Holiday Shopping: Pomanders and Potpourri Gift Ideas

Pomanders started out as small cloth bags that people either wore to hide body odor, or hung in a room to mask unpleasant smells. The cloth bags are still around, though people generally don’t wear them anymore. ( – Too obvious?) Instead, a non-cloth (ceramic or glass) pomander is filled with fragrant blossoms, herbs, and spices, etc., and can be found in the rooms of private homes and public buildings.

These containers can be very beautiful. Much like paperweights, one could consider pomanders as precious objets d’art (objects of art). It can also very enjoyable to create your own potpourri scent fillers and place these containers in different places throughout your home. People often fill them with dried rose petals, jasmine, lavender, eucalyptus, and various other aromatics. 

What is your favorite potpourri mix of scents?

Do you have a favorite pomander you fill with your favorite combination of scents? 

Pom1 ~ Royal AlbertRoses Dove Bird Pomander by Old Country

Pom2 ~ Christmas TreePomander Ball Ornament by Spode

Pom3 ~ New PrimitiveFarmhouse 6 CHRISTMAS POMANDER ORANGES Fake Orange Bowl Filler VanNimwegen

Pom4 ~ Gilded Scented Pomander – Thymes Frasier Fir (Alternate shopping link)

Artists I Fancy: Sayada Ramdial on Tumblr

Spotlight on Sayada Ramdial, one of the artists on Tumblr.

Sayada Ramdial is an incredibly gifted illustrator and graphic artist based in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Started Tumblring in 2012.  Found this talented artist over a year ago.  The Tumblr blog - Sayada's Illustrations and Such. - showcases wonderful watercolor paintings and illustrations.  Not being familiar with how the  #Tumblr microblogging platform worked, at the time, (i.e. the "follow, like and reblog" system), chose to share a nice piece of #art (image below) via #Pinterest to my ARTISTS I Fancy board. Rummaging through my pins today and rediscovered this lovely watercolor painting by Sayada. This time, knew enough to revisit her blog, click the +Follow button, Like the post and Reblog it! Isn't it beautiful?  I am particularly fond of floral paintings. They calm me down.  She says these flowers are common where she lives.  :)

https://sayadaramdial.tumblr.com/post/64799155235/my-watercolor-skills-are-improving-o-o

Artists I Fancy : Claudia Tremblay

Do you love artwork that honors women and womanhood? Lovely portraits of women, mother-and-daughter or mother-and-child, sisters, young girls, mature women, etc.?

If so then you will love paintings by Claudia Tremblay. 

She is a self-taught artist who began her career painting Mayan women when she worked for an NGO in Guatemala. Her inspiration is derived from the “beauty, serenity, colours, and sense of mystery that pervades Guatemala”. Her paintings “evoke a sense of peace, harmony, and a certain melancholy” and she “imbues scenes of everyday life with a dream-like quality”. (Source for quotes)

Ms. Tremblay has an official website ~ claudiatremblay.com ~ and over 600 pieces of her paintings and illustrations are for sale via her Etsy shop. 

It is impossible for me to pick a favorite piece. All of her work is captivating, bewitching even. Let's just say these caught my eye.

Mothers of the World Art Print

Guatemalan sisters art print

The family, mother and children art print

Child from africa, mursi tribes

The secret garden art print

Amazon River children inspired art print

Arts and Crafts: Do You Know How to Decoupage?

Do you know how to decoupage?

Have you ever used decoupage art to preserve a special moment?

Would you like to receive a gift created using decoupage?

When I was attending university, my roommate introduced me to an art form known as “decoupage”.  She said it was a wonderful way of preserving precious documents, and in effect, precious moments.

Her major was Music/Opera and she had the most beautiful soprano voice.  One day she returned to our apartment and it was easy to see that her head was in the clouds. She had performed on stage and it was a very important event and she wanted to save the program.  But she didn’t want to put it in an album or press it between book pages because she wanted to give it as a gift to someone special.  She bought a square piece of wood, some wood-staining paint, and glue.  She was so excited about the project. She’s telling me all these things she’s going to do like: “I’m going to burn the edges of this paper to create a certain look.  Oh! And when I’m finished I have to shellack it!”

I’m thinking (O.o):  ‘What in the world is a shalack?’ 

Nevertheless, the end product was beautiful!  She told me many people use this art form to preserve wedding invitations, graduation invitations, programs for choir concerts, all sorts of special moments!

My friend had taught me just one example of decoupage.  There are lots of ways to do decoupage.  Of course, if you’re good at it, you could turn this craft into a money-making opportunity.  There are many items people would love to preserve this way.

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Related Links:

Decoupage Basics for Perfect Results Every Time – The Artful Crafter

How to Decoupage Anything | DoItYourself.com

How to Decoupage on Wood | FaveCrafts.com

Take a Look at These Steps That Explain How to Decoupage on Wood

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Decoupage Basics for Perfect Results Every Time - The Artful Crafter https://t.co/6WQtgsFh8k #art #artsandcrafts #HowTo #decoupage #decor pic.twitter.com/a5r1XdqP0J

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) November 16, 2018

How to Decoupage Anything | https://t.co/jXO5BHzasb https://t.co/WVL3MJjwd3
“Decoupage is time honored arts and crafts practice ... It derives from the word “decouper” which means “to cut out.” ...”#art #artsandcrafts #HowTo #decoupage #decor pic.twitter.com/hl8UGJ7lgs

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) November 16, 2018

How to Decoupage on Wood | https://t.co/sWqQ4d4X3D https://t.co/aLNszkInZ4#art #artsandcrafts #HowTo #decoupage #decor pic.twitter.com/7gOuiJLGCz

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) November 16, 2018

Take a Look at These Steps That Explain How to Decoupage on Wood https://t.co/NvfRG1YUo2#art #artsandcrafts #HowTo #decoupage #decor pic.twitter.com/o6LFAU0uTa

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) November 16, 2018

Source: Virily.com

This Means War! Versus Make Love Not War!

"Of course, you know ... THIS MEANS WAR!!"

The only time that line is ever funny is when Daffy Duck says it to Bugs Bunny.

Recently perused 3 articles about the history of knighthood. Specifically, they were about 3 orders of knights: Order of the Teutonic Knights, Hospitallers Knights, Knights of the Sword. Fascinating reading. Thought-provoking as well. These are the thoughts they provoked within me.

It's just an observation but … a society can have lots of unemployment and yet if it's to organize a military FORCE, men can always show up for work! I'm not being sarcastic or calling the guys lazy bums. Indeed the reason they show up to enlist is because they are not lazy and they have a sense of duty and loyalty to their family, if not to their country.

I just think it's awful that during *peacetime* people borrow, beg and scrape, and can't get gainful work to feed their families. But you let some head honcho in the government shout *THIS MEANS WAR!* and all of a sudden there's money and they are ready to pay anybody to go get KILLED!!

© Photographer: Jennifer Pitiquen | Agency: Dreamstime.com


Sorry. Had to spill that and get it off my chest. I'm a child who grew up in the 60s where people were always shouting *Make love not war!* instead of *THIS MEANS WAR!*  Some folks in subsequent generations including the millennial generation (who are often wrongly accused of being self-centered and whiny) also believe in giving peace a chance.

Power To The People: The Hits by Lennon, John (2010)

Give Peace A Chance ~ Peacebeliever : From the Album Give Peace A Chance - Single

My most wished for item is always PEACE.  Yours too.  Right?  You can't buy it on Amazon or anywhere else.  But perhaps you can perform an act of charity as way of sharing your wish for peace and goodwill to all.  Buy a child a toy.  Donate clothing.  Prepare a food basket for a hungry family.  Gift a book.

glitter-graphics.com

Did the Chinese Invent the Superhero Team?

Did the Chinese Invent the Superhero Team?

Long before the invention of comic books, there was a band of seven Chinese brothers, each with their own magical or supernatural powers. Another mark of Asian influence in the Western world.  DC Comic retold the Chinese legend and called the brothers “The Great Ten”.  Seven?  Ten?  (Just continue reading and you'll figure out the math.)

The Great Ten made several appearances in DC's "New 52" series and even spawned their own nine-part series in 2009. ... 

* This is hardly DC Comics' only push for Chinese heroes. They recently introduced a Chinese Superman, with a Chinese Batman and Wonder Woman on the way. Not to be outdone, rival Marvel Comics also rolled out a Korean Hulk.

Source: Robert Lamb. "Did the Chinese Invent the Superhero Team?" 16 May 2016.

HowStuffWorks.com. https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/comic-books/did-the-chinese-invent-the-superhero-team.htm. 17 November 2017

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Watch Asian Dramas ~ Free Online Streaming

History of Perfume and Fragrances

Several years back my late sister gave me Opium as a gift. Used to like to go to department stores and sample the fragrances that were too expensive for me to buy. Never buy for me but always love receiving perfume and cologne gifts. Liz Taylor, J-Lo, Brittany Spears, and Mariah Carey have a line of fragrances worth trying. But there are so many fragrances on the market, it's hard to narrow down a favorite scent.

"The history of perfume is very interesting. We can trace it back to ancient Egypt but it may go further back than that. ..."

History of Perfume

Did you know the famous philosopher Socrates did not approve of perfumes? He thought the smells blurred the lines between slaves and freed men.

History of Perfume ~ Part 2

Talented Photographers : Veikko Suikkanen

Spotlight on Talented Photographer ~ Veikko Suikkanen :

"To take a perfect picture you must be in the right place and at the right time, this is especially true of nature photography to which I myself belong. Natural photography takes a lot of time and patience to wait for the right weather, the right light and being in the right place. "

via Joie de Vivre Magazine

~ Source: http://ift.tt/2vpY37R
Shared via Pinterest: http://ift.tt/2v74aeR
He was selected as "Niumer of the Month". Unfortunately, this source site (Niume) shut down Oct 2017.

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Veikko Suikkanen is also an artist. 

In his own words: “I have painted all my life, I use oil colors and soft pastels. Most of the topics can be found in nature and animals. ... Photography has been my life for nearly 30 years, as well as digital artwork I've done a few years. I also paint commissioned portraits of people, animals, and just about anything you want.” 

View three of my personal picks from his works.

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“Ice And Water 3” ~ Digitally painted winter creek, water and ice by Veikko Suikkanen @veikkosuikkanen ~ #artist based in #Finland #digitalart #artforsale #artlovers #artandphotography @redbubble

A post shared by Treathyl Fox (@treathylfoxcmoneyspinner) on Jan 30, 2018 at 9:40am PST

Mary, Did you Know? - the acappella version by Pentatonix

Today is November 21, 2017.  Three years ago on this date, woke up that morning, charged up and ready to face the day. Checked my eMail and my husband's aunt had sent me the link below. Must admit, it made me slow down, take a deep breath, and START MY DAY ALL OVER AGAIN!  Shared with friends 3 years ago.  Sharing it again.  :)

Blessings to all!!!

This A Cappella Version Of 'Mary Did You Know' Is So Beautiful!

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© Photographer: Poznyakov | Agency: Dreamstime.com

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• That's Christmas to Me ~ Pentatonix

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• A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe

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Like Black And White Quotes?

AQS ... another quote share. Yes, they are all over the Internet and everybody has the wisdom of King Solomon. But this one was so uplifting and it's in black and white. Black and white!  You can't get plainer than that.  Had to share it! ☺

Black and White Quotes

POLO BLACK For MEN By RALPH LAUREN 4.2 oz Eau de toilette spray, 4.2 oz, brand new in box