tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217747162024-03-13T23:39:02.093+00:00heartful blogger"Set your heart on fire and seek those who fan your flames." ~ RumiHeartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.comBlogger1263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-64426151834296687262014-12-24T17:41:00.002+00:002014-12-24T17:41:22.984+00:00Happy Winter Solstice & Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIXvzA3dkEdIUPR3cw-M7XLfaCEyyE7ZoUIGVHSxjopsonOfmrlslrfXalARTJ6M29You4atz-UifS-lLNxa8hQ9CpGX7M7zT1JeTCDxZqT5rvGoc7aK3s_uyOj_ltzDD_PeR7A/s1600/Happy+Solstice+Dec+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIXvzA3dkEdIUPR3cw-M7XLfaCEyyE7ZoUIGVHSxjopsonOfmrlslrfXalARTJ6M29You4atz-UifS-lLNxa8hQ9CpGX7M7zT1JeTCDxZqT5rvGoc7aK3s_uyOj_ltzDD_PeR7A/s1600/Happy+Solstice+Dec+14.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63WIue4R7TFl_Don6PLmqdC10kiIWE7k7wehN90cHo1sO_1paJH5-UeWGD3rqmYHVVT1y9rRKvkrdWujhbXvHjPzC1znVPA6vXnstlT5Za2XlEhNpCMep7jrjZegOt1AgRBJtag/s1600/Happy+Solstice+Dec+14+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63WIue4R7TFl_Don6PLmqdC10kiIWE7k7wehN90cHo1sO_1paJH5-UeWGD3rqmYHVVT1y9rRKvkrdWujhbXvHjPzC1znVPA6vXnstlT5Za2XlEhNpCMep7jrjZegOt1AgRBJtag/s1600/Happy+Solstice+Dec+14+1.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibezNX15zUeuQCM1ZDqWvcUuUw7POreHRxW11wL8xp0BDM-WCBYlRAJO7Fmm0aIqYxS0Hz_aSZGjyei2zRl-drFVHeGK5xuzxvrfh9AzP6S8NJKTKc5Fu83FthJk_cvW9RUIC6ww/s1600/Xmas+2014+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibezNX15zUeuQCM1ZDqWvcUuUw7POreHRxW11wL8xp0BDM-WCBYlRAJO7Fmm0aIqYxS0Hz_aSZGjyei2zRl-drFVHeGK5xuzxvrfh9AzP6S8NJKTKc5Fu83FthJk_cvW9RUIC6ww/s1600/Xmas+2014+collage.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
With thanks to <a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/peg-dolls-winter-wonderland.html">Mr Printables </a>for the colour-in xmas tree, winter wonderland animal templates and tutorial for wooden peg people!<br />
<br />
Have a fantastic holiday season, whatever you are up to.<br />
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-83656731852217050022014-12-03T16:27:00.001+00:002014-12-03T16:27:17.252+00:00Mandala Magic ~ Hamsa MandalaMore catching up with Mandala Magic. Here's my Hamsa Mandala.<br />
Thank you Julie for an excellent course.<br />
<br />
I look forward to taking part in <a href="http://www.juliegibbons.com/mandala-magic/">Mandala Magic 2015</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9gTHDGXK4kA4qIFjZHMu8EIMWiJdUMmG8-XgJuFsI-_QznAMMZatMN2EB2DZCIKk7_SqaSObW9ZJ1BV_H_GxsxMt4KvE0DXzsI6MFxwOZb07nrsSImkF2BsZjM4A4hUDUY3X4w/s1600/hamsa+mandala+nov+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9gTHDGXK4kA4qIFjZHMu8EIMWiJdUMmG8-XgJuFsI-_QznAMMZatMN2EB2DZCIKk7_SqaSObW9ZJ1BV_H_GxsxMt4KvE0DXzsI6MFxwOZb07nrsSImkF2BsZjM4A4hUDUY3X4w/s1600/hamsa+mandala+nov+14.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-86529062478930955822014-12-03T16:24:00.000+00:002014-12-03T16:24:09.827+00:00Mandala Magic ~ Manifestation MandalaJust catching up with Julie Gibbons' 5 Days of Mandala Magic course.<br />
<br />
Here's my Manifestation Mandala.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK5r8v-JcZYUXNdgmN6s_I7txXhRFNa1ZHNb4X10xQr54hPyWYozBvxJjAxZyk8enDyGX5Fvqiz1_Tt4NX5s9Gget48zjr3r9cJvTBA2ob0CGyclg5_TDRoFpD4kFUHYWMLh4Yw/s1600/manifestation+mandala+nov+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK5r8v-JcZYUXNdgmN6s_I7txXhRFNa1ZHNb4X10xQr54hPyWYozBvxJjAxZyk8enDyGX5Fvqiz1_Tt4NX5s9Gget48zjr3r9cJvTBA2ob0CGyclg5_TDRoFpD4kFUHYWMLh4Yw/s1600/manifestation+mandala+nov+14.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-57972992439082524002014-11-19T09:13:00.000+00:002014-12-03T16:25:10.708+00:00Mandala MagicI'm currently taking part in the wonderful, free, online workshop <a href="http://www.juliegibbons.com/free-mandala-workshop/">5 Days of Mandala Magic</a> with Julie Gibbons.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Julie demonstrated how to create a lotus mandala. Here is my first ever attempt at a lotus mandala. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-qRaxOwJMexNthfBN5hyphenhyphenIPxtjW76gHpOsuKRgNlIt0Fx-Q3XAl-PtogV0AjTfa3cEpeQZ2EiJtGhh6BnRFSyvRq3JrEoadcjACeNTPJQHl7Fi2dgpu9cUhg3Ln19Dhfcc9-Jhg/s1600/lotus+mandala+day2+18.11.14+Tammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-qRaxOwJMexNthfBN5hyphenhyphenIPxtjW76gHpOsuKRgNlIt0Fx-Q3XAl-PtogV0AjTfa3cEpeQZ2EiJtGhh6BnRFSyvRq3JrEoadcjACeNTPJQHl7Fi2dgpu9cUhg3Ln19Dhfcc9-Jhg/s1600/lotus+mandala+day2+18.11.14+Tammy.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I took to this like a duck to water! I've always been fascinated with geometric patterns and although I've been aware of mandalas, something about their traditional form always felt a bit inaccessible to me. But Julie explains how to create these in clear terms without losing any of the mystery and magic behind them. Thank you Julie!<br />
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-84855930197540308722013-05-07T14:18:00.003+00:002013-05-07T14:20:02.646+00:00The middle way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguldR4IZOnMo3xFvUAeyr-wVIEBMsa9JgKdSlYOp9c78q4SoqanhSSkwNSZ_hQ5CnVfOvdUpZaN5ZsdSnJ3tF17AbURlipjokA0MaeMqDyW8ONkZ6bvsGt0SxkhDUoBp5ecMTKrQ/s1600/friendly+skies+with+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguldR4IZOnMo3xFvUAeyr-wVIEBMsa9JgKdSlYOp9c78q4SoqanhSSkwNSZ_hQ5CnVfOvdUpZaN5ZsdSnJ3tF17AbURlipjokA0MaeMqDyW8ONkZ6bvsGt0SxkhDUoBp5ecMTKrQ/s640/friendly+skies+with+quote.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo by me, words by Pema Chodron.</div>
Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-29818482383660114242013-05-01T09:55:00.000+00:002013-05-01T09:55:08.967+00:00Something I'm working on...for my art course. Illustrating a memory from childhood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDoFHcydbNKPvciAeZdEVbRBcyXsAc8E4rB8hgnmPallCBlTsXQiN-Msym4xLIS14-7uD-0-ZU86lX66IyyxwFbknPnDV4NvQ02L6rXcheyKrL-t3EH-UPQ9e-J2y8InqpIKF7Q/s1600/Assign+4+the+past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDoFHcydbNKPvciAeZdEVbRBcyXsAc8E4rB8hgnmPallCBlTsXQiN-Msym4xLIS14-7uD-0-ZU86lX66IyyxwFbknPnDV4NvQ02L6rXcheyKrL-t3EH-UPQ9e-J2y8InqpIKF7Q/s1600/Assign+4+the+past.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Initial pencil sketch. </div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-14758859961682737082013-04-24T22:42:00.000+00:002013-04-24T22:45:51.363+00:00Just DO itI'm doing an art course at the moment. It's a little bit terrifying. I'm in the company of some amazing talent. So amazing that comparing their work to mine is just ridiculous. At first this made me wobble and wonder whether I was really cut out for such a course. Maybe I wasn't ready to put my stuff out there for criticism, even constructive criticism, by people of such immense skill. But it's turned out to be a good thing. Because the intimidation I felt turned quickly to awe and then to the realisation that I have the privilege and good fortune to learn from them. It's not a competition, it's a learning experience. Everybody has to start somewhere, and I AM ready. Because I'm more excited about learning and improving, even if it means I have to expose myself, my weaknesses, my lack of technical skill, than wanting to stay 'safe' in my own little bubble. Most of all, I'm excited about DOING, about making, rather than just thinking about it. The act of making, of creating, really is transformative. <b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.pikaland.com/2013/04/15/breathe-out/">This post</a> </span></b>says it rather well. <br />
<br />
And here's something I made earlier...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5c_0s_tWFkb8KjWdMjgCaTm9pAahJNuQks1rlvPfzcBM_ya7uA-_EsP4_84qytziHmyxhIRBV5FogcStWoHNVWe9l15yD4-thWGqIWvONWFFlB4uYxiU2rUL85bPfsrbsRMufw/s1600/assign+2+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5c_0s_tWFkb8KjWdMjgCaTm9pAahJNuQks1rlvPfzcBM_ya7uA-_EsP4_84qytziHmyxhIRBV5FogcStWoHNVWe9l15yD4-thWGqIWvONWFFlB4uYxiU2rUL85bPfsrbsRMufw/s1600/assign+2+collage.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFfcuI4f-LmMGTRC7KeZyhec7U4kfV9KDBjziMAj5IIS608T948AuKKGl-a_QzIa-TGcVH4M0BHZXMryOrp0g-CpxAaoxocVvxbo2spu-R6Dd1VHWRCn3krc0zjgmNYwn3vxXAw/s1600/assign+2+collage+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFfcuI4f-LmMGTRC7KeZyhec7U4kfV9KDBjziMAj5IIS608T948AuKKGl-a_QzIa-TGcVH4M0BHZXMryOrp0g-CpxAaoxocVvxbo2spu-R6Dd1VHWRCn3krc0zjgmNYwn3vxXAw/s1600/assign+2+collage+close+up.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcvPw6xVFUbhnztH5MdTECUtwTSN4caKV9K68VSOapfHtnfiGiTYy1QX4uq9CsVBDlGtAysXKUDxhK9OPiB_PGllOwmE31JFdqXFjwGZ-sbjTFpF-flZva3GXM-ouUyFXY6xkZA/s1600/assign+2+collage+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcvPw6xVFUbhnztH5MdTECUtwTSN4caKV9K68VSOapfHtnfiGiTYy1QX4uq9CsVBDlGtAysXKUDxhK9OPiB_PGllOwmE31JFdqXFjwGZ-sbjTFpF-flZva3GXM-ouUyFXY6xkZA/s1600/assign+2+collage+sky.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-64391848834852367812013-04-14T21:08:00.003+00:002013-04-14T21:08:28.469+00:00I finished<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was the last day of my 365 circles project. This was the last circle. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX13rZiLOY9FUSDI_aiOUOq5UqpEhHTlF5nb48vsEK0eeob3zAF7imRhVam5GbgjKgMv5RFo-QNSU8_mdFpBCObkI8iUTldhtXkwKAsNyOhHx58ctoxyIDFteSoXSugMXY9gH1Q/s1600/365-circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX13rZiLOY9FUSDI_aiOUOq5UqpEhHTlF5nb48vsEK0eeob3zAF7imRhVam5GbgjKgMv5RFo-QNSU8_mdFpBCObkI8iUTldhtXkwKAsNyOhHx58ctoxyIDFteSoXSugMXY9gH1Q/s1600/365-circle.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's about all the profoundness I have to say about that.</div>
Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-20474593658595598422013-04-10T16:35:00.001+00:002013-04-10T16:35:42.185+00:00Some of things we've been up to lately...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqyAXQcftxvjDmRD_7-8GbxZiqymdbCwp-lzP3J1TKiviSLlReRbP80_OK33la3EKhJF3NaPc5FiUr8JlL9bbzhyam-HU7B4EFODU7vEuRgtswYs2Lz_xyYijFMQiK7xmMApGUQ/s1600/meeting+Polly+Dunbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqyAXQcftxvjDmRD_7-8GbxZiqymdbCwp-lzP3J1TKiviSLlReRbP80_OK33la3EKhJF3NaPc5FiUr8JlL9bbzhyam-HU7B4EFODU7vEuRgtswYs2Lz_xyYijFMQiK7xmMApGUQ/s320/meeting+Polly+Dunbar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Polly Dunbar and the original Penguin!! At the Discover Story Centre in Stratford</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOq9Xp5033BxMwmRx6nnFWX-M3towu2QAgxKwUSv4Eb9WjYMQIpD0e-R8UfcZPJlfbMOqx5LTkGKJ4or7lHp4Gsvhf25EWILbMwSUMqr7wHuDsJTEhifhDhiMipdFwE-hFf-QDw/s1600/discover+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOq9Xp5033BxMwmRx6nnFWX-M3towu2QAgxKwUSv4Eb9WjYMQIpD0e-R8UfcZPJlfbMOqx5LTkGKJ4or7lHp4Gsvhf25EWILbMwSUMqr7wHuDsJTEhifhDhiMipdFwE-hFf-QDw/s320/discover+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saving oblivious humans from dots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrlg3cc45a8YvIUruzGmH1BJvpNkpSpLoC893AA10xUMeQdaDWC6_WrSyeQzqSnC_ANnMXxIV3r0DopdwA7IrJkz-2TUI5t122Er5zszwRLU_PRWYjeDf-L1nz-3wrZjAJ56duw/s1600/discover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrlg3cc45a8YvIUruzGmH1BJvpNkpSpLoC893AA10xUMeQdaDWC6_WrSyeQzqSnC_ANnMXxIV3r0DopdwA7IrJkz-2TUI5t122Er5zszwRLU_PRWYjeDf-L1nz-3wrZjAJ56duw/s320/discover+2.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building licorice towers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGO5jlbvjbYDIvndOWiXmIqnozVxz3cjxinYvZw4CbqAilUG5UouUHHqYYZiFfEK_iV5PD5tA4Exzc6oS7PoxaLlObhEaYlZ-voEaN6GPQoPnM8X1aebg46yo5AjELnRcRLOZhA/s1600/light+show+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGO5jlbvjbYDIvndOWiXmIqnozVxz3cjxinYvZw4CbqAilUG5UouUHHqYYZiFfEK_iV5PD5tA4Exzc6oS7PoxaLlObhEaYlZ-voEaN6GPQoPnM8X1aebg46yo5AjELnRcRLOZhA/s320/light+show+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a certain exhibition somewhere where photography wasn't permitted...ahem...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHqi6wE7kfq__Q63Wic-DXD0KNpBneaa6WdD7zJZ87w6558lfF4K1JCKxYC33qSISSYTKIhS53IUGMUt4OS1aw5n6XtjZn10R9bzWQq6d6mOUPkhl5dNAlGBZdd7T46-LfFZPQ/s1600/light+show+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHqi6wE7kfq__Q63Wic-DXD0KNpBneaa6WdD7zJZ87w6558lfF4K1JCKxYC33qSISSYTKIhS53IUGMUt4OS1aw5n6XtjZn10R9bzWQq6d6mOUPkhl5dNAlGBZdd7T46-LfFZPQ/s320/light+show+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finger slipped while I was holding my phone and it accidentally took some photos!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYFCw6MiWp7nDrFV9AolMQZUysu7Y-JYJ_kcH9HeN-5mzGR74m3zwLwdDvlEYJ9ERZJ-Py3vla02noweyY2MY4opE85gzyrXyNgSWWixh8-k0nmlNR4JkCeFT0NCYxS_ES9J4Wg/s1600/LT+make+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYFCw6MiWp7nDrFV9AolMQZUysu7Y-JYJ_kcH9HeN-5mzGR74m3zwLwdDvlEYJ9ERZJ-Py3vla02noweyY2MY4opE85gzyrXyNgSWWixh8-k0nmlNR4JkCeFT0NCYxS_ES9J4Wg/s320/LT+make+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the fantastic making workshops run by the London Transport Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ydf0acqxG_uk1mR6UEL8WloW5a7BxupoGUpteUKl6UkqSPJsHTrJH4u3_ZmDLUBLG0Q_-i220vDQBC7n1TqWFXUfaBDbpM2KposDY9lVH7KfQ0hvPKfTeIeh9wfY52HaMRGWiQ/s1600/LT+make+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ydf0acqxG_uk1mR6UEL8WloW5a7BxupoGUpteUKl6UkqSPJsHTrJH4u3_ZmDLUBLG0Q_-i220vDQBC7n1TqWFXUfaBDbpM2KposDY9lVH7KfQ0hvPKfTeIeh9wfY52HaMRGWiQ/s320/LT+make+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM5ktLv7GP80pMPo6BKDjv1pj-o5YeS79geWqu3GRjGYdXG5bSuAFccvP6ZKfTn5-v5HXWPwwp35wvSgMnrmsnUgrbDahvjryxxzqBJnAlX8toS_h7mOcKAne5c46vCxFAlMiGA/s1600/glow+sticks+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM5ktLv7GP80pMPo6BKDjv1pj-o5YeS79geWqu3GRjGYdXG5bSuAFccvP6ZKfTn5-v5HXWPwwp35wvSgMnrmsnUgrbDahvjryxxzqBJnAlX8toS_h7mOcKAne5c46vCxFAlMiGA/s320/glow+sticks+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with glow sticks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRRZgeQ-UieoLXsZhV-pXojDrdyihV9AXo1VVtFruiK92Utcmf1e7abFQh3kxQibgChxJC9KH0CmB_hkZyzZVf3g7twkoi8yNa9svKicDETJk6yaurTGjgtBe1ZJAAMIdP2BrMA/s1600/Busy+Jake+Apr+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRRZgeQ-UieoLXsZhV-pXojDrdyihV9AXo1VVtFruiK92Utcmf1e7abFQh3kxQibgChxJC9KH0CmB_hkZyzZVf3g7twkoi8yNa9svKicDETJk6yaurTGjgtBe1ZJAAMIdP2BrMA/s320/Busy+Jake+Apr+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy busy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wpkAaRa0wp6mbx3Hk5B-H2hD4gWIxSoAj12ejrw2exaPt5FEDDeKnINhEvK6ZbqsjagX0uOhxzA8BncnqTCpsTjgB2n8PZngCaJKk8PfgnII6Z-D64-EaiJWCorFozbXih2fMQ/s1600/jake+in+box+train+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wpkAaRa0wp6mbx3Hk5B-H2hD4gWIxSoAj12ejrw2exaPt5FEDDeKnINhEvK6ZbqsjagX0uOhxzA8BncnqTCpsTjgB2n8PZngCaJKk8PfgnII6Z-D64-EaiJWCorFozbXih2fMQ/s320/jake+in+box+train+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-71543433513336235022013-04-01T11:00:00.000+00:002013-04-01T11:00:06.411+00:00This day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4eUdA7X-yYmYhscwLPNehnEToOWWY3smfKVSfoLi0Ka-s7PiO6qUEx5vR_5OWDiSFs3oUqmDaAq3hddVNf6uGN6XcpGCiJLzXD2b-mDhEpOdUgR8NyY3Ic24AiyvFRB6jqXLhA/s1600/This+day+kobo+daishi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4eUdA7X-yYmYhscwLPNehnEToOWWY3smfKVSfoLi0Ka-s7PiO6qUEx5vR_5OWDiSFs3oUqmDaAq3hddVNf6uGN6XcpGCiJLzXD2b-mDhEpOdUgR8NyY3Ic24AiyvFRB6jqXLhA/s400/This+day+kobo+daishi.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-39749557111439152492013-03-31T11:36:00.006+00:002013-03-31T11:37:23.070+00:00Happy Easter...whatever it means to you.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnljCzzHmcKRw4RvR0WZy4LvyRyn7LMsQAjdztGWRo1vX0u8Bkie__4yiq-6DiOtfwBe7MW7Jls2MKJI14oZ-YjVGUFdr_Zj8S4qn5mQHEDBrc3eiSfqDHpjp_2phPLrhOu8laNw/s1600/spring+collages+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnljCzzHmcKRw4RvR0WZy4LvyRyn7LMsQAjdztGWRo1vX0u8Bkie__4yiq-6DiOtfwBe7MW7Jls2MKJI14oZ-YjVGUFdr_Zj8S4qn5mQHEDBrc3eiSfqDHpjp_2phPLrhOu8laNw/s400/spring+collages+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Spring collages Jake and I made with tissue paper shapes and laminating pouches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-BTGDFxNad2BuKT-1rNWPM7Xuq0ktLnk-NFVgb8Rd-VQPkUIaOhZ4iKcmzrqc_yRse4TXvZLTjrshZABN6_BV2h4-VEI5g3VgxwqvneQoKtbA2uZgI0oeIMStQqHj4VUiHyKOA/s1600/Jake's+Easter+card+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-BTGDFxNad2BuKT-1rNWPM7Xuq0ktLnk-NFVgb8Rd-VQPkUIaOhZ4iKcmzrqc_yRse4TXvZLTjrshZABN6_BV2h4-VEI5g3VgxwqvneQoKtbA2uZgI0oeIMStQqHj4VUiHyKOA/s400/Jake's+Easter+card+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake's card to me.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-2025090497354510172013-03-25T19:14:00.000+00:002013-03-25T19:14:07.838+00:00It's been one of those days...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj0KbjWRpDHJSHNPYh3h09RxHPcyFruq5_VMW3BKuPDDhucZPl-mvX_OkYBRfCCrlkp1V4FSV1jNsdd69owy4zIvSShIOT9wsR0fya_hnTkyFmAKJQY3PmHYM0iT1E2hQoWgnIw/s1600/341-circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj0KbjWRpDHJSHNPYh3h09RxHPcyFruq5_VMW3BKuPDDhucZPl-mvX_OkYBRfCCrlkp1V4FSV1jNsdd69owy4zIvSShIOT9wsR0fya_hnTkyFmAKJQY3PmHYM0iT1E2hQoWgnIw/s320/341-circle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drawing helps. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was inspired by the late, great Maurice Sendak.</div>
Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-87761264055675602502013-03-18T18:49:00.001+00:002013-03-18T18:51:49.935+00:00Still Winter<div style="text-align: center;">
I took these photos a month ago, but it could have been yesterday. <br />
Will Spring ever arrive?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JOQF0T5TEkhj48YDlQIjUCzPXiOOR1MiiLiRlnnQdpxPE2Qm3-Qh2GsGvV1ShyUyaApryKP_4uZJZXFqNRbRUNAT4jGcN53vvV4f09MnXN_prisAe4FGMdc0xvdXFGz6swuLw/s1600/Still+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JOQF0T5TEkhj48YDlQIjUCzPXiOOR1MiiLiRlnnQdpxPE2Qm3-Qh2GsGvV1ShyUyaApryKP_4uZJZXFqNRbRUNAT4jGcN53vvV4f09MnXN_prisAe4FGMdc0xvdXFGz6swuLw/s400/Still+winter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-12675273951586567972013-03-11T17:23:00.000+00:002013-03-11T17:23:18.633+00:00Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3Gqr0Qfx1gHXfoeMao6gUBuQ_Qruj1F0B6LiPqKXwEjo6NsiaIQFWe0HsBm_4T4fshTrPGFPh1RrKxGGkwmkL5ohXOdPEzmKi4P1Abkm9xjcCIutb6qO3_sDgIoDybDf9rTODQ/s1600/Hands+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3Gqr0Qfx1gHXfoeMao6gUBuQ_Qruj1F0B6LiPqKXwEjo6NsiaIQFWe0HsBm_4T4fshTrPGFPh1RrKxGGkwmkL5ohXOdPEzmKi4P1Abkm9xjcCIutb6qO3_sDgIoDybDf9rTODQ/s400/Hands+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-75998670777360079192013-03-05T23:06:00.003+00:002013-03-05T23:06:46.411+00:00Feets!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT4HPvG1wd0YSgkZ92nkmqhjnJ0r7DUoxruR2c36zlxOXvjw_U26EL4mUWnYoLkG57wlHQv073okPRg6zjkC7F7KG64PaQEt-cns-lgbxNwjye9LldehfLpXu_fgWqWRODkMsjg/s1600/Feets+Stoneydown+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT4HPvG1wd0YSgkZ92nkmqhjnJ0r7DUoxruR2c36zlxOXvjw_U26EL4mUWnYoLkG57wlHQv073okPRg6zjkC7F7KG64PaQEt-cns-lgbxNwjye9LldehfLpXu_fgWqWRODkMsjg/s1600/Feets+Stoneydown+Park.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-35512363465272135562013-03-04T23:29:00.000+00:002013-03-11T17:23:39.496+00:00Hello....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyV5vehyfelf4A3GaehsuwMgeiBH2ujYPHdklf2rydLQl0lHLI9yn7__TSwojm1jVfANuzv8qE75IX6y7pyaaUFJ-3I9I_mDuswEFLEwdjs7-Qtt2xdg-XwaBTNRCwKmBjtSvg/s1600/Yoshi+whiskers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyV5vehyfelf4A3GaehsuwMgeiBH2ujYPHdklf2rydLQl0lHLI9yn7__TSwojm1jVfANuzv8qE75IX6y7pyaaUFJ-3I9I_mDuswEFLEwdjs7-Qtt2xdg-XwaBTNRCwKmBjtSvg/s400/Yoshi+whiskers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... who's there? </div>
Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-90055933728676796662013-01-31T19:23:00.000+00:002013-01-31T19:23:14.177+00:0031/31 ~ January Mindful WritingOn the rain soaked, wind swept pavement, a dislodged piece of bark in the shape of a heart.<br />
~<br />
<br />
Today is the last official day of January's Mindful Writing challenge, but I will be continuing with mindful writing on my <a href="http://www.heartfulbreath.tumblr.com/">small stones blog</a>. Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-73118270361553805512013-01-30T18:19:00.000+00:002013-01-30T18:19:07.931+00:0030/31 ~ January Mindful WritingThe wind is rattling the window frame. Outside, the whole silver birch sways and the hanging branches throw constantly dancing shadows on the house opposite.<br />
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-57970886245142620282013-01-29T18:51:00.000+00:002013-01-29T18:51:01.099+00:0029/31 ~ January Mindful Writing<b>In someone else's house</b><br />
<br />
I stop in front of the black and white cat. It is curled up on a mustard yellow cushion that is too small for it, and which tilts off the edge of a table and is being held up by the radiator nearby. We haven't met before so I hold my hand above the cat's sleeping head. It stirs, gives my fingers a sniff and then a barely perceptible nod. I stroke his head, the fur slightly rough, and am rewarded with three slow deep purrs before he tells me he's had enough.<br />
~<br />
From my seat near the bay window, I see the curve of a red chilli pepper over the TV set. The pepper is next to a spiky leafed plant on the windowsill outside. For a moment I marvel that it is thriving in this cold weather before realising it is the top of a gnome's hat.Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-3372416712043708502013-01-28T23:42:00.000+00:002013-01-28T23:42:00.895+00:0028/31 ~ January Mindful WritingI pour hot water into the plastic turquoise mixing bowl and watch the steam rise. I add two drops of eucalyptus and one drop of lavender oil. "That smells nice!" Jake says, but I can't smell anything, not even with my head above the steam and a towel over my head. I open my mouth to inhale the vapours and a light green taste lands on my tongue, but there is no smell and the taste makes no sense without the smell.Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-51713744952941988342013-01-27T18:03:00.000+00:002013-01-27T18:03:02.932+00:0027/31 ~ January Mindful WritingYoshi pads into the kitchen and catches the sun on his black fur. For a moment he is sheathed in a suit of shimmering silver.<br />
~<br />
In the kitchen, I hear the sound of squawking coming from the direction of the sky. I look up into the blue, expecting to see a flash of long-tailed greenness. Although I know they are here, it still surprises me, to hear parakeets in Walthamstow.Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-52768555203840758092013-01-26T21:24:00.002+00:002013-01-26T21:24:23.522+00:0026/31 ~ January Mindful WritingJake in red and blue starry pyjamas constructs a makeshift "train station" with a fire engine, the lid of a plastic storage box and some dominoes. "Mummy, do you want to do the people getting on and off?" <br />
~<br />
Mid-morning ~ even after a night of rain, a large patch of ice remains
on the pavement in the shadow of the bridge at Northcote road, an
archipelago on a concrete sea. I look up. How wonderful to see streaks
of airplane vapour trails against blue sky again. <br />
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-62512190353202628372013-01-25T19:28:00.004+00:002013-01-26T21:09:22.129+00:0025/31 ~ January Mindful WritingOn the pavements, the snow and ice is gone. A few small patches here and there, but otherwise, back to concrete. All trace of the snow cat gone, except for one of its hazelnut eyes.<br />
~<br />
Jake in his red Power Rangers costume, with small panda bear tucked into the gold belt, eating cheerios and watching Abney & Teal.<br />
<br />
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-25511022096328411302013-01-24T19:16:00.000+00:002013-01-24T19:16:34.910+00:0024/31 ~ January Mindful WritingJake puts his red plastic Power Rangers mask over my bum and says, "Oooh, has your boom boom grown, I think it has!!" I burst into laughter. His face beams in a smile of pure joy and mischief.<br />
~<br />
In the crowded cafe, a fancy cook book is open on a display stand some distance away from me. It takes me a while to realise that the Scared Foie Gras recipe I'd been seeing was, in fact, Seared.<br />
~ <br />
A sip of warm spiced apple cider - tangy sweetness, a hug in a mug, and a star floating on the surface.<br />
~<br />
<br />
It's my birthday. As birthdays go, it's been alright. I had a lovely lunch and I wasn't forgotten. I also have a cold and would love to have seen some sunshine today, but at one point, I did look up and see the sky streaked in white and pale blue, so maybe it's coming. I've also been humming "Young at Heart" to myself all day, have been for a few days as I'm trying to learn the song on the uke, but it is rather apt for today. Jake asked me what I wished for this morning. It is this...love for everyone, and to be as good a uke player as this dude one day...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2INCMGyoZh0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21774716.post-53809130750368842932013-01-23T17:03:00.002+00:002013-01-23T17:03:27.911+00:0023/31 ~ January Mindful WritingJake places his dominoes flat and in a line, they make a gentle click click noise as their ends meet. Then he runs a train over it. <br />
~<br />
Outside the Town Hall, a man stops in front of the frozen fountain, studies it for a few moments, takes a piss in it and then goes on his way.Heartfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12005260190867133282noreply@blogger.com0