Getting a Grilling: An Interview with Lee Meredith

Getting a Grilling: An Interview with Lee Meredith a.k.a. Leethal

Lee Meredith is a blogger, crafter, knit designer, photographer, yarn spinner, recycler and inspire-er (thank you!) to name but a few of her skills! You can keep up with her amazingly creative life at her website Do Stuff! Be sure to check out her ‘Quick Knits’ monthly yarn/pattern club and her self-published e-book ‘Game Knitting’. Thank you Lee for this incredibly detailed and open interview…with your glass of iced coffee at the ready, dive in!

* Describe a typical day in your life.
Hah, there is no “typical” day!  But, ok, I’ll try… I am a total night person, and my partner (Pete) works the late shift and doesn’t get home till 10:30 most nights, which puts us on a late schedule, so I usually sleep till 9 or 9:30, then wake up slowly with coffee and email checking, twitter reading, etc, and eat breakfast with Pete.  Then he goes to work around noon and I get to work, whatever that means each day – could be knitting to work on designs, could be computer work (blogging, website stuff, bookkeeping stuff, etc), could be yarn-making or working on any of the projects I’m always in the middle of.  So, the rest of the day is all up to whatever my priorities are; for example, the week leading up to my monthly club mail-out date is all focused on club stuff (making the yarn, designing the patterns, putting together the extras).  If I’m really into a project, like a knit design, or a new item for my shop, then I could spend the entire day on that project.  I’ll often take a walk to the grocery store or the post office or something in the middle of the day, to get outside and break things up.  If my work is knitting or another kind of crafting, I’ll usually do it on the couch with some Netflix instant movies or bad TV.  Then, when Pete gets home at night, we’ll eat dinner together and watch a movie or TV while I usually continue knitting (or crafting, or blogging, or whatever) until bedtime around 1.  That was long and rambly, but that’s how my days are!

* How do you juggle the demands of working for yourself?
It’s tough… just today, like many days, I’ve been thinking a ton about what exactly I should be focusing on – it’s always a struggle for me, deciding what needs to be put ahead of everything else.  I used to do much more freelancing work, with deadlines, making it easier – the project that’s due first got done first.  So, now that I have a bunch of projects, and I’m super excited about releasing all of them, but they all need a ton of my time before they’re ready, I try to figure out what’s the closest to being finished?  What will people like most?  What will be most profitable for me (gotta pay those bills)?  And then there’s all the more day-to-day stuff, like responding to emails (which I am not good at!), shipping out orders, trying to do blog posts a few days a week… so I’ll try to get those kinds of things done first, then focus on the big, long-term projects, but a lot of the time the long-term projects are the ones I’m excited about, so the little stuff will fall behind.

* How would you describe your work?
In all the different kinds of things that I make and design, I hope for there to be at least some element that is unusual, unique, or surprising – this could be the construction method of a knit design, or the materials chosen to make an object, or something having a dual purpose (like my connect-the-dots stitch sets being both an embroidery pattern and a puzzle!)…  Color is also something that ties most of my work together – when people think of my designs and works, I doubt they think of black, white, or neutrals!

* Tell us about your favourite piece of artwork/craftwork at the moment.
Of mine?  My favorite things are usually my most recent or things I’m currently working on… I love my Shapeshifter design because wearing it is so much fun!

* When faced with the dreaded ‘Blank Page’ how do you get started?
I’ll need to come to a starting point – usually my blank page is for planning my club each month… which is why I love giving each month a theme.  The theme becomes my starting point, then I can go from there.  If the ideas really aren’t coming and I’m stuck, then the answer is usually brainstorming with Pete – talking with him about the theme, or where I’m stuck, or what I have so far that I can’t turn into a solid idea, always helps me see new directions that weren’t showing before, or he’ll think of some solution I never would have thought of on my own!

* I’m very taken by your often unique approach to knit wear and design. What tips could you give someone who wanted to start designing their own patterns?
I was just improvising knit stuff, without writing anything down, for years before I started trying to actually “design” – there’s a big difference between just improvising something and developing it into a pattern that other people can follow and work from.  I think that helped me a lot, to have a good grasp of how to make a thing without a pattern to follow, then eventually I could make a thing and write down what I did, and turn that into an actual pattern.  So, I’m not saying that you should spend years before trying to design something, but just don’t rush into it I guess… If you make something you want to turn into design, test it out a bunch yourself, trying it different ways maybe, to see what works best.

* Where do you find inspiration?
The internet – browsing craft blogs, ravelry, flickr, etc – and flipping through craft/art books.  Usually an idea will come to me out of nowhere, or emerge from a conversation, but if I’m feeling stuck and need to seek out inspiration, I dig into the online craft world or open a book.

* Describe your workspace.
I just moved, so my studio space isn’t in working order yet – I can use the desk and tables when I need to, but there are boxes everywhere and things aren’t organized yet, so I do most of my work in the living room on the couch.  But, once it’s in order, there’s a big desk for computer work, a table for messy kinds of craft work, and another table for sewing and other related stuff, and tons of shelving and drawers.  One side of the closet (it’s a converted bedroom) is filled with hanging shoe holder things, which are used to store yarn.  There’s a record player, a CD player, a radio, and a cord for my computer or ipod (music is a must, of course!), great lighting (I chose the smaller bedroom to be my studio because it gets better light than the bigger room), and multiple magnet, inspiration, and dry erase boards.

* Who would play you in the film of your life?
Oh gosh, I don’t know… a friend of mine on twitter suggested Katharine Hepburn, if it doesn’t have to be someone living, but I don’t know about that… Maybe Drew Barrymore? I’ve always liked her, and she changes her hair a lot, like I do…

* How do you relax?
If I’m at home and fully relaxing – like watching a movie and doing nothing at the same time – I feel restless and not good most of the time, so my version of relaxing at home is watching a movie and knitting or doing something else at the same time.  If I really need to get away from work for awhile, then I have to leave the house – go out for food with Pete or friends, go out to a movie (yeah, I like movies) or anything else out in the world.

* What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Leaving my day job behind to be self-employed doing creative work, and succeeding!  When I left my day job over 2 years ago, I really expected to end up getting a part-time job at a yarn shop or something to make ends meet, but with a combination of freelance writing and teaching, and my own business and knit designing, I’ve been able to pay the bills every month – it’s not easy, and I’m lucky to live in a city with a relatively low cost of living, and to have a partner who can help me out if I’m cutting it close… but yeah, I still can’t believe I’m making it work!

-Quick fire-
~Pretty interesting or interestingly pretty? interestingly pretty
~Rolling Stones or Beatles? beatles
~Boxers or Y-fronts? y-fronts
~Abstract or Realism? abstract
~Blondes or Brunnettes? (or redheads?!) brunnettes
~Clooney or Depp? depp
~Classic or Modern? modern
~Custard or ice-cream? ice-cream
~World Cup or World Series? no sports for me
~What’s your favourite colour? I love all colors!
~When are you happiest? when I’m not stressed about something and I can appreciate how lucky I am
~Tell us a secret. I almost started a Carpenters cover band with my friend Abe many years ago, even though I can’t play any instruments or sing well.

Day 10 – How to make Cold Brewed Coffee Concentrate!

Today I am so happy to share an interview with you from the blogger/crafter/force-to-be-reckoned-with Lee Meredith a.k.a Leethal! Click here for the interview! I’m particularly excited because it was Lee’s blog and go-getter attitude that inspired me to start this blog and hold my first blogfest – 12 Days of Craftmas. Not only has Lee given us a really generous look into her creative life and inspiration but she has also contributed an amazing tutorial on cold brew coffee, perfect for making a refreshing summer treat. I’m making mine a latte! My poor battered conscious and weary purse will be so happy that I won’t be relying on St*rb&cks for my fix anymore :)

How to make Cold Brewed Coffee Concentrate!

by Leethal!

Cold brewed coffee is by far the best way to stay caffeinated in the summertime – I first read about it a few years ago when a blog linked to this New York Times article and I’ve been making it every summer since.  My way is super simple, and there are methods out there that might be a wee bit better, but I’ve been doing it this easy way for years and my coffee tastes oh so delicious!  None of the bitterness that you taste in regular drip-brewed coffee that’s been cooled; be sure to taste it before adding any sugar, because you probably won’t need any!

You’ll need:

• ground coffee beans
• a container in which to brew – either something with measurements on it, or an additional measuring cup, and either with a lid or with plastic wrap to cover it
• a spoon to stir
• a second container to store the final concentrate – a small pitcher is good
• a reusable coffee filter or some kind of strainer fine enough for coffee grounds, or a strainer with cheesecloth to strain the grounds

The concentrate gets combined with water (or milk) for drinkable iced coffee, so however much you make will be about half the amount of total coffee you’ll have to drink.  I usually make enough for a few days, just for myself, but if I were making it to share with guests I would use a larger container than I did here and make more concentrate.

Step 1:  Measure grounds into brewing container (as much as you want this measurement will be about one fifth the total brewing mixture that will go into this container).

Step 2:  Add water – about four times as much as the amount of coffee grounds.  So if you’re adding it into the same measuring cup, your total measurement now should be approximately five times as much as the coffee grounds measurement.  Stir mixture well, then cover and place in refrigerator.

Step 3:  Let sit in refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours, or up to overnight – I usually leave it overnight.  I’ve never experienced it being too brewed, and I’ve left it over 24 hours, though it’s probably better to keep it under 12 hours.

Step 4:  Pour brew mixture through strainer or filter into the concentrate container.  You may need to move the filter around to strain all the concentrate through, depending on your filter/strainer.

That’s it, all the steps, now you have your coffee concentrate!  Keep it in the fridge as is, or you could mix the whole batch into drinkable iced coffee and store it that way.  To make iced coffee, mix equal parts concentrate and water, plus as much ice as you like (try out varying mixture ratios, as maybe you’ll like it stronger or weaker).  To make a cold brewed milky iced coffee, similar to an iced latte, combine equal parts concentrate and milk (or soy milk, my favorite!).  Try adding some chocolate syrup for a drink similar to an iced mocha, or a flavor syrup (like vanilla or hazelnut, etc) for a sweet cold coffee drink!

—–>Click here for the interview with Lee Meredith<——

Day 9 – Getting a Grilling: Interview with Susan Moloney

I need some inspiration today…a kick up the arse, to be more exact. I have things to create in my mind, projects to complete, plans to make and I just can’t seem to get into gear. So instead I thought I’d have a wee break and get some much needed inspiration from an interview with artist, and honorary Irishwoman, Susan Moloney.

Do you have a cup of tea in hand? Or are you a coffee person? That’s grand too. OK, quick. I’m giving you three minutes to go, make yourself a cup and meet back here…don’t forget the biscuits…

Right! Is everyone back? Did you remember the biscuits? Brilliant! So now we can sit back, take a load off and drool over Sus’s amazing workspace. One day I’m going to have a room like that…one day…

Getting a Grilling – Susan Moloney

Susan Moloney is an artist from Pennsylvania, USA. She paints, photographs, collects, deconstructs, reconstructs and sews. She blogs about her new creations at susarto.blogspot.com and has three etsy stores: susarto (plush toys, prints and ‘bookzines’), Susan Moloney (“paintings, prints, photos and other wierd stuff”)and Sanford Salvage (arty and household ‘junque’).

1* Describe a typical day in your life.

must. have. coffee. i check emails, i’ve been trying to be good about doing my wii fit, then i get to work! i often forget to eat, and i also forget to stop, so when the boys come home (my husband and my son), they give out to me because they want dinner ;)

2* You currently have three different stores on Etsy. How do these stores link together? How do you juggle the demands of three stores?

i don’t think that they really do link together. that’s why i have 3 ;) besides, i’m partial to the number 3. i will let you know if they ever get demanding ;)

3* How would you describe your artwork?

i think my artwork could be described as little fragments of my life, my surroundings, and what interests me. but the fragments of each piece have to somehow go together…like a puzzle almost.

4* Tell us about your favourite piece of artwork at the moment.

i guess i’m going to say my newest one, sanctuary. i wanted to add more painting into my work (which was almost minimal in most of what i was doing before this one), and i think i got it to work. i also like that it hangs from a chain, sort of mimicking the one included in the piece.

5* When faced with the dreaded ‘Blank Page’ how do you get started?

just put paint on it. it’s easier to start if you’ve got something already there. even if it’s just a smoosh.

6* I’m particularly taken with your plush dolls. What tips could you give someone who wanted to make their own plush ‘person’?

do you mean the weirdos? i don’t know that i have any good tips. i never knew how to sew, really, and it was just a fluke that it worked out for me at all. i think if you want to make your own, you should draw something out first, and just cut out the pieces. that’s all i did. trial and error. but try to make it your own. there are so many people out there now who copy from other plush artists (and artists in general). i think that is really sad. artists work hard to come up with designs. people shouldn’t just take them.

7* What’s the most important piece of advice you would give any young or beginning artists?

i know it’s difficult, but don’t let people discourage you from doing your thing! do what makes you happy. make it your own. make it something that comes natural to you. and if it makes you happy, it is bound to make somebody else happy too! don’t just make stuff “to sell”.

8* Where do you find inspiration?

everywhere! i think that’s how i got dubbed “weirdo” i am always spacing out looking at things and when somebody asks me what and why am i looking at that, i usually get “weirdo” as a response ;)

9* Describe your workspace.

my workspace is BRAND NEW and beautiful! and it is amazing to work in! i love it!

(LittleFire – How sweet does this workshop look?! Jealous, or what!!)

10* Who would play you in the film of your life?

jeez, well, that would be a boring film, but i dunno. sandra bullock? she’s just a normal person (at least she seems like it) not all glamorous and artificial. (she just popped into my head outta NOWHERE)

11* What is the most important lession Art or Crafting has taught you?

i guess that i had to make sacrifices. i have to do without a lot of things to do what i love. but i have a very supportive husband and son, and they make that part so much easier. it also taught me to appreciate (every day) that i’m able to do what i love to do!

12* Which living artist do you most admire and why?

i’d have to say jan svankmajer. he wouldn’t be a “traditional” famous artist, but his imagination is sensational! :D

13* How do you relax?

i don’t do that very often, but when i can, i go down to my dad’s boat…he’s had it since i was a baby. it’s like my childhood home. anywhere by the water though. i love the beach too!

14* What do you consider your greatest achievement?

i had my son one month before i graduated from art school. counselors at the school were telling me i should quit and come back after he was born (yeah, right!) but i did it. i had him in my arms at my graduation :) also, the fact that i got myself through art school on my own! (see question 7)

(Sus with bonny baby and fellow graduate on the BIG day…congrats!)

-Quick fire-

~Pretty interesting or interestingly pretty?  pretty interesting!

~Rolling Stones or Beatles? that’s a tough one. stones?

~Boxers or Y-fronts? boxers

~Abstract or Realism? a mix of both?

~Blondes or Brunnettes? (or redheads?!) brunettes!

~Clooney or Depp? depp

~Classic or Modern? also a mix of both.

~Custard or ice-cream? yes please. either.

~World Cup or World Series? i don’t like sports much but if i had to pick, world cup.

~What’s your favourite colour? aqua

~When are you happiest? when my boys are happy and everything seems to be working out :D

~Tell us a secret. well, then it wouldn’t be a secret, would it? (to be honest, i can’t think of one. do i even have any???)

Day 8 – Midsummer Stitched Hearts Card

I haven’t sewn in year but today’s project makes even the most embroidery-phobic feel able. The tutorial has lots of ridiculously useful information about how to format a pattern using your computer, but these cards would also work just as well with a free-hand sketch as the pattern.

I love the raised texture they give the card and makes what is often a throw-away token into something creative and personal. Best of all, the sewing part looks really easy…good news for me!

Thanks Nic! I can’t wait to give these a go…

Midsummer Hearts Card

by Nic Faull

Stitch yourself a handmade card for any occasion using printed shapes or hand drawn designs.

It’s surprisingly easy and very effective. Use embroidery floss, lace weight or sock weight yarns. Anything a bit shiney is nice. Subtle variations in colour can be effective too. Mohair could be intriguing.

This project is suitable for anyone who can wield a needle without losing an eye. (Their own eye or any other eye.) Some supervision is needed for children.

For the Hearts card you’ll need:

• Blank card of your choice
• Computer and printer
• Microsoft Word or suitable other. I’m an equal opportunity word processor.
  (Please note, earlier versions of MS Word may have a different menu system for these features.)
• Alternatively why not hand draw the hearts or any shape you like? G’won, it’s easy.
• A selection of yarn for the embroidery
• Any sequins or embellishments you’d like.
• A sharpish tapestry needle appropriate for your yarn choice and with a suitable eye for threading

Tutorial Steps for the Heart Card:

1. Create a new document in Microsoft Word and change the orientation under the ‘Page Layout’ tab to ‘Landscape’. That’s side-to-side, instead of up-and-down, OK?
2. Insert a BIG table that has 1 row and 2 columns. Fiddle about until it looks something like this.
3. Click the cursor into the table column on the right.
4. Insert a heart shape using the ‘Inset Tab’ and selecting ‘Shapes’. After you’ve clicked on the little heart icon, draw the heart by placing the cursor, clicking the left mouse button and dragging the mouse downwards and to the right. All at the same time. Go ahead. Have a little practice. Position the heart where’d you’d like it.
5. Change the settings of the heart shape using the styling options. This sample is a red dashed line, but it doesn’t really matter, you’ll be sewing over this line. There are lots of different shadow and 3-D effects you can try out.
6. Change the fill options to whatever you like. Pink in this instance.
7. When your shape is finished, select it with the cursor and then copy and paste a few more.
8. You can make them smaller or bigger. Fiddle about with these to your heart’s content. (Geddit? HEART’s content…sheesh! Never mind.)
9. Remove the table borders by changing the border style to ‘no border’. Like so.
10. Don’t forget that you can add a text message while you’re here.
11. Insert the blank card into the printer and print your design. You’ll have to fiddle about with the width of the printer paper feed to keep the card feeding straight. Practice on spare card or blank paper to determine which way up the card has to go into the printer in order for the motif to appear on the front of the folded card. Usually the printer prints on the downside of what is in the printer tray so the outside of the card faces down. You may have to move your shapes around so that they appear where you’d like on the card. Or try moving the little tabs in the printer feeder to the middle or the other side. Printers are tricky, you know that right?
12. Using a sharp thick-ish needle, prick out a line of small holes along the outline of the heart.
13. Thread your needle with the yarn and sew a line of backstitches around the outline. You can use a running stitch or another stitch if you prefer.
14. Repeat for the other hearts. You can sew other lines of stitches inside or outside the heart shapes if you wish. Just leave a gap between the lines so the heart doesn’t fall out. We can’t have that happen.

The End :)

Says Nic – ‘I’m a slightly obsessed knitter living in beautiful Co. Wicklow, Ireland, who has way more Stash than Time. I blog about my knitting adventures at nicknits.blogspot.com and I occasionally attempt to design things. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any help with this project. nicknits AT gmail DOT com.’

Day 7 – Summer Solstice Aromatherapy

It’s mid-festival, Ladies and Gentlemen, here at AMDD and on this glorious day (hottest day of the year I believe so far in parts of Ireland and England) I thought we could all do with a little pampering…a little TLC. So here is the second part of Yoga instructor and Aromatherapist Jessica Powers’ article for the Summer Solstice, full of soothing and uplifting aromatherapy recipes.

My favourite thing to do after a day like this is to take a long soak in the bath and I make my own bath salts to enhance the experience. Here is my recipe (based on informations from Star Khechara’s ‘The Holistic Beauty Book’…brilliant resource for those you like handmade beauty products) for ‘Spoil Yourself’ bath salts.

• 1 generous handful of coarse sea salt
• 2 tblsp of oats
• 2 tblsp dried rose petals
• 2 tblsp finely grated cocoa butter
• 1 vanilla pod
• optional: 10 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil

Place the sea salt, oats, rose petals and grated cocoa butter in a bowl. Split the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape the seeds into the bowl as well. Mix everything throughly. If the scent of vanilla and rose is enough, leave it at that.  I personally like a few drops of Ylang Ylang, which you would add now, blending throughly. Place the mixture in a pretty glass jar and leave to infuse for a few days.

To use sprinkle some in your bath, swishing about until the salt dissolves. If you don’t like bits floating round you, place it in a muslin bag or clean pop sock and use like a teabag for your bath :)

The oats make your bath milky and are very soothing for dry or sensitive skin (they’re supposedly meant to be great for eczema too). The cocoa butter will melt and moisturise your skin and the rose petals will make you feel like you’re in a John William Waterhouse painting! AAAhhhhhhhhh!

Summer Solstice Aromatherapy

by Jessica Powers

Now that you’ve had some time to tap into your inner creativity, enjoy mixing up the following potions, to help soothe you after too much time in the sunlight, or assist you in recalling that same brilliance later on in the year.  Your local health food store should have the basic ingredients, but try to be mindful of your purchases: buy local if you can, and definitely buy organic.  Two good organic retail brands of essential oils available online are listed in the Resources.

Sun Soothing Summer Spritzer

Rose

Cool and refresh your body and heart after days spent enjoying the heat and light with this combination of calming hydrosol (the water left over from the steam distillation of essential oils) and balancing essential oils.

• 50ml Rose Hydrosol, Rosa centifolia if possible
• 5 drops Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
• 3 drops Bergamot, Citrus bergamia
• 1 drop Peppermint, Mentha piperita
• 1 drop Roman Chamomile, Anthemis nobilis

Place all ingredients in a spray bottle and store in refrigerator.  Shake before use and take care to close eyes before spritzing on face.  Essential oils will ‘marry’ over time and the resulting fragrance may differ from your original mix, feel free to add more oils, conservatively, to the blend to create a spritzer that lightens your spirit with its scent.

Contraindications: Bergamot is photosensitizing, so be sure to slip/slop/slather the SPF on after using this oil; Peppermint can be sensitizing to the skin and is not appropriate if using homeopathics, during pregnancy or for individuals with epilepsy, circulatory conditions or pace makers.  Lavender may not be appropriate for those with low blood pressure or during pregnancy.

Summer Soles Salt Bath

Peppermint

Got hot feet?  Dunk them in this fragrant salt blend to refresh and restore.

• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 8 drops Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi
• 5 drops Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
• 2 drops Peppermint, Metha piperita

Stir and shake the salts and oils together in a tightly sealed glass container (old pasta jars are good for making a large batch).  When you are ready to treat yourself, get a chair softly padded with pillows, lay a towel on the ground in front of it, and place a large container of warm water on top.  If your water is hot, allow it to cool just enough that you can place your feet in comfortably, soaking both or one at a time depending on the size of your bowl or dish.  You want to put several generous scoops of the salts in along with your feet, this way you’ll get the most fragrant foot bath possible.

Soak as long as you like, dry your feet off, pour the water out on a tree or in your garden with a blessing of gratitude, and go about your day with more spring in your step!

Contraindications: Grapefruit is photosensitizing and negates homeopathic medicines and oral contraceptives.  Peppermint is not recommended when using homeopathic treatments, during pregnancy or for individuals with epilepsy, circulatory issues or pacemakers, and can be skin sensitizing.  Also, Lavender is not suggested for those with low blood pressure or during pregnancy.

Litha Solar Oil Anointing Blend

A blend to bring you into alignment with the height of the Sun’s power.

Litha, the common term Neo-Pagans use for this Solstice, is a time to celebrate the strength of the Divine Masculine and the fertility of the Divine Feminine.  Whether we are male or female, putting our body in this form enables connection to the creativity that resides within us.  Whether your work is focused towards creating a new life, a piece of art, a loaf of bread; uses two needles, one hook, or a needle and thread; involves writing words, composing music, choreographing a dance, staging a play, or starting a business; harvesting organic foods, reducing excess consumption, increasing loving-kindness, or furthering global shifts towards peace: the ability of your creative spirit to manifest in this world is fully supported at this time of year.

Calendula

Charge this oil outside so that you can call on its strength and inspiration throughout the year.

• 10ml Infused Calendula Oil, Calendula officinalis – thought to be most potent at the midsummer, if you are really keen – grow, harvest, and infuse your own!
• or 10ml Sunflower Oil, Helianthus annus
• 8 drops Orange, Citrus sinensis
• 8 drops Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi
• 3 drops Black Pepper, Piper nigrum
• 1 drop Cedar, Juniperus virginiana or Cedrus atlantica

Blend all ingredients in a 10ml dark glass bottle and place outside, nestled in the shaded abundance of Summer’s green growth, for an hour at noon.  Shake and store away from light in a cool location.  The bathroom is not recommended due to the heat and moisture there.  Be mindful that Cedar is a base note and may overtake the others; the essential oils will meld and the fragrance may alter significantly within 24 hours, if this occurs, you can add a small amount extra of whichever oil you would like to smell more of.

Usage: anointing blends are used in small quantities on energy centers and pulse points, somewhat similar to perfume oils.  Try dabbing this blend right onto your fingers and then on your temples, third eye (between the eyebrows), the wrists, solar plexus, sacrum, and bottom of the feet for an energetic realignment and calling in of solar power.  During the dark of winter it is very helpful to create a simple morning ritual applying the oil to these spots, or those of your choosing, to maintain the brightness of your inner sunshine when the outside world may be dark and draining.  If you have a regular home Yoga practice, try anointing yourself before the practice begins or before you take your final relaxation pose and tap into the solar energy through both body and scent.  If you are a meditation practitioner a few drops before you sit would also draw in the benefits of the charged oil.  One drop diluted in a base of Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii) or a small amount of unscented lotion will make a lovely foot rub after your foot soak.

Or, dilute 5 or more drops into 10ml of carrier oil (sunflower or other) for a softly scented full body application.

Contraindications: citrus oils are photosensitizing – be sure to apply SPF when going in the sun within 12 hours of putting on this blend.  If anointing yourself in the morning on your face, apply your SPF first and wait 30 minutes before using the oil blend.  Because SPF is so important during the day, it is recommended that full body oil application only be done in the evenings.  Grapefruit is photosensitizing and negates homeopathic medicines and oral contraceptives.  Also, citrus can be drying to delicate skins, and along with Black Pepper can be sensitizing to skin so take care and remember that a little oil with a lot of intention goes very, very far indeed.  Black Pepper negates homeopathic medicines.  Cedar oil is not recommended during pregnancy or for individuals with epilepsy.

Resources

• www.simplers.com
• www.floracopeia.com
• Battaglia, Salvatore.  The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2^nd edition.  Queensland AU: International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, 2003.
• Loughran, Joni and Bull, Ruah.  Aromatherapy Anointing Oils: Spiritual Blessings, Ceremonies and Affirmations. California: Frog Ltd., 2001.
• Mojay, Gabriel.  Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils. Rochester VT: Healing Arts Press, 1997.

Yoga instructor and Aromatherapist, Jessica Powers is a native of the Pacific Northwest currently training to jump through hoops and join her partner in New Zealand.  Keeping her sane in during this endeavour are her cats, Yoga practice, scented potions, and copious amounts of yarn.  While sometimes there are only cat photos, she does blogs regularly at www.knottyknickers.typepad.com.  Jessica can be reached at 3gracesyoga@gmail.com for questions related to the practice and recipes provided here.