A Fanciful Twist

While I am in the studio working away...

While I am in the studio working away, lots of thing are happening in the magic yellow dollhouse...  For instance, the girls proclaimed that days would not be boring and regular anymore.  Of course I tried to explain to them that, in fact days would never be boring and regular for them because they lived in a giant 3-story yellow house with a faun and elves for brothers...  With trees growing in playrooms, and birds flying around freely.  They looked at me as if I were insane...  Oh sure, I'm the frootloop now?

Anyhow, Heidi Marie (was that the name Mr. Lovee gave her?) said, No Silly, I mean, we must wear cone hats everyday, and serve tea and treats at all hours.  And, we must be able to ride our pets to and fro... (don't we do that already? Sans the pet riding part?)

             

Well, sure that sounds okay, I said.  As long as you don't hurt your pets, and you make sure to do your chores.  The chores part was ignored...  I asked the girls kindly, if I were to help Nana make them super cushy beds with lovely bedding, would they help out around the place so I could get back to work (Painting, dollmaking, etc).  They nodded ridiculously profously.  So, I trusted them...

I went to work...

      

Sewing, stuffing little pillows.  Making box springs for beds and duvets, and so on...

      

There was to be tea at every hour, cone hat wearing extravaganza's, everything.  In exchange for their assistance so I might be able to get to work. 

As I have very exciting treats (shop stuff) baked, baking, and waiting to be baked. Plus painted, drying, and waiting to be painted, to share with you...  So, as you see, I have lots of secret wonderousness up my sleeve...

Nana made up the beds with the lovely new bedding and fluffy wonderful pillows I had sewn up...

      

Everything looked like it was going according to plan.  The elves were taking naps, the girls were being wacky, but good.

      

And, then I went to check on the other kids in the nursery.  Umm, hellllllo? Faun boy jumping on the bed with Fiona?  Toys scattered everywhere?  Owl boy jumping on the bed with Faun Boy and Fiona??

      

A bird that doesn't live with us, playing checkers...

      

What is this I exclaimed?  A Mad-House???  Again, they all looked at me as if I had come from another planet.  And then I realized, this issssss a mad-house.  It was always a mad-house.  There are no major rules.  Except those Mr. Lovee has to follow, like leaving trails of coffee and such...  Okay, he has no rules either, but don't let him know...  Who really cares if some strange bird is playing checkers in the nursery? 

I sat back and thought, oh what a relief!  We don't got no stinkin' rules roun' here!!!  Yipppeeeee!!  No chores, no curfews, no nagging.  Then I had to look in the mirror and say, No Vanessa, really, there are no rules! Pinch Me Eunice, pinch me!! (I call my sister Eunice)

The biggest gift, is realizing there is still a kookie kid living right inside of you, who still likes to jump on beds, and slurp hot chocolate really loud (with extra whipped cream) and yes, is still astonished that there is NO parental supervision.  Ahhh, ain't life grand...  Have you had this experience too?

Well, I guess I better get back to work for now...  Toodling along...

      

See you very very soooooon!!  V

Going Cuckoo, and other things...

Warning, this post is going to be very very cuckoooooo.  Are you prepared for the antics of an electricityless girl?

      

It all started one crisp lovely day, when the pup and I were making our way...  Through the garden of cactus, of love and of folklore, when tracks not belonging, marred the garden floor...

      

She looked at me, as I looked at her...  Both wondering what could be happening?  We heard a loud sound, and we flinched just a bit, while I cried, dear ole Lovee, but he was nowhere in sight...

Then, much to our dismay, what did we see?  The man with hair like the boys from Kiss, called Mr. Lovee, was doing an operation, on our very lovely little ground.  What was goin' on?  We cried out loud???

      

"Well lil' darlin', we're finally upgradin' the power."  (he doesn't really talk like that, but it sure would be romantic if he did) Oh thought me, and baby (the dog), with glee, that means yippeeee, hooray, A/C!  "But wait, it gets better, it's better than that, you can run all your kilns, bake pots back to back."  Only one little glitch said he to me... What thought I, eyes big as a tree... "You ain't gonna be playing with your little friends inside of that there machine."  What?  You mean, umm, no computer?  "Umm nooope" said he, "Maybe as long as a week."

Well I frowned and I huffed and I puffed all about.  But, but but.  Then said he, standing straight as could be.  "Fine, I don't have to do this for YOU."  "You can just boil and simmer this summer in 125 degrees."  Oh, no it's okay, I exclaimed.  I understand.  (Ya right)

So, I went on with my business, not much caring, but the trenching took days, no electricity, and the sound was blaring.  I acted real nice, takin' him coffee and tea.  And, I even was sweet as sweet as could be...

      

But, days and days later, I just could not bear, to be goin' around with big poofy hair (no electricity = no blow dryer, and most of the time I don't care).  I know I know, I should be happy I have hair at all...  But big poofy hair, it makes me feel tall.  And I am used to being real short, short as a mouse.  Hmmm, if only I could be tall... (oops sorry lost my rhyme...)

The nice man, the one with hair like the boys from Kiss, was truly being eagerly missed.  He worked every day, all work and no play... And the trench just grew bigger, more problems along the way.  "Oops he exclaimed, more than once a day, first it was the telephone cable, and then, who knows what else.."

      

The trench just kept getting longer and longer, and deeper, and wider, until it wrapped around the whole neighborhood (not really).  But, it did wrap around all the way down the side of the house too...

So, the girl, with poofy hair, in three layers of white prairie gowns, made herself busy, like a good Victorian girl would do.  She tredged along in the dirt, her layers of gowns and slippers like a nutty clowns...  Wondering what she should do...  The creatures in the yard mocked her from day to day... First it was Fluffy and Muffy, both causing her grief...

      

Then it was Fluffy alone (and this is true), he would pounce onto her bedroom door, just to get her attention...  And then pose as a statue...

      

First to the left of the Buddha, then to the right... 

      

As this went on, all morning noon and night...  She finally tired of Fluffy's mind games, and skipped on along...  Wondering what to do next... 

A few days came and went, and still, only spurts of power were allowed.  Check your e-mail as fast as you can and then, poof, it's out again...

So, she created a plan, to catch her own shadow... That kookie crazy shadow of hers... But it snuck right away, wearing her clothes, three layers of gowns and don't forget, slippers like a clowns...

      

Then her sneaky little shadow decided to try, to steal the dogs, oh me oh my!

      

But no luck, the duck was too alert, I mean dog, oops.  And, the pup ran away, before the shadow could cause her any hurt...

So, the shadow thought, in her best Eeyore voice, "Oooh, well, I guess, I could use this time to clean the house..."  Instead, she went to the store, walked around, but found it a bore...  Then went back to the country home, and played with her favorite gnome...

Then, she sat and she pondered, talking to her favorite hairbrush. The one that came all the way from her dearest friend in Pair-us. (I mean, Paris, hee hee)

      

She thought it had worked, she had chanelled her friend, Miss Tara, Paris Parfait, is that you?  Is that you my dear friend?  She conjured a plan, her and her hairbrush.  She would pack a bag and head for Paris.  Alas, there was this huge problem, she refused to board the plane.  So Miss Tara, for now, I made that plan in vain.  To surprise you, you see... At a quarter to three.  To call you from the airport so you could go rescue me :)

Maybe next time, she thought to herself.  Then got lost for hours, playing with treasures her friend had sent her long ago...

      

Which she cared for and loved, and thanked the elf above (I don't know who the elf above is but, let's just go with it...).

Anyhow, the days went along, the power in dissaray...  And the girl did not clean but continued to play.  Then she thought of a magical thing she had found right before, her plumbing exploded and flooded the floor...

She ran to the hiding place, where this thing lived, unpacked it and hung it, and behold, it ticked and it ticked...

      

And she sat, and waited and waited, for the wee little bird...  To hop out and say, it is time, have you heard??

      

      

      

But the whole thing happened so fast, darn and blast! (oops)  She couldn't quite capture the wee little bird, but you can imagine, he was quite handsome...

And then the news she had waited for, the power would be turned on, yippppeeee, let's explore...  A life with more power, to bake you a giant clay flower...  Only there was just one thing...

The man, known as Mr. Lovee, with the Kiss band hair, and orange under----(just kidding) :)  Took her to the new power center.  He said, well, I know it looks bad, and it is right in front of your gallery/shop, but...

Before he could go on, HER JAW hit the floor.  And her face turned as red as a bright bursting berry.  She shook and she hollered and stomped all about.  OH NO no no no!!!!  This can't be no no no, remove it right away!!!

      

All of a sudden, her anger transfered to he, and his blood boiled and steam came right out of his ears.  His eyebrows flew right off his face, and his teeth got all pointy and fierce.  He spun all around in anger and rage...  She realized, what happened. He had worked oh so hard, taking days out of his schedule to trench and to dig, so she could run her kilns back to back, and have a/c and live in peace and spoiled glee. 

So, she said, wait wait wait, I actually like it.  It is like a canvas.  I can paint it pink, I can write A Fanciful Twist on it.  He looked at her all perplexed.  Wondering, what was next?  No I am serious, she said.  It had to be, and it is just fine.  No big deal.  Then she took her hand in his, as he sat in a chair, face to face, him with a bit nicer glare (than 10 seconds ago that is).  And she said...  Now Mr. Lovee, I have a question, is this big beautiful grey metal box filled with power, a gift from you?  He nodded, yes, his face tired, but less and less stressed.  Then she said, " Well, then, if it be, that this big metal box, is a gift from you, then I love it all the more, and would hate to see it go."

Then the man said, "Well, that is good because you don't have choice."  :) :)   She gave him a hug, and brought him a nice hot cup of coffee, as he sat, looking defeated and exhausted.

She scurried away, and knew she was wrong, what was she thinking acting like she lived at the primadonna prom??? 

So, she went in her studio (getting out of his way), and thought to herself, I'll make another shamrock brooch and play...  And so was born a new idea, for making those fun paper brooches...

      

Cut out all of your shamrocks that you have printed on cardstock (printable PDF here)....  Then take pieces of paper, and trace each shamrock onto a different piece.  So that you can make a collaged paper brooch...  Then cut out each colorful paper piece, and glue it to the appropriate shamrock, and assemble as before...

      

And even try using those pin backs I spoke of before (or use a safety pin)...

      

      

And, use some of your button stash for a center...

      

Voila, isn't this soooo pretty!!  I love it!!  A wonderful alternative to no glitter!

      

So, there you have it a, a very merry cuckoo week.  And, now hopefully, getting back to normal!!  Can't wait to make my visits!!  I feel so out of the loooop!! (it has been like that alot here lately, eh?) xoxo, V

Sparkly, lucky, happy day!

I have been up to so much sparkly fun.  I just can't wait to share it.  I hope you enjoy it, as much as I did.  I had this idea swimming in my head, so I tried it out today, and voila, I think it is a whole lot of fun, and oh so easy!! 

      

You see that shamrock brooch there?  Well, I invented a fun and super easy way to make it.  I created a PDF cutout for you!!  Not only that, I have some FREE PDF Saint Patrick's Day Greetings for you too!  I always want to think up ways to say thank you, and add some easy fun to our lives...

I decided to created all different sizes and colors of shamrocks, and layer them... You know, how once a year, you are in your car and realize it is St. Patrick's day, and then you wish you had something cute to throw on?  Without having to dress in all green?  Well, here ya go...

      

There were very fancy ways to attach the shamrocks to eachother.  However, I decided, if you are going to make them with your kids, or whip one up for yourself to wear, it should be super duper easy.  Especially if you are going to make more than one, maybe for friends? 

The PDF file you will be able to print out (especially good on nice thick white cardstock) is shown below...Make sure to Click here for printable version.

      

Here is how to get started...

      

I made two brooches.  One with really silly bright colors, and one with some wonderful fine glitter.  Some glitter I had, and some is part of Martha Stewart's wonderful glitter selection. Plus, I used a bit of the vintage sterling silver glitter too. Only a little though, I am very stingy with my vintage sterling glass glitter ;)

First I cut out all of my shamrocks...  (meanwhile the hot glue gun heated up)

      

Then, I started layering them, adding a tiny pearl of hot glue in the center.  Layer biggest to smallest...

      

Once all layered, I give them a firm push in the center, to make sure they are really stuck together.

      

Then, I give each shamrock, starting with the top one and working to the bottom one, a little fold, to make them a bit more 3-d...

      

Once they are all folded up very gently, and look like this, I am ready to attach a safety pin to the back. 

      

My advice, attach the safety pin before you embellish... I found that the center of the upper backmost shamrock is the best placement for the safety pin... I used a smallish safety pin, so it would not hang off the edges.

      

You can use those specially made brooch back pins that you can get at any craft store.  The kinds that simply have to be glued to the back of the brooch.  However, I chose a simple safety pin, because I wanted this to be easy, easy.

So now for the fun part!  Glitter!  I looove glitter!  You will need some Elmer's glue (or any craft glue) and a small paintbrush. 

      

Make sure you have all your glitters out too.  I also used Mica flakes on the super colorful brooch.  Get out any fun stuff you want to use!  I started embellishing, with the middle, but you can start anywhere you'd like... 

      

      

You will then simply, use your paintbrush to paint glue on the petals of the shamrock.  I painted the glue on, and glittered little by little.  With each individual petal.  As, the glue dries fast, and if you do more than one petal at a time, you might not get good glitter coverage...

      

You will notice that the color of the flower shimmers through, even if you cover it with silver or gold fine shimmer.  In person, you can still see hints of the green, which is really pretty...

      

As you work along, your brooch will start to look like this...

      

Once you are completey done, let your shamrock brooch dry really well.  The drier it gets, the prettier the glitter sparkles.  You can also add a giant stone to the middle of your flower, or a button...  Anything really, even an old rhinestone earring that you just have one of? 

      

Now wasn't that so super easy and fun???  I know, they are a little, well, let's face it, alot sparkly, but they are so much fun to make!  I was thinking that if you didn't want glitter, you could draw designs on each shamrock with different pens and markers?  Or use each shamrock to outline each size on different papers, then glue the papers on to each shamrock and then simply assemble it, so you have a collaged shamrock.  That could be really really fun..  You could use doilies even.  I have to play with that idea too!

By the way, I did later play with the collaged brooch idea, and included it at the end of this post ;)

I know, you are going to think I have totally lost it.  However, I also have some Free St. Patrick's Day cards for you.  I know it seems early, but really it isn't, time goes by so fast.  Before you know it, you'll barely be printing them and it will actually be St. Patrick's day.  So, I am giving you a head start.  I love sharing Free cards!  They are sooo much fun to make!!

They look like this...

      

      

      

      

Click here for your printable PDF file of your very own Free St. Patrick's day cards.  From me to you!! 

      

You will also be able to find the Free Brooch PDF and the Free St. Patrick's day PDF in the right hand side bar.  SO you don't have to look for them later...

Okay, I better go before you come hunt me down for the longest blog post ever!

Also, the winner of the Valentine post drawing, as chosen by the random number generating machine, is Jenn Lui!!  Yippeee for you!!  E-mail me Miss Jenn!!

See you soooooooon!!! V

Update:

Here is an alternative to sparkly brooches...  Collaged brooches...

A new idea I thought up for making those fun Paper Brooches...

      

Cut out all of your shamrocks that you have printed on cardstock (printable PDF here)....  Then take pieces of paper, and trace each shamrock onto a different piece.  So that you can make a collaged paper brooch...  Then cut out each colorful paper piece, and glue it to the appropriate shamrock, and assemble as before...

      

And even try using those pin backs I spoke of before (or use a safety pin)...

      

      

And, use some of your button stash for a center...

      

Voila, isn't this soooo pretty!!  I love it!!  A wonderful alternative to no glitter!

      

Have a blast!!  Can't wait to see what you make!! V

I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me... {Mouse tales, Delicious treats & Give-away results}

So, I waited until the wee hours, the actual strike of midnight to do my Valentine post.  I loooooove Valentine's Day.  It is soooo fun.  It is my favorite ME day.  Even when I didn't have love on this day, I still had fun, and did wonderful things...

This Valentine's day, I would like to share a touching little story with you.  I know you will like it, I just know it.  Why do I know?  Well, it has to do with Wee Mouse Boy...  Remember him?  His life has taken the most lovely turn.  Funny how things happen when you least expect...

      

You see, after sailing the Woodland Seas, Wee Mouse boy decided that since the real estate market was sluggish, it might be a great time to buy.  He hoped to be able to get a smokin' deal on a little house.  You know, nothing toooo huge, but something that was charming, and needed a little tender loving care... 

He found the perfect little place, right outside the Fungi Forest.  He was having a grand ole time one day, fixing the roof, when he heard a sweet girl voice singing a high pitched tune...

        

He looked up and what did he see?

      

But, a lovely little mouse girl, riding her bike down his path, headed straight towards his house.  She was carrying a book, perhaps selling encyclopedias?

Oh, she was an adorable creature, she looked like she was glowing.  Only, as she turned onto the bend in the road, Mouse Boy noticed, she was in for trouble.  She had not seen the giant furry animal, lurking in the midst...

      

She was just toodling along, humming her tune...  Mouse Boy almost fell off the roof, trying to warn her that there was a giant fur creature, about to...

      

About to decide to plunk down, on the path, right where mouse girl was riding her bike...

      

The furry creature knocked her over.  And, in a fit of fear, she froze, just thrown on the ground, not able to move an inch... 

      

It seemed the furry creature hadn't even noticed her.  Mouse Boy hollered, "Don't worry, I'll save you..."

He pounced on the furry mass.  The problem was, the creature thought it was a game... 

      

The furry pooch meant no real harm.  She just wanted to play...  Mouse Boy quickly realized this, but, he wanted to impress the Mouse Girl, peeking up at them...  She was dusting herself off while Mouse Boy tried to show off...

      

Mouse Girl wasn't really interested in Mouse Boy's antics.  She just wanted to try to sell him some books, and be on her way...  She had gotten back on her bike and was riding away, when Mouse Boy called out, "Come back, what are you selling?"

      

Hmmm, she was a little leary of Mouse Boy.  She was greatful though, he did try to help her, but then the extra Macho Mouse stuff, just made her think he was a silly fool.  Still, she had to thank him for being helpful to her, things could have turned out worse, and he did almost fall off of the roof trying to help her...

So she rode her bike up to his house, but as she jumped off, she noticed something was terribly wrong with her bike.  It fell over, looking like something had happened to the tire... Mouse Boy exclaimed, "I'll fix it,"  with a very mischevious grin...

      

But as he tried to lift up the bike, he fell flat on his face.  This led Mouse Girl into a mad giggle...

      

She liked him so much more, when he was being himself.  She thought he was cute when he fell over.  He quickly got up and invited her into his house, putting her bike on the porch...

      

She smiled politely, and said "I would rather not, can we just sit outside."  She had been taught in her book selling seminars, that no matter how nice a person was, she should not go into their home if she did not know them.  Good advice, even if Mouse Boy is harmless and all...

Mouse Boy thought to himself, and then realized she was just being cautious.  So, he dragged his sofa outside, so they could sit and chat.  But, you know how the story goes, Mouse Boy was already smitten...  The love bug had bitten him. It was too late...

      

As they chatted, Mouse Girl found herself being fascinated by Mouse Boys tales of adventure.  Sailing the Woodland Seas, escaping a witches curse...  Mouse girl then noticed, Mouse Boy had lost a perfect white glove in his fight with the dog.  So, she scurried around looking for it.  She found it, and offered to put it on for him...

      

When their hands touched, that was it, both of them were feeling the love bugs...  They had fallen instantly in mouse love...  She realized, he was a full on Duckie.  Her sister had told her that to find true love, she would have to close her eyes, and change her idea of what the perfect mouse was.  But mostly, she was to be open to the Duckies of the world, many of them held the key to true love (and to treating a girl like a queen).

The sun was going down, and Mouse Boy had a brilliant idea!  Why not take Mouse Girl on a sunset sail of the winds in the Woodland Sea?  She pondered, and then agreed...  After-all, her heart was a flutter for Mouse Boy as well...

      

It was the most romantic evening ever recorded in Mouse history.  I mean, come one, two mice, on a boat, sunset...  And then a sliver of the moon peeked out, and the perfect clouds picked up the little boat, and sailed them around the skies in the most breathtaking flight...

      

So, that is the story of how two mice met, and spent the most lovely unexpected Valentine's day together...  You never know, what might be headed right down your path...  How do ya like them apples?

Now, this year, I give special Valentines, to all the Duckies of the world! I have to say, I adore Duckie boys.  I am one girl, who realized that the so called "cool guys," just weren't for me.  I actually have a Duckie in my life, who happened to look just like Duckie, when he was much younger!!  Extra hugs for all the Duckies out there!!  Gotta Love em!! (FYI, the actual cool guys are the Duckies, if only girls would realize this sooner)

Today my sister said, I wish Pretty in Pink had a different ending, where Andy ends up with Duckie.  Me toooo!! Then again, it's just a movie, no need for me to get all weird over it...  Hee hee, moving right along....

Before I announce the winner of the OWOH give-away, I want to share, another giveaway.  Yes, another one.  I am going to draw one name from this blog post to send a super duper fun Valentiney gift to.  It is going to be a surprise menagerie of treats.. Including some of these edibles (plus the recipe)...  WE might be noticing several give-aways here after all the treasures I found in my move, that need new homes.  What do you think about that idea?

      

I am going to stay up all night making hundreds of these treats.  People in my world wait all year just to get their hands on a couple!!  They are yummmmmyyy!!! 

And, now, the results of One World - One Heart...  What an amazing experience this was!!  Miss Lisa is an incredible soul, and she created a magical thing, she did she did...  She will leave the links to everyone who participated up for a long time.  So, I intend to make lots of vists to everyone I couldn't get to in time for the drawing!! FUN!!

      

I used the random number generator.  I did go back and count one by one, as some comments were posted twice.  I wanted the perfect accurate numbers.  And the winner of all those lovley prizes :) is,  Suzy Q!!!  Suzy Q!!  You Won!!!!  This is my first time meeting Miss Suzy, and by the looks of her icy photos, she could use some pink yummy treasures!!

Thank you to all of the lovely visitors to A Fanciful Twist, who participated in the OWOH giveaway!!  I hope to visit all of you over the next few months!!  I wish everyone could have won a treasure, alas, it is not possible...  But, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your stopping in, truly I do!!!!

Now, if you are reading this, try to take a moment to stand up, shake all about, and do a little dance!!  Happy Happy Valentine's day!!!  Off to bake I go...  xoxo

Strawberry Tales, forever (pretend a little song sparkles by)

Am I giddy and doing little jigs?  Yes, yes, I am, I am!  I am back in my little world (studio, country, loooove).  I am almost totally moved back into the city house.  I have 75% of things unpacked from my giant strawberry suitcase...

        

My goal was to be back to the country by Monday.  And, hurray, I got back last night at 11:45 p.m.  There are still things that I must tend to.  Almost 15 years of billions of treasures, were really, way too much for one girl to handle.  However, I took your advice.  Many many things will stay bubble wrapped and in containers.  I got rid of mounds of things.  It was so easy, once I got overwhelmed, the things I really didn't want hit the donation pile at rapid speeds....

I just listened to my inner goddess.  She wants me to be freer.  To let go of unnecessary things.  I put my hand in hers and followed...

      

Funny enough, many many years ago, I went through this clearing process, and got rid of many items.  But, I guess they just crept in on me again.  Your comments were completely amazing, about the getting rid of things.  And, truly, I kept repeating, it doesn't matter what it cost, if I don't love it, it's outta here.  And, it worked!  It really worked.   Maybe it worked too well, oops :) 

But, my major loves, they are staying...

      

I never realized how hard it is having a country house and a city house.  And, dare I say, when I woke up this morning (in the country) to the sound of beautiful chirping birds, and sparkly rays of sun bouncing off my bedroom walls, it felt like heaven.  Much better than the sounds of insane dogs barking like mad and ambulances and police cars, in the city.

I don't know, seems to me like I am on a strange but wonderful little changing path.  Even driving to the country last night, I felt a little leary of the city, and I actually had butterflies in my stomach.  Could things have changed this much for me?  It is so strange and so emotional.  But, a good thing indeed.

I am so in love with my 30's right now.  I love the changes and the feelings and the peace.  The openmindedness.  Love it all!  I don't think these feelings are specific to any age.  I just happen to be finding them now, and embracing them...

I have been working on this huge crocheted blanket for about 3-4 years.  It is so funny, when I was half way through, I stopped, feeling that I just wasn't into the brightness of the colors I chose any more...

      

A couple months ago, I started working on it again.  Every night, adding a new row.  I love it all over again, I feel like there are so many different stages of me in this blanket.  I love the brightness again, and I love the dreamy calm of losing myself in crocheting.

I kind of delt with my move out and back in, much like I deal with crocheting.  Evertime I felt overwhelmed, I took a deep breath, and just worked slowly, link by link, piece by piece. 

      

Normally, I would have fallen apart, freaked-out, been sickly overwhelmed.  And, I did have my moments.  But, for the most part, I just trecked along.  It had to be done.  There was no room for a freak-out. 

I know, in my heart, I was meant to learn from this.  First of all, it has made me hugely sympathetic to others going through home displacing situations.  People talk about those things, but you never realize the magnitude of what they are going through.  My parents were a huge help, and my dad even said "Wow, I wouldn't wish this mess on anyone."  It took alot people working 2 weeks straight to get this wrapped up. 

Also, I know in my heart, that the lessons I learned from this, are vast and necessary.  I learned things, that had nothing to do with the plumbing fiasco, but were awakened in me.  Again, the calm we need to deal with things, the kindness of the people we love, organization being my new number one goal, and the list goes on...

So, here we are headed towards new adventures, that chapter is over (I am certain you are beyond sick of the topic).  Back on track for the most part.  Art has been calling off the hook, must schedule long meetings with him!!  hee heeeeee

Don't forget, HUGE Fiesta here on Valentine's day!!!  See you very soon!! V

A Strange little place...

Hi there!  I am writing to you from the strangest little place in the world.  I am hidden in a room (not my own) with permission to buzz into the blogosphere for a teensy moment (from an unusual computer).

Update: It is Monday and I am still trying to move back in. I never expected this to be soooo insane, it is sooooo Twilight Zonie!! I need chocolate, hugs and margaritas!!!! Sorry for Saturday's post below, still up... Let's just pretend EB's party is still on!! See you in, well, I don't know when, soon I hope!!! Thanks for the good vibes!!!

      

The photo above is a luck photo.  It happens to be living in this computer I am using.  Alas, this kind computer does not allow me to make rounded corners, or fix color in photos.  So, you can say, this is a raw sort of post, hee hee...

You see, we are trying to move back into the plumbing fiasco house this weekend, so I am away from my computer.  We have several new walls & new ceilings.  All fresh and painted and completely replumbed!! YAY!!!! 

However, we would never forget to have major limes in coconuts, for the Polar Festival...

      

Life is scheduled to be back to larger doses of normal (was it ever normal?) as of Monday!!  Wish me huge amounts of luck, and party your hearts out with EB at Be... Dream... Play... 

Baby (pre-named), my wonderful yard sale dog, is racing through the Snow Queen's Land, trying to get to the Polar festival in time!!

      

She knows she is close, she sees everyone gathering...

      

Oh yes, a little further down the road, and we seem to have found the party! I think it is taking place in that glowey snow cloud, up above...

      

Lucky me, I happened to have pictures of our last snow, saved into an old e-mail.  And I thought I wouldn't have any snowey photos to join in the Polar Festival, from a remote computer!!  Yipppeeee!!!

Off I run for now. Oh, and, don't forget you can still get your Free Valentine's, and, I will still be taking taking names up until early morning hours of Feb. 13th for the One World - One heart giveaway (drawing on Feb. 13th, winner announced on Valentine's day)!!!

See you very very soooooon!! xoxo

ps:  Any tips on how to convince myself to get rid of things I just don't need anymore?  I need a little help easing into this...

One World-One Heart...

Everytime I think about the phrase "One World-One Heart," it sparks a certain feeling.  It makes me reflect on the fact that although we are all very different people, there are certain things that we all yearn for.  There are certain things that would be beautiful and magical to any one of us.  No matter what window we look out of every morning...

      

Could it be snow in a place that never snows?  Could it be warm sunshine in a place that is always cold?  Could it be deeeper than that?  Don't we all want to feel loved and respected? I think we do.  And, we all want a sense of peace and calm. 

      

After all of the complexities of who we are and what we want from life, are set aside.  Don't we really make up, One World-One heart?  One heart that flourishes with the same basic needs. 

      

My friend Lisa M. S. Oceandreamer put together this event, for people from all over the world, to share and visit.  It is a huge event, and she is wonderul for creating this 2 years ago, and bringing so many together...

      

I am so pleased to be participating.  I think sometimes, in all facets of life, we forget what we really joined the blogging community for.  I know, my heart comes from a kind and loving place.  I am here to "share" bits and pieces of art and creating, love and life...

This is a wonderful time to reflect on who we are & what we do.  More importantly, how it affects others...  This week I have been reminded several times, about how simple kindness (even to a stranger), can change that persons course of life.  My mother always reminded me of this as a child.  Yet, I find that as adults, perhaps we have forgotten to remind ourselves.  It is so easy to forget, in the fast paced world we live in... 

The details of One World-One Heart, can be found here.  My giveaway for the event is a menagerie of things I have made, the drawing to be held on February 14th. 

Anyone (even if you do not have a blog, join in!!) can leave their name for the drawing here in this blog post up until Feb. 14th, for a chance at...

      

My giveaway includes (all items made by me), A bowl and a cup, for eating treats out of, of course ;)  A framed canvas print (in my favorite frame) and an Original oil painting of a sweet cake (plus a few surprise extras)...  I packaged it last night, so it will be all ready to be shipped to the person whose name I draw on the 14th...

      

I am off to work, as today is shipping day, all previous giveaways, all prints, all postcards - in short, many parcels leave today...  And, we all know how I love tape, so I must go play now (or work)...

My view is scrumptious today!!!!

      

See you soooooon!!

Update:  Thank you for all your lovely comments.  The drawing is now closed ;)  Time to choose a number!!

Swirling thoughts...

It is raining hard in the desert today.  Darkened skies, bring many many smiles.  I type as Mr. Lovee plays his bass...  As you know, it does not rain often here.  All my life, rainy days meant stories and pancakes.  We yearned for rainy days in my family...  Time to sneak around, peek in bookcases...

       

I curled up in a cozy corner and decided to look at my grandmother's album, I already have many of the pages memorized, as I look at it often.  Yet, each time, I find faces and people, places, I had not noticed before...

Funny little children make me smile.  And, I wished that all of a sudden color would come to the photo below, the carousel would start going, and the music would come through.  Like a movie coming to life...

      

Of course, my grandmother makes me swoon everytime I look at her.  She is and was so lovely.  I think of her, still living in the same house, sitting at home sewing on her very old sewing machine, to this day...

      

She is such an amazing woman.  She sings and dances, tells tons of stories.  Fairytales a plenty, and lots of scary stories as well.  Ghosts and great great great grandmothers almost buried alive.  They live in the most unusual place really.  In such an old house at the edge of a cliff.  She is my Grandma (French, Nana Josephina, my mammie's mammie).  She cooks on that wood burning stove I have showed you.  She is so amazing to me, because she is refined and glamorous, yet real and gets dirty and cooks on her wood stove...

She always had birds and a huge fluffly white cat.  But I never had seen her with a dog.  I love this photo...

      

I don't know why, but looking at these photos, makes me miss everyone.  Even though they are all still with us.  There are definite heart string tugs going on...

Oh, this photo I had to share.  So classic and giggly too!!  Could those girls really have been that serious?  My Grandmother told me who they are, and I forgot...

      

I keep a photo of my grandmother by my bed, some of you have seen it (it is somewhere in a past post)...  I just love her so much.  I don't see her nearly as much as I should.  She is only 2 hours away.  I should make more time, I really should.

I will share more photos another day, as there are hundreds.  The best part, the thing that stands out the most, is how all the children, in group photos, really do look like the little rascals.  They are so terribly funny, and so adorable. 

As I look at all these photos, I can't stop thinking of Corey Amaro.  One of the main memories I have of first reading her blog was about her father, and her family.  Huge prayers to her and her family, and to her dear sweet father.  Also, Constance has informed us that it is darling Corey's birthday.  May she feel all our love and support...

I am about to get working in the studio today.  So many ideas swirling about, I can't contain myself!!  And, I love that I can hear the rain on the skylight, and see water drops outside my windows...

      

I will be participating in One World-One Heart (An event put on by sweet Lisa).  I will announce my giveaway for the event in my next post.  Also, I am sending out all my other giveaways to winners this week.  I got a little behind with the chaos you all are aware of, but we are now on track.  Back on the ship to all of our dreams...

Huge hugs to Miss Casey, Miss Carol and Miss Debbie for the "Make my Day award."  So touching!!  Especially when they all help make my day!

For today, I am changing the rules a bit, everyone who comes here today, gets a "You Make My day Award", and if you e-mail me your address, I will send you a surprise postcard, via snail-mail.  Just in time for Valentine's day! Yay!!!

For now, Hi-ho hi-ho, it's off to work I go....

      

See you sooooooon!! ;)

      

Little loves...

I have been practically non-existent out in the blogosphere this week.  Wow, it has been a wild week.  With all the moving and packing and work and glitches along the way...  But I had to stop by and have tea and treats with you.

I truly thought that while packing, I might want to get rid of things, that they would feel like a burden.  But instead, I was like a kid in a candy store.  Treasured items were refound and secured in safe places.  Like my Grandmother's album (which was safe and now even safer), with photos that are truly incredible...

      

What also happened, was that, I moved in really slow, numb & calm paces (while packaging fragile items).  And through the packing process, I grew to love all my treasures even more, and appreciate them, and value them more.  I can't wait to unpack them when all the plumbing is done.

      

Little creatures & treasures sometimes come marching into my life.  And,  I almost always embrace them completely.  But sometimes, when you get home after a day in the real world and you have to make dinner and ten million things are happening, you forget about teeny tiny purchases.  I am finding things in hidden spots.  You see, I am one of those people, that hides things for protection, and then forgets all about them...  Case in point...

The teeny tiny little loves...

      

Of course, these loves were easy to put away in a very safe place and forget about.  They are so fragile and so teensy.  They make me smile so much!!  I just wait for them to start talking to me.  Can you just hear the Donkey telling the cow, "Come on, hurry up." hahaaaaaa

        

Teensy things are lovely indeed.

On another note, I was thinking today, about handling things well (as you were all so very very nice to me, encouraging my positive attitude about the unexpected plumbing fiasco).  About taking deep breaths.  About letting yourself go through the motions.  And, I realized, there is something I allow myself to do all of the time.  Something that is so relieving for me.  I allow myself to cry.

      

I cry lovely little tears in abundance sometimes.  I crawl into my big white bed and let the tears out.  When heavy things happen what do you do?  Do you get enraged, do you fly off the handle?  Do you swallow it all and go for a long walk. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't just start crying in a public place like a mad woman (unless I am in a cafe with a friend and we are talking, and crying together and laughing together...).  But I do leave the situation right away and get in my car, or walk down the street, or like I said crawl in my bed and weeeeeeeeeeeep.  I never realized until talking about it, how much I loooooove to cry.  I don't love the sadness that made me cry, but I love the emotional outlet. 

I am a pretty sentimental girl :)  And, if I feel full of emotion, the tears will roll out...  I don't think it is a bad thing.  I think we shouldn't supress our feelings... Again, that is just me...

Do you like to cry?  Send your letters to crybabies dot com, we will read your letters on the air.  JUST JOKING.  I don't even know if crybabies.com exists (and sadly, I don't have a radio show, waaaaaaaah...)  Hahaaahaaa! See you soooon!! xo