Ok, time to fill in the background. Then it just needs a few floaty bubbles and an outline. SO close.
Mystery Cross Stitch #9
A Bit Of The Bubbly?
To be honest, I thought the yellow floss was really ugly until I put it next to the purple. Now I love it. Story of my life.
Mystery Cross Stitch #7
Mystery Cross Stitch #6
One Flat Foot On The Devil’s Wing
NaBloPoMo question:
What song do you play to bring yourself comfort?
Living dead girl. I know, I know. It’s not even so much the song itself as the connotations it brings along with it, and the memories of what I was doing when I first heard it. It cheers me up and reminds me of happier times, even though the club I first heard it in no longer exists. RIP, Manray.
Mostly, I miss who I was when I first heard it. Hearing it always makes me smile, though, and generally makes me feel better.
Mystery Cross Stitch #5
I do this. I go through phases of writing constantly, and then… I fall silent. I can feel words and concepts bubbling away below the surface, but they’re not ready yet. They need more oregano and reduction, or something.
Mystery Cross Stitch #4
Cross stitch is surprisingly difficult to photograph.
Bengals and Bats
NaBloPoMo question of the day:
What is your biggest comfort food? Share the recipe if you have one.
Tea and henna, only I don’t eat the henna.
I love a good, really hot cup of tea when I’m feeling a bit battered by the world. I tend to alternate between Bengal Spice (cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, chicory, and other goodness) and good old fashioned mint tea. Before my husband and I made some serious dietary changes, I used to crave sweets when I was stressed. Especially ice-cream. I still crave it, but it doesn’t taste good anymore, so I go for tea instead. We’ve been off sugar for aaaaalmost two years, and sugary things taste kind of icky now. Hot tea still tastes lovely, though.
Henna is another comfort, and one I’ve let slide the last year or two, for no good reason at all. I love it. I love mixing it. I love shopping for a good sift with a high lawsone content. I like how it feels, how it smells, and how it looks. I like how it hangs around for a couple of weeks afterward, reminding me of a relaxing afternoon spent drawing. I like to henna other people quite a lot, too. To that end, my lovely husband okayed my placing an order. (Have I mentioned that I’m job hunting? *sigh*) I also ordered gilding supplies so I can give that a try. Have you seen body gilding? It’s ridiculously beautiful. You can see images of it here, and more here. I’m hoping one (or more) of my husband’s models will let me draw on her. 
Here are some old images of henna I’ve done. I have a thing for bats and sunflowers.
I apologize straight up for the quality of the photos. I only had a camera phone available to get pics with.
Week In Review, Plus Links
Just a quick share of interesting sites that I wanted to share with y’all. Because you know I love you.
The Dream Jar. What a lovely idea.
Thou lumpish rude-growing wagtail. For when you need a classy insult.
Amanda Palmer blows me away again: The ability to juggle multitudes within yourself is its own art. Also, “I need to be around real, peaceful people.” A sentiment I’ve been feeling for a while, but I have no idea how to go about it.
Webcam on nesting kestrels. Seriously.
Need a smile? 22 geniously defaced textbooks & exam papers. I think the walrus is my favorite.
Did you know that Susan Cain has a forum or three? I just lost an hour there. Well worth a browse.
“Find what you love and let it kill you”
Hint: It’s almost always about power. I have mixed feelings about this one, but when I can step away from my knee-jerk reaction, it’s kind of useful.
And, because this song is fun and has been stuck in my head today….