Blogging from A to Z Challenge - Z is for Zircon

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook. 

Z is for Zircon

Zircon is found in many colors - the most popular color is blue - and has a wide range of healing properties from calming the liver and gall bladder, allergies, asthma and colds.  Emotionally it can help in dealing with losses.  Zircon is a peaceful, calming and self-centering stone.

Every Day in May 2016

Once again I will be participating in the Every Day in May challenge.  Here is the 2016 list of days and themes -

Check back each day, or better yet, subscribe by email to see what I watercolor each day.  Some will be challenging...and interesting!  (Especially as the month progresses)

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - Y is for Pyrite

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook. 

Y is for Pyrite

Pyrite can create sparks when it is hit against metal or stone, hence its name from the Greek word, pyros.  It 's also known as "Fool's Gold" because of its metallic shine and pale yellow color.  Pyrite is considered a "yang" stone and with it, masculine energy and enhances personal power - creativity, energy, and strength.  It is also good for lung health - helping asthmatics and healing bronchitis.  Enjoy its sparkle in the sun and don't let it get wet.

Thursday Tea Time - Breakfast in Australia

Slightly banged up from my suitcase
50 tea bags!

Another polite tea box!
Love the design of the teabag wrapper

Good use for leftover Easter Seals
(Please tell me you don't see my pink PJ's reflected)

Two neat rows - no wonder the box wasn't that big

Another gorgeously-colored tea

Whoops - started drinking and couldn't stop
until I remembered to take a picture

I love my English Breakfast teas and this is my latest addition to the tea-m.   The pretty opened wrapper had a slight smokey scent. I split the difference in the suggested brewing time (3-5) and did 4 minutes, turning my mug into a pretty reddish gold.  A little on the astringent side without adding the Coffee Mate Sugar Free Italian Cream, but afterwards - very yummy.  It has a clean finish at the end, without an aftertaste.  And a nice wakeup call shot of caffeine.  I would definitely give this a solid 4 and will probably grab another box, despite the generous amount of 50 (!) teabags (49).  Stocking up on a good everyday tea is a good thing.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - X is for Onyx

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

X is for Onyx

Onyx builds its power slowly and works quite well with skin disorders, increases stamina, confidence and inner harmony.  Combined with other healing stones for different chakras, it will power up the other stone's impact. Capricorns will find a positive influence from onyx.

Palette Paints:  Alizarin, Viridian, Payne's Gray

Watercolor Wednesday - Texting Texture

Added (and finding) value

Another sum of the parts is greater than the whole example.   One of those days watercoloring and different parts were working and not.  On a big sheet of paper, yet.  Go big or go home.  It was still a fun class and good time once you reach that point of no return/no rescue - just play and slap paint.  And some areas looked really nice.  So I turned them into cards!

The April Paper Pumpkin had a variety of stamps and a pretty stamping ink pad - Very Vanilla.  It looked so yummy, I actually sniffed it (sorry, non-scented).   Two areas I stamped with the "Happy Birthday" looked pretty good against the watercolor.  I will just trace around using one of my extra envelopes from all those "donation" based cards, and write a message on the back.

I must say, the Paper Pumpkin's #allabouteverything special stamp set in the April box to celebrate their shipping of the one millionth kit  is a nice surprise and will be put to good use with my watercolors and Gelli-ing.

If you are interested in subscribing to the Paper Pumpkin, you can use this link.  There may be a special for new subscribers, if there is, I will find out and post the promo code.  My sister is a Stampin Up representative - Paper Pumpkin is part of Stampin' Up - and she has a great blog with ideas and special promotions.  Click here to see.

I love getting boxes in the mail!  I get this one and also Scribe Delivery.  If you enter your email address, you can get 10% off.  I've been very pleased with Scribe, too.  A fun way to get stationery supplies - pens, pencils, paper, journals, inks...  which you normally wouldn't be able to find.  In fact, some of the companies only produced limited quantities specifically for Scribe.  And they are a Texas-based company.   If you have found other interesting ones, please post in the comment section.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - P is for Petrified Wood

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

P is for Petrified Wood

Formed from sequoia trees, petrified wood preserves your healthy roots and reminds you of your connection with nature.  It stabilizes your health and strengthens your defenses, helping to keep you calm.

Palette Paints:  Burnt Umber, Sepia, Naples Yellow

Blankets of Spring Wildflowers in Galveston

This time of year, the aptly-named Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) blanket the gravesides of the Galveston Cemetery along Broadway/Avenue J heading towards the Gulf.

I was very lucky to be able to capture my photographs on the southern Episcopalian side, as the Catholic area was in the process of being mowed.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - V is for Vesuvianite

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook. 

V is for Vesuvianite

Named for Mount Vesuvius where it was first discovered, Vesuvianite was one of the first stones ground into powder for healing, cleansing and purifying because of its high levels of calcium, magnesium and iron. . .Especially those health issues caused by our environmental pollution.   An ancient stone very applicable and still useful for today's society.

Palette Paints:  Sap Green, Quin Gold, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Undersea Green (DS)

Tea for Tuesday - In running for the race in first place

This week's Australian tea is actually Australian tea - Madura of Australia English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea from New South Wales.

Note (to Sherry!) - you can buy this online, in a box of 50 tea bags versus loose for $5.87 and $4.90 shipping.  Sign up for their emails and receive notice of discount codes and specials.
(And I'm trying to figure out how I can go on their estate tour next time I return to Australia!)

Even the box is polite!

Nicely wrapped inside

Pretty!

Gorgeous color!

A little splash of Coffee Mate Sugar Free Italian Cream is all it needs!

This is now one of my Top 5 English Breakfast teas and I am definitely grabbing a couple of these, generously-sized I must add, 200 gram boxes next trip to Australia.

But in the meantime here I am also going to grab a new package of Rishi paper tea bags.  I'm about to run out.  I tried to go green with this silicone tea bag the second time I brewed this and just made a mess -- both inside and outside the cup.  Tea leaves fell out during brewing and then wouldn't come out easily after brewing when I tried to empty it.  

Read the tea leaves -
"You made a mess and probably got your fiber too with the tea"

Seemed like a good idea when I bought it

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - U is for TurqUoise

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

U is for Turquoise

The Native American Indians thought that turquoise was a magical stone to protect them from harm.  It can also give you energy and endurance, hasten recuperation from illness, especially digestive and infections of the lung and throat.  Turquoise is linked to the astrological sign of Aquarius.

Palette Paints - Hoblein Compose Green, Cobalt Turquoise, Viridian, Sap Green, Cerulean

Netflix Stars - Searching for Sugar Man

5 stars - A surreal story that is life-affirming, evidence of a parallel life.  A humble, blue collar activist unbeknownst to himself  is a mega star on the other side of the world in South Africa, whose songs became an anthem to the anti-apartheid movement.  Proof that good guys do actually win occasionally.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - T is for Tiger's Eye

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook. 

T is for Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye symbolizes unity and is associated with the sign of Virgo.  It helps you to concentrate and even get over bronchitis when placed upon the navel.  Those who suffer from asthma, migraines and headaches will also benefit from carrying this stone.   The striping effects are created by crystalizing directional hornblende fibers.

Palette Paints - Burnt Umber, Quin Gold, New Gamboge, Sepia

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - S is for Sapphire

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook. 

S is for Sapphire

A powerful and protective stone, it is most effective in healing the nervous system.  The blue sapphire symbolizes faith, loyalty and friendship.  Different colors of sapphire (created by different amounts of metals) are associated with different astrological signs - Blue/Pisces, Light Blue/Taurus, Yellow/Gemini, Star sapphire/Libra.  Pink sapphires help strengthen and balance the heart, mentally and physically.

Palette Paints - Cobalt, French Ultramarine

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - R is for Rose Quartz

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

Rose Quartz is so powerful, it can just be left in a room for you to receive its energy and benefits.  It is particularly protective from damaging radiation.  Place it next to your computer to help alleviate eye strain and headaches, next to your bed to induce more refreshing sleep.   Wish I had known that it can help with the pain from shingles, too.  Rose quartz is often associated with your heart - love, friendship and openness to beauty.

Palette Paints - Permanent Rose, Alizarin, Opera Pink

Netflix Stars - Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's

4 stars!  I love documentaries and this one is well-done.  It starts off a bit slow, but I found it fascinating.  Particularly the store's history, David Hoey's concepts of visual presentation/window dressing (and the artists' creations and their showrooms), Fashion Director Linda Fargo and personal shopper Betty Halbreich.  There are lots of interviews with designers and celebrities, sometimes a little over the top, but I think you will enjoy the behind-the-scenes peek of this storied store.

Thursday Tea Time - Triple Threat

This week - a sale at Central Market and three new Pukka teas to try!

Chamomile, Vanilla and Manuka Honey
"A soothing dip in an organic pool of calm - Good news for inner peace"
In the midst of chaos and clutter, there's a pool that's still.  Finding your way there is easy - fresh water and heat awaken the magic of nature's finest gifts:  silky golden chamomile, exotic vanilla pod and the golden balm of manuka honey.  With a sip, stillness takes over.

Ingredients:  Chamomile flower (68%), sweet fennel seed, licorice root, vanilla pod (3.5%), manuka honey flavor (3.5%)

Opinion:  Brewed to a clear, light yellow.  Floral and honey with a slight marshmallow scent.  You can really taste the vanilla and honey, and has a very pleasant aftertaste.

Rating:  5+

Three Cinnamon
A 2014 Great Taste Winner
"A sweet embrace of organic Indian, Indonesian and Vietnamese Cinnamon - Good news for filling yourself with sunshine"
Cinnamon is nature's sun trap.  Bask in the spicy sweet-heat of three cinnamons and feel the warm embrace filling you with life.  Enjoy the warmth

Ingredients:  Vietnamese cinnamon bark (60%), Indonesian cinnamon bark (16%), licorice root, Indian cinnamon bark 10%)

Opinion:  Brewed to a golden yellow color, slightly cloudy.  It has a very cinnamon fragrance and flavor - the aftertaste is like cinnamon toast!  Yum!

Rating:  5

And a warning on the tea wrapper - "Do not drink more than 4 cups a day"
It's probably addicting and/or too much of a good thing like cinnamon isn't good for you.

Wild Apple and Cinnamon
"A sunlit orchard of organic warmth and sweet spice" - Good news for dancing your cares away
A sun drenched orchard and you dance with delight, as cinnamon tree branches swirl overhead.  One moment, a jive of ginger root and spicy clove; the next, chamomile flowers and sweet orange cushion your step.  Slowly you come to rest as a wild apple tumbles softly to the ground.  Let your cares go and travel free.

Ingredients:  Cinnamon bark (28%), licorice root, ginger root (14%), orange peel, chamomile flower, wild apple (6%), cardamon pod, orange essential oil flavor, clove bud

Opinion:  This brewed to a light yellow and was the cloudiest.  With an astringent scent, it doesn't last like apples nor cinnamon.  Just didn't have any defining flavor and an oddly sweet aftertaste.  I dumped it without taking any additional sips or finishing the mug.

Rating:  0

Each box has 20 individually wrapped teabags, all are herbal (no caffeine), ethnically sourced and organically grown.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - Q is for Aquamarine

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

Q is for the q in Aquamarine

My own birthstone, I tried to capture the translucent and beautiful pale sea green shades I have in my aquamarine jewelry.  The greater the iron amount, the bluer the stone.
(I had my grandmother's art deco emerald cut aquamarine ring in a filigreed platinum setting.  Perhaps someday it will show up in an estate jewelry store or pawn shop.) 
Another gemstone which can help with allergies, aquamarine (aqua maris - Latin for "sea water") can also help with the throat area issues - thyroid, tonsils, vocal cords.   Aquamarine increases peace and courage, and can help prevent seasickness.  Aquarians wearing it will find friendship and love, it helps Pisces encourage awareness, and warns Libra from danger.

Palette Paints - Aureolin, Cerulean, Cobalt Turquoise

Blogging A to Z Challenge - P is for Pearl

Welcome back to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016!  This will be interesting and fun trying to interpret healing crystals and gemstones from Amethyst to Zircon with watercolors and create a neat sketchbook.

Pearls need contact with the skin, otherwise they will become dull, but avoid having them touch perfume or makeup.  They should be the last thing you put on and the first you take off.   Wear often instead of storing them away for they will help prevent headaches and migraines, and reduce allergies.  Those born under the sign of Cancer have a particular connection to pearls.

Palette Paints - Raw Sienna, Raw Umber, Cobalt and Permanent Rose all make beautiful pearly grays

Netflix Stars - Wild

Two stars, only because I was able to clear out a DVD from my stack at home while my Dish receiver was toasted during the Houston storms on Monday, and I don't have to bother reading the book since I wasn't that thrilled with the movie storyline.  I would have liked to have seen more scenery and I thought Reese could have been more in character - i.e., pulling her hair back in a pony tail!  I thought the flashback scenes with her mother were touching, but the other flashbacks, not so much and seemed to slow the movie.