A Fanciful Twist

Was it all just a dream? Or, is this the dream?

Do you ever wake up sometimes, after a long sleep and a hearty dose of inspirational dreaming, and decide you are going to change something in your life.  You groggily concoct a plan.  But, the plan is way too flighty for words, and has no structure to it?  You don't even have the faintest idea of how you will begin to bring this dreamy change into your life.  Yet, you are determined to get there, no matter what form of transportation it takes...  That is your firm decision before you even pop out of bed...

      

The dream could have been anything.  It could be real life things, like, you are going to change, quit, or alter, your job - and do what you love (or quit anything that is on your list to quit).  Or maybe, You are going to leave a relationship or even start a new or different one.  Or work on the one you already have :).  Perhaps you have decided that you are going to stand up for yourself.  Or, you are going to clean your house, organize your life.  You are going to get on a diet, do something with your hair, get a facial...  Or, you are going to delve deeper, on the gears inside your body...  Cleanse yourself, take care of yourself, nurture yourself.  Whatever it is...   

You wake up knowing there will be a change.  And, the only thing that is entirely palpable, are the lingering feelings those dreams brought you to.  To that perfect state of being.  That place you have been striving to get to, to find that ultimate thing called, Happiness.  In that "happiness package" lives everything you thought your life would be "when you grew up."  You know those thoughts that go like this, "when this happens or that happens, I will be happy.  Things will be better..."

And we think, maybe when I get to my very own Hollywood...   Maybe then, I will be happy...  I will begin to live... Hollllyyywoooodddd  Here I ccome...

        

You replay the dream a dozen times before you start your day.  And, your window of dreams actually seems like it is just within grasp...  Albeit not all that clear...

      

So you set out with a plan, still early in the day...  You empty the fridge, make your bed (not something that happens often here), or you proclaim to your family, "there will be change."  Whatever it is... You begin it...

The key to that place is different for all of us...

      

So, on a day just like this day...  When dreams linger and seem so real, they start to take on some sense of reality and shape...  We write a letter (that is my version at least).

           

Yes, this is a perfect beginning to going out and making those dreams come true.  We are just certain of it...

      

      

      

So, the letter is written and you must seal it and send it off.  In my case, I am telling Mr. Lovee that I am setting off to make some very important dreams come true & he need not worry about me...

          

Of course, the thing we forget is that noone else (but the hundreds of imaginary friends living in our head) will understand where this is coming from.  Why we feel such passion about it.  Such desperation to get there...

So, into the mailbox the letter to Mr. Lovee goes...

      

We hide and wait to see his reaction.  I know, sneaky...  He has no idea what is in store...

      

He thinks it might be a love note (I suspect).

      

      

      

He inspected the letter a bit.  And then, took another sip of coffee...  He put his hands over his face like he was crying (but, I am not fooled, I know he was faking and giggling underneath it all).  Then he asked, who is this from?  (oops, I forgot to sign it, but really, can't he guess?)

Still, nothing was stopping me, I was on a mission.  I had to get my Schwinn 3 wheel bike ready for the voyage.  The world looked pink and teal, it was 80's bliss ;)

      

Until of course, the record player scratching hault came barreling through.  The real world would not be cooperating with the dream changes easily.  A FLAT!! More than a flat...

      

I threw my hands up, and decided to go for a small walk.  The events of my dream were fading, as were the reasons I was off to make who knows what, come true... 

        

Things were feeling normal again.  And, as I walked, I started to notice that there was a teeny tiny miniature garden world of amazing life all around me. 

      

Growing in this desert...  All on their own, just enough to fulfill me.  Maybe this is the place my dream was leading me to.  Finding the tiny beauty right beneath my feet.  It was all simpler than I thought...

      

And, in all reality, am I really going to make my dreams come true, by riding my Schwinn to my very own version of Hollywood?? (Okay, maybe just for the day.  It could be a ride to the apple orchard without a cell phone.  Just a bit of  a freeing feeling, riding in the wind... What could it be fore you??)

          

And so this is what happens, we have these deep seeded feelings of dreams, our dreams.  Of how things can change or even be better.  Of what it will take for us to fill little voids...  To inspire our lives... 

      

My opinion is that nothing in the world we attain, will fill those little gaps, those little voids...  Nothing we buy or atttempt to possess or own or do...  They might mask the voids, but they do not fill the voids.  And even if we do mask them, after a while, the voids will turn up again...  Harsher than before.  With a vengeance...

      

I learned this one day, after a horrible break-up (many many years ago).  I stopped after much insanity, realizing I had to get over it.  The pain seemed unbearable...  And I sat down with myself, talked to myself, and asked myself, honestly, what would make me happy at that moment?  What could I do right then at that minute?  Who was I?  What did I like to do?  I was 20 years old.  And right at that moment, I got in my car and went for a drive... (by the way, many years later when my aunt died, I realized that pain I was feeling during that break-up long ago, was the feeling of loss, not just getting over a break-up, but actual loss)

      

It took me to a plant nursery.  I started gardening that day.  In a tiny piece of soil, where I have even managed to grow a couple of trees that are very tall & strong now, and make me so proud...  Sitting outside and breathing, that is what I began doing...  But most importantly, I was planting my own little garden, in my heart and in my soul, that I could have no matter what, that was safe, without voids.  And, when my little plants and herbs started to grow, gaps filled in, more and more...  But, it really came down to "what are the things I like to do, that make me happy..."

I had been painting since I was 13 years old.  But, in the madness of life, I had been doing it less and less.  So, I also started painting again, more than ever...  The painting and the gardening pulled me out of my sadness by my bootstraps... (back then, when I was 20 years old) 

             

I stopped asking myself, "what was expected of me,"  and started asking myself, what do I want to do that will get me through today.  A book, a walk...  A good movie...  I think, we don't have to change our lives dramatically all of the time, we just have to absorb the good things around us that we are missing...  Even just 20 minutes of it everyday, can refuel the soul...  Helping little voids not feel so vast...

      

What I learned through my painting and gardening at 20 years old, when I was asking myself who I was and what do I like to do, was incredbile.  It released me, and it also changed my life forever.  All the things I thought I was working towards.  All the things everyone else around me was striving to attain, were down a different path...  Not my path though...

      

What I am trying to say is, little bits of happiness are around us all of the time.  I am not talking about knock you down sublime happiness (which might in fact find you too ;).  But I am talking about, lovely little things that brighten the day, and bring a tender feeling.  They help us live in the now, and not later, when we are waiting for things to change... 

Little bits of happiness are tiny teeny little weeds giving off purple flowers.  Little bits of happiness are free.  They do not cost money.  They won't come when you are thinner or smarter, or richer.  Those things might make you feel a bit better,  but you won't enjoy them without first finding that which is waiting to be discovered within you.

             

It is you, who you are, standing alone.  Not with your children, or husband, or significant other, or with your parents even.  I know, many of you understand this, and know the importance of this.  But for me, it is what my life revolves around.  Everyday, I find that little safe place in me that is so familiar, I grasp it, and then go about my day...  It is who I am.  It is the one true thing I carry with me, in me.

          

Possessions, finding someone to love, huge goals, all those things are fine and good, but are we looking for them to them to fix us?  Because, what they really should be doing is meerly enhancing our life...

          

I don't even know why I am on this wave :)  I guess, a walk amongst nature, compelled me to share these things that I find  invaluable, and that changed my path. 

Of course, I have to come clean and say, everything isn't perfect in my world.  I have desires for bettering myself,  I have dreams of a tidy house. Of my very own nanny, to follow me around, pick-up after me, serve me tea & treats, take me on outings :).  You know, maybe my very own Mary Poppins???

But today, I am just fine and happy....

      

I would just love for you to share with me, how you find peace and happiness?  Share any tips you might have... Ways in which you have found bits and pieces of yourself.  That which brings you closer to that sense of calm.

Well, sadly I must be off...  I am working on 10 million things.  I feel so busy lately... But, I do enjoy it!!! Oh and, the party at Enchanted Cliff Manor has a message for you...

        

Some of the characters are off on voyages to new homes...  But, you can still find a character or two, waiting for a home in my shop....

In the next blog post, I will post the winner of the "teeny tiny tea party" attire!!!  And, I will say, it has not been easy choosing!!!

See you sooon!! xo, V

One last thought...  I think this is what Spring brings, the desire to break free, wash away the winter, to reflect.  And to make room for new leaves...

           

An afternoon, deep in the gardens of Enchanted Cliff Manor... {+ shop update}

If you escape through the rounded door that sits in the towering stone wall, just at the edge of the lily pad pond, you might find yourself on the most exquisite span of earth ever created...  Where giant pale yellow flowers only bloom at night.  And beautiful toadstools fade from deep red to a tender shade of nectarine...

      

If you find yourself brave enough to visit this place, you must first convince a male member of your party, to cut down some of the Jasmine that almost blocks the fact that a door does sit in said wall.  When this door is opened, you will feel as though you are simply bursting forth.  Happily thrust out of the restraints of modern early 19th century life, and into the indulgent realm of freely roaming the wild overgrown outskirts, of the grounds at Enchanted Cliff Manor. 

And, you will most certainly find the evening blooming flowers, and tender glowing miniature canary flowers, that are a vivid part of children's fairytales in this land...

On a perfect afternoon, as the sun started to fade, in a time, not so long ago, a party of 7, decided to have a tea party in this slightly forbidden place...  It was a magical night... 

      

You see, they were guests at cliff manor.  They travelled with a theater (carnivale/circus) company, and were taking the place of another party of 7 that had just left to perform in the gold rush land... They were a courageous group, and had no qualms about escaping for an evening tea party outside of the protected grounds.  They found it romantic and terribly exhilirating...

Tea time girl was the most prepared.  She was a truly impressive girl.  Holding all the qualities that were esteemend and glorified by societies most critical...  She was also a beauty....  But besides that, she was easy to love, due to her simple & humble approach to life...

      

She carried tea cups on her head, and a tea pot that she handpainted herself, along with a decadent piece of the most exquisite gateaux found in that part of the north country...

A large pitcher of the most amazing flowery jasmine tea, laced with edible flowers and tender mint leaves, was brought by the lovely Duchess of Avian-falls.

      

Oh She was a delightful woman indeed.  You see, she was given the title of Duchess by a man she married through a contract that her father made.  They were married on paper (and had not yet met).  Her new husband, the Duke, was making his way on a ship from East Asia, to join her.  He was a procuror of extravagant tea.  Much to his families chagrin (they had other plans for him, being Duke and all). 

Anyhow, The Duchess was sent a locket that held the Duke's photograph.  And, dare I say, this was to be the most loveliest match in all of arranged marriages.  He was a beautiful man.  Serious and kind, all at once.  He had a charm in his eyes that melted the Duchesses heart.  And, he had already written her 3 letters that hinted at his romantic nature. 

Sadly, 2 days before his ship was to dock, and the Duchess would greet her husband... The ship was attacked by pirates.  And, the Duke was never heard of again.

        

You can imagine what this did to The Duchess?  Well, I'll tell you, she created a vision in her mind, that The Duke had survived and had floated to an island in Fiji.  Where he ate exotic fruit, and was fanned all day by women of the Island.  She hoped that for him.  That he had lived & was happy... She could not bear the thought that he was held captive by pirates, or worse, eaten by a shark.

As for her...  After some time, she was just fine.  Although her heart would hold a deep crack forever, she was lovely by nature.  And it helped, that The Duke had left her a beautiful home that had the most amazing aviary, right by a waterfall.  She lived there with servants for a few years...  Until a man came knocking at her door.

        

He was a man who owned the most amazing Old time Circus Carnivale in history.  His caravan was passing through, and they spotted her lovely expansive land.  They wanted to ask if they might be able to set up on her land... Just for a week or two.

      

Being in a lonely state, and quite desperate for visitors, The Duchess obliged.  And as they say, the rest is history.  For, after a mere day or so, The Duchess found her calling.  She had a secret trick, you see.  She would carry her three most beloved blue birds with her, and sing the most hauntingly beautiful tunes alongside them.   

When the Carnivale keeper heard this, he was speechless.  He decided they should change their show a bit, and build a beautiful Theater for her to perform in on the road (if she would join them, that is)...  Of course, The Duchess didn't think twice about it.  She kisssed her servants good-bye, left them enough gold to last a few years, and hit the road with the Carnivale...

Amogst the group was a young girl, quite lovely indeed.  She could turn any grain into the most scrumptious flour for making her heavenly pies.  She made all sorts of pies.  Fruit pies, savory pies, potato pies...  You name it, she baked it.  While her pies were baking, people could not help following the scent to her doorstep.  They smelled like a food of the Gods.  It was like no scent anyone had ever inhaled.  She loved baking for the performers...

          

The scent of her pies baking, was thought to be an enchanted scent...  But, only The Pie girl herself will ever know the truth... ;)

Having a way to speak through her pies was wonderful for Pie girl. You see, she was very very very shy.  She hardly ever showed a change in her expression, or uttered a word.  That is, unless she was alone or with the trusted few.  Then her smile shone like rays of light passing through a dewey rainbow...

        

(Back to the garden)  Just as the tea group was getting ready to close the door to have their voyage into the "other side" of the garden, Miss Polka Dot Cake Girl emerged.  She was racing along, shouting, oh please, please, wait for me....  She was a funny girl.  She was graced with lips that looked so plump and full and pouty, that her true character was always mistaken...

      

She was such a charming girl.  She was just learning the performing ropes, as her mother was the ever admired and respected, Story-teller Woman.  But this young girl had other wonderful traits.  She helped sew beautiful gowns & costumes for the performers.  And, she helped organize glorious tea parties, while perfecting her Strawberry and Vanilla Cake... Yumm Yummmmm...

The Story-teller woman held court to hundreds of wee munchkins.  Yes, the children inhabiting whatever town they were visiting next.  She held the key to the stories hidden in the attic of a magical place...  Oh, she was so delightful.  She had a chuckle deep in her belly, that you couldn't help but be forced to join in with, when you heard it...

      

She had such a way with words, that she would have you sitting there, mouth agape, entranced by her incredible stories.  She was never at a loss for words, and seemed to have fairytales growing in her heart...  As there was always a new one, more fantastic that the last...   She sat in gardens so often, telling stories, and bringing new ones to life in her head, that she even had two perfect green mushrooms growing amogst tiny tender pieces of moss, in her dress...

      

Now all 6 of these friends, made it their mission to take such good care of one of their most beloved performers.  This wee girl, had the most tried and true form of gumption a creature could ever hope for.  For a snail that is...

      

She had people travelling from all over the world to get a peek at her at the shows.  People could not believe their eyes.  A real snail girl???  Snail girl herself would assure, "I am not the only snail person alive..." Hmmmm.... What does that tell us?

      

And, you must know... Snail girl enjoyed the trip outside the Manor's walls, more than anyone could ever imagine... 

        

Isn't she just so adorable?  I am so in love with her.  I hold her up to my ear, and she fills my head with stories ;) (she has a red and white mushroom with a few tinypieces of moss tucked into each one of the buns in her hair)

Anyhow, if you can guess what I am leading up to...  It is to let you know, I am popping all these characters in the A Fanciful Twist shop, this afternoon/Evening.  After this blog post, I will take a tea break and then head over to the shop and fill it with these new friends, plus other treasures...

      

I know, a bit impromptu of me.  However, I just didn't know when I was going to finish all of these.  Each one takes forever to make.  Especially since I build a bustle on them and then build the dresses out of paper... It takes a loooong time....  Then the hair, and well, you get the point....  But they are a labour of love, and are eager to go on new voyages...

Also, the giant mushroom is about 5" in diameter and was created as a little picnic table with 4 mushroom stools....  So it is a little table set in my eyes...

      

And the color is really fun in person.  It fades from red to nectarine...  And this little table set, includes Miss Snail girl...  Extra Fun!!! 

      

And, it has some realistic ridges and is decorated with real moss...

      

See, there are owl and elf boy, showing you how comfy the mushroom table set is :)  or you can use it any way you wish.. Also, the news around here is that Faun Boy is missing...  Hey, Pam, where's faun boy????

      

So there you have it, a few treaaures...

      

Making their way from this little maker, to whomever would like to have a little magic grace their lives...  Found right here, in my Etsy Shop...  (after a break, I need tea first!!)

        

Distressed teeny tiny tea cups, make me happy.  I have tiny pinkies, so, you can imagine how little those cups are ;)

Off we go..

      

See you soon, xoxo V

ps:  I love Dustin O'Halloran, and I write and dream and draw to much of his work... But, I'd like to think, that this is what happened to the Duchess' lost Duke...  My 3 hugest obsessions - piano's, hot air balloons, & mermaids are involved, perfection.

    

   

Reflecting on, Precious Little Things...

Do you learn and change from everything that happens to you?  Good and bad, simple and complicated? Do you reflect & immerse yourself, or do you cooly move on?  So many questions before I even say...

      

I am throwing a lovely sunny, warm-morning tea party.  Let's enjoy ourselves and chat, shall we?  Okay then...

Often, while driving in my car, down the highway, the Santa Catalina Mountains, beautiful and hovering, I think about how I am constantly learning and growing.  Changing, and reflecting. 

      

I don't like complications in my life.  I don't like ill will.  I don't like grudges and negativity.  Does anyone?  I live in my own little world.  I protect my heart and myself.   I learned in my late teens, how I don't like to feel and situations I don't want to be in.  I went through all the waves of angst and such.  It took many years in my twenties to master avoiding such spaces (not fully mastered yet, but worlds better). 

      

You know those spaces right?  Such as, not being respected by someone you give your heart to.  Or, having mean friends who fill your head with gunk.  Who want to see you fail.  Who are never happy for you.  Ugh, I think most of us have felt some of that in some way.  So, hopefully, you learn to see the signs, and remove such things from your life.

Sometimes, you have to get burned, many many times, to find your way.  I know I have.  And, probably still will.  Only now, I will detect it sooner and move away from it...

I have also learned though, the sweetness of life is not what I thought it was.  The sweetness of life is all around us, at every moment.  It is not miles away, at some place we have to strive to get to, through jobs and money, through relationships and places.

        

It sits safe and sound, within our hearts.  In our little souls.  Waiting for us to see it.  To feel it.  To grasp our own slices of it.  It even sits in precious memories, ones from the past and ones to be made...

Where am I going with this?  Well, I tell ya, just when I least expect, I keep learning and growing.  Lessons a plenty.  I think the biggest lesson in my life now, after love and a sense of inner peace, is letting go & loss.

I am not good with those things, as I am sure most of us are not.  Loss of the ones I love (the most difficult), loss of material possessions, loss of control... 

        

Over the years, I have been forced, kicking and screaming, to lose control.  Control of what?  Control of life.  Control of random things that happen (like computers and bursting water pipes).  There are just some things you can't control.  And, you know what?  There is nothing you can do about it.  Nothing.  And better yet, it is okay.  And, there will be some way to resolve any matter.  Maybe not how you wanted it to go, but still, some way...

Now, you might not understand my issue with the loss of control thing.  Not to the extent I am describing.  You see, I am the oldest child, raised from day one, to speak up, speak loud.  Be assertive, be strong.  Be in control of your surroundings.  Make your path, make your own destiny.  And, I will say, all of that is great, but I think I took it too seriously.  In my mostly, type A personality way.  If you know what I mean? 

What type personality are you? 

      

You know, the fact of the matter is, you really are not in control of anything.  Even though you think you are.  And, things happen, there are hiccups, and there is nothing you can do to prevent some of them.  But, most importantly, it is okay.  Things can be remedied.  And, even though, you have to react to things at first, which may be BY kicking and screaming in a grocery store parking lot ;) You have to take a deep breath afterwards.  And, as Mombie says, compartmentalize.

I am "learning" to take deep breaths.  To walk away from things and come back to them later.  I am not very good at that.  I want immediate results, I want things to begin the resolving process "immediately if not sooner" (I got that from my dad).

I put myself on unnecessary schedules.  I am my own dictator regime.  Yet over the last couple of years, I have been letting up.  And you know what?  It feels sooooo good.

Last March I took somewhat of a break from my very own dictatorship and hectic business life.  It has been an amazing year.  And, the little curve balls thrown my way are helping me.  They truly are.  Annoying as they may be, they are creating a patience in me I never had.  Ever.

And, they are making me love life even more.  I love sitting outside, sipping tea or coffee, feeling the breeze on my face, closing my eyes.  And tapping into the swell of memories and thoughts in my heart.  I shed happy tears, and sometimes nostalgic ones. 

And, you know what, everything is just fine...  I feel the butterflies fluttering in me, when I think of how lucky I am, to be living here, safe and sound, and a free person.  Compared to everything happening all over the world that is bad, nothing is wrong...  Nothing.

      

This afternoon, I was listening to NPR, and this show came on.  Try to listen to it if you can, it was good.  It touched me just at that moment.  You know how that can happen sometimes? 

The song they played (does it bring up any memories in you?), reminded me of being at the carnival as a young young girl, with my Aunt Denise and her friends.  It also reminded me of my uncles with their huge frizzy 1970's hair.  It reminded me of being at the river on Easter as a young kid.  With my uncles, aunts, cousins and parents. Listening to 60's and 70's music.  Lots of music, all the time.  And lots of music talk.  They would sit around, reflecting, chatting.  Us kids (me and my cousins) would be pretending we were mermaids in the river water.  Having the time of our lives.  Eating watermelon... 

Life was less complicated...  Or so it seems, as I relive the moments in some of my heart of hearts most beloved childhood memories. 

My siblings and I grew up in totally different worlds.  Technology had not taken over back then.  It was barely creeping in.  And, today, the river of my childhood memories has been condemned as being polluted.  I shake my head in disbelief... 

Those times were so good...  They remind me of how I had no cares in the world. 

Things were fresh and alive.  But wait, they still are.  Only different... It is all a matter of perception.  I am sure, I will reflect on today in 25 years, with the same love and nostalgia...  And, I will probably still be learning...

But for now, I remind myself and remind you, that you are wonderful.  You have the sweetness of life inside of you.  Noone can take that away, unless you willingly give it up... 

         

We should say...  I affirm, that I will paint my world with color.  I will continue to create.  I will take deep breaths...

    

I will love and cherish, and take care of me.  I am the only person on earth, who can make that promise to me, and mean it...

      

There you have it.  Lots of thoughts...  On this sunny bright warm day...

      

See you soon!!  Love, V

(I am profoundly thankful for having exceptional parents who swoop in and are there for me for anything, like angels, without me even having to ask.  Amazing.  Mombie reads this, so thank you more than words can express, for the tremendous love, Mom and Dad.)

Tales from the Edge of...

Boy do I have a tale.  I very very true tale.  It is a tale you have heard time and time again, from other people.  People you have heard it has happened to, and those you know, that it has happened to.  It is a tale we take for granted.  Or at least, I did...

      

This tale is about moles, and worms, and icky yucky horrible monsters that have altering infections & sadly, live in cyber-world.  Creations, not of nature, but of people, who want to harm anyone, with no rhyme or reason.  The infectious ones can not be zapped with sprays and powders.  No rodent repelent.  Oh no.  They are vile horrid things. And, they found me.  (the drawing below is about cleaning out a refrigerator.  Although, I think it does beautifully in this explanation as well)

      

We (meaning me, myself and I) did all we could when we first came home with a shiny new computer friend.  The one that would bring me to you and you to me.  So we could frolick and play.  We got advice.  Installed the latest technology in spyware, ad-ware, search & destroy-ware, and on and on.  Anti-horrid things this, and anti-infect my computer things that.  And still...  We got zapped.  Derailed.  Illegal errors poured out of my ears, and then, the worst...

      

They got me & all my characters.  We held on for our little cyber-lives...

      

On Monday at 11:30 a.m.  I visited a lovely person, who led me to another, lovely person.  All people who would never cause harm.  Alas, on entering the link to the second person, my computer started popping up black screens.  It was massive amounts of jibberish, happening fast.  Before I knew it, my computer had been taken over.  (I don't know if viruses link to people's blogs or what...  It may just have been a coincidence it happened at that moment)

The night before this happened, I had a huge thought to back-up my computer.  I didn't do it.  I had every Virus protector under the sun.  I took it for granted.  I also took for granted that I had a virus.  I thought it could be fixed by my computer pro.

I had not backed up my files for many months.  Isn't that dumb?  What was I thinking?  I know.  I am beside myself.  I tried to save everything I could.  All the things that make up my beloved little shop. 

I have been in high stress mode, with little sleep since Monday.  I didn't freak out until today.  When Mr. Lovee lent me his computer.  Which had some glitches too.  And meant, I wouldn't be up and running soon.  But, here I finally am...

The news?  We will be having a computer funeral for my dear little friend that got me this far.  He is ruined beyond repair.  I spent 4.5 long hours securing a new friend yesterday.  Not the road I wanted to take.  But, I couldn't choose my road this time.  We await his arrival.  We will welcome him warmly...

I don't know why people create viruses?  What is the point?  Who knows.  All I know, and all I can tell you is...

Back up all of your files.  Back them up now.  Back them up often.  When I realized my computer was going under, I backed up all I could before it was ablaze.  Make sure you update your virus protection all of the time.  Please, learn from me.  This has been awful.  It has been a nightmare, really.

      

But, today it was clear, that the shop will survive.  Thank goodness.  It has been a turmoilous 3 days.  This means, we saved most of the prints.  Luckily postcards are created elsewhere.  So, with that, we will make it...

Hundreds of  little faces looking to me for anwers....

      

You know, I don't like to complain much.  I always try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I try to take deep breaths, realizing that some things don't matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Everytime something trivial or bad happens, I think of my family and those I love.  I think of the good things.  Yes, I freak out a bit.  You can imagine that I can do that, right?  You know how I am in touch with 5 year old Vanessa?  Well, she comes in handy in freak out moments too.

But, loosing your entire computer (to a malicious virus) when you are running an online business, is certain to make anyone, sad, angry and left feeling a bit abused.  I kind of feel like someone broke into my house, to tell you the truth...

No, it is not the end of the world.  But, it ain't easy getting through it...

I am behind in the promised shop update, and in everything right now.  But, hopefully, things will get clearer in a few days...

For now, take a peek at some of my walls if you'd like.  The lovely Marilyn of Pulp Sushi is on to something so fun.  She is featuring people's walls...  What do you have hanging on your walls???

          

Thank you for being a part of my world here, at A Fanciful Twist.  This whole place & all of you mean more to me, than I can express. 

See you soon! Vanessa

A lovely St. Patrick's Day...

For the first time in a few years I won't be going to a local Irish pub for lunch and small (teeny tiny) sips of green beer (I am not a beer sipper, but a little green taste every other year is ok).  However, I will be having green cake with The Duchess... (much more up my alley)

      

Oh, don't forget the green tea.  And, we will resume our bickering (the Duchess and I).  You see, I have fallen in love.  A man has come into my life and the Duchess just can't handle it.  He is so charming and, ooo, he makes me all giddy.  Butterflies I tell ya, bu-tter-fliiiies.  Noone has made me that butterfly-ie since Brian Ferry in the 80's (although, there were other 80's loves as well).  I know I know, nasty gross awful.  Everyone freaks out about this (I hope there isn't something terrible about Brian that I don't know, which might not want me to admit to this 80's love, hee hee,).   I also still like saxophones for romantic effect and bad keyboard sounds.  I am stuck in a time warp. Please leave me here.  I am all cozy, you will disrupt my brain cells if you try to tell me it is not 1987, 1887, 1907, 1927,1787.  Love all those dates :)

Okay, moving right along...  So, the new man.  Yes, he is wonderful and marvelous!  He is charming and handsome.  I won't tell you who I think he is a cross of between.   But you can guess if you'd like.  So, the Duchess and I are bickering over this because, she is in love with him too!  He runs an old fashioned carnival.  Which is kind of like a cross between a circus and a carnival.  He also has a brother!  Who is coming to visit in 24 hours...

Here is my new heart-throb...(along with two new girls who will be in the shop this week)

      

He and his brother are the first gentlemen to enter our realm.  Oh goodnes, faun boy is throwing a fit.  I mean, they are not the first, faun boy is.  You know what I mean...  Oh, and did I tell you about his shiny red boots?  They are so dreamy...

          

You see, The Duchess has this plan of how she will snatch his heart.  She thinks up unusual ways.  Today she baked a 13 layer cake.  Hmph...  She might win ;)

          

I will be putting these three plus lots of other sculpted treasures in my shop this week.  I am hoping for Wednesday.  But, I will do a blog post on all of them, before they go into the shop.  I was hoping to have them in today, alas, all the details on each piece, plus pinky-tip sized tea accoutrements have caused me to fall behind.  I am so in love with these characters.  They are all chatter, stories galore... 

You know, for Saint Patrick's day, we wanted to visit with you in the garden.  We had the loveliest week, all kinds of citrus ready to be savored...

      

It was in the 80's here all week.  I collected fruit from my garden, and a friend gave me some other treasured limequats.  I washed them in the garden, getting ready to make marmalade.

      

I washed batch after batch, and then enjoyed every minute of dropping them to dry.  It felt so springy, so green, so warm, perfect for today's post...

      

The peach tree is blooming its tender beautiful pink flowers...

      

I just love these little flowers.  Fruit trees are just so amazing, aren't they?

      

I dragged my gown in the garden...

      

And stopped for tea amidst a patch of tiny yellow wild flowers...  Claire de Lune, playing softly in the background..

      

What a beautiful magical week...  Who could ask for anything more? Yummy days...

      

Our friend got all his tenants coolers working.  He was so proud of himself, de-winterizing them and all.  We were proud of him too. 

I picked daisies, and inspected our oranges...

      

Are you jealous?  Are you wishing you lived in Arizona?  I'll tell you what...  You won't be after you hear this ;)  This is what happened today (below).  And, it is snowing as I type... WHAT?  No wonder I am insane!!  And, what about my poor friend?  Who gave all his tenants A/C?  Poor guy :)  I don't know the status, but I am sure he is working hard right now to remedy the good thing turned cold.

      

What in the world just happened?  It was like, the earth was warm and wonderful, and then the Snow Queen took over... I tell ya, incredible, unreal, unusual weather we have...  Good for me, I LOVE snow.  I hope it sticks!!

And, good thing, I captured Spring last week!  So we could have a warm Springy, lovely day.  For Green Tea and Green Cake...

Also a perfect day for sharing Shamrock Brooches made by our friends... (E-mail me if you made these and you want me to add you, sorry if I missed anyone)

Miss Karla at Sugar Bear Designs made these lovelies!  She has a beautiful blog!  Thank you Miss K, I used your photo...

                  

Miss Ruth made some wonderful centerpieces out of hers.  Aren't they precious?  I think they are marvelous!!  (I borrowed the photo below from her lovely blog)

      

Jalal (and daughter Jordyn), made the most lovely treasures out of the cards and the brooch pdf.  Thank you for sharing your photos!!  I loove them, all sparkly! Visit them at the "Little Shack out Back."

      

      

      

Miss Sarah from Oh Kirby, who makes amazing treasures, has sent me the most wonderful shots (below), of her magical brooch.  You get to see her wearing her creation!!! Love that photo!! Thank you Sarah! 

      

My friend Michelle (wearing a wonderful necklace, love that), made a very beautiful brooch also.  Don't the silver sparkles look dreamy?  Thank you Michelle!!  She makes amazing dolls (I almost owned one, but an 8 year old convinced me she had to have it, so I gave her my doll made by Michelle), take a peek at Gingham World.

      

How's that for shamrock fun???  I hope you have a wonderful day!!  Pinch free ;)  Thank you for stopping in, it warms my heart and soul!  Especially after 500 hours alone in the studio, working away!! xoxo, V

ps: All Free Card And Free Shamrock Brooch PDF's can still be find right here, in right hand side bar ;)

pps:  I have updated the shamrock sharing, of everyone who told me they made one.  You can still let me know if you want to be added.

      

Behind the Curtain...

The following is a true story, of sorts.  You see, Faun boy and I had been working frantically for weeks.  Staying up until 3a.m.  Helping the actors get their hair and make-up decided upon.  Making sure the gowns were just right...  Preparing for a new show at "A Fanciful Twist Theatre." 

Faun boy was so excited about our music for the new show (Thanks to the lovely Betty for the amazing music find, and for thinking about Miss Valencia).  He wanted to show you earlier, but again, we were making costumes and wigs...

      

Opening night came.  Faun Boy and I were so busy working, we heard the music start...

      

The actors took their places.  Faun boy and I ushered people in, got them striped cones filled with popcorn and sparkly fresh shirly temples (with extra cherries).  We ran up and down the aisles like lunatics.  Beautiful people seated in their amazing frocks, and hair piled up like cathedrals. 

      

I tried to sneak a peek from backstage, as I bustled around, still it was all like a blurry dream.  I am beginning to wonder if it even happened at all...

      

Oh, look at those lovely gowns!  How I wished we weren't so busy, shuffling people around...

      

Once we had everyone seated and the show began, faun boy and I were in charge of helping the actors.  Making sure everything was going smoothly.  I could see bits and pieces of the show, but the lights were so bright, and with the movement, everything was distorted...

      

I could hear the audience, they sounded more than delighted.  They clapped, they laughed...  They oo-ed...  Then I heard the sound of a standing ovation.  I ran as fast as I could to the back of the theatre, to get a look.   Just as I was trying to focus on the actors...

      

The curtain dropped.  It was over and I missed the entire thing.  Faun Boy stood in a corner sulking.  Alas, we had to get our energy back, because we had to see all the guests out and lock-up.  I moved quickly, trying to get to the actors to congratulate them...

      

When I finally got backstage, the entire company was gone.  Poof, as if they had never been there.  I ran outside and caught a glimpse of the last tail light of the caravan, as they pulled away.  I was heart-broken. 

I sat in the empty theatre and sighed. 

      

The good news was, the theatre company was off to do a wonderful performance.  I received a postcard from The Duchess.  She assured me that all of us would get a peek into what they were up to, in the future...  So I bid them farewell, and hoped to see them soon, anxious for their marvelous tales...

So, with that, I hint that the next blog post (St. Patrick's day) will share some new dolls.  Not these dolls (as these really have gone on a voyage), but others I am working on.  I will share some photos and then pop them into my shop.  Meet me here Monday, green edibles and all!  Does green tea count too? Oh yes, I think it does!!

Don't forget to e-mail me if you made the Shamrock brooches.  I will link to you in the next blog post.  I know some of you have let me know already, so thanks for that!!  xxo, V

ps:  Don't forget to print out your free St. Patrick's day cards.  You can find them in the above link, or on my right hand sidebar!! ;)  See you sooooooon!

pps:  Also, thank you for the finger well wishes!!  I am much better, still healing a tad bit.  And, I have to say, your attire for the Tiny Tea Party, well, SWOoooon!  I am going to have to re-read many times to make the promised drawing decision!!  Exciting!!  Will let you know soon!

Tiny Tea Party...

I am having a tiny tea party for you.  Why you ask? Why?  Well, the reason is that I can't much type, only nibble and sip.  This is a tiny tea party to celebrate me not losing one of my tiny fingers.  Okay, okay, I am being a bit melodramtic.  But, I did have a major right pointer finger mishap Friday night (thank goodness for my finger saviour, Doctor Lovee Lovee).  Which is leaving me not willing to type too much.  As, the poor purple dear has been worked a tad bit to hard today as it is.

      

But what I would like you to do, is to describe to me, what wonderful attire you will be wearing to my Tiny Tea Party.  Now, here is the catch.  The one of you, that describes to me the most outrageous wonderfully glorious wardrobe, will receive their make believe Tiny Tea Party self in an illustration.  Yep, I will recreate my vision of your description, and gift you yourself, illustrated, colored and printed on Canvas!! Plus a cameo appearance in your attire, right here at Tiny Tea Party central.

So, get dressed and grab a seat.  I want to know, who you are, what kind of accent do you have? Do you have a hat on? Feathers?  Gowns?  Teal Stockings?  Teal stockings, Oh wait, that's me... Or are you a pirate? Of course, boys are invited too!!  Do tell!

I am just going to sit over here, and sip my spiked tea (revisiting a photo), and nurse my finger that got caught in a ladder, as I opened it, backwards, with my back facing it, and got completely caught, to panic point.  Screaming.  Crying, Shrieking.  Then resorted to having to yank out said little fractured piggy.  Mangled little guy :) All while I was trying to use the ladder to sit on and play a tune...  I guess I really am not ready to join the carnival.  My skills are just pitiful...

      

Back to the Tiny Tea Party...  Make sure you choose some tasty treats!!

      

So grab a toadstool, and tea party on, my friends!! Oh, and ps: There will be Espresso also. 

      

Here is a sample of a character creation of a real person that I illustrated.  Suzanne Broughton.  I am sooooo delighted beyond words that she let me be a part of her new blog look!!  So fun!! Thank you Miss Suzanne!!

Off I go for now!!  I guess I did type more than I had threatened to :)  Oh, and I am working non-stop in the studio.  I want to bring you some new treats soon, but the creations seem to be going out the door to different places these days.  But I promise more treasures soon!! Oh, you'll see!! 

Pss:  Proof that there are a few girls hanging around...

                              

See You soon!!  xxo, V

All work and no play {all play and no work}

The truth is, I do get to do really wonderfully fun things with my days.  Although, I do venture into my old work sometimes, just to keep me in the real world a bit.  However, getting to be covered in paint and glue, in clay and surrounded by pretty jewels is just bliss.  If you like that sort of thing :) 

I am a very busy girl, with all the projects I am working on right now.  And, there are days like today, when I realize that I have not shared many aspects of what I do, with you.  I have eluded to the fact that I make jewelry.  But, I have not shared much jewelry online just yet.  My jewelry story is long, but I'll just sum it up real quick.

      

The reason I have not shared jewel love, is that I carry my jewelry in a local boutique salon, and I also have to have it handy for the regular phone calls I get from local customers.  I have been making jewelry since I was 16 years old ( I have done more exhausting trunk shows than I can count...).  I have taught myself everything I know about jewelry making, stones & soldering.  I have never taken a class.  Sometimes, I can't believe all the information I have to store in my wee brain.  No wonder, I forget things so easily.  My brain is on overload :)

The truth is, stones, jewels, metals, they are pure magic.  I search the ends of the earth for some of the stones and pieces I work with.  I have become knowledgable in the last 14 years, about stones and values.  About where to get them, their history, where they come from, about what to look for at gem shows.  What vendors I trust.  I started off at 18 years old, a tiny bit of money in my pocket and a couple strands of stones here and there and a few pieces of sterling.

      

That has grown into me negotiating pounds of silver, carrying a wheely case