The creative being

I recently read an interesting article about highly sensitive/creative-types and actually gained a little insight about myself.  I found I actually identify with alot of these characteristics. 
Not sure how I feel about that yet. 
Anyway I thought I'd share some of it for any of you other creatives or those of you that love one :) 

Creatives often feel and perceive more intensely, dramatically, and with a wildly vivid color palate to draw from, which can only be described as looking at the world through a much larger lens.
Without a substantial filtration system firmly in place to screen out most of the busy noise, these people tend to receive a far greater amount of stimuli directly into their psyches.

I certainly get overwhelmed easily in about every sense, even visually although that is the best way I learn or remember things.  Send me to the grocery store looking for a certain item and I may stand there in the aisle attempting to find the right one forever.  Even looking at all those labels can be a bit much for me, I just tend to examine every detail and can often get swept away by some thought completely unrelated to my task. 

Creatives might find themselves more easily overwhelmed, and often live chaotic lives, affecting not only personal relationships, but also their own productivity.
Over-stimulation can sometimes manifest further into anxiety or depression, bogging down their ability to cope with every day stressors or life’s challenges.

Do I live a chaotic life?  Maybe.  I don't think my life itself is overly chaotic compared to anyone else's but I do feel chaotic often.  This is something I am working on, being intentional about finding peace and rest.

 Pearl Buck once described the highly sensitive person as...

“The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive. To them…a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.”

 I think this sums me up pretty well.  The intensity in which I feel things is easy for me to recognize. I tend to avoid the news.  A tragic act can linger in my mind for quite some time and I visually place myself in that situation and what it must have been like to experience it.  I am the last to let go of an argument.  Hubsy can move on from a disagreement in just a few minutes but for me the sting of conflict lingers.  That's not to say that I am unforgiving, it just takes me longer to get back up to the normally happy place I live in.  Any mistakes I think I have made end up haunting my mind more than they probably should.  It has been a long process for me to take it easy on myself.  I am learning how to be my own best friend :)

This might then bring up an important question: Do people create in an attempt to process, and survive, a condition that overwhelms them?
Pearl Buck also mentions, “Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create—so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, their very breath is cut off…They must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency they are not really alive unless they are creating.”

Oh my does this point speak volumes!  The need to create something is indeed ingrained in my every day.  Be it a making meal, re-decorating a corner, creating a blog post, you name it.  I am much happier on days where I have released into a creative outlet.  The thought of a life where my ability to create is drastically restricted almost makes me panic.

These points may seem a little dramatic but it does seem that a high level of sensitivity
and the creative mind go hand-in-hand.
What do you think? 
Can you relate?

If you would like to read the entire article you can find it here.

Miscellany Monday

Linking up with Carissa today for some miscellany fun.

{1}

 We are all stocked up for Halloween but wondering now if we'll just end up eating it all ourselves while watching Halloween movies.  Hurricane Sandy is a comin' and there's no way I'm taking my kiddos out in those winds and rain to Trick-or-Treat.  Several areas around us have post-poned Halloween until the weekend but so far our township has not.  We'll have to wait and see, just imagine the sugar high we will be on if we have all that chocolate to ourselves!

{2}

I've come to the realization that we eat A LOT of dairy products. We buy 3 different types of milk/lactaid products every week.  Plus there are 3 containers of cottage cheese, sour cream, and a billion containers of yogurt in there.  We surely single-handedly support the dairy farmers of  America.

 {3}

We went to a Halloween party this weekend thrown by none other than Natalie the BusyBudgetingMama herself (more on that another time).  I got quite a kick watching my two boys completely surrounded by all that pink!  They didn't know what to do.  They may or may not have impressed the girls with their broadsword and nunchucks.  It was hard to tell :)

{4}

One nice thing about the yucky weather is finally busting out some of my pretty scarves to wear.  We had a nice family dinner at my mother-in-laws made even more special by her famous roast.  It is awesome ladies. The secret is the pickle juice in the gravy.  Yes that's right, pickle juice.  I have not been able to duplicate it.  Some things are just better left to the original ;)  It was especially nice because we haven't really been doing many family dinners lately.  Everybody's schedules are so hectic, it just makes these few times we are gathered together even more meaningful.

{5}

I'm re-reading this book.  It's been a couple years and I found it is helping me immensely to revisit it.  It's written like you are on a road trip with God on your way to surrendering your life to Him.  Complete with all the crazy "stops" you make along the way this book really opened my eyes to what it means to have a surrendered heart.  I definitely recommend it and may even share some insightful tidbits here and on my social media sites.  I'm enjoying this God Crazy ride!

How was your weekend?

For any in Hurricane Sandy's path, please stay safe!

Never thought I would...

Duck Dynasty

My Hubsy's guilty pleasure.

Many a night we are laying in bed, me reading and Hubsy watching episodes of Duck Dynasty on his iPad.  He graciously watches with his headphones on so it doesn't distract my reading.  I'll be all engrossed in my book and he'll be next to me snickering and snorting.  Sometimes he can't contain it and laughs out loud almost waking up Bubba. I usually just roll my eyes and go back to my book. 

Yesterday was Hubsy's birthday and after gorging ourselves on dinner and ice cream he wanted to veg and watch Duck Dynasty together.  This was the ONLY way he was going to get me to sit and watch an entire episode.  Yep, he played the "but it's my birthday" card.

Ends up I watched 3 episodes in a row with him.  And you know what?  I actually liked it.  Oh sure there was plenty of played up redneck antics to roll your eyes at but you know what I found to be the redeeming quality?  The emphasis these people put on God and family.

What really struck a chord with me is how every episode ends with Willie Robertson summarizing the events and sharing a lesson learned.  Then the family gathers around the table praying together and sharing a meal and fellowship.  In these days of reality TV, it is refreshing to see some traditional values and hearing a "moral of the story" at the end.  A rare find indeed.

I may not watch every episode but I'll be much more willing to indulge Hubsy when he wants me to watch it with him.  It was kinda fun....ssshhhh....don't tell anyone I said that ;)

Happy Friday all!

**Thank you to all who offered prayer and condolences for the passing of my sweet Gram, it was so very appreciated**

Even if the healing doesn't come

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn’t come
Even if the healing doesn’t come 

Even if by Kutless

My friends,

My heart is heavy.  This past weekend brought the passing of a  great and important woman in my life.  My Gram.  Despite fervent prayer by many, her body did not recover from her latest bout of illness.

The pain is real and likely to get worse before it gets better.  Yet even amongst the heartache, there are blessings to be found.  I was again so immensely blessed to have been able to hold her hand one last time and kiss her goodbye.  God is who He says He is and has worked all things according to His great plan.

She is finally reunited with my Grandfather in heaven and living eternal life with the Lord God himself.

Miss you Gram

New to the Shop

Here's a bunch new lovelies that have found their way to my shop!

I'm busy gearing up for the Happy Days Handmade Holiday Market.

You know....creating new designs.....restocking some best sellers... and generally just having some fun :)

Get ready y'all, it's coming!  The market starts on October 20th.

{1} carved rosewood earrings
{2}carved rosewood bracelet
{3}spring fling earrings
{4}red howlite and turquoise bracelet
{5}red howlite chip earrings
{6}crystal rose and quartz bracelet
{7}olive crackle agate chandelier earrings
{8}olive crackle agate necklace

Support America's artisans and buy handmade this holiday season!

Live like that

source

Take a moment to read these lyrics from "Live like that" by the Sidewalk Prophets.  

Let them stew in your brain and your soul.

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Pretty darn impactful huh.

The Lord has changed me dramatically over the past few years and music is the biggest means He uses to do so.  I stumbled upon the K-Love radio station about 2 years ago and have never been the same.  I listen to it on my commute every. day. without. fail.  It's the first time I really began to listen to Christian music.  They have this 30-day challenge to listen to nothing but Christian music and see how your life changes.  Thanks to K-Love I now have a daily relationship with Jesus.  It ignited a spark inside of me to say the least.

K-Love is completely listener supported and recently had their annual Fall pledge drive.  I am so happy to now be donating a portion of the proceeds from Behind the Moon Beadworks to the ministry of K-Love.  The stories I hear of how a certain song has transformed people's lives (even prevented suicide) are so uplifting and I am really excited to support them and be a part of what God is doing through this ministry.

But that is just a small portion of how I want "to be love when no one else would show up".  

I'm looking into other ways to give.  Other ways to help.

Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.  

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do you volunteer or give to any charities that you are passionate about?  

Please let me know, I'd love to hear about what you are doing and learn new ways to get involved!

Beautiful Home: Halloween Decor...a little Pinterest inspiration

Since becoming addicted to Pinterest (follow me here), I have been collecting all sorts of holiday decorating ideas.  I mean, one could get lost on that subject alone on Pinterest am I right?  Lucky for me I have my trusty hutch which is the perfect place for me to display all of my decor.  If your new to the blog you may not know that my Hubsy is a very talented handyman.  He built this hutch for me as well as several other pieces in our home, including our fireplace/bookcase which is next on my list to dress up.

First I decided to give the hutch itself a little makeover.  The yellow-toned oak just wasn't jiving with our new gray-brown living room furniture from IKEA so I decided to paint it off-white to match our kitchen cupboards and be less offensive with the gray furniture.

before

after

Improvement?  I think yes.

Now to share my Pinterest inspirations....

{1} First up "along came a spider".  I just adored this idea so I created a little spidey of my own.  Mine is a bit more kid-friendly rounded version though. Either that....or he's just well fed.

{2} Secondly I printed out me free printable but did not have color ink...gasp!  To give it a little pop I added some colored scrapbook paper as a matte.

{3} Next I created my little "boo" print where the text was the focal point. I just used scrapbook paper for the background and then printed and cut out the letters to glue on.  Simple. 
{4} Lastly I raised up my twig pumpkin on a candle holder pedestal to give it a little more presence.  I think I'll be heading to the dollar store to pick up some more pedestals of varying heights because I just love the way these look and will incorporate them for several different holidays. 
I'm thinking ornaments on pedestals for Christmas ;)

the finished product

That's it for now though I'm sure I'll be adding to it and tweaking it over the years. 

Like adding a swag or garland to make it TRULY Pinterest inspired huh!

Clear Creek in Fall

Evidently Fall is all I have on the brain lately so in keeping with the theme.....

We recently went on another camping trip, again to Clear Creek State Park along the Clarion River.  It's one of our favorite places and we go a couple times a year.  It has a truly unique feel with all the huge boulders carried there by icebergs long ago, the winding creek, and of course the river.  Hiking around in these woods is my favorite.  This time was a little different going in the fall because of the colder temps but the foliage did not disappoint.  I always welcome the chance to take some photographs of nature's splendor.

Here's a taste just for you ;)

Beautiful You: Transitioning to Fall

I love fall and the cooler weather but when you live in the north you can get sick of it all too quick so I am in no hurry to bust out the big fluffy sweaters quite yet.
I've been looking for some new ways to extend parts of my summer wardrobe into fall and 

I thought I'd share some of my inspiration with all of you.

(these are all on my pinterest board "threads and baubles"...follow me here)

{the great cover up}

I probably have just as much obsession with coats as with shoes.  

Luckily for my pocketbook I don't indulge much :)  But you don't have to have a closet-full of 'em, one or two key pieces can do the trick.  Never underestimate the power of the classics like the trench, blazer, or faux fur.  Coats and jackets can be a great way to extend wearing your tank tops just a little bit longer ;)

{underneath it all}

Try stretching a skirt or dress into the cooler weather by throwing a pair of leggings underneath for added warmth.  I have a dress and a skirt I've tried this with and was pleasantly surprised at how cute it looked.

{up to the neck}

Oh scarves, how I love thee.  Your warmth is undeniable.  I have recently made some of my own scarves (to post at a later date) and been given a few for gifts too.  I'm loving all the different ways I can wear them. I'd still like to expand my collection a bit more though.  Throw a scarf over a T-shirt and voila!

{play it close to the vest}

This is one item that I love but is sadly missing from my closet.  One curious thing I came across when looking for inspirations on vests is that I didn't really see any women in the poofy kind of vests (like #4), just men.  I think they can be used for a great sporty casual look.  What about you?  Yea or nay on this look?

Do you have any tricks to share in stretching out your summer wardrobe? I'd love to hear them!

I hope to do a little thrifting this weekend to support these looks :)  Wish me luck!

Little Randoms...iphone pics

{1} 

Fall is here which means my nesting instincts are taking over.  Crisp weather automatically means we must bake right?  Well, that's what happens to me anyway.  I've been a comfort-food-making fool lately.  Been making muffins and soups and apple crisp and I even cooked a full turkey dinner!  

Who IS this domestic diva?

Banana Bread Muffins : MIL's recipe

Bayou Stew : recipe here

{2}

My favorite season for hiking is fall.  Something about the beauty, smell, and crunch of the leaves really speaks to me.  We're lucky to have a natural waterfall near our home.  Nothing grand mind you but special none-the-less.  Hubsy and I have been walking the trail to this waterfall since we were 18.  The path is winding and there are several little bridges that criss-cross over the creek.  The summer here has been so dry that when we hiked this path a few months ago the waterfall was barely a trickle.  It still wasn't completely recovered this time but there was at least a little more oomph behind the flow.  Is there any sound more relaxing than water?  Um no.

 {3}

I've tried some new duds and accessories recently too.  I'm so excited about my new JCLU t-shirt.  First and foremost I adore the shirt itself and the verse from Mark 9:23 displayed on it but secondly I love how it can be a conversation starter about Jesus.  I'm not one to usually just bring up the subject and I found that the t-shirt helps me as a good lead-in.  A big thanks to Ruthie for introducing me to the JCLU website!  I have a feeling the UPS man will start to know my house because I'll be ordering quite a few of their t's :)

 

My mom recently crossed the pond for an excursion through England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.  We are of Scottish heritage on her side (even have an ancestral castle on the shore of Loch Fyne that I was blessed to see with my own two eyes!).  Some of the trinkets she brought home for me were a lovely scarf full of pattern and pressed Scottish heather gems amongst other Clan McNaughton items.  I'll have to take a better picture of the jewelry sometime because the pressed heather is truly gorgeous but you can't tell much here.

  I loved that the scarf was light and airy so I could try wearing it in my hair.  Usually scarves have too much bulk for me to wear like that but this one was perfect.

 

{4}

 Promise.

After a particularly rough evening were I was feeling quite defeated, I happened to be outside at just the right time to witness this fantastic firey sunset that lasted but a few minutes.  A true promise from God that His mercy continually flows anew for all to receive. And I am no exception.  I love when He does that ;)

{5}

And because Lord Seamus McNasty O'Shae is just too darn cute not to share, 

here's a couple fun pics of my cutie.

A twig "cigar"... he's sophisticated like that

Warming up on fresh laundry

Linking up with Carissa today for Miscellany Moday!

Happy Monday all!

Happy Days Handmade Holiday Market

I know there are weird people out there that don't like to think about Christmas until December but when something as fun as Hannah's Handmade Holiday Market comes along you just CAN'T resist!

All handmade items, in one easy place.

Oh yeah, AND there will be special discounts and giveaways to partake in too!

The market will run from October 20th to December 31st.

Guess who will be participating...

Yours truly of course!

Be sure to check out all the handmade goodness for your holiday gift giving!

Support handmade artisans and receive a unique product to delight those on your list.

Have fun with it girls!

Whispering leaves

Do you hear them?

They are speaking to you.

Gently rustling.

Reminding you that change is here.

I hear them.  They have told me to stop trying to slam on the brakes of time (regardless of how hard that is for me to want to do).  I know its futile but I find myself trying to do it anyway.  The leaves assure me that this change is OK.  The time that is passing is meant to be.  They encourage me to fully embrace this season of life we're in.  Change is good, change is necessary to grow, don't fight it Krista.

What do they whisper to you?