April A to Z 2017: The Artists Toolbox

I’m doing it again – participating in the Blogging From A To Z Challenge, that is! Last year’s experience was exhilarating, and I’m eager to do take it up again this year.

the-artists-toolbox

All through the month of April, I’m going to introduce you to the tools, mediums and supplies that are the staples of an art journaling artist, as well as introduce you to some styles and techniques that you can incorporate into your work.

Here’s what you can look forward to next month:

A run-down of the basic tools that you need in your toolbox – paper, brushes, scrapers, found objects and the like.

A close look at the supplies (geared towards art journaling) that you need in your studio, as well as an introduction to various acrylic mediums. This will be invaluable for anyone wanting to start an art journal and wondering what materials they would need to get started.

An introduction to various art movements and techniques that will help you to get started on your artist’s journey.

I do hope you will join me on this month-long journey, and that it will inspire you to pick up paints and paper and dive into this exciting hobby!

Magic making: Creating my first oracle card deck

Last year, I had a dream: to create my very own oracle card deck.

I did some research and tried brainstorming a few ideas, but I was getting nowhere. There were too many ideas knocking around in my head…too many elements I was trying to put into one deck. I couldn’t narrow down on a theme or a structure and I would change my mind almost every day! So, I put it on the back burner and forgot all about it.

The first four cards for my first oracle card deck!

Then, at the start of March, I stumbled upon the Create this oracle deck Instagram challenge run by otmoraclecards. Continue reading→

Monthly Tarot forecast for March 2017

Doing the Year ahead Tarot reading for 2017 and the self-love-o-scope in February made me realize how much I enjoy doing these free Tarot readings on the blog. Since I do a Tarot reading for myself every month, I thought I’d block out some extra time and do one for my lovely blog readers as well. So, starting March, this will be a new feature on the blog – I do hope you enjoy it!

Tarot reading for March 2017

Remember, this is a general reading, and my intention with this one was: What do my blog readers need to know most for this month.Continue reading→

Revealed: what women really want!

“I don’t understand what women want!” a male colleague wailed the other day.

To which another one shared this handy photo he had received on what’s app

Come on guys! We aren’t that hard to understand!

Continue reading→

5 self-care rituals purely for pleasure

Here we are, in the last week of this self-care journey. I hope you have had the chance to incorporate some self-care in your life this month. Let’s wrap it up with some self-care rituals that bring us pleasure, shall we?

5 self-care rituals for pleasure

1. Indulge your cravings: Food cravings, I mean. Why have we made food our number 1 enemy? It is the fuel that sustains us, it gives us immense pleasure and comfort. So why do we fight it? Yes, eating sensibly is important, but yelling at yourself or punishing yourself for eating chocolate cake? That’s a habit you should throw out the window, pronto! Enjoy your cake, and your kale! That’s the key to pleasure.Continue reading→

#PocketFullOfArt: Approach this work with devotion

This simple, small little spread took me three days to finish, largely due to the lack of time.

I’ve been using my daily Tarot pulls as inspiration to create a small spread in my tiny art journal {almost} every day. The goal was to finish a page a day; however, I’ve come to realize that isn’t always possible, even though I am working small. And that’s OK.

The biggest point of the Pocket Full of Art initiative is to create some art everyday, in the pockets of time that we have available to us. To come each day to the table, open to the possibilities and the emotions. To express ourselves with paint and paper, or origami folds, or with a cross-stitch or any other form of art. Continue reading→

A field guide to self love

The first thought that crosses my mind as I’m drafting this post is what the bloody hell was I thinking? What can I, the person who struggles most with accepting myself, possibly say about self love?

And then I realize – just the fact that I was excited about doing this, shows how far I have come on this journey of loving myself.

field guide to self love journal prompts, meditation Continue reading→

On feeling loved…

I take on the baton of Blog Love from Deepa Gandhi.

I have to admit, when I first saw the topic of this blog chain – Why I love my blog – my mind went blank. Why do I love my blog? There are so many reasons, and no reasons at all! But then, due to some personal reasons, I was unable to find words – any words, on any topic. And when I mentioned that, the fabulous Richa Singh offered to write a guest post for me. Here it is – it brought tears to my eyes! For more reasons than I can list out, Richa, thank you!

Ghetto Blogging.

A term that has been existing in my dictionary since 2009. Also the year I started blogging.

It means when a group of bloggers start to follow each other’s content pattern and eventually form a mutual admiration society to sustain the uninspired walks of blogging- Ghetto is formed. It neither helps blogging or bloggers.

Whatever is opposite of Ghetto Blogging comes in the form of Modern Gypsy’s Blog.Continue reading→

A one-hour at-home retreat to get in touch with yourself

I hope you enjoyed last week’s post on how to design a personal retreat. Please read that first if you haven’t already – I’ll be waiting right here!

As promised, here’s a one hour personal at-home retreat plan that you can try out at home. This is a plan that I have used and enjoyed many times. It’s adapted from The Woman’s Retreat Book by Jennifer Louden – it’s an excellent guide to creating retreats, so if this is an area that interests you, I highly recommend this book.

A one hour personal at home retreat to tap into your current knowing and inner wisdom Continue reading→

Book review: Chameleon by Zoe Kalo

book-review-Chameleon-zoe-kahlo An isolated convent, a supernatural presence, a dark secret…

I love reading spooky, supernatural thrillers in the dead of winters, huddled up inside a blanket. And this novella by Zoe Kahlo sounded like it would be right up my alley.

17-year-old Paloma only wanted to hold a séance to contact her dead father. She never thought she would be kicked out of school and end up in an isolated convent. Now, all she wants is to be left alone. But slowly, she develops a bond with a group of girls: kind-hearted Maria, insolent Silvy, pathological liar Adelita, and their charismatic leader Rubia.

Continue reading→