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  ;)

Comments

[Misha/DawaiOser]

Funny enough, when you said "Secret Agent" garb my brain heard "Agent Provocateur" lingerie - which is a very/very different thing indeed. Haha. Oh my. o_0

Happiest of holidays to you and yours as well! If you get a chance check out my gf's Christmas tree. It's bedecked with tons of bird ornaments and I think you might like it:
http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/656679.html

[Bethany]

Have a wonderful Christmasey Holiday funtastic time!!!! Love the tale with the snowflakes and visitors and felt balls with stunning secret agent garb!! Oh girl you are just tooo cute!! I adore how those snowflakes became all techono colored as the tale went on....I am in the flurry of paper chains here!! They are totally addicting too :)

[Laura]

Your magical, colorful, sugary, snowflakey world is special, and I thank you for sharing it with us! And I can't imagine why you don't like having your picture taken - you're so pretty! Merry Christmas!

[Debbie Crabtree]

Vanessa, just stopping by to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Looking at your blog tells me you are enjoying the spirit of the season. I look forward to visiting with you this coming year. Your blog is always a joy to visit. Once again, Merry Christmas. Deb

[Chris]

I really enjoyed OWOH last year! I can't believe it's time again.

LOVE the winter coat the black ribbon. Very good taste, that Mr. Lovee has.

How exciting to be on the cusp of a new travel. Is your little Blondie going, too?

The felt balls garland. Come ON--that's GROOVY!!

Isn't groovy what they said in 1994? Or, was it rad? hmmm...

Well, the felt ball garland is SUPER!!

[Jamie]

Oh sweet (literally, hehe) Vanessa...Thank you sooo much for linking to my blog and your kind words! I just love the felt garland you made and all of those snowflakes are just to die for :-) I hope you have a wonderful visit with your fam (& friend) over the holidays and CAN'T WAIT to see your jewelry you keep hinting around too as I'm a jewelry junky too, hehe. Can I just say too that my mouth is watering after seeing your candy coated fruit, yum! I almost went to sleep early tonight, but I'm glad I didn't because I needed my V dose, hehe! Yeah, that's what I'm gonna start calling it...my V dose...like you just give me that boost of colorful energy and motivation...woo hoo...see, I'm rambling & all giddy now, hehe. Okay, i'm off to finish wrapping some gifts (which btw I used some of your tags that you so generously let your bloggy friends use...and they are sooo cute! Okay, I'm really going....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[*~*KRiSTa*~*]

All I can say is, incredible! Every photo is candy for the eyes! (including that very sweet photo of you in 1994!..I was only 7 years old then!!) You take us readers on extravagant adventures, fairytales and voyages, to magical worlds with tiny creatures and oodles of treats! Well, you are Miss Fanciful Twist after all!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

xoxo
~K

[Shell]

I always love coming here, Vanessa to dive into your world. Full of color and magic and adventure. Your Irish friend sounds charming. I would be mesmerized making snowflakes too and especially in that beautiful red chair. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. May Santa be real good to you this year.

[kate]

I hope you have a wonderful, magical Christmas! :o)

I love your snowflakes, and what better surroundings to cut them in?

[SusannaT]

Must.
Buy.
Bell jars.

I've mentioned that already haven't I? ;)

We got our tree yesterday and it is lovely and glittery. I have to wait for a couple hours to get a little bit more light and attampt to take a photo. All this northern darkness is a great excuse for more Xmas lights...

Have a peaceful Christmas!
Rauhallista Joulua!

[Busby SEO Test Gary Viray]

Those snowflakes and decorations are beautiful. Happy holidays!

[wictoria]

even if I don't understand the whole things you write I ca see how your imagination is marvelous and sweet, have a beautiful Christmas Vanessa :)
Kisses from France

[jules Tyler]

Such beautiful snowflakes! Makes me want to grap a pair of skizzors and pretty paper. Definitely a project for me and my son to do tomorrow. I'll post our results on my blog for you to see :) I love your holiday branch and studio. I feel right at home in your little nook.
Happy Holidays!
~Jules

[LiLi M.]

Aaaah Vanessa, if you don't want your picture taken, who would? You are beautiful, and believe me, I always tell the truth!
I think we met last year with owoh, but I'm not sure. What I know for sure is that I have enjoyed each and every visit here last year. So I wish you a merry Christmas and a lot of new fancy posts that I can enjoy in 2009! Enjoy your beautiful decorations!

[shibori girl]

You are a funny, Dear Girl! (But you know that already, I think.)

You in your snowflake-filled piece of Heaven on Earth, making tea for well-formed Irishmen (why are there none of THOSE in My own life, I ask?) And watching fluffy Japanese videos. You are a Queen-sized HOOT. (I mean in personality, not physicality of course!)

I hope you and Mr Lovee have a wonderful Holiday with your folks, and look forward to hearing about all your adventures soon.

I'm participating in OWOH this year. Yay!

Oh, and I've been a BAKING FOOL this last week - stop by if you're hungry. :-)

xoxo, and Christmas smoochies to you!

Kate

[sadira]

I hope you have a wonderfully magic holiday! It looks as if it's started out that way...and I totally get the "I'm making snowflakes..." it's so fun once you get sucked into your creativity...he should have bribed you with stacks of fantastic paper...

[Cassandra]

Merry Christmas, Vanessa! and a happy new year! All the best to you in 2009 :)

[Diane Macnaughtan]

Your stories are like one Big present!
Thank you :)

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays to you and yours!

~Diane

[Gabriela Delworth]

Hello Vanessa,

Amazing post and spectacular photos...like always....

Happy Holidays!

~ Gabriela ~

[Holly]

Have an extremely happy and bright Christmas, Vanessa!!! Your decorations look amazing, as usual!! :) xoxox!

[Marjorie]

Happy, Happy, Merry, Mimsy-Merry Christmas to That very lovely, fanciful, ever so magical and funny girl whose beautiful and heartfelt blogling I do so love to visit!! :)

[trina]

oh cute girl, you make me smile. :) that video is out of control! When people are singing and it's maybe not so good, or so cheesy it's embarrassing, my eyes cry and water uncontrollably. :) My eyes are very very wet right now from that video. :)

[juliet]

Just came in to see what you have been up to and to wish you a Merry Christmas.
:( no party ? maybe I should organise one : )

[stephanie]

Your snowflakes are inspiring my scissors my dear!

Have a Merry MERRY Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Happy New Year!!!

x..x
steph

[Kathy]

May I call you "V"....??? You are my inspiration, especially love those snowflakes...Come visit me as I attempt to let the little elf inside me free....
Just adore those candys, and your angels are stunning....
Happy Holidays and best wishes for a stupendeous new year!

[Paris Parfait]

Feliz Navidad, Preciosa! Muchas gracias for your note. I was thinking Jordana should take your fantastic snowflakes and cut them out in a cashmere coat, similar to the black one you saw. Hope you have a wonderful, enchanting and magical holiday with your family! Speak to you when you're back. Lots of love, Tara xoxox

[GINA V]

Dearest Miss Flakey, Mr Lovee, Blondie and ALL the darling Denizens of Vanessityville...

Have a FABULOUS Fanciful Christmas...
May your stockings and shroom nog overfloweth
And mistletoe and snowdreams flitter in abundance above your sweet head...

(It's SO HOT down here - 46degrees centigrade - so I'm definitely dreaming of being stuck in a bell jar with a large huggable snowman;-)

Thanks for such a gorgeous and inspiring post...

Happy holidays

[BrittArnhild]

Finding a new note every time......that's you my dear friend.

Happy holidays, and thanks alot for the link!

[Gillian]

thanks for the emergency gift tags!!!!
just ran out!~
I'll comment later it all looks amazing YOU look amazing! Love your opera coat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oxoxoxoxox

[Di Overton]

Delightful as always. We have Take Away in England also - same language but so different. Christmas Wishes to you and Mr Lovee and thanks for your visit to my daughter :)
Di
xo

[Robert]

I love your blog, you have to spend a great amount of time on it. Well, it is worth I love coming and looking at your wonderful photos and reading your stories! I wanted to ask you if you ever sold your mushrooms, either individually, or as a group? I saw the snail lady and mushrooms on your ETSY, but I would really like to have some of those mushrooms for displays. Please let me know! Robert :)

[Kay Ellen]

Beautiful Miss Vanessa!!

Love all the snow flakes you made!
Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Warm holly hugs and chocolate kisses!!!

Kay

[Denise]

Wishing you a Happy, Merrily, Whimsically, Magical Christmas!!!
Denise

[Bobbi Jo Nichols]

Vanessa,
Have a wonderfully magical and sparkly Christmas to you and your sweet hubby. May it be as special as you are. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

[Cori. G]

Your blog has to be the most darling thing I've ever seen. I love all the whimsical imagery and kookie tales.
Have a wonderful Christmas...are you getting any snow up there in the high dessert? I used to live in the armpit of Arizona (Yuma) and miss visiting Tucson in the winter

Merry merry Cori G.

[elizabeth of course]

your dreamy stories really do make my day everytime and make me want to jump up and douse the apartment in glitter and twinkly lights! But the husband wouldn't stand for that, I don't think, ha!
And I'm the biggest snowflake-r ever! I've been wantign to make a ton for the windows and tear the curtains down altogether. And since I have nothing else to do tonight.....
Happy Christmas to you Vanessa! Can't wait to take another mini vacation in all the stories you'll have after!
Travel safe!

[elizabeth of course]

your dreamy stories really do make my day everytime and make me want to jump up and douse the apartment in glitter and twinkly lights! But the husband wouldn't stand for that, I don't think, ha!
And I'm the biggest snowflake-r ever! I've been wantign to make a ton for the windows and tear the curtains down altogether. And since I have nothing else to do tonight.....
Happy Christmas to you Vanessa! Can't wait to take another mini vacation in all the stories you'll have after!
Travel safe!

[Sandra Evertson]

Beautiful paper snowflakes! I remember cutting out snowflakes as a kid! It was so fun! Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays and a Funtastic New Year to come!
Sandra evertson

[ylva]

the only "problem" with your posts are that i want to comment absolutely everything... and i can't, becuase then i would never end. it's all so pretty and funny and special! but most of all i love your answer, that you couldn't possibly have something to eat since you're cutting snowflakes :). one day i'm gonna state something like that too ;).

anyway, HAPPY holidays!

[Lisa-Vet]

Hola! Vanessa. God Bless you and your family.. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Lisa-Vet.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Have a wonderfully, magical, super memory packed and colorful Christmas with your family!! What a wonderful year I have had getting to know you my very sweet friend!!

[nathalie]

i don't even know where to begin! you are nothing short of ahhhmazing!! all of the colors and beauty makes me want to stay here forever! great job with all of your decor! so much inspiration!!! happy holidays!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Darling Miss V...I just cannot get enough of your precious world. Thanks so much for sharing it with me, with all of us (but I have said that already, no?) Your sense of style inspires me to be more adventurous...
When I was a 7th grade English teacher (in another life) I always did a special snowflake unit on the day that we have our first snowfall here up North. I would whip out the white paper and show them overheads from a book by a many who studied snowflakes back about 70 years ago and photographed 1000s of individual snowflakes...the book is no longer in print, but I might still have those overheads (how archaic!). He literally proved that no two snowflakes are alike. Then I would teach the kiddos how to make 6-pointed flakes, as that is the way in nature, it really is quite a simple task...remind me and I will share with you the secret (because I know you like those!). Teehee!!! I will also take a picture of my own stockings made about 10 years ago when my son was but a babe in swaddling...yours are so charming!
Godspeed in your travels! And enjoy your holly-days!
Erin :}

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Darling Miss V...I just cannot get enough of your precious world. Thanks so much for sharing it with me, with all of us (but I have said that already, no?) Your sense of style inspires me to be more adventurous...
When I was a 7th grade English teacher (in another life) I always did a special snowflake unit on the day that we have our first snowfall here up North. I would whip out the white paper and show them overheads from a book by a many who studied snowflakes back about 70 years ago and photographed 1000s of individual snowflakes...the book is no longer in print, but I might still have those overheads (how archaic!). He literally proved that no two snowflakes are alike. Then I would teach the kiddos how to make 6-pointed flakes, as that is the way in nature, it really is quite a simple task...remind me and I will share with you the secret (because I know you like those!). Teehee!!! I will also take a picture of my own stockings made about 10 years ago when my son was but a babe in swaddling...yours are so charming!
Godspeed in your travels! And enjoy your holly-days!
Erin :}

[Elaine L.]

What a gift to be able to be lost in your dreams and thoughts. How meditative to be able to cut out snowflakes for hours.

You HAVE to check out this site if you haven't already seen it. The snowflakes are amazing. Plan on spending a few hours.

http://www.misterx.ca/MisterX/mrx1.html

It goes along with this site . . . to make your own.

http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/index.html?skipDetect=true

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays!

~elaine~

[Jorgelina]

Vanessa!!!!
Que linda la virgen,es de la Medalla Milagrosa,yo curse mis estudios en ese colegio.
Los dulces ricos,ricos mmmm
Feliz navidad!!!
Felices vacaciones!!!

[louise]

merry christmas darling!

i know that you got an email so i dont have to tell you again that you have to hurry back and spread a little bit more magic before the season is through!

i love those paper snowflakes, by the way. they are just perfect. and you sure suit those braids, too!

have fun!xxx

[Patricia]

Vanessa, I wanted to wish you ~A Very Merry Christmas~ from the heart. I just love this post, the colors are beautiful - especially your sugar plums. I made the sugar cookies from the recipe you posted some months ago and they are wonderful !!! God Bless.

[Tracy M.]

I will have to show that video to my 16 year old son. He LOVES Japanese videos, of course knowing him he's probably already seen it. Loved your post today!
Happy Holidays!!

[devil mood]

Wow, I'm just blown away by the colours in this post! And I love it when you include photos from the old days :)

Have a brilliant Christmas!