A Fanciful Twist

Nature Girl

You might think I go around every day looking like one of my Luon St. Pierre pieces "Woman in her Drawers."  Which I have added many treasures to...

      

But, the news of that day is... I actually love to run around outside looking like this.

      

I know. Who knew?? Well, the truth is.  If you had told me 7 years ago that I would be ditching my 200+ shoes.  Leaving them to rest at my in town home, never to be used, well.... I would have argued the opposite.  I mean, leave my sparkly shoes behind, and actually opt to spend most of my time in a hot muggy dirty country world??

      

Actually, it happened so gradually I didn't even notice it.  Between the little gallery, my studio, and my own living quarters here, I have not minded one ounce of leaving the girls behind. I mean, the truth is, I can go visit them and take them out on the town any time I'd like, so how can I be sad??  Although, I can't lie, I have a few select pairs with me...

Anyhow, let's take a little outdoors tour of what I have been up to while we have had glorious rain.  Did I tell you, I even spotted a bit of moss here and there??? MOSS!  I love it!!!

Tarantula...

      

Frog...

      

Rain Puddles...

      

Snakes...

      

Collecting Frogs.  Don't worry, I put them back...

      

Green on the normally brown ground...

      

Birds Feasting on Prickly Pears...

      

Beautiful Skies...

      

Rainbows...

      

So, you see why I love it here?  Okay Okay, some of the critters were not so pretty.  But, I like them all the same...

My exotic souvenir from the wonderful, darling and talented, Elizabeth Bunsen of Be...Dream...Play... enforced how you can live in the woods, desert, toolies, and still be glamourous.... I mean, feathers, bottle caps, Pinecones... Didn't you know they are all used by woodland creatures to make lovely jewelry and gowns???

      

      

      

Thank you my wonderful EB!!! I love it all! What a fun exotic treat indeed!!!

Now, I must go back to the studio and "Crrrack that whip..." Oh, and perhaps I should put those tables away...  See you!! xxo

PS:  Hehehe, I am still giggling about this... But, no I am not a hair dresser in the real world.  Everyone asks me that though.  I just kinda figured it out... Also, my dear friend Bennette Martinez, owner of Jabez, in Tucson, Arizona, is my hairdresser (since I was 13).  I just pay attention to what she does ;)  And, sometimes, if I decide I want bright red hair, and happen to do it myself, she doesn't mind spending all night taking me back to dark blonde...That is, after lots of tears on my part...

A Sick World (A Sick Girl)

Where have I been? I went into town for a couple of days, and I caught a cold. But, let's have a little chat anyway, and choose a cozy nook to sit in... Okay, a little space in my kitchen sounds good....

      

Let me just get cozy.  A treat for you and a treat for me...

      

So, I caught a cold.... I think I am just pushing to hard.  I have a real job, an art job, a jewelry job, two homes, a Mr. Lovee, two parents, two siblings, and lots and lots of stuff to do in between (oh and Baby, the yard sale dog).  I thrive on all that action though, so don't worry too much

I have been slow in visiting my friends (that would be, you).  The one thing I swore I would not do. So much for that.  Yes, I feel guilty. It is inherent.  I have no control over it....

Okay, Back to, a bit of what I have been up to. I'll make it quick, as my little space on the couch, with lots of vitamins and kleenex awaits...

See this lady?? With the foils in her hair? She is my wonderful mom.

      

One day this week, I spent the day with her, doing her hair. She only trusts me with her hair.  So, I do it every few months.  It was also part of her birthday gift which is coming up on Tuesday (do not tell her I put this picture of her on my blog).  I decided to stay at my "in town home" for one night, where I have no computer use.  Unless Kristen let's me use hers....

By the way, my mom's hair turned out very cute. She does these adorable hair do's on herself...

      

I then vegged a bit on the sofa. Douglas, Kristen's son, sat on my lap, while I watched television.  My sis pulled up a seat and sat right next to me. Showing me things on her laptop.  It was nice...

It is dark, but there is Douglas, on my lap, to the right....I took the photo in B&W so, I couldn't revert to color...

      

My whole family was at my house.  We laughed and talked, and ate, and ate, and ate.... YIKES. It has been a summer of too many good treats.  Anyhow, just as the action was ending, I caught a bug. Or perhaps it was festering in me...

I am too sneezy to search for more photos in my camera (which I took a lot of), I will share those next time. So, I will leave you with a tale that I shared with a lovely lady recently. She found it amuzing. So, here you go...

As, I lay in bed sick, chewing bubble gum, blowing bubbles... I find it might be the appropriate time to share a story about me... I never learn, do I??? (I asked my mom to refresh the story when I saw her this week)

      

      

On a day much like this day, 26 years ago ( I was 5), I had decided I wanted a pack of strawberry Bubblicious bubble-gum.  I also decided once my mom and I got home, that I would like to put the whole pack in my mouth. 

My mother did not agree with this. She hid the gum in the kitchen.  But, I was quite sly, and knew exactly where she put it.  I then created a plan.  I would beg to sleep in the family room on the sofa.  So, I did my routine, she let me sleep on the couch and my plan was in action.

I waited until it seemed everyone was asleep and I tip-toed to the kitchen.  I found the gum. I took it back to the couch and I promptly unwrapped each one, shoving them in my mouth.  I remember thinking it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be, but hey, I won, right? 

I chewed and chewed and gagged a bit.  And then, I fell asleep.  Yes, with the gum in my mouth.  It was a huge wad, I mean huge wad of gum. Think about it, it was huger than huge in relation to a twerpy 5 year old...

The next morning, I woke up and I knew something was not right.  I tried to get off of the couch. My mom chimes in at this point, saying, I was screaming like girls do in scary movies.

The gum, had fallen out of my mouth, and between my legs.  WHAT??? Yep... It was stuck in there and my legs were sealed shut.  A disaster for sure. I couldn't get up. I couldn't move. 

Now, I don't know why my mom did this, but she took me, hobbling, into Sears.  Sears????  She told a woman what had happened.  The woman gave her some super secret tips, and we were off... Was Sears known for this? Is there something I do not know???

Next thing I know. I am in the shower, my mother handing me a giant jar of Peanut Butter.  I am to take the peanut butter, and put it all over the gum, until the gum starts to fall off.  Gum and Peanut Butter???? OH NO!!!!

But, it worked.  Thank God.

So, why am I sitll chewing bubble gum in bed???

Some things never change....

See you Soon!! xoxoxo

Rain Drops Bring Tales of Little Creatures...

Where on earth have I been? I abandoned my friends for 4 whole days. I think in blog-land years that amounts to, 7? As the story goes, it had been seven long blog-land years since the elf had seen her beloved girls......Alas, she was entranced with the giant rain-drops and the little creatures they brought...

      

Yippee!! We got rain! Rain?? YES, Rain. Finally. However, that meant we lost power for hours. 3 times while trying to write a blog post, to be exact. I took it as a sign and immersed myself here, with my "spinster kit"... Something every good spinster should keep her tools in...

      

I was in the paints for several days too... Although, I have put away my giant lot of oil paints...Why? They are taking too long to dry, and my current obsessions of layering papers and paints, with all their processes, need to dry quickly...

I love saving my Bon Maman jars after we devour the jam. We go through a jar of raspberry every week.... So, I get my fill of jars to use for such things as paint brushes...

      

I also did something huge. You see how that paint palette looks nice and clean above? Well, it weighs about 25 pounds.  As, it houses years of layers and layers of paint... So, I removed everything from on top of it, and flipped it.  Here is the underside.  It literally has rolling hills of paint on it... 

      

I am embarassed to say that, although I have 4 wonderful easels, I am still infatuated with my "painting door." Although, it is looking very very "scary ugly," as is the floor below... Oh well,....

      

Here are some of the friends that I made this weekend.. Which can be found in my, A Fanciful Twist shop, today.

This little girl is vivid in my life right now. She is as Mr. Lovee put it "so adorable." You want to pluck her right out and keep her... She will be part of the A Peculiar Day series. The first which has already gone to live in a lovely home and now this one...

On a Peculiar Day - Reading Fairytales to Mr. Agaricus...

      

      

The next creature toyed with my emotions... Oh, the tales the faun shared... Wanting just one day to galavant in a glorious paper gown...

Obviously, I gave in...I am in love with these colors. The many layers of paint and papers are so fun in person...

The title of this painting is, "The Faun's Nocturne.."

      

      

During the biggest storm of the weekend, I drew a bunch of sea treasures... I sat and sketched them on parchment cardstock, in pencil. I then cut each one out while watching Mansfield Park for the 400th time.  The sea-girl is more of a sea serpent...

I have been reading old accounts of mermaids, as told by sailors. What interesting snippets indeed. In the olden days, the tales of spying mermaids, described them more as serpent like and less fish-like, from what I gather...

      

      

I have so much more to share. However, things are against us, as I just lost this entire blog post and had to attempt to reconstruct before the power goes out again.....Until next time...(no time for typo repairs either.. yikes..)

The topic of change (Warning. I might get a little talk show host on you)

How do things change?  Things in nature change by the simple, yet complex, cycle of life... But, what about human change?  Emotional change?  Change by force? Change by choice? Change by luck?  Change through prayer? 

This could go on and on forever. 

In my fairytale world, I would like to think that little creatures create change. Little tears of love, pouring down the cheeks of a precious "Hada," (the "H" is silent) Causing the most unusual fungi to grow... Dances nurturing life... It is a sweet thought, if not silly...(painting below is in le shoppe)

        

But what about "real world," chaotic, unwanted or even yet, unexpected change?? IS this really me?  These wrinkles?  Do I really need industiral strength knickers?? Will my friends really think I look smarter??? WHAT???? Please, DO NOT ask me if I have been dieting. (photo from corsetiere.com)

      

And, what about a glance in the mirror while getting into the shower.. It might lead you to ask, "Is that me or is that the woman I just saw in my national geographic magazine?"  You know, the one who has not worn a brassiere, well, um, ever???  Or, have we aged every so gracefully?  Those women who grow more beautiful with age?  Perhaps, even having attained the body of our dreams (ya right), but maybe? (AshleyG has a really good tip about Brassiere's)

Where on earth am I going with all of this?  Okay Okay, I am a cake, of the nutty kind. But, you are too for meeting me here like this...  Although, I thank you profously for doing so. (giggling)  Hey, that looks really good! (photo below & Recipe Included from) If you make it, send me some.

Back to the point.  I am entering that sensitive zone of, yes, accessories.  Don't act like you think this is silly.  I know you have been wearing those favorite shoes of yours "forever."  I know, you get a new pair, wear them for a day or so, and revert to the fave, more comfy pair.  I also know, you buy a new hand-bag, sometimes for lots of bucks, and then revert to the old one... C'mon, who are you trying to kid? You know how I know?

Because, I have been reverting back to this bag for 5 years.  You know, my baby, the one that weighs a ton? Remember it here? And, I have 5 pairs of my favorite shoes, which I wear every day. I don't mean 5 pairs in different colors! I mean 5 pairs of the exact same color.

      

Or, you might find me in the frilly shoes...

      

But usually it is the same pair, and the same bag. You know what I think about wearing the same bag and the same shoes everyday? I think it is MARVELOUS!  I think we should do what we want. Hey, if I can't part with my bag, who cares???

The truth is.  Change happens everyday. And, I am not one who likes huge change, or even little change, at all really. I am a delighted girl, in my little world.  I do what I want, when I want.  I wear what I want.  I hardly ever follow clothes trends. Sometimes they creep up on me. But, for the most part, I like what I like.  And I think that, that is the key.  Be you, do what you want to do...      

I mean, things are going to change even when we don't want them to.  Some people are really hung up on age and aging.  It is a huge product of our society.  But, I didn't even notice that I turned 31.  I have no concept of age.  I love who I love, I am friends with those that my soul is drawn to.  I know girls who turn 17 and look 45 to me.  I also know women who are 73 and exude 25. 

I am who I am, I have to be happy now. There is no, "well, when I get married, this will change..or If I do this, the following will change." No way. The time to embrace yourself, with all your imperfections, with all your quirks is now.  If you can embrace who you are, you can live (as in frolick and play). And, live happily.  Trust me, it is not easy.  I battle that every day.  But, we have to try.  The future, when our lives will be better might not happen.  We have to love this time, this moment, this place...

      

The truth is, I don't look at the past like "oh, how I wish that time would come back." I look at it like, "Wow, it was great, and I am glad I learned so much from all the insanity."  I also realize, I don't tan like I did at 18. I have not tanned in 6 years.  I avoid the sun, for the most part.  I don't have peaches n' cream skin like I did in my 20's, nor do I have those wrinkle free eyes.  But, I don't care or wish it back.  Is that weird?  I just shrug my shoulders and think, that was nice, what's next...  I just don't have time to dwell in the past.  I want to be at peace with it all.  Don't you?

So, darn it! If you want to wear your hair the same way you did in 1975. Then do it.  Why do we have to change those little things that we do not want to?  Persuasion??? 

Temptation?

I have to admit.  I did fall for temptation & persuasion.  Recently, actually...

In the form of...This pattern...

      

Yep.  I purchased this treasure from AngelDamico. It is perfect summer bohemian.  I love it. And, I am sitting podering, how long it might take to transfer my items into it...

Here it is in color.. If you thought you loved the pattern.. The color is unreal!!! See, this is change by choice.

      

As for change by way of persuasion... I mean, Come on, if a gift like this, comes your way from Marrakech, how ever could you not be persuaded to throw them on and feel a bit, Moroccan? Maryam, I have to take extra huge steps. I almost killed myself twice in these pointy treasures!! heheheh! I love em!!! ps: I am keeping the little baby arm on them...I love that!!!

      

Sooo, in this long annoying post we learned what things?

A) Don't change if you don't want to & Do what you want (unless, your kids need food, or, you have to pay your bills).  For example, if you want to go undercover at night, in the brightly lit grocery store, do so.  Do things, Within reason of course. And, don't blame me for anything foolish you do. I am released here, of all responsibility for your actions. You could also, sleep in your favorite shoe pile, undercover...

      

      

B) Since there is mass change going on around us, why not be in control of the little changes that you do not want to make? Like wearing your hair the same way you did in 1984? (photo from here)

                   

C) But, more importanly, don't take advice from me... As I am in search of....

      

Oh, who knows.  I have exhausted myself with all this babble....