Rocky Mountain Beauty – Kananaskis Country

Some people might scroll past a photo of “just a mountain,” but I never do.  This one stopped me in my tracks when I took it in Kananaskis Country. The jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies cut sharply against a moody sky, while the forest below glows with early fall colour — those bright yellow larches popping against the deep green evergreens. There’s something quietly powerful about it. No fancy summit, no dramatic sunrise, just raw Rocky Mountain beauty doing what it does best.

 

I love moments like this. Standing there with my camera, breathing in the crisp air, feeling tiny next to these ancient giants. Kananaskis always delivers that perfect mix of rugged wilderness and unexpected colour. One minute you’re surrounded by thick forest, the next you round a bend and the mountains open up like this.

 

Photography for me is about freezing those little reminders that the world is still wildly beautiful — even on an ordinary day in the foothills. No filters, no drama, just the Rockies being magnificent.

If you’re someone who also stops for mountains, sunsets, or a perfect stand of golden larches… this one’s for you.   Kananaskis Country, Alberta - Shot on location by me

What’s your favourite “just a mountain” moment? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear!  📸

How to Be a Good Soul (It’s Simpler Than You Think)

How to Be a Good Soul  In a world that can feel loud and complicated, being a good soul doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s built in the quiet, everyday choices we make.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Be Kind Without Expecting Anything Back 
• A genuine smile, holding a door, or sending a thoughtful message costs nothing but can brighten someone’s entire day. 
• Listen More Than You Speak 
• Sometimes people don’t need advice — they just need to be heard. Offer your full attention. 
• Appreciate the Small Things 
• Stop and really look at a flower blooming by the roadside. 
• Notice the sunset. 
• Say thank you for the little joys. Gratitude keeps your soul soft. 
• Be Honest, But Gentle 
• Truth matters, but it doesn’t have to be harsh. 
• Speak with care. 
• Forgive Quickly — Including Yourself 
• We all mess up. Let it go and keep growing. 
• Leave Things (and People) Better Than You Found Them 
• Whether it’s picking up litter, encouraging a friend, or simply being polite — small acts add up. 

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care.A good soul isn’t loud or flashy. It’s someone who brings a little more light into the world, even on ordinary days.

Important Note: 
Being a good soul doesn’t mean letting people take advantage of you. Kindness is not the same as weakness. Stand up for yourself when needed. You don’t have to conform to anyone else’s expectations or way of thinking. Protecting your peace and staying true to your own values is also part of being a good soul — and it’s essential for your own happiness.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care — while still protecting the beautiful soul that you are.

What’s one small thing you do that makes you feel like a good soul? Share in the comments  
 

Dragon Resin Collection | What I have been working on

Works in Progress Resin Dragons

Step into my creative world and you’ll find a colourful menagerie of dragons emerging from resin, each one hand-crafted with love, patience, and a touch of magic. This latest photo captures several pieces from my ongoing collection, all made using silicone molds, layered pigments, mica powders, and alcohol inks.

The star of the image is the large multi-colored dragon hatching egg. Its dramatic gradient shifts from deep ocean blues and teals at the base to fiery magentas, golds, and shimmering metallics at the top. Creating this piece required a careful, multi-stage pour that took considerable time and precision to avoid bubbles and achieve the flowing colour transitions. A detailed baby dragon is already visible, wings spread, eagerly breaking free from its glittering shell.

Beside it sits a charming purple-and-blue baby dragon figurine with bright yellow eyes and silver horns, looking curious and ready for adventure. Smaller dragon eggs in golden tones with silver dragons embossed on the surface, a pink floral geode-style piece, and various blue resin molds and cabochons complete the scene.

None of these pieces are finished yet. They still need final detailing—additional painting to bring out scales and textures, a protective resin top coat, varnish, or high-gloss finish to make the colours truly pop and the surfaces glass-like. The process is as rewarding as the final result, turning raw resin into miniature fantasy worlds.

These dragons represent hours of experimentation with colour blending, layering techniques, and problem-solving when pours don’t go exactly as planned. They’re destined for my website, Thoughtstoyou.com, where I share my handmade resin art, jewellery, and fantasy-inspired creations.

If you love dragons, fantasy, or the satisfying journey of watching art come to life, keep an eye on the site. More finished pieces will be appearing soon, each one unique and full of character.

What do you think—should I name the big hatching dragon? Suggestions welcome!  

 

Dragon Egg Creation in Progress | Made with ResinCrete

ResinCrete Fantasy Art Piece  Here’s my latest creation — a dramatic dragon egg that’s hatching right before your eyes! I’m absolutely loving how this piece is turning out and wanted to share the work-in-progress with you.

This dragon egg was cast using ResinCrete, a super versatile material that gives a nice solid, stone-like feel once cured. To get that vibrant green base for the “shell” and rocky texture, I mixed in Unicorn Spit acrylic paint right into the ResinCrete before pouring. It gave the perfect mossy, earthy green tone straight through the material.The egg itself is a deep, rich purple, that I painted on, with a glossy finish that really makes it pop. I hand-painted the cracks and rocky sections in various shades of green to create depth and realism. The little dragon emerging from the shell has beautiful golden wings and a detailed sculpted body. I plan to keep him mostly green but will be adding some highlights and shading soon to bring out even more dimension.

I’m really happy with the contrast between the shimmering purple egg, the textured green shell, and the metallic gold accents on the wings. It has such a magical, fantasy vibe — perfect for anyone who loves dragons, D&D, or just whimsical home décor.

Materials I used so far:

• ResinCrete (main casting material) 
• Unicorn Spit acrylic paint (mixed into the ResinCrete for the green) 
• Additional acrylic paints for the purple egg and detailing 
• Gold paint for the wings 

This is still a work in progress, but I’m excited to finish the dragon’s highlights and maybe add a few more details to the base. Once it’s complete I’ll do a full reveal with better photos and maybe even a short video.

Would you like to see a step-by-step tutorial on how I cast and painted this dragon egg? Let me know in the comments! I’m thinking of turning this into a full how-to series for fantasy creatures and eggs.

If you’re into creative crafts, resin work, or fantasy art, give this a like and follow along — more magical makes are coming soon! 

 

New Resin Art Piece Venetian Mask

New Resin Art Piece: Venetian Mask on a Swirling Epoxy Background

I just finished creating this colourful Venetian-style mask plaque, and I’m really excited to share it with you!

The centerpiece is a detailed ResinCrete mask in shimmering shades of blue, gold, and silver. I love working with ResinCrete — it’s much less odorous than traditional epoxy, making the whole process more enjoyable. The mask has beautiful ornate details with metallic finishes that catch the light beautifully.

Behind it sits a vibrant epoxy resin plaque with a flowing, marbled design in rich purples, magentas, deep blues, and bright turquoises. The scalloped edges give it an elegant, organic feel, and the glossy finish really makes the colours pop.

Right now the mask and background are separate pieces, but I’m planning to mount the ResinCrete mask onto the epoxy plaque to create one cohesive wall art piece. I think the combination will look stunning once they’re joined! I always enjoy the creative process with these materials. While some epoxies can have a stronger smell, there are lower-odor options available, and ResinCrete continues to be my favourite go-to for pieces like this.

What do you think of this Venetian mask design? Would you display something like this in your home? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! 

Mini Masquerade Masks in Epoxy Resin

Tiny Treasures with Big PersonalityI’ve been having way too much fun with my silicone molds lately, and these miniature masquerade masks are the latest result of my epoxy resin addiction.Each little mask was cast in clear epoxy and then brought to life with shimmering mica powders and metallic paints. From elegant Venetian-style faces to a dapper top-hat gentleman, a dramatic feathered beauty, and even a cheeky cat, every piece has its own character. The colors pop with iridescent blues, rich golds, fiery reds, and deep purples — all brushed on for that perfect metallic glow.Some masks are still getting final touch-ups, while others are destined for a new life. My latest idea is to embed the finished faces into thicker coaster molds so they appear to be looking up through the resin — imagine mysterious masquerade characters watching you enjoy your morning coffee. A little whimsical, a little spooky, and a whole lot of fun!Working with resin never gets old. The thrill of demolding, the surprise of how the colors settle, and the endless creative possibilities keep me coming back to the craft table. These tiny masks prove that even small pieces can pack a big artistic punch.If you love masquerade themes, fantasy art, or just playing with resin, give mini molds a try. You might end up with a whole cast of characters staring back at you!

The White Wolf ResinCrete Candle Holder

A Mystical Guardian for Your Sacred Space

Meet my latest creation — a striking white wolf ResinCrete candle holder that brings wild, ethereal beauty straight from the forest into your home. This detailed wolf head sculpture isn’t just decorative; it’s fully functional, designed to cradle a standard pillar candle (approximately 1–1.5 inches / 25–38 mm in diameter). Light it up, and the soft glow will illuminate those piercing eyes and flowing mane, creating an enchanting, almost spiritual ambiance.

Crafted with my go-to ResinCrete mix (10:3 ratio — 100 g ResinCrete to 30 g water, never exceeding 200 g to 60 g for a single pour), this piece captures incredible fine detail: every strand of fur, the elegant swirl on the forehead, the alert ears, and that proud, knowing expression. ResinCrete sets fast, so I had everything prepped — mold, tools, and the included styrofoam filler — before mixing even began. The filler is crucial here because this mold pours upside down. It keeps the candle cavity perfectly shaped and clean during the pour and cure.

Once cured and demolded, I gave him a black nose and added a subtle silvery shimmer to the eyes for that mystical “glow” effect. I’m planning to keep the rest mostly white, with just light washes of grey in the deeper fur textures to enhance dimension while preserving that clean, icy white wolf aesthetic. The raw white ResinCrete has such a beautiful, stone-like quality on its own — it feels ancient and timeless.

Why This Wolf Feels Special

Wolves have long symbolized intuition, loyalty, and connection to the wild spirit. This candle holder version turns that symbolism into something practical and beautiful. Place it on your altar, bedside table, mantle, or meditation space. When the candle is lit, the light dances across the sculpted fur and reflects softly in those metallic eyes, making the whole piece come alive.

It pairs wonderfully with the other ResinCrete fantasy pieces I’ve been creating lately — the mystical cat masks, ornate face masks, and playful dragon sculptures. Together they build a cohesive collection of mythical decor that appeals to fantasy lovers, pagan/witchy aesthetics, and anyone who appreciates handmade, one-of-a-kind art.

Tips from My ResinCrete Journey

Fast set time means preparation is everything. Have your mold level, filler inserted properly, and all tools within reach. 
The included styrofoam spacer in the mold kit made this pour much easier than it could have been — highly recommended to use it exactly as instructed. 
ResinCrete takes acrylic paint beautifully. A little goes a long way for subtle highlights like the nose and eyes. I’m keeping this one mostly natural white to let the sculptural details shine. 
 
This white wolf candle holder is still in progress — I may add a few more delicate grey tones or even a touch of metallic dry-brushing later — but I already love how he’s turning out. He feels like a guardian spirit watching over the creative chaos of my workspace.

Would you display a white wolf like this with a lit candle, or do you prefer your candle holders purely sculptural? Are you team “keep it mostly white” or would you go bolder with full fantasy colouring? Let me know in the comments!

More ResinCrete pieces (including painted versions and new molds) are coming soon. If you’re into handmade candle holders, wolf decor, ResinCrete crafts, fantasy home accents, stay tuned to thoughtstoyou.com — I’ll be sharing the full process, painting steps, and shop updates.

Thanks for following along on this creative journey. Your encouragement keeps the molds pouring and the ideas flowing! 

Magdelene 
thoughtstoyou.com 
Handcrafted with heart, one fast-setting batch at a time.