Friday, January 6, 2012

greencraft: prayer flags


My 2012 good vibe prayer flags have been started. I love making these simple little drawings with words of hope for all of us here on Earth. It's also nice to make at least some of the flags by candlelight -- maybe because it seems to create a sacred space. I'll continue on these here and there and by next Friday or so, they'll be hand-stitched onto a long strip of cloth and hung in the garden. Last year's flags with a little tutorial are here and here.

When I was writing morning pages today, I accidentally wrote "prayer lights" instead of prayer flags. A slip of the pen? When you think about it, hopes and wishes are sort of like shining lights.

The January full moon is this weekend. That means full moon art! I'll be painting or stitching a simple moon piece and if you'd like to join me (in spirit), that will be fantastic. Then whoever would like to share their art can leave a link on Monday's post. And if you don't have a blog, send me a photo via email and I'll see what I can do.

A several-years-old amaryllis plant close to blooming -- always feels good when it happens, like we did something right. Happy weekending! xo

18 comments:

  1. I think I'll join you Peggy, I like the idea of more rituals in my days. And I like the idea of handmade prayer flags too...thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. Nanette, I'll like the company! And you're very welcome.

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  3. I love the vivid colors! Are those markers made for painting on fabric or are they just regular markers?

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  4. Your prayer "lights" are wonderful! I will be stitching by the light of the moon also this weekend. Do you have a secret formula for getting the amaryllis to rebloom? I have tried and some years, I am successful, other years, just leaves. Wishing you a beautiful, moon lit weekend.

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  5. Love these! Soon I will have to post about my prayer flags!

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  6. You are lovely. I love the prayer flags. I would love to make some of these.
    My eldest daughter (age 14...soon 15) has taken to studying by candle light. She says that she prefers it, it seems special and thinks that she learns more this way. She wants to take a candle to school...wouldn't that be lovely.
    Much love to you.x

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  7. I've been thinking it was time to make prayer flags again...fun!

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  8. "Prayer lights" is the perfect words. If you think about it...your good thoughts that you are sending out are words of light : )
    Looks like fun!
    I am going to make some full moon art!
    Your plant looks happy : )
    xoxo

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  9. you have such lovely rituals, i feel more at peace coming here.

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  10. I think flowers that bloom once a year are magical...especially when nothing else is blooming this time of year.

    I wish I could join you in your moon art. I will remember it for next month...I didn't really know about it in time to get it together.

    I love your prayer flags. I think this would be a great way to celebrate living on the earth. I am going too do this this year.

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  11. Kathy, the markers are Pitt pens from the art supply store. They work well on cloth, but are really for general use, I think. But I'm not positive!

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  12. Jeannie, thanks! I hope you got some stitching time in this past weekend...it was a beautiful moon, wasn't it?

    Not sure what exactly works with the amaryllis, but I repot once a year (in the same pot but new soil) and summer them outside on either the north or east side of the house in a protected area. When I repot, I separate all the bulblets off the main bulb and either throw them away, or one year, I potted them up. Those are about 3 years old now and haven't bloomed yet, so I may let them go toward the light. I don't have a greenhouse and it gets crowded.

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  13. Nancy, I hope you do, I'll be watching for them!

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  14. Trish, your daughter gives me hope for the world! I love that. A girl after my own heart. She's probably right about that, you know. And thank you about the prayer flags.

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  15. Deb, I remember that you make them, too! Time flew, I almost forgot.

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  16. Thanks, Marie. The amaryllis still hasn't bloomed but seems fine otherwise...the suspense....

    I hope to see your full moon art!

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  17. Thank you, Cindy. That's a really nice feeling for me that you said that.

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  18. Becky, as I was telling Marie up there, the suspense this plant is creating is quite something. I don't expect the bloom to be like a newly potted bulb, it's old -- but who knows?

    The way I'm envisioning the full moon art is to make something inspired by the moon, herself, so it's sort of hard to plan that part ahead. But you do need to plan to have some quiet time in the first place and have materials on hand, etc. so you're right, you do need to plan ahead!!

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