Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's nearly Christmas and still no sight of snow. A while ago I was so sure it would finally snow, but no, noooo, the temperature got over 0 again and today it has rained. I would HATE to have a black Christmas. I know you can have Christmas even if you were on Canarian islands, but STILL. Snow belongs to finnish Christmas. And I want to go cross-country skiing! And even though I don't really like going to sled hill, I would like to have that opportunity!

I don't understand people. This morning I read in a magazine, that about 50 % of it's readers (or at least of those who like to answer to those gallups) would NOT like to have snow. Really, even if you don't like snow, you should understand, that this situation tells something about the state of our planet!

Please, let it snow!

These pictures are from last winter and the winter before. Back then we did have snow. (Well, of course it will snow at some point, but I'm worried of how long it will take!)

xoxo
Ansku

Dark lady played black magic

My assesment is now finally over and I have (even more) free time.

Of course I could have used this spare time for doing something useful - Christmas cards / presents - but instead I found myself doing absolutely everything but that.
Few months ago I helped my host-mum to clean our stock - and I'm really glad I did, I can't believe all that interesting stuff she was about to throw away! I found some really nice things, but my main found was definitely this little pack of Tarot-cards.

I do not believe in magic.

... But I do find these cards very interesting. There are 78 different cards, and each one of them has a different meaning. They are also separated in the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana - Major cards are more controlling than the Minors, and their meanings are stronger.
Everyone reads the cards as he wants to, but I'm keen on using the three-card-menthod: first card tells the near past, second the present / near future, the third one the long term future. Although with spesific questions I might read it like this: first one represents the main dilemma, the second is how to solve this problem / what to do, the third one is the outcome.

It's been really interesting to see how these cards seem to know everything that happens in my life. Don't tell me they are just showing average, every day things, they _are_not_. But no no no, I still don't believe in them. I'm just killing time.

... But come on! 78 different cards!

______
Mirva

The illusionist inside of me

Apparently I've done something really bad because destiny keeps cracking my nails. And it's always the same issue; all your nails are beautifully long and look healthy - then one cracks and it looks absolutely rediculous compared to the others.

I've now been struggling with this annoying thing for weeks, and I have to admit I'm running out of ideas. I truly prefer keeping the rest of my nails as long as they were - or at least longish, I'll _not_ cut all of my pretty ones because of those one or two shorter nails. So I just have to be creative.

The first step is, of course, to avoid all too strong colours and use more natural ones. For an example, the feminin red is gorgeus as always, but it certainly is quite a cruel colour. Fair pink is much better choice, because it leaves the line between nail and skin not so clear.

terribly sorry, the quality is awful as ever

... But as we all know, I usually get pretty bored with that kind of a "typical solutions". This particular one is one of my old favourites. It gives a nice "spark" for the nails, but it's not too weird or obtrusive. And, what's the best, it makes you pay less focus to the lenght of the nails and more to the illustration.

I've also used strong colours (I'm not trying to confuse you, I'm just an artist) with white stripes. The vertical stripes are maybe the easiest way to create some kind of an illusion of longer plane. But when using this technique make always sure that the stripes are made with a brighter colour than the backgroung.

Mirva


... Ps. I saw an absolutely lovely film today. It was called "Gracie's Choice" and it was about kids who have to grown up before them own parents. Sounds really boring and cliché, but the story was actually very unusual and interesting. I have to give a special credit to the actresses, the main characters did just amazingly well.