Hello there! So good to see you. Come on into the studio and visit for a while...
My friends and I have been eagerly awaiting your visit... Are you in costume? Tell us what it is! Even if it is a banana clip and fluffly slippers. Wait, question... Do they still make banana clips? I had such cool ones, once upon a time, filled with ribbons...
Thank you for your lovely words on my last post. I think my words were quite unexpected. I thank you like crazy for being so kind to me. It isn't always easy to pour your guts out without feeling silly... For me at least ;)
Sometimes I feel like I have lived 5 lifetimes already. If I filled you in on all the details, you wouldn't even believe it... From Mexico discoteque days, to selling art at 13, to university and all that madness. To boys I've loved, who have loved me back (and those that have been meanies too, haha). Small romance tales from France to Greece to Ireland... Downtown art scenes and travels - plus all the people we meet. Us almost losing my brother to drowning, and the gloriousness of him surviving to be perfect in every way.
And I can't forget, the little gallery I was at when I was 18 - 20, where I painted angels, and they went to live with all sorts of folks, who really needed an angel... All over the world. Magical time...
Someone said in the last post comments, that there is so much more to people - and we don't even realize it, because we only know what they tell us... I loved that!
That is so very very true. We only get to see certain facets of a persons life, say in one blog post, or one encounter... But what about the millions of things that happen on a daily basis, piling up over the years. Ups, downs, all arounds. A person could never convey all of that...
Maybe we shouldn't assume that people, are just who they show us. In my humble opinion we shouldn't box people into who we think they are. Because there is no way, we could ever truly know... Isn't that so interesting? I think so...
We are all like little curiosity cabinets...
As for an example of a crazy day that takes all sorts of turns and twists. Friday was an all over the place day.
I packaged orders, had a tiny interview, got dressed up, went into town, had coffee with my mom, visted my friends at Tumbling Tumbleweed and sorted through their treasures... Went to two bookstores, visited my accountant, had sushi with a friend, and in the midst of all of that, was called to tape a voice commercial out of the blue. Learned a script, taped it, and voila... Then to end my night, I had an interlude of the most glorious variety, with a playable creature.
All in a day.
As for today... I spent a little bit of lovely time, piddling around in my studio, even though I had a million things to do.
Why is it that when you have ten billion things to do, your brain wants you to do ridiculous things that you shouldn't be doing right then? Like, wash buttons...
Or, play with sparkly things in jars?
Or have tea with ribbons in the sewing nook? (weird lighting in the studio today)
You see, I am avoiding the tasks I must complete by 9 a.m. tomorrow. We feel like little ants, Mister Lovee and I. Worker ants. A moment of peace in the studio in the morning and then, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go...
We have been moving furniture, including a huge organ, from here to there in the main part of the country house. Which leads to having to empty book shelves, organize closets, which leads to going to our storage units. Which in turn, leads to us realizing that I really don't need a storage unit. And in the midst of our other tasks... Leads us to the decision to empty mine out...
All in two days.
Are we insane?
These actions have a name. I forgot what it is called? I lost the word, it slipped my mind... Help me out? But Mom's do it before they have a baby. They take on these enormous tasks... As if they will never have the chance to do them again...
We are sore and tired. We take turns giving each other massages...
I have not been able to sleep since Friday night. Tossing and turning. Thinking spiders are biting me. That is so unlike me. I usually sleep like a log...
Why you ask? Why are we acting like ants?
Well, we signed the adoption papers.
And, our baby is being delivered to us tomorrow... Our Baby Grand Piano, that is...
I am so excited!!!!!!!!
An old beautiful black vintage and deliciously scuffed here and there, Sohmer...
How will I ever get any sleep tonight? I have been waiting for this day for years. A lovely friend to keep me company at the country house, to chat and tell secrets through songs... I hope La Pianola doesn't get jealous...
I am so eager for it to get here, I could bop around like a mad woman... Can you imagine, if it hits the ground coming out of the moving truck? (nervous giggles abound)
I have been so chatty lately haven't I? Sheeeeesh ;)
Oh, before I go - I have to show you the comic Mister Lovee left me today... Is it so "us" (you and me) or what? It most certainly reminds me of this day...
Notice the tea set on her sled below... HAHA!! When he showed me I said, "Oh my, that is kind of sad, and it is so meeeeee..." HAHAAA!!
I have to make most of my guests too! Thank goodness I have you ;)
As always, Click to enlarge...
See you soooooon!!
PS: Remember the worries on toy testing, and how it would effect the craft world??? Go see Sarah for a huge update...
♥♥♥♥, V
Tomorrow is a big day indeed!! I think a snowgirl Tee Pawtee is in order, here, in the snow. We will set a place out for you.
Posted by: Anji Gallanos | February 01, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I'm so excite to have only the 2nd comment! I'm usually way down there. I'm so excited for you to get a beautiful piano. We recently moved to Hawaii and I couldn't bring mine with me. I miss it so! And the comic strip is totally you (us)! It's adorable and makes me want to build a snowgirl Tee Pawtee too. Only, I'll have to build a 'sand' people pawtee. I just might do that, I think I remember coming across my tea set in a box recently . . . hhmmmm.
By the way, my daughter (age 17) says that you two would be best friends. She LOVES your dresses and especially your shoes! Much aloha!
p.s. I really love your felt balls - how do you make those?
Posted by: Tauna Neerings | February 01, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Hi Vanessa! I love this post very much and the metaphors you've used!
Wishing you a fanciful day! xx
Posted by: Christy | February 01, 2009 at 10:49 PM
The whole wanting to wash buttons when you have so much to do is your brain saying, I need a brake. When I get like that, I take break then come back more refreshed. Get more work done.
Ooh, I don't play the piano. My mom does. I love to hear her play. I know you'll flying to the moon in happiness with your baby grand piano. Enjoy your new baby, Lady V.
Posted by: Shell | February 01, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Heehee, I really thought for a moment you were adopting a baby!
What a beautiful piano that will be!
Thank you for sharing your story in the last post. I've also been following and praying for NieNie, and tales of healing are so encouraging. I'm so glad we aren't the ones in control of our lives!
Haha, that tea party comic is good...and very much illogical like me!
love, cait
Posted by: Cait | February 02, 2009 at 03:20 AM
Woohoo, it is called Nesting my lovely, getting ready for the new chick in your nest....it will need to be a pretty big nest to fit your new baby in!!
I love to visit your little corner of the world, it is the treat I save myself for pure indulgence with some nice chocolate and a cup of tea. If that is the part of you that you want to share of yourself, I am sooo glad! You remind me to have fun and to do what I enjoy and just run with it ( well it would be a weird run but you know what I mean). It is so nice to visit as I know you would understand my complete and utter NEED to buy a new lacy black scarf and a big rose to wear in my hair even though it is a hundred degrees in the shade ( well sort of). That is so not a strange thing! Like tea on a bicycle...perfection!
Thanks for the visit,
Kiss Noises Linda
Posted by: Linda Lilly Cottage | February 02, 2009 at 04:20 AM
How exciting for you and Mr Lovee! You can have beautiful soirees at a moment's notice now!
I have been doing similar things but for a different arrival- a new kitchen-in two weeks. No more cooking in a two ring little cooker, no more broken cupbaords and horrible old fridge!
Hope your new baby makes it safely to the space you have cleared for it.
Posted by: Sarah | February 02, 2009 at 04:36 AM
Oh, Congratulations on the new BABY! How exciting! Now, my twisty, inquiring mind wants to know... will you be making it (him/her?) a qypsy-piano skirt to wear when you go all twirly out there in the country? If so, DO post some pix for us.
How nice for you that Mr Lovee thinks on your wavelength. My own Marble Man would NEVER think to put out a tea-party-on-a-sled-on-a-bicycle for me!
Happy playing, Dear One...
xoxo,
Kate
Posted by: shibori girl | February 02, 2009 at 07:18 AM
Congratulation on the new addition!!! I'm so happy for you!
I always love seeing photos of your work space...I've been cleaning and reorganizing mine for the last few days. I even made new curtains yesterday. And I scored a wonderful little old desk for my sewing machine. And I've got my fiddle hanging on the wall so it's easy to grab on a whim (not that I can really play it yet). Oh life is grand...and little comic is perfectly fitting.
xxoo
Posted by: lori | February 02, 2009 at 07:40 AM
You have been Nesting...and getting ready for your new Baby :)
Lovely photos from your studio.
I adore the cartoon...we are being promised snow again...but I am not holding my breath, because we according to my Mother we live in "God's pocket" and the weather is hardly ever extreme here.
Should we get the promised snow however...a snow girl friends tea party, would be in the offing ;]
Posted by: Mo'a | February 02, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Giving birth to a baby grand will not be easy. Take plenty Gas & Air :)
Posted by: Di Overton | February 02, 2009 at 08:33 AM
My dearest beloved Magical Muse, my image of you is every picture in this post...bright, shining, sparkling...a million compartments packed into your tiny little being, each turn in your mind more amazing than the first. We are all unfinished art...the sum of all we have ever encountered...we cannot be added up...there are always more numbers to throw in. Thank you for letting us see through magical eyes.
**blows kisses** Deborah
Posted by: Deborah | February 02, 2009 at 08:36 AM
"Nesting" for your piano- I understand! It's not often that I find a larger-than-usual treasure that *must* become part of my family, but when I do, I too, shuffle, rearrange, shift, sort and adapt to welcome it into our home and lives!
What wonderful memories you will create and look back upon when you fill your house with music!
Posted by: Michaele | February 02, 2009 at 09:03 AM
OMG everything looks so magical dear amazing <3 I love the pics, they are truly inspirational :D
Posted by: Gis | February 02, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Oh I have to say that I'm soooo thankful you wash your buttons! Personally they frighten me...nasty old things! Hubby loves to find jars of them while out antiquing and chase me through stores while I scream, "don't you dare touch me with those dirty old buttons!"
Congrats on the new adoption! I so desperately want an old upright so I completely and utterly understand your giddiness!
Posted by: Cori. G | February 02, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Oh how I would love to spend some time in your studio...so magical and peaceful...The only problem...you be able to get me out of it! LOL
Cheers my little friend!
Posted by: Michelle Schafer | February 02, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I don't blame you for nesting - once you get that baby in the house, you will be obsessed with her, tickling her, toying with her, playing with her, making music with her. New things that excite us also obsesses us. You won't want to do anything else for a while, inluding cleaning, though I hope you come up for air now and again so we can hear some of your music. :) Happy
Posted by: Happy | February 02, 2009 at 12:16 PM
ohhh sparkly things in jars give me butterflies!
Congratulations on your new addition, may you make beautiful music together :)
Posted by: muffin pants | February 02, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Alright Miss Vanessa, how on earth do you keep everything that organized! I can't even explain to you how opposite my studio space is compared to that! I start out organize and then as I am creating, it just seems to fall apart! xo Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | February 02, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Hooray! You two decided on the baby grand! Can't wait to see photos of the marvelous creature. So exciting! I adore that little cartoon - Mr. Lovee is a very clever guy, who pays attention to the details. And that's rare and wonderful! Lots of love to you, dearest Vanessa. Have fun tinkling those ivories! xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | February 02, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Congrats on your new baby!! This definitely calls for a party. With hats and streamers and balloons and maybe even fireworks!! I love fireworks. Especially the big banging ones!! Ooooo what fun!!
Hugging you
SueAnn
Posted by: SueAnn | February 02, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I love the things in jars--so sparkly and cheerful!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | February 02, 2009 at 04:29 PM
haha oh my..what an adorable post..I love the cartoon in the end...tis a very true little comic to our world here in blogland..hahaha my my, ms.V, you have lived quite a life..ohh what year is your new piano?? (just curious)
Posted by: kristinguillory | February 02, 2009 at 04:35 PM
lol
I am so happy for you. It nice to see someone this happy for a piano. I love piano, too. I hope one day I have one too.
Posted by: Lisa | February 02, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Wishing ya a beautiful day tomorrow. Excitement abounds! I am anticipating a glorious entry tomorrow. But then again, cuddling ya new baby would be what I would do.
I have a button collection as well. My Grandfather used to bring them to me from a clothing place he worked for. I like the uniqueness of them.
Enjoy ya new baby with Mr.Lovee
~Hugs~
Posted by: Poetic Dreams | February 02, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Oh! You are a lucky girl! I've always wanted a grand piano even though I can barely play. My left hand just can't keep up with the right...or the left side of my brain doesn't work or something like that. I can't wait to see the new "baby"!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | February 02, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Woo Wee Miss V, you had me going for a split second ;-) So happy to hear you are getting your BABY Grand, hehe...you deserve her and can't wait to hear all about it! Mr. Lovee just seems like such a sweetie leaving you funny comics and all. That sure does remind me of you too, with your love for tea, hehe.
Posted by: Jamie | February 02, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Oh my friend, how I have missed your fantasy through the key hole world, its been a lovely time to catch up with you and poke around your place with my morning coffee. I want leave it so long next time...
Posted by: Suzie sews | February 03, 2009 at 04:09 AM
OOoooooooohhhhhhhh... I love those glass jars with buttons and colourful trinkets!!!! I need to find those jars somewhere!!!
Lovely blog by the way!
Posted by: adelle | February 03, 2009 at 04:13 AM
Beautiful photos as usual Vanessa, and I also end up doing a million other things when I'm really needing to work! Great news about our goofy California law too...thanks for sharing.
Take care,
Martha
Posted by: Martha | February 03, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Hello Vanessa,
Thank you so much for always visiting.
I absolutely love all photos of your studio. Ah those treasures you have and the colours...
Can't wait to see your new piano!
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela Delworth | February 03, 2009 at 07:11 AM
you're absolutely right. and i lost a friend, whom i really cared for, because she insisted on trying to box me in. it drove me insane. everything i did and didn't do or felt and didn't feel was followed by comments like "this isn't you" or "you should do that because it's so you" or "you can't do THAT!"... and i just wanted to do and be what i felt like doing and being, i guess.
anyway, congrats on the adoption :)! i think it's called nesting (and it's great ;)?
Posted by: ylva | February 03, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Your studio is by far the best studio ever. Or, perhaps, the best place ever. It can't imagine not being inspired every time you walk in there - I am inspired just seeing photos of it! It is a very special place indeed. And as someone else noted, how DO you keep it so lovely and organised?? If I had a studio like that, I am quite sure that the pixies would have a lot of fun hiding things from me! (they already do, and my studio has been reduced to a small corner of my little kitchen as of late...things go missing that there is absolutely no reasonable explanation for...)
Posted by: sarah | February 03, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I agree, its nice to get to know the girl behind the glittery tiaras and tea sets. Aw, let's hug it out! ;)
Congrats on the arrival of your baby...grand! At least it will sleep through the night the first night! Unless you stay up all night playing....
;)
Posted by: Heather | February 03, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Congrats!
What a amazing studio you have! Wouldn't have a care in the world there. All those colours, true eye candies. Had to open my eyes wider to let them in.
Posted by: Andrea Lynn | February 03, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Oh how I wish you were my friend.
Have a lovely time playing with your new addition!
Clare
Posted by: Clare Franceschini | February 03, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Taking a stroll through your studio just makes me happy. And I've needed happy these days.
Posted by: Lori Anderson | February 03, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Oh my...that is absolutely crazy! How could you do so many things in so little time is beyond me...completely!
From what I gather you must have a pretty nice voice to be invited to tape it...so when will we get some delicious audio posts? I bet you could tell your stories wonderfully that way.
Posted by: devil mood | February 03, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Oh my...I can't wait to see your new baby!
Posted by: sadira | February 03, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Oh, I know how much you've been wanting this adoption, and I have already seen your baby and it's grand! yay! I don't blame you two for nesting. It's important! It fills the baby's space with all the homey energy.
I bet the baby laughs and cries beautifully! Congrats!
Posted by: Chris | February 05, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Congratulations! on your new baby!
Does he have ANY idea of the lovely world he has been dropped into...
I think not
Posted by: stephanie | February 07, 2009 at 09:19 AM
I LOVE your analogy of people being like "curiosity" shops.
For some reason, it makes me feel sad to think I would never be able to truly know another person's dept of being. But, maybe that is because I'm currently in one of my melancholy funks. However, your posts do life my spirits.
The cartoon is so you, that I chuckled when I read it. You are definitely one who makes lemonaid and who treasures serendipitous moments.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | February 07, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I adore upbeat people. I mean really adore them. Wonderful. xoxo
Renee
Posted by: Renee Khan | February 07, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Maravilloso, sin palabras....like always!
Marina From summer!
visit me anytime...
ahh tenias razon sobre facebook, ya me borre!
Posted by: Marina Capano | February 08, 2009 at 04:26 PM