A Fanciful Twist

Parcels, Parcels! Oh, How I love Parcels!!

I just adore parcels.  Did I tell you I love receiving parcels?  I love receiving them so much that the two I received last night I saved for this morning.  I love them so much that I spend hours packing up parcels for other little munchkins.  This morning, when I sat down at my little tattered white table with my tattered yellow bus school chair, I devoured each moment with these lovely lovely parcels...

                  

Oh my goodness...Are there treats??? What is that I see??? "Pigeon, is that you???" Let's dump it out and see??? It is it is, it is my treat from the most talented and adorable Wee Foxling?? Yes it is, A Small Fox In a Big World undoubtedly. May I add caring and kind-hearted to the mix of this Foxling Girl? Of course I may.  I had to Leave Henry behind, and I am so so sorry Henry. But Miss Pigeon, the teeny pink fluffy owl, has a new home!!!  Is she a Pigmy Owl?  You know those are endangered in Az. I have to submit info. about that as disclosure to my clients in the Real Estate World!! Can you believe it?

          

Oh goodness, what is all this lovely stuff with this Parcel???!!! Yippee!!! Oh, Hello little Pigeon. I love you so!!! I can see you in there...How was your flight???

                   

My little sweet Pigeon is adorable isn't she?  Come here little Pigeon, let me take care of you. Oops, I have paint on my hands.  That must be from the frames I am painting for my wonderful AshleyG prints.

                  

I am so glad that when you adopt you get chocolates instead of stitches...Thank you Miss Foxling.  But, don't worry, I won't eat them. I will be good, I will save them as gifts for Valentine's Day...devilishly grinning, hee hee hee.  Maybe I'll need to have my lips stitched so I don't eat them. Singing in my best Madonna voice from the early nineties, "You abandoned me, 'will' power don't live here anymore, just a vacancy...lalalalala"

                  

                

Well, maybe just one.  I really have not had breakfast you know.  And I am doing this funny diet from a lovely little Prescott friend. Just chocolate and coffee. All day. All you want.  And then maybe a multi-vitamin.  So my teeth don't rot.  You know those darn teeth.  Oh, my, gobble, they are so, mmm, my, gobble, my so tasty, Oh maybe I'll just have another???

                     

Oh Goodness. Did I get carried away with the chocolates?? Oh no, no ( straightening my dress, I mean my nightgown which I am still wearing late in the morning, I mean early in the morning, yes, early) I did not. Pigeon, what have you done??? Did you eat all of those???

                  

                   

Now why does Pigeon look so sad? It is not My fault that she ate all of those.  People should just take responsibility for themselves....Aye aye aye.  I guess she'll have to seek professional help next, do you know any good Owl shrinks??  Am I cut out for this?? Parenting???   hee.  Okay, Let's try putting Pigeon in a lovely branch. Maybe her personality will flourish amongst the beauties??? (ps: Pigeon has a lovely demeanor, it is not her fault she lives with, well, a nut-cake? now).

                   

Pigeon seems to be doing well, hanging around the lovely branch.  Now, let's get back to the Parcels!!!  The next one is one I longed for with great anticipation.  It took so long to get here (well, I guess not that long, like 3 weeks), and Karena was so patient with my worried inquiries.  But they are here, and well worth the wait!! By the way, there was a big neon sticker on the Parcel that  said it was held up in customs for security reasons, or something like that...It is here now though, and that is all I care about, MagicJelly treasures! Thank you Karena!!!

                   

         

Her work is fabulous. You know what I find with Etsy purchases?  I have had some really great quality pieces sent to me with such attention to detail! Bravo!  So, here they are.. Ta-da!!! 

         

                               

I think these works are so intriguing and wonderful!!! A perfect addition to my bedroom away from my main home.  They will live happy here at the loftish space home.

                  

I spent the evening making up my own packages for some treasured folks I have met here.  I hope that I will have enough time and love to put this into many packages that I hope many of you will receive from me. There is a special someone who has been waiting for a special something in a place that starts with an "E," for way too long.  The problem is, everytime I thought I would send it, I had a little addition. She will get it in a few days though, and I think it has been worth the wait!!!!!...  I even did a little extra crocheting...Look away Miss "R," look away.

Then another little friend who I have had more fun creating a little package for who finds herself in a curious blue dress, it was all part of a bribery I promised to help with, will receive something marvelous soon!!! That parcel went out today!!!!  keep a watchful eye!!! And, I wish I had a camera there when these get opened!!!  I wish to pieces!!!

         

Well, I am off. I have been sitting in this space for way too long. Sometimes it feels like days.  I will be at the pottery Studio all day Tomorrow, and then helping Mr.  Dino D'Taos move on Friday.  Just 3 -1/2 minutes away from me by car.  My toosh is sore from sitting... Do you get tired from sitting too long at the computer...My bones hurt!! A sign, time to go outside and play!!!

                   

I am so addicted to this discovery(above edible), they call it chocolate covered honeycomb.  But it is like puffed carmelized honey covered in chocolate, I choose the dark chocolate. The inside melts in your mouth.  You must try it!!! Oh wait, what is that sound? a car, a truck? a bird? a plane????

Wait what???No, this is too Ironic, down my never visited street? Now, during Parcel post writing??? Yes, it is, it is, it is!!! A UPS man!!! I am running out, in the cold, in my nightgown... Off I go...They actaully visit the boonies? and my street at the studio??? YAY!!!! I am leaving bye, bye, see you soon!!! All you wonderful lovelies!!!!

                   

                   

Oh no!! he is leaving, wait, come back, come back Jack, come back, wait Jack, come back, please Jack, please  (why did that just sound like a line from Titanic?).  He is gone. No no no. That means no more parcels for me for today.  Is his name Jack? Whatever...

                     

                  

                  

Good-bye, adios!!! I am  in the cold, in the yard, standing in the dirt, barefoot.  Time to paint!!!What fun!!!

                  

Pss. if you get this far...you should know, this whole post started with me dreaming about Gerard Depardieu and his description of how he met Bronte (Andy McDowell, spelling? ) in Greencard...Parcels, she was carrying all of these parcels.....

Strange girl, Strange day.

Yesterday was such a strange day.  So strange that I will leave it at that, and simply say that the emotions of a woman can be terribly uncertain and profound.  I am sure you can appreciate and understand that.  Now throw Artsy into the mix and, should I even go there?  Night and Day and everywhere in between.....

Besides being a strange emotional day yesterday, I found a box full of some of my own favorite strange things.  The most wonderful find was a booklet I have been toting around forever from one of Alexander Petrov's shows. I had already dissected the booklet, and have decided on a few more to frame.  This was just what I needed for that empty wall in my loftish space.  I know the images are a little dark, but they amuse me.

                   

           

Back to night and day moods ...

                

And speaking of the "complexity of women," and for some reason, in keeping with the clownish mood...I recently came across this painting (below) in one of my thrifting excursions.  Now, in my "personal opinion," as well as being the reason I brought it home, this painting  screams Anais Nin.  Now, remember that is merely my own "personal opinion."  And, what I feel is more like, the spirit of Anais Nin emerges through this painting... Pink and lovely yet dark and tragic.

One summer, many years ago, I spent months reading several Anais Nin biographies (another quirk, I only like to read harcover books, I will do paperback, but I don't like it).  One in particular was very very long, and quite a grueling read.  Half of the time, I wanted to shake Anais Nin and say, "Why are you doing this to yourself? You are going to drive yourself mad."  At the same time, you realize that is what made her so interesting and intriguing.  One thing for sure, she was relentless in her pursuit of getting her work to the public.  I admire her strength for never ever giving up. Up until her last breath, she would not give up on her work.  Of course, I am quite sure that she drove her little body into an anxiety pit. 

If you know her story, you understand all of this.  She is interesting and yes, very very complex.  I can't even get into it all, I tend to feel a mixture of interest, enchantment and annoyance, all at once, for Anais Nin.  But, the point here is, this painting had an Anais Nin quality looming in the depths of it "to me," so here it sits, waiting for a space on the wall in my loftishSpace/Studio...

                  

I find that as I get older I want less and less of all of that drama we can put ourselves through in my life.  I want simple peace and simple everyday happiness.  My mental transformation from my early and mid-twenties, to entering my thirties, is immense.  I am enjoying this change so much.  I used to relish in strange concerns. Where now I want zero strange concerns, and am more interested in an organized studio.  Now this to me, Bliss.

                  

So yes, today the things that make me smile from ear to ear are simply organzing my studio and getting all my jewelry trays in the closet.  This closet was a dark dungeon pit when I got my hands on it.  I cut the shelves shorter so I could walk in and put in some halogen lights, that of course, would not turn on for this photo. Typical. Now, it might not look organized to you, but to me it is in perfectly proper order, ready for me to finish packing my promised gifts for my little elves, and get creating. And yes, the red typwriter is now out of the car, and ready to use.  I think six weeks in the car was long enough for this poor thing.  Knowme is trying it out for us...

           

                  

I got this little cabinet (above) in Prescott, Arizona last summer for $40.  I am thinking that maybe I should leave it just the way it is...It will for sure get a few paint splatters...But, it is white metal and I don't have a problem with those vintage decals decoupaged on...I think it is charming.

Now what to do with the old typewriter????

                

 

Seasons, Feelings, Artsy Things & A little Clowning around...

Just last week we were Walking in a Winter Wonderland.  Today it is as if Winter was never here. The sun and the birds don't think so...

                  

                  It is as if they have forgotten how cold they were...

                  

I think they are "in the mood for love..." I certainly am done with painfully cold fingertips and shivering in the evening cold.  We are so lucky in Arizona.  Our Winter is almost over, well not over but we get 70' and up days.  I for one, am officially done putting away the snowflakes and any lingering holiday remnants...Yes, I know, it is almost February.  I have no pressure, Mr. Lovee doesn't care if there are still shamrocks hanging around him from last year, he is a delight.  But, I did break out my scissors last night and started cutting hearts.... and sprinkling the pink glitter.

                  

                   

I bought these two little wooden rabbits at "The Golden Goose" thrift store, which as I have said, is becoming an expensive antique store more than a fun treasure find store. But, that is another story....So, These rabbits... They were in blue outfits - I painted them into black outfits instead and made them some hearts to wear around their necks...

                

My studio is a pitiful pit of disaster.  Lots of supplies everywhere, I could hardly find room for this little project...I also found myself putting up my F.G.&Co. Love banner from Bon.   Ooo, up above the banner on the top of the shelf you can see two little girls that will be posted for sale in my looming Etsy shop.  Actually, today I have to go into the housing world, but tomorrow I intend to spend my day getting my little shop going and doing lots of Art...I "intend to" being the operative words. 

                  

The other lovely find from the "Golden Goose" is this plate that I think works beautifully with some of my Black Applets.

         

And, yes I have left the best for last.  Clowning around.  Seeing as how we have many scardy cats who just can not stand to be in any room with anything "clowny" - I decided I would share my clown painting.  I totally tweaked it last night, it is still wet..oils...  It was browns, awful.  I made it brights.  And, I am posting it especially for Miss Small Foxling and Miss MeShell.  I think they will enjoy this enormously. I am wondering if I can part with it, and if so, which one should have it.. Which, mind you, I have not decided to part with, parting is traumatic for me. Go easy.

               

                

Hi little girls... Wannna Balloon???  I do not think clowns are scary. Or maybe, I like to be scared? I mean, If I was alone in a dark Alley, which I should never be in any way, but if I was, and a clown appeared I'd freak.  I would just fall over and die of a heart-attack right there... But, this nice little guy, with all these bright colors I added.. Come on.... I am more afraid that I didn't check out the artist before I added my colors actually... Can you imagine, my "one" valuable and I painted over it and ruined it.. HA.  So, tell, me, how do you feel about clowns??? Do they scare you? What is scary?? That you do not know who it is behind the make-up?? Or that Stephen King made them scary? Did you have a clown incident???

You know, Actually... To me clowns are these kind of slightly unstable guys who could totally snap at you if you don't take the balloon... One day I was in the car, we were at the gas station, I was little.  My mom was pumping gas and I saw this clown drive up  and have one heck of a time getting out of his Volkswagen Bug in costume and big red shoes.  Then he was trying  to put air in his tires I think? and something was going wrong and he was kicking the car tire. I found it amusing, not scary.  But, now, well, maybe it was scary.  A temperamental clown playing with kids... Hmmm.....Yep. You are right, SCARY.  Cinderella will be a very unhappy cupcake girl when she sees this, Clown is a word she does not even entertain in her vocabulary.

By the way, Cinderella has a lovely collection of clothes. Lovelier than many I know... Dresses specifically, and she is sharing them!!!! Check it out.   Although, she does something I can not stand, she parts with a lot of it. Too much of it, I think...

                 

               

Well, I am off the clown talk.  I am thinking of collecting clown things next.  And above, is the sunny snowless morning I awoke to today!!! Have a great day!!! I am off to the Housing world, I even painted a little something a few years ago to motivate me. It hangs on the door to the storage room....Houses. Now that can be scary. alone in a dark house, and boy do I have stories. Scary, very.

               

A thought.. aren't the rabbits perfect?  I can hang a little something around them no matter what the holiday???  Only they woke me up twice, they rattle...Dirty window, yikes...

               

Tea Staining & The Tea Party favors have arrived...

Packing up a teeny tiny friend is what I was doing with my morning.  Sad to see him go, but knowing that where he is going to live is a place many of us would love to just tip-toe through for 30 seconds...I can not say where, no no, I must not give it away, not today.  Although, there might be an apple or two, and a curious girl, in a curious dress, of a shade I will never tell.

                   

And seeing as how I am channeling my Jane Austen side... I decided it would not be appropriate for my little friend to go away, and not take with him, a piece of lace.  You know - "Oh do bring me some ribbons or a lovely piece of lace if you go into town my darling dear."  But white lace?  Not working for me, at all... That is when the tea staining started...

So, here we go, a look at my tea staining ways. I am not responsible for accuracy, boiling water burns or anything else you might put yourself through during this process.  I am simply showing you what I did to a few pieces of lace and scraps this morning and the process I use to stain fabrics. ;) (warning, no matter how much I try to condense, this is still a panifully long post, I'm trying for the future, I promise)

          

1st, I choose my tea, I find that the richer color comes from an English or an Irish tea, they are stronger teas and just because I am nutzz, I like them to have caffeine.  Just buy a big package at the market, I like Bigelow or Twinings.  I always keep some Orange spice tea around  for a hint of that rich tone that the auburn shade gives.  I choose a big pasta cooking pot and fill it 3/4 of the way with water.  I then take about 10 packages of the tea I have chosen, Irish or English, or a mixture of both, and three of the orange spice.  (Start heating the water because it must be boiling before you put in the tea)  I like to keep some white string around for wrapping and for cooking and it comes in handy in this case.  You will cut about a foot and a half of string and have it ready to tie your tea bags together...Unwrap all your teas, line them up by their tags and tie the string just below where all the tags meet, this makes a place where you can make a sturdy knot, but make sure to keep your string long on one side, so that you can hold onto the tea bags when you dip them...You'll see...here we go...

            

            

Now, do not put your tea bags in the water until it is boiling, the top right pic is just to show you how you will handle the tea bags with the string.  As soon as the water comes to a roaring boil start to dip your tea bags in and quickly shut off the heat.  Then just gently bob the tea up and down a bit, just to get the mixture swirling. Then place your bundle to the side, and use the long piece of string as an anchor, tie-ing it around the pot handle, it holds the bundle in place.

          

          

           

I like to take a spoon, wooden is good because it will not get hot, and gently squeeze the tea-bags against the side of the pot.  Then I leave my mixture alone for, at the very least, 10 minutes.  I then take a few pieces of fabric and drop them in.  I like to leave them in for extended periods because I like a dark color.  Some pieces are sitting in there while I write this entire post.  You can rinse the fabric with cold water once you take it out, in order to set the color. I myself do not always do this.  The only time I was very diligent about rinsing was when  I was staining a white top - I stained it for 30 minutes. Then I took it out rinsed with cold water and hung dry.  But, when I am dealing with crafty fabrics  I really like to have a dark sepia tint.  It is a more time transporting color to me. 

                

You will have to experiment.  Do a few testers by cutting pieces of white muslin or cotton based fabric and leave them in for different periods of time(natural fabrics are easier to stain, once you get into nylons, lycras etc.  it gets very tricky, but you never know unless you try).  You would think that I could be more specific about what fabrics to use and not to use with all those University Textile Science classes(how did I get a degree again?)...My brain cells are diminishing, be nice to me.

       

         

         

You can check on your color by taking out a bit of the tea with a measuring cup and putting it into a white bottom tea cup...Or you can just throw in a piece of string or fabric and see what is goin' on...Also, if you were a very organized person, I am not. I will never do this. But, you could also make your mixture, let it get to a certain color, remove the tea, time the minutes you left the tea in, write this down. Take note of how many tea bags and types you used, and then drop in a small fabric or string,  time how long you leave that in, write that down, and voila, you have a test peice with a recipe of how you got there.  Just write down all of your steps if you are so inclined to.

                         

Another fun way to tea-stain, which I did on the following piece.  Is to fill a spray bottle with your mixture once it cools just a bit.  Then take your fabric outside and spray it to your desired color.  I did this with this doll dress because I sewed it to the body before I realized I hated it, it needed something.  So, I went outsdie and sprayed it down. I love the varied tints of tea stain.  You can see how it darkened, I put a piece of unstained scraps to the left so you can see the before and after. Now I love it.

                   

The color below was achieved about ten minutes into the process.  I am going to wait about 45 minutes.  I am looking for an old dark color.  The lace had a peachish tint, which should turn very lovely in the tea bath.  When I am certain I like the color, I will take them out, give them a teeny cold rinse so that I do not drip tea water all the way to the door.  Then I will hang them outside and wait for them to dry.  You can put them in the dryer if you rinse well...Just really be careful not to over-rinse and lose all of your color.  If you are certain you do not want to rinse, take some pot holders and just take the whole pot outside and remove the fabrics from the pot outside. That makes everything easier.  Wait for the pot to cool a bit! Do not burn yourself!!

                  

                  

The muslin ( on the right) took the color very very well.  Better than the string actually.  I am very pleased with this tea bath.  The color is lovely.  I think I will leave these pieces in for a few hours... just let them swim around...Since they are not crucial and I am not ready to deal with them today, just yet...I still even have my tea bags in there, anchored to the side...And that is all I have to say about Tea-staining, please ask if you have questions.

So, on a very very fun note, Risa, who is totally amazing, sent out her party favors.  I can not describe the scent I found when I opened the package...It was like Lemon and lavender, but very fresh and natural.  There were these little packages, oh so fun to open.  I was like a little girl, savoring every moment to pieces.  And the little people!!! They fit right in with Mr. Lovee's friends...They are hanging around in total bliss!!! And the pig, and and and....Thank you Risa! You are a delightful caring girl.  Wait til you get your package.... hee, heee...You will LOVE IT!!!!!Anyday soon...Not as soon as I had promised but you will see it there in a few days.

         

         

                 

And last, but not least...Thank You to Lisa-Gabrielle of the Jungle Dream Pagoda, for caring enough to ask me and a few others, to answer a question I am seeing answered much around this blogging city...And, I am enjoying reading about it!  Especially AshelyG's  squishy eye!!Holy Toledo Bandido!!!

ok. 6 bizarre things about me, they are more like 6 OCD things about me.  This is very hard because all you people are so much more interesting than me:

1)  I always lock my bedroom door up obsessively and make Cinderella check it like 100 times to make sure it is locked when I am not there. Even though the only one who could ever get into our fortressed alarmed gated tucked locked, double locked, bolted house is Cinderella herself and she can break into my room with a simple thin mailer postcard.  ????

2)  I tend to think I am 5.  And, I tend to get into heated arguments and get all sad with other 5 year olds.  And, I also have choreographed dances that I share with specific 5 year olds.  When they greet me, they position their little hands in the first dance step and we say "remember, remember" and we break into dance...A lot of Thai type moves...Who knows why???

3) noone, noone ever can touch my magazine before I look at it.  EVER.  Any magazine! if they do, it is tainted and I can't read it.  Sorry. i'm psycho.  Unless it is used, and then it doesn't matter at all.

4)  Mr. Lovee DETESTS this one.  I will not drink anything out of a cup if it is not rinsed twice before my drink is poured in.  Not even if it is on the freshly washed drying rack, not even if it is in the cupboard.  My throat locks up and I can not swallow. Some nights, when Mr. Lovee drops a glass of water by my private bedroom, I won't drink it because I don't trust him.   I am totally parched in the middle of the night, and there is a cup of water by my bed. But, I refuse to drink. Now if I was in trouble and had no choice, I would drink such water. But not like this, not now, no option.

5) I own more "stuff" than anyone you will ever meet.  I will not sell. I will not share, some of it at least.  I treasure it, I think it has a soul. I think it thanks me for saving it. Much is in perfectly packed giant plastic containers. Even 236 pairs of shoes are packed.  Don't ask, don't criticize. It is my problem.  There has been a huge red typrwriter in my car for 6 weeks.  C'est la Vie.

6) I use a roll of toilet paper every day.  I don't how, I don't know why?  I use it for other things.. Like, wiping up little water splashes.. and blowng my nose, and rubbing streaks off of things.  ??? Not just on my toosh!!!! That is what I am misunderstood about. 

ps:  oh, I can perfectly lift my foot to my face and look around and pedicure it up close, although I usually have it done professionally, for relaxation purposes!!

Okay Okay, it is finally over. the longest post ever.

Bon. An Exquisite place to visit. {Bon - Tucson, Arizona}

If you found yourself gazing through an 1800's Chinese mirror and were told that it held lovely memories, what would you hope to see?  If this mirror lived in a shop, where the most fantastic treasures came alive, would you take a journey through the mirror and peek around at all of those treasures?  I did.  Today. The visit transformed a normal day, into a fulfilling sensory overload adventure.  (click on any image to enlarge)

        

It is always a magnificent day when I get to visit Bon.  A magical shop in Tucson, Arizona belonging to Bonnie & Crystal Flynt.  This lovely space is home to many of the finds that I brag about. From Wendy Addison to John Derian, you can get lost for hours attempting to make a decision.  It is a place where you never feel guilty giving in to all temptation and taking home all the precious loves that you will undoubtedly find...

      

Bonnie and Crystal have such a huge grasp on the "being" of the store.  They fill it with items that they search the globe for.  Items that make up every piece of that puzzle that intrigues even the most skeptical of visitors.  Little eyes wander frantically looking at every piece, pieces that are timeless, pieces that do not fit the mold of  any fad or trend.  Bon is a place where you find lifelong loves.  I know this because I am a happy little Bon purchaser.  Every item I have ever purchased is one that I adore and enjoy over-and-over,  even if I so much as simply brush passed it in a hurry...

      

More than that, Bon is one of those places that I feel comfortable hanging out at.  Bonnie and Crystal have become friends, people you can talk to for hours.  They are funny and elegant, all at once, but most of all, they are "real."  It is so important in this fast-paced crazy world to have a place that you know you can retreat to for a long while and feel comfortable and welcome.  That is why I love visiting Bon so very much.  Look at all the delights, from home, to garden, to clothing items...how can a person even begin to choose??? 

      

I love hopping in to draw on their chalkboard and seeing what little kids have done...or to watch Crystal do many different types of creating, such as twisting and turning little pieces of paper, to make lovely paper flowers around sparkling lights...

      

Don't you have a favorite place that wraps your little packages so beautifully that you can not wait to run home and tear off the paper?  I wandered the store, trying to be good, but managing to create quite the pile...If you recall, I was there recently and bragged about my old chinese paper basket. 

      

I just lose control. Mr. Lovee says, go ahead and Bon yourself out.

      

Oops, did I forget to mention that Bon carries my original Art Cards? Each one hand drawn, hand-painted and personally glitterized by moi (below)?  They are little original works of art, all packaged up and ready to go!  They sit in a rack on the wall, amongst a wide variety of fabulous cards for many occasions...

      

      

But, as there is never a dull moment at Bon, a very curious man and his friend appeared for a short visit...Bonnie and Crystal chatted with them, as I poked around...

      

Both men were very interesting with quite the artistic vibe.  The man on the left, chatting with Bonnie is Salvador Duran, artist and musician.   You never know what famous little characters you will rub shoulders with at this magical retreat...Just be prepared...

      

      

As I reigned myslef in and got ready to make my little purchases, I got that anxiety and excitement in my belly, of wanting to get my treasures home and unwrap them.  I even picked a treasure or two for one of you!!  Look at those Wondrous Julie Arkell's on the shelf in front of Bonnie.

I had so much fun visiting Bon today!  I wish all you girls and I were on a field trip to Bon, and then an espresso after that... Wouldn't that be wonderful???

        

                                  Fg & Co. Gift Tag (above)

                

I returned home to open that classic Bon polka dotted paper, and reveal my beloved treasures (John Derian tray, below, and others too) !!! Yay! Stepping out of Wonderland through the 1800's Chinese mirror, just in time to share all of this with you lovelies!! What a fun day this turned out to be after all... I headed out of there just in time for dinner with the Russians... Boy will that be a whole post in itself!  Thank you so much for peeking in!

      

      

                             

I would love for you to share local shops that only exist in your neck of the woods, with me.  The beauty of this world is that we can share places that some of us might otherwise never encounter.  Can't wait to hear of some of your favorites!

"Bon Shop, Tucson"

Home, Garden, Clothing.  Tucson, Arizona   (520) 795-2272

Owners, Bonnie Flynt & Crystal Flynt

So many girls, but where are all of the boys???

Funny thing.  I was working on a totally different post, when it was brought to my attention...I paint many female images, I purchase mostly, if not all, female images.  I even sell many many female images...But, where are all the boys???  Who knows, I am just more attracted to female beings when it comes to art.  I mean, just look at the wall, which I am so proud of, in my Loftish Space bedroom...It is like a Black Apple tribute (smiling big). Check out " The Last Twenty Seconds of Claire de Lune" original, it is unbelievable in person.  The varnish tone, and the brushstrokes!!! And, again, my previously unnoticed purchase preference, all girl art.

                  

         

There is a point here, but I am straying for a sec...The mirror in between the Black Applets  is a Luon St. Pierre piece.  At home live 2 other Luon mirrors, "The adventures of Lulu & Dick" bench (the more red one with the blue suited Dick Tracy type guy) and "Woman in Drawers" cupboard!! Isn't that exciting!  I am so glad that I splurged on them when I did.  I just love them.  My mom is so bad, she eggs me on to make these ludicrous purchases. She does not say "save your money dear," that is my dad.  Mom says, "Oh darling love,  you just must own that piece, you deserve it, buy it, no question, oh, it is a love, just a love."  And then I am hypnotized and convinced.  The item then gets  strapped into my car, and off we go!!! Psychosis, I know.   I  tweaked "Woman in her Drawers' " appearance a little.  You know, over the topness galore...It has been gradual.  Things just get put on her after I use them.

               

So, Back to the burning question of "Where are the boys??"  Frankly, the question does not plague me on a regular basis.  I just stick to buying and painting that which moves me.  However, I have been commissioned to paint a male figure.  I asked for details, but I simply got the scary answer, " I trust your judgement."  Which makes me slightly panic - then I remind myself, "create what you create," not what you "think they will want."   If I am true to myself then customers are happy...But, if I stray from myself, and start looking at magazines trying to get inspired..I might pick up too much of someone else's style...And, those are the creations that people tend to not be too excited about...I have a couple guys for my looming Etsy shop...But they are very in tune with their feminine side, which is the kind of man I gravitate to...

Hmmm, an Idea...I love frogs.  And a special frog might be a prince, which is a boy...Can you imagine if I showed up with a big frog painting.. Ha...Talk about Trusting my judgement. LOL.  I have a perrrrfect model...Warty McAlfred here...Oh the temptation...And, yes that is a gi-normous mushroom sculpture he lives on, it has a lower level of mushroom too!  I should have taken a full shot...

               

Anyhow, as if the boy art topic was not already looming...My Mom, Mommbee, calls and says, "You know, I was sitting here pondering things, and realized, I really need to hang some art with male figures, there are so many girls in here, don't you think?"  I thought??? Is this a sign. Time to paint boys???  Hmm, I like painting boyish munchkins of sorts.  "Cirque du Soleil" type boys also flow from my brush. But, there is no way on earth I am going to paint a big muscular hairy Roman type man. No way. No how.  What to do????????  The only male type getting a spot in my Loftish Space so far is an old Soutine (Chaim Soutine) print of a 1918 self-portrait I have been hording for years.

               

Maybe I am dwelling too much. It is in fact a strange sensitive day...The type only other female characters could understand...A kleenex box has been my morning companion, ever since I had a 20 minute conversation with a stranger who had the wrong number.  Her mother had passed away and she wanted to tell the woman who used to have this number. Then she told me a beautiful story about the last days of her mother's life and how they went to the beach, because the ocean meant so much to her mother throughout her mother's life...It was so unusual. Have you ever connected with someone who calls the wrong number?  Well, I told Mr. Lovee the story and tears welled up in his eyes. Then, I got all sentimental on the phone with my dad, and was balling.  Sheesh.  I better go paint a man because, I am channeling like 467 women right now.  My friends will be shocked, I am so not a weepy chick flick kinda girl.  However, there is always a first time, so, the kleenex box and I are off for now...

                 

Too Bakelite, or not to Bakelite. That is the question...Oh, and a little Baking...

What a day.  It snowed. It actually snowed.  Arizona Snow. White, just outlining the prickly pear cactus...I sit here, with a marvelous scent enveloping the house at the studio...Sweet and warm..Perfect for snowy weather...

I was tidying up my loftish space today and discovered a few of my favorite Bakelite Bracelets in my bag...I took some pics at home to share my collection, forgetting completely that I had these lovelies with me (pictured below).  How can you not love Bakelite?  It intrigues and entices me.  Like a shiny candy does a child...Lucite is a friend also...A good friend...

                

Yes it is true, I am not the owner of some of the Bakelite that has inlaid pieces, polka dots..But, I do enjoy my collection tremendously.. and I have a few cameos and pendants that make up for it in my book...

                

                  

                

And, if you too love Bakelite, as much as I do... Then you should jump off that very high cliff into slight anxiety and read the story of the Bakelite family... Up to the Grandson...I won't ruin it for you.. I have the out of print book, but it is in the gallery and it is snowing.. I will promise the title to anyone who has interst, just ask...I own several bakelite books, and wow, well, you know me and books... Lost for hours is where you will find me...

                

The good news is that I have started receiving Bakelite treasures from friends, family  and clients...Necklaces, Brooches, Bracelets, none pictured yet...How lucky, I know... These amazing people in my life...I thank them tremendously...Some even come to me frantic and excited, telling me of a treasure they have for me from a grandmother or great-aunt... Warning that I will be the recepient of Bakelite very shortly....

If they only knew the fit that throws me into...I want to grab them, shake their little shoulders and exclaim, "When, when will this be, when will I receive the Bakelite, where are you hiding it, what is the address?" Seeing as how that would lead to me not receiving said Bakelite...I have to compose myself and say, "Thank you so much, I would gladly accept such a treasure.  I adore Bakelite, you can't imagine how I will treasure such a piece."  Then I nod gracefully, shake their hand with both of my hands clasped around their one hand, and hope for the best...C'est la Vie.. If it is meant to be mine, it shall...hee hee, I am devilishly rubbing my hands together, plotting the next Bakelite find...

As for Today and snow.. What?? Snow, In Arizona, at the Studio actually.  We are at a higher elevation here... (In my Tombstone accent) Well yes Miss, I reckon that, that there is the real thing...White snow, fallin' from that there sky....

                

Baby, the former already named Yard Sale dog, also enjoyed the snow with me.. We were out there a lot. That is until my already bad Canon stopped working. It is the worst most problemtic camera ever, and I have owned it for only one year!  I told Mr. Lovee that I was tempted to throw it out the window.

                   

When the camera slightly  started working again, I took some pictures so that Anastasia would be real real proud of me.  I made her recipe for Citrus Buttercake...It is Unreal.. I can't stop!!!Thank you sweet Anastasia!!!

                  

                  

                  

I am off to watch the Illusionist, on dvd, with me cake.......No I have not seen it.  I also just saw "Lady in the Water" today...I don't know what I think....I don't know why I am slow at watching movies lately...I just don't know.  I have accepted that I do not know everything, and that makes me very very happy! 

You girls are the best!!  Thank you for all your kind words...I enjoy you so very much, truly!!!

Oh and, AmandaButton, here is a little of that book we spoke of, to entice you....The title is "Angels and Fairies, The World's Greatest Art."  I found a simliar but not exact book, although it had the same title, Angels and Fairies - The World's Greatest Art.   Maybe it is the same with a different cover?

                  

                  

                  

A Lovely Time

What a wonderful bunch of days I had...I went down the hill and into town, to my little home.  There was fun, music, laughs and my sis.  There was magic, treasures, and dreamy creatures...And always, books, books, boooks...

                     

                             Some you have yet to meet......

                     

               Others, you have met already, welcome you back...

                      

               

The garden at home, with wonderful visitors. Including Dr. Kathryn Hatch (on right) my college professor turned good friend and Rose-Anne Rogers, a creative Artist herself (left), and those witch feet belong to a client turned friend, Deborah, who is expecting. Okay, I didn't take this one recently, it was in October, Deborah does not dress like that on a normal basis, hee hee.

                      

I had been locked up in my studio/loftish space working away, painting and creating for way too many days, more like 4 months.  I decided, my city home, which is only 45 mins. away was calling my name....It is a lovely home with an enchanted garden.  It is owned by myself and my little Cinderella (my sister).  It has been home for a handful of many years.  When I am away at the Loftish Space/Studio, it is completely managed by Cinderella (formerly Cinderellas's Revenge, now BobbypinBandit.Blogspot.Com)...who does a mighty fine job, only occasionally killing a few of my luscious plants. Sometimes she finds her way to a giant gumball machine, and then, we might lose her for a few minutes!!

               

                     

Now, to answer Lovely Lisa-Gabrielle's question of, What is the difference between the Loftish Space/Studio and my home in Tucson?  My home in Tucson is where Cinderella also lives.  We have parties there and tons of fun!!  We have owned that place for 14 years, it is in the city of Tucson.  The 1st 4 pictures above  and the books are of "home." 

My loftish Space/Studio (The Country House) is a place in Catalina, Arizona.  It is about 45-60 minutes North of my home in Tucson, into the mountains and in the country.  I have a gallery, a studio, and a lovely private space with my own bedroom.  There is also a main house on the property.  Mr. Lovee found this place many years ago.  However, he has shared this magical property with me for 7 years.  So, I basically have two homes.  Home and Loftish Space/Studio/Gallery(pictures below, again, you may have already seen some of these).

               

                           

                         

                         

I work myself like a nut-cake making, creating and painting everything I sell in my little gallery.  In the future this may become a shop/gallery in town and carry some pretty amazing treasures and art.  I would love to carry some of the work by many Etsy artists as well...one day. I hear it might be one day soon...Possibly maybe.

So that is that...And now back to a weekend of fun with Cinderella..She did a client visit with me, cooked great food, and drove around downtown Tucson back and forth...If anyone knows Tucson, there are so many streets that only run one way downtown, so we went back and forth trying to get to St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop before they closed...

            

              

We made it, but sheesh, prices are so high at all these thrift stores lately..I think Antique's Roadshow and similiar shows make thrift store managers believe they should over-price everything.   Mr. Lovee says that thrift stores are becoming Antique stores, which totally makes me sad...I'll just have to be glad for the treasures I did get once upon the fair priced thrift store adventures. God knows I don't need anything more. I must confess, I had to get a storage unit to house some of my treasures... The thought makes me panic and get all stressed out.  Mr. Lovee is creating a secure space for me to house them on the property. Having a paid storage unit for treasures feels like an embarrasing waste...

                        So....My little felted friends and I

                  

Can't wait to hear from you, and hope you'll share some stories with us!

Oh, wait, I almost forgot....I was tagged by Tricia to do a meme. So I have to come up with a list of 5 things about myself, not revealed in my blog. What I did was take the first two words of Tricia's list and filled in the blanks...

1.  I enjoy doing country girl things.  Even though people think I am Miss Glam, which I kinda hate. I really am not.  I love the dirt, I love growing plants and herbs and flowers.  I love Garden treasures and watching giant sunflowers grow in both my gardens.  I can garden for hours or dig in the dirt and be young and free, and run in the hose in the warm sun, barefoot and pushing down on the freshly planted soil.

2.  I like to get in my big bed and bring lots of magazines, books, writing things, and any thing else I want to stare at with my really good night light. They sit to the left of me.  I don't like them to be moved, they do not bother me when I sleep.  I do not like to share my bed. Ever.  I am a bed hog.  I like my books to be in my crisp white freshly laundered and ALWAYS white sheets with me and me alone.

3.  I love... umm, how can I choose?  Sappy me....  I love my Mom and Dad and love being with them and my two siblings.  I love their stunning world.  They live in a big house on a hill and pick at eachother non-stop. They are funny and annoying all at once.  But, they have so much love to give and take care of us so much, even when we want to get far away.  I love that they are evolving with the way of the world, but still keeping solid morals and religious beliefs. But, I love them because they believe in me, do not force anything like marriage or kids or job choices or anything on me. And, most of all, I love how each kid feels so super loved. We all feel like we are the center of attention. That makes them superb parents in my book. I love that I have them both, that they are still married (like 36 years) and are "good and sound" parents.  I am tearing.  That's it...

4. Too silly for words so, this one is taking a dive right on out of here ;)

5. I had a horrible fear of being outside in the dark alone in Catalina.  I thought I could see things in the night.  I would become cold and paralyzed...I am so very very good at creeping myself out to the point of slight insanity.  But, it is going away...I think?  (yep it's gone by now)

That's all for now... Sorry for this ultra long post...

Wonderful Pottery Days...

Sitting here, enjoying dark chocolates filled with caramel and sipping coffee, for breakfast...Getting ready to be on my way back to pottery!  Yippee.  The studio at the Tucson Museum of Art was closed for Winter Break.  Today is my first day back!  A day for creating, but mostly, for seeing those wonderfully amazing ladies who create at the studio also, it is like a family. I have been creating there for 6 fantastic years!!  I usually stay for 12 hours straight.  It is one of those things, when you start you just can't stop....  Here is a snipette of some of the things I have made...

                      

Giant plates, this one, called Bug-A-Martini ( Archibald is trying to catch a bug in Martini's hair)

Then there are the funny little holders.. . you should see people, they want to buy these, but they stand there debating for 45 minutes what the heck they will put in them???? Hee hee...

                         

Wacky wild masks, like this lovely Mr. Flamboyant, whom I will be devasted to part with....

                         

I am into these two faced vases right now, I have three waiting to be glazed.. but to get those colors is a long 3 step process....Same vase, two totally different faces...

         

There are also the Sgraffito Teeny Tiny Plates, you have seen before...I think they would be fun to use for your soy-wasabi mixture for sushi...Or, just to hang in a row on the wall??? They will be in Etsy soon, soon I hope...I am paiting like a mad woman too, but my prints are causing me pain.  I am going to have them professionally done today....Then Etsy will be closer...I also have to finish two huge commissioned paintings, so my time is flowing out of my hands like water...soft water...

               

               

                                 

I also make crazy Bird-feeders, and truly, seeing birds in the mouths of these creatures is outrageous.  I sold the huge mouthed opera singer before I could photograph a bird in her mouth....

              

               

                            

                        

Miss Opera bird-feeder  had some fab earrings that I made her, per the Doctor and his wife who took her home...I think he was going to put her in his practice office and put jelly-beans in her mouth...At the top of the head is a covered shoot, where you pour in whatever it is that you fancy  in your "feeder."

I think I will work on many pottery pieces to use in a new mosaic path I am planning...

                      

Do you all feel like time is going by way to fast.. Like each day just disappears...My goodness, I am appalled at time...Thank goodness, I am on my way to create art, beacause, after all - Art really is all I seek....

                        

                              What do you seek?

Who in the world is Dino D'Taos?

Dino D'Taos, The Anonymous Monk, is a dear friend of mine. I met him when I was 19 years old. He was an artist who would sit in the window of Cafe Quebec, sipping coffee and painting.  He is a listed disciple of Salvador Dali and a surrealist himself. 

                              

I was doing some painting and selling angel art  in a gallery downtown while attending the University of Arizona.  The cafe Dino painted at was next door to the Angel Gallery, we became friends and had many adventures together.  He even painted me into some of his works...that is not me in that painting below ;)

                        

A few years later Dino moved...I knew he might be going to Taos, New Mexico. We lost touch.  8 years later I took a trip to Taos, New Mexico. I searched high and low, not knowing what I would find, or how Dino would be when I found him.  And yes, after much searching I found Dino, in Taos.  He was doing well, but had it rough when he first arrived to New Mexico. We had a great time and I even made several art purchases.  One purchase was so large that I would have to travel back for it by car one year later...Just that quickly, Dino was in my life again...And, I would add one of his most magnificent pieces to my growing collection of his work. (below)

                  

It is a huge piece, 6ft x 4 1/2.  It was a grueling 12 hour trip (one way) to retrieve this painting. But, being there, gave Dino and I a wonderful chance to spend time together and get reacquainted.  I was an adult now, and life had changed very much for both of us.

                        

We had great coversations.  Mr. Lovee was with me and the three of us did very interesting things. One in particular - The hotel where we stay "La Fonda" in Taos, is home to some of D. H. Lawrence's original works.  We got a private up close sneak peek at those pieces! Amazing. To be face to face with the paint on the canvas, the texture.   We had intense conversations, Dino is as close to the absolute definition of an artist as exists. His personality, his reclusiveness and his profoundness.   

                              

Several months after we had visited had passed.  Dino does not use a phone. Everything is through snail-mail correspondence.  We corresponded a few times since that visit, and then, the strangest thing...I received a disturbing phone call, something was wrong. Dino was not safe.  We had a few calming conversations.  But, then, Dino called a few days later.  He was in Wilcox Arizona.  His car was dead.  He would be taking a bus the rest of the way to Tucson.  What? Confusion. Dismay.  Dino was coming here?  That was totally not possible.  He does not venture out.   He does not go anywhere, something must be really wrong. 

                           

Sure enough, it was.  Dino had been attacked in Taos by some drug guys living by him.  They were harrassing him and the cops could do nothing. He left all his belongings and left Taos.  I had suggested a long time ago that he consider moving closer to us, and not be alone in Taos in the middle of nowhere...His path took a huge twist.  He was being forced into it.  The whole thing was stressful, shocking and overwhelming.  But today, Dino is safe and all his 40 years of books he wrote and archives are safe, at a friends house in Taos, the paintings, at a gallery in Taos.

                            

As for today, Dino has been living in housing I found him in Catalina, 3 minutes from the studio, at a wonderful place that a dear friend of mine owns.  He is safe and very very well.   He has been living here for about 56 days.  He is creating mad, just painting and drawing and flourishing.  I really believe he was meant to be here and the only way for him to make the move was to be forced into it.   

He is officially my thrift store adventure buddy.  We go everywhere...We did a little show together and he puts up with my endless dragging home of strange finds....He sits and draws while I schlep him around town...He started the first sketches for a painting he is gifting me while sitting at a table at my house while I checked piles of mail before a trip back to the Studio.

               

He is a love, and I am sharing him with you because his amazing self and amazing work deserves to be seen.  He is a treasure trove of a little man, so when you hear me talk about Dino, you now know who I am speaking of.

Today for instance, he helped me take apart a huge vinatge fan that the pottery studio, where I create pottery things at the Tucson Museum of Art,  was throwing out.  It would not fit in my SUV in its 7 foot stature, so, after trying  for 1 hour and a half we took it apart.  Guess what? They don't make fans like they used to. It weighs as much as two little children. Ha, almost the size of me and Dino, two 5' 2" little old children.

                  

We tried to be cute before we left. It didn't really work. I made him carry around this bowl I made and then take a photograph in front of this amazing art horse.  The things I put him through...

             

I was thinking of putting Dino's work on Etsy?? I don't know.  It is so good to have him here and to know he is in a safe warm home.

Seeing Red...In the loveliest way...

Perception is a very interesting thing.  Our interactions with people, our surroundings, even the beauty in our own lives...We interpret it all through our own perception...

It seems that, not only because I am in a Valentine's Day mood,  I have been seeing a lot of red. In things I own, in magazines, even in recent treasure finds...I have fallen in love again with red.  I had become used to it, red was just a regular part of daily bright colored life for me... But it has tugged on my skirt again, reminding me how lovely a color it is.  And, it seems to be lurking around everywhere... I flipped open my February/March 2007 Issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion only to find red walls and a paper dress on a vintage mannequin...WOW. I fell instantly in love...You must get this issue! It is so fun, as they all are...

                        

That paper dress is just fantastic!!  The article speaks of decorating your home with favorite art and mementos to tell your own story. My philosophy is, my home is my sanctuary, and I fill it with items that make my heart soar...

                        

                        

I am totally loving the ideas the Home Companion magazine is sharing and hope people read those little blurbs that could change their own perceptions of what they should surround their homes with.  The words, Highly irregular, There are no rules, Declare a Mismatch, It's all about you, Curiouser and Curiouser...and so on, infuse each page...Isn't that fantastic?  What great phrases to help you change your own perceptions of what you can do with your home.

Here is a little tid-bit of the loves that live in my home bedroom.  When I was in my early twenties someone said, the trick to collections is only buying what you really love...

                                  

Ooops Side note: A visitor...In this hidden studio land, what?!?  Oh yes, it is Cinderella's Revenge herself, who by the way, crafts the most wonderful little felt totes...I must leave for a moment and make her a veggie sandwich and heat up some of that lovely Lentil soup...I adore visitors at my studio/loftish space, it is so far, guests are rare!!!

                      

Wow, what a lovely addition to my day.  I fed my little Cinderella sister and then, since I only had her for  One hour-and-a-half I decided we had to do something craftsy. 

                      

So, after she was well fed and quite content, I handed her a little espresso cup, a chocolate covered honeycomb, and we were off, ten steps and three stairs to the studio...I decided on a lovely finger puppet making extravaganza.  Immediately, we were on a mission, dancing and singing and crafting, but never once speaking...She would hop 3 steps over to the sewing machine, throw in a few stitches and then hop back, sewing by hand and enthralled with all the little bundles of thread she had to choose from...Knowme was having a great time also...

                      

      

      

It was almost like we were in a race to make the best little finger puppets we could make in a very very short period of time.  I decided to make a little head with a Paper towel and wrap tape around it. I painted it and hung the head to dry while I made a dress...We knew  these would not be our craftiest treasures ever, but they were sure fun to make...I wanted to add much more to mine, but Cinderella had to leave, her clock had struck 12:00 and it was pumpkin time...The results...Cinderella crafted Little Punk 80's owl and I crafted little  funny neckless shiny dress lady...

                           

                           

                           

             

It was time for my family friends to leave...How sad.  Douglas, Cinderella's Miniature Pinscher, was outside playing and we had to go get him.  My little "once upon a yard sale dog," Baby, was out there playing with Doug.  When we approached the pups they were so cute we tried to photograph them. It was hilarious, the second we said picture, they stopped playing, which was the shot I wanted, and actually sat for a picture. HA.  Those silly pups.

                      

Well, my day took a fun turn.  And, I left you all with the idea of Seeing Red. 

I asked Mr. Lovee, does me saying "seeing red"  sound like I am angry?  He came back with a red Halls cough drop bag...It was very red.  He put it close to my face. He said "look at this" I said, "ya," he said "Does this make you angry?" I said, "No." Then he walked away...Mr. Lovee is like my own personal ancient guy recounting Chinese proverbs and teaching me endless "wax-on, wax-off" lessons...He has taught so many, they could go on forever...

I went around looking at other red things at the loftish space...It is a fact, red is all around.  And red is good. My perception is that Seeing Red is a wonderful love inducing warmth filling feeling. What about for you???

      

                   

All weekend I have been painting, painting, painting.  I am giddy waiting to show them all to you!!!  Maybe Etsy is closer than I thought??

The "Tea Party Mood" & Artsy things

I was going to re-cap the fun I had yesterday with all of you, but why re-cap when the party can continue!! Yesterday was dreamy and Risa was the most wonderful hostess.  I was totally Tea Party Prepared...Then I realized!  I had to leave during the height of the tea party and missed so much!!! I even missed full enjoyment of my own tea sipping...

                 

                 

So, when I got back to my loftish space last night, I put on my favorite comfy clothes and the only "Tea Shoes" I had with me at the studio....And started  my very own evening tea party, which I intend to carry on throughout the weekend...While I paint and create of course...

                           

As for last night...I had some lovely sips, I even hid in the powder room and sipped... 

                                           

I was attempting my dainty sipping skills.  Enjoying my dainty tea. Then I remembered...In  my  gallery was that favorite princess tea mug I had made...Oh and we had some liqueur...I  could add it to my Orange Spice tea....It would be perfect.  I was done with the dainty little cup...I meant business now!! I ran outside in the cold to my gallery.  As I grabbed the cup, I decided to grab one of my tea-pot creations to share also...

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 

Now it was time for the fun to begin.  Then the phone rang.  Mr. Lovee...He was still at the office, and would be for 2 more hours.. Woo-Hoo!!!! Crazy alone tea-time.  He already thinks I am nutzz.  I think he thinks we are all a bunch of nut-cakes...Although, I must say, he got a huge kick out of the Jungle Dream Pagoda's New Year's party!!  back to the tea thing....

                                 

Oh my goodness....What I discoverd for myself this lovely cold evening....I was  successful...I spent the rest of the  night making tea party stops and enjoying my new found tea creation.  I deserved it after my long long day of clients, accountants, bad drivers on the road and way too many errands.

I woke up this morning with the decision that I would have a weekend of tea and treats and I would work on my teeny tiny painting, which I am loving and wish I had done on a canvas instead of canvas board(she'll be in Etsy one day)...and maybe even whip up a few rows  in this never ending "Longest blanket in the world" that I have been working on crocheting for a year-and-a-half.

                              

                              

                              

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I am having so much fun with you all!!!I love talking to you and peeking into your little fabulous worlds...Thank you everyone for sharing!! I am off to create something, and maybe even hit "The Golden Goose" thrift shop...Vanessa

Ready for a Tea Party

Tea parties make my heart sing.  So, in honor of Risa's Friday Tea Party , I am getting out the "good stuff." I am now feeling extra excited for my and Cinderella's very own real life Valentine's Day Tea Party ( Queen of hearts, Mad Hatter tea party to be exact). 

The candy tree is getting ready, for Risa's lovely Tea Party.  Get out the Tea cups and sparkly jewels...A Tea party is the perfect time to drench yourself  in your fancies that you rarely get to wear.

                     

I think I am going to bring two of my favorite little friends that live in my Branch Tree.  They are from FG & Co., and so lovely indeed.

                      

                      

I even collaged myself into a little FG&Co. card to share a big cake plate of cherries.  I am also wearing my sparkly headband (I think it's a stray from the eighties) and added a victorian flower.  Oh yes, and I am bringing my own Tea cup...See it there??

                      

I must make sure all the tea cups are clean...And then, try to choose some jewels...Maybe my huge "diamond" ring...The one that lives in the glass case....

                      

                        

         The tea cups look ready to sip from....Now for the jewels...

                      

Well, I think I wore that big honker of a ring to my last tea party, so maybe I should try something else this time....

                                     

Oh yes, now I think I have some jewels all picked out!!!! That is the funnest part!!! I never let anyone have a tea party at my house without jewels. And, if they don't have any, then they have free reign to choose from my vast collection...I think I am going to do extra sparkly for Risa...

                      

Ah, yes.  I am feeling very very glam.  What FUN!!!!!  I wish we were in the Victorian era and we could dress up and wear these jewels everyday....Although, I must say, I am known to go over the top a tad-bit, in my daily jewel choices...hehe...As for attire, I think I will wear my orangy lacey skirt....

                        

Well, I think we are ready for tea.  I can't think of anything else, oh WAIT!!!! The dessert!!!!I have little white chocolate and rasberry mice!!

                        

Okay, we are set.  What do you lovelies think????  See you at Risa's...I think she'll be delighted with this good-sport!!??

Recovering from Strangeness...

Recovering from strangeness can be very interesting.  I have been totally enjoying my BlackApple prints (received yesterday)  and AshleyG  (KittyGenius) prints so very much.  And, in the midst of my strange stressfulness yesterday I was able to purchase two BlackApple originals and a little pirate doll, whew they went so super fast!!! I tried to get Foxgirl for Knowme. I guess it just was not meant to be...sorry Knowme...

                        

I took a drive home today, and visited my piano (La Pianola), which I miss terribly, and my books...I have been spending all of my time at my loftish space, where my studio and little gallery are...It is only a 30 minute drive.  But, it is a drive into the hills from town...It feels very far.  Still, I am torn. I love both places so much.  And, if I can't create I can't exist. So I opt for the Studio.

                      

I enjoy playing every night...And my keyboard, fancy as it is, just isn't the same as La Pianola herself.  Books are my obsession. I can not enter a bookstore without leaving with a long long receipt and a young man helping me carry books out to my car. (This is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the amount of books I own, Yikes!)

                      

                     

I also admired my Wendy Addison heart Garland (which is still up from last year) and was very glad that I did not bother taking down any of my Valentine treasures from last year!!  CinderellasRevenge and I are having a "Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatters Tea Party" for Valentine's day, so these hearts sparked the party favor/decoration making vibe. (I purchase my Wendy Addison loves at a stunning shop in Tucson, "Bon", but you can purchase online at Bayberry Cove also.  They carry Wendy Addison.)

                         

                         

I will leave you with the annoying strange trauma.  It occurred as follows...

The week was off to a great start...Knowme, Birthday parties, warm days....But then, Monday night on the way to the party, I couldn't find my keys.  I blew it off, and thought, "I'll find them when I get back."  Tuesday I was having a lovely morning getting ready to start a teeny painting...When I decided we needed a grocery run, Mr. Lovee had already gone to work...That is when I got sucked into a dark abyss...My keys. They were still missing, I had forgotten they were missing the night before...I was stranded in the country.  Car keys, house keys, clients keys, office keys, mailbox keys, and on and on.  Missing.

                           

I started the typical "lost key locations" key search.  This was at about 12 noon.  It was fast becoming clear.  No keys. 3:00 PM  major search underway. No keys.  7 PM no keys.  House torn apart, couches, chairs, outside, inside, car, studio, loft.  No Keys.  9PM no Keys.  Midnight. Total Panic.  Tears.  Chest pains. Anxiety.  3PM no Keys.  Mr. Lovee tucked me in. Promised he would find them the next day if I went to sleep. 

6 AM, shower.  Prayers. Numb. Wondering, what next. Reality. Anxiety.  So, I went for a stroll around the yard.  My mom lives 2 hours away. But, I could smell her. Her perfume. Her lovely Mommy smell. Comfort.   I walked around to see if someone was around me, no one. I prayed again....Then, I went back inside. Shock! There they were. On the table. Right on the table. The table that had nothing on it but a couple of magazines. Mr. Lovee was shocked, baffled. His eyes full of tears.  Needless to say. I am exhausted today.  What do you do when you lose your keys like that?  Or your wallet or your purse. How can we stay calm?  I literally made myself sick. 

So, I am back to normal.  I feel like I lost 2  1/2 days of my life though.  And, really, where were those keys? How did they get there?   I did pray like crazy...Later I found out...There had been a huge car accident down the road from me...Just about the time I was getting ready to leave the day the keys went missing..Noonish...Divine Intervention?  Then, I went to see my little artist friend today, Dino...And he said, "Thank God you are here." I asked why.  He said" Yesterday I had to put awful thoughts out of my head, I kept tripping myself out, thinking you had died in a car accident."  Well, I don't know what to think about all this...You tell me...

I was happy to have my keys back today.  I was happy to be able to just get in my car and drive to my townhouse.  I strapped Knowme in the car seat.  It was a nice end to a stressful 2  1/2 days. Dino went with us.. We had Sushi for dinner.  We especially loved visiting with my treasure of all treasures. A life size Virgin Mary-esque wood mermaid.  Kind of like The Secret Life of Bees....

See you all soon. Thanks for reading this long harrowing blog.

                           

                           

                           

PS:  Sometimes when my mom visits me she freaks me out about the strange creature things I drag home.  I mean come on...Could they really mean what they say??? I don't think so? (Picture below)

                             

A Gorgeous Sunny Creative Day & Knowme's Makeover

Today is a beautiful bright day.  Knowme is delighted! He had a lovely makeover.  Thank You for all your tips and interest in little Knowme.  Risa had great color ideas ( I did go cool tone, with a violetish).

                                               TA-DA!

                        

Jungle Dream Pagoda posted the most fabulous comment and was so intuitive about the song Knowme sang...  JungleDreamPagoda:  Lovely story. Was this the song he sang?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyjbmA0EN-w 

Knowme even carries around a little painter's palette. He is quite the little artiste.

                        

Knowme got to go to his first Birthday Party last night.  We decided since he had never been to one, we would let him celebrate his own first Birthday.  (Pictures of the party at the end of today's blog).

I am having a lovely day, drawing, painting and doing research.  My kind of research is quite dreamy. Delving into all sorts of art books & magazines (Somerset Studio winter 2007  top left in photograph). Knowme is being creative too, painting his boat...

             

   

I am also loving my KittyGenius prints (two to the left), and am totally impressed with the quality. The Canvas is wonderful AshleyG!

         

I am perfecting leafless trees and hairdo's with twisty buns today (painting that is).

You have to check out MaryContrary's lovely jewel treasures!  I am wanting that typewriter necklace!! And The Artist Herself, The Black Apple, is putting up many new lovelies for sale today.  Waiting  totally impatiently...

Happy Birthday to Mr. Ireland. We had a lovely tiny party last night.  The food was scrumptious. Jasper's of course.  I mean, Saguaro shaped corn bread?? Love It! And the dessert they gifted my guest was unbelievable. Thank You Jasper's! Oh and talk about serendipity.  Mr. Ireland, who has asked not to be blogged about, is from County Cork.  He has only lived in the states about 5 years.  Well, he misses his home often. So, I was at the Golden Goose. Best thrift store ever! And found this book...Guess what? I didn't even know this until last night...It was signed by the author and had some internet papers in it that talked about the book's ties to Cork.  Someone had even written the word "Corkman."  Was that perfection??? Wild I'd say....See you soon!!!

                           

The Curious Visitor

Today began with all the normal things...Exercise, coffee, getting dolled up (or not), clients, e-mail, blogging, phone calls and the decision of how to frame this wonderful old print.

But then...The strangest tune, a curious melody calling me... It was coming from outside...

                        

I peeked outside and saw nothing.  But then, the little flutish tune again.  I went to the stairs, and looked down at the stone walkway.  There is where it all began.  A strange little visitor.

                        

He wore a sign.  It said...

                        

"Hello." Then a very strange script or symbol. "I live with you, Please."  "I am   Knowme" (pronounced, Know - me).

I was confused about how  Knowme got here,  and why he wanted to live with us, although lovely as it is, he was leaving his whole world behind.  Just then the "yard sale acquired dog, previously named Baby" appeared and helped to explain to me what Knowme had gone through to get here.

          

Knowme was born in a warm land called Jinktinblab that had a garden with the most exquisite and magical flowers and trees.  He was a craftsman making toys and dolls for the Jinktinblab children.  One day Knowme was at the beautiful Jinktinblab Ocean trying out the new toy boats he had made.  He saw something floating in the waves,  a bottle. 

There was a note in the bottle. It read, "Job Openings at the North Pole, looking for master toy makers, job includes warm cushiony velvety bed, all the food you can eat, buffet all day everyday and paid vacation of 60 days - off between April and May."

                      

Knowme thought. Wow, that is for me. So he built a boat that could sail in the water waves or in the waves of the wind.  He said sad good-byes and sailed off to the North Pole.  But it was cold. It was dark. And there were many many master toy makers there. Knowme didn't like the pressure.  He stayed for 2 weeks.  He had heard from another master toy maker of  a place called Catalina Island.   You could live in a tree, look onto the ocean, and all these large creatures, called humans, would buy all your toys straight from you as they came off the boats.  Well, Knowme had dreamed of seeing the faces of people buying little toys directly from him like in Jinktinblab, instead of through a middle man, like at the North Pole.  The next day he headed off to Catalina Island.

                           

Alas, the Voyage was rough. He caught the wrong wind.  He was taken to Catalina...But not Catalina Island.  Instead he found himself in Catalina, Arizona.  He crashed into a rose bush in "The Secret Garden at Songbird Lane."   Baby was the first one to find him...Knowme asked if he could stay.  Baby told him there would be quite a  trial to undergo at the Secret Garden.  There were many garden keepers to clear his stay with before he could even ask me if I would allow his stay.   As there was no way his boat could make it any farther and he had lost his magic tools along the way he decided he really wanted and needed to live at the Secret Garden. So, the trial began...

                        

His first step was to go passed the giant cactus who guards the  "Tree of Life" herself. She is awaiting the birth of new limbs for Spring and is in a very fragile state.  She told him to go talk to the guardians at the crossroads who would lead him to the poet who had lost his head.  He would know the answers.

                        

The guardians at the crossroads told him "Yes, you must speak to the headless poet, but if he is in a bad mood because of his headache, he will send you away. You must hope and pray that he is well today and will lead you to the "Sanctuary of Faith."

                           

The poet was a bit cranky, but delighted that a master toy maker would be visiting the Secret Garden and could possibly assist in the attachment of his head...So, he approved Knowme's visit to the "Sanctuary of Faith."

                         

Knowme, being of peaceful voice and simple gestures, impressed the guardian at the "Sanctuary of Faith." They granted Knowme one chance to perform a huge feat, climbing to the top of the mine-less winding miner's windmill.  They encouraged Knowme and allowed his guide, Baby, to take a few pictures at the sanctuary, for his scrapbook, of course...

      

So, they were off to find the Towering Windmill. However, there was one more catch.  Knowme had to take a sample of the air at the top of the Windmill to the Gatekeeper at the "Peaceful Buddha Aloe Garden. "

                           

Knowme succeeded.  He was now on his way with the sample of air, to prove his desire to live at the Secret Garden, to the Gatekeeper of the "Peaceful Buddha Aloe Garden."

                        

Knowme spoke to the Gatekeeper. And over his shoulder, Knowme caught the hint of a gentle smile from the Buddha.  Knowme had made it. 

                         

Now, Knowme  had to play a special tune, in order to get my crazy fast-paced attention...And he did...

                        

I think Knowme will be a creatively positive asset at the studio.  He is of course, a master toy maker, you know.  I decided to introduce him to Peckles, at the Orange Tree Village.   Knowme is staying for now...We are making some creative decisions in the studio and working on framing that lovely old print.

               

      

The only thing is, Knowme has one burning request of me...And I am not sure I will make the right decision. I need your help...He wants to change his appearance...He says he likes bright colors and lots of stripes....Got any Ideas????Hope it is safe and sound for Knowme here.  I told him we would go on lots of adventures....we will see....

Off to the studio. For real this time...Oh and I am going to try to make a three layer Birthday Cake for someone... V

Branches, Faces, Busy Bugs, Restored Treasures - Oh My!

  The Favored  Branch, dancing with its friend the "Lovely French Hotel Door" has officially said farewell to its Christmas Vintage bulbs and Wendy Addison Glittery Snowflakes...And in the same breath opens its fragile arms to Devilish Angels and Lovely Fish, amongst others...And yes, The Branch has decided to stay forever, for now...

               

I am slow and sad to say good-bye to Holiday ornaments. However, I decided that miniature Christmas balls in teal and pink can stay up all the time...Some silver and gold too...What do you think?

            

I wish you could see what I see when I open my little eyes in the morning...I see dots of light fluttering on the walls, sparkling from my lovely Branch...

                      

And, the Devilish Ornaments Emerge...They've had a rough trip...from the little shop, into the carpet bag, and finally at their new home...To meet the mermaids, fish, stars, and oh so many others...

                     

I am having quite a lot of fun with my little tree...Although my anxiety to get into the studio and work is starting to boil over...OH YES!! Must not forget my new little friends...Cinderella gave me the most wonderful Birthday gift!! Busy Bugs!! I love them... and they dance to one of the little tunes Cinderella remembers me playing on the piano...the theme to Love Story...You also get to see my disastrous dressing table and a couple pics of me and Mr. Lovee, who would like to remain anonymous...wink...

                         

               

I LOVE these little guys...You should see them spin and dance...They are from a fabulous toy shop in Tucson called "Yikes!" ( which Cinderella used to be a part of) They have all sorts of wonderful unusual toy items there...You would love spending extended amounts of time in this little shop!!!

I spent 2 hours yesterday cleaning 60 or more years of soot off of my typewriter. I used a toothbrush, a vacuum brush... Everything I could think of... The numbers still stick...I have had it for 2 years and all of a sudden became obsessed with making it work...I hid my little hand inside of it.. and that little heart you see the hand holding...it is a traditional heart in my world...You see, Mr. Lovee paints a little rock shaped like a heart either red or fuchsia for every important occasion.  My Birthday, etc. This one is the most recent acquisition. Funny enough, they started really big and are getting smaller and smaller...I think I have 6 to date...This one lives here, in my loftish space. At the townhouse I have a handful...You'll see them one day...

                             

The cabinet the typewriter sits on is one that all the men in my life told me was trashed.. would never work...it has been washed, hammered, screwed, and scrubbed...I was handed a can of cherry varnish and sent off after Dino (exquisite delights about Dino to come very soon) made the final repair...Guess what? I took my little satin varnish I use on my paintings to it...And the weathered awful look of my cabinet went away...its natural color emerged. I love it!!! I used no cherry wood stain. Nothing, just water soluble simple varnish. One coat and I am in love!

                  

My palm-of-the-hand size "Good-egg Bad-egg" tree (which I made myself) and I are sitting here...Thinking it really is time to go see if "Little Miss Tea Stained gown's"  face is dry so that we can start with lips and eyes...Speaking of tea stained ("Inside the Black Apple" blogged about this a few days ago)...I would have to say that I am a pro at it. Ask if you need tips. I think next week I will do a little tea staining tutorial.  For this gown, I hated it just off-white, so, I tea stained it after the fact, with a spray bottle tea concoction!! It was fantastic.. Easy! and I love the results....You?  (it is great in person)

                  

Forgot to puff up those wacky hand stitched insane sleeves for your viewing pleasure...Insane because of the way I sewed them into place for 3 hours...While already on the body. I was a little backwards with this one...Live and learn...

I almost forgot!! Have to make a little gift for Mr.Ireland.  The Lightning Engineer himself.  He is back from County Cork Ireland, causing havoc in the skies in his plane - and just called to remind me of the fine day he was born all those years ago, which is looming (I am horrid at B-days, all my lovelies know to remind me, I guess because my gifts are so thoughtful, more thoughtful than my memory??) How many years ago are we talking about??? maybe only 33?or 32? or 28?  ps: He is going to kill me when he sees this picture. hehe.  I made him ride this bull in "Old Tucson" during Halloween "Nightfall" and then I snapped a pic. Happy Birthday Doll!!

                                 

I am off to the studio...Ten steps and three stairs away...

Today is the day for Gothic Splendor, Dollhouses and Art by Children

In the search for inspiration, I came across something more like, looking in a pond and reflecting... (Pictures from a stroll I took through Gallery Row in Santa Fe.)

                

                            

In reflecting, I found myself sitting on the floor, surrounded by books and magazines,  old and new.  I found there are definitely specific styles I always fall in love with.  Although I enjoy light and bright colors and young sprite-ey flounciness...I truly find that my soul gravitates to a style that was almost precisely brought forth in the "House & Garden" November 2006 issue of "The Well Lived Life."  I took some photographs of those pages that I fell in love with...tattered as they are becoming from all the infatuated page turns they have been through.(devilishly grinning)

 

                      

I love Curiosities, strange unusual things, and what I would call Gothic Romance, but would agree wholeheartedly with the better title that "House & Garden" uses of "Gothic Splendor."  I find my townhouse looking like what visitors brought vividly to my attention several times as, "Oh my, Your house looks like a museum!"  But, I don't care.  Call it clutter if you must, call it junk if you want, call it unusual.  I call it wondrous tragedy.  What will I ever do with it all, but cackling, I love it all too much to part with it!  Okay, my insane side is dabbling about, so away it goes for now...(I crazily always add more, which is why I can't wait for my Magic Jelly prints to get here!!!Those will be in my loftish space, not at the townhouse. (Yippee). You can see snipettes of the chaos at home in "Paint everywhere."

Switching speeds...I adore dollhouses! My sister and I have always had them. My mother has filled our lives with life-like fairies, dollhouses and every other fairy-tale dream thing a girl could want...Sooo, I did it. I bought a three story electrified dollhouse.  I owe you pictures.  I had to put it away for a couple weeks while we prepare for guests...But then, today looking through the new Jan/Feb 2007 "Elle Decor" magazine I found huge inspiration and anxiousness to get my doll house renovated!!  I saw a teeny picture of a wonderful dollhouse on page 99.  I wish all mommies who have girly girls would do what mine did and fill their daughters lives with fantasy and sparkle. (I will keep you posted on my doll house) Please, if you have any dollhouse Stories, tell me about them!!!...

                           

In the same "Elle Decor" issue I cam across "kid art" in a kitchen vignette (pg 125).  It reminded me of the most wonderful pieces of art I own.  Where did I get them??? Wellllll, I held my friends kids hostage and made them paint.."Paint Children, Paint!"  Okay, I am kidding, but they do love to make art, so, I let them ( The O'Brien children) do 6 pieces on beautiful canvas with my delicate brushes...And yes, I did keep the star item for myself.  I love it!!  I kind of commissioned my own piece... I drew a couple of the characters and gave them ideas of the other creatures I hoped to see... and they did the rest. here is the master-piece...Waiting to be framed.

                         

Well, I am heading off to do one client visit.. and then, to begin the process of lining drawers and cabinets with lovely gift wrapping paper I have aquired over the years (and recently).  The chandelier  paper is from "Old Navy" ( I had not even every really shopped in there, but spotted the paper and... PS: they had alot of fancy chandelier print things, I got Cinderella some of her own for X-mas) The Black and white, I know same design as the teal, is from "Borders" bookstore...The teal and gold and the fruits and cakes are from the shop I continuously rave about in Tucson, Bon.

                

       

              

The Merry Wonderment

Getting ready to create more little Sgraffito hand-built pinch plates & having all kinds of thoughts...

                        

            

As we come into this New Year, I think about motivation, pressure and sometimes self-wonderment.  Where does all of the pressure come from.  Is our world one big pressurized sphere waiting to explode.  Or does pressure well up inside us and propel us to create our wildest dreams?  Sometimes I have to step back and take a deep breath...And sometimes little stories from other people spark the beauty in our own realities...and cause a huge sigh of bliss...

                           

We started the year with Mr. Lovee's 1952 Kay Upright Bass and fluid tunes...I re-found my favorite Ryan Farish songs, like "living water".  I have such a vast array of songs I love.  Unbelievable how much I vary actually.  From very old to everywhere...Do you Sometimes find that  you get sick of songs, and then you re-hear them much later and they remind you of  your own little soundtrack to your life?

                        

On another note...Call me totally square but, yes it is true.  I did not have an iPod until this Christmas.  I am still a vinyl girl.  I love old records and I really had no reason to plug in, in the iPod way.  But yes, I was gifted a fantastic iPod from my parents who give gifts like Santa on nut-cake pills.  They are amazing. They still do the whole Santa thing, plus gifts from themselves seperately. Is that phenomenal?  My mother is wonderfully obsessive. She is so hip, she gifts items that I don't even know exist. And, they blow my mind!! Dad gets credit just for being involved in her gift choices!  I am a lucky girl.  So, back to my iPod - I have been obsessively living in the iTunes store and loving all of the music I adored in the 80's.  Like a-ha and Talk Talk, and Morissey.  But, I was never a listener of their popular stuff... I loved a-ha's songs like "living a boy's adventure tale" & "blue sky."  Okay, I'll stop. Still, I found myself at the actual vinyl record player today in love with my favorite, Bob Marley and "could you be loved."

Back to the arts.  I have all of these little creatures dancing around in my head. They pull on my heart strings...I have a line of greeting cards that are all original drawings that are painted and glitterized individually...They are carried at Bon.  A fabulous little shop in Tucson.  Very Wendy Addison. So, it is time to create a few more of those...And also,  get on Etsy.  I am moving much much slower than expected.  Yet I am totally swamped.  Here is an example of some of the cards and some of my new little friends and creations (they are just in the thought stage, very very early)...Sending you all great amounts of positive artistic vibes!!!!Create Always!!

                        

         

And, this little altar is lovely in person!  The colors are so dreamy and the gold leaf flakes I massaged into it make it lovelier....

         

And, last, for now...I was obsessed with two artists today.  I had a million things to do but their work put me right over the edge...I saw some of this work in New Mexico last summer. Unreal!!! I was just as captivated today...If  you have not, you must see - Lynden Saint Victor & Mark Ryden. Enjoy!