Curiosity -3 D Bunny & Mouse Wall Art - Curiosity

This delightful pair stumbled across each other in innocence and inquisitiveness. I painted this wall hanging to bring to life the most unlikely pair showing their curiosity and playfulness.

This wall hanging measures 8 ½ x 10 ½ and weighs 15 ounces. It is painted with a fall motif with the mouse painted on river rock and attached to the wood background. As the mouse scurries through the leaves he meets a curious friend. I hope I have artfully brought this scene to life and you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

This would make a wonderful gift for animal lovers and unique collectible for an enthusiast of animal paintings.

Below is a Totem meaning for each critter.

Rabbit

The Rabbit is known for its ability to procreate, its fleetness, and its movement is by leaps. People with this totem may find that their endeavors go in leaps and bounds also.

If a Rabbit totem has appeared in your life, it may indicate a need for more planning or to check those plans already set in motion. Do not box yourself in a corner.

Mouse

If a Mouse totem has recently entered your life, ask yourself if you have neglected the trivial but necessary things in life. Have you become too focused on one or two activities and neglecting opportunities around you? Or are you trying to do too many things at the same time?

The Mouse totem can show you how to focus and how to attain the big things by working on the little things.

3D Bunny & Mouse Wall Art
Size: 8 1/2 x 11 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

Innocence-3 D Fawn Wall Art

This lovely 3 D wall art reflects the innocence of a fawn in the woods, surrounded by flowers and greenery. He hides to protect himself while still close to his mother.

This art measures 8 ½ x 11 ½ and weighs approximately 16.2 ounces. You will note in the bottom left hand corner and top right corner there are butterflies painted on river rock. The combination of wood and rock in this picture adorns the deer giving it a realistic background with a 3 dimensional experience.

In painting these 3 dimensional art pieces I want the picture to jump out at you as if you were really there enjoying the beauty and surroundings of this little critter. The aroma of the flowers, and the soft flutter of the butterflies encircling the magic of the forest and the true beauty of nature.

I hope I have captured his delicate innocence for you. Please enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed painting it. Below is a little information regarding deer fawns and their personalities.

Fawn-Deer

Fawns are young deer with spots that will eventually be replaced by a warm grey winter coat. They can walk within a very short time of their birth. The mother leaves the fawn in a safe place usually within hearing distance not necessarily sight distance.

The Fawn Deer is a keen observer, can see well in low lighting and its sensitive hearing allows it to perceive a twig snap in the distance.

They are graceful, majestic and gentle in nature which truly reflects their innocence.

A Deer totem teaches us to maintain our innocence and gentleness so we can share our openheartedness with others.

I thought I would share this quote with you.

Drawing is the art of being able to leave an accurate record
Of the experience of what one isn’t, of what one doesn’t know.
A great drawer is either confirming beautifully what is
Commonplace or probing authoritatively the unknown.

Brett Whiteley

3D Fawn Wall Art
Size: 8 1/2 x 11 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

3 D Parrot Wall Art

This Wall Art depicts a parrot in the Tropics. I thought this would be a good background for this river rock. It brought the bird to life in his native environment.

This Art piece is in a rustic frame that measures 10 x 9 ½. The Parrot is a good size river rock that weighs 2 lbs. 2.9 ozs. He is attached to the background and can be put in any part of your home. He has been acrylic sprayed for longevity and would truly make an eye catching conversation piece. I hope you enjoy this piece as I did in creating it.

Parrots in the Tropics

Parrots are a very popular group of birds. Their colorful patterns and cute mannerisms, including picking things up with their feet and climbing with their bills, endears them to us all.

Most parrots are forest birds living in small groups or as individual pairs or families. Species that live in open grassland, however, tend to aggregate in larger flocks.

Most parrots are monogamous, form strong pair bonds which in some cases last for life which can be a considerable number of years, especially in larger species. The age record for a bird is held by a Cockatoo, with an officially accepted age of at least 82 years.

Parrots are most striking for their range of brilliant colors, which includes shades of green, red, pink, yellow, blue, purple, black and white. In some parrot species, male and female birds have the same coloring.

Parrots eat a variety of seeds, flowers, leaves, insects, grubs, native fruits and berries. Many parrots have also developed an appetite for wheat, sunflower seeds, corn and other crops.

Because seeds make up a large part of their diet, a parrot's beak has to be tough enough to crack open shells. It is also used to hold onto branches when climbing. The beak grows continually, and by chewing on hard material such as seeds and branches, a parrot can keep the size of its beak under control while keeping the cutting edge sharp.

3D Parrot Wall Art
Size: 10 x 9 1/2
The item sells for $30.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

3 D Indian Maiden & Wolves Wall Art

This Indian Maiden with wolves is another Wall Art creation of the RiverRock Critters.

It is in a rustic frame that measures 10 x 8, the rock wolf weighs 1 lb. 7 ozs., and is beautifully accented with the background painting. This item is given a 3D effect because of the one wolf being painted on river rock and attached to the background.

I truly enjoy incorporating natural wood with rock and painting a background that compliments the rock. It seems to give it a life of its own.

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed painting it and creating a Native American theme.


Wild Woman

Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of the wildish nature come to us at birth, society's attempt to "civilize" us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped."

Psychic Energy

This Friendly Wolf energy comes from the psychic. It is the psychic part of the Woman that knows how to shift her love, her intention, and her nurturing abilities into the form of the Wolf. Thus she comes to the village, in the form of the She Wolf or Wild Woman, to protect the children and the old ones in need.

The wolf was respected for its hunting skills, endurance, and stoicism. A wolf's devotion to family and pack, providing food for all, paralleled that of the Native American to the tribe.

Maiden and Wolf

Off into the woods they run...him now on all fours

Can she never ask the Great Spirit for her brave again

The wolves have made her journey so rich and memorable

They have a bond so strong it can never be broken

They have journeyed many mountains side by side

Many tales have been told... Will there be any more to tell

3D Indian Maiden & Wolves Wall Art
Size: 10 x 8
The item sells for $50.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

My Friend, My Buddy, My Companion

Ah, the Papillon!

This is Banjo, my faithful companion. I wanted to create a wall art piece that I would remember for a lifetime. I feel I captured my friend quite well. Spoiled, pampered, and sitting on his pillow as if it was his eternal throne. He has been painted on a wood surface and sprayed with acrylic spray to ensure a long-lasting keepsake.

They are Butterfly dogs with long silky hair and a feathery tail that seems to float in the air falling freely on their back. They are affectionate and love to give kisses. Aside from being so cute and fluffy they are smart intelligent dogs. They are loaded with charm, intelligence and ability. They are a warm little body with a big heart. Their feisty, precocious, and excitable at times to the point of down right stubborn.

They truly are a companion dog and love to be where their master is. Banjo is quite tough for his small size. Weighs approximately 8 pounds. They love to be outdoors. Banjo loves to go boating with us. He presses himself against the wind and his fur is flying gracefully in the breeze. He loves the feeling of the wind and sometimes hangs out the window in the car for the same sensation.

He is very affectionate and gentle but vivacious, lively and charming. He can be patient and gentle as well as dignified. Their breed instinct is strong for protecting their property and can be quite talkative at times. Training is a must with this little guy, for me it’s an ongoing process.

Even though this breed is small boned and looks delicate, don’t let them fool you. They will try anything once and with energy abound are ready for whatever you want to do. He’s a great dog and truly helped me through the times when I lost my last Pap.

So this painting is my gift to Banjo in commemoration of his “LIFE” and all the wonderful years we still have ahead of us.


Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog;
but you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog.

Douglas Mallock

Please email me at info@riverrockcritters.com If you would like a portrait of your pet.

Pauline Libutti, Artist & Writer
http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

Birdhouse-3D River Rock Wall Art Collection

Hello Everyone!

Here are more of my creations from the River Rock Wall Art Collection.

The first item are two sweet love birds on their perch in front of their house. I have incorporated real wood and wood branches around the birds. The birds are painted on river rock and anchored to the wood for a 3 dimensional effect. I have also scattered some planters grass at bottom of the birdhouse for a more realistic look. This item has been totally handmade and painted to enhance the rock art and create a realistic visual effect.

3D Bird House Wall Art
Size: 6 x 10 1/2
The item sells for $30.00

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The 3D Humming Bird & Lady Bug Wall Art:
Size: 8 1/2 x 10 x 1/2
Weight: 16.8 ounces.
The item sells for $30.00

This lovely picture is painted on a oval wood plaque with soft colors of lavender and pink. The hummingbird has been painted on river rock and in the upper right hand corner you can see a ladybug climbing the flower stem. The ladybug is also a river rock and the two make a delightful contrast against the painted flowers. Please enjoy this beauty of nature, wood, and art. Give it as a gift or to someone special in your life.

The 3D Humming Bird & Lady Bug Wall Art:
Size: 8 1/2 x 10 x 1/2
Weight: 16.8 ounces.
The item sells for $30.00 each

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

Indian Maiden Wall Art

Hi Everyone,

I’ve decided to expand my art work incorporating wood and rock. This particular piece of art of the Indian Maiden was painted on wood, measuring 10 ½ x 8 ½ and weighs approximately 13.2 ounces. This will be the newest of my wall hangings that will beautify any area of your home. I am also working on wall hangings that will be painted on wood incorporating a rock painting which will give the art form a 3 D effect. I love choices when shopping and I thought this would give you a variation when decorating your surroundings.

I found this poem that captivatingly fit the above picture I just painted. It reflects the beauty and innocence of a beautiful Indian maiden and embraces her nature and spirit. I hope you feel as I do that I have captured her true beauty and innocence and that you enjoy a wonderful piece of art that reflects the Native American Heritage.

Peaceful is the valley
where the Indian maiden walks.
In morning skies above her
a Raven soars and squawks.

The village of her people
lies quiet and serene
as her moccasins trudge narrow paths
through meadows lush and green.

She knows ancestral spirits
will protect her and will guide
as the trail leads her much higher
along the mountainside.

Gathering roots and berries
to preserve through winter’s cold,
the maiden sings of ancient wars,
of young men brave and bold.

She rests by flowing waters
as sunlight streaks her hair,
with fingers dipping in the brook,
wild creatures gather there.

The fox, the deer, the Antelope
join her without sound,
fearing not the Indian girl
sitting soft upon the ground.

The mighty oak she leans against
is losing leaves but strong,
and she feels at one with nature
while summer is now gone.

Fall colors fast surround her,
and she marvels at their hue,
as Mother Earth makes changes
for wintertime now due.

A butterfly lights gently
on her shoulder, quiet there,
and she wonders at it’s glory,
breathing softly, not to scare.

The geese on high are honking
as they pass in perfect Vs,
and she hears on withering flowers
the last hum of bumble-bees.

Soon the sweet young maiden
slumbers by the stream,
and rides her painted pony
in a soft and pleasant dream.

She crosses open prairie,
bareback upon her steed,
with a Brave she soon will marry
to keep the tribal creed.

A Blue Jay lands on oaken branch
and screeches overhead,
awakening the maiden
with visions in her head.

With heavy heart she rises,
returning to the band,
baskets of fresh berries
held tightly in her hand.

Plans for her tomorrows,
on other autumn days,
will be dreamed of in the future
as she sits on banks of clay.

Later ‘neath the quiet moon,
the family gathers ‘round
preparing beds on pine bows
strewn upon the ground.

Nestled in warm buffalo robes
beneath the starry skies,
with teepee for a shelter,
she again will close her eyes.

Poetry by Tamara Hillman Copyright 2003

Indian Maiden Wall Art
Size: 10 1/2 x 8 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

What is Divine Manifesting?

What is Divine Manifesting?

Divine Manifesting happens when you contact your Divine Self .

You are always manifesting, in every moment, with every choice and decision you make, with every reaction, thought, and feeling, and with every desire you set about fulfilling. With Divine Manifesting, your Divine Self is expressing Itself through all the forms and circumstances in your life. You create based on the vision and inspiration of your Divine Self. What you have in your life right now has been created from the state of consciousness you live in. As you move into a higher state of consciousness, what you have in your life will reflect this.

Experience Beauty, Joy, Aliveness, and Freedom
With Divine Manifesting, you can express and experience the beauty, joy, aliveness, freedom, and light of your Divine Self in every area of your life. There is nothing your Divine Self cannot change or create. As you contact It and surrender to It you can become a master of manifesting.

You can become magnetic to all you need
To become a master of manifesting, you need to find the inner space from which all Divine Manifesting work is done–a center of illumination and stillness, of contact with the highest of worlds, and the peace and stillness of Consciousness Itself. From this space, your Divine Self pours its light into your heart center, which becomes like a magnet that organizes and draws to you opportunities, opens the way, and makes you magnetically attractive to favorable conditions, forms, circumstances, and results. Your Divine Self assists you in drawing in, focusing, and distributing spiritual energies that transform your personality and your life.

Creating A Life You Love
You do not need to tolerate forms and circumstances that do not serve you! You do not need to feel trapped, to live a daily life you do not enjoy, to sacrifice peace and happiness, or to accept less than you really want and deserve. Divine Manifesting is not about compromising; it is about creating a life you love, with satisfying relationships, pleasurable activities, and joyful work. It involves drawing beneficial forms and circumstances into your life, creating a life of joy, love, harmony, peace, inspiration, wholeness, and freedom.

The light pouring through your heart center from your Divine Self, contacted in the stillness, can repel all hindering, imprisoning energies and forms. It brings order, organization, and Its rhythm into your life. It repels all that is chaotic, insubstantial, or comes from lesser desires, attachments, tendencies, and the pull of the material world and mass consciousness. It reveals new aspects of beauty, and allows you to move forward into the light and out of stuck places.

You can experience blessings in every moment
With Divine Manifesting, you find the opportunity for joy, aliveness, beauty, and blessings that each moment offers. You surrender your expectations, let go of pushing and trying to make things happen, and open to all that is being offered to you in every moment.

With Divine Manifesting, you create with precision the forms and structures in your life that are beautiful, stable, reflect Divine Will, and that perfectly serve their purpose. There is an effortless flow of drawing in, creating, bringing to fruition, and then letting go without attachment of what you have created, opening to the next new forms.

Your Divine Self sends you all you need in every moment
Trust that whatever you need will be provided when you need it. Know your Divine Self is always reaching out to you with Its many gifts of consciousness and providing you with everything you need in every moment–all the guidance, understanding, peace, grace, and the power to clear all distracting energies.

Begin now to do those things that call to your heart
When you manifest as your Divine Self, you live in harmony with the universe. You make choices in every moment that put you on an upward spiral, that add to your energy and sense of aliveness. You have an environment that supports you. You do those things that call to your heart, live the dreams within you, and know with certainty that you can create the life you want. You have the strength, courage, and trust in your inner vision to sustain it and bring it about.

Start now to become a master of manifesting through calling upon and opening to all your Divine Self has for you. It is this Self that is the authority by which all energy is set into motion and directed to all good results.

Use Manifesting Tools & Imagery

Using imagery and other manifestation tools like books and affirmations is a great way to keep your thoughts focused towards your goals. These great manifestation tools are also a perfect way to strenghthen your spiritual practices and increase your successes in your daily meditations. When the mind becomes scattered and chaotic, simply refocus your thoughts and eyes on your image or animal totem or object that most resonates with you. Here are some great tools to assist you in the process of divine manifestation. Follow this link to browse which manifestation tool works best for you!

Go to http://www.riverrockcritters.com/ now!

Abridged: Orindaben.com
Lisa Libutti, http://www.relaxmusic.tv/

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Psychic Readings, Nonsense or Not?

What’s the deal with psychic readings? Are they total nonsense, or is there some actual substance behind the mystique? Most of the readings I received were your basic garden variety Tarot card readings, but I’ve also received angel readings, numerology readings, intuitive readings, and a few others I’ve long since forgotten. I went in with an open mind, but I can’t say it was a very memorable reading.

Con Artist

I found that the quality of the readings varied tremendously. The most important factor was the person giving the reading. Some so-called psychics are not remotely psychic. The worst are dreadful con artists. Those are the ones where you pay for a cheap basic reading, and during that brief period they tell you have some serious spiritual problem, and lucky for you, they just happen to know how to fix it. You’ll find bad apples like these in any industry. Fortunately, I’ve only encountered one person like this in the past decade. Most of the readers I’ve been to would never stoop to that level — to cheat people goes against everything they hold sacred.

Psychic Validation

Generally when you get a reading, the first thing you’re looking for is some kind of validation. You’re thinking, “Prove to me you’re psychic, so I have a reason to listen to you.” Obviously you have to watch out for the general fluff that could be interpreted as applying to almost everyone. When a psychic tells you, “You’re feeling depressed,” that isn’t validation. Validation is when she tells you the name of your grandfather or accurately describes what kind of dog you own (when you didn’t reveal you even owned a dog). Validation can also come in the form of synchronicities; for example, the psychic may throw out the name of an obscure book you just happened to be reading. Another form of validation is when the psychic is able to describe your current life situation accurately as well as the specific challenges you’re dealing with. Many psychics don’t have the ability to consistently pick up specific names; that’s actually a fairly rare skill. But normally you’ll get some kind of validation that tells you she’s the real deal. Validation isn’t necessarily a separate phase of the reading in terms of its chronology; it can come at the beginning, at the end, or anywhere in between. It can also gradually accumulate throughout the reading, intermingled with the psychic’s advice.

Validation builds trust. When you get a reading from someone you’ve never met, you have no reason to trust that what they say is accurate, especially if it pertains to your future. But when you get some decent validation, you’re more likely to be open to the psychic’s advice. If I got a reading from someone new and I saw no form of validation, I’d give very little credibility to anything that person said.

Psychic Intelligence

Just because someone offers psychic readings doesn’t mean they have a high degree of psychic intelligence. In my experience though, if someone manages to give a really accurate reading once, it’s probably not a fluke. They’ll usually be able to duplicate that same level of quality again.
Every psychic reader does their readings a little differently. Some get their info intuitively. Others do it by communicating with guides or angels (theirs or yours). Others use divination tools like Tarot cards. And some use a combination. Any approach can work — it just depends on the style and preference of the psychic.

Predicting the Future

In my experience psychic readings are rarely about trying to accurately predict the future. The problem with predicting the future is that we have the free will to change it. So if a psychic tells you about your future, even if she’s right at the time you get the reading, you can still change it. I generally regard psychic readings as a read of current energies and their momentum. Think of it as a snapshot of where you’re likely headed based on your current situation.

Psychic who are Worth the Money

Obviously, if you’re going to pay for a reading, you want it to be a good one. So how do you find a psychic who’s worth the money? I suggest you do the same thing you’d do with any other professional you wanted to hire. Ask for a recommendation from someone you know. It’s really no different than if you wanted to find a decent gardener, plumber, or lawyer. If you dive in randomly, you might get lucky, but you’ll most likely find someone mediocre.

What’s the Point of a Psychic Reading

What’s the point of getting a reading anyway, especially if the accuracy can vary a lot? I find the best situation for getting readings is when I’m experiencing a lack of clarity and I’m having a difficult time understanding the road ahead.

What I find useful about getting a reading isn’t that it tells me what I’m about to do next. Again, a real reading isn’t really like that because we still have free will. What a reading can do, however, is give you clarity about your options. Most of the time it helps me clarify what I think I know but still am not quite sure about. Almost always the culprit causing the lack of clarity is some hidden fear or limiting belief. And getting a reading helps me see that fear for what it is and then root it out.

The Reason to get a Psychic Reading

If you happen to harbor a pre-existing belief that psychic readings are phony, fraudulent, evil, or something of that nature, then don’t bother getting a reading — you’ll just waste your time and money and probably annoy the psychic as well.

The reason to get psychic readings is if they’re genuinely helpful. If you try a few readings, and you find them utterly worthless even with psychics that others swear are excellent, then don’t bother continuing. I find that occasional intuitive readings from a psychic with her heart in the right place are a very useful personal development tool. Plus I find readings to be a very pleasant experience.

Taking advantage of psychic readings may be less socially acceptable than other forms of problem-solving assistance, but my preference is to judge by results. If it works for me, I don’t concern myself with what social norms I’ve violated. When I try something new and the results are zero or negative, I drop it and try something else. You need to decide for yourself what’s best for you.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

River Rock Critters - Pet Rock

Pet Rocks

Children love to create rock critters. As a school outing or a home project this will surely delight them. Have them collect some rocks of different shapes and sizes. After you have a rock that a teacher or parent feels suitable for painting, the project is ready to begin.

Their finished piece can be used as a shelf decoration, or make a large one that can be used on Mom's desk as a paperweight. While the average ladybug is red, let them use their imagination using several vibrant colors. Their project will turn out to be their own unique design and color scheme.


Supplies:

• Smooth, round or oval rocks, washed and dried
• Acrylic craft paint in colors of their choice
• Black acrylic craft paint
• Acrylic matte sealer spray

How to Paint Lady Bug:

1. Completely wash and dry all rocks
2. Paint rocks in desired colors, and allow to dry
3. Apply second and third coats if needed.
4. There is no pattern needed, simply paint about ¼ inch of the rock any color they choose in the "front" area of rock
5. Use a thinner brush to draw a straight line down the center of the rock, starting at the center of the base of the “head”.
6. Dip the end of a large paint brush, or the eraser end of a pencil, in black (or any color they choose) into the craft paint. Dot on the spots, reloading with paint after every dot.
7. Once the paint is dry, spray the rock(s) with acrylic sealer spray.
   Allow sealer to dry completely.
   

Important Tips:

Paint a lady bug, bee, or anything on a rock that symbolizes a critter of your own. Decorate with dots for an antenna, a straight line or a fun swirl of color. Glue Google eyes on it or paint your own. See your critter come alive with your very own artistic ability. Apply fun stickers on it or swirl colors of paint. Let your imagination run wild and you will see a pretty unique art piece that will treasured for a lifetime.

Pauline Libutti , Artist & Writer
http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

Travel Brings Us To Nature

We travel through Nature. We travel with Nature. We discover Nature, in its magnificence, in its brilliant, radiant message. In all of its rich and wild glory, we are overwhelmed in its presence. We are blissfully overjoyed.

We are Nature’s Witness

We encounter the power of nature, its awesome abundance and diversity. We experience its majesty, its splendor. Its enormity, scope, height, depth, expanse. Its hold on time, its permanence, and impermanence. Bastion of the secrets of time.We behold nature's hospitality, its simple nurturing. Providing us with what we need. The shade of its splendid branches. A warm fire. A cave in which to spend the night. Clear spring water. Fresh fish. We celebrate what we have. Plenty. Nature's caring hands. Travel’s watchful eye.

Nature stops us, obliges us to think, to ponder, to appreciate its inviting display. Nature forces us to acknowledge, value, love, treasure. Someone else's environment, someone else's landscape, someone else's garden. Somebody else's grand backyard. Our environment, our landscape, our garden. Our grand backyard. Nature is gratitude.

Travel’s Positive Power

In the course of my numerous wanderings, I have seen how travel has informed and empowered my life as well as the lives of my fellow travelers. I have witnessed the extent of travel's positive power, the magnitude of its enriching and healing capabilities. Beyond its refreshing and revitalizing qualities, travel has the unmatched capacity to be a wellspring of self-discovery and personal growth, a path to ourselves.

Travel is and will continue to be a powerful but precious gift. However, as worldwide travel increases, so do the pressures on both our physical and cultural environments. Continue to respect our world, its people, its places, its animals, and its landscape. Continue to respect nature. Continue to respect our differences. We owe that to ourselves, to each other and to the generations yet to be.

Whether we're traveling to the farthest corners of the Earth or to the next village, whether we're going for a couple of days or a year, the power of travel awaits. Make the time. Make the space. Live the power of travel.

Copyright © Steve Zikman

"There is no other door to knowledge than the door Nature opens; and there is no truth except the truths we discover in Nature.” --Luther Burbank

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Healing Mother Earth

We are very much part of the Earth, on a physical and a subtle level, so the health of ourselves and the Earth are very connected. The work we do with the Earth Mother helps us with our own healing and with the healing of those around us. Our bodies have meridians and an auric field, and so too does the Earth. The Earth's meridians are known as leylines or energy lines. These lines pass through sacred sites and places of power - energy vortexes which resemble the acupoints and chakras within our subtle body. These lines and vortexes are patterns within the Earth's energy field, which can be compared to our own auric field.

Earth healing is not about trying to heal a being that is much vaster than ourselves. It is about healing ourselves. All of us are, along with the animals, vegetables, minerals, liquids, and gases, a collective planetary being.

We can all be a part of that healing and by doing so, help in healing the Earth Mother. All that is required is your conscious, focused attention on healing. She will respond by expanding, becoming clearer and realigning. The work we do with the Earth Mother will often cause birds to sing where they haven't before. Vegetation will grow more, and there will be an increase in social harmony. Through focused thought or meditation, we can also radiate positive energies outwards to help uplift the consciousness of all beings - locally and globally. We can make a difference.

Please lend your energy by simply saying a prayer or focusing your energy on the healing of the Earth in general and specific sites in particular. Your intent to help is what is important.

Mother Earth is a wonderous and Sacred gift, so we must always remember to walk softly upon her, living in Balance with Nature…

This is my Hope

We must learn to walk in balance

sacred steps to take

Weaving peace and understanding

through all that we create

A tapestry of love and light

finest threads of gold

Sacred flame ever burning bright

through all that we behold

When we learn to walk in balance

the healing will take place

The healing of this earth our mother

the healing of the human race

A tapestry of love and light finest threads of gold

sacred flame ever burning bright

through all that we behold. -- Denean

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

A Tale of the Dream Catcher

One native legend tells of Grandmother Thought Woman, a Spirit Being. To help guide the people, she asked the willow tree for a branch, which she bent and bound until it formed a perfect circle, representing the unending cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

From the mighty eagle, Grandmother Thought Woman took a single feather and suspended it from the circle.

Then she transformed herself into Grandmother Spider Woman and wove a beautiful and protective web of fate in the circle.

She placed a single stone in the middle of the web. The stone was a symbolic connection to the Creative Force, clarity, peace, and communication.

Grandmother Thought Woman then gave the Dream Catcher to the people and explained, "Hang the Dream Catcher above where you sleep, and it will sort all your dreams.

The good dreams will pass through and bring joy. The bad dreams will be caught in the web, turn to dew, and drip down the feather, which will cleanse the dream.

It will then return it to Mother Earth, where it will never disturb you again."

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Your Inner Artist and Healer

The most amazing thing about dreams is their infinite creativity, variety and availability. The mind, regardless of age or intelligence level, generates new material, night after night, spinning endless fantasies that surpass Hollywood’s best efforts. We each have a master artist living in our unconscious, inviting us to a free private screening of works created especially for us each night.

This hidden artist weaves past, present and future into intricate and bizarre patterns that on the surface may seem to make no sense, and yet are strangely compelling. From its unlimited palette of memories, emotions, sensations and images, it creates masterful and sometimes frightening self-portraits.

As your personal healer, your dreams, even your nightmares, can diagnose and heal you at many levels. Facing and owning your "shadow material" through dream work often reveals inner sources of personal power and wellbeing.

Dreams have their own internally consistent logic that is more creative and richer than the linear logic of waking reality. Dream content is not random or accidental, as our culture believes. Instead, it is chosen quite intentionally by the unconscious from infinity of possibilities. A simple example: there is a car in your dream. Who decided whether to make it a new Ferrari or an old beat up pick-up truck with no brakes? Your inner artist and healer chose it, for its symbolic accuracy and its resonance to some aspect of yourself or your life.

Every detail of your dream is a carefully placed brush stroke, representing an aspect of yourself and also having its own external meaning. You may have seen the red Ferrari on the street today (along with the pick-up truck that didn't make it into your dream). But the Ferrari also represents something about you, so your unconscious re-created it in your dreamscape.

Dream Symbols don't have fixed positive or negative meanings. The red Ferrari could mean power, high value, speed, status, success, self-image, or it could as easily mean anger, waste, recklessness, etc. Its "true meaning" is whatever fits you and your life at this moment. The same image may mean different things at different times in your life, or in different dream contexts. Is the Ferrari cruising along? Parked? Stuck in mud? Crashing into a tree? Flying above the pavement? Who is driving and where are you going? But dream contexts also have no intrinsically positive or negative meaning.

Come explore to find your own inner truth -- in your dreams as in all of life!

Ann Klein, licensed therapist

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

God's Eye

Are you familiar with the expression of a "bird's eye view". It's when you view things from a bird's perspective; far different than that which you see standing on earth. A bird's eye view allows you to grasp the entire landscape and see the interconnectedness of things that appear separate when you view them from land.

The reason I talk about a "bird's eye view" is because this concept lead me to facilitate a process at my retreat, in which the participants were invited to write about their life from God's perspective. This exercise proved to be one of the most powerful retreat experiences, which is why I'm sharing it with you. Grasping a sense of your life from God's perspective is an invaluable tool for every conscious business owner to consider.

What do you think God would say about your life right now, and where you've been and where you're going? Stop for a moment and reread that sentence again. What do you think God would say about your life right now, and where you've been and where you're going? Interesting perspective to think about, isn't it?

I doubt the thoughts of lack, limitation and doubt wouldn't even enter his mind. Because the one Source (God) is the ultimate unlimited source of all abundance in the world, and that is exactly the perspective he would have on your life; that all things are conspiring for your highest and most divine self-expression in the world.

So, now I invite you into the 4-step process of taking a look at your life from a God's Eye View. Let's get started.

Step 1: Reflect on Your PastTake a moment to reflect on your past. Identify some of the peaks and valleys of your prior experience. Connect with who you've become as a result of all these experiences... the good and the not so good. Look to see how your past experiences have brought you wisdom, strength, love, insight, commitment, passion, conviction, friendship, resourcefulness, resolve, etc. Allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every experience.

Step 2: Connect with This MomentNext, allow yourself to connect deeply with this moment, and the life that you are currently living. Embrace all of your current success and dreams along with any challenges that may be showing up in your life right now. Allow yourself to fully appreciate the place that you're at today. And, again, allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every experience.

Step 3: Look to Your FutureLook forward on the path that lies ahead of you. Let your imagination flourish as you envision everything your heart desires becoming real for you. Envision your life as it unfolds perfectly, even exceeding your greatest dreams. As you envision your future, leave room for things you can't imagine right now... knowing that God's plan for your life is so much bigger than that which you can see from your human perspective. And again, allow yourself to see the Divine Order of each and every future experience.

Step 4: Write your God's Eye ViewNow, in a space of quietude, perhaps outside in nature, or in front of a glowing candle, review the above three steps. And, begin to write freely about your past, present and future experiences... as if you were God writing about what he sees in (and for) your life. Let your imagination and creativity soar as you envision God's Eye View. In case you are stuck getting started, here's a line you can use to begin the process: "As God, in this elevated perspective, I can see every step of your journey as divinely guided by me. I see..."

Now that you've written the God's Eye View of your life, you can reread it over and over again. Every time you feel stopped, or filled with fear, lack or doubt, you can take out this piece of paper and remind yourself of the perfection of the divine unfolding of your life.

copyright 2007 Christine Kloser
Christine Kloser "The Conscious Business Coach," publishes the revolutionary "Conscious Business Connection" ezine.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

How To Make Your Dog Obey You?

Most people contend that dogs are created to obey their masters. That is why they are considered the man’s best friend. However, obedience is not an innate quality in dogs. That is why it is important to teach them how to obey commands in order for them to know in what manner they should behave.

In reality, obedience training is created to impose control over dogs. These canine friends should know who the master is and who the follower is.

With all the teachings of science and man’s remarkable brain, the guidelines about obedience training in dogs were created. All of these are inclined to teach the dogs how to obey simple to complex commands and how to behave properly.

However, the concept of training dogs how to obey may vary on styles, equipment being used, or on the principles being implemented. Nevertheless, all of these things are focused on making dogs obey their masters.

The question is: How do trainers or these concepts make the dogs obey their masters? What is the reason that lies beneath the idea considering the fact that dogs are not humans who can logically understand why they have to obey?

What people don’t know is that there are only two keys in order to make their dogs obey them: consistency and compassion.
Consistency is extremely important in every training program. This is because as mentioned earlier, dogs are not logical thinkers. This means that they don’t know and they don’t understand why they have to obey or what does their master want from them. That is why it is important to let them know the things they should do and the things they shouldn’t do.

In this way, people should be consistent on distinguishing the things that should be done and those that are not appreciated.
On the other hand, compassion is needed in teaching dogs to obey because they are not like humans who will immediately understand what is wrong or right. This means that people should be a little more patient when teaching dogs to obey in order for them to gain the dog’s trust.

There are instances wherein trainers get impatient after repeating one command several times. In the end, they tend to hurt the dog. In turn, the dog gets hurt and may no longer trust his trainer.
The bottom line is that, dogs are not humans and they don’t behave like humans. That is why training them to obey needs more time, more patience, and more understanding from people who know better.

by: Jack Russell

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter