Saturday freebie

It is Labor Day weekend, traditionally the last vacation fling before school resumes, but with a hurricane, Dorian, on the way, a lot of vacationers are sure to be disappointed. It seems that hurricane Dorian's path is uncertain. It is slowing down and it is expected to expand. For those of us on the east coast of North America, areas from Florida up to South Carolina are under alert. Virginia isn't officially on alert but is expecting trouble from the storm. For all who live in this hurricane's path (including those in the Bahamas who will surely feel the impact), I pray that we all stay safe.

Today we have another fantasy zip of Pretty Peacock. Fantasy because there aren't, of course, any turquoise peacocks. But I do love that color and having found some resources of that hue, I had to include them, popping them into my "blue" stash of peacock related items. But, you know this having already found other turquoise zips. So here goes.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/62ozplhlm9jhic4/ws_PrettyPeacock_17.zip?dl=0

Zip 16 Pretty Peacock freebie

It's so nice to hear you are enjoying the Pretty Peacock kit and peacock information. I start with an idea of what I want to do, gather things I think will work and then start designing. Nearly always I find I have more than might be necessary but I go with it anyway. All of that to say I have another 4 zips after today composed of papers plus elements. Then I'll have some clusters for you too. Haven't made any QPs this time but if you want some I'll do a few.

Today's zip features gold toned papers and some cobalt blues.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/887jygjggnbifbr/ws_PrettyPeacock_16.zip?dl=0

Tuesday freebie

I sure hope you are still interested in more peacock goodies, because that is all I have right now. I've relayed a lot of information about peacocks too and have one last bit today. Having read about all the cultural lore, we can now summarize some symbolic meanings for peacocks. You see a lot of peacock tattoos and the general consensus is that they symbolize royalty, vitality, nobility, and especially sexuality. The bigger and more colorful the tattoo design, the more importance can be placed on generosity, longevity, compassion, and immortality. Others say peacocks symbolize vision, awakening, protection, guidance and watchfulness.

Today's zip goes back to aqua:

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0e3lxj51u46hfrt/ws_PrettyPeacock_15.zip?dl=0

More of Pretty As A Peacock freebie

It's a gloomy looking Saturday here in Norfolk. No doubt we will have another thunderstorm this evening. Meeting grandson, Tyler, and his new girlfriend for dinner. John (husband) jokingly referred to her as Serious Sally when he mentioned her to Tyler's half-sister, Larkin, this past weekend. "Serious" because Tyler thinks she is "The One." She's already met my husband but this will be my first meeting with her.

Receiving lots of beautiful photos via email from my son. He and wife just got back from a trip to Maine and Canada. I made this page using one of Anita's (from Just Art forum) multi frames:

Here is a poster like page I made using Rosie Designs' The Herbalist (available at E-Scape & Scrap)

Last post I talked about the importance of the peacock in India and China, but did you know it also appears in Christian texts?

Ancient Greeks believed that the flesh of peafowl did not decay after death, and so it became a symbol of immortality. This symbolism was adopted by early Christianity, and thus many early Christian paintings and mosaics show the peacock.... In Christian iconography the peacock is often depicted next to the Tree of Life.

For Christians the peacock is the symbol of purity. It represents eternal life and the Resurrection because it sheds its old feathers each year and grows new ones. The peacock is also used as a symbol of vanity because of its beauty and the way it displays his feathers. The white peacock reminds us of the bigger picture. But it also symbolizes purity. Clear from negative energy, pure in intention, action and thought. The white peacock is a symbol of pure light and unconditional love.

Christians believed that once someone has passed their soul rises and goes to heaven. This is why early Christians would spread the feathers of a peacock over the deceased since it symbolized a pure soul that was immune to corruption. The feathers were used as a measure to prevent the decaying of the human body as well. The peacock represents immortality, resurrection, and the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ and the christian church.

Because of this belief that the peacock’s flesh did not decay after death, the peacock became a symbol of Christ, and, as such, early Christian paintings and mosaics use peacock imagery. When the peacock displays its tail, it looks like hundreds of eyes are watching us. Because of this, the peacock has been associated with the all-seeing eye of God Who sees all actions and all people, meaning that nothing escapes the universal Justice. The peacock also came to symbolize the all-seeing Catholic Church, who watches over her children continually, day and night.
The eyes of the peacock feathers also symbolize the beatific vision, the direct perception and knowledge of God as He truly is, enjoyed by Angels, Christ, and the Saints in Heaven, which was another reason it was a decorative motif on medieval tomb sculptures.

The Aberdeen Bestiary offers moral and allegorical lessons about the exotically beautiful bird. It explains that the pride of the peacock became a lesson for the Catholic who strives for perfection.
The peacock is a destroyer of serpents and the bestiaries tell us it could swallow the poisonous venom without harm. It then used the poisons it swallowed to create its colorful plumage. For this reason, its blood was believed to dispel evil spirits, and its feathers and meat to cure snake-bite and sickness. St. Augustine affirms this belief of the antiseptic qualities of the peacock flesh in The City of God. The early Christians believed that the peacock was offended by its ugly feet. So much so, that he would stop in his vain strutting and shriek angrily whenever he caught a glimpse of this blemish in his otherwise beautiful and dignified appearance. The lesson learned from the peacock in early bestiaries was that Christians ought also to lament and hate their own spiritual imperfections. And the peacock’s flesh, voice and eyes also had lessons for man: “The hard flesh of the peacock represents the minds of teachers, who remain unaffected by the flames of lust. The fearful voice of the peacock is like the voice of the preacher who warns sinners of their end in Hell. The "eyes" on the peacock's tail are to signify the ability of the teachers to foresee the danger we all face in the end. The raising of the peacock's tail when it is praised should remind us to not let pride from praise affect us, so we do not expose our ugly vanity.”

In Medieval times, a roasted peacock dressed with its feathers might be served at a banquet. In modern days it may shock many people to think of eating a peacock, but eating peacock is not forbidden even today. Some say it actually tastes pretty good. More flavorful than chicken and tender and has a sweetness and aroma that is unforgettable especially when prepared by a masterful chef. However, it is generally thought that peacock at a Medieval banquet was mostly to flaunt the host's prosperity.

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iaa93pbgpb4477w/ws_PrettyPeacock_14.zip?dl=0

Thursday freebie

Haven't shared any peacock lore with you recently so I'll give you some today.


Why is the peacock important to Indian culture?
In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. The criteria for this choice were many. The bird must be well-distributed within the country so it could truly 'national'. It must be recognizable to the common man.
Peacock feathers have great significance in Hinduism. ... Many Hindu sculptures use peacocks as a symbol of the cycle of time. The Peacock is also associated with Goddess Saraswati, a deity representing benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and knowledge. It has a special relation with Lord Krishna too. Lord Krishna was well known to garnish peacock feathers all around his head and were decorated on his flute. Some even said by that the peacocks personally gave their feathers as a gift to Lord Krishna.
Significance of keeping peacock feather at home. ... According to Vastu Shastra, if you keep a peacock feather in a clean place inside your house then surely your negative energy in the home will end . You must also keep a flute at your home in clean place too as it provides good fortune.


What does the peacock symbolize in China?
In decorative art, the peacock symbolizes dignity and beauty. In China, the bird was a symbol of the Ming Dynasty, representing divinity, rank, power, and beauty. The peacock with its tail of 100 eyes is also associated with the goddess Guan Yin.
Buddhism - When open a fully flaunted peacocks tail looks of a huge Chinese hand fan. This symbolizes openness and acceptance to Buddhists. One of the references says a peacock symbolizes long life or immortality. This is because the peacock was well known to eat plants that were poisonous in nature and would kill humans if eaten by them. Buddhists thought that because of this peacocks could not only live, but do so with ease even though they were enduring major suffering. To the Buddhist, the peacock in every sense of the word signifies purity, which is why their feathers are often used in purification ceremonies.


And now zip 13:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9lb6kcy7iu028g3/ws_PrettyPeacock_13.zip?dl=0

Freebie - zip 12 Pretty As A Peacock

I am so amazed - I got GSO (Gallery Stand Out) at the Just Art Forums for this piece I made for the August Progressive challenge
https://forum.justartscrapbooking.com/gallery/sherryd_progressive_final_web-jpg.61371/full

And now for today's freebie

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7g18pnsnspasbw/ws_PrettyPeacock_12.zip?dl=0

Saturday freebie

We have Larkin for 3 days. Yesterday was lunch out at IHOP. When we got home, we made beaded stretchy bracelets. Papa made her favorite dinner: liver and onions over rice. Wouldn't have thought a nine-year-old would like that but she loves it. Today we were supposed to head out to Chesapeake where a friend is showing one of his cars at some event. Larkin and I were to go inside the conference center to a craft show while the guys talked cars. However, she didn't eat all the French toast and bacon Papa made for her so we won't be going. She likes to nibble rather than eat her meals, then wants snacks not long after. We aren't letting her get away with that here. Could be a long day. We are going to have a tea party lunch and she will, at least gobble down the egg salad sandwiches I'll make. Another of her favorites.

Here is todays zip:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4v8bh259kwuavc5/ws_PrettyPeacock_11.zip?dl=0

Here are some more of my latest art journal challenges. A re-color challenge using a free mini from Synergy Ink's "I Forgive You" kit.

Clean & Simple challenge:

Template challenge using Kakleid's "Hold On":

Pick Your Own pallette challenge. Used quilt by Sally Mower as my inspiration:

Used kit "Notions" by Gracie & Tracy Designs (with a little re-coloring) and photo of grand-daughter, Larkin.

Now, what you are waiting for, zip 10 of Pretty Peacock:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8ods5t71b9983k/ws_PrettyPeacock_10.zip?dl=0

Tuesday's freebie late

Sorry to be late. Had lunch with the girls yesterday at Bahama Breeze, then made a quick stop on way home. Sat down at PC to post freebie and started feeling light-headed. Thought, I'll just lie down for a few minutes. Which turned into hours . . . . So here is zip 9:

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hjfeq8f93w1tc95/ws_PrettyPeacock_9.zip?dl=0

Saturday freebie & some art journaling.

Yesterday I went out and bought the items I'd missed on Larkin's school supply list. Also got her a pair of jeans, cute denim look jeggings, black tights for under the red dress I'd bought and a pair of black leggings too. Had hoped to find a couple long sleeved tops but most of what I saw was tee-shirts and summery blouses. Our 'Lil Princess is skinny and often cold so I'll keep looking for some long sleeves as autumn heads our way. Once home, I labeled her supplies and bagged them all up so I can drop them off when we pick her up on the 15th. I was exhausted!

Resting up today, catching up on some art journal challenges. I'm a member of Vicki Robinson's FB art journal group and Just Art's forum. Most challenges come from Just Art. This month they have posted 14 challenges! Missed out on many last month but will try to do most this month. Here are a couple. The first was to use a quote about art. Choose from quotes listed or one you know of. Since Nobel Prize author, Toni Morrison, died August 7th and her work was one of my specialty areas in grad school, I decided to honor her. This is my first attempt which didn't feel very arty.

Here is my second attempt:

Next challenge was a Finish the sentence + one where the sentence was "Start every day with . . ." and the + 1 was to have a bird on the page.

Then we had to do a page using a provided mask, so I made a Marie Antoinette card for a friend:

That's a page from her last letter in background.

And now to Peacock stuff. You've probably heard the Greek myth about how the peacock got it's "eyes" in its feathers. Hera, the wife of Zeus and the queen of the Ancient Greek god, was unhappy with her philandering husband, so Hera transformed her guardian, Argus, who had a hundred eyes into a peacock to keep an eye on Zeus. The feathers of Argus were a mark of the beauty of heaven and the eyes represented the stars in the sky. This is why for the people of Greece the peacock represents heaven and its all mighty all seeing vision, wisdom, and knowledge.

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/u0jf80kc2o6dmh6/ws_PrettyPeacock_8.zip?dl=0

Thank you & zip 7 Pretty Peacock

I want you to know that I truly appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers and your comments about my offerings. I meant to mention this earlier but was so focused on getting the freebies up (& some complaining, I admit). We had a huge thunderstorm go through last night and lost electricity for a very short while. Others in our area were not as fortunate and had long outages. Health wise, neck & shoulder pain still present but I was not about to call doctor and complain for fear he will want to try me on another anti-inflammatory. My stomach is still troublesome so I don't want to add anything else to the mix. Still taking the stomach meds hospital gave me but only as needed. Tired of this mess!

Today we go back to greens:

Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8suw9vpzq98ifi9/ws_PrettyPeacock_7.zip?dl=0

Weekend woes and Pretty Peacock

There were supposed to be a number of things to do this past weekend. Tyler (grandson) and Sally (his girlfriend) needed their cars inspected and John was going to have them follow him to new place where our friend, Fred, now works as inspector. The plan was to drop the cars off and then take the kids to breakfast while inspection was going on. I was supposed to go with them but couldn't drag myself out of bed. My husband reported that during breakfast he jokingly asked Sally when the wedding was going to be. To his shock, she replied "In about two years." First we had heard of this. Tyler had just transferred from University of South Carolina to Regent University in Virginia Beach because he's decided to become a minister. Apparently he thinks he can finish his education over next two years and then they will marry.

Here in Virginia it was "tax free" weekend when you could save on school supplies, including school clothes. We buy granddaughter Larkin's school supplies and I was preparing to go do that Sunday. Then we had a heavy downpour. I waited and when it seemed it was ended, I headed out. Still raining but not bad. Walmart has the supply lists for local schools so I didn't look up Larkin's school on line. Talk about a bad decision all the way around! Of course, Walmart was a zoo. And they didn't have the list for her school. I finally found another Virginia Beach elementary school's list. Should be pretty much the same, right? So, with the shopping cart holding me up, I slogged along, picking up supplies and a couple outfits. I was feeling pretty hot and exhausted by the time I went to checkout stations. Do you think they might have added extra staff considering the promotion? Heck no! All the lines were long and slow. By the time I got near the cashier I was sweating profusely and feeling weak. Considered leaving the basket and going home but then it would all be for naught. Hung in there, paid, threw everything in car and just slumped in the seat and watched the rain for a few minutes. Called in a pick up order for pizza and was told 15 minutes. No problem, the place is on my way home. Pizza Hut was filled with a number of people waiting on their orders and more coming in. 15 minutes became more like 40. Once home with some pizza in my tummy (after 8 p.m.) I decided to look up Larkin's school list to see how close I'd come and what I might need to add. Big differences. Wednesday I will return what she can't use and get correct items. Lesson for me - always check the school's website first!

Yesterday I accompanied hubby to his monthly get together lunch with a few retirees. Came home feeling exhausted and crashed for 5 hours. My body is totally out of wack! Have shingles outbreak and yeast infection on top of everything else. Need to get immune system back in order but don't know how. I am one cranky old woman right now. And will have granddaughter the weekend of 16th. She will be expecting a tea party and lots of activities. Soliciting all donations of good health and energy.

I've given you lots of facts about peacocks but the symbolism is (at least to me) more interesting. Today let's talk about peacocks in dreams.
A peacock is a great sign indicating re-growth, birth, new life, and rejuvenation. Seeing peacocks in your dream can also be omens of prestige and success. It is a positive sign for the future that brings luck and happiness.
Dreams of peacocks may either reflect your desire for self-recognition or stand for some positivity in your life. To see a peacock spreading its tail feathers means that you might be invited to a new project. A dream of peacock feathers also implies that you usually strive to achieve what you wish for in actual life.

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/35mdlnq1mq02d9g/ws_PrettyPeacock_6.zip?dl=0

Sleepless night but here is a freebie for you.

Still having some side effects from meds that kept me from sleeping much last night. Just going to take some time to get through this. Unfortunately, I learned that steroid side effects may not completely disappear for months!

Have you ever wondered why peacocks roam free in zoos? Zoos consider it a cheap easy thrill for visitors who love to see them. And since peacocks rarely wander outside the zoo, there is no bother about having to round them up. However, some zoos are rethinking this and removing their peacocks. Why? Although most think of peacocks as friendly birds, it isn't necessarily true. They are obsessed with food and can become extremely aggressive “when you dangle french fries in front of them,” one source said. Additionally, a hormonal peacock will mate your leg or a tree. A peacock raised from hatching can suddenly become aggressive towards it's owner and attack. This usually happens during its first mating season. Peahens too are known to be aggressive towards children. Through spring into early summer, peacocks will form what is known as a lek. A lek is a group of males, each with their own small territory, taking part in mating rituals such as displaying their train, dancing, and calling out in order to attract the females. Sounds like those are definitely times to steer clear.


A good tip for coping with peacocks who invade your garden: "do not feed peacocks and hit them when you can with water. You can protect garden beds with wire fencing and run fluttering brightly colored streamers over any planting spaces. The fowl can fly over a fence, but the streamers may scare them away if they dare try. If you haven't already got one, get a dog."


Today's zip includes a digital resource figure from Alek Wek. The original has a black and white body which contrasts nicely with the colored "dress." However, I wanted to see how it would look if the figure had color. I included both versions.

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/llgqcfqhotcsq3a/ws_PrettyPeacock_5.zip?dl=0

Feeling better & freebie time

Waited to see doc a long time yesterday. He'd just gotten back from vacation and was overbooked. Here is why I ended up in ER Monday. You know I'd been put on steroids and muscle relaxers for pinched nerve, right? Monday I woke with severe stomach pain. Felt like a huge black hole full of nothing but pain. When I started to sit up (gingerly) the back of my neck felt it would explode with pain. Then there was vomiting and more head pain. Profuse sweating and some shaking. After second round of vomiting, I held onto walls and made it to living room. Told husband to call 911 as I didn't know what was happening. Some of the moments that followed I don't remember. Paramedics are just around the corner from my house and I know a lot of the faces but I can't recall the faces of those that came, or how they got me onto stretcher and in ambulance. I remember someone saying my blood pressure was 169 over ? I don't have high blood pressure. Next thing I recall was a Muslim nurse helping to remove my pjs. Didn't feel the IV (& I'm a hard stick). The Er team loaded me up with tons of Benedryl, something else for nausea, a drug for migraine (even though this was nothing like my usual migraine), couple of other things and even some magnesium. They did a EKG and CT of my head and didn't find any bleeding. Not much pain relief but my signs stabilized and they gave me 2 Tylenol which didn't do much. They sent me home with 2 meds for gastritis and said call my doc for whatever I normally take for migraine and follow up. He said I'd had an adverse reaction to the steroids. I was so weak, I could barely hold my head up. He said use a travel pillow around my neck while sitting up, and supportive pillow in bed. I'm to take meds that coat my stomach. go back on muscle relaxers and call next week with how I'm doing. At least today I feel less fragile and can walk without feeling I'll fall over. Such fun!

Here's a little tidbit about peacock mating:
No matter the species of peacock, these colorful creatures boast impressively sized and patterned plumage that they fan out for display purposes. It isn't an act of vanity, though -- peacocks fan out their feathers as part of a courtship ritual to attract a mate. But they're not just pretty to look at. The birds also use their huge tails to make a loud noise – which humans are utterly incapable of hearing. When a peacock shakes his tail, it produces a sound that is so low-pitched, humans can't hear it. Researchers found that rapid shaking of the peacock's tail feathers created a dynamic iridescence around the eyespot. Using scanning electron microscopy the researchers found the eyespots stay so still during displays because they are locked together with microhooks much like those on flight feathers. The hoot dash is a peculiar courtship move in which a male peacock emits a loud noise, something like the honk of a clown's horn, right before copulation. The female peahen is already ready for mating; why does the male need to let out this powerful squawk?
Peacocks mate how other birds mate. Female peacocks do not impregnate themselves by gulping down make peacock's tears as a Rajasthan High Court judge in New Delhi proclaimed: [he] said the peacock was the national bird of India because it was 'celibate' and the peahens reproduced after swallowing the tears of the male. The female peacocks, often picky, matewith the male peacock who has the largest and most colourful feathers. In the peacock species, males congregate a communal display during breeding season and the peahens observe. Peacocks first defend their territory through intra-sexual behaviour, defending their areas from intruders. ... Central positions are usually taken by older, dominant males, which influences mating success. Male peacocks shed their train each year after mating season.
How many eggs does peacock lay? Indian peafowl: 4 – 8 Green peafowl: 3 – 6

Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9iskvmw7vdln28/ws_PrettyPeacock_4.zip?dl=0