Lovely Tattoos

I'm always going to be a tattoo lover. Here are a few I think are neat.
If you haven't visited fuck yeah, tattoos!, you betta!


Starry Night Van Gogh tattoo

Weird but cool deer tattoo

Bob Dylan tattoo!

Hunter S. Thompson tattoo

Alphonse Mucha Art Nouveau tattoo

Pin-up girl tattoo

Sewing Machine tattoo

















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Contemplations of Faith

This morning I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Prairie Hen, and looking over her beautiful new tattoo, when I noticed a bible verse she had posted. Now anyone who knows me knows I have never read the bible nor do I consider myself a Christian or follower of Jesus. The closest teachings to those in my own heart are those of Buddha. I have never really tried to explain my beliefs. But this bible verse prompted me to do some contemplating.

Luke 12:22-27

²² Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 

²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 

²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.

²⁷ Look at the lilies and how they grow."

For a while now I have been considering the perfection of the Earth and the connection there to god. The Earth works so perfectly, all by itself. Our society has, at some point, decided that we are the conquerors of nature, but in truth we are products of it, just taking part in its majesty. I know I am sounding a little Tree Hugger right now! But people have always searched for a God that is perfect, that creates life and takes life, that takes care of us, that has a plan. I see all of this in our planet, our universe, the workings of nature.
This bible selection made me think of that even more this morning. Even the bible points out that nature takes care of itself. We worry so much about having necessities, about living.
I realize that the bible attributes this to "God," but isn't that just a word, a label, a name? I could call Earth "God" and it would have a lot of the same attributes.
I'm not saying I believe anything one way or another. I wouldn't dream of saying I had anything in this world figured out. I'm just saying... think about it.
Anyone here read any Daniel Quinn?
Thoughts, anyone?

Low-carb Cream Cheese Mousse

I have been to low-carb heaven. It tasted like cheesecake.
The inspiration for the recipe can be found here.
Get ready for bliss.


Yin Yang Cream Cheese Mousse with Raspberries
16 carbs total

To make the filling:
  1 8oz package low fat cream cheese (check the label and make sure it says 1 carb per tbsp) allow to soften at room temperature at least 1 hour
2 tsp Splenda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp Hershey's Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder (added later)
  Beat heavy cream in a bowl until it forms soft peaks. Add softened cream cheese, Splenda, and vanilla. Beat whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, using low speed of electric mixer.
Remove half of mixture into one half of a bowl.
Add cocoa powder (add more to taste) and mix well.
Add to the other half of the bowl.

You can line your bowl with raspberries first, and then garnish some on top, or just use this as a dip! Or hell, just eat it with a spoon.
  Chill at least one hour. This will keep in the refrigerator for several days.

Tattoo Inspiration

I need a new tattoo. Pinterest isn't helping. There are so many beautiful things out there.

I need a tattoo of a bird, probably on the inside of my left bicep.
Like this:

But more like this:
 

I also need this on my shoulder. My mom needs this, too:

 

I also need some lines, cause I'm a writer:

 

 And some words on top of my shoulder, probably "Try again, Fail again, Fail better."

 And some words on my back:

And on the back of my right arm:

All of these photos and their links can be found on my pinterest.

Anyone else craving tattoos?

Unique Jewelry Organizer Tutorial

For a while now, I've been wanting to craft up a unique and beautiful way to organize and display my jewelry. Well, folks, I've done it! And you can do it, too. I've seen a lot of tutorials on how to make tiered dessert and cake stands lately, and this tutorial is no different... except at the end, you put earrings on it instead of cupcakes!
Basically, I pulled together 2 plates and one small bowl that I bought at yardsales randomly, along with the 2 candlestick holders my mom got me for my bridal shower.
After that you just need some glue! I used E-6000, which worked wonderfully.
I glued the first plate to the first candelstick and left a heavy book on top over night.
The next day I added one piece with glue and left the book on overnight.
All in all, took about 4 days because I wanted to be sure each piece was secure!
Here is how lovely it turned out :)

Time to get crafting - Tutorials

To continue my love of pinterest, I wanted to share with you some amazing projects I have pinned that I just can't wait to start on! (Click on the photos for links to the tutorials)

1.

Super easy tiered dessert stand. Glue. Plates. Candle Stick. Cheap and easy! Just how I like 'em.

2.

I recently received a few burlap sacks. I intent to make LOTS of these pencil bags.

3.

I bought a whole set of vintage silverware at a yard sale. I think I will paint mine bright colors instead of sticking to all white. I don't have that much class.

4.

This one I want to make as a wedding gift. I think I will do each of their last names on the sides (she's going to hyphenate).

5.

Just adorable. And useful! Actually, I will probably just write inappropriate comments to my husband.

6.

What a cute trivet! I used to hand weave like this when I was younger. Believe it or not, I did learn a few Cherokee traditions! I have some t-shirt yarn I think would be perfect...

7.

AMAZING! I want to make 3!

8.

I actually already made one of these. I think it is dying though. Fail.

9.

This is something that I will always love but never make because I do not own any power tools :(
Look on the website for the video tutorial as well.

What are you crafting (or drooling over) these days?

Anchor Earrings Giveaway Winner!

Good morning, all! I have been in Chicago for the past week on vacation/professional development. We stayed in a Hyatt near downtown, thanks to Priceline Bidding, which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone going anywhere. It was absolutely fantastic.
Now back home, back to reality. But someone out there is about to get happy. The winner of the giveaway! It's always hard to choose a winner subjectively. It was really hard to decide! But in the end I had to go with the post after my own heart... (anyone who knows me knows I love me some Buddha...)
So, the winner is AvroraD! Congrats!

AvroraD said...

I shamelessly stole this one from joke buddha:

A young naval student was being put through the paces by an old sea captain.
"What would you do if a sudden storm sprang up on the starboard?"
"Throw out an anchor, sir," the student replied.
"What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?"
"Throw out another anchor, sir."
"And if another terrific storm sprang up forward, what would you do then?" asked the captain.
"Throw out another anchor, sir."
"Hold on," said the captain. "Where are you getting all those anchors from?"
"From the same place you're getting your storms, sir."

source: http://www.jokebuddha.com/Anchor#ixzz1Tk4n4xIb

Your earrings are awesome - hope I win! :)

Well you did win! I will be emailing you today. :)
Thanks so much to everyone who entered. I will be posting a new giveaway soon!!!