A Fanciful Twist

Twinkly Wishes for a Magical New Year! (+ collecting your wishes)

New Years are the bestest, most wonderful, don'tcha think?  I was thinking today, how fun a New Year is.  It makes everything seem fresh and new.  Invigorates natural adrenaline, bringing us slices of warm fresh baked optimism...  Yummy yumm...  Like a perfect round felt ball, born at the stroke of midnight on December 31st...

          

I for one, believe that fresh starts can happen any time.  A renewed (& positive) perception is the key to the door of your cozy home in your very own sugar plum forest...

   

I love simple blissful little days, spent inside a perfect sugar plum house fading from pink to canary yellow...  Now if I could only, err, argh, eekkk, squuueeze myself in there...  Ouch...  hee hee ;)

      

And so, at the foot of the Sugar Plum Forest, through the Fairytale Forest, past the Magical Cypress Grove and down a pink hidden path in the woods, is where I find myself this New Year's Eve...

   

A place where you are invited to join in celebrating the New Year with Elfin creatures, faun, birdlings,  fairies, and me ;)

We mingle and enjoy some shroom-nog and bliss pie that Miss Dunce-ling Birdie made for us...

   

Grab a slice and a sip, don't be shy ;)

  

Mmmm, frothy shroom-nog...  

    

Everyone is so delighted you stopped in!!!

    

Oh, we nibble and munch galore!!  Did you get enough to eat??  I sure hope so, because now it is time for dancing as we wait for the midnight hour...

Someone seems to be acting kind of shy...

        

Oh someone else looks shy too...  Hiding behind a Magical Cypress Tree, eh?

        

Come on guys, let's loose our inhibitions and dance...  Off you go...

   

And before you know it, everyone is on the dance floor...  Even the extra shy one is dancing in the middle of the circle and leading a wacky dance, hee hee...

   

A perfect time of the year to break out of your shell and be free...  I love to get crazy and dance alone in my house.  It makes me feel so fantastic and is really good for the soul!!

         

    

Even little babies like a little mambo every now and then ;)

    

And as the new year comes closer, the creatures have some messages for you!!

         

Elves are so sweet, aren't they?  Those little guys bring such joy...  As their Mammie always says...  There is nothing like the love of an elf...   

        

And for a little bunny love look below...

    

Oh, you lovely friends, it has been a marvelous year hasn't it???  I have been blessed with your friendship and art dreams this year.   I feel like we are a little fanciful family, don't you?  I see your names pop up in comments, and I feel like I know almost all of you.  Little bits and pieces you share make me really adore you ooooodles!!!

Thank you for being so nice to me.  For stopping in, and for being patient with my slowness in visits while I am here in behind the scenes madness attempting to support myself via my art...  I never take you for granted, and know that without you egging me on, I wouldn't be writing this blog...

So, before you think I forgot...  Remember all the wishes I collected here last year, and let go?? 

      

See here if you forgot ;) 

So, I say, let's send our wishes out again this year...  Leave your wishes here in comments (encrypted or not) and I will find a real fanciful way to transport them to the "make wishes come true" elves...

You can trust me to get them there safely.  You see, I think that if we pile our wishes together, they will have extra strength... I will protect them!  I will even wear my Super Bake Girl Cape ;)

So come on, let's hold hands and make a wish...

   

Into the rabbit hole, we swirl and twirl, and believe that wishes come true (that is key here)...

 

It has been a magical year said the girl, as she glanced your way, gently nodding her head in thanks.  Then she peered out the window, to all that laid ahead in wonderland, and her heart soared.  She turned and beckoned you to join her...

She held on to her perfeclty packaged bundle of memories, held on as tight as could be, and lept into the future, with unhindered possibilites dangling from her hair...

 

♥  ♥ ♥ ♥  Don't forget to leave your wishes ;)

      

Merrily Down the Holiday Road, I find my way back...

Where to begin?  I am an exhausted noodle head, and missing home already.  Isn't it funny when you spend days away from your life, how you feel sort of discombobulated when you return?  I miss my Mammie ;)

      

But, I will shake it off and fill you in a little on my adventures...  Well, the good news is, I had a snowey powdered sugar kind of Christmas in the hills at home with my parents and siblings and more...  It was a run in the snow and cold and squeal kind of a holiday for me indeed!!

 

I exited the vehicle down twirly roads, oodles of times to frolick in the super cold weather...

    

But before I tell you about that, and my discovery of why witches hats are shaped the way they are, I will take you on a little road trip with me...

I left Catalina and drove an hour to the airport, collected my kookie friend, drove to Tubac, Arizona, shopped and ate gooey delicious cheesy melty mexican food and drank margaritas.  Where we got hit on by weird guys...  Eeeek!  We escaped that one quickly though.  And insisted (both being tough chicks) that we did not want any strange men paying for our margaritas, no Sireeeeee! 

         

We arrived home to twinkly lights and giant wreaths...

    

    

A warm goldie glowey house was a magical delight to fall into...

         

We unpacked, tucked in, and waited for the whole gang to arrive.  A house full, and laughs and bickering and more double over until you can't breathe laughs, and more bickering ;)  I am sure we all made my parents insane. 

We attempted to go to sleep...  Giggle, snort, whining about turning off the lights, chatting in the dark... 

We could hear Mombie baking until 3 a.m.  We awoke to bliss...

 

Sis makes these below, every year... 

 

And then, I baked everyone's request.  Which I bake every year as well.  My own version of... 

        

We prepared for Christmas Eve dinner, to be served after mass...

         

While we waited for guests to arrive, I went outside and took some photos of the beautiful lights my Mom and Dad and elfin helper put up...

      

 

While I was outside taking photos, I took the funniest one facing the house.  It was Mr. Lovee in the bar (eating nuts I bet) and Alden (my friend) in the kitchen.  Both have their backs turned.. And I wonder to myself, what are they doing?  It is so funny to me...  Are they nibbling before dinner? ;)

    

As for dinner - It was beautiful, thanks to my parents hard work putting it all together.  We enjoyed it to the core, then sat around and chatted for hours...

To view these mosaic photos, simply click, let them load up, then click again to view large version...

         

Now, here is one of my fave parts...  After dinner and chatting, I talked about going to the North Pole - in terms of Santa's village...  And my Dad said, he might be able to take us there...

 

So, my friend, Mr. Lovee and Mammie and Dad jumped in the car.  Noone else was game ;)  And we arrived to a magical land for sure.  I jumped out of the car and skipped around and bounced and danced.  There was pure holiday music streaming through the street (literally from the people's gadgets on their roofs).  I was singing like crazy...  SO much fun!

I am from a very small town, tiny in fact, so everyone knows everyone, and my mom filled us in on all the light wars between these two houses...  I think they both win, in my book!

   

  

Isn't it wonderful?  I don't think it is cheesy at all, I think it is quite fun.  In the past I may have rolled my eyes, but call it the aging process ;)  I just enjoyed it tons...

We then drove through town, and I took a picture of the center of our town, where the beautiful Catholic church sits...

       

I took this one below for you too... I took it from the top of the hill where Granny's house is...  

Ever wonder what separates you from Mexico?  A HUGE wall, lit constantly, in a little border town... That's what ;)  

 

So, after our Make Believe North Pole excursion, we went home and chatted until the very late hours of the night...  Forcing ourselves to sleep...  Which is a reason Santa was running very very late the next day, hee hee ;)

      

Christmas day was filled to the brim!  Coffee and treats and gifts oh my!!

       

          

  

          

Giggling and ripping paper, and trying on goodies and thanking one another, but enjoying eachother's company more than anything... 

        

I made my Mammie her very own Sugar Plum Fairy and oodles of jewelry ;)

        

Then slowly, everyone started disappearing playing with new toys...  I was enamoured with Mammie's yearly delight, "The Fairy Tree."  There are more fairies in that house than anywhere, I am sure of it...  Except a store or fairy factory.  They are on the mantle, in my sister's room, and better than anything, in the magical Fairy Tree...

   

        

         

         

           

       

Oh and the cutest thing, Santa left a brand new bicycle for Mammie ;)  She jumped right on it...

         

When Mammie came in from riding, she said "the only one watching me ride my new bike was Mr. Lovee."  He was such a cutie, helping her, making sure she didn't break her neck...  And they were both freezing because it was truly coat and scarf weather - and the snow was looming...

        

Not that you care ;)  but from where Mammie is standing, all you see for miles and miles surrounding the house is this...  And I have long crazy tales about exploring that land myself as a wee kid...

    

Anyhow, I have completely lost track of why I am talking your ear off (or eyeballs in this case), or what I am talking about... 

Oh yes, Christmas...  Sooooo, after gifts and such, we piled in the car, and went to my Grandma and Grandpa's house (Mom's parents).  My friend Alden, had such a wonderful time with my incredible Grandparents, who lavished her with more hugs and kisses she could have ever hoped for.  So much so that she was moved to tears.  When asked if she was okay, she said she longed to have her own family as such, with grandparents to love...  It was very touching and made me want to hang on to everyone for dear life myself...

It was starting to get cloudy and snow weather was rolling in, so these photos at Nana's are very weird in color...

        

Granny's house is the best...  Alden questioned my Grandmother oodles on tortilla making, and was as in love with that wood burning stove as all of us are...  She asked my grandfather so many questions about his fireplace and such, I think he was in seventh heaven ;)

      

By the way - the thing that astounds me is that my grandfather is 80 and doesn't have a white hair on his head...  Floors me every time...

        

Granny puts up a huge beautiful manger...

  

Kids opened gifts.  My brother Adam, gave a beautiful pop up Alice in Wonderland book to Carolina...

    

Surrounding her were 15 loud people all opening gifts...  But I didn't get clearance to slap their faces on my blog, so you can imagine it all ;)  

After Granny's, we drove home, and spied the Ferromex Train...

   

4 deer were waiting for us on the other side of the gate to our driveway...

    

And just in time for winter - all the leaves fell off of my favorite tree, in one afternoon...

    

Are you bored at my super long post yet?  How do they get sooooo long?  Goodness me...

Well, the next part of my story is the last part for now ;)  And it has to do with witches hats...  You see, I have made a discovery.  Witches not only made those great hats for stylish effect - they serve a huge weather purpose.

 

They should be sold for the winter, not just Halloween!!  They need to make a winter wear debut in a major way...  Maybe I am on to something?  And better yet, they keep your camera safe from rain or snow, and your eye make-up too!!

You see on the 26th, when snow was falling everywhere, I urged a few to pack into the car, and let Mammie and Daddy take us for a drive in our Winter Wonderland...  I got dressed first.  And realizing I only had a witches hat - I found brilliant use for it...

 

I put on 3 layers.  I felt like a snowman.  Here is the only chance you may get in life of seeing me in that get-up...  In the pantry door ;)  I wore that hat all over snow filled lands...

I am holding a huge bag, so that is what you see on my shoulder...

      

And, I have to confess.  My sister was mortified at my outfit.  Pistachio green pants, three tops, a thick winter Indian quilted coat (with lots of colors), and a witches hat.  Truth be told, I wasn't embarrassed of my outfit in the least bit.  Nope, not at all...  Told you, I am nutty sometimes...  She hollered "Are you really going out like that???"  Umm, Yep!  ;)

It was soooo theraputic to be out in the wildnerness, in the silence of snow falling...  I forgot to change out of my high heeled boots, so I wore them, to walk all around the wildnerness...  I walked down roads that had less snow, as we exited the mountains, where it was dangerously snowing a bit to much to be on those roads...

   

    

    

  

     

As we drove into town, the snow subsided... 

 

         

And we drove by a little house literally in the woods, in the middle of nowhere...

   

 Alas, I have to confess, that little couple inches of snow, was all I think I might want in life.  The cold is a tad too cold for us Arizona people.  And I don't think I can live in Wisconsin.  Mr. Lovee's family has been sending a ton of hate mail to us, because of the snow shoveling Mr. Lovee is making fun of them for...  ;)  Isn't he a meanie?  ;)

We needed warm drinks after all that...  So we headed to Patagonia, where on the outskirts, sits a shrine that I have been to over a hundred times in my life...

Curious?  Come with me.. I'll give you a sneak peek...

        

Up the super narrow stairs, still in these bad boys...

         

    

    

Inside, you slowly open the little gate to fill it with your candles or prayers, etc...

         

        

Then off to Patagonia, Arizona - not far from our house, to get warm at the cafe...  I think Patagonia must have a popluation of about 700-800 people max...  It is teeny tiny, and quaint and charming, and again, teeny tiny.   

   

         

    

I stayed a couple more days, and then had to deal with packing...  My least fave part.  But, the fact that I was packing treasures was fun...  My car was so full!  I had all sorts of stuff, including big furniture.  Which I loaded into my car myself.  I am proud of the huge tasks I accomplish (moving furniture and such), and I feel so gratified.  I found ways to do a lot of it without hurting myself...  Mr. Lovee says I am crazy strong ;)  Tee heee  ;)  Not too tall at all, but strong like Popeye ;)  Okay, not quite...  Maybe a little strength mixed with a whole lot of determination ;)

 

Sooooo, believe it or not, I think that is all I have to say for now...  Later (next post) I will share all my paper cutting I did on my trip, and show you how I kept everyone totally entertained...

Here are a few...

   

    

I couldn't cut paper fast enough... Everyone wanted one...  You know, people are easily amused when there is nothing else to do but eat and chat and play...  ;)

I must be off, I have really overdone it this time, with this super long post!!  Must make sense of my unpacking and rest up...  We might go out of town for New Year's...  My Grandma's birthday is January 1st...

All I know is I am one tired girl...  How about a vacation from my vacation?  ;)  Any ideas?

Can't wait to catch up with you though!!!  How are you guys???  Did you have a Holly Jolly Christmas???

More sooooooon!!  xoxo, V  

ps:  I forgot to take photos of Mammie's village (which she asked me to take, oops), but you can see last year's here...

Warm Holiday Wishes, Happy Snowflake Papercuts & Merry Sugar Plum Bliss...

In the thick of holiday madness, and not even aware.  Was it her forgetfulness, or simply her ability to get lost in the mesmerizing effect of certain things...

      

Textures and colors, sights and sounds, drew her in, and she often lost her way on the blissful voyage of soaking them in...

        

She wondered sometimes, how she could zone out into another world so easily.  She wondered if it was a strange brain thing, the way she could listen to the same tune on repeat for days and weeks at a time.  Finding a new note every time... Never tiring of it.  How she could lose herself, in a felt ball...  Stringing one by one...

 

How she could put her life on hold, to cut out paper snowflakes...

       

Her friend, Mister Ireland, rang her.  "Wow, you never answer the phone,"  He stated in his calm Irish way.  She was getting way too used to people stating this fact.  He then said "I missed your birthday, but I have something for you - and I need to pick up another piece of your jewelry for my mother, can I come up?"    

    

She stayed silent.  Then  in her elfin voice said,  "Welll, I am really not sure I can see anyone today.  I am cutting out snowflakes..." 

Funny enough her friends who were not part of the arty crafty creative world, never seemed to think anything she was up to was out of the ordinary.  He, in his thick Irish accent said, "Oh that sounds lovely, but don't you want to get a bite to eat?"

I can't eat, she stated.  I am cutting out paper snowflakes.

        

"I am leaving the country for a few weeks" he said.  She sighed.  She knew he would be gone to see his family in Ireland for a long while, and she believed in seeing friends before they made long voyages. 

"Wellllll, okay.  But, I don't want to go anywhere.  I'll make some tea and I'll even make you some snowflakes...  I just baked some thumb print cookies, would that be food enough?" she asked.

He chuckled.  "I'll order us some take away."  (The Irish version of take-out)

She was happy, she would have 3 hours to be in her snowflake world until her visitor arrived...

   

As she sat and cut out what she thought were beautiful snowflakes, she let the spirit of Christmas fill her soul.  The true meaning of this beloved celebration.  She remembered being in that huge old cathedral as a girl.  She had painted the back drop for the manger (still used today) when she was a teenager... 

A warm sense of love filled her being...

        

The more she cut, the more she wanted to cut...

         

Each one a gift in itself, waiting to be slowly gently opened.  She gasped and swooned.

She took a glue stick and without any hesitation, glued them to the barn doors on her wardrobe...

    

She was content. 

This was the beginning of her Christmas decorating she thought (even though she had already done a little bit of it).  The spirit of Christmas was swirling around her.

She blew great big bubbles with cherry bubble gum, and took tiny peppermint nibbles...

        

She admired her Christmas branch...  The colors so peaceful and happy.

       

       

          

Oh yes!!  She recalled the angels she safely tucked away year after year, and went on the hunt for them.  They were just what the Christmas branch needed to finish it up...

        

She had 3 nooklings of Holiday adventures in her private little boudoir at the country house (bedroom).  One, a sugarplum colorful adventure.  

The second, A Santa Bell Jar Forest..

        

       

         

        

And the third nook, reminded her of a magically tradtional "Little Women" sort of Christmas...

   

The greenery was trimmed from one of her and Mr. Lovee's tiny christmas trees that they purchased to decorate,  then planted 6 years ago, and was now a healthy huge guy out in the garden... 

   

Happy nooks indeed...

  

A perfect place to sit and - you got it ;) -  cut out snow flakes...  

         

I must hang my ice-skating stocking... 

      

I will be taking my beautiful hand knit stocking from lovely Britt-Arnhild home for the holidays ;)  I will take photos of it once there ;)  I just love it!! 

Speaking of stockings.  Take a peek at the stockings Miss Valerie and Miss Jamie (check out her december 11th post) made with my lil' stockin' template...  I LOVE them girls!!  You make my heart fly around and dance!!  What great blogs these gals have!!

Oops, lost track of my little story...

Soooo, everything was yummy in the Sugar Plum Forest, all happy and festive.  Perfect for those unexpected visitors ;)

         

When all of a sudden, the phone rang.  It was her best wacky funny friend from college.  Her voice said, "Vanessssaaaa, I am coming to see you, ask your Mom if it is okay."  And of course, Mombie said, "Awesome, how fun, the more the merrier!!!" 

And just like that, she snapped out of ther snowflake hypnotism, and her brain scurried around.  Oh my goodness, so much to do, so much to do!!!  Why, it is December 21st already!!  And we are leaving to go home for the holidays on Tuesday, and and and... Must get Alden at the airport and pack and bake and clean - And just like that, holiday madness ensued...

However, as it usually goes in her life...  Her friend stopped by.  The Irish chap.  And as the Irish do, he had tea.  Which is quite lovely you see.  Because with friends who drink tea as a regular part of life, fancy tea cups, tiny exquisite milk pitchers and biscuits, aren't just part of a tea party, they are part of many moments in a day.  And a buff Irish man, drinking tea from a fragile tea cup, is quite a charming sight.

So, she sat for tea, and calmed down.  And found a new gifted obsession to be mesmerized by.  Staring into the most beautiful roses she had ever seen...

         

After all, her undercover post office operations were complete.  Every parcel was shipped with care and running out of the house in her Secret Agent Garb, was over for this holiday season...

What on earth is Secret Agent Garb you ask?  Well, it is one of Mr.  Lovee's favorite looks you see.  It is a make-upless girl, in a scarf, huge dark vintage Christian Dior glasses (that she had lenses put into when her friend's mom, who had them since the sixties, gifted them to her), a Victorian coat that is worn all winter - and a long braid with a black satin ribbon.

      

This is the girl who carfeully delivers your safely packaged parcels to the post...

        

The same girl, that used to be a camera lover, and now turns her face at the the slightest chance of having her photo taken without consent.  She is very serious about this.

         

She is also the same girl, who is in this terrible old polaroid at granny's on Christmas 1994, wearing football player shoulder pad's (so is her aunt it seems).  The photo is a mess in person, with water spots making everyone look quite strange (like dad's blurry face, who by the way looks extra tanned)...  Look at those hair things and outfits.  1994 was wild.

         

Anyhow, she is the same girl, who loves telling stories and having you for visits here at A Fanciful Twist!! 

The same girl, who can't wait to hear your stories and share photos and wacky tales (like too much shroom nog), after the Holidays ;)  after the Christmas party at the Yellow Dollhouse.

And, The same girl who sends you extra wishes of sparkly magic...

        

Warm Holiday Wishes to you and yours!!  See you super soooon!! xoxo

♥♥♥, Vanessa ;)

ps:  I had to change things down here, because, I got in a ton of trouble with the little creatures in my holiday diorama.  I could hear tiny voices calling me as I was packing...  And I forgot, a huge holiday waiting for Santa party was goin' on right here...  Silly me.  These are my little children after-all, and I almost forgot to share their happy holiday spirit with you!!  Click on Image, then once it opens click on it again, and you can see it super large ;)

         

They send their warm greetings and hope you jump in for some fun ;) 

pss:  OH!!  And, don't forget, One World One Heart, is right around the corner after the holidays.  It was HUGE last year!  I have a new section midway down in my right hand side bar called Blogosphere events.  And these are current events that I am taking part in...  This was my participation in OWOH last year...  Go to the OWOH website for details...

psss:  I have to confess, I have been watching this Snow Dream video way too much!  And I normally don't do pop music at all...  But, it is silly and makes me giggle & I think I can make out some English words, and I can't get enough of those fab complexions, and extra fab hair color and cuts.  Oh and their winter wear.  Like Sarah said, is this a Gap Commercial?  haha...

I think I am making Mister Lovee crazy singing "I need a SNOW DREAM under the sky, sha-nananana..." over and over.  The only words I can make out ;) I especially love 2:54 - 3:08 cos I like the guy in the bear hat ;)

Now I promise this time I am leaving ;) 

Off I go!  Have a wonderful holiday!!!!  I'll be checking in while away  ;)

Flurries and Twirlies & Little Snowflake Wishes...

I had a glorious day yesterday, to attempt some laundry and clean and dust (oh goodness, the dust of it all) & to begin my Christmas decorating.  Just the kind of day I needed...

   

I made a garland, and organized my shelves.  I made a new little nook in my room, which I will share once I whip everything together, so my room doesn't look like a tornado side swiped us...

        

I also started on the Christmas Branch.  Which really is up all year, but with different decor...   I love my branch.  Since I spend Christmas at our family home, I don't put up a full scale tree here... 

      

I watched Portrait of a Lady (with Nicole Kidman) and Northfork while I worked along...  Soon I want to tell you about  a very dramatic encounter I had with a movie, that I have typed and kept to share in the future.  Although I might forget about it if I am not carfeul...

I have been on snow watch all week.  I am waiting with bated breath for this teaser of a snow storm to hit, so that I can make use of my Grandpa's wonderful birthday gift.  He is such a cool grandpa.  He loves to collect "junk" like me.  Or treasures, as we prefer to refer to our findings...

        

Once I completely tired of waiting for the snow, I decided to take the snow watch matter to a different level.  More like the snow hunt, if you will...  My partner in crime and I planned our mission & headed into the brisk air...

We would take some necessary items with us, to visit the snow covered hills.  I would need my magical red and white striped curtain (details on how I made the easiest curtain ever using Sealah tape at the end of this post).   Some wood...  What else, hmmmm?

A pot for cooking - and of course some daisies...

 

Oh, some lemons too... 

     

Fire wood, oh yes!  Can't forget that - And a bunch of other odds and ends...   Did I fail to mention, how we would be traveling into the wilderness?

      

    

By super three wheel bike, of course ;)  Can you see the snow in the mountains that hover above our wee love shack?   

   

That is where me and my little blondie are headed.  We have our tea set packed, and some warm blankets...  I really can't think of what else we might need? 

        

         

Oh and we have treats too!!  Must not forget the treats!!

    

And of course, things to play with and give us good luck...

Like thee wonderful sparklies and keys, and fun things to play with from Miss Krista!!

   

    

    

 Amongst the trinkets from Miss Krista...

        

I found a serpent ring with little hearts dangling, for good luck ;)

     

Thank you Miss Krista!!  What treasures!! 

I am also bringing with me a boxling that would blow your mind, from Michelle Cummings...  Just take a look...

   

Ready for this...  1, 2, BOING!!

    

If that is not fun stuff all tucked inside the best pop open box on the planet - then I don't knw what is ;)   Too fun Miss Michelle!! 

And while I am at it - I brought some tiny candy canes and beautiful tags from delightful Chris!! (a totally unexpected surprise package!).  Candy for elves, if we see them in the forest, and tags to write for gifts I have not yet made, eeeeks!!  Thank you Miss Chrisssss!!  The tags are so beautiful and awesome colors and paper!!

      

So, I think I am all set.  I am wearing my warm tattered scarf.  Which I have worn out over the last 3 or 4 years for sure...  But I love it.  And it houses a brooch that I found in that stash from that darling lil' Krista too!!

         

Okay, let's be off....

         

We don't go very far before someone wants her tea...  Oy...  Okay okay...

    

Are you sure you need tea now I ask?  "Aha aha aha, she nods...."  And how can I say no to that face?

        

(Note to sister - "I am wearing the lil' warm boots you gave me!!!" )

So we have our tea and I collect some moss.  Which mind you, wasn't easy, because my little muffin dog, ain't so little.  And she wants to be on my head if I am eye level with her.  So, collecting moss, not so easy.  She knocked me over, wanted to sniff my ponytail...  Goodness me... 

        

    

Now to save this so I can put it in my terrarium... And finally head out - making our way through our arbor and onto the road...  In search of that great white snow...

   

Will we make it?  Will we find snow?  Will we come back with a wonderful tale to tell?

    

Who knows?  But we will sure have fun trying ;)  Or even pretending ;)

       

Before I go, I want to touch on a subject that I find very important.  I want you to truly know how much I enjoy our visits here at "A Fanciful Twist."  I try to make visits to many of you, and love those e-mail exchanges with many of you who e-mail me.  

I want to say, if you ever feel snubbed  or ignored by me, I never ever ever intend that.  On the contrary - I actually think about you, and find myself, often before bed, going, "oh me oh my, I forgot to stop by to get my award from lil' Miss.  Or, oh goodness, did she have her baby?  Is her hubby okay?  What is going on over there..."  Often I pop in to peek on many of you!!   

I do the best that I can juggling all the things on my plate.  But honestly, sometimes, I am not that good at it.  And the last thing I ever want to do is make you feel like you are not important to me.  Your little worlds are fantastic, and you guys are up to so much goodness!!!  Just know I admire and appreciate the little worlds we get to share.  And you are very important!!  From the bottom of my heart - truly...

♥ ♥ ♥, see you sooon!! Vanessa

PS:  If you want to make some super easy, no sew curtains (or anything no sew for that matter), you will need Sealah Tape.  An extraordinary invention by Kay Ellen's parents.  There is a link on her blog to Sealah tape, or send her an e-mail and she can help you for sure ;)

Once I put these curtains up correctly, I will show you how awesome they look.  But not having to finish the edges on a machine made the curtain making process so super easy!!  ;)

         

Look at that happy finished edge!  Wooo hooooooo!! 

pss:  I have been finding lots of fun links for printable tags and holiday projects.  I thought I would share them with you...  Some of my items are on these sites, but there are tons of fantastic printable tags and handmade ideas.  I am doing of a few of them myself!!

Next post I will share some of the lovely stockings people have made with my free stocking template ;)  I am so tickled it was enjoyed!!

ohdeedoh

Bella Dia

Free Printable Fun

One Pretty Thing

Tip Nut

Tip Junkie