The Bloglandia Ball!

I'm so excited to have an invitation to the Bloglandia Ball!

This wonderful event today under the light of the full chrysanthemum moon is being presented by Elizabeth Bunsen at Be... Dream... Play...

I do enjoy a party!

Please take the journey there and visit Bloglandia - many things to see and enjoy. Be certain to read the invocation to set the mood.

I learned of this event through ArtsyMama's Blog Her Artful Blogger Party was my very first post! She's already there... I'd better hurry up or I might miss some fun!

The only requirement for entrance? A gown. It could be made of any medium: fabric, paper, words, song... I put together the following ensemble - I hope no ones wearing the same thing! How embarrassing!

My piece is the first entry of my official new art journal. The base to my gown is made of some lovely blue paper flecked with white which reminded me of a starry night. Speaking of a starry night - the spectacular background stamp is a version of van Gogh's Starry Night. I water colored the image.

The bodice is adorned with jewels of peridot and amethyst. As I understand it, these are worn together to signify purity and morality... Peridot is considered a stone of lightness and beauty and a protector against negative emotions. It is also my birthstone. Amethyst is used in healing and to instill a focused sober mind for meditation. It is said to bring calmness and to remove negativity. (Sensing a purpose here?) Amethyst is the birthstone of both my sisters.

The skirt is decorated with peacock feathers. The peacock is associated with many Goddesses - often those of fertility. Appropriate for a harvest ball! Although they are often accused of vanity for their plumage, in reality we know that the male birds are only protecting the nest by drawing attention to themselves and away from those who could be harmed.

I have also added wings - why not fly?

The words present on the page are not my own - but rather a portion of those in a song by my favorite band, Tool, lyrics by Maynard James Kennan. The song is called Reflection and the lyrics in there entirety are below. It is a reminder to be that although we have a light to shine, it isn't only ours - we are a reflection of those who would teach us and those we would share with. The flame burns in all of us that is put there, and everywhere by our Mother.

I have come curiously close to the end, down Beneath my self-indulgent pitiful hole, Defeated, I concede and Move closer I may find comfort here I may find peace within the emptiness How pitiful It's calling me... And in my darkest moment, fetal and weeping The moon tells me a secret - my confidant As full and bright as I am This light is not my own and A million light reflections pass over me Its source is bright and endless She resuscitates the hopeless Without her, we are lifeless satellites drifting And as I pull my head out I am without one doubt Don't wanna be down here feeding my narcissism. I must crucify the ego before it's far too late I pray the light lifts me out Before I pine away. So crucify the ego, before it's far too late To leave behind this place so negative and blind and cynical, And you will come to find that we are all one mind Capable of all that's imagined and all conceivable. Just let the light touch you And let the words spill through And let them pass right through Bringing out our hope and reason ... before we pine away.

Are you still hear?! Get back to the Party!

blue and white paper - this was my first purchase at Hollo's the paper Mecca of North East Ohio; Starry Night - Stamp Camp; Stampin' Up! classic inks for water color; Jewels - Target and JoAnn Dollar spots; peacock feathers - never got to meet him, thanks and rest in peace.