image via: mjastudio.com

In the black hole that is the internet, I somehow got absorbed (again!) reading about deer dancing and came across this image. I was reading about Yaqui deer dancing and thought it was so interesting that it is a blend of the southwestern Yaqui Indian and Spanish tradition blending christian and shamanistic elements. There’s been a deer dancing history there for 400 yrs. One source says that during the Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday, a bare chested deer dancer with rattles in his hands & stuffed deer head as headdress dances. On the Saturday before he, “he repels men representing Pharisees from the church building with bursts of confetti, symbolizing the power of Christ’s blood to overcome evil.” On Easter, he leads a procession into the church and dances on the altar. What an interesting juxtaposition of elements here!

There are traditions with deer dancing all over.. I was originally reading about the Tibetan history with it. I found this beautiful video of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts Deer Dance in New Delhi a few yrs ago:

…Just a meditation on mystery. “

-Collage & Words, 2012 by: Chrissy Miles

(A thank-you to clinock for the inspiration and lovely comment in my “About!”)

“Listen up and I’ll tell a story, 

’bout an artist growing old,

some would try for fame and glory,

others like to watch the world.”

-Daniel Johnston

Photo, 2012 by: Chrissy Miles

Sam: “You know it seems to me other than being a little mentally ill, I’d say she’s pretty normal.”

Benny: “You realize you could be the next Buster Keaton.”

-Benny & Joon

Before I say anything, I want you all to check out Books & Bowel Movements recent post on this book. It is amazing, and way better written than anything I can come up with. Also, follow her blog. She is a lovely bookish lady and blogs like a pro. I will provide a brief synopsis, however:

This is a beautiful book that takes place in my hometown Portland, OR. It’s written by musician Colin Meloy of Decemberist fame, and illustrated by his wife, artist Carson Ellis. I grew up in St. Johns, from about the time when I was 9 years old, where the protagonist, a little girl named, Prue, is from, and I recognized many of the places. I used to ride my bike to the library mentioned in the book, bringing books home on my handlebars.  The same library, outside of which the story picks up, when Prue’s baby brother is kidnapped by a gang of crows and taken to Wildwood, the name  given to Portland’s very own Forest Park. Many of the places in the book are real places, even the streets. I don’t just like it because it takes place in Portland, it’s very well written and a great read.

Side note! This book vaugely reminds me of the movie Labyrinth in the sense that the girl’s brother gets kidnapped to a magical world and she has to save him and meets this whole cast of characters along the way. Sans David Bowie.

"Dance, magic, dance!"

Collage Mini-Journals, 2012 by: Chrissy Miles

I haven’t had much time to work on my other projects as much as I’ve wanted to; I’ve been busy. But I’ve made things! I made these mini-journals as party favors for a sleepover party for my daughter. They are hand sewn, and I tried to match the personality of each girl. the insides have collage borders and title pages in gold that say ”(Their Name’s) Secrets.” They are small enough to fit in a pocket.

They also got some pocket fairy dust (which I incorporated some in the collage), some little inexpensive silver engraved rings (very magical), eye masks (for beauty sleep), and some mood pencils with star erasers (I didn’t have time to fashion fancy pens, I had to make do).

I was very proud, however one girl gently informed me that the sad thing about hers is that the forest is on fire. I had thought it was mist/red flowers! I said, “Well it has stars.. Let’s just say it’s on fire with magic!”

Here’s a few links for valentine’s day to pamper yourselves/buy for your significant others and such.

Dollhouse Bettie in San Francisco, CA: Retro/Vintage/Pin-Up Lingerie. Gorgeous! Check out their blog. Great posts on history of burlesque. I also recommend Lille Boutique based out of Portland, OR. There are so many little shops, but I always see unique and eye catching things there.

Sake Scent Stick Solid Perfume from Etsy shop Fairly Charmed Osmanthus, vanilla and musk with subtle fruity (peach, lemon, & green apple), and floral (rose, lily & iris) notes.

Ruby Peacock Lampshade Slip Cover from Etsy shop DRESSASHADE.This shop sells custom slipcovers to make your lamps look awesome. So if your not feeling the Target Beige you can go nuts. They also have one that looks like comics!

Sock Theory & Sock it to Me: Cause life is too short to wear boring socks. Sock it to Me is also based in Portland, has stuff for guys and gals and you can submit your own designs! They have socks with mustaches, mushrooms, gnomes, ninjas, beer.. you name it. I have a pair of Derby socks from there that say “Bad Ass” and have arrows! So fun..

Check these ones from Sock Theory:

img. via Sock Theory (Click through to the site!)

Last but not least- Chocolate! Check out # 1 Theo’s Theo/Cafe Vita gift combo of coffee and chocolate. I think Cafe Vita makes the best lattes, and their Theo blend has hints of chocolate. They’re from Seattle. I noticed that they also had ginger rose chocolate. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

#2 I just discovered this company Grocer’s Daughter, who apparently has organic herb-infused truffles. Their Eclectic Mix has Mayan (chili-chocolate) truffles, basil ones, a sea-salt caramel made with honey and tea.. I found a good description on this site.

Oh! Speaking of chocolate, two more things: 1. For you vegetarians (or not), if you haven’t tried making a latte with chocolate flavored almond milk it’s amazing and you need to go do that right now.

& 2: Just discovered Coconut Mochas are really good and taste like a liquid Almond Joy. It’s also fun to say: “Coco-Mocha”.

Ok! That should keep you busy. Soon you may well be eating chocolate in your underwear and smelling like rice wine in your fun socks next to a pretty lamp and you can thank me! Maybe. If you’re rich. If not, we shall do it in spirit! I know I will. Cheers!

A couple days ago I wrote a poem about spider silk.. and made my personal facebook profile the picture of an orb spider web. The next day, I was mildly surprised to see an article on cnn, that they released a cape woven in Madagascar from the spider silk collected from 1.2 million golden orb spiders over a period of 7 years. The cape is bright yellow, the natural color of their silk, and very strong.  It’s covered with a Malagasy design of a plant and spider motif. Very pretty. Here is the link to that story.

Orb Spider Silk Cape Close-Up

Such a strange coincidence.. The poem I wrote was.. erotic in nature.. I feel so tempted to share it, because it’s such odd synchronicity, and think it’s quite good, but decided I can’t. I just can’t. It’s just too dirty. For this blog anyway. I’m not ready! So.. anyway! Still. Coincidence. Even looking up a pic for my recent post, Lentil, on the first site I found, my eyes landed on a line with a woman describing an orb spider in her yard. No joke.

So I’m getting all into spiders now. I guess it’s what energy I’m attracting; first moths, now spiders. I just looked them up and read that spiders are linked to creativity and the web of fate… interesting…