A Fanciful Twist

The Show Must Go On...

The time is almost here.  A day and a half to get it all wrapped up. No matter what, there comes a time when you have to say, I have done all I can and I just can not do anymore....The Show must go on...200 cards IS enough. I think? They just go soo fast...

        

                   Now to cello package and seal and hang...

      

I have some more tweaking to do in the gallery. But, I have pretty much exhausted myself into psychosis.  I am on the verge of a cold and I have to work in the real world all day today and part of tomorrow.  I will not be seeing any of you for a few days.  But, I will be back to blogland on Monday for sure.  I have so much catching up to do. I am having withdrawl symptoms!!!

The last minute brilliant idea...Or so I thought at the time?  Use my bird cage for jewels??? And the shredded music notes from MizSmoochieLips....And some feathers.....And, Voila....that is not the jewelry piece I will use, that one has a different spot, but it gives us an idea...

      

      

Hang the cards, and hang my little screen girl, who was created to cover the book laden shelves in my shop.

      

Adusting some of my hanging.  Making sure plates are not going to fall out of their little holders.

      

When I was at the craft store picking up more little plate hangers, I found these little teeny stands! I am so in love with them.  I think they are adorable and hold the little plates just perfectly.  I still can not believe I dissected a vintage dictionary for my paper covered canvas'.  You would not believe the terms and words in this dictionary.  Just be more careful than me.  Why?  Well, that little painting above with "super bake girl..."  I found some lovely words on this one page. So, I used it for the cake section.  As I was painting, I realized, I also had the word "poop" on the same page....Not funny. Okay, a little funny. Okay, Mr. Lovee laughed alot...

      

Trying to find a good way to hang cards was tough.  So, I went with my wire hanging clothes pin look.  I am just maxed out on space.  This will just have to do.

      

Mr. Lovee took the day off to make the yard look pretty.  Him(Mr. Lovee with the long curly hair) and Mark(our friend), are out in the yard working away.  Mr. lovee just ran into a branch and gashed his forehead open. yes, blood and all...We were laughing at how my short self can walk under all the branches without a problem, but he slams into all of them....Poor guy...As I am looking at the pic below I am laughing because, well, those are not the branches I can walk under without a problem.  That would only make me 2 feet tall.  So, please don't get confused there... heee heee.  I am 5' 3" on a good day, without heels (5'2" on a regular day).  But, seeing as how I wear heels everyday, people think I am about 5' 5".  I have them all deceived...

      

      

First sign of true Spring as far as I am concerned, are these tender little eggs in nests....How cute.

      

Of course, I had to throw in my daughter, the model.  See how I taught her to tilt her head to the side, her best side of course...

      

So, off I go, venturing.  We all know how much I love that.  And, then back here to work away...Yikes!!  But, I must mention the delight that inhabited my garden...I do believe we are in the midst of a faerie takeover! They have come from the garden of the lovely Miss Amanda Button of, Pandora's Button Box....Boy, are these faeries smart!  They found the first flower of the season on the rose bush!!!  Is that a  little egg I spy?? Mr. Lovee is in love with that little egg.  I think he might steal it for himself! He just gushed over it!!! Thank you sweet girl! We love it!

      

      

      

I know I have said it before.But, you girls are so super special and supportive.  What a great little space I have found here with you all.  Thank you so very much.  See you in a few days!!!! I adore seeing some new faces in my little world!  Thanks for stopping by!  It sure adds a magical glimmer to my day!!!

Tic Toc, Tic Toc

I must admit.  My little gallery is one of my most favorite places in the world.  It's a bit funny, and strange.  Which is probably why I love it all the more.  I was in there late last night, trying to get things wrapped up, as I have a busy week in other realms.  How is it that you can be wishing to be busier, and then be so busy, your head is bound to pop off of your body?

I feel so close to each and every piece.  I do in fact make every piece in my little gallery/shop (to answer a few questions on that).  So, it isn't exactly easy to part with everything.  I know it is silly.  Oh and, the big head sculptures/jelly bean holders are in their last stages of going into the kiln for the 2nd time. So, it looks like I will have them for the show. Here are a few pictures of my progress in the gallery...

      

The pics are a bit dark because I took these really early in the morning. I have yet to put in my jewel creations. I will save those for last.  And, all the cards and prints are being finished up now....You know, the glitter.  It never stops sparklin around here.  Even when you want it to stop, for a bit of sparkle free air...

      

I made a dress for my mannequin.  It is much deeper and lovelier color in person.  I went up to pay for the silk (indian), and it was like, $21.99 a yard. YIKES! I had had 4 yards cut, not to mention, tons of others... Oh well....

      

             

I owe you better pictures. I am just delighted with my little curtains.  I sewed little buttons on to each side for the ties.  The next photos are just a montage of some of my favorite creations. Maybe they will end up in my Etsy shop? Now, that would be fun!

        

      

      

      

        

      

I am chewing and typing and getting dressed all at once.  I have to run.  But I have to tell you about something amazing that totally inspired my week!!!!  The most generous loving MizSmoochielips sent me the greatest package!!!! Thank you sweet Tia!!!!!  You made me happy, and I have almost eaten all the creamy mints! Oops.....Didn't save em for Easter.

      

      

      

      

      

Isn't that wonderful?????  Now, I heard there is a heart thumping little thing happening with fairies in my garden.... I must go peek????? xxo,Vanessa

A Delicious Daydream. Can You Help Me?

In my magazine reading adventures, I find that sometimes the best tips and treasures are not the huge main spreads.  But, more of the teeny little articles thrown in.  One such article threw me into a fit of desire.  I must admit.  I have not been a huge sugar girl my whole life.  I have preferred the chips and dips route. However, my mom, well, she is one of those people that will order one of each of the most delectable desserts at fancy places.  As she says, you know, "just to taste."  And I must say, once you taste really good desserts, your taste buds can really change. That is how I find myself in this desperate daydream....

      

I want, I want, I want a delicious dessert.  I was reading my April issue of House and Garden, minding my own business. When all of a sudden, I read that Mary Canales, a graduate of Chez Pannise and the pastry chef at Alice Walter's Temple of cuisine for 9 years, recently opened Ici. The following H&G article photograph prompted my desire....

        

So, I was wondering....If any of you are in the Berkeley California area, could you please please head over to the Elmwood district and have one of these desserts for me?  I promise if you eat it with me in mind, you won't have to count any of the calories????  Just take your credit card and go have as many as you want.. hee hee....

      

But wait!  I have options!  In my googling of Ici I found a great blog Bay Area Bites, that had a great post which spoke of Ici & Tartine.... Okay! Now I am on major dessert desire overload. I must get the Tartine pastry book!!! Anyhow, ppplease, go to one and enjoy yourself, then come and tell me all about it!! But, I need Details!!!! I do not really know my way around San Francisco that well, however, Tartine is located at 600 Guerrero Street @ 18th.  So, if you are close... get closer and munch!!! The rest of us are waiting for your report with breath that is bated...

       

As soon as the show is over, I am having a dessert party, even if it is alone at The Cup Cafe (above, pic taken from here), which is located in the Hotel Congress.  A wonderful place you should visit if you are ever here in Tucson.  It also houses one of the only nightclubs I will visit in town, Club Congress.

Then I am going thrifting.  As my inspirations for such are very high, after reading the 2nd article of intrigue in the March 2007 Domino Issue, titled, "Secondhand (love) story."  About Linda and John Meyers who have turned their thrifting passion into an amazing interior-design biz! My Dream! Below, check it out!  Now wait, it gets better! John does custom art, send in a pic of you, your pets, anything and he will make you a custom portrait!!!! Check it out WARYMEYERS.com.

      

      

I think I will take a short cuddle (after a warm shower, like Risa) in my cushy bed, with my new favorite calming pillow.  It is a tiny little thing that is one of my favorite possessions right now. It is 3 parts cushy, one part lavender, I think?  Whatever it is, I have had it by my nose since it arrived and I love it!!

      

Guess who it is from?  It is from the lovely & charming, amongst many other things, Bitter Betty.  My name (1 outta 3) was picked to help celebrate her blogiversary!  Happy belated Blogiversary Bitter Betty!!! Yippee! And there was more...Lucky me!!!

               

                           

I hope you are having delightful days!!!!  Thanks for sticking with me during this busy show preparation time!!! I really appreciate it!  It means alot to see your smiling comments!!! xxo,Vanessa

ps:  Grin Grin, the pieces are out of the kiln.. Oh my GOOoooddddddness!! They are fun!!!!! After the show, they will go into the Etsy shop regularly!!!!

      

pss: Another treasure in the mailbox!  Can't wait to tell you about it!!!!

Caught a Light Sneeze

This is going to be strange. So, strap in and make sure you have your helmet on.  Yes, Caught a Light Sneeze, today's title, is a reference to Tori.  I will get to that in a second though, because, remember that bikini weather we were having?  90+ degrees?  (I painted a mascot, Ha)

      

It made things bud and multiply.  Then, the strangest thing happened.  The weather got gloomy. Just as I was on my way to the post office. Yippeee!!!!  I love the post office now!!!

      

So, the weather got really gloomy and the winds were out of control.  20 degree drop in weather!!Needless to say, the sneezing and slight coughing were on at full speed.  You should have heard Mr. Lovee's sneezes.  They could make a house tremble.  Not a light sneeze at all...But, let me just say, I am not complaining in the least! I adore this rainy weather, it makes me feel so cozy.  More special than that, it brought in quite the sunset. Straight from heaven, I'd say.

      

      

Can you believe that sky?  Those photos are straight from my camera, no enhancing.  Nature can be so exquisite!!

Okay so, if you don't mind, I'd like to switch speeds completely.  I have a trouble in my mind.  I went to check my e-mail today and I found this (below), which was sent from http://www.toriamos.com/ (is it okay to post such a pic? hope I don't get in trouble! yikes!) It is regarding Tori's new album, American Doll Posse.

      

I am the first to admit that I am a die-hard Tori Amos fan.  Especially the 90's stuff and the b-sides.  Being a piano player myself makes me admire her completely.  However, I am concerned.  I love her, and I just don't know what to make of "the girls" who inhabit the songs in the new album.   Do you find that sometimes when you have bonded with early work and personal style of your favorite artist your heart aches for the past???  Mine does.  I am sure Stiletto Heights knows what I am feeling. As she tends to bond quite deeply with characters. 

I guess I am being melodramatic.  I wonder if Tori ever did wear that piece I gave her??? Like I have said... maybe it never even made it into her hands???  So, I always like Tori's work. I also understand that things change, people grow and mature, have children, husbands....And, at some point we all grow up.  I guess I will always hope that the quirky things that make her so wonderful and enhance her work, never change.  No matter how much her personal stylist tries to change her outerlook.  Although, she is quite the fashionable lady on her own. So maybe she makes her own style choices, which would be outrageously interesting!  Example of her wonderfulnness mid-song below!!!

      

            Any opinions? Or did I lose y'all on that one?? Ha!

I am staying up until the wee hours of the night trying to make some Bonjour posters to hang in my teensy gallery.  There is glue on everything I own...I am a master decoupager (so humble). A few years ago I got a hold of everything I own and it either had newspaper or dictionary pages or vintage paraphernalia on it...But between the phone ringing all night and my CD skipping....I was a hilarious disaster.

      

      

           Cheers to a strange mid-week post!!!! xxo,Vanessa