Showing posts with label Bhutan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bhutan. Show all posts

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Summer Rhythms

Hacan~a

"peace" in the Aymara dialect, spoken in Bolivia
(the 'n' has a little curve thingy on top of it.)
I don't think my keyboard will let me put it where it belongs, but you get the idea

Quechua boy and girl near Ollantaytambo, Bolivia

I still have lots of summer fun things to share,
so today we will share some
MORE SUMMER FUN!!!

You may have kids in your life that are getting pretty darn bored by now;
it's hot outside, it's humid inside, it may be rainy,
it may be smoky or flooded;
but either which way you look at it,
THE KIDS ARE BORED!!

Well, let's give them some things to do!

I have shared many 'how-to-draw' pages in my past blogs.
Here is another one:

compliments of Dover Books

Why not put together a picture with all your family in it?
You can easily adapt any of the 'how-to-s to fit your family.
Don't forget to include pets, and maybe even extended family.
Take a picture of your finished picture, or scan it,
and I will be happy to publish it here!




If you can't go to the beach due to flooding
or smoke, or pollutions, why not make a beach inside!



You'll need:
a beach blanket or two
beach towels
a large sheet
swimsuits or cabana wear
flip flops
big pots, buckets, spoons, measuring cups
colorful bath toys
beach party music
picnic lunch
dried beans or dried rice

Optional:
flower leis and grass skirts
plastic child's wading pool
broom or mop
2 chairs and pillows

thanks again OrigamiBears

Now, let's spread out the beach blankets on the floro.
Add some colorful beach towels
and maybe some potted plants you might have, around the outer edge.


note the wading pool, and fun toys!

Make your own beach torches:

buckets of sand, dirt or dried rice or dried beans
large pillar type candle, optional coconut or pineapple scented

Fill the buckets with sand, or any of the other suggested ingredients, about 1/2 way. Nestle into the center the large pillar candle. Be sure the height of the candle is not above the rim of the bucket.
Place the candle deep enough so it will not wobble over.

fun extras:
After placing your candle bucket 'torches' around the outer perimeter of your blankets/beach area, you can decorate the outsides of the buckets with large, bright silk flowers, like hibiscus.
If you have straw baskets, put the buckets into the baskets!

The rules are,
no one is allowed off the beach, unless it is to go to the
'beach' house for a restroom break!
The candle torches are the outer limit.

The Merrie Monarch Event
Hawaiian dance competition

Just a little note here,
I have tried publishing this blog for 2 days now.
I have written it 3 times.
Blogger keeps freezing it right when I am ready to publish.
So, if that happens again, you will probably only see part of my blog.
The rest is lost in blogspot outer space I supposed.
To say the very least,
I have been very frustrated.
Saying nice things.....
:0(

It's time to get dressed into your beach fashions!
If you haven't already, go back a blog or two and see how
to make your own flower leis, bracelets and anklets!

To add, you can use the same technique, but when you have your string of flowers, wind it around a headband for a beautiful floral crown.

Bhutan women dressed for festival


' Sunshine Fairy' original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

Let's not forget the guys!
You could go Tarzan-style beach wear:

biography by Philip Jose Farmer

tee hee

Let's make some grass skirts!

old dresses or skirts that can be cut up
or men's ties
or old scarves or bandanas
large grocery-type paper bags
packing tape OR sewing machine
scissors
Optional:
green crayons, markers or post paint


Cut off the waistband from the skirt, or from an old dress.
Cut extra strips of fabric if you have extra, about 3 ' 4" wide, and as long as you can make them.

Get out the paper grocery bags. Cut them to lay flat.
turn the printed side down.
If you want a green grass skirt, now's the time!
Grab your green crayons
or green markers
or green post paint
and paint the blank side of the grocery bags as much or little as you desire.
After drying (if needed) start from the bottom of the paper bags (which is really the 'top' if it were still a bag).
Let's cut!
cut long strips to about 3" - 4" from the top.
Keep cutting until all your bags are done this way.
You need enough to go around the waist of each person that wants a grass skirt. Guys or Gals are great!

Man's grass skirt - http://www.shindigz.com/

If you have a sewing machine, put in an old needle
and sturdy sewing thread. On the longest stitch available,
make 2 rows for gathering.
Pull threads to slightly gather.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you can just finger fold some of the top of the paper bag grass skirt.

For extra durability, put tape (packing tape is perfect) to hold the gathers in place, or to cover the thread.

Next: your waistband that will tie the skirt onto you!
Using the cut off waistband from a dress or skirt,
plus the extra strip or two of extra cloth;
or old scarves/bandanas tied together to fit around the waist,
plus extra for tying,
place on top (front side) of your grass skirt.
Hot glue the scarves in place.
Be sure you have enough hanging off each end to make a bow.
Now you can tie on your skirt and get dancing!

Optional:
hot glue extra silk flowers to the top of your skirt!

'Sashay with Dog' original collage art doll by inkspired

Well, all that candle torch making
and grass skirt coloring
not to mention cutting all those strips...
I think it is time to eat!!



Have a picnic lunch on the blankets.
DO NOT GET UP to go to the kitchen!
Make it a true picnic where if you forgot something at home
you just make do with what you have.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, Coney Island, NY

What? You have no wading pool?
(neither do I!)
Scale it all down!
Use a large washtub, or one of those
under-the-bed storage boxes.
Do you have a laundry basket that is 12" high, or lower with solid sides?  That will work too.
Don't forget step one:
Put a large sheet down first.

Now fill your large box with some bags of dried beans or dried rice.
This is now your 'sand'!
Explore you kitchen cupboards and bathroom toy stash,
you will find many things you can fill, pour, and scoop.

starplay-starplast.com

If your kids are really wound up, try dancing some more!

Let's play "Limbo"!

You need:
2 chairs, set about 4 feet apart
a broomstick or mop or other long stick
pillows
beach music

Place pillows on chairs.
Place mop (or other long stick) on top, making sure both ends are on the two top pillows.
If you have a beanbag, or a bag of dried beans, this is perfect to put on top of the stick, to help hold it in place.
Now, put the music on, and let's 'walk' under the stick.
Everybody can do that?
Now remove one pillow from each chair, lowering the stick.
Try it again!
Keep repeating until you have a winner.
Winner get a slice of fresh pineapple with a maraschino cherry!
Oh,might as well finish up the pineapple,
so now everyone gets a slice!

Whew! I'm tired.
Time for a little beachy nap in the ....indoor lighting!

Vincent Van Gogh painting

I have more Beach Party Fun Things To Do,
but I am not trusting Blogger to publish what I have so far,
so I will try to publish for you now.
I'll try to have a MORE Summer Rhythms tomorrow,
if blogger will let me.

:0)

inkspired



Monday, October 3, 2011

Mermaid Musings on a Monday

kuzu-zangpo

(Bhutan for Hello)

a recycled junk mail bottlecap magnet by inkspired
sold on Saturday!!!

Yes, it's true.
I actually sold a few things at the Adams County Fairground Craft Fair.
I am trying to remain positive,
it was actually a bummer of a craft fair.
I was placed in the second, much smaller building.
That's okay, you get to know those around you
 and it can feel much more friendly.
Unfortunately,
the sponsors of the fair neglected to post ANY signs
directing traffic to our building.
:0(
The main, larger building seemed to have much much more traffic.
(several people reported)
Well, as any craft fair vendor will tell you,
YOU HAVE TO HAVE TRAFFIC TO SELL THINGS.

recycled bottlecap magnet by inkspired

A single sign placed on the door that says
'more crafts'
is not really going to get people to come see what's up.
sigh.
It was a very good learning experience.
I saw some fabulous displays.
Lots of very creative people.
Met many very nice crafters.
:0)

"Blue Hair with Pearls" Collage Art Doll using all recycled paper

My FABULOUS all-day helper was
Amber

My WONDERFUL friend
Julie
brought us lunch, soda,
and some encouragement.

"Blue Lagoon" Collage Art Doll
using all recycled junk mail
by inkspired

Of course, the danger of going to craft fairs - vendor or not
is buying other crafters' stuff!!!
Yep,
I succumbed.

We did purchase a very nice quilted polar fleece blanket/dog cushion for
The Tanner.

The vendor was just behind me all day, and she was very nice.
Her blankets were great!
After the show she surprised me with a gift
of a leash cover; blue with multi-colored dog paws all over it.
I haven't tried it out yet,
but I know Tanner will be super spiffy and the envy of all the neighbor dogs!

The other items I purchased are for gifts
so nothing more to be said!

Collage Art Doll made from all recycled junk mail by inkspired

Oh! Oh!
I should mention that ALL my unframed
Collage Art Dolls
are on a super discount sale
for the month of October!

Each unframed CAD is only
$15 each

:0)

"Mermaid Fashionista"
unframed Collage Art Doll by inkspired

I have decided that this needs to be a 'Mermaid Monday'.
I purchased the neatest (American slang for really cool) collage mermaid on etsy.

"sleeping mermaid" by www.EKM79.etsy.com

I purchased a couple more of her collages for gifts.
Wow, does this woman have talent!
Her collages are very different from mine,
don't you think?

"Long and Lean" Collage Art Doll by inkspired

NEWS FLASH
NEWS FLASH
I have changed the settings on my blog!
You can now easily leave comments
WITHOUT HAVING TO SIGN UP FOR ANYTHING!!!

This makes it much easier for you to leave me feedback!
Comment!
Send me a favorite poem or quote!
Let me see your favorite recipes!

If you note in the comment that it is okay,
I will be happy to post as many as I can!
See your name in
inkspiredmusings' blog!!!!!

oooh, ahhh.  oooh, ahhh.

recycled bottlecap magnet with all recycled junk mail by inkspired!

Time for a little mermaid fun!

Coloring fun -
stained glass look Little Mermaid from Dover Books


a little mermaid humor -

vintage illustration

Some mermaid hippie art -

"Marisa Mermaid"

some cross stitch mermaid crafting -


and let's finish with just a bit of mermaid Tattoo Art -


Thanks for listening to my Craft Fair Tirade.
I really can't end without thanking
Michael
my most wonderful husband
who patiently puts up with my last minute jitters,
goes to the office supply store the night before
to pick up some things I have forgotten,
runs to the credit union to get cash for my money box,
gets up at 6am to help me do last minute stuff,
follows me to the Craft Fair and helps unload all my things,
(Did you notice this was all BEFORE 7am?)
shows up at the end of the Fair to help me load all my things,
and generally for just being an all around super duper person!
Thanks!!

I also want to thank my most patient son
Peter
who had just moved two days before,
and still got up and arrived at my house
BEFORE 7am!!!
He was a great help in unloading my stuff at the fairgrounds.
He has always been very supportive of my art,
which is just such a huge gift on his part!
(He also thinks I'm slightly crazy, but oh well!)

oops,
I almost forgot to thank
Pam
who helped me get my things ready for the Fair,
and stuffed many a plastic bag with art and descriptions and business cards.
Saved me loads of time!

Well, before this gets too goopy, I better sign off!
I hope you have enjoyed some Mermaid sightings today!

inkspired