Tag Archives: spring

June 16, 2026 · 10:50 am

Garden of Dreams )O(

Merry meet all,

I’m excited to be out in the garden! My beans have sprouted and starting to show their leaves. I plan to grow a lot of beans and dry them, then save them to use to make a rattle. My peas are growing well. I set up a trellis in the pot with the peas. The Fundy Amethyst beans are bush beans and won’t need a trellis. I planted radish seeds today. Morning glory seeds are soaking in a small bowl of water.

My motherwort seedling that I began from seed is growing well. I want to let it grow more leaves before I put it in the garden. I planted radishes too and I may plant radishes every few weeks all summer. I love radishes and red onions. That with my parsley, chives and purple basil tells me I am in for tasty treats. My red onions love the soil in the garden box and are growing so well. Everything is growing beautifully and is so lush and green. I just love being in the garden. I bought potato starts today and I am excited to get that started.

Today it’s rainy and cold, typical Maritimes. The sun hides behind a mantle of grey clouds. The fog veils buildings. I like fog, and I am sure I am an old soul, because I like the way that fog looks and how it creates mystery. I’m reading a fascinating novel titled Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry. I’m really enjoying it so far. I am almost finished reading it. Great book. I want the good guys to win!

The skies are heavy and the streets are soaked from rain, yet the Summer Solstice is almost here. I cam just hope. I want to go to the nature trail to dig up St. John’s Wort for my Mom. I may see if it is ready for that this week if the sun ever shines again. ESSNS is holding a summer Rit, we might have a yard sale if the weather cooperates and I want to head up to Into the Mystic at the end of the month. 

Wow! I have just signed a contract with Dreamweaver Press! They will republish my book, The Cult of the Spider People. I am elated! The Cult of the Spider People will be published in August 2026, two months away! It’s a huge relief to know that my book will be sending shivers down readers’s spines on Amazon again! 

Till next time

Blessings Spiderwitch

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , ,

March 29, 2026 · 5:21 pm

Faerie Queen in Spring )O(

Early spring blossoms

Merry meet all,

Snow coats the streets and sidewalks, determined to resist spring. The Pagan Association of Nova Scotia is hosting a Beltane Ball in May. I bought a ticket and I was completely inspired to work on my costume. I want to be a Faerie Queen! 

Although the event is in May, I”m busy preparing for it now. Faerie Queens are busy. I’m seized with inspiration. I pored over pinterest fae photos to get inspiration, including the faerie art by Brian Froud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a beautiful purple/ pink faerie dress. I examined the dress more closely and I noticed it’s in need of repair. The elastic in the casing in the sleeves was expired. I whipped out my sewing tools and patiently seam ripped the sleeves. I decided that clear elastic was too frail, even for a Faerie Queen. The sleeves are fixed. I want to add longer lower sleeves to the dress and make a shoulder ruffle. The faerie dress is fragile. The sleeve ruffle might stabilize the fabric. I lightly touched up the edges of the sleeves and bodice using clear nail polish to prevent fraying. I sewed  beautiful lavender colored embroidered flowers to the front of the faerie dress. That made the dress look even more beautiful. I want to sew a zigzag stitch to the dress hem. I sewed a shimmery trim to the dress hem. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also made a lovely hobo bag. I didn’t want to carry around a backpack all night, especially since I may be wearing faerie wings. I sewed myself a lovely magical hobo bag. I just love it. The faerie dress and the slip need more mending. 

I sewed a short overskirt to the faerie skirt and trimmed the overskirt with ribbon. The overskirt isn’t visible with the faerie dress, but I am sure if I dance or something, it will be visible then. The deep purple overskirt sprinkles faerie glitter everywhere. 

I am so proud of my faerie leaf mask. It turned out better than I expected. I don’t have the skills to work with leather (yet), so I used the cardboard from a cereal box. I painted the mask green using three coats and let the paint dry between coats. I used a scissors and an exacto knife to cut it out. I found a pattern and etched in the fine arched lines of the mask. I cut out the eyes. I used a hole punch on the far sides of the mask to be able to secure ribbon when I want to wear it. I plan to add moss, leaves (lots!), and feathers. I’ve decided to use artificial oak and maple leaves and glue them on with a hot glue gun. I promise to add photos when I am done. I also have to get my mitts on a pair of faerie ears. I found my faerie wand and wings. The fae gifted me a twig and I want to add it to the crown. I can’t wait till I get to Michaels arts and crafts. I glued green felt oak leaves, artificial leaves and flowers to the mask. I love how it looks. I have to make the large green felt oak leaf more stable and created a green butterfly from clay. I adhered a clay loop to the butterfly so I could hang it from a chain. The butterfly had to be secured with hot glue. I secured two long green velvet ribbons to the mask. I glued two green felt maple leaves to the back of the mask. I want the front and the back of the mask to look great. I repainted the back of the mask. I touched up the black paint on the mask with gold acrylic paint.  I painted a clear sealant to the mask. That makes it permanent and it also added a nice shine to the mask. The mask looks even more amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The corset – I seam ripped the fasteners on the corset. I’m installing eyelets to use as fasteners. Yup this sure is turning out to be a faerie queen costume. Today I installed the eyelets and laced up the bodice. I love how it’s all coming together. 

 I want to add herbs, gemstone chips and a tiny scroll to a small vial with a cork top, and coat green and purple candle wax on the cork, then insert a jump ring to attach to a chain, add another jump ring at the bottom of the vial, then add another fairyish charm such as a butterfly/ fairy feather or a gemstone. One vial is a gift for my friend and the second one will be for me. 

Today I attempted to sew the crinoline sleeve to the dress.  I could not sew the long sleeves to the shorter sleeves because both sleeves needed an elastic casing. I will use a safety pin to adhere the lower sleeves to the upper sleeves. The lower sleeves are beautiful. I did finally finish mending the slip, sewed in the zigzag stitch at the hem of the faerie dress, and sewed the shoulder ruffles but I still have to sew them onto the sleeves. I may have to sew by hand because my sewing machine does not like crinoline. I glued a few flowers to the dress. The faerie dress was a lot of work to repair, but I learned a lot in the process, so that made it worth it.

My crown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought these beautiful butterfly clips which I will adhere to the dress. I have the faerie wand, mask, ears, wings and gown. The last detail I have to work out is a crown. I have a few options: the gold Arwen crown, a circlet, the circlet that came with the wings. I’ll figure it out. I have a few options for how to style my hair and makeup. I still have lots of time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to coat the frayed parts of the faerie dress with clear nail polish. The fabric is fragile and tends to fray, so that should take care of it. I glued the fairy wings back onto the poor fairy. She can now fly and flit over tops of flowers or sip honey nectar tea. I touched up the faerie house a little bit. I painted a white crown of thorns with a spellbinding mixture of brown, green and gold. I love how it turned out. It looks regal, and earthy. The gold enhances the earthy brown color nicely. 

I sewed a second corset today. The corset is black with embroidered butterflies. I had to sew the black mesh fabric to natural black cotton because I didn’t want the interfacing to show. I sewed the lining separately then sewed them together. I had to make a slight adjustment to the corset size. Once I figured out how much extra fabric I needed, I stitched that to the corset. I have to install the eyelets. Then it will be complete. It looks great with the faerie dress and skirt! I used a pdf underbust corset pattern from Etsy. 

 

 

 

 

 

I finally installed the eyelets into the corset. The corset is complete. It was a lot of work to do that, but well worth it. I love how it looks now. Sweet and edgy. I set up my work area at the table, and hammered the grommets into the fabric. I hammered on a cloth covered board. I could see the indents from the hammering. I am happy the corset is done now. I chose deep blue velvet ribbon for lacing the corset. The corset looks beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made a jar of faerie dust for a friend and I’m soon making one for another friend. I bought miniature bottles with chains from Michaels. I love that store! I ground chamomile, calendula, elderflower, lavender and rose petals to a fine powder then added the ground herbs to the jar. I sealed the jar with beeswax. It really looks like faerie dust. Well, it is!

 

 

This faerie queen will celebrate Beltane in style with my beautiful Beltane gown. Till then,,…

 

Blessings, Spiderwitch )O(

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 14, 2026 · 4:58 pm

Early spring starts

Merry meet all,

I look out the window and see an overcast grey sky, with snow mounds piled up at the curbs and on sidewalks. It’s mid-March right now. We still have a way to go. I got an early start on my spring herbal seedlings. I did not anticipate that I would have so much success starting my herbs from seeds. 

I am fortunate that I own a grow light. Grow lights help immensely when you want to grow herbs, flowers or vegetables from seed or transplants. The only thing I need is patience. I know it’s hard to be patient and I obsessively check the pots to see if anything is growing, especially in the second pot. I don’t see anything growing in the pots. I have a few tiny seedlings, but I have to wait till they grow their true leaves before I know what they are. I used two methods to grow seeds: I sprinkled seeds directly into the pots and I sprinkled seeds onto a damp paper towel which I stored in two large ziploc bags. I filled a third pot with soil and Gaia Green fertilizer, mixed it into the soil. I opened up the paper towel gently and to my wonder, a  lot of tiny seedlings were ready to be moved into a pot. I used a magnifying glass and tweezers to gently free them from the paper towel and place into the pots. One must be very gentle when doing this. It does require a careful hand. I covered them with light soil and misted water onto the soil. Now they are under the grow light. I must have patience. 

This week, I participated in three wonderful spring seed growing workshops with the Herbal Academy. They are offering a gardening mini course. I already have tons of experience with gardening, but I want to take the course anyway. I am always open to learning something new. I also completed my Botany and Wildcrafting course. I still have lifetime access to the course. Growing herbs from seed under my grow light always excites me. 

I bought this white crepe cotton fabric printed with tiny blue flowers. I want to use it to make a chemise. I also bought lovely black fabric like tulle with blue butterflies. I want to use that fabric to make a corset. I have a pdf pattern for it. I bought a ticket for the upcoming Beltane Ball in May. I am already planning the costume for that. I’m using what I already have – a purple faerie outfit. Well when it’s cold outside and you’re bored… I want to make some slight changes to the costume. I also have a pdf pattern for a medieval gown. I just had an idea – the corset pattern will match with the medieval gown. Oh my brain just never rests when it comes to thinking up new ideas. 

I’m an extremely creative person. I always find a way to entertain myself during the winter season. My cat’s gazing out the window. She is wishing she could chase the crows perched on the tree outside. The crows are not concerned about her. 

Spring blessings

Spiderwitch

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , ,

January 22, 2026 · 2:16 pm

Sewing Patterns Mayhem )O(

Merry meet all,

Imbolc is almost here! I have had a huge creativity streak lately. I usually feel exceptionally creative when Imbolc rolls around. Imbolc is the first of the three spring Sabbats. I am very relieved. That brings us all closer to spring, for those who live in the Northern hemipshere. 

I sewed myself a blue skirt the other day. The project took two days to complete. The challenge was sewing the yoke to the skirt.

 

My new homemade blue skirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a new sewing project in mind. I bought a few meters of beige cotton knit fabric that I originally intended to use for the nightgown. It was too heavy for a nightgown. I still have the fabric. Then inspiration struck! I now intend to sew myself a Renaissance outfit. I have a sewing pattern for it, but the pattern is not in the right size. I’m ordering the pattern in the right size. Once I have the pattern, then I can sew the garment. The pattern is shown in the photo below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided against sewing a dress from the beige knit fabric. They require such precision and a million fittings. A peasant blouse is so easy to sew. For once, I think I will choose sewing something easy instead of complex. 

The garment will consist of a beige cotton knit peasant blouse and a skirt, a bodice and an overskirt. I have a long brown cotton skirt that I made from the original pattern. That would look good with the pattern. I already have fabric and brown thread for the bodice. I found the brown velveteen fabric in my fabric stash. I bought a meter of brown cotton for the lining and I found interfacing in my stash. I just need several d-rings ( my skills at inserting eyelets leaves much to be desired). I want to add the peplum to the bodice as well as embroidered trim. I bought plenty of brown ribbon to lace up the bodice. I am glad that this project is not costing me a lot of money. I already own most of the supplies I need. I do have to buy dark blue bias tape for the bodice. I love Fabricville, but I love the trims and ribbons on Etsy. I noticed that in the largest photo on the front of the sewing pattern shows the model wearing a bias tape that is a darker color, so I want to do the same. The dark blue color brings out the pink color of the bodice. The variety and quality is much better on Etsy. 

I bought a few meters of beautiful cream white organdy lace on Etsy. I have yet to decide how I will use it with the blouse and skirt. I am sure I can figure it out. I do believe that the outit will look amazing! I’m relieved that I thought of ways to use up the fabric that just sat in my stash. I have so much beige fabric that I could sew the overskirt and skirt from the same fabric. Or I could make the overskirt brown too. It could go either way. I’m happy to get the pattern in my size because figuring out how to grade the original pattern would have been such a headache. I am not that skilled! The pattern was hard to find in the sizes I wanted. I may sew the lace to the overskirt and to the sleeve hems! That would look romantic and a great way to use up the lace. 

The lace organdy fabric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beige and browns are earthy colors. I have all of the remaining winter and spring to work on it. Maybe I will try learning a new skill such as machine embroidery! I have to practice before I would consider doing machine embroidery on the brown velvet. Sewing a trim to fabric is easier. That would look great though. Winter is a season to turn inward and be reflective and spring is the wild, untamed transition of new life and birth. I still see earthy browns and beiges as pertaining to spring. The mud is softer and tiny buds emerge from the soil. I ordered a nice brown embroidered trim from Etsy. I can’t wait for it to arrive. 

I sewed a mock up of the bodice pattern. I am glad I did as I could determine how much fabric I really needed to make the bodice. The brown velveteen fabric is lovely. I cut out the material last night very carefully. Now sewing the bodice will be much easier. I sewed the overskirt too. I wore the long brown skirt, the overskirt and the beige peasant blouse to the Imbolc Ritual. I had no time to sew the bodice. But now I have lots of time.

I was fortunate to have lots of elastic for the sewing project. I made an elastic casing at the neckline, sleeves and the bodice hem. I sewed an elastic casing for the overskirt. I chose it that way because the ribbon was lost in the casing. I find elastic easier to work with. The fabric for the overskirt was very slippery. I sewed in a zigzag stitch for the hem of the overskirt. I also changed the length of the hem for the brown skirt. I still tripped in it. I felt so feminine when I wore it and I recieved lots of compliments. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sewing the bodice was more work than I anticipated. I am glad I made the mockup. I knew how much material to add to the pattern. I cut out the brown bodice fabric, first checking that I was cutting on the grain. The outer material of the bodice is brown velveteen. The lining is a brown broadcloth cotton. I set them aside. When I was ready to work on it, I moved on to the next step – adding the interfacing. That was a royal headache. I even cut out a second front bodice section. I had trouble deciding if I wanted the main bodice section to have the dart sewn in, or if I would add that to the extra material in the bodice. I decided to go with sewing the darts in the main bodice front section. The interfacing was a royal headache. Once I had the right sections interfaced – and that was a headache in itself, I set it all aside again. When I was again ready to sew again, I pulled it out. I set up my sewing machine  and all my tools. I had to stitch carefully. I did not want to mess up the bodice. It is harder to correct when working with velveteen. I stitched the front and back corset sections together. I trimmed the interfacing to help conceal it. I sewed the lining to the bodice. I sewed it all carefully and slowly. I feel I have more control over it all that way. 

Sewing the bias tape to conceal the raw edges was also a headache. The bias tape wanted to roll out. I also had to seam rip the bias tape and bodice fabric to reduce the bulk. It looked better when that was done. I snipped all the stray threads. There were many times during the course of sewing the bodice that I wanted to scream from the hilltops. I matched the seams of the front center bodice sections together. The front center sections of the bodice met evenly once the bulky seams were trimmed. I am very handy with a seam ripper. Then the next step that I dreaded was installing the grommets. That almost gave me a stomach ache. Okay I had originally purchased d rings to use for the lacing, but I decided to master a new skill and try my hand at setting in the grommets. I had survived interfacing, sewing the bodice sections together, and endured sewing on the bias tape – I could survive this. 

I bought black grommets in a little kit. I practiced hammering in the grommets on spare fabric. When I was confident I could do it on the bodice, I gathered an awl, a screwdriver, a seam ripper, scissors and the kit. I marked where I wanted the grommets to be set in. This is why it is good to not skip the step of adding the interfacing. The fabric is strengthened by the interfacing. It also means it is harder to poke an awl through the fabric. I poked twice with the awl, then the screwdriver to enlarge the hole I created. I twisted the screwdriver in the hole a few times. I used a seam ripper to help tear the hole a little larger – but not too much. I want the grommets to crimp or ‘eat’ the fabric, but not make too big of a hole. Then I set in the larger grommet piece. I had to set ten pieces in. Okay once the grommet piece was snug in the hole- pushed in from the right side of the fabric, then I set the other piece from the wrong side. I pushed them together (not hard), to make them meet. I set the fabric down on the cutting board, face down and I positioned the tiny hammer tool on the grommet, and hammered the grommet into the fabric. I was amazed that I did it right. I did it right nine more times. I also had to make sure the grommets were truly across from each other on the bodice sections. I hammered in the grommets so hard that the impressions of the grommets are left in the wood. The grommets stuck to the wood. I tugged firmly and gently and they released from the wood. The grommets were done right. I wanted to add a lovely brown and gold trim to the bodice. I pinned the trim onto the bodice and sewed slowly and carefully. I used that for the casing for the boning. I set in the grommets where the boning was supposed to go. I am not changing that. It is fine. It was so much work. It was all so much work. 

The reason why I have written so much here about the colors and textures of the fabric is because there are no guarantees at first when sewing. I want the fabrics, colors and textures to harmonize, synergize. It all has to blend and look great, not just hand sewn. I want it all to look store bought. That is how the pattern should look in the end. That means it depends on me to do my very best sewing. There is no room for error. The result is something I can be proud of. So I like to work out the details as I am sewing or before I even start sewing. I put a lot of thought into my sewing projects. Okay, okay, I am obsessive with my sewing projects. I have no idea what comes over me. I should get just as obsessive about my other creative projects, but that’s just me. Imagine what I could accomplish! ha ha. Perhaps I can wear the brown corset with my new blue skirt! 

In other news, I have renewed the contract with Baynam Books Press for The Cult of the Spider People. The edits are done and now I look forward to seeing the new version! The editor/ publisher Crystal Baynam is changing the front cover of my book. The Bone Chillers #1 will be removed. Ah well. The new version is much better edited. 

I ordered a sample of an aesthetic scrapbook sample in the mail. It is not what I thought. The blue book is so tiny. The stickers look great. I will use it in my brown hand bound poetry journal. 

I look foward to receiving the sewing pattern in the mail. Once I do, I shall post all about it here and I will post more about Imbolc too! Let me know more about your own creative endeavours in the comments! I look forward to it.

The Grand Reveal

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , ,

April 22, 2025 · 11:37 am

The Magick of Spring )O(

Merry meet all,

Beltaine is almost here! Signs of spring are everywhere. Crocuses are blooming and birds chirp to welcome the return of spring. It is a time of renewal. The chill in the air feels invigorating. The frost will change to the warm beckoning days of summer. It is a time of change for me personally. 

I’m moving out of my apartment. The conditions there are so bad it is impossible to live there. I am so excited. I will miss having my own garden but my mother is willing to care for my plants. That’s not a real loss. 

I am excited to participate in the Author’s Journey with Crystal Lake Publishing. Here is a description of the workshop from the website:

Unleash Your Novella in Just 13 Weeks!

Crystal Lake Academy presents our fourth Author’s Journey workshop (all online), and we’re proud to say that many of our students have gone on to receive publishing contracts.

Dive into the thrilling challenge of crafting your own novella with direct guidance from Joe Mynhardt, founder and CEO of Crystal Lake Publishing (as well as an award-winning editor and story coach), and a professional editing team by your side. This 13-week workshop is designed to transform your eerie ideas into a gripping novella, ready to chill the spines of readers worldwide. Preferred genres include Horror, Thrillers, Dark Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, and Suspense.

What You’ll Get:

  • You’ll start off with a one-on-one story coaching session with Joe before the course launches May 1st. You’ll receive personalized guidance from a publishing/marketing veteran to help you navigate the challenges of novella writing.
  • Each editor will present a Zoom session throughout the 13 week workshop covering everything from opening scenes and plot development to character creation and building suspense.
  • We’ll have voluntary check-ins every second Saturday via Zoom to keep you motivated and on track. There will be deadlines for your first 10k words and so on.
  • Accountability deadlines, which is so important for any author’s journey.
  • Benefit from multiple rounds of feedback on your second draft, with input from at least two different editors and a fellow author/student during the peer assessment.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or need help finishing your first novella, this workshop is your gateway to bringing your stories to life. Secure your spot and start your journey to novella success today!

I plan to write a sequel to the Cult of the Spider People: Bone Chillers #1. This workshop will help with that. This will force me to write it! That push is sometimes just what I need to motivate me to write. I’m also editing my other horror novel, The Ghost of Windswept Bay and I have to write a true crime book about Ed Gein. I may change that though. He was a truly horrid monster. 

I will be busy, that’s for sure. I have more good news: Wicked Shadow Press published my sixth flash fiction story, Mandrake Potion, for their Flash of the Dead: Reloaded anthology. I am very happy about that. They gave me a complimentary digital copy.  

I will be back with more good news and updates on the workshop. I hope you are all enjoying spring. 

Blessed be, Spiderwitch 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , ,

March 27, 2025 · 7:03 pm

Spring Song )O(

Merry meet all,

Spring has finally arrived… technically. The weather is still cold and I heard rumours of snow. The Wheel has turned again. We look now to Ostara. I hope we don’t get snow and instead get crocus blossoms. They have popped their colourful heads out of the soil in my Mom’s backyard. 

I am obsessed with green lately. Spring has hit me hard. I did paint my dresser green and add rub on transfers to the dresser. Faeries, butterflies and flowers adorn the lovely dresser. I’ve already sewn myself a dress but I need to wait till it is summer to wear it. The dress is not warm enough. I see signs of spring everywhere. It won’t be long till I return to working in the garden. I can’t wait! I have ordered a few meters of green linen from Etsy. I want to make a chemise type dress with it. I was originally thinking of sewing myself a green Nordic apron dress but I realized in time that is too expensive. The fabric store here did not carry the fabric in the colour I wanted. So I am sure the fabric on Etsy will suffice and now I have to find a pattern. That should not be too hard. 

I have returned to editing my novel I wrote prior to The Cult of the Spider People: Bone Chillers #1. I haven’t read it or even glanced at it in 2 years. It is like greeting an old friend but one full of errors! I don’t think there is much edits left to do on the manuscript. I have already cut scenes, changed the cute cat’s name and a few other edits. 

I find it also much easier to study herbalism when it is spring and summer. The bounty of nature is more plentiful. I am studying how to identify plants and that is much easier when they are a vibrant verdant green, not faded brown and worn from the winter rest. It may take me longer than I planned to finish Unit 2. 

I am ok with that. There are a lot of big ideas and philosophies they are expressing in the lessons. I don’t believe in becoming a herbalist in a weekend. It will take much much longer than that. I can wait. I want to truly earn it. The course is far more demanding and it cannot be done within a weekend. There is far too much material to cover. 

This morning there was snow on the ground but the snow has melted. Now the rain rinses the street and nourishes the plants.  I do believe spring is the victor season. I hope that is the case. 

This is just a quick post here today. I promise to get more in depth in future posts. I hope you are all enjoying the early spring season. Have you spotted robins or crocuses yet? I hope so. 

Blessed Be, Spiderwitch

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 10, 2025 · 4:07 pm

Painting an old dresser new

Merry meet all,

Today’s post will be about my latest creative project. I am painting my bedroom dresser green. It was a much bigger project than I anticipated. So get yourselves all cozy and let me tell you all about it. 

The dresser was relocated to the kitchen. I set down a drop cloth beneath the dresser and a drop cloth over the kitchen table. Paint can be messy. I had a lot of work to do. First off, I had to clean the dresser. I think scour is the correct word here. I can’t remember when the last time was that the dresser was ever cleaned. For as long as I can recall, the dresser lived in the hard to get to corner of my bedroom, covered in dust and dirt and cat hair. I cleaned, dusted and washed the dresser to the very best of my ability. The clothing that was stored in the drawers are stored in garbage bags in the bathroom. My apartment is a mess! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second task is sanding. I sanded the dresser to make sure the primer and the paint would adhere well. I sanded the dresser too to remove the ‘shine’ of the glaze. The wood was natural but it had a shine which the sanding removed. I tried my best to fill in any cracks with wood filler too. Then I wiped down the dresser with a vinegar cleanser and lots and lots of paper towels. It is amazing how many paper towels I have used during this project. I let it air dry then my cat decided to sit on the dresser top. No! My cat is now visiting at my Mom’s place until I am done painting. She will be thoroughly spoiled! I also cleaned and sanded the dresser drawers. That was a task I want to do my best to forget all about. I was exhausted after all that hard work. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next step was priming. I cleaned and sanded again and painted the dresser and drawers with the white primer. I did two coats on the dresser and the drawers. Finally most of the preparation work was done. I let the dresser and drawers dry overnight. Yesterday I managed to paint the dresser green. The color is called Dried Thyme! Trust me to find a paint color named after an herb! 

The forest fairy rub-on transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the new hardware for the dresser and the fairy themed rub on transfers a couple months ago. I can’t wait to see how it will all look together. I also bought Country Chic natural furniture wax made with beeswax.  I also bought a bottle of Country Chic hemp oil. I plan to seal in the lovely green paint – which makes me think of spring, to the paint once it is fully dry. I will use a lint free cloth and rub the wax on. I can’t wait to see how that looks. The project cannot be rushed. It is hard to wait and wait for the paint to dry. But having patience means that this project will turn out beautifully. I want to use the hemp oil on the interior of the dresser drawers. The paint on the dresser and the drawers will last much longer once the wax sealant is applied. I have yet to decide where I shall apply the fairy rub on transfers. I am so excited to see how it will all look. I couldn’t take seeing the way the dresser looked for one more minute. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The screws that came with the new hardware for the dresser drawers are a slightly different size than the older pieces. I did clean up the older hardware and I will store those pieces somewhere. The above photo is just me testing how the hardware will look on the dresser drawers. I think it looks beautiful and pretty sharp!  There is one coat of paint on the drawer but I still say it looks great. I am sure something can be worked out so that the hardware will fit snugly. I have to sand the inside of the dresser that I painted or the drawers won’t go back in right. I may go for the ‘distressed’ look. 

Hemp Oil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow I shall do a third and final coat of paint on the dresser using a roller and a paintbrush. I want to use the roller so that the paint is spread over the dresser top as smoothly as possible. A paintbrush is ideal for the more detailed sections. I shall do a second coat of paint on the drawers and determine then if they need a third coat too. Then I will wax the dresser once the paint has fully dried. Paint takes time to properly cure. It is also a good idea to sand and clean the paint blobs off the wood so the paint can go on smoothly. Yes, even after you have added the paint. I sand very gently and that way there is minimal damage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I might even line the drawers but I am not sure yet. I want to protect the top dresser surface from scratches. I shall do a grand reveal once it is all done. I can’t wait.  I guess that there is no telling when I shall wave my magic wand to transform something as mundane as an old dresser into a fairy dwelling! I want the faeries to appear like they really just landed on the dresser. I think I shall try arranging the transfers at odd angles or in unexpected ways on the surfaces of the dressers instead of something boring like perfectly straight. The question is do the transfers go on the sides of the dresser where they won’t be seen or the front of the drawers or the top dresser surface? I guess I will know soon enough. 

Today I added a third coat of paint to the dresser and a second coat of paint to the drawers. I just love how it is all turning out. The dresser will look beautiful. I am not sure if the drawers need a third coat of paint. My apartment is a mess. I am eager to start cleaning but first I have to wait for the paint to fully dry. Then I can put in the new dresser hardware and wax the dresser. The waiting is the hardest part right now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to wait for the paint to fully dry before I can wax and add the rub on transfers.  Yes this is the hardest part- the waiting. It is the most important step in this big project. The waiting is the hardest because if I add the wax and the transfers too soon, the paint will rub off, ruining all my hard work. I can take as long as I want to wait. Tomorrow I am sure I can add the transfers and the wax. The wax seals the paint. I also have to apply the transfers before I apply the wax. The transfers will not stick if the wax is added at the wrong stage. I have to decide where I want the transfers and how I plan to add the transfers before I wax the wood. I can’t wait for tomorrow. First I have to be 100% certain the paint is dry. I can even wait a week to add the transfers but I know I can’t wait that long. I found a beautiful brush for adding sealants and stains to wood at my fave local hardware store. I sanded the drawers and cleaned with vinegar and a lint free cloth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I was able to apply the rub on transfers. It was way more effort than I thought. I used a spray paint adhesive to make the transfers stick. First I made sure the surface was clean and dry. Then I peeled off the backing of the transfers and decided where I wanted the transfers to go since this is permanent. I sprayed the transfer with the adhesive, laid it on the wood and wiped it several times with a damp cloth. Then I used the wooden stick to rub the transfer onto the wood. It took patience and a lot of effort. I switched between the damp cloth and the stick often as I pressed. The transfer adhered way better. Then I waxed the dresser and the drawers save for one. I saved that drawer for last. I waxed the rails of the dresser till they were so smooth and I waxed the bottom rails of the drawers. The drawers will go in more smoothly now. 

Now the hardware for the dresser is the next step. I want to clean the area of my bedroom where the dresser will go. I have to install the hardware for the drawers and then the clothing can be put back in the drawers and the drawers can be put back in the dresser. I can’t wait. It will be stunning.  The hardware has been added to the dresser. I put the small cat scratching post back on the dresser. I laid a towel down on the dresser next to the post and put the big jewelry chest on top of the towel. I want to avoid scratches. 

The dresser looks beautiful! I can’t believe it is the same dresser! Here’s a photo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dresser has new life breathed into it! My hands and arms have paint on them. I wore sweatpants and an old shirt for this. Sweatpants are perfect for painting. I am off soon to visit my cat at my Mom’s. I am sure she is being spoiled.  I hope this project inspires you to create something fresh for spring!

 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

January 18, 2025 · 7:23 pm

Winter Crafts )O(

 

Merry meet all,

My heart goes out to those who are caught in the crosshairs of the Los Angeles inferno. I know a few people there and I hope they are safe. 

The Wheel of the year spins again. The next Sabbat is Imbolc, the first of the three spring Sabbats. I can’t wait for spring and I shall soon be poring over seed catalogues. I still turn my compost tumbler. I want to have compost to spread on my garden in the spring. I miss my garden. 

The skies here still darken early. Spring is not that far away. I am counting down the days till spring. I have rescheduled the book launch at Trident Cafe for my debut novel The Cult of the Spider People: Bone Chillers #1. I am excited. This time, I will order my own copies to have enough books for the launch. I am very happy to have a launch! I will bring a cloth for the table, and some props and of course, my copies. I have to market and promote the event and practice reading for it. I hate doing public readings. I am sure I can practice with Penny, my cat. 

I can’t wait to get my sweater I ordered in the mail. The sweatshirt has the cover art of my book on the front. I can’t wait to wear it. It is in transit right now. 

The sweatshirt showing the cover art of my book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to sew a grey chemise type dress. The grey chemise I have is not ankle length. It will be a simple pattern. Besides, I am still worn out from sewing the blue Arwen dress. I love wearing the grey Tauriel dress. It feels so feminine. But it is not ankle length. The fabric is grey. I don’t want to go to the work of dyeing fabric again. I want to work in elastic at the neckline and a long ribbon that I will tie in a bow at the centre neckline. I think it will look nice. I had enough blue velvet remaining to make a shawl. I cut the shawl in a triangle pattern and hemmed the edges. I want to sew a triquetra patch on to the back of the shawl. 

I also plan to sew a lovely scary doll for my friend, Onyx. I have all the supplies. I love doing crafts. It keeps me sane and then I forget all about the craziness the world is going through. I love to create something beautiful. Tomorrow I am painting a block of wood. Im sanding it first, filling in the cracks and holes and then painting it green. I want to set hooks into it and use it as a herb dryer. The herbs will hang from the hooks. I just need to decide where to position it in my apartment. Idon’t have much wall space. I am sure I will find a spot. I was thinking of setting it beneath the window but above my altar. 

The big big BIG project I am inspired to do after all that is to paint my dresser. Yeah I have gone crazy lol. I do want to paint it after I was inspired by something I saw on Facebook. I thought, I have to try that! I hate the way the dresser looks right now. I plan to change that. I want to paint it green. I need the right green shade. I am sure the staff at the paint store will help me select the right shade. I have to clean the entire dresser, scrub it clean with Murphys oil, sand it, prime it and then paint it. Only if I can find the best shade. I ordered floral rub on transfers to adhere to the dresser once all the hard work is done. I want to buy new dresser pull knobs too. I swear by the witchy power vested in me, the dresser will be transformed! I will treat the thirsty wood of the dressers to a coating in hemp oil. That will make the dresser nice too. But oh my gosh the work and how to paint it with a cat around! I will have to get a few paint drop cloths and arrange them around the dresser. One under the dresser to protect the floor and a few covering and protecting everything else. It will be a lot of work but I hate seeing that orange dresser- makes me want to scream! This is what I have in mind for the end result: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It can and will be done. I have researched this and watched a few videos on YouTube of other people transforming furniture. This will call for a lot of elbow grease but I am up for the challenge. That is for the month of February. I will not make the mistake of painting the sides of the dresser drawers like I did with that desk. Oh no, I will make all new mistakes! lol. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 22, 2024 · 6:56 pm

My Garden in bloom 2024 )O(


Merry meet all,

Today’s post will focus on my garden. Everything is in bloom and budding and green. I love it. The ferns are already huge and beautiful. I bought several herb transplants but I haven’t planted them yet. I am still waiting for the frost to pass. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My bleeding heart plant is sporting lovely pink heart-shaped blossoms. My herbs are up – lemon balm, mints, mugwort, nettle, chives, raspberry leaves, and other plants such as lungwort, hostas, lily of the valley, lady’s mantle, astilbe, my witch hazel shrub and the lovely large sage plant I was gifted. The garlic is also growing quite nicely. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The birds are singing their hearts out. A bee pollinated my yellow haskap flowers and the lungwort flowers. The woodruff, dandelions, forget me nots and periwinkle are all greeting spring with their beautiful blossoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every day the plants are bigger and prettier. I love being in my garden! I am happy now because the weather is now just warm enough, like it reminds me why I am alive. My garden reduces my stress. Gardening has always had that effect on people. It is really hard for me to be truly miserable if a gorgeous green garden beckons me. My cute cat too!

I planted beans and johnny jump ups. The other day I found violets. I want to return to that spot. I am debating with myself on whether I want to forage for dandelions. I am not bothering to forage for burdock root. Every burdock I see is already a 2 year plant and the roots are best when it is 1 year roots. 

I want to harvest a lot of lily of the valley blossoms because I want to make a scented oil with them. I bet the scent will be heavenly. I plan to invest in a laminator and press flowers too. It is now flower season. I plan to forage and press a lot of flowers. I want to make and sell greeting cards with the pressed flowers! I couldn’t be happier. 

In other news, I plan to transfer to the Herbal Academy revamped Advanced clinical herbalism course! The publisher and I will be soon doing edits on my novella and begin production after that. I am happy about that. My dream come true! 

Blessings, Spiderwitch )O(

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 4, 2024 · 3:30 pm

Beltane

Merry meet all,

I know it’s a while since I’ve posted. However, I have been under the weather. I had to take time to recover. I am still in recovery but now I’m up and about. While I recovered, Penny and I stayed with my Mom. The bathroom is so lovely now that it’s painted and the toilet is fixed! I love it!

Beltane is here! Are you all excited? I am. However, a cold wind lingers this spring. I still have to bundle up and be warm. My starter plants are at my Mom’s. When I stayed there, I brought them over with me. I want to nurture my plants here but Penny munches on them. Once it is warm enough for the plants to go out, I will bring them back. For now, the plants are thriving there under her care. 

I have to lay down new soil on the garden. I am so eager to do so but it is not time yet. It’s almost time. My garden needs a real clean up but I have to wait till we get warmer temperatures! Yes the waiting kills me. I know that insects are nesting in the garden yet and that the frost has still not left. Removing the protective layers of straw and the autumn leaves now means risking damage to the plants and what has nested there all winter. Yes I must wait. 

I bought a cool new book. It’s Frankenstein by Mary Shelley but it is in a new print format. I shall have a good time reading that! The book is hardcover, with 25 illustrations, distinctive gilded page edges, a ribbon marker, the collectible hardcover volume makes the book standout on the shelf. 

This link will tell you more about it: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1454951575?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details This one-of-a-kind deluxe edition hardcover edition is an exquisite work of art. It features an alluring, transparent acetate jacket to highlight Coulthart’s art printed on the hardcover case, color-printed sprayed edges, and intricate two-color artwork throughout. Wow! The book is beautiful. I will enjoy reading it. 

I am so happy spring is here! I have missed working in my garden. Now if the frost and cold wind would just go away! Enjoy Beltane!

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Paranormal and Witchy Fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,