Pirates - a shroom stole my heart

Today's theme is Pirates. I was innocently searching the web for a nice parchment graphic that I could use to spruce up the background of my Shroom #3 tile, and what should I discover but Piece of Eight, a website devoted to 17th century piracy. Pirates are popular right now, what with the movies, a tv show, and the occasional wannabe. I even have a friend who asked me when I'm going to do a pirate painting. I don't know the answer to that question, as my muse has her own ideas about what I should paint that has nothing to do with trends in this realm of mere mortals.

Of course pirates have nothing to do with my cute little shroom really, except that he'll steal your heart away and make you glad he did. Pirates are like that.

Happy Harrypottermas!

Did you see midnight roll around on July 21st in your favorite neighborhood bookstore? Well I certainly did! I even played hostess to a sorting hat ceremony. Lacking a magical talking hat, I borrowed a lovely blue velvet one and had the would-be Hogwarts students pull a futhark rune from a bag to tell them what house they belonged in. I, of course, belong in Slytherin.

So I picked up my book at midnight and started reading it the next day. But before I could finish I had my husband's birthday party to throw so I was wearing the hostess hat until late at night, again. No rest for the wicked! Who knew that so much responsibility was required for those who wore the green and silver of that much maligned Hogwarts house.

The official total of books sold broke the previous world-wide record by a respectable 2 million. Here's the scoop from BBC NEWS:

The seventh and final Harry Potter book has broken sales records on both sides of the Atlantic, selling 11 million copies in its first 24 hours.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sold 2.7 million copies in the UK and 8.3 million in the US.

The previous record for the fastest-selling book was held by the sixth Harry Potter novel, which sold nine million in its first day in 2005.

The long-awaited climax to JK Rowling's series was released on Saturday.

It was published simultaneously in more than 90 countries...A decade after the first instalment, the running total for Harry Potter book sales was already at 325 million even before the seventh novel came out.

Author JK Rowling launched the final instalment with a reading session at the Natural History Museum in London, and signed 250 copies an hour for fans between midnight and 0630 BST.

Tens of thousands of devotees - many dressed as wizards and witches - turned up to midnight launch parties at 280 branches of book chain Waterstone's, while many more took part in release parties all over the world.

Never underestimate the power of a single person to change the world, especially if she's a single mom! While I read this final installment in the saga that I love so well, I'll keep in mind that I too have an arsenal of creative gifts to bring joy and wonder into this world. So really, where were you at midnight on the 21st?

Return of the Dark Crystal?

This past weekend I had the great pleasure of attending the largest Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention here in the great state of Minnesota, none other than Convergence. While I was there I attended a panel discussing the possible new film coming out, a sequel to The Dark Crystal, one of my favorite fantasy films of all time. So naturally I hit the net when I got home and there's a great deal of speculation about whether or not they will be doing a good job on it. In 2005 Brian Froud was called in to do conceptual art for the new film, since he did all that work on the original way back when. Now there's some discussion on the IMDb Boards that his involvement in the film is over. Maybe his work is done on the project, but fans WILL tend to pick things to pieces just because they can.

There was much trepidation from the moderator of the panel I was at that there would be too much CGI added in the new film. I think I'll wait for the film to come out before I start passing judgement, and all the artwork looks very Brian Froud Dark Crystal to me, so I don't see any cause to worry at this point. The logo is pretty cool anyway, I only wish they would put it on a girlie t-shirt over at the Cafe Press Jim Henson Company Store. So I'm hopeful and eager to see this new offering come to a theater near me, never mind other peoples voices of doom. Here's the promotional flyer that's come out via Ain't it Cool News.

Introducing the Reiki Artist Store

I just have to tell you, I am absolutely thrilled about my new Reiki Artist Store! Powered by Cafe Press, I can now offer a wide range of gifts and apparel that has been unavailable to my fans and collectors until now. For the past few years, I've been trying to work with a variety of manufacturers by licensing my work. This has left me and my fans frustrated with their inability to get my work into the hands of the people who love it. So now I'm going direct and getting the word out myself.

I Fell into a book of Od Magic

It happens sometimes, more often than not with a Patricia A. McKillip book, that I pick up a book to read and fall in. Lost in the magic of her words, the subtle tones of nuance and color, magic and light, I am transported outside of my own plain gray world into something brighter and deeper. Od Magic was like that for me, devouring it page by page, chapter by chapter, until I had my fill.

This is a tale of a gardener and a trickster who just do what comes naturally to them. In a world where magic is real, it's very form is explored and challenged, it's nature re-defining itself through the talents of those who use it. Those who had held it in the palm of their hands, who thought they new it's machinations, still had a thing or two to learn. They failed to recognize magics they had never heard of. Complete with the Od School of Magic, and the odd ways people come to that school, this book is filled with enchantments at every turn. Like all of McKillip's books the cover artwork is that of the incredible Kinuko Craft, perfectly setting the mood for your decent into this fairytale setting.

Another must-read from the World Fantasy Award winning author.

Fairy Lore and Brownies

According to efairies.com, a Brownie is "a Scottish domestic fairy; the servants’ friend if well treated. Brownies are brown or tawny spirits, in opposition to fairies, which are fair or elegant ones; a legendary good natured elf that performs helpful services at night." Living in an older home, I'm fairly certain that it came with it's own Brownies. Just to be sure, I set out some tea and cookies for them in my studio so we can be on good terms. They are known for keeping a home neat and tidy, and I think they clean up after our negative energies and keep the home feeling good. At least they haven't been inclined to do any dishes that I've noticed.

Three Wyrd Sisters

Once upon a time there were three sisters, one witch, one changeling, one vampire. Oh and did I mention that they were born of a human mother and a faery father? No? Well it's true as fiction. There's a delightful new series in the works by Yasmine Galenorn, and I quite enjoyed the first book, Witchling, a while back. Now the next book, Changeling, is available just in time for my birthday!

There's nothing like a supernatural detective story with a female protaganist, and this series offers up three of them. The baddies are complex, the good guys are too, and I really am enjoying this sexy, witchy romp that crosses magical borders. It's a nice break from all the metaphysical reading I've been doing lately, and at the same time strangely supportive of my world view.

So I do hope Changeling shows up around my birthday, I'd be more proactive about it except I already ordered myself a B-Day present. I have no idea what my twin wants, but the party is at my place so maybe playing hostess is enough for her, or maybe I can gift her my used Witchling to see if she likes it.