Practical Magic Fall Party.....

The Love of magical children..

Add the Love of sisters...

One man of law..one eye blue, one eye green..

Add a beautiful witch or two....

A full harvest moon...

A bit of tequila...

Call the elements...
Air...


Earth

Water

Fire...

A crystal ball..

A sweet black cat...


A few bitsy spiders

Add a besom

Some runes...

A challis...

Add the Goddess to bless..and you have a spell cast to create love and blessings. So Mote it be.

And of course a treat to those who fly by....

Add a comment for one chance to win..and follow me(one if you already do) for a second chance to win this original piece. The Every Day Witches Shop.. "The Vintage Witch Studios-Photography and Film" ...and a print of my "Witchy Quilt block".

Blessings and Namaste, Sarah


To visit more wonderful Practical Magic Fall Parties..click here!

PS - Sorry guys didn't add an end time and date... I will close the giveaway on Oct. 1st at 9am and choose a winner!! Thank you all so much for flying by :)

A Photo Bee Giveaway....

My E-coure Photo Bee starts next Monday! I thought it might be fun to offer up a spot in my six week Fall session!!

Here is what it is all about...
Would you like to take photos with the best of them...add a bit of style and an artist's eye to your photography? But you keep telling yourself..but I only have a point and shoot or camera phone? Well this is the course for you.

Then come join me this Fall as I teach you how to use create beautiful, artistic photographs. We will explore a new, simple photography technique and a easy to use and apply editing tool each week. We will share our photos on a private group with discussion boards. So if you want to take your photography to the next level..and have some fun in the process..come join me for Photo Bee!


So if you would like a chance to join us for this fun course...
1. For one chance to win...add a comment here telling me why you might like to take this course.
2. For another chance...follow me here! If you already do you automatically get a chance to win.
3. For a 3rd chance to win.. follow me on my E-course site.. here.
4. For a 4th chance to win...add my Photo Bee button and link (http://lettinglfy.blogspot.com)to your blog.

Make sure you come back and let me know! I will choose a winner at 9am Sunday morning the 26th~ Good luck all!!

Hugs, Sarah

On Being Uncommon....

I have had this rolling around in my head for several days now. My Muse has been pushing me to write...to offer this up somehow. The idea that some how I don't always fit..that I am odd...that I am older than the other Moms, that I don't blend well. That somehow that is a not so ok thing to be..well different. But I didn't want to have it come off as being upset..although at first it felt uncomfortable. But like many things I have learned...uncomfortable is the first step to...figuring out a piece of me.

So I got to thinking about what it means to be different. I have never been one to follow like a sheep..I like to color outside the lines. I don't really follow fashion trends..I dress as I please. I did not have 2.5 children I had 5..from 6 all the way to 29. I married a younger man...yup,I was a cougar one time. I create what I love and what touches me..and tend to not follow the crowds in that area. Seriously at almost 50 I really like who I am! So why do I let other folks influence how I feel about myself. Why do I let other women make me feel less than...odd..unwelcome? Why indeed! Why do I let it bother me? Well..cause I am human I guess..I want to fit.

But here is the reality...I am not odd..I am uncommon. I don't look or act like every other woman out there. I don't want to be like every other woman out there! I have discovered something amazing here on the blogs....there are so many women who tell me the same thing...they feel weird...odd man out...third wheel. I hear this from amazing, beautiful, march to their own drum, wear what they want women. They create incredible things, offer support and love..they are what make the world a wonderful, delightful, colorful place to be! Ever single one of us has something amazing to offer...something uncommon ..if we are brave enough to allow ourselves to let our uncommon out!

So here is to each an every one of us ....every woman who chooses to be delightfully different! More power to you..and great big cheers from me!! Let Fly with being Uncommon!!

Some New Work....

Here is the finished Halloween House. Full of fun black cats and pumpkins, a ghost and some spooky eyes. You can find this and many other fun Halloween items in my Etsy shop.... click here!


I have been adding a few fun knitted items to my shop on Etsy also! Here is a little tea mug cozy..complete with a slit for your mug handle. This fun little piece also fits nicely on you travel mugs!



Hope you are all having a wonderful Tuesday!!
Hugs, Sarah

Now for something completely different..well sorta...

Did I mention that I love to knit..with a bit of crochet thrown in for good measure. Yarn shops are dangerous places for me..they call me. I try very hard to ignore their siren call!
But over time I collect skeins of yarn that I cannot resist..and come cool weather..I knit to relax.

This year has been very stressful..I have knit a bunch LOL!


So I thought I might sell a few. Cozy shorty scarves with pockets to tuck them in and coffee cozies for your morning latte...


You will find them in my Etsy shop and On Ebay!


This one I am thinking I want to keep..we shall see. All warm and cozy and Fall like..yeah..I might keep this one just for me..maybe..we'll see.



Some fun twirly hair ties for kiddos..I love these on Nonni!

I hope you have a wonderful Monday all!! Stay cozy!!
Hugs, Sarah

Are Ya Feeling Stuck?...Let Fly Giveaway...

Sometimes life gets in the way of our living a full life. Our story defines us instead of us defining our story. This course will help you step out of your story and back into your life. To the life you want to be living!

Let Fly ~ E-Course is designed to help you find the magic in your story and let you step away from what is keeping you stuck. Fear, pain and trauma often shut us down and make it hard to step out of the story and into what we really want for ourselves. Our perspective and experience often keeps us from living to our full potential, finding our bliss and taking advantage of our gifts.


Please come join us as we unearth the keys to our story and find the treasure they offer us!! Come rediscover beautiful you!

Our Fall Let Fly E-course starts next Monday! If you would like to have One chance to join our group..on me..cause I love ya...leave me a comment today or tomorrow (9/16 8:00am to 9:00am 9/17). Tell me why you would like to join us!! Namaste all!!
Hugs, Sarah

Monday Musings.....

It's funny....how turning 50 in a couple of weeks affects you. I love the idea..being 50. I don't see it as over the hill..or on the downside of young. I really like the fact that it feels more like being up on the peek and just sitting there for a while and soaking it all in. I really dislike when folks say things like..."Well more than half of your life is over!" Well maybe..but I prefer to think of it this way....there is so much more ahead..with all this stuff I have learned..how wonderful is that???

Folks want us to be upset by this milestone..your old..your getting wrinkles..gray hairs..sore joints...need glasses. Yup all of that..but I also have....soooooooo much more wisdom..so much more understanding..well..really just soooo much more!

Of course turning 50 for me..just like 35 seems to also mean looking back and reviewing. Which is a double edged sword. I am much closer to who I want to be in my heart and soul and in my art etc.. other parts of my life have been a huge surprise. Like that I am financially struggling still or that I don't have medical or dental insurance, or that I am heavier than I would like to be. BUT..I own a home..run three businesses, have healthy happy kids and well..I am good with that.

So what am I rambling on about here?? I am saying that I reject the concept that 50 is over the hill...that the better part of my life is over... that I need a rocking chair. Forget that...I want a horse and a snowboard!! I don't want to create a bucket list...ackkkk! I want to create a Let Fly list....being brave and take this almost 50 year old heart and soul in new directions and experience new and wonderful things!
So this week I am going to create a Let Fly list! What do you think about that??



Hugs and love all, Nearly 50 Sarah

Mental Duck to Mental Swan Award.....

It has been six months since Renee left us..I have been feeling the loss deeply of late again. So I thought it would be a good time to offer us my little award to a few more wonderful folks here on the blogs.

This award has been in the past and is again dedicated to Renee as she was the inspiration for it. I repeated 2nd grade and was thereafter labeled as the slow one in the family. Despite graduating with honors in high school and being on the deans list in college..I was still the slow one. I was in my 40s before I realized I was not so slow and well, pretty smart after all. During a discussion one day with Renee about how this had kept me from doing so many things in my life she said to me...
"Sarah, you have gone from Mental Duck to Mental Swan."

I can only say that this had a profound effect on me..her words! So this award is dedicated to all of those who are just finding their beautiful big swan wings and those who encourage others to find and spread them. Thank you Renee for helping me find mine!!

This award is not one to be passed on...it is a gift from me to you and I hope you will honor me by taking it! I have been watching you amazing women support up each other and this is my small way of saying thank you! Here is to Renee..Cheers hon!!

The Mental Duck to Mental Swan Award is given to two amazing groups of bloggers;

1. To Bloggers who encourage and nurture others bloggers to explore and grow in their creative, spiritual or mental lives.
2. To Bloggers who are blooming and growing creatively, spiritually or mentally in their lives & sharing it on their blogs .

In no particular order...
Cinner
What a joy this woman is...supporter and encourager! I have been supported up by this wonderful woman and cheered on! Despite her own struggles..she makes my own life better..thank you hon!! Adore her!
SassyratpackAnother creative soul who never fails to pop in just when I need her..ever commenting and making me smile! Even when I am hiding..she seems to find me! Thank you hon!! Yup adore her too!
LissaLOne of my wishcasting buddies...this girl is funny..ok wicked funny and I swear she must be a long lost sister..cause we are always on the same page. Supportive an sweet..yeah I adore her too!
LinneaYet another Wishcasting buddy - another ...who never fails to say just what I need! Popping in to support me and keep me going..another sweetheart I adore!!Thank you hon!!
ChristineChristine has been one of my blogging buddies from the beginning..and that is saying alot! This amazingly creative woman inspires me in huge ways and is always there with a sweet word..even when I am hiding from the world! Thank you hon...yeah I adore her too.
Shamsi This amazing dancing woman is one of my big support system buddies..always there to encourage and cheer me on..did I say cheerleader..well she is mine!! Youtube this one..amazing!!! I know..yup adore her too!!
UmbrellaladyI have a couple of new folks here..at least kinda new to me..here is one of my favorites..sweet and supportive and amazing. Even when I don't get around the blogs..she never fails to pop by and make me feel cared about! Creative and I have come to adore her too!!
Patee Last but not least..Patee...a creative soul I have know for quite a while..we have been arting together since I started online..she has been a dear friend. Ya just have to go see the amazing dolls she creates..wowza!! But...she was also very dear to Renee..I know the loss has been hard for her..and I wanted her to have this from both myself and Renee..cause Renee would have wanted her to have it too!! Yup she is much adored too!!

So from me to you...thank you all for being the amazing swans you are!!
Hugs and love, Sarah

New Everyday Witches Shop.....

It has been a bit since I have added a new shop to the little town of Moon Hollow. But I thought it was time to add a new street or two to my witchy little town. So here is "The Vintage Witch Studio - Film and Photography". A witchy little photography studio filled with cauldrons and witchy kitties..do you see all three? An owl and a few parked brooms..and a lovely witch or two.

This one is a little larger and more detailed than last years set...this one is 6"x6" and has abundant blank space around it for framing. Right now it is up for bid on Ebay..you can find it here!
Thanks for flyin' by!!!

Wishcast Wednesday...

Today our darling Jamie asked us..."What do you wish for less of?" Oh boy...here is a hot one!! I knew right away what I would wish for today...less freaking drama!!!!!!

The last six months or so have been sooooooo full of drama. Seems like of late I am a drama magnet..not the fun, lets watch great movies and have fun..act silly and laugh kinda drama. The OMG how much of a pain in the butt can they be..whiney..bitchy (sorry), miserable kind of drama. Life does not have to be this difficult.

I seriously have about 5 folks on my list who are going to get a great big dose of..."Put your big girl panties and DEAL WITH IT!!!!" There is nothing that gets me bent faster than folks creating drama for the pure joy of doing it. Seriously makes steam come out of my ears! Then..when ya call em on the carpet..they have some stupid excuse for why they did..or it is someone else's fault or what the heck ever. Step up take responsibility for what you say and what you do and grow up.

Ok I feel better..I guess I needed to vent a bit! So today...I wish for less..a lot less drama from certain adults in my life!! Thank you very much:)

What do you wish for today?
Hugs all, Sarah

A WIP of a New Little House...and one in the wings...

Here is a little house I am working on right now...Halloween of course. With pumpkins and black cats. It is about 6"x4".

A Ghost and creepy eyes & a spooky old tree. I am about half way done with this one..wip #2 to come!


The tall one ( approx. 15"x4") in the back was a thrift shop find just like the little one..am gonna have fun with this one too!! I do so love doing the little houses!


Happy Sunday all, Sarah

Some New Ornies and the last of my 84 :)

Here are a couple of new ornies for me. I don't usually do them..but it looked like such fun. I have a few more to do...am getting more fancy with the next ones..whoot! You can find these on Ebay..here.

Ok here are the last of my 84 things that you might not know about me.

61. I love the library..could spend hours there..just perusing.
62. I love wandering around in the car..just seeing what is new.
63. I adore a good long walk.
64. I am a good swimmer and adore snorkeling.
65. I do not enjoy being trapped in a dark room..ok I hate that.
66. "Paranormal Activity" terrified me..the "Descent" was scary but made me ill..same thing with "Saw".
67. I greatly dislike April Fools Day..thank my Father for that one.
68. We have fondue for Christmas dinner.
69. Only traditional turkey dinner for us on Thanksgiving..with all the fixins.
70. Other than my sisters...all my close relatives are gone..I miss them.
71. My Mother passed when I was 27, my Father when I was 32..I really miss them.
72. I am deeply thankful to have my sisters!
73. Did I say I was a wicked bad speller??
75. I am an empathic.
76. My house is decorated in kind of Americana eclectic LOL.
77. I would love to have a piano again.
78. My son is named after Fox Mulder..X Files..said I was a sci-fi geek.
79. I drew the line at naming my daughter Dana.
80. I love blogging...did I say that...well I do..I really do!!

Happy Friday all!!

Wishcast Wednesday...

As always our dear Jamie has hit the nail on the head...What do you wish to begin? Oh my this is a big one for me. Thank you Jamie!!!

How about all over again...to start fresh this September 1st..with my thinking and my attitude..and how I see myself and...my boundaries. Being the Fall girl that I am...I tend to review and refresh in the Fall rather than Jan. 1st or in the Spring. I do Fall cleaning as we prepare to be inside more in the coming months, my preschool and after school program gears up next week..and the Fall and Holiday market for the artwork heats up...it is a good time for me to refresh and begin anew.

The summer this year was rough..but you all know that..have felt like whiney, cranky girl for a couple months. I woke this morning feeling a bit renewed..knowing it was Sept. 1st and that it was a Wishcast day...WHOOOT! So I wish to see my attitude shift and to join hands with my warrior woman and my muse and Let Fly with taking care of me and getting back to being happy and strong. Seriously the cranky has gotten old!

I have one other wish for beginnings...this Summer I launched the e-course "Let Fly" about getting unstuck from your story, and have loooved it..it is starting again in Sept.. This week I began something new..."Photo Bee"...an e-course for point and shooters who would like to take their photography to the next level and have some fun doing it. A light, fun class to balance off the deepness of Let Fly. I would like to begin them both & offer them with strength and joy. What do you wish today??
Hugs all, Sarah