about 32" in length and has a hand-painted bead with a bird in the center.

Zulu Bracelet

This Zulu bracelet measures 7" in length and matches the Zulu Necklace except in color.

Miniture Beaded Purse

This miniture beaded purse is done in peyote stitch with delicas size 11/0. I saw one similar and decided to try my own version. I think the original one was done in square stitch though I chose to create mine in peyote.


The bag itself is about 1.25" wide x 1" high.

Bargello Necklace

Victorian Beaded Bracelet

This Victorian Inspired Beaded Bracelet is 6.5" long and made with Swarovski Pearls, Seed Beads in 3 sizes and small Roundels in brass & peridot.

Red Guitar Bracelet

This Guitar Bracelet is done in odd-count Peyote Stitch. Drawing out the pattern was actually more difficult than creating the bracelet itself. I also have a pattern for an electric guitar but have not started it yet. Once I do, the photos will be posted here.


The bracelet measures just under 7" and the end of the "neck" of the guitar has a small loop that wraps around a toggle on the body of the guitar.

Teal Awareness Ribbon

Victorian "Fan"tasy Necklace

Aptly named Victorian "Fan"tasy Necklace due to the 6 fans around the necklace. The greens & copper tones used in this pattern evoke for me, a very Victorian theme.

Beaded Tea Sets

Below are photos of a beaded tea set whose original design was Diane Fitzgerald's pattern. I altered it a bit though not by much.


The cream colored tea pot has a creamer, sugar bowl, tea cup & saucer, as well as a small beaded spoon that matches it. The blue teapot is not part of a set, yet.

Awareness Ribbons (all)

Below is a photo of all of the ribbons that I have so far. I am planning to do them in yellow as well as green - I am just waiting for the beads to arrive.




Each ribbon can be done in an afternoon. They take me about 3 hours to do, depending on how fast I am working and what else is going on in the house.

If you are familiar with peyote stitch and would like the pattern that I used for these ribbons, please email me and I will send it to you. It helps if you already know odd-count peyote as the pattern does not teach the stitch itself. Once you know it, it is a fairly easy pattern to follow.

Awareness Ribbons - Black

I was born during the Vietnam War and a few of my uncles fought in that war. I wanted to do something for those that did not come home. As well as for my fiance who spent 9 years in the Navy and did 2 tours in the Gulf War.

The ribbon ends on this particular one are longer to allow for the POW & MIA lettering. When worn on a jacket the tail ends lay flat so that I don't have to worry about them being overly long.




Black Ribbon:
This color is a symbol of mourning, melanoma, and gang prevention

Awareness Ribbons - White

White Ribbon:
This color is a symbol of innocence, victims of terrorism, violence against women, peace, right to life, bone cancer, adoptees, and retinal blastoma

Awareness Ribbons - Purple

With this ribbon I chose to follow the original pattern when it came to where to place a small silver heart where the ribbon's tail ends crossed one another. The heart was stitched after the ribbon was completed and is sewn over it. Unlike the red ribbon that has the heart within the pattern.



Purple Ribbon:
This color is a symbol of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, domestic violence, ADD/ADHD, alzheimer's, religious tolerance, animal abuse, the victims of 9/11 including the police and firefighters, Crohn's disease and colitis, cystic fibrosis, lupus, leimyosarcoma, and fibromyalgia

Awareness Ribbons - Red

This version doesn't have the border around it like the pink one, but instead has a heart within the pattern of the edge of the ribbon.



Red Ribbon:
Most commonly associated with the fight against AIDS and HIV, this ribbon is also a symbol for heart disease, stroke, substance abuse, MADD, DARE, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Awareness Ribbons - Pink

I recently saw a pattern for Beaded Awareness Ribbons and as I've always liked them, I decided to try to make one.

The pattern I was given was for a beaded ribbon done in a combination of ladder stitch and brick stitch. I altered the pattern so that it was done in odd-count peyote stitch. A similar pattern but for me, I prefer peyote stitch. Besides it being one of my favorites, the original pattern called for size 11 seed beads which I changed to Delicas size 11's. I find they have a more uniform size.

So far, I've done 5 awareness ribbons and each one is slightly different.

Pink Ribbon:

Most commonly associated with breast cancer awareness, this ribbon is also a symbol for birth parents, and childhood cancer awareness

Lacy Beaded Bracelet

Below are 3 lacy beaded bracelets. The pink one was a gift for my mom. When I finished it, I liked it so much I made 2 more for myself.

Moonlight Windows Bracelet

Below is a bracelet called "Moonlight Windows" done in peyote stitch.

The beads used are: Delicas 11/0, 12mm flat coin pearls, 4mm bicone crystals, seed beads size 15/0... this was a wonderful pattern that I found in a magazine a few months back. Though I made this one shown here, I cannot take credit for the original pattern.

Beaded Snake Chain Necklace

Here is a necklace I made for a coin that my boyfriend gave me from Italy that he's had since he was in the Navy. I am half Italian and speak Italian as well so the coin has special meaning to me. But even more, it is something he had for many years and gave to me.

This necklace was done with 4mm silver pearls, seed beads 11/0 & 15/0.

For the pendant I used Delicas 11/0 and seed beads in size 15/0.

Beaded Containers/Boxes

My newfound hobby is beading! I started to learn to bead about 10 years ago than stopped for a few years. When my boyfriend's daughter sent him a small beaded bear, I went back to beading again. Since then, I have moved on to beading necklaces, bracelets, rings and small beaded boxes or containers.

Here are 2 photos of one of the boxes I have done that is six-sided:

Here are 3 photos of another of the boxes I have done that is 3-sided:

The beaded boxes or containers are easy to do once you learn the technique for each one. The beads used are Delicas 11/0 and the stitch is a variation of peyote. I found an absolutely wonderful book that offers all you need to create these. If you are interested, please email me and I will send you the info.

More on Mantras...

Mantras are ancient Sanskrit healing words that have a powerful effect on your entire being when chanted repeatedly during meditation or mudra practice. The hard palate in your mouth has fifty-eight energy points that connect to your entire body. Stimulating these points with sound vibrations affects your mental and physical energy. Certain sounds that stimulate these points have a very healing quality. When you repeat aloud or whisper these ancient mantras or scientific healing-sound combinations, the meridians on your hard palate are activated in a specific order that re-patterns the energy of your whole system.

I have also included a pronunciation guide to make it easier with these mantras.

Mantra Pronunciation Guide:

A like the a in about
AA like the a in want
AY like the ay in say
AI like the a in sand
I like the i in bit
U like the u in put
OO like the oo in good
O like the o in no
E like the ay in say
EE like the ee in meet
AAU like the ow in now

SAT rhymes with 'what'
NAM rhymes with 'mom'
WAHE sounds like 'wa-hay'
GU sounds like 'put'
Emphasize the 'ch' at the end of every 'such'
Pronounce the consonant v softly
Roll the r's slightly

When chanting a mantra like "Haree Har Haree Har," make sure you do not move your lips, and pronounce it with the tongue only.

Mantras:

HAR HARE HAREE WAHE GURU
Hah-rah; hah-ray; hah-ree; wa-hay; guh-roo
God/dess Is the Creator of Supreme Power and Wisdom

SA TA NA MA
Suu; tuu; nuu; muu
Infinity, Birth, Death, Rebirth

OM MANI PADME HUM
(Behold the Jewel in the Lotus)
Omm; ma-nay; pod-me; huum
Peace and compassion for all sentient beings

HUMEE HUM, BRAHAM HUM, BRAHAM HUM
Hu-mee; Hum; bra-hom; bra-hom hum
Calling upon your infinite self

I AM THINE WAHE GURU
I am Thine wa-hay; guh-roo
I am thine, divine teacher within

HUMEE HUM BRAHAM
Hu-mee; Hum; bra-hom
Calling on the infinite self

AKAL AKAL SIRI AKAL
A-kal; a-kal; si-ri; a-kal
Timeless is the one who achieves perfection of the spirit

OM NEMAH SHEVIYA
Omm; knee-ma; shi-vaya
I bow to Shiva

AKUPA AHAU (Mayan Mantra)
akupa; a-how
Anticipating the Ancestors

Chakra Mantras

When working with the Chakras, there are various ways of aligning or realigning the chakras. What follows is a chart to do just that...

One must keep in mind when working with the chakras that in order to realign all of the chakras you need to work from the top to the bottom. It is kind of like emptying a laundry basket. You cannot get to the bottom without first removing the "block" on top.
Begin by working with the Crown Chakra and move through all seven.

The Chuchumna or Chakra Tube is in a line from the base of the spine to the crown of the head (though there are other chakras, for now I'll focus on these seven). The word Chakra is a Sanscrit word that translates to "Energy Conducting Wheel" - each chakra turns or rotates the opposite way as the one that follows it, similar to the gears in a watch or clock. When one is blocked, the others become blocked too. In order to realign one, all must be realigned.

CHAKRA ----------PLACEMENT -----ATTRIBUTE ----------ENERGY ----CHANT SOUND

Base Chakra ----- pelvic area ----- Earth Connection ----- I Have ----- Oh (as in rope)

Spleen ------------lower belly ------Physical Body ----------I Feel ------ OO (as in rule)

Solar Plexus -----belly button -----Will / Power -----------I Can --------Ah (as in God)

Heart -------------mid chest ---------Emotion ----------------I Love -------Aye (long A)

Throat ------------throat ------------Communication ---------I Speak -----EE (long E)

3^rd Eye -----------mid forehead -----Insight -----------------I See --------MmmNnn (as it looks)

Crown ------------top of head --------Spirituality -----------I Know -------NgNg (ying, ying)

The use of crystals to align the chakras is a common practice. Below is a short list of some crystals that can be used:

*Some are by color, while others represent the Chakra in their attributes.

Red/Base Chakra/1^st
Red Jasper, Red Tiger's-eye, Hematite, Tiger's-eye, Sugilite

Orange/Spleen Chakra/2^nd
Red Jasper, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Red Jasper, Ruby

Yellow/Solar Plexus/3^rd
Amber, Citrine, Tiger's-eye, Amber

Green w/pink center/Heart Chakra/4^th
Unakite, Green Fluorite, Epidote, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Moss Agate, Galaxtite, Ruby, Sugilite, Chlorite,

Blue/Throat Chakra/5^th
Blue Tiger's-eye, Blue Fluorite, Angelite, Iolite, Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine,

Indigo/3^rd Eye Chakra/6^th
Amethyst, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Moss Agate, Sugilite

Violet/Crown Chakra/7^th
Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Amber, Chlorite, Amethyst, Botswana Agate

What Is The Aura?

The Aura

The Aura or electromagnetic field that surrounds and interpenetrates with the human body is ovoid in shape. The widest part is around the head and the narrowest beneath the feet. It comprises seven layers, each layer slightly larger then it's predecessor.

The seven layers constitute the physical body; the etheric sheath or energy body; the astral sheath or emotional body; the mental body; the higher mental; the casual and the bodyless body.

The bodyless body establishes that Divine part of us which has no beginning and no ending; which through practices such as meditation, enables us to realize and become one with it. From the moment of birth we are subject to conditioning. Through this, we forget our life's purpose. We then become like travelers working our way across a strange country without a map. Apart from conditioning, we are also given free will. This enables us to choose which path we take. Unfortunately, we do not always choose the correct one. How many times can you remember sitting at one of life's crossroads. Intuitively you know which way you should travel but insight reveals it to be a very stony and difficult path, so you take what looks to be the easier way. This may prove to be correct for a time but gradually you will be brought back by your higher self to the path which you intuitively felt to be correct. Our true self knows its chosen way and will, at all costs, continually confront us with it until we find the courage to take it.

The higher mental body could be called the voice of our intuition. If we learn to "tune in" to this part of our self, we are able to receive Divine inspiration. The answers to life's problems will be revealed and we will be taught spiritual truths and cosmic law. The law which creation adheres to and works with.

The mental body is connect with thought. Each thought that we think creates a pattern or form. These accumulate in the mental body and can be projected out into the environment, surrounding us with thought forms which we and other individuals have created.

These thought forms also attract the thought forms surrounding us that are of a similar nature. Therefore, if we think negative thoughts we will attract negative thought forms; likewise, positive thoughts attract positive thought forms. It is therefore important to have a positive outlook on life, especially when working with self-healing.

When working with absent healing, the mental body is part of the aura with which we work. We visualize the person who has requested healing lying in peaceful surroundings. We then create beautiful healing forms and project them to the patient. The greater the control we have over the mental body, the greater the strength of healing. When we have acquired the power of thought, it must only be used for the good of others. Remember the law of karma; what ever good you do be repaid with good; what ever evil, retribution will follow. In other words, "what you send out, returns to you."

The emotional or astral sheath is our "feeling" body. In those people who have not learned to be the master over their emotions, this body is in a state of imbalance. Because it is interspersed with the other layers of the aura and the physical body, these too are affected. It is similar to one of the organs of the physical body being diseased and the rest of the body being affected through trying to compensate for it.

The sheath nearest to the physical body is the etheric. The etheric and physical body are closely interwoven and disintegrate together at death. Every physical particle has its etheric counterpart, which is a perfect replica of the physical form. This is why it is known as the etheric double, and why people who have had a limb amputated can still feel pain or sensation from it - it is still present in it's etheric form. The etheric lays down the basic pattern upon which the physical body is directly related to the tone and quality of the etheric body. Apart from containing the nadis, it contains seven major and twenty-one minor chakras plus numerous acupuncture points. A major chakra is defined by the crossing of twenty-one energy lines, a minor chakra constitutes fourteen energy lines, and an acupuncture point is seven.

The Nadis are the very fine energy channels that are within the same sheath or "Chuchumna" or chakra tube, through which pranic energy flows. This network of infinitely intricate nadis constitutes the counterpart of the entire nervous system which forms an important part of the human mechanism. The number of nadis are numerous. Some ancient documents state there to be 72,000, while others say there are as many as 350,000.

Where did Reiki Come From?

Where did or does Reiki come from?

Dr. Mikao Usui was a master teacher who had studied many faiths. In fact many faiths have tried to claim him. He says that he belongs to all for when you have true enlightenment you are at source where all is one. It is taught that Dr. Usui learned Reiki from Buddhist Monks (some believe that Jesus also learned his healing methods from Buddhist Monks). He defined the practice and gave it a more specific direction as he was directed by his visions or guides, as Reiki opens you to your guides as well. He spent the rest of his life healing and helping people. By the time of his death he had made 16-18 people Masters. One of them Hayashi, attuned Hawayo Takata who was one of the first known women Reiki Masters. Before her death in 1980 she attuned 22 Masters who have helped to spread the teachings of Reiki throughout the world.

Basically Reiki is an energy that is passed or taught much like the game of telephone. That is why from teacher to teacher the methods may vary or different things may be taught. It is very important that you have complete trust in your teacher so that you can be opened to receive the energy freely. You will feel a flowing sensation often combined with a warmth or heat (Mark 16.18) when receiving Reiki.

What are the effects or qualities of Reiki?

It vitalizes your body and soul, balances your body's energy, loosens blocks and promotes total relaxation, cleans out toxins, it adjusts itself to fit the need of the recipient, it is a holistic method that helps the body's natural ability to heal, and it can also be used on plants or animals.

Reiki can also be used to charge or bless your food, or used to clear and charge crystals. (We'll get to this a little later.) Reiki will open you to the love from source and allow you to feel the subtle unity between yourself and the universe.

Reiki can open Karmic processing, sometimes very subtly and other times not so subtle. It releases held emotions and helps you to move forward on your spiritual path.

The Top 10 Things to Know about Reiki

When Jesus healed the sick, he turned to the crowd watching and said..."All these things I do, you can do also...and more." Maybe he was right!

1. We ALL have Reiki energy.
Everyone is a healer. What has happened over lifetimes and eons, is that doubts and "can't be's" have plugged up the channel. The painter who gets drops of inspiration in his mind...this is Reiki energy making its way through this very clogged channel.

2. Reiki is everyone's birthright.
Everyone has the Reiki channel. And touch always heals. Anyone can lay their hands on another person (or animal, or plant) and help heal them by transferring their own Reiki energy. But you're using your personal energy. With the Reiki attunement, the channel is cleared and you now have an inexhaustible supply of healing energy.

3. Reiki is holistic.
Reiki balances the body, mind and spirit. And Reiki is very happy to work with all other energies. It's like jell-o after a meal. It sort of runs down and fills in all the spaces and connects everything.

4. Reiki can correct problems before they manifest.
All of us are surrounded by an electromagnetic field. And it has been proven scientifically, that everything that comes into being physically first forms in the electromagnetic field. So a problem that is getting ready to occur in the physical, has already formed in the electromagnetic field. And Reiki is capable of going into that electromagnetic field and correcting the problem before it has physically manifested.

5. Reiki can have many effects on the body.
Peace and relaxation are the most common things that might be experienced. But Reiki can also balance energy; increase awareness; increase creativity; help to release emotions, energy blocks, stress and toxins; support the body's natural ability to heal itself; vitalize both body and soul; re-establish spiritual equilibrium and mental and emotional balance; loosen up blocked energy; and is an extremely pleasant, non-invasive, and holistic method of healing.

6. Reiki can help in the present, go into the past and into the future.
Some of the most profound healing comes from healing the cause, not the affliction. Reiki can go into the past and heal the CAUSE of the problem. Reiki can also go into the future, to an event that is coming up, and there will be healing power waiting for you as you step into that event.

7. Reiki can be sent over infinite distances instantly.
Next door, across the state, around the world. And it's not like you cut a pie into nine pieces and give each person a piece. Everybody gets the whole pie.

8. Reiki is a thousand-year old tradition.
Reiki is a very ancient science and has been documented in 2500 year-old Sanskrit sutras. Stanford researchers, using highly sensitive instruments which can measure the flow of energy as it enters the body, determined that Reiki energy enters the healer through the top of the head and exits through the hands of the Reiki healer.

9. Reiki is the Japanese word for Universal Life Force Energy.
When you break down the two syllables: "REI" means universal. "KI" is the vital 'life force energy' which flows through all living beings (like the 'chi' in Chinese medicine).

10. Reiki must be experienced to be appreciated.
Reiki is a living, breathing thing. Totally alive. Totally sentient. Reiki is a friend and an ally. If you can't trust anything else in your life, you can trust Reiki. Several months ago there was an article in a national magazine about a teaching hospital in the East that allows Reiki practitioners into the operating room to give Reiki to patients during surgery. All reports were that these patients healed more quickly and spent less post-op time in the hospital than those who did not receive a Reiki treatment during surgery.