Gypsy Enchanted Play Time & Film Thoughts

Yesterday was one of those days where your brain realizes the date!  Then you slightly panic with everything you have to do before the Halloween party and looming holidays.  Does this ring a bell?

         

In the midst of those feelings yesterday, I got a huge jolt of super-woman energy.  Much like I did the time I moved my cast iron ball and claw foot tub by myself. 

Before you knew it, I had everything out of my Gallery and out of Mister Lovee's old workshop (which is now a storage shed for my "stuff").  Don't worry, he had a new workshop built ;) 

I went back and forth from gallery to workshop, organizing, cleaning, moving things.  All this while I also did 5 loads of laundry and hung it up and put it away too.  Who was that girl?  Can she take over my body everyday?? 

When I couldn't move anymore I went in, showered, and then was re-energized...

      

I had not done a thing to my Gypsy Theater Wagon since the day I got it.  Other than scrub it down inside and out.  I had such huge plans for it, that my plans were keeping me from enjoying it.

Soooooo, yesterday as the sun was going down, I scrapped the "grand" plans, and started playing.  There are acrylic windows around both sides of the wagon that are covered in a super sturdy metal mesh.  I suppose to protect the acrylic.  But, I do have some vintage windows that will be a part of the wagon one day...

        

We have to do some things to it in the future, like remove the barn door and build a whole new front face with a door and an awning.  Wait, let me rephrase that...  I want to do those things, but they are not really necessary.

Last night, it was all about fun and using scraps I had lying around, to play...

 

There is a half wall that separates part of the wagon from about 4 feet of space that ends in a rounded wall. I might take the separator wall down some day.  But for now, I sealah taped some of my favorite papers onto the the metal rounded back portion of the wagon that is visible, and used the half wall as a break point from where to hang lights and tulle...

(Might I mention that nothing can happen around this place without Sealah Tape.  It is AMAZING!  It is better than anything in the world. Even the pleated skirts around my washer and dryer are being held up perfectly by the sturdy stuff.  I need to get more, thank you Miss Kay Ellen for introducing me to your parents' product last year!  I can't live without it!)

 

I noticed that there was a really sturdy small ledge going around the inside rounded portion of the wagon, where shelves must have been resting at some point.  So, I wedged another mantle piece that I had, in there, and it rested upon the ledge perfectly, with no chance of slipping at all.

 

Oh, I forgot to tell you.  The man that sold Mister Lovee the wagon is a welder.  He used the wagon as a little shop, to go do jobs and such.  Isn't that cute?   

 

I had a blast decorating up the wee place...

 

I hung my antique blanket made from hundreds of antique sari pieces on to the little separator wall I told you about.  You can't tell because the mantle is hanging in the center, but like I said, I have a depth of about 4 feet more that I can use if I take down that wall.  Although, I am not sure I want to do that...

 

It is becoming a most cozy little abode.  A little boudoir on wheels ;)

 

I can't bring myself to paint the interior old wood (or the exterior for that matter).  The interior side walls have a tinge of a very old whitewash, and I love the look of it.  But I am told, a coat of new paint will help it last longer.  I am not sure that I can be convinced. 

In the meantime, care to play a game of "lotería?"

      

I love the distressed wood & rusted brown authentic feel of it all.  I am just not into colorful walls.  I like looking at them, but I can't live with them for myself.  I have tried, but no luck ;)

There is a lot of head room.  None of the heads of men I know have hit the ceiling.  In fact they have plenty of room above their heads...

        

I will take more photos when I get more furniture and such in.  There is still nice space from where I am standing taking the photographs.  For some reason it feels a bit more spacious in person.  My old wide lense doesn't fit my camera though, which is necessary for photographing rooms and wagons.  (Oh, I forgot to say ~ I got my camera back yesterday!!  YIPPEEE!!)

Hey, what's that sound???

      

A manboy!  Yaaaay ;)

        

Magic moments and memory making... 

      

So much for lotería ;) 

      

It was a beautiful evening.  I stayed outside for a long while alone (until midnight), under the moon, and just enjoyed being.  Sometimes while sitting still and gazing at the stars, I fall into deep thoughts...

Lately I have been thinking about a movie I saw this summer called, This Dust of Words.  This film touched me so deeply that I just don't think I can ever find the appropriate moment to share it.  It was hauntingly beautiful.  It was sad and moving.  Yet, uplifting in it's own way.  (image below from movie website)

 

It was written produced and directed by Bill Rose.  A wonderfully kind man who I admire greatly. Bill sent me a copy of This Dust of Words almost 2 months ago and I watched it 4 times.  It was so deep, and it left a huge impression on me.  I was trying to find the perfect time to tell you about it.  Alas, no time will be perfect enough, so I am sharing it now...

I was quite moved and inspired by two people in particular in this film, who were incredibly real and kind to Elizabeth Wiltsee.  They are from the town of Watsonville and are named Tony Breese and Walter Washington.  I will never forget the wonderful and admirable character of those two.

Bill Rose also produced and directed a movie I told you about a few months ago, which is still one of my favorites, The Loss of Nameless Things. (image below from movie website)

 

I just love true stories, documentaries and real life tales...

So, with that, I will bid you adieu until very soon.  I will finally get to share the fun autumnal treats I have been alluding to in the next post!  ;) 

♥,V

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Comments

[sadira]

Truly a magical place!! Isn't there some sort of sealant you could paint over the paint so that it would help last longer? That way you don't have to repaint...but it will still preserve everything? Does that make sense? Oh...I have been piling things around like a madwoman for the Halloween Party...and realized that I have some sewing to do...heavens!!

[40sfemme]

This is absolutely beautiful! Can I come live in it? ;)
I wish I had one!

xx,
40sfemme

[Lisa]

I think it's great that you are allowing the Gypsy Wagon/Theater to evolve organically and over time. Sometimes that's the best way to achieve the look you really want by living with it as it transforms. I don't blame you for wanting to keep its originally patina either. It will be a fun playhouse and getaway.
As we go over ideas for our garden I am not surrounding my thought process with any genre in particular....rather in the same way....I want it to evolve as things "sing" to me along the way.

I am so behind on communication and other projects....I wish I could tap in to the energy burst you had and have it last about 2 weeks. HA! but then I'd have to take to my bed out of shear exhaustion. HA!

I am still on the fence about the Halloween party and hope to get my act together so I can have you add me to your list.
Happy days!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Love,
L.

[Tina Gates]

Oh Vanessa! I am truly speechless - what a magical haven for you to share and create memories with your darling manboy (must get me one of those!) You continue to inspire and reach a very deep place within me with your magic. Sounds silly, I guess, but I am constantly amazed how I feel like I know you, even though we have never, and will probably never, meet one another. Sending you kindred love x

[Deborah]

Oh Magical Vanessa of the Royal Gypsy Clan, your wagon is already amazing! LoVe LoVe. Milo is going to have a lovely time visiting you...it won't be for a while...he has a trip to Australia scheduled. Your new drawing at the beginning is adorable! Nice boy-shorts; Alice wears those too. How I adore you, my Little New Age Hippie.
**blows kisses** Deb

[Sarah]

I love the gypsy wagon-even more so as it gets such magical treatment. I want one too!
I have recently watched Grey Gardens and Let the Right One In-both recommended by you ages ago. I enjoyed both films thanks for the idea. The film you talked about today sounds lovely-maybe one day!
As for Halloween-oh dear I have done nothing at all and now I am back at work. I keep having fleeting ideas and I am hoping one of them will stick around long enough to turn into reality. Appropriately they are the ghosts of ideas!
Happy weekend to you and Mr L in your gypsy wagon!
x

[Alixandra Hice]

Okay. It's official. I want to live in your blog. In your wagon. Maybe even pretend I'm you. You're much prettier and younger and have gobs of energy (you said so yourself), so why wouldn't I?

And do you know why? Well, for lots of reasons. Many many many many many. But here's an exampls:

"It was a beautiful evening. I stayed outside for a long while alone (until midnight), under the moon, and just enjoyed being."

Your wordss again. See? Intoxicating!

I have questions about your Halloween Party. I want to participate, but am rather dense and am not sure what I need to do. Can we exchange and email or two? I'm at AAHice@aol.com.

PS: You're the rockin'est fairy I know.

[Rhonda Roo]

¡Lotería!You called the heart the crown the the musician and the sun right? :-)

I wore a tiara at work today (no really!)and dreamed i was a gypsy princess, and when I got home, a vicarious~gypsy wagon befit for a queen awaited!

Ultimate lovely romantic perfect layers of paint candlelight glow manboy serenades and the comfy quilt beckons stuff that dreams are made of.......

{{SIGH}}}<----happy sigh

[Shell]

Oh my goodness! This is magnificent! You've encouraged me to take the day off of uni and play at home (don't feel bad, I'm usually good but need a day of indulgence.) I don't have a gypsy caravan but I can pretend can't I?

[louise (art and ghosts)]

i can see a lovee foot! i imagine you had the most wonderful hours there, and more to come, i would die for a little retreat such as this! the embellished throw is sheer awesomeness!

i did a superwoman housework stint today, too. not quite so grand as yours (the mother does my laundry, heh) but a fair deal of mopping and dusting and so on. it always feels so good to get it out of the way;)

ooh, and i wanted to mention those floaty orbs that always seem to settle around the surface of your images. they bring shy specters to mind, visitors perhaps from who knows where....

now remember, dont reply to this; hehehehe

[Lavender Dreams]

You make everything beautiful! We all want to live in your world!

[Marrissa]

I love what you have done to your wagon so far and can't wait to see what else you have in store for it! I am in the process of getting my own little gypsy wagon too, can't wait to start decorating it :)

[kate]

Your gypsy wagon looks fantastic, I love how you decorated it. You have a true flair for making things magical.

[Pattie]

Hola Chiquita!!!,

I have a thought about the Gypsy waggon's skin. I bet it's sooooooooooooo dry from spending years out in the sun and DRY air!! Perhaps a full body rub down with lavender scented olive oil. It's ever sooooo wondeful, much better the lemon oil and far more economical. The COSCO bad boy tub of olive oil is fine!! :) Then what about a yearly total body inside and outside of Linseed Oil to protect her against the weather???? Tungs oil is another idea.

Just a thought :)
Greeting to your Madre!! :)
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

[tristanrobin]

Vanessa, that wagon is simply EXQUISITE. I could move in!

Now, there is a play titled "Travelin Show" by Jane Martin. You MUST find a copy and read it. I just KNOW that you will love it.

Your posts are always so magical - and such a treat.

Now, search out "Travelin Show"!

[Misha/DawaiOser]

Outside I have insane BOOMING thunder and lots of lightning...inside I'm enamored with your gypsy wagon. It's a wild night full of passion. I love that!

BTW - I put my vacation pics up on my LJ if you want to see them. Coming back to reality is rough but at least I have Halloween to look forward to, right? LOL ';)

[a fanciful twist]

Testing

[louise (art and ghosts)]

i forgot to say, i just love the trapeze-type girls colourful knickers;)

[Shell]

I love your magical Wagon. What you have done so far looks lovely. Do a little bit every other day to make the Wagon your own and before you know it by Halloween it will be sparkling.
Did I ever tell you for Halloween I was a Gypsy for like three years in a row. So your wagon just stirs my romantic dreamy heart.

[Lynn]

Your gypsy wagon is coming along beautifully. As my mother would say "it's just something you want to sit down at".

[Kerridwen Niner]

I do love following your little blog post, full of imagination and inspiration, i feel all creative now and am looking for somewhere to create lol! Already making plans for the 17th as we will be away just before so have to be organised before we go. Have plans to spread Halloween this year so i figure the 17th seems like launch time so if i get it all worked out should be a breeze with plenty of photo opportunities :-)

[icantsew]

looks perfectly 'V'
%*_*%

[Stella Dora von Swineburg]

Oooohhh! When you get your wagon hitched up, please come by and pick me and Zelda up for a magical journey!
(perhaps you could use a matt varnish on the wood, that would protect it but keep its look?)

[Furniture Stores]

OMG... I want a Gypsy Theater Wagon too! Forget the job and mortgage... The Gypsy life's for me! :)

[Chris Klingler]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Gypsy decor!

I've been feeling "Gypsy" this week as well...I have been working on a new mixed media Gypsy witch art piece this week. '-)

Have a great holiday weekend!

Spooky CK (-:

XOXO

[Maggi]

What a magical fabulous space to have! I love what you've done with it!

[Cori. G]

Such an enchanted dreamy existence you live O fanciful One. But, I think you're missing one little important thing for that perfect little gypsy wagon of yours. What you ask? Why a violinist of course! No gypsy wagon is complete without a dancing gypsy playing her violin ;-). I'll go out and buy one right now! Then I'll hop on the first billowy cloud headed to your magical mountains and be there before you know it. We can start a girl gypsy band and of course Mister Lovee can play too ;-). Ah! The dreaminess of it all!!!

xoxo Cori

[SueAnn]

The gypsy wagon is fantabulous! And the comments from all your readers are wonderful! I love reading all the observations and insights. Very special!!!!!
Your wagon is a wonderful ship adrift in the dreams of light and color! Sailing away on the shadows of the night. You can drop anchor anytime at my place. Love to have you!
Hugging you
SueAnn

[Sumire]

I love your gypsy wagon and understand your desire to keep its historical character. I was thinking, if you do decide to paint it at some point, you should try milk paint. Not only is it environmentally friendly with no toxic odors (very good in a smallish space) but it's so historical. (Actually, I have wanted to use milk paint ever since I heard the name - it just sounds so... soothing - but I am not the type to actually put that plan in to action whereas you, my dear, are.)

[marie-neige]

Vanessa, it's such a long time since I haven't visited you ... too busy with grandchildren, too busy with life and, oh! what a pleasure it is to read you again. I won't catch up with all your posts, but I do love the gypsy wagon story (I am writing to the music of Django Reinhardt). When I was a child, I would tell my brothers and sisters that I was not their real sister, but the daughter of some gypsies my parents had met and they (my real parents) had taken me away from them (my gypsies parents). And still today that I am a very grown grownup I dream of the horse drawn gypsy caravan I will buy one day to travel around the world (I may not go very far with it, though!!)
Anyway, have the most lovely day, Vanessa.
MarieNeige

[Kylee]

Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE your gyspy wagon. And MY OH MY how you've decorated...so magical!! I especially like your red and white striped fabric hanging and the lights...oh the lights. Oh and that antique blanket is DIVINE!!!! I could go on and on...... I wonder if I could wedge myself a gypsy wagon in my backyard??? Just a thought!!

Happy Day Miss V!!!!

[AForestFrolic]

Oh V, that Gypsy wagon of yours if coming along just beautifully...what a magical place already! So glad you got your camera back and that you got a super woman boost of energy...I just love when that happens around here, tee hee. Have a wonderful weekend dear!

Jamie :)

[Elise]

Hello, you have the most fabulously wonderful site here and I had to leave this comment for you ! Your posts are beautifully written, creative and original too, and you have interesting pictures.

It's all perfect !

Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes.... 'Happy September'....

[Crystal]

Oh wow! So pretty! That wagon is amazing.
I wish I could muster up the energy to get some projects done. Wouldn't it be nice to bottle that? ^.~

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Wow. Great googly moogly that is a burst of creative energy! Love the little rolling boudoir. So. Very. Vanessa.

When you are pregnant they call that "nesting"...perhaps you are bringing forth the new life of great ideas!? I can feel it!

Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy the day, sweetie!
xo
Erin

[marjorie]

oh me! oh MY! Just look at this magical gypsy wagon your creating!! I'm doing cartwheels over it's loveliness!! (Well...at least the metaphorical sort!) tee hee!!

Happy Weekendling to you!! :)

[karen cox]

Hi Vanessa, what a gorgeous job of decorating your enchanting gypsy hideout. I checked out the tape and the blog that you mentioned. What a find! Have a lovely weekend.

Karen

[jennlui]

ooooooooohhh my fabulousness!!! miss vanessaa i am in love love love with your beautiful petite roulotte. you truly have made it a magical little abode. always such a colorful adventure filled inspiration blast when i travel here to your home in blogland, and i am so so so happy to say that i am baaaaack in blogland!!! gonna take a bit to get used to the whole posting thing again, but i have so many new tales to share and new obsessions to obsess about! hee hee!!!

thank you thank you thank YOU so much for the extra wonderful gypsy adventure!!!

xox
jennlui

[kayellen]

eeeekkkk!!

How adorable and romantic sweet Vanessa!!

Thrilled the sealah no sew tape worked for your creative gypsy wagon! You created another magical enchanting place:)

Have a fabulous weekend:)
Can't wait to tell my Parents...yippee!

Thanks for the mention,
kayellen

[Theresa]

All I can say is that your gypsy wagon is a magical, lovely place. Thanks for sharing all of this - it's truly exquisite. I shall have to look up those films you were discussing...they sound very interesting. Have a great weekend, Vanessa! Theresa

[Happy]

Can that girl please inhabit my body, just for a day or so? It would be quite helpful. And of course others have said this, but I also like the look of the aged wood and think that putting a sealant of some sort on it rather than re-painting would be the best way to go. I can see the magic has begun. Can't wait to follow along with this year's plans. Happy

[Paris Parfait]

The gypsy wagon looks absolutely enchanting! As for the two documentaries, would love to see them; alas, they're available only for Region 1 (US), not Region 2 (Europe). xoxox

[two crazy crafters]

What an enchanting place! I want to come play in your wagon! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

[shibori girl]

Oh, Missy Vee! Underneath that Superwoman was the real Magical You! And you were so smart to figure out what was standing in your way with the wagon...

I think I saw a comment or two which suggested a sealant to protect your whitewashed wooden walls. I was going to suggest the very same thing. Great minds, and all that! :)

Have a wonderful twirly time in there with your Mister.

xoxo,

Kate

[Elaine L.]

I can't believe how you've transformed the gypsy wagon. It's beautiful!

Instead of painting the wagon, you could probably preserve the wood with a clear matte sealer.

[laura]

just started following your blog--i love it!!! and yes, there are several different types of sealant you can use to save those old wood walls. i would recommend a semi-gloss laquer (though you need VERY good ventilation to use it) because it's easy to use, dries fast, and is relatively inexpensive. deft is a good brand.

[JO]

Oh my ... between your last post and this .... I am doing a happy dance.... there are times when things are rough and I come here to Neverland and lose myself in your posts.... the magic of your words... or just the excitment you get talking about something that makes you all giddy inside.....

Your wagon is beautiful...your photos from both posts are gorgeous ....

Thank you

JO

[Pixie]

Maybe I'll turn my studio apartment into a gypsy wagon! It's not much bigger so why the heck not?!

Your photos are always so inspiring. I go to sleep dreaming of gypsies and fairies and all things magical.

[gilly @ sweet indigo life~~~]

Oh you have created yet another nook in the Gypsy garden of delights...a place rich with song and menboys, a place so sacred even the ancient saris sing to the light of the fireflies...:)
You have intrigued me with this film. I shall look for it. I love truth, over fiction anyday. In fact, I have a hard time reading fiction for that reason, and usually read biographies or books based in fact.
:D
Enjoy Labour day weekend! xo

[Debbie]

I know that we have passed through each others blogs before, so I am glad that the beautiful Maria-Therese reminded me to float through again!

You are a very enchanting soul!

Hugs,
Debbie