A Fanciful Twist

A caged event. A splendid event. A curious party perhaps?

So, it was one of those regular days in the funny little place at the edge of the desert.  Where the cacti meet the trees, and heat looms but winter surely takes a decent peek.  Not quite the Sahara, but not quite Washington State either...

A day, where the clock strikes three, reminding it is time for a magical kind of tea...  The creatures were getting cozy, gathering around...  Two had arrived early, when an odd thing occurred...(click on photos to enlarge)

      

You see, one could not clearly recall every detail...  However, the distinct memory was that of a sound... A sound accompanied by song, and then a smell of sweetness all too tender...

It was the tiny song of the rare Cupcake Duncecap Goldy Winged Bird...

      

Yes, it was quite certain...  He was sitting on a tree.  He appeared every few hundred years...  Luring creatures to a place so sweet, so divine, one taste, and you would never be the same...  We followed him...

      

He chirped, telling it was something special for you and you and you and, all of you!  A caged event.  A splendid event.  A curious party perhaps?

Could it truly be a fact?  Not an urban legend?  That when you see the Cupcake Duncecap Goldy Winged Bird, a sweet caged curious tea party awaits? One that with one taste of the caged splendor, brings waves of neverending creativity and imagination? 

I am here to prove it to be a true tale...  For what awaited us, as we peeked inside....

      

Were the very treats themselves...

      

The door slowly opened...

      

Which one would you choose?  Which one would you eat???  They all called out...  Beckoning... 

       

We soon found, those were not peppermints, but strawberry creamsicle swirls of delight...

I can here you exclaim?  Did you choose the one???  With sprinkles and shiny red flair?

      

Or was it the one with enticing swirls?

      

Wasn't it impossible to choose? 

      

No you say?  You say you knew right away???

      

I should have known better.  You closed right in...  The one that tickled your fancy...  And how did it taste??

Mr. Lovee had several, his eyes closed in bliss.  He slowly chewed, he muffled, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm...  So moist, so perfect.  The best ever...  Hooray!!!

A morsel to take all those sorrows away...  (if you have any at all, which we hope you don't)

      

We shall set one aside for our trusty gnome...  Who guards us and cares for us, whenever we are alone...

      

So, here I am, just a delivery girl...  Bringing you an endless sweet curious cupcake feast, while I am away.  Oh, don't worry, it is just for a few days.  I must see the Lioness Queen Mombie and her hilarious storytelling funny mother (my granny).  For that very special Sunday, that is right around the corner...

So make yourselves at home and eat up all those wonderful treats...

      

Oh and, since you offered ;)  I am leaving you in charge of the place while I am gone...  You have to be careful with all the little characters...  They like to get out and cause mischief... 

Beware of the sweet sheepish faces...

      

You remember what happened with the rabbit and the porcupine and the costume chest while I was away last time?  Oh, and I presume you are going to tell me that my three wheel bike got dented on its own??  Hee heee......

      

Okay, here are the rules...

        

Have a marvelous weekend!!!!  Eat your treats and hang from the chandeliers!  Make sure not to brush your hair, or to wear matching socks to the grocery store!!  Oh, and please, make sure you play in bubbles and make a mess!! 

Don't forget your free Mother's day cardlettes in the post right below this one... Oh and, I popped a new little treat in my shop...  Sweet Day - at the fair...

      

See you really really sooooon!!! xoxo, V

Tiny Things, New Prints & a freebie (think, Mother's day)

Phew!  I have been working feverishly to get here all morning!!  I have so much to share.  I am sooo sad to see that last blog post go!  I wanted to live in that Wacky Fanciful Pirate moment forever!! Alas, we can relive it through flickr photos.  Thank goodness!!

So, I have been living in a funny tiny moment, with my miniature table and typewriter, and teeny tiny sheets of paper, trying to tell me secrets...

       

I don't know if you share this with me...  But, I am an intense dreamer.  By day and by night.  I will say, sometimes (like last night), I have such intense dreams with so much detail that I can hardly wake myself up.  My head feels so heavy, and so the story continues, until it decides to be over.  All kinds of stories calling to me...  Some times, dare I say, they feel more like messages than dreams...

      

As a child I was a serious sleepwalker & sleeptalker.  I thought, I had outgrown this (I have not, more on that next time).  That I would no longer be exiting the house by night or acting out oddly while asleep.  When I was little I exited our beach house in California, in full sleep mode...  And survived to tell the tale ;)

Now, if only I would follow my own advice, and write it all down, the second I wake. Or the second a day dream brings me a tale, so juicy, so scandalous, so fairytale madness like...  But I don't.   Do you?

Needless to say...  I created a new print with many of those ideas in mind...  The Writer, ideas floating around...  The storyteller...  Being urged to tell a tale...   It is part of my Creature Collections series...

The Writer

      

I really do think there is a storyteller in all of us...  Just waiting to take stage, with ink to paper.

      

I also have two new Charming Silhouette prints...

Cuckoo...

      

And, Mushroom Love...

      

So that is that...  Now for some Mother's Day fun stuff!!  I have a PDF file for you with Mother's day Cardlettes, free for you to use.  Now, the photos I am going to share of them below,  are simply for you to see the detail...

However, you MUST click on the following link to get the crisp printable PDF file:

"A Fanciful Twist" Mother's Day Cardlettes. (it is a large file and might take a couple of minutes to download)

So, here are the examples of what they will look like when you click on the link above to print...

      

The Queenie

      

  Fabulous Mom!

      

Mammie to all little creatures...

      

Moms are so sweet!

      

And, you know, those times your kids are trying to do something good :)  But, it ain't so good at the time.  However, the memory is good years later, after you get the batter off the ceiling :)

We made pancakes...

      

So there you have it!  Print them off and share them with anyone you know!!!  Send your friends to get some too if you'd like!! 

Now, for the winner of the Pirate's Wacky Wacky Wacky loot bag!!

       

Yo Ho Pirate's loot for...   Nancy of Fete Et Fleur!!  Yippeeee!!!  Send me your address Miss Nancy!!  Mr. Pirate is waiting to set sail and bring you your wacky loot!!

      

I hope all of you get to use your Mother's Day Cardlettes!!!  xoxo, see you soon, V

ps:  I had no idea I had so many lovely visitors to the Pirate's Soiree until I went to do the drawing!!!  Seems that typepad never sent me all the e-mails!!  I am having so much fun making visits.  We were so busy all weekend.  Mr. Lovee played (as he does ever year) with his band (he is a an upright bassist) at the folk festival Saturday & Sunday. So I am still getting to pretend it is Pirate day (and tomorrow too) and make visits to friends old and new!!!  How fun!!!

Hooray! The Swashbuckler Soiree!!

We were not told what time the pirates might turn up for the Swashbuckler Soiree.  We didn't know how many there would be, if one, or perhaps a few?  Until we heard the sound of waves crashing through the air... Was it truly them?? In their ship filled with loot?  Or was it all a dream?  Thank goodness we were slightly prepared during the pre-party post below...

      

No no, it seemed very real!  Not a dream at all...  It was the pirate ship, filled with wonderous treasures...

      

Rare rubies dangled above an even rarer ruby eyed skull....  While pure diamond neck jewels, from a beheaded queen, rested upon a sail...

      

It was magic!!  Seeing the ship soar through the waves in the sky, amongst the tree branches.  With the brilliant sun illuminating it...

      

I wondered if I might be able to get my hands on some of that wonderful loot...

      

They were a rowdy bunch, dancing all about, while passing their beverage around...

      

I was glad I had time to entertain them all...  Oh by the way, was that you I saw dancing on the plank???  Canoodling with the head pirate guy???  Oh Beware!!  Do not let Donna find you out!!

I have all the meals prepared for you and the pirates!!  I have brought in fish all the way from Sweden...

Oh ya!  Swedish Fish my friends!!!  Yumm Yumm!!

      

I also have for you, the ever tender, delicious, Golden Medalions.  Oh, no no no, don't worry, they are not Golden Medalions in the form of Ostrich, like you might think...  Oh No, I know you all are Candarians.  You know, kind of like vegetarians, only candy based :)

I guess you can say, these are more like Golden Nuggets...  (other wise known as, Rolos ;)

      

Now isn't that a delicious beginning?  Oh, and let's not forget the Octopus...  A rare red twisty variety...

      

And what is for dessert you ask??  Well, I say?  Have you no faith in me??  Of course, I made sure to have Strawberry and Cream swirled together, just for the occassion...

      

What a yummy spread!!

      

Did I hear you say, we were lacking something???  Why yes we are!!  What about some music!!!

      

Yo Ho, Yo Ho!  A pirates life for me!  Who wants to show their skills first???  Oh, he does.. Okay, take it away Johnny Canales...

      

      

Oh, I almost forgot...  I have two games!!  First, the "What made you become a pirate?" game...

      

Promptly followed by the, who can stack more treats, game...

      

This is all just wayyy too much fun...  But, all those sweets, are making me feel....

      

Why can't I be more like her???  She stuffs her mouth with treats all day, and never gets a headache...

      

What about you?  Did you get a belly ache from all of that??  Do you need some Dramamine for the ship ride to the next stop?

      

You are more than welcome to come and party with us any ole time!!!  Now, the ship is getting ready to set sail again!!  Hop on, you don't want to lose the chance to have real food at someone else's blogstop!!

      

By the way!!  Before you go, make sure to say hello, as I will be drawing a name for the snazziest bag of random pirate loot that ever lived!!!  Oh yes!!  Wait til you see it!!!

Thank you Miss Donna!!  For throwing such a marvelous Soiree!!!!   

See you sooooooon!!! xoxo, V

Delightfully Playing & Preparing for Donna's Party {otherwise known as, the perfect reason to pre-party at my place}

The blog soiree of the season is being held at the Swashbuckler Castle in just a few days...  So, I decided to start a little early.  Have a colorful little outdoor party for myself, to celebrate the upcoming event... (may I add that, everyday in itself, is reason enough to throw yourself a party)

      

I am so in love with color!  Do you think I could convice a Swashbuckler to prance around in fun stripes or delicious polka dots?  Hmm, it might take some moonshine to get away with that one...

      

I must say, discovering a can of Design Master, Olive Bright #790, on my shelves, was more excitement than my little heart could contain!  It was enough to get me to Olive Brighten up a brass candelabra!!!

      

May I humbly add, that I made all of the ceramic treasures on this table...  Most of you know, I have been a potter at the Tucson Museum of Art for many years...  But, believe it or not, this is the very first time I have set the table, solely using my creations...   

      

      

I best make sure to set a place for Miss Mouserson...  She would be terribly offended if I didn't...

      

Don't forget to set your table (as well as yourself) with lots and lots of ribbons.  Ribbons (or little strips of precious fabrics) make everything extra special...

      

      

Be sure not to miss all the lovely edible and rare treasures that might make their way here by way of a magic pirate ship (on Saturday)...

      

Can you imagine, that a green candelabra could spark such joy, and cause all this raucous...

      

I have been soaking up the lovely weather, and just indulging in thousands of flower petals...  I have been throwing them up in the sky...

      

And letting them rest upon my walkway...  Amazing really, how such a simple pleasure, can feel so decadent...

      

I had better be on my way...  Here I am dreaming and playing, when I have tons to do...  And paint!!

      

Especially with an almost perfectly healed leg!!!  We have to paint the town hot pink, chartreuse, yellow & teal!  Don't you think???

      

Oh and I almost forgot...  I have a new colorful Creature Collections, print in the shop.  I so thank Miss Holly Becker of Decor8, for featuring it!! (You can see it on her blog, if you scroll down to one of several 4/30/2008 posts)  That was a lovely surprise for me this week!! 

      

There will be siblings joining this piece soon.  I can't tell you how much I love white with brilliant splashes of color, and vintage love!

      

I am excited to share what comes next in this series.  I am still working on more paper dress girls... And, like I said, the new dolls are 2 seconds away from complete...

        

See you, oh so sooooon!! xoxo, V

ps:  the photos in this post are funner if you click on them, to enlarge, as you go... 

A Perfect day for Tea {hosted by Elves}

Dreamy days ensued this week, with a couple lovely visitors.  All bringing treats and floral magic, in the name of an Achilles' Tendon.  Which by the way is doing better than good.  I'll be done with this soon, I am making fantastic progress!! Thank Goodness, because I am getting all wiggy and restless...  Thank you ever so truly, for all your well wishes!!

What have I been doing with myself?  I have been having tea with elves, and creating new bright treats for my room (that I will share in my shop).  Also, I have been rearranging my furniture over and over (in my head). 

Now, if you are having tea with elves, then perhaps you might have to bring tea with elves to life...

       

                    

She & the elves have found their way into my shop.  And, may I hint that the items found on her walls, will find their way into the shop in 8"x10" size, very soon.

I have been having so much drawing and watching movies time.  And, well, can I tell you something, honestly?  I have not really minded being hurt, because, I have gotten to do really fun things.  Is that wrong?  ;)  I mean, movies, plus clay projects, plus drawing, plus treats and visitors?  It ain't so bad (at all)...  I know, I am a rotten horrible girl :)

One thing that did happen is that, I have this bright urge in my soul.  I have shared before that my original dance with Art was a very bright modern and even abstract one.  So, it never fails that, although I adore vintage and Victorian, Baroque and on and on in those realms...  I do crrrave bright and simple in other parts of my soul...

So, to encompass all my loves, I created some new treats for my walls.  But, then I thought?  Perhaps I should share them with you as well??  They fit 8" x 10" mat or frame openings...

      

      

        

So, I am popping them in the shop as well...  I have framed mine.  Here is a side view...

      

I am obsessed with 11" x 14" mats with an 8" x 10" opening.  They make such a great size for hanging (or leaning).

I will show you a front facing view too, but, there is an annoying glare from my giant skylight....

      

So, that is all on the creative front for now.  The dolls are almost done, and I am working on a few new mixed media paper dress girls....

In real life news, this weekend is the 8th anniversary for me and Mr. Lovee (it is a two day long event).  So, I better be off soon, he is sitting in front of me, asking what I am doing...  Also, he is a leg sargeant, so, he is peddling the ice again...

But, I wanted to show you how our other rose bush is blooming...  And what it is offering us...

      

And, when they open, they are just lovely also...

      

Aren't flowers just the most magical things on the planet?  They constantly astound me...

      

Although, a picky garden can have its appeal too, can't it?

      

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about my half a heart attack!  Yesterday, Mr. Lovee held out his arm so I could hobble out for a tiny walk.  I wanted to see the peaches in their very early stage...

      

When all of a sudden, I felt an odd sensation moving over my feet...  It was a creature that Mr. lovee assures is our friend.  He also assures that if I get bitten, it is not poisonous?  Can anyone confirm this?  Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

      

I was not as horrified as I normally would have been, because this snake has been living in our yard for years.  He pokes his face out every now and then.  But he sure startled this girl...

Oh and Miss Niki!!  Send me your address!!  You won the postcard pack!!

      

You see, she gave our wee elfin his name, Berlini.  Oh all of you had such gooood names!!!  I thought of giving him one endless name...  But then of course, he would have this whole complex in a few years, and spend his entire adult life trying to get over his 42 name, name  :)

Well, I must be off.  I have over extended my weird leg postition on this machine.  Mr. Lovee is rigging up a leg rest for me, so I can make some visits this week!!  I am sorry I have not been very vocal, but I have read all of your comments and e-mails.  They bring out the most delightful overjoyed nutcake, in me!!!

See you soon!!!!  V