I always did love being a wallflower, said one wallflower to the other. Oh yes, said the other in agreement, it is quite mysteriously romantic...
Yes quite, agreed the others. The things we get to see and hear, do delight...
Paper wallflowers. A perfect alternative, compared to what the soil is offering in this increasingly scorching summer in my neck of the woods. A summer so hot, it raises its wand and zaps all the gusto out of you in one fell swoop...
I made paper flowers like the ones I shared last week, along with a paper branch, and then double sided taped them to my wall. I dream of extending the branches and flowers to cover my entire wall in different directions...
I know what you are thinking. She is addicted. She must be sitting in a corner hidden by piles of pretty papers stacked to the ceiling, crazy-eyed, popping gum balls and cutting like a mad woman. Okay okay, you're right.
Although, as long as you are brushing three times a day, I don't see how a few gumballs a day can hurt, right? I'll tell you a funny thing. Just yesterday, while talking to my Mom, I popped a giant gum ball into my mouth, and proceeded to chew and pop bubbles. All of a sudden she stopped and said, why don't you call me after you are done chewing that... :)
You want to know what the good thing is? The good thing is that, if I were 10, she'd be saying, Vanessa, spit that gum out right away, you chew like a cow... And now I get the, call me when you are done chewing like a cow treatment. Gum chewing respect. Ain't life grand? I just love being a childlike adult. Don't you?
Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes, Wallflowers... So, perhaps you will be sprouting branches and paper flowers on your wall, possibly maybe?
I think you should just go for it. Mombie has hinted that the paper flower chandelier would be a great gift for her birthday...
Speaking of gifts.
You-know-who, left me one sitting right on my reddish chair, for me to find as a surprise. Sometimes, he gives me "commendations." Like a gifted brooch that he pops out of his jacket pocket. The whole commendation thing started with me doing things like, scrubbing the floor on my hands and knees until it is all sparkly, and him saying, "hey, looks nice." The problem is, that phrase is never good enough for me. So I always say, "you should commend me." (being silly of course)
Hence, his cheeky weekly commendations in the form of things a girl like me would like. So, he does get brownie points for that.
But this gift...
It takes the cake, really.
I know I agreed to live in the country, and mend and be dusty all the time, and fight the rodent population like Annie Oakley (not really). But this is just...
He was at the office when I opened said parcel. At first I was open minded. Okay, this could be fun, thought I. It goes with the wash tub he gave me last year I suppose...
But after 2.5 minutes outside, in 113' degrees of heat pain, I made a decision. I like my electric washer and dryer. Wait, let me re-phrase that, I LOVE my washer and dryer. No need to get all 1909 in 2009.
Plus, I didn't like the bossy attitude of the creature overseeing my washboard duties...
So, I marched inside, and called the Mister. "Umm Lovee, what's up with the washboard?"
Isn't it great? he asks.
Ya sure, I say.
He hears silence....
Then he chuckles and says, I got it to add to our instrument collection.
Ohhhhhhhhhh, heee heeee.
Thank goodness.
With that, I say, Popsicle cheeeeeers! That's the 411 round here. Oh, I loved that song, remember that song by the Counting Crows? That brings back tons of memories of university days...
Well, I best be off. I have to pack because I am going out of town tomorrow to visit Mombie for a couple of days for her Birthday! I spent all day trying to find light fixtures and fans for my office and room (for the exterior and interior). I had no luck. So, it's Mister Lovee and the electrician on their own tomorrow. I hope I don't return home to some wacky lighting and fan love. YIKES! If it were up to Mister Lovee, he'd give me a light bulb and a pull string :) (don't think I don't already live with one of those, cos I do)
♥,V
ps: More parcel love sharing to come. I promise ;)
pss: Mister Lovee has informed me that, I can choose my fixtures later (if anyone has had success finding such things online, please let me know). The electrician is going to do the scary wiring jobs tomorrow. I was already envisioning my fan ;) Something like my mannequin hand holding a hand held fan, mounted to the ceiling, operated by who knows what...
OMG that red chair is amazing!
Posted by: jennifer birge | July 29, 2009 at 08:26 PM
What lovely flowers! And your gift is too funny (I'm glad its an instrument too!)
Posted by: Cat Mallard | July 29, 2009 at 08:46 PM
I am so in love with those paper flowers. I'd love a whole ceiling covered with them. I'll come chew gumballs with you and double stick tape flowers to the wall. I'm down with that ;)
This post made me giggle. Thanks for the cheer today!
Posted by: Cassandra | July 29, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Ohh your flowers are sooo lovely, you come up with the best ideas. You know, you should really write a book (not a big heavy book that takes you a year to read, but bigger than a magazine type of book). All of your ideas and your beautiful garden, home and art, oh it would just be oodles of deliciousness, I would be first in line to order it! Well anyway, I'm just rambling now. I like gumballs too..sometimes it's fun to chew a whole bunch at once and see how big of a bubble you can make before it pops.
Posted by: Krista Komis | July 29, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Love the flowers! You have the best treasures! And I loved Miss Austen regrets!
Posted by: michelle | July 29, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Ohhhhhh Vanessa I agree with Krista....a bigger than a magazine book would be great!! I love your red chair (you almost need to commend for the commendation and so forth and so on :) )and the paper wall flowers. I think I shall make some with kiddos tomorrow to decorate around.
Have a lovely day
anji
Posted by: anji gallanos | July 29, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Vanessa, that branch with flowers is lovely! I'm planning to make something like that in my little girl's room. I'm sure she will love it!
Posted by: karin | July 29, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Hi!
I want a paper flower tree! I might just make one of those!
Washboards make a great instrument, well done Mr Lovee.
Have fun for your Mum's birthday.
Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | July 30, 2009 at 01:30 AM
lol! yes a wonderful addition to the instrument collection! I have an old old one hanging in my bathroom. can you imagine having had to do laundry like that? YUK!!
have a sweet day.. try to stay cool.. its just too hot where you are!
hugs
vivian
Posted by: vivian | July 30, 2009 at 04:21 AM
Oh yeah. I am digging so many things about this post, but I am so implementing (what a bureacratic word) the COMMENDATIONS ASAP!! Cowboy has pockets. I believe trinkets would fit nicely in his pockets...only, we already have a washboard-but its not for music! It's for looks. Thank goddess.
OK can i just say the paper flower branch is the coolest thing since, well cool air? Oh yes it is! ♥ Now, if i could only get the V fold part right so my flowers come out looking like that instead of square snowflakes....sigh...
Have fun with mombie! Yesterday was PC boy's BDay! Yay! (OMG i bet you didnt have time to whip up another paper flower chandelier-are you giving her yours???)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox Rhonda Roo
Posted by: Rhonda Roo | July 30, 2009 at 04:25 AM
Your blog posts are always filled with so much inspirational goodness, that by the time I go to post my comment, I have forgotten three other things. I agree with Mombie, that chandelier is too gorgeous, and well, it might as well stay in the family. I love what you did with the paper flower mural. What a gorgeous gorgeous idea. You must have three creative muses that live at your house. I love that CHAIR. OMG. I know that I have seen it in some of your artwork, but it is just as magical in person.
I actually stopped over to saaaaaaaaaaay, that I posted about the 2009 PINK ART BLOCK PARTY today, and I saw your gorgeous square for the quilt. I donated a painting, but oh I wish I could sew, the block gallery is divine.
Happy day, Karen
Posted by: karen cox | July 30, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Your posts are just delightful! I love coming here for my dose of cheer!! You can tell I am not a huge fan of laundry because when I saw that washboard, I immediately thought 'instrument'! Enjoy your time away... :) Silke
Posted by: Silke | July 30, 2009 at 05:41 AM
ooohhhh.....
there is MY pinkish
chair
that you ALWAYS call reddish
but it is not.
:-)
♥♥♥ to your wall flowers
as i see somepinkflowers there, missy,
yes, i do ♥♥♥
Posted by: somepinkflowers | July 30, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Haaaaa but hey a washboard.......I think everyone and their cousin here in Louisiana has a washboard, called scrub board and they use them to play Zydeco music by placing thimbles, tiny cymbals or spoons with the handles bent all the way back and they scratch up and down to the beat of the music on the wash boards. You go girl!
Posted by: mollye | July 30, 2009 at 06:25 AM
I love the flowers, and Mr. Lovee is too cool for words.
Posted by: Lori Anderson | July 30, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Vanessa your chair is lovely...a gift in itself, tee hee! So funny about the wash board, I can imagine what was going through your head...hmmm, wash basin last year, wash board this year, hahahahahha! So sweet of Mr. Lovee to 'commend' you ;-) And your wallflowers are just devine, I've been wanting to make some and haven't done it yet...maybe this weekend. I'll be visiting my parental units too, yay...good opportunity!
As always, thanks for the inspiration. Stay cold with your Popsicles too...in that sweltering heat, sheeeeshh...how do you do it?
Jamie :)
Posted by: AForestFrolic | July 30, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Oh Vanessa, you just make me laugh and have such fun when I read your posts! Thank you! Love the gum story! (: Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | July 30, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Have a lovely trip and Happy Birthday to your wonderful mother! Are you going to give her gumballs? ;) They would probably look just perfect hanging from a paper flower chandelier...and they would most certainly look lovely as a pull string...
Posted by: sadira | July 30, 2009 at 07:26 AM
GORGEOUS flowers! I'm ready to start my wall!
Hilarious post!
Posted by: Michelle Lopez/maginthat | July 30, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Such beauty to be surrounded by. That flower wall would make such a lovely tableau for my Tiny Dancer's room....if we could clear away the clutter to reveal wall space! Have great fun with Mombie and do wish her a happy birthday from all of us!
xo
E
Posted by: Erin Prais-Hintz | July 30, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Oh dear. It seems I've fallen in love with the black (is it blue or silver-grey colored?) velvet-flocked wallpaper...behind the chair. Or is it instead a bedskirt in a brocade fabric? Either way - combined with that chair it's gorgeous.
Regarding the pretty paper flowers - the thought reminded me of this book. It's on my "must read" list: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.
Posted by: Misha/DawaiOser | July 30, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Beautfiul wall flowers!
Posted by: jenn desjardins | July 30, 2009 at 10:40 AM
What lovely wall flowers! Perhaps the loveliest of all!!
I just posted about the fabulous package I received from you!!!
Thank you so much V! They are divine, as you are :)
Denise
Posted by: Denise | July 30, 2009 at 01:38 PM
I love your flowers, what a beautiful idea...and the giant tube of gumballs! I had them in my cart at World Market the other day, then put them back, now I see them here! Too many weird coincidences between you and I...the skates, the dragonfly (my recent shadow box treasure was a butterfly I found) and MY moms b-day is in about 5 days! Happy b-day to your beautiful Leo mum :) Take care, ~ER~
Posted by: Elizabeth Rhiannon | July 30, 2009 at 01:44 PM
A whole forest of paper flowers, how lovely!
Your redish chair is fabulous!
Have a great visit with your mum.
I'm off to find a handful of gumballs.
Posted by: Lynn | July 30, 2009 at 02:49 PM
I'm not sure what that thing is but it looks like you can use it to give your paper flowers a wavy structure?
Posted by: Maria-Thérèse | July 30, 2009 at 03:45 PM
V~
Wallflowers....so pretty!! If I started I wouldn't know when to stop :-) Your so full of bright ideas and lovely-ness. I drift away to fairy tale land every time I visit...I could stay forever :-)
Have a WONDERFUL time with your mombie!!!
Kylee
Posted by: Kylee | July 30, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Mister Lovee has a keen sense of humor. I do say being bossed by a frog would be on my list either.
I am in love with that red velvet chair. It would fit quite lovely right in my bedroom. Enjoy your Mombie's birthday and try to stay cool. Your paper flowers are beautiful.
Posted by: Shell | July 30, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Thank you for the sweet post... the wallflowers are beautiful...I love them! And your story about the washboard made me smile...was having a bit of a rough day today, so I appreciate the smile you gave me. Thank you!
xoxo
Velvet Brick
Posted by: Velvet Brick | July 30, 2009 at 09:14 PM
The wallflowers are wonderful...catching up with your fanciful life....
Posted by: Stacie | July 30, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I like your floor...yes your floor...is it handpainted...show us some more....um...please....
Posted by: Chrisy | July 31, 2009 at 04:02 AM
What lovely flowers!are wonderful!
see you
Posted by: Marina Capano | July 31, 2009 at 05:14 AM
Hello Miss Vanessa,
Love your flowers! And the frog!
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | July 31, 2009 at 05:46 AM
Popping in to say hello & wish you a great weekend.
Chris (-:
XOXO
Posted by: Chris Klingler | July 31, 2009 at 06:43 AM
tee hee! What a sweet and thoughtful Lovee you have! :) (And oh so much more fun as an instrument than a clothes-cleaning-device!) ;)
Happy Birthday to Mombie!
Have a most splendid, marvelously lovely time, indeed! :)
Posted by: marjorie | July 31, 2009 at 06:57 AM
I love your blog, always filled with wonderful colors and lots of amazing pictures. I have to confess, I only like to go to blogs with lots of pictures because I have so little time. If the pictures are interesting I read on. Yours is perfect. Keep up the great work, your art is wonderful.
Amada
Posted by: Amada Lebel | July 31, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Love your paper wall flower branches! I've painted wall flowers before. I covered an entire wall in our dining room with plum blossom branches. I love it. And it was the most fun I've ever had! :)
Posted by: Amy Perrotti | July 31, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Gorgeous wallflowers - so imaginative! Enjoy your time w/ your Mom. Hope she has a wonderful birthday celebration! xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | July 31, 2009 at 12:54 PM
What a lovely time you have been having. I have been reading the last few posts that I missed while I had my "turn"
Romantic dinners, firefly love and lights...frogs and wash boards not for washing but for music. A magical time indeed. xoxoo
Posted by: Mo'a | July 31, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Wonderful photos as always.
I love the little frog! <3
I had a pet frog for a while when I was younger. My school has been raising tad poles but couldn't keep the frogs once they were grown...
Posted by: Amy | July 31, 2009 at 02:26 PM
BEEautiful wall flowers!!
hum hum hum (me singing)..wallflower wallflower...love it
Posted by: Stephanie | August 02, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Chewing gum; cutting out flowers...a recipe for a fabulous day!!!
Hugging you
SueAnn
Posted by: SueAnn | August 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I was wondering if you were planning to host another Halloween Party on here again like you did last year? I thought it was a lot of fun seeing everyone's ideas! Daisy~
Posted by: Daisy | August 06, 2009 at 07:04 AM
oh, aren't popsicles the best thing ever on hot days?!
i'm going to have to stock up.
Posted by: Chris | August 12, 2009 at 03:05 PM