My pagan rosary

After a few setbacks (a major allergic reaction to chocolate!) and diversions (I can't do any beading when the kids are around) I've finally finished my first pagan rosary.  I've pretty much followed the design in the Pagan Prayer Beads book for a triple goddess rosary (I've changed the pendant and added some silver spacers).

This was my starting point, the bead horde.

I narrowed it down to this.

This was my first string together, where it was left for about a week while life intervened.  I wasn't happy with all the pendants.

This is the final, complete deal.  Wires crimped and cut.  The moonstone pendant is actually a deep locket, so I can add something special in there.  It's set out on my altar at the moment, waiting to be cleansed and dedicated.  I'm really delighted with how it came out.  Next project will probably be the Horned God rosary, with this fella in it:

More Beady Goodness

I scouted out another charity shop today (who, sadly, had been robbed last week) looking for beads, and then popped back into the charity shop I had visited yesterday.  Look what I found!

 The round pendant with the star in the centre turned out to be a locket when I got it home.  And there are some lovely wooden beads and silver spacers.

The little bracelet is made up of tiger eye beads (!).  I also spotted this little spiral charm which will be perfect for the prayer beads.  Happy happy day!


And I just love the ladies who work in charity shops.  They're very kind and chatty, and it seems all the best gossip comes through their doors.  

Elemental Water: 44 Days of Witchery

This is a picture of Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg, NY.
The main cataract of the falls is a 215-foot drop (66 m), making it 33 feet (10 m) taller than Niagara Falls. It is one of the largest single-drop waterfalls east of theRocky Mountains.^[2] The water flows through a long gorge with cliffs up to 400 ft high (120 m), characteristic of the area's gorges that give rise to the common "Ithaca is Gorges" bumper stickers and t-shirts. The waterfall and gorge comprise an example of a hanging valley that developed in a very similar fashion to the one at nearby Watkins Glen State Park. None of the local gorges were "carved by glaciers." In fact all of the gorges are post-glacial valleys carved by the streams that still run through them. It is the valleys over which the waterfalls hang that were eroded (over-deepened) by the advance of the Pleistocene ice sheets.
   Courtesy of Wikipedia


This waterfall was sacred to the Native Americans who originally lived here, and flows into Cayuga Lake, in the center of the Finger Lakes region of New York.  If anywhere was my soul's home, it would be here.  Returning to my home waters is a magical, sacred thing for me, especially since I now live in Ireland.  

This pond is on the land of my Great-grandmother's family farm.  It's been in my family for generations, and is just an amazingly beautiful place.  This one place is probably the definition of peace for many in my family still.

Charity Shop Score: Pagan Prayer Beads

I've been scouting around for beads to make a pagan rosary with after reading Pagan Prayer Beads.  I sorted through my own jewelry drawer first.  

 There's a lovely moonstone locket in there, along with a moon talisman, a couple of garnet pendants, a pearl from Hawaii, and some other stuff.

Then I picked up some cheap beads at Sainsbury's

These are for spacers and what-not.


Today I scouted out the local charity shop and hit the jackpot.  See the ivory coloured bracelet?  It's real mother of pearl!

My youngest boy has already stolen the other bracelet and the green necklace.  The smaller green beads have gold highlights, and are really, really lovely.


And, finally, I went to the The Bead Shop in Annahilt.  

These are all glass and metal (hard to see them in their bags, but I didn't want them all rolling off).  I really was hoping for some semi-precious beads, especially moonstone, but they're still gorgeous.


I'm planning on making them into either a triple goddess rosary or a 5 elements rosary.  I'll have to see how the spirit moves me.

A Favourite Witchy Tool: 44 Days of Witchery

I can say, without hesitation, that my favourite witchy tool is candles.  Candle magick is easy, yet powerful.  It's simple, but not necessarily obvious, so it can be done discretely.  Since 7 of my planets were in air signs at the time I was born, I have a deep relationship with the element of air, and I love wind and fire.  Every candle can be a prayer of thanksgiving, of hope, of healing, of insight, of beseeching.

These lovely candle holders, by the way, were made by Tyrone Crystal in Northern Ireland, except for the Celtic Knot votive holder on the right, which was made by Galway Crystal.

31 Days of Samhain: A Memorable Samhain Experience

Relaying a memorable Samhain experience has been a difficult challenge for me, as I have never really thought of Halloween in the Samhain light, as it were.  This is the first year that I've even put an altar together for the season.  So, in a way, I'm creating my first memorable Samhain experience as I go this year.  I'm really enjoying the creation and maintenance of my altar, which is my fireplace and mantel.  You wouldn't look at it and notice necessarily, it just looks like seasonal decorations: pumpkins, apples, candles, some flowers, and a small glass bottle of salt with a crystal prism on top.  We have a large gilt mirror hanging above the mantel as well, which I think makes a nice focus.  With a fire blazing away in the fireplace, it really is a magical sight.

31 Days of Samhain

By way of Salem's Creations, I will attempt the 31 Days of Samhain (even though I'm way over my head with the 44 Days of Witchery).  Stand by for doubling up!

1. What is a memorable experience during Samhain?
2. What do I remember as most exciting about Samhain/Halloween as a child?
3. What do I wish to teach people about Samahin?
4. A favorite picture that represents Samhain.
5. Give us a short Autobiography of an Ancestor (Living or Dead) of yours. 
6. If your a parent, how do you involve your children in Samhain? 
7. What is your favorite design for your Jack - o - lanterns?
8. What things do you put on your alter for Samhain?
9. Share a Pagan/Wiccan story about Halloween/Samhain.
10. Suggest a website or book about Samahin.
11. Share your favorite recipe for Samhain dinner.
12. How do you celebrate Samhain/Halloween? 
13. Favorite Halloween movie.
14. Favorite Halloween costumes for adults and/or children.
15. Share a picture of a pet in costume.
16. What is your favorite Halloween Project(s) for the kids? 
17. Favorite scary monster.
18. What God(dess) do you involve in your Samhain rites?
19. A Samhain Resolution.
20. Tell us a tale about an ancestor of yours that has passed.
21. A picture of your Samhain alter.
22. Samhain divination: Draw one Tarot card and tell us how its message relates to your life. 
23. Share a poem (Either written by you or someone else with credit) that relates to Samhain/Halloween.
24. What are you doing to prepare for winter?
25. Talk about Halloween colors. Orange
26. Talk about Halloween colors. Black
27. What are you doing to prepare for winter?
28. Have you ever had an experience with Spirits? 
29. Ever lived or stayed in a Haunted houses?
30. Share or write a guided Samhain meditation.
31. Witches Choice! Happy Samhain Everyone. 

Harvest Home cross stitch design and so on....

With Harvest Home (Mabon) fast approaching (as in, at sundown tonight) I've been feeling moved to create a cross stitch design for the occasion.  Obviously, it won't be anywhere near finished in time.  Maybe it's just the equinox vibe.  I'm imagining acorns and hawthorne, and maybe pumpkins.  I'll try for something small, like an ornament, put will probably end up with something overly ambitious.  I would like to try some kind of band sampler though.

Last night I got to order a few more books for my sewing library.  The Embroidery Stitch Bible and 2001 Cross Stitch Designs It's all very exciting.  I've also set up a Facebook page for my blog CraftyMamaWitch, set up (partially) my Google+ account, and did general diddling around.

Youngest baby boy is in nursery until 11:30 as of today, and I'm so excited.  As much as I love the little monkey, this is the first time I've been alone in 9 years.  The list of things that I want to do while he's in school is as long as my arm.  I don't know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch, as it were.  At least I got to do some blogging finally!

44 Days of Witchery:A Myth or Story from Folklore

This prompt brought absolutely nothing to mind.  At first.  Then after some reflection I found that my favorite story/allegory was the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  While this is a modern retelling, I love the theme of mother, maiden, and crone as well as the god born and reborn.  I've been more inspired by this book than by any other.  I find this story puts the myth into a proper feminine perspective, and highlights the ancient mysteries.  It is always an inspiration and a reminder of the spiritual nature of the self and of the universe.

44 Days of Witchery 1

What's Your Witchy Background?


I've always believed  in magic.  All the books I can remember reading as a young child revolved around magic: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Andre Norton's Witchworld series.  When I was about 8 or 9 I was introduced to Greek and Roman "mythology" in school and was fascinated.  I read everything I could find on the subject.  By the time I was 10 I wanted to be a High Priestess when I grew up.  I strained my little brain trying to use my "powers." 


About this same time I became the victim of severe bullying at school.  I was called a witch and a satan worshipper.  The hatred that was directed at me was violent and painful and I became terribly depressed.  Within a couple of years I had lost my way, but still always hoped for my faith to return.  I believe in mysterious ways and am glad to this flower is beginning to bloom again.

In Which I Try to Get My Life in Order, and Make Time to Design

I've upgraded my design software to PCStitch Pro 9 after I designed a beautiful Halloween sampler, and losing it with the old software.  PP9 is so much easier to use, especially for designing text and importing pictures.  Getting time to use it has been the real trick.  

Iain's just started nursery last Thursday (and the other two boys are back to school as well).  Hubby is back to work teaching.  And, I'm trying to get myself into a routine of housework and design work.  I've spent most of today just doing laundry and tidying up.  Soon, I'll be off to pick up the two older boys from school and then homework and dinner prep will start.  Mondays may just end up being a write-off.  Also, I bought about 300 flower bulbs last week that will have to find their way into the ground soon.  

I'm also struggling with what to design.  My plan for year one is to design ornaments and small pictures following the seasons.  Originally I had hoped to start with Halloween/Samhain and be able to design enough small items quickly enough to get them on Etsy in time.  Now I'm thinking that I'll either spend a year just in design and release them next year, or just jump on ahead and start with Christmas/Yule, or maybe even Imbolc.  

Now, the research has really been the fun part for me.  I've been buying up books and magazines on cross stitch, embroidery, and samplers.  And trawling the internet for quotes, poems, and visuals.  My poor  brain is absolutely packed with ideas, materials, possible designs, and plans.  This may be why I've had so much trouble with insomnia this week.  Last night was my first good nights sleep in weeks.  

Tonight, if I can get the boys off to bed at a good time, I hope to recreate my Halloween sampler in the new software.  Then I'll decide how to plan out my year.  I'll let you know how it comes out.

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

via Salem's Creations, via:

Here's the list, snagged from The Pagan Blog Directory: and A Pagan Mothers Life

1. What's your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favourite Goddess.
6. A favourite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favourite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favourite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favourite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favourite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favourite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favourite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!

I think this should be a very interesting project.  Stay tuned!

In Which I Explore A New Career.

In my never-ending saga of deciding "what do I want to be when I grow up," I've invested in some software.

Now, this isn't the highest rated product for cross stitch design, but it was cheap, on Amazon UK, and well-rated.  If I feel I'm doing well, I'll splash out for the big boy.  What I plan on doing is developing patterns for small ornament kits for various holidays.  I want to start with Halloween, although I wonder if Christmas/Yule would be a better plan, as I would have more time to design and assemble.

After two days of owning my software, I'm still overloaded with ideas, and am still trying to translate ideas to computer.  I have a tendency to be overly ambitious with my projects.  I spent an hour trying to make a respectable looking raven for a "Nevermore" pattern.  What I need to remember is to start small; words and borders.

Too see my inspiration for all this hullabaloo, see Katie Kutthroats Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/katiekutthroat?ref=seller_info