A Fanciful Twist

Sailing the Woodland Seas...

I could not bear to make you dwell in the last post's plumbing any longer.  You are so kind to me and quite wonderful.  So, I am here to tell you another {sweeter} story of what happened yesterday afternoon when I arrived to my country-home.  A storm was rolling in, winds and rain. Perfect for story-telling.

There was a paper bag with filled with random loot from the local thriftventure place.  I had almost forgotten all about it.  But, when I opened it, a positively lovely sight to see indeed!  There was a huge previously unseen love, in the bag.  A "Wee Mouse", waiting for me to discover him.  A "Wee Mouse" with a Big story... 

You see he was a brave, optimistic, wonderful little fellow.  He loved music & dancing.  He loved scurrying through dewey patches of newly growing grass. Tender and soft.  Alas, his happiness was taken away by an evil witch, who caged him and banished him to the Treacherous-Wood-Pile-Mountains forever...

      

He was so sad about his fate.  He thought he had outsmarted everyone and everything.  He knew how to steer clear of danger, how to find safe food...  He was determined to figure a way out of this predicament...  He had outsmarted Mouse traps for years, he could find a way out of this, for certain...

      

One day he found a way to escape from the cage.  He would have to do this while the witch was not watching.  He had also heard an airplane crash right at the top to the Treacherous-Wood-Pile-Mountains.  Believe it or not, he knew the ins and outs of airplane wiring, and knew he could make this airplane run again.  Every night he would sneak out of his cage and work a little bit on the plane.  While the witch slept ;)

One day, he was ready.  It was time to try to make the plane go, he would push it down the side of the mountain and hope it would fly...

And, it did, oh it did!!!  He was free!

      

He wanted to travel to the Fairytale Forest Theater...  To meet new friends.  He always dreamed of being on stage (he could tap dance like no other mouse in the land)!!  Yes, that is what he would do. But first, he wanted to find the Enchanted Fungi Forest, that his great-grandmother spoke of...   

      

Where gnomes built paper houses, and shroom-nog ran like a stream...

      

He built himself a boat.  And sailed the winds of the Woodland Seas...

      

He had not arrived to the Enchanted Fungi Forest when I last spoke to him, but he urged me to share something very important...

He whispered to me, that we are never ever too old to dream, to let our inner-child out to play.  He warned me of witches that roam the land, wanting to cage & squash happy spirits.  Then he exclaimed , his hand on his heart,  "Noone can take away your child-like qualities, your love for fairytales and dreams, unless of course, you let them..."  I whispered back, thank you Mr. Mouse, you are so right.  I will never forget that. 

With that, a great wind came, and a book appeared, "Wee Mouse" jumped into the book, winking at me.  Was it all a dream?  Was he simply a character visiting me from within the pages of a book of fairytales, with a message?

      

I hope I do get to see him again one day.  I hear he is still sailing the Winds in the Woodland Seas...

      

Nothing like a "Wee Mouse" to brighten our week, right?  See you soon, xoxo

Is this really happening? {oh yes, it is}

My mind keeps asking itself those four words.  Even though, I know, yes, there is something chaotic happening in my world. I understand that I just have to deal with it, be practical, be calm.  But, all of a sudden, I think of the situation, and my heart beats a bit faster, and my brain floods with thoughts, and a tinge of panic electrifies my whole body.  Then slowly, the feeling, fades away...

What is this all about?  Let me ask you this question (particularly to those who own lots of items)...  Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had to move really quickly?  If you had to pack 15+ years of belongings.  Do you dread it?  Hope to the heavens that it won't happen?

      

Well, I have to say.  I was NOT prepared for what happened on Friday morning.  You see, for a long time, we have been noticing that floor tiles in our house are really really warm (this is my in town home, not the studio countryhome).   

My sister (we share this home) was complaining about not having hot water.  At first I didn't think much of it.  But, then it got so bad, my wonderful mother and father came to town to fix the issue.  They decided to get a new water heater (even though ours was only 5 years old).  The next day, my sister warned that there still was no hot water.  My father once again, came to town to try to figure things out.  Nothing, no sign of what was happening.  The neighbor tells my father that she had a major plumbing issue, and her whole house flooded.  Upstairs, downstairs.  She had to have new carpet, new walls, new ceilings, new everything.  We cringed....  And, then went on with our lives...  We had lukewarm water.  We hoped for the best...

      

The next day,  my sister found water seeping out from under my piano.  I rushed home, my parents met me there.  WE promptly started moving furniture, while my dad cut holes in the drywall...  The family plumber was on his way...  We knew it would not be good... 

The Good news?  The water does not seem to have reached my bedroom.  The bad news?  Our plumbing runs underground.  WE have the ever dreaded polybutelene pipes that noone ever wants to have, ever.  We never knew.  We have owned the place since 1993, without any issues.  It was never disclosed.

Our house foundation is soaked, our pipes are rotten.  The protocol, the only thing to do?  After much huddling around, discussing this ever so carefully.  The fact is evident, the entire house has to be replumbed.  It is the easiest solution.  We can not open up the floors.  WE have to make the old plumbing dormant and put in all new pipes.  The Plumber would start Monday.  That meant.  Time to pack all of my belongings.  Everything.  As ceilings and walls will be cut open. 

So, that is where I have been.  Packing all my life's treasures...  All my belongings.  The one wonderful thing.  I was able to place lots of things on my bed (all my clothes, as I had to empty out my jam packed walk-in closet), as that was going to stay.  It would just have to be covered with plastic...

      

At first I was devastated.  But then, I thought to myself...  How can you feel devastated?  You are able to save all of your possessions...  Nothing is ruined...  Then my heart broke for the people of the Katrina tragedy...  I was just feeling sorry for myself.  But, what about all the people losing homes in floods, in fires...  No time to save anything...  I am soooo lucky!!

All there was to do was pack, and not think about it too much...

      

I didn't want much help, as I needed to know where all my items were going.  And certain treasures needed to be in certain places...  Plus, I have soo many breakables... 

      

And, I want to be able to find things easily when it is time to move back in...

      

I was taking photos, in case I decided to share this with you.  Part of me thought, just move on, talk about something else.  But the other part of me, needs to talk about it, just to relieve the whirlwind stress of the last couple of days...

Moving big furniture, lots of art...  Making sure everything was safe...  Well protected...

      

The most wonderful part of this whole fiasco, was finding treasures that were lost deep in my closet.  I have lived in this house since I was 18 years old.  I pretty much own everything I brought to Tucson when I left home (and much more).  Oh, it is soooo exciting to find treasures I thought were lost...  Jewelry I mourned about, was found!!  As well as, all the rhinestone stuff and dresses from my Mexico discoteque days. So willllld!!!  Horrid Huge platform shoes made me smile from ear to ear! I got them for .50 cents in the late eighties...

      

The nostalgia of it all, made me appreciate the fact that all was not lost.  I can't tell you how I keep repeating those thoughts in my mind.  Thank God that things are okay.  All it was was an inconvenience, really.  And, hopefully, the re-plumbing will go smoothly (crossing fingers big time!)

      

I played dress up during breaks, and wondered, why I ever paid hundreds of dollars for shoes like this, brought back from London...  How did I walk in them???

      

Yesterday already seems like a blur...  As it was my biggest packing day...

      

And, I have to say, one thing I appreciate about my personality is, I have the ability to let go of issues.  I don't like to hold on, I like to move on.  No point in dwelling...  I need happy in my life...  So, as I type this blog post, I feel just fine.  I feel remarkably better, and just a little tired...

Mr. Lovee and I moved the last of the big stuff out yesterday...  While I sat on an empty safe, I played my piano to my hearts content...

      

All the while, my life sized mermaid looked on, before being plastic wrapped :)  I am so touched at how my family always come through.  My sister and brother and I are so blessed to have the parents we have.  They are understanding, they take good care of us.  I could never express to them, the profound love and gratitude I have for them...

Last night, when I got to the country home, I took a hot shower.  And felt so bad for my sister who has not been able to have one in a long time.  I also sat down to read all of the comments from my last blog post.  Mr. Lovee walked over to me, I looked up at him, huge lump in my throat, and said, "they made it all better."  Mr. Lovee said "who did?"  I pointed at the screen.  At all of your comments.   Because, well, they fill my soul.  They do, they do :)

It is wonderful to have this country place, where I have my studio, and where, my art world will not be affected.  I will have a few busy days this week, but I will see you very very soon!! xoxo  Vanessa

      

Let's have some fungi lovin' fun!!

What a whirlwind week, phew!  But, I had to stop in really quick and share something I made for you.  I was going to wait until next week, but I just can't!! ;)

      

This is part of my thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with me, here at "A Fanciful Twist."  I can't tell you how much that means to me (more than you can know).  And so, since that very very sappy mushy over the top time of the year is coming (embracing the mood starting now), I figure it isn't too soon to start preparing.

      

I think you guessed what I am talking about right... YEP! Valentine's day!  I have some ideas to share... But first, let me break down and give you your very own FREE Valentine set.  From me to you.  I looooooved making these.

      

If there is any time to go over the top with an idea, to the point of nutcakey, it is this time.  So, I went FUNGI crrrazy.  It's all about the fungi...  Under the photo below is a link for you to get your own printable PDF version.

      

Click here to get a printable PDF file. The file looks a bit fuzzy on the screen, but prints more than crisp and lovely.  I printed mine on heavy cardstock and they look yummmmy!  I have made three sets for myself.  I think it is good I am starting this soon in making them, or time would get away from me for certain.

Feel free to make as many copies as you would like, they are free for you to use.  I think they are perfect for kids, for adults, for office sharing, for girls, for boys.  "I Like You" boy's sweatshirt tells us he has been to a "shroom-fighters" concert, hee hee.  I know, so silly, but fun right?

You will find terms like:

      

Here are how the ones I printed for myself look, cut-out...  I like to use my scalloped scissors on some of them.  But mostly, I just cut them out real simply, leaving a small white border around the shape.

      

I hope you enjoy them to pieces!!  Happy early Valentine's day.  I will also put a link in my sidebar, so you can get more easily, when you run out :) 

A few more things to share...  WE did the Mr. Lovee Thriftventure drawing!!  I wanted to choose three people.  But, since Mr. Lovee has to go out and search for the treasure himself, I could not very well ask him to do three.  If I do that, he won't play with us anymore... 

He chose the winner straight out of "Feed Me's" mouth ( yes, I am the nutcake who made this bowl)...

      

I looove this bowl.  It is gross, but I looove it...  Now, does that man-jewelry say Arizona, or what?  Well, actually, we got it in Santa Fe.  I wish it fit me!!  But, it is tooo big.  I know, Arizona-over-the-top-wacky-fab (in my opinion at least ;)!

      

Whose name did he pull???

      

SaraH, of HeartBreak Art! Yipppeeee!!  Send me your addy and we will get you a sweeeet thriftventure.  I can't waiiiit to see what Mr. Lovee chooses!!  This could be very interesting!!

Before I go I want to share two little tid-bits...  First of all, I found such a charming blog this week. Hoola Tallulah  Well, she found me and then I found her back.  Her blog is cute & crisp & colorful & funny & real & includes children and chickens, brambled goats and gardens & brocantes & yes, FRANCE.  Oh and, she makes fairy-cakes and has geese in a lake by where she hangs her clothes to dry :)  What?  Yes, what can I say, fun fun!  Can I have some fairy-cakes? (Tallulah 's photo below)

      

Also,  I got the most lovely comment from a wonderful visitor.  It will make you swoooooon!  It has to do with the balloon wish post. 

      

Here is a snippet of how it read:  "I live in the middle of godforsaken Nowhere in Texas and have to drive 30 miles for the simplest groceries. So....  I spend a lot of time alone. I was walking in the woods last week and saw a deflated balloon in a tree deep off the path of my woods. I happily, knee-deep in chilly mud made my way to the stumpy little tree, and the pinkish-red balloon was just shreddy and ribbony. However, in my heart of hearts, I just KNEW it might be one of your balloons! Although it wasn't, it cheered me up just as much as if it HAD been one. It was just a bursted old bit of rubber, but I ambled out of the thicket with a lighter heart and humming a bit of something nice...maybe Mozart. Anyhoo---I had brambles in my hair, but the rest of my day felt more magical and full of possibilities....."
-Laura

Is that swooooooooooooney wonderful?  My heart is so full, I am sooo touched.  OH, you lovely people!  I am so glad I joined the blogosphere.  It is pure magic!  What ever would I have done without you? 

ps:  I have a philosophy about Valentine's Day.  You see, I don't think Valentine's day has to be about romantic love.  I think it can be about passion for life.  About giant boxes of chocolates and the love we have inside.  The love for family and friends.  The love for fresh air and good waves in life.  There are sometimes, that I spend holidays like Valentine's day alone.  Days that you would expect to share with friends or loves.  But, I find, that when you are alone, and you take time to dress up and bake a giant heart shaped flourless chocolate cake (even dropping it off for a neighbor as a kind gesture), you actually live the day, and it becomes so much more meaningful. When I throw my Halloween witches party, it passes me by, because I am so busy getting ready for it.  So, why not delve into a holiday like Valentine's day in a peacful way, on your own terms.  What about loving yourself?  What about a free indulge day.  What about feeling good, instead of sad?  I don't know, I am just saying... What about it?  Who said that we have to be loved by "someone" on February 14th?  Even if we have a beau, we should take time to love ourselves, and reflect on that very important love in our life.  The person we see in the mirror...

I don't know, that is just me...  See you soon!! xoxo

Today's Menu: Little bits of simple niceness, mixed with Sweet Kindness, Sprinkled with overlooked goodness & garnished with bliss...

There are so many things I want to share and say sometimes.  What I was going to share with you today, went right out the window after a stroll through the yard and tea at the Gypsy Theatre. 

      

I woke up knowing I would have some daunting tasks that I had to prepare myself for.  Still lots of paperwork to get through.  And, the 3rd return of a printer, and so on and so forth.  What I decided last night was to set my alarm clock so I could get up a bit earlier and have some "me" time before the dreaded tasks.

I made some tea and strolled through the garden...  I  found myself at my little porch outside of the gallery, known between me, the bunnies & birds as the Gypsy Theatre.

      

As I was sitting there, I started thinking of all the incredibly kind and wonderful people I have met here.  The astounding generosity.  I realized, there are things I have not shared that are ever so important to share.

Things as silly as the ice star Mr. Lovee wanted me to send all of you weeks ago, on a cold Arizona day...

      

To things that we see everyday, and think of, that impact us greatly.  Like the ribbons still tied around our tree in memory of the Coble children...

      

Not only are there huge things that impact us... But there are special everyday things we all do.  All of us have one or two.  They are things that are part of our lives that we take completely for granted.  Things we notice that make us let out a little swoon.  Like places we pass by, where we see the same little old man in the window, everyday.  Or, the scent and moisture seeping out of our favorite dry cleaners, on a busy street...  Or, the first breath you take when you open the door to Starbucks or any favorite coffee place.  Or even, the overwhelming sweet smell that jolts you back to the 80's (in my case).  When your first boyfriend lent you his jacket at a football game or at the carnival & it was swathed in Drakkar Noir. 

Well, today's little life findings that made me swoon were more on the lines of finding Moss in a dry desert garden...  Bending over to run your fingers across it while saying "Ohhhh, I looove moss...."

      

And then stumbling upon it again in a crack in the concrete :)  Double Swoon!

      

But then we go on, not realizing how that little jolt of loveliness is quite essential to getting through the day.  Yet those things, are things we would hold onto, things that we might even refer to over and over in our memories if tragedy hit, and we were trying to remember the good times...  When Mr. Lovee had his bad accident, I would roam the yard, praying for some sense of normalcy.  Will we ever be able to go to a coffeee house, and sit and laugh and sip as we once did...  His 3 month recovery felt eternal...

I thought of that today, standing in front of the metal contraption I use to call Mr. Lovee when I can't find him in the yard...

      

One day he walked me over to it.  He took the pliers that are balanced right on the bar, and said "when you can't find me, don't scream LOOOOOVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.  Just do this."  With a quick motion, he swung the pliers into that big round bellish thing, and RING RING RING. Yikes.  That's loud.  But it works!

      

So, you see, today, as I was roaming, I realized how important the little things are.  And how things we do, can change people's days as well.  For the better and for the worse. 

Speaking of acts of kindness that change people's lives.  Have I got one for you.  You remember my friend Carolyn?  Who lost her son and then had to have major eye surgery in November?  Well, she is still house bound. And, I will tell you what, there have been some crucial acts of kindness from strangers and friends, that have helped her get through this...  We received a paypal donation from someone very dear to my heart, that I know through blogging.  I had told her about how our office was taking a collection for Carolyn.  A fund to help get her through the workless months... Every bit counted, I'll tell you what... That was so amazing, Thank you Miss N...  The people who donated at the office were incredible too.  The outpouring was jaw dropping!

Also, one of our very own fellow bloggers did something that was quite remarkable... 

One day I get an e-mail from the ever darling, Polly over at Counting Your blessings.  She says to me, you know, my mom and I choose someone every Christmas to donate 12 gifts for the 12 days of Christmas to.  And, would it be okay if we choose your friend Carolyn this year?  Lump in my throat - but of course it would be...

      

Like Clock work, a few days before the 12 days start.  A giant box appears.  Filled with wrapped gifts...  Gifts that truly, I mean truly, made a huge difference in Carolyn getting through the head down for 14 days in a row thing.  Being in that horrid contraption.  Everyday she looked forward to it.  And, may I just say, the gifts were beyond thoughtful and really really really good.  Which was a HUGE bonus.  The act was huge in itself, but then for the gifts to be phenomenal?!? 

Carolyn kept asking me if I had told Polly all the things she likes and such.  She thought I had something to do with the gift choices because they were just tooooooo perfect.  Nope, I had nothing to do with it at all.  It was all Polly.  So Miss Polly, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you.  You are an angel!!!

Carolyn is such a trooper, if you knew her in real life, you would understand how valuable those 12 days of gifts were to her.  To feel loved & less alone.  She has the best sense of humor too. 

She said that depending on if she was happy or sad, she would give me the following funyun faces...

      

So the way I look at it.  After today's inspirations hit me, and all these memories and little loves came flooding in...  I realized, you can change your little day path.  You can even, find your own personal picnic place in your own world and shake things off.  Delve in and hide, even for just minutes...  It changed my whole outlook on my day...

      

So, when you are in my neck of the woods, and the Gypsy Theatre beckons, be prepared to get all mushy and moss loving.

      

Oh, and when the Gypsy tells your fortune, and speaks of you finding gold...  Remember to ask what kind of gold...

      

And in a sweet PS:  I told Mr. Lovee to bring me back a treasure from his real world thriftventures last week.  That night, I sheepishly asked...  Did I get a treasure??  He replied "the treasure is in your room, you have to look very carefully to find it..."  I searched and searched.  Things looked very normal...  Until I peeked into the dollhouse.  And, a tiny little girl we had never seen, was sitting right in the children's room.  Swoooooooooooon.

      

With that, I say, Happy Day!  Would you like a thriftventure find from Mr. Lovee?  Leave a comment describing what kind of things you love.  Mr. Lovee will draw a name and send you a lovely thriftventure treasure. We will name the recipient in a few days at the next blog post...(example:  I love kitchen stuff, I love random trinkets, I love bird stuff, I love blue stuff)

See you sooooon! xoxo

Donaldina Dollhouse Trumpette + New Postcard Love

You can imagine why I am towing that name today can't you?  Let me preface this story by telling you a huge secret.  A secret which is sure to make you think I am way off my rocker.  You see, every so often,  I have this strange dream where I am finding a treasure somewhere.  The next day, I go to the place of my dream and in an eerily exciting way, the treasure is there. (revisiting a drawing)

          

That is actually the very way I acquired one of my pianos.  My 1924 Baldwin (which sounds like Tori's piano in Bells for her) in fact.  (not my painted pianola that you have met, but another playable creature, there is a photo somewhere in this mad blog, but I can't find it).

That leads me to today's story.  So, there I was asleep, minding my own business.  When all of a sudden, a dream of a dollhouse, one that had been recurring for a year or so ( I know, I shouldn't be having these as I already have a dollhouse awaiting a makeover, and a couple other smaller ones).

        

Only this dream told me that today was the day to go to this special place.  I got up and went for a walk & upon recalling the dream, became obsessed with getting to said shop.  Once I got there, I looked all around calmly, and then, all of a sudden, peeking from way behind some stuff, I see it.  A new home for my woodland creatures, and the girls, and oh everyone...  I grab someone, asking if this is really the price, as it was a gooooooooooooooooooood price.

        

Then I thought...  How can I be such a greedy dollhouse owner.  Noone buys property like this...  Am I insane.  No no, can't pass it up, no way, no how!  So, I bring it home, I gloss the floors, paint the attic white...  Then rearrange for hours, huge furniture has to be moved in the real life house, to get this house to fit in.  And, now the question remains, what to do with the other house? 

See wee bunny boy is crying in the old house here, he doesn't want to move...

      

I try to tell him, "lovely, the new house is going to be good."  It has so much wonderful wood, and I painted the banisters, like I did the attic, in white for a fresh feel.  I glossed the floors and...  It is noo good, he is inconsolable.

His sisters and nana however, they are ready to move in.  They are soooo excited!!!

      

Faun boy is perched at the front door, waiting for a photo op...

      

Although the house is very yellow, it makes me swoon everytime I look at it...  My heart overflows!!  Ready to see the whole thing?????? (It fits just perfectly on my old white dressing table)

      

Oh, I am so in love with it.  I can't believe noone else snatched it up! (one thing did happen though, a lady actually cried after I bought it, because she wished she had seen it)  I know it was waiting for us!  I just know it!! Faun boy wants you to see his favorite place...

Come on in...

      

Look at Faun Boy's fave spot...

      

He has claimed the third floor as the playroom.  Little does he know, it will also be the school-room :)

      

So that is the new house.  What do you think?  It will be very very "Little Women."  No electricity like the old house.  Lots of wood.  I can never part with my old dollhouse though.  We will have to find a place...

Now, in other news, as if that wasn't exciting enough...  An order I placed a long time ago just arrived.  You see, the order was lost.  Yes, lost for over a week.  But it is here now.  In the form of new satiny lovely postcards for the shop!!

There are 4 new styles.  The first one is especially exciting because I realized, it would make a lovely Valentine's day card.  But is not totally intended for Valentine's day, so it can be used at any other time as well... 

This card has rounded edges!  So fun!  Super Bake Girl Emilia...

      

The quality is incredible.  They are professionally made like the others, you will love them.  Oh, and the back (white) is ready for you to write it up, stick on a stamp (or not) and send it off... (There is no grey line around the actual card, it is just there for shapes sake...)

      

The other three are so fun as well.  I love these because they can also be framed with an extra wide mat, which is what I am going to do for myself.

The 3-d quality is astounding.  It just floors me everytime I look at them...

      

So, we have Bird Girl.  "A Fanciful Twist" does not appear on the front of any of the cards...

Front:

      

Back of The Bird Girl:

      

The Memory of the Dance in the Forest:

      

Back:

      

In a Sea of Dreams:

      

Back:

      

So, those will be making their debut in the shop asap...

Also, the moment we have all been waiting for, Bunny King gets a name...  He is a prince now, but he will be King one day...

      

Ready for this one?  (King of the Magical Little Bunnies, but Prince Phin for now...)

Click on Image.

      

It was impossible to choose.  I loved them all, from Captain Mortimer, to Lancelot Lapin, to Bun bun, to Fuzzywiggins, to TwitchandNibble.  But, in the end.  He really fits into this long name...  In my opinion. 

So, whose names did I work out to get here?  Well we have the ever lovely Miss Betty with the El Rey de Los Magicos Conejitos part.  I loved this because, A) we all know what other language I speak & B) the man who put him together (My Father), as he was found broken by Mombie, has a name very close to Rey...  So, he should be named after the man who fixed him and gave him back a leg...

Then we have Prince Phineas Alabaster Hareoldson (she called him sir, little alteration there) from the wonderful Woolyvines.

And thirdly, Overseer of Tea Parties, Cake Walks & Treasures came from my dear talented friend Sarah.  She knows how to get me!

So, there you have it... The name truly suits him in persona...  E-mail me your address girls, for a few treats!!  Thank you all for playing!!  I really appreciate it!!

Well, I am off.  And, please send me good vibes over the weekend.  My accountant is putting me to work big time.  He needs massive amounts of paperwork for me to get together and put in order, sooner than I thought.  It might cause me to have a heart attack...  The thought almost put me over the edge just now...

Huge hugs!!!  xoxo

The Bunny, the Owl, the Tea Party Girls & The Dollhouse...

It has been brought to my attention on more than one occasion that my bunny boy needs a name.  I think I am like those parents that don't choose a name for their children for a freakishly long time.  And, really, when you have a wooden box of wonderful names suggested to you, how do you choose? 

      

Last night, he was sitting on the mantle, and I realized one thing for sure.  My friend Nancy wasn't too sure he was quite ready to be king.  And, really, I think she is right.  I think he is more of a mischevious little bunny prince.  See, he even got into my jewelry box and put on a necklace with a crown in the center...  (ps:  The original art piece behind our bunny boy, is available and in my shop)

I wrote down some of the names that I thought really suited him.  Here is my coffee stained little list... It has two sides, but the other is too filthy to share...

      

The truth is, we just don't know what to name him.  I am really close...  He insists he want to be king...  But look at him, he doesn't fit in his thrown yet...

      

His crown doesn't fit either, and no matter how many times I tell him not to, he still eats cake in his thrown...

      

So for now, I need one more blog post in time, to secure a name.  A name that really fits him perfectly.  If you have any more thoughts I am still open.  Because, the truth is, I think I am going to choose several ideas to make one name.

Guess what else I have been up to?  Well, I have been trying new papers and flooring on for size in my house...

My Dollhouse that is...

      

I have to say, I am really finding the whole thing a bit overwhelming.  I was soooo excited to cut out wall paper and such.  But, with all of the moulding to remove and electricity to deal with, the first steps were really eye-opening.  I am re-evaluating how to tackle this.  Maybe I will do a spruce up and not a whole renovation.  Plus, time wise.  Well, some of you know, I have been staying up wayyyyy too late to accomplish all the things my little brain has on its list.  And, quite honestly, I am making myself nuts.  Back to nutcakeville I go if I don't find some simple solutions.

Also, I want to thank you for helping me have such a wonderful shop update a few days ago.  I was so excited to share the dolls and other creatures with you (there are still a few treasures waiting for you in the shop).  I am actually heading out right after this blog post to get more tape & packaging supplies, as I have run out :)  I know, some of your are smiling.  Yes, more tape.  I know, I am causing the tape shortage of 2008.  It is one of my OCD things.  It makes me giggle just thinking about it! hee heeeeee ;)

I was busy all weekend creating more little faces and stories.  I am so addicted...  Here are more creations that will be going into the shop very soon (early this week, maybe even tomorrow)...

Owl Girl...

      

Keeper of treasures...  Unlocking our deepest dreams and wishes...  She has lovely textured wings...

      

Owl girl is so fun, I wish I could translate all the details over the screen.  But, in person they are magical little beings.  They bring me so much joy...

Tea-time Girl...  I am sooo in love with her... Is it okay to love a doll as such?

      

She has a name, but I am waiting for her to whisper it to me... Oh, you should have seen me making those little tea cups and saucers, and the pitcher.  I can't express the satisfaction creating miniatures brings.  It is incredible.  Actually, I find satisfaction in most clay creations.  I remember the first time one of my life size tea cups came out of the kiln.  It was so wonderful to have something tangible like that in your hands... 

Mr. Lovee always giggles at what he calls, my pee-wee little fingers.  We hold up our pinkies to eachother and it is so chuckle worthy.  This weekend I said, see, if it weren't for pee-wee pinkies, we wouldn't have pee-wee tea cups... hahaha

      

And, the Cake Girl...  Such a dear heart, she is so peaceful and kind...

      

She carries with her a teeny blue bird in the top of her crown.  And of course, a huge piece of cake on her favorite cake plate...

      

So there are more dolls for our fun theater and for your dreamy homes... 

      

Okay, tape beckons, so I must run out.  I also have to deliver a doll...  Oh, before I forget again, I have been meaning to acknowledge how slow I have been in everything.  I have been slow in visits, slow in posts, and especially slow in thanking some of you for the treasures you share with me ( life has been crazzzzzy, but that is no excuse).  My mailbox gets some wonderful love.  And, I have been dreadfully horrid at sharing.  So, I am going to take extra care to do that...

I want to thank two girls today for their parcel love.  I am going to take photos of more parcel love and share this week...

Thank you Miss Sarah!  She is such an artist, and soooooo good with sewing.  Beyond good. She makes wonderful creatures!!  And, she is funny and, as I tell her often, she knows everything! 

      

Another parcel that came was so funny because, Mr. Lovee could read with the bottom part of the bifocals!!  But, he can not have them :)  Thank you to the charming Phyllis of Shabby in the City.  She has the fun fun fun friday flea markets.  You can shop right off her blog.  I have captured some great vintage baby gown treasures for my dolls... She has some of everything we love over at her place!!

Thank you Shabilitta!!! She also sent what is now my favorite drinking mug, with a little witch and book of spells on it...  LOVE it!

      

Well, off I run for now.  Tape calls and my world needs some tending to.  xoxo

We ran off and joined the Circus + A shop update...

Well, we really didn't join the circus..  But we did do a disapearring act that would make Houdini jealous, didn't we?  The real world has been trecherous, however, it is looking up for certain.  I have been pulling 3 a.m. nights to get some fun treasures created. So without further adieu, let me share what I have been up to...

I have built a place for all the new creatures coming alive, to have a place to perform...

      

It has taken countless days and nights, and although it looks simple and clean...  May I just say, it did not start out this way...  I have been working with pieces and scraps...  Sewing curtains, painting...

The newest members of our family (our, meaning you and me) are ever so excited about this...

      

From left to right, Maude, Matilda (Mattie) and Charlotte (Lottie).  They would like to say hello, and introduce you to our very fun...

"A Fanciful Twist" Theater...

      

I built this theater myself out of old pieces of furniture.  The only help Mr. Lovee gave me was making sure the back was on safe with bigger screws, helping me lift the heavy thing onto a base and making a last minute run to the fabric shop for the striped stuff.  Other than that, he was banned from looking until it was complete.  I am so excited about it.  I wanted to share it after I had backdrops made up and such, but, really, that might take forever.  So, why wait?

We have had one night time show...

      

And, several day time shows...

      

Permilia (Millie)  has especially enjoyed being on stage.  She and Faun boy have become great friends...

      

Are you wondering who these girls are?  Here is a bit of the story.  You see the way they came to be in my mind was...  They are peasant girls that live in a village just outside of the fairytale forest.  Right before you enter the forest, you pass a cobbler, a book binding shop, a dressmaker & jeweler and a Pastry shop.  The girls wait ever so patienly for the book maker to throw out pages in order for them to make these dresses.  They use mushroom paste and slivers of mica to jewel their gowns.  Also, the dressmaker and jeweler occasionaly throw out some wonderul scraps to add to their dresses and to embellish their paper gowns.  Some days there are lovely pastries left at the end of the day, that the pastry maker gladly shares so that the girls may take all of these treasures and run deep into the forest.  In the forest they become as lovely as any princess in the land.  They stay for hours and hours putting on plays for the forest creatures & throwing tea parties.  There are so many more stories.. But for now, you have a brief introduction...

The other exciting news is that, the girls will be looking for new homes to expand their adventures.  They will be going into my shop today along with  fauns and mushrooms and paper dress girl paintings.

Here are some snippets...

Permilia (Millie, the tallest of all the girls)

      

Who has hair to her ankles that I carefully created the most wonderful updo with.  Wish my hair looked like that.  She has a vintage dictionary page dress embellished with vintage mica flakes and actual vintage jewelry pieces on her dress and hand made crown...

      

Then there is Faun boy Dulin.  He is quite the kind little fellow. 

      

You will also find a mushroom trio and a couple of mushroom pairs...

      

      

Another treat is Sweet Matilda (Mattie).  She is so funny.  Quite mischevious.  She comes with three hats.  Well, actually one crown and two hats & a bouquet of German vintage mushrooms (attached to her right arm).  I made her a wee stand which I will include with her, as she can not stand alone...

      

      

She LOVES the crocheted hat I made her.  She loves that one the best...

      

      

She has a really lovely vintage clasp with two little pearls dangling at her waist...  And don't you love her in a dunce cap...

      

Mattie in her crown...

      

And then we have Maude.  Oh, she is so funny.  She has a dry sense of humor.  Yet, she secretly loves romance.  She carries with her a Lyre (for playing music) and a storybook...

      

      

Oh Maude makes me giggle so much..... hee hee

      

      

The dresses have a chicken wire base.  The girls actually have full bodies, legs and feet.  Want a peek? 

        

Oh and we can not forget faun boy Vand...  He is a sweetheart too...

      

Little sister Charlotte, is a darling girl... She will join the shop as well, with her little birdcage (with a teeny tiny bird in it) that I made out of a flattened bottle cap and wire... (she also carries a mushroom with her)  I think Charlotte, is a collector of sorts, wouldn't you say?

      

      

      

      

I have to say, I truly do not understand how people part with their dolls.  I know I have to learn to take this plunge.  The labor, the time, the love, the time...  They are all so dear to me. But, I think others should get to enjoy them as much as I do...  Everyone needs a diorama in their own home, and that is what we are all about here at "A Fanciful Twist."  Working towards that.  There are so many more treats that will join us in the future...  Then you can create your very own diorama.

As I promised, I will also be putting some new paper dress girls in the shop.  Here is a sneak peek before I head over there to update...

The Mime's Daughters Rehearse...

      

      

      

The Bird Girl, Escapes...

      

      

The Siren follows her heart...

      

      

And, last for today's update...

An Enchanted Dance...

      

      

So, there you have it, I am heading to the shop to add all these new pieces...  That is, my "A Fanciful Twist" Etsy Shop... :)  See you soooooooon!!! xoxo

Oh goodness, I almost forgot. The darling Denise at Mormar asked me some fun questions...  Visit her here...  Thanks!!