Feathering the Nest: DIY Dream Catcher Garland

My name is Leah Kent, and I am a teacher, maker, designer, and the founder of Skill It. I am also one half of the team offering “Feathering the Nest,” an e-course to guide you through the process of making your house into a cozy, nurturing home. My co-creator and co-teacher in this project is Stephanie Perkinson, a certified holistic health and lifestyle coach.

When Stephanie and I met we recognized that we are kindred spirits in every sense. We instantly bonded over our shared love of art, design, sewing, and finding small & simple ways to breathe more beauty and soul into our living spaces. We think that the things you choose to surround yourself have a profound effect on your mind, body, and spirit.

In Feathering the Nest we want to guide you to finding ways for your home to not only reflect the beauty inside of you, but to nourish and give back to you, in a way that transforms how you move through each day. This class is an eclectic two-week journey through your home, a sensual path to self discovery.

We will be creating beautiful things for our homes with our own hands, getting cozy with intuitive writing exercises and cooking up some delicious recipes. You'll also receive beautiful printables to use over and over as you hone your nesting style.

A little of what you can expect:

• Inspiring exercises to draw out your dreams & desires
• Step-by-step tutorials for beautiful, creative projects
• A gorgeous Feng Shui & Home Chakra map for your nest
• Tools and resources for carving out spaces of retreat & rejuvenation
• Ideas for energizing and bringing life into your rooms
• Recipes for natural, lovely-smelling cleansers
• A sacred space online to share inspiration, photos, projects, and more

Because the journey is so meaningful when we share it with others, Feathering the Nest includes membership in a sacred online space to share your experience, pictures and inspirations with kindred souls.

Whether you space is large or small, rented or owned, we think you are going to love learning how to infuse each corner with your essence to create a sanctuary for you and all who inhabit it.

If you’d like to read more about the class that starts on April 1st, just click here. And be sure to use the exclusive 15% discount code for Moondaughter readers – just enter “MOON15” when you register.

You’re probably ready to dive in and start feathering your own nest right now…so we are delighted to share a beautiful tutorial for our Dream Catcher Garland with you today. Just click on the lovely image to print yours out and start nesting with soul…

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I am so happy Leah and Stephanie approached me about this gorgeous offering, since my word of the year is NEST! I want to make a dream catcher garland now! And I now have to save some pennies and take this beautiful course!

Thank you so much Leah and Stephanie!

If you have a question about Feathering the Nest, please email them and they will get back to you right away:

Leah: skillithome@gmail.com

Stephanie: wellnessbydesignsp@gmail.com

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Trinkets from AZ

Hello loves, I just wanted to share some goodies I bought from AZ, I kind of splurged (bad habit of mine), but I thought it was well worth it!

1. I added to my budding dream catcher collection. The two on the ends are the new additions. The smallest one was made by a Native American of the Navajo tribe and has a certificate of authenticity.

2. Jimmy and I decided to start a tradition by buying something handmade a local on each of our travels. We chose two coasters.

3. I bought a Himalayan Salt Lamp in Sedona. I absolutely love the glow. Theo (my kitten) also doesn't sneeze anymore! Yes, the poor little guy has allergies. But Himalayan Salt lets out negative ions into air, cleansing and purifying it!

4. I bought the cute place mat because the colors go with my blog! And some AZ grown sage...mmm cannot wait to use it!

5. I bought some new stones to work with! I will share more about them soon!

6. And I bought some pretty pendants to make some items with! Not sure what I will come up with, so this will be fun!

Arizona inspired me to be more artistic again...somehow it got lost in my daily life, but I am re-awakening.

Have a lovely Wednesday, my beautiful readers! Thank you for putting up with all of my pictures of Arizona! Can you not tell I am obsessed?

Love and Blessings,
Marissa Moondaughter

Guest Post: The True Domestic Goddess by Dominee

Hello sweet Loves,

Today a wonderful friend of mine has come over here to teach us about the Goddess Hestia, of the home and hearth. My motto at the moment is "Messy bed, messy head," and I have definitely been feeling this way. My home is so off balanced and I feel so unmotivated to do anything about it, so I asked Dominee to help me out! I hope you all enjoy!

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Hestia Greek Goddess of Hearth by Dion Hamill

I have always been fascinated by the Greek Goddess, Hestia, Goddess of the hearth and home. I think she first appealed to me as a teenager because I identified with her introverted nature. She was mysterious, she was known for her kindness and charity amongst the Gods, and unlike the other Goddesses there wasn't anything scandalous or even overly interesting about her. She was kind of like me, yet she was still a Goddess. I thought that was pretty great.

Hestia is also known for giving up her seat on Mount Olympus for the God Dionysus so that she could devote all of her time tending the sacred fires. Which speaks to her giving nature and her dedication to her duties.

It was tradition when moving into a new home to evoke Hestia and ask for her blessing. Often times, the Greeks would take the hearth fire flame from their old home and bring it to the new as a representation of Hestia's protection.

I first began to form a bond with Hestia in the midst of a very severe period of depression. I wasn't taking care of myself and all aspects of my life suffered. I lived by myself and as a result of my depression, I lost all will to tidy up or care about my surroundings. After a few months I finally found the will to clean.

And it felt good. It felt magical.

It was just a small spot in my living room but that spot of cleanliness and organization made me feel good. I realized that taking care of my surroundings was in essence allowing me to take better care of myself. I began to research ways to bring more of that magic into my home.

                                                                           Source: brianasophia.com via Kaitlin on Pinterest

There are a few different ways to invite Hestia into your home:

• Don't just clean, make it a sacred experience. Add things to your housekeeping routine that make you feel good and make it fun for you, listen to music or dance while you clean. Add essential oils to your cleaning supplies or put crystals around your home for protection or to create a happy atmosphere. 
• Cleanse your surroundings of negative energies. Energies build up in our homes and can easily affect our moods. You can cleanse your space with sound, with incense, with prayer, and guided visualization. One of the most popular ways, and my favorite, is to use a bundle of sage and other herbs. Sage is easily found at any metaphysical shop and is wonderful at making your space vibrate with positive energy. 
• You can also create a small altar to Hestia on top of your fireplace or in your kitchen. This represents the Hearth aspect. Light a candle there and ask Hestia to bless your home and to watch over your family. 
• If you are having trouble finding the motivation to do chores try asking Hestia for assistance, she will give you just the push that you need to get housework done. Any activities that involve the home, such as cleaning, cooking, redecorating, can all benefit from a touch of Hestia Magic. 

Invite the warm, loving, constant, flame of her love into your life.

Happy home-making!

Dominee at BlessingManifesting.com is a self-love advocate, encouraging women to love themselves, their bodies, and each other. She is a Life Coach, Blogger, Aroma- and Crystal therapist and she uses her unique outlook on life to help others embrace wholeness and wellness as well as learn how to love themselves.

You can find Dominee in the following places:
Website: http://www.blessingmanifesting.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BlessingManifesting 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SpiritBlessing

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Thank you so much Dominee!! I really needed to hear this post, and I am going to try all of your suggestions!

May Hestia bless all our hearths and homes!

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter