Walking On The Ceiling

Have you ever tried walking on the ceiling?

It's something I used to do a lot as kid, but less so now as an adult.  It's simple, just hang upside down off a bed or sofa or simply lie on your back on the floor.  Then let your imagination run riot as you think what it would be like if the ceiling was the floor.

I know you're probably thinking I'm a little (or a lot) crazy at this point but just try it.

Sometimes, as with all things in life, it can be useful to look at things from a different perspective.

Come walk with me on the ceiling.

New For Fall

I love Fall and all the wonderful colors that this season brings.  I just wanted to share with you a few new soft and snuggly items I recently added to my Etsy shop.

  

 

Scarves at Dyche Designs

Frida Kahlo

I recently started recording different art programs to learn about artists I am unfamiliar with and to see the diversity in their work.

It seemed fitting that when I returned from Mexico I ended up watching a documentary on Frida Kahlo.  Just a week later I stumbled upon a film about her life too.

Are you familiar with her work?  For those of you who aren't, Frida was a Mexican painter, best known for her self-portraits and her work is often remembered for it's pain and passion.

Personally I'm not big fan of self-portraits but I was amazed at how she drew from her pain and suffering to create such amazing works of art.

I'm always facinated by what inspires a piece.  What inspires you to create?

To learn more about Frida Kahlo click here.

Got Something To Say?

Ever get the impression that someone has something to say?

Invasion Of The Stink Bug

We're under attack from the ever increasing number of stink bugs that are surrounding our home, making their way inside through every small nook or crevice they can find.





I'd never heard of stink bugs before moving to Virginia.  It seems that there's been a huge influx in this area and their numbers are growing at an alarming rate.  

As much as I love Fall, it's the cooler nights that have brought them out as they look to enter our homes for warmth.

They're starting to drive me more than a little crazy.  I find myself running around the house like a mad woman yielding the neck of the vacuum cleaner as my weapon.  Trouble is it doesn't seem to matter how many I suck into oblivion just moments later they are replaced but others.

If anyone knows of any great deterrents I'm all ears.

Sketchbook Project 2011

The latest page for my Sketchbook Project.  I really need to crack on and create some more, feel as though I'm not quite where I should be with it and time is flying by so fast.

When Sinuses Attack

For the past week I have had a horrible cold which worked it's way up into a nasty sinus infection.  I was in so much pain over the weekend that I saw the doctor yesterday and am now on a course of antibiotics (I hate taking them but it seems to be the only thing that will shift it).

In addition to traditional medicines I also love the world of aromatherapy.

My mother is an aromatherapist so I like to combine traditional drugs with the benefits of essential oils.

When I first came down with a cold I applied tea tree essential oil mixed in some carrier oil to my neck and throat, it's great for sore throats.

Today I applied this mix to help with my sinus infection.

Rosemary 5 drops

Geranium 5 drops

Eucalyptus 2 drops

Peppermint 3 drops

{Blend together and use 5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil}.

***If you have never used essential oils before it's very important that you do your research.  Never apply any oils directly to your skin, they should be blended first***.

What alternative remedies do you use?

8"x10" Moose Art Canvas

by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo

Productive Week

It can be a little tough getting back up to speed the first week back from vacation but I feel as though it's been a productive week.

 

I've added two new art canvases to my shop and listed two new scarves.

 

I've also prepped a number of canvases, worked on a large scale canvas for my own home, had fun working on a paper mache project, changed out my blogger header and even managed to catch up with the laundry and ironing too.

Hope you all have a fun weekend and I'll catch you on the other side.

Chichen Itza

I almost passed out with heat stroke the day we visited Chichen Itza but I was in complete awe of these amazing Mayan Ruins.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an amazing civilization the Mayans were.

Paradise Is Relative - Keeping It Real

Yesterday's post has been really bothering me and here's why.  I felt like I took the easy way out and in a sense lied to you by obmission.  My  husband and I did have a great vacation, it's just that the picture perfect resort photos don't convey the whole story.



The truth is that Mexico left me with mixed emotions.  I knew there was poverty there but nothing prepared me for the extent of the poverty we saw while driving from the airport to the hotel.

I don't have any photos to show you just how bad it was but the image of a family sitting in nothing but rubble will remain with me for a long time.  My excitement at the thought of a wonderful break in a beautiful resort was replaced with feelings of great sadness and guilt.

As we neared our hotel we found ourselves passing through three security checkpoints just to get to where we were staying.  It felt scarey and wrong in so many ways.

We'd hired our own car so got to see parts of Cancun that most tourists perhaps wouldn't.  It was such an eye opener and there were times when I felt scared, frightened, and ashamed.

We stayed at a hotel about 15 minutes north of the Hotel Zone (where most of the hotels are located).  It wasn't until we drove along the Hotel Zone on our way back to the airport that I realized what a skewed perception most visitors there must have of the area.  It would be all to easy to stay in that location and be oblivious to the misery and poverty in the surrounding areas.

I had the naive notion that tourism helped bring money into the area but it would seem that money goes to money while the poor remain in squalor without everyday basics like electricity and water that we take for granted.

I'm not sure what I want to achieve with this post, I just felt the need to put it out there.

Hola - I'm Back

Had a great week in Mexico.  Bryan and I were more than ready for a break and it was good to unwind and unplug for a while.

 

 

The hotel we stayed at was so beautiful.  Just thought I'd share some pics with you while I finish tackling the mountain of laundry we came home with.

Hope you all had a great week.

Adios Amigos

It's been a long time coming but finally our suitcases are packed, passports dusted off and we're more than ready for our trip to Mexico.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be unplugging for a whole week.  No phone or computer, just me and my husband chillaxing by a pool.

Catch up with you all when I get back, have yourselves a great week. 

Adios Amigos!

Harley

When you first move to an area it's always helpful to have visual cues as you get used to the roads and layouts near your home.  What better visual that this harlequin horse to remind me to make a left turn.

Even now, over a year and a half later, I still look for Harley as a sign I'm nearing home.  Do you have any fun and interesting visual cues where you live?