A Fanciful Twist

A simple recipe, to cure a complicated ailment...

So...  I have been doing this super silly thing (in my head) lately.  Everytime my day becomes even a tinge un-busy, I convince myself that, I neeeeeed some excitement in my life....  I go around, racking my brain.  Wondering what this thing is that will bring me some excitement....

      

I go through the obvious things that might bring excitement...  New love?  Oh goodness no...  New Hair color?  New hair length?  Umm, nope nope (but red hair could be fun? oh ya, already tried that once, for 24 hours, until my hairdresser opened her front door and helped me)...  New pet?  New town?  Vacation?  New outrageous shoes?  What???  What off the wall thing could I do, to attempt to bring my life some form of excitement?

I am not talking about the feeling of being sad.  I am talking about, everything is A-okay, but I sure would looove some silly fun and exciting happenings.  You know, something out of the ordinary... 

Chances are, anything I choose, will bring me more drama and less excitement.  I'll end up frantic (the hair choice), overwhelmed (moving), in a state of buyer's remorse (new "outrageous" shoes)...  Is there any practical thing that could fix my burning desire???  A Discotheque, perhaps? (only if JT's meeting me there)

      

Just when I almost gave in to one of the above, I found the cure.  I found it, I found it!!!  Yes, I can cure your need for excitement too. I can I can!!  The recipe calls for, glycerine, dawn soap, Light Karo Corn syrup, distilled water, a car, and 5 emergency dollars!!!

I am sorry that it isn't as easy as painting your nails some groovy color...

      

So here is how it all began.  My rat tail and I went outside to see what we could conjur up for excitement. 

      

When the lovely weather whispered the answer...  In I ran, in search of tools to make the tools, and soap to make the concoction. 

      

I went online and found this!!  Bravo!!!  This is it, I knew it, I knew it!!  Monster Bubbles!!! Yes yes yes!!!  This is just what the doctor ordered!!!!!

Only, this is one of those times my cooking skills "Could Not" save me.  You can not substitute dark corn syrup for light, and you can't use well water, instead of distilled.  You just can't. 6 attempts at a formula later (plus two bottles of dawn and soap everywhere).  Although,  I almost had a monster bubble, twice...

I realized, I had more of a monster MESS on my hands than lovely bubbles...

      

This is where the car + the 5 bucks comes into play.  Wash off as much bubble mess as you can, jump in the car, drive like a MAD woman to the store and buy a GIANT bottle of commercial bubbles.  Woo Hooooo.

But wait.  Why did I ever think I could photograph this, and blow bubbles at the same time??

      

          

This is where you start longing for rest and relaxation more than excitement.  And, you see how this can take the place of coloring your hair in a whole new brilliant color??  You get the same effect. 

You wish you had never conjured up the idea.  But in this case, it is only soap.  Not hair!!  Not a new more complicated boyfriend/husband, not a botched vacation where you sit in the airport for 64 hours.  No!!  It is only soap...  See how this works?? Same frustration.  Same loss of the need for excitement.  But, it is only SOAP!!!  Wooohoooo!!

And if you are lucky, you might even get a lovely shot...

      

So, after that one, lovely & satisfying photograph...  You decide, that is it.  No more excitement for me.  Unless of course, John Travolta calls.  But, in the real version of things, no more.  I am done.  Fulfilled.  Next thing on my list...

So, I take my self shopping...  And, think I deserve anything I want.  So here is what I choose...

      

My room smells like apple, grape, and original bubble gum blissssss...

      

Now, tell me, does this ring any bells???  My friend Honor always says, people will tell you exactly who they are if you just listen...  But why don't I listen to the royal title people when they tell me that I am the great Bubblewick???  Isn't this all making perfect sense now???  Remember this?

      

        

The only problem is, you have to make sure noone gets into your stash.  And the pitter patter of little feet, warned me...

      

My wee one is after the bubble gum...

      

How do explain to her that she can't chew bubble gum?  That dolls, simply can't?  Please give me some advice ;)

Now, here is the deal.  For a little blogging excitement, tell me some wacky thing you might have done in the name of a change or excitement, some time in your life.  And I will put together a wackylicious gift bag for one of you!!!!  I will draw names in a few days!! ;)

Off I go for now.... xoxo, V

PS: I do hope that you might try one of these formulas...  I might try it again soon (with the correct ingredients this time).

pps:  the carnival photo was found in google images and I believe (after searching),  is by Adam Gageik Goetz.  It was listed on photos.net 

Last call for inspiration & random thoughts {all aboard}...

I will preface this post by saying, I do not have the perfect ingredients for inpiration stew.  However, I have been asked several times in the last few weeks, where I find little bits of my own inspiration...

Let's have a seat and talk about this a little, shall we?  I bet we have alot in common...

      

The first thing that pops into my head is that I surround myself with things that I love.  Books, sparkly things, shiny things, colorful things, sacred things, cute things, happy things, all the things that bring me joy... 

      

I also turn my sleeping place into my sanctuary.  That way, anytime (day or night) that I need an escape, I always know I will have a special place to refuel.

          

When I was a teenager my mom told me, to make sure that when I started earning my own dollars, to always save for nice sheets and really nice towels.  That was some of the best advice she ever gave me... 

I had a friend who was getting divorced...  She stopped by my house (in town) one day, and she asked to use my restroom.  When she came out, she said, I know this might seem weird, but, "your towels"  they are so white, and so nice.  I told her about my mom telling me to make sure I had nice sheets and nice towels.  As it is a small luxury that brings so much joy.  Everytime I see that woman, she tells me how after our visit, she went out and bought herself some nice sheets and towels.   She said that doing that for herself,  made her feel so wonderful during the dark time of her divorce...

      

Another thing about inspiration (as I am not the inspiration guru, but I know what works for me), is that I never go out seeking it.  When I feel like I need a refuel, I just relax, put on some music, play with things I love...

      

Let them infuse me with their tactile quality, their color, their meaning...

      

Many times, just sitting down with a simple treat, changes your view...  You give yourself time to just be, while you notice its complexities, and it opens doors into your imagination...

      

And, you know, you really have to be your own best friend.  You have to be nice to yourself.  You can't bully yourself or be the world's worst meanie, to yourself.  I used to be guilty of this alot, until something shifted...  Now, I am my own granny who spoils my own self :) (most of the time) 

Sidetracking here...  Yesterday I had to clean my room.  Noone said I had to, but trust me, I had to...     I started talking out loud.  Saying "I hate cleaning, I am NEVER doing this again, I hate it, I am not doing it, why do I have to do this, I hate it I hate it I hate it..."  And pretty soon, I was making myself giggle.  I can't tell you how freeing that was for me.  To actually say those words.  I dunno, call me strange, but it started lifting things from my soul, and refueling me instantly.

I use the word refuel instead of inspire, because, to me, they are vastly different.  Sometimes, I know what my heart wants me to create, or where it wants me to start...  So, there it is, I have the "inspiration" for what is going to come out of my fingertips next...  But, what I have not done is rested myself, filled my heart and soul with pleasure.  To refuel I have to take time out.  Walk away from the computer.  Go outside, take a deep breath.  Make some tea, snuggle up, look at magazines...  Listen to music, read...  Just get peaceful and allow good energy to fill me...

During my refueling, I find myself at the piano a lot. 

      

I have been playing piano since I was a very wee little girl.  I still own the piano I learned on, La Pianola (my parents let me take her when I moved out at 18).  But, she lives at my house in town.  And my Baldwin lives at Mr. Ireland's for now...  So, in the country I get to play several toy pianos or a two tier vintage organ.  But mostly it is my trusty ole keyboard I keep in the "shipping" room that keeps me sane.  This is the one place (while playing music), I am almost sure to find my muse, time and time again...

      

Although, there is nothing like playing La Pianola.  Nothing...  Oh, how I miss her...  I must go visit her soon...  I usually just play my own songs.  Or (you'll understand this if you are a piano player) I end up playing those songs you have known your whole life that drive everyone insane :)  Today was a black key refueling day...

By the way, the summer issue of Vogue Living is grand!!  Lots of pretty flowery things!!  Good refueling mags...

      

Here is a peek...

      

      

      

And, one of my favorite ads right now, I mean favorite, is this, Osborne and Little ad...

      

Please let me wake up in that forest!!

Oh, one other thing, sometimes, when I play my favorite music, and clean up my studio, a bevy of muses swing by for tea...  And, I have to write everything down on my chalkboard just to keep up with all the inspiration...  So, I think just being in the studio piddling around allows creative energy to flow...

From the looks of this studio...

      

If I am lucky, all this cleaning might lead to more creating ;)  Anyone want to help?

      

Before I can even happily tackle that task, I must jump...

      

So, in conclusion (I feel like a fifth grader giving a speech :) it is safe to say, you have to get out there and dive into your own life, revel in it, eat strawberries (if you are not allergic) and talk to yourself, to refuel :)  Watch movies, go out for sushi (or whatever you like).  Or just hide under your extra lovely sheets :) Do what you love to do ("but do it now & don't wait for later" is my motto)...  And I know, the inspiration flood gates will open...  But first, refuel, refuel, refuel!! 

      

I betcha anything, the inspiration is already there, it is the refueling you have not taken the time to do for yourself...  Go baby yourself!!  Today!

See you soon!! xoxo, V

ps:  I would love to hear what you do to refuel, or what inspires you???  I know, others want to hear what you have to say!!!  Everyone's ideas are valuable!!

Though the weather outside is frightful... {In a lovely way}

Why do I feel like I am in one of those movies, where I am the only one who notices that something strange is going on, and everyone I tell or ask looks at me like I have lost my mind? 

What is this regarding?  Well, you see, the weather is astounding for this time of year.  "It is" Southern Arizona.  "It is" normally 90+ degress this time of year.  However, for the last three days it has been dark and cold and rainy.  I have "never" experienced this weather, in May in Arizona, in my lifetime.

      

Now, I love and adore and embrace this weather.  I love everything about it.  I adore rain and clouds and pancake days like this.  And, I feel oh so lucky to have 50' weather on May 23rd.  But, I have to admit, it is downright freaky...

And, on top of that, snow in the mountains?  This is like my real life dream come true...  Wait a second, is this a Mother Nature hoax??  Will I wake up to 114' tomorrow?

      

I went outside to take some photos, when all of a sudden, I felt like I entered a time warp.  It felt like Fall.  Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure in the sky.  I am serious...  The weather is confusing everyone.  Even the Witches...

      

I am hereby proclaiming my very own...

      

Yes this guy is really hanging on my porch at the country house, right now.  Yes, we are celebrating every holiday on the porch, all of the time :)  Why put it all away?  Time goes by like lightning anyway... 

Do you think I would freak my neighbors out if I went Trick or Treating tonight???  I bet I could get some really good treats this time of year...  Hey, I think I am on to something...

      

I'll tell ya, I just visited September and October, and I am totally re-inspired by all the fun we had.  How I love Fall!!!!

I have had the weirdest week in the history of weird weeks.  Today still feels like Monday to me.  I have been in a photo taking, shop update, packaging frenzy (which I welcome wholeheartedly).  And, really, just sat down to breathe today... And went, wait, is it really Friday, no really?  Friday???  Plus, it feels like Fall???  This is tooo weird...   

Anyhow, In other totally random news...  I have been playing with making videos.  Now, I am not prepared to turn the camera on myself.  I am not that brave yet (maybe one day)...  However, I have been taking a few wee videos in the studio and such... 

So today, for practice, I actually made a video using photos of some of my artwork... 

I couldn't get a hold of my brother for more music, he is working on some movie editing project and is swamped these days.  But I found a great resource for music you can use in videos.  So, that is where this song came from, by Aaron Derington...

Now this is just a tester, but I'll get better over time, I hope...  All of the Paper Dress Art pieces and Mermaids are paintings I did in 2007 (2006).  Some of the illustrations are newer... 

      

So, there you have it.  My first video, made by me.  I don't know how I figured out the software.  It was like magic.  I looked at it before and felt so overwhelmed.  But all of a sudden, my brain was open to it today... So voila....

I have a Jewish Rice pudding cooking in the oven in a bain marie (for Mr. Lovee), and it smells heavenly.  It is almost like a rice pudding custard.  Perfect for a cold evening...  I better be off to do my second stir and lowering of the heat...

Off I go...  I hope to catch up with you this weekend!!!  Have a lovely & safe one!! xoxo,V      

Crazy little World {treats in my shop}

I live in a magically nutty little world.  Where I work along like a little elf myself.  There is a running joke that Mr. Lovee has with me, about being an elf...

      

You see, many many years ago, while doing my real world job, I must have surprised some clients unexpectedly, while arriving to meet them early.  The husband, from Argentina (very handsome),  opened his pale blue eyes so wide and exclaimed!  Look, she arrives like "an elf out of nowhere."    So, it snowballed, and over the years, I became "La Elfa - The Elf out of nowhere."  So, sometimes Mr. Lovee asks, how is my elf?  And other times, he asks me, if I know where my elf is? Like I have a little being lost inside of me :)  Or maybe he asks that when I am being horrid and bratty.  Needless to say, it's an elf's world around here...

Speaking of which, I popped some characters into my online shop yesterday at 6 p.m.  My shop is finally stocked...

Here are some of them gracing the A Fanciful Twist, Fairytale Forest Theater...

       

I have been adding a few more characters to the shop since last night...  However, I wanted to share some of their little faces here...  (these can be found in my shop) All the dresses are made from Vintage Dictionary Pages...

The Bird Queen.  Keeper and protector of little creatures...

      

      

      

      

      

      

The ever sneaky Little Red Riding Hood and Wolf, all in one...  I made the Wolf some glasses...

      

      

      

      

      

      

Then there is the sweetie herself, Princess of the Elfin Cypress Grove...

      

      

      

      

The next girl makes me so giggly.  It is just so funny to me, that creations can have personalities and tell stories...  And I'll tell you what...  There is some gumption coming forth from some of these characters isn't there?  it is soooo funny!!

Like, this little one, who is so ready for a tea party, and she knows, she makes a mighty tasty cake...

      

      

      

There is also a snail girl with a mushroom table and 4 mushroom toadstool chairs...

      

And a lovely snail girl on her own, Tallulah...

      

As well as two mischevious snail girl sisters... 

      

I also popped in another tea set, and some other little forest friends...

      

      

The following items have now found homes, but I wanted you to get to see their little names up close...  And let you know that there is a whole other elfin clan coming ultra soon...(click on any image to enlarge)

So, if by any chance, you have been wondering where I have been...  I have been doing  10 jobs as a one woman show.  I need all those little elfin to jump up and down on my back and give me a massage :)  Oh, now there is an idea...

Off I run for now... Lots more to tell you next time... xoxo, V

A Fanciful Twist & lots of Elving around...

I am in love.  I have fallen in such whimsical, beautiful love, I can hardly keep from giggling.  I am an Elfin Mammie.  An Elfin Mammie, who can't help but think her little elves are so funny and charming...  And, this Elfin Mammie hopes you will feel the same too.

      

You see, I ended up telling a white lie.  I didn't sit back and watch movies all weekend.  But what I did do, was work on some wee beings.  About 1 year ago, I started drawing lots and lots of Cypress trees.  Pages and pages of them.  I do this with other things too.  I get obsessed with something, and then, never fully share it.

      

So, like I was saying, Cypress trees...  Also, about 1 year ago, I made lots of little clay trees.  And then they sat staring at me, all this time...  I made a few more a couple of weeks ago, and started painting them.  Realizing that a wee Cypress grove is just what the Elfin needed...

      

Many of you have asked about the little Elves, and if I might ever bring them to my shop? The answer is now, happily, Yes!  Lots of Smiling faces will make their way, this Tuesday evening...

      

I am working on stocking my shop with some elves and Cypress Groves, and Mushrooms, and other creatures, including Art Dolls.  I say stock (as opposed to update), because I am trying to work very hard at keeping a continuous flow of dolls, elves and original artwork in my shop.  This is a huge goal ;)  But I am such a little weasel, will I be able to enforce this upon my uncotrollable self?  Luckily, I love & adore what I do, so perhaps, it can happen...

The elves will be sold individually, and the Cypress Groves will be sold in sets of 3.  I painted them in little groupings, so, I think they need to stay with their little three tree family...

      

And, there is something really fun about these little guys...

      

What you ask?  Well, they each have their wee names on them...  See...

      

So, I am shooting for 6 p.m. Tuesday May 18th, Arizona time, to put all the creatures in my shop...

On another note, things have been very sneaky around here for the last two months...  I started getting Wolfish Visits...  But not until today did it all come together...

      

You see, if you are going to have A Fairytale Forest, as we do here at A Fanciful Twist.  Then you best be prepared for red capes and wolves to appear from time to time.  It is inevitable...  Does that scare us?  A sneaky wolf making his way into the lives of sparkly paper dress girls??

But what if there indeed was a Fanciful Twist involved in this wolf tale??  What if this was no ordinary wolf?  What if a precious Little Red Riding Hood style girl were dreaming, roaming along a wooded path?

      

Not realizing how close the wolf was?

      

Wait, it gets better!  What if, she and the wolf happen to be, one in the same?  Now talk about that Fanciful Fairytale Twist... Two creatures in one...

A few more accoutrements & they will be complete...

      

I wish you could see them in person.  Mr. Lovee loves this creation!!  I will share more photos when they are complete...

We also have the precious girl that the elves adore.  They adore her so much because she planted the magic seeds that grew the Wee Cypress Grove...  So, they named her, " Princess of the Elfin Cypress Grove..."

      

Her teeny tiny necklace took me 45 minutes to put together.  And then, my little fingers for some reason, lost contact with my brain cells, and they let go of it...  Tiny tiny tiny ( I mean tiny) pieces, tumbled to the ground.  So I had to make it again...  And, what you can not see in the photo, is the lovely vintage rhinestone piece at her waist, that I am parting with...

I am sorry my photos are so strange, but I ran out of day light...

Now, I promised to keep this secret, but I just can't...  There is a Bird Queen...  Keeper and protector of little creatures...  Birdlings especially...  She will have the loveliest crown ever beheld in the Fairytale Forest...

Here is a teensy peek...

      

So there you have it.  A little snippet at what Vanessa Valencia did this weekend. Popping them in the shop at 6 p.m. Tuesday (May 18th)... Arizona time.   

I guess I better get to work :)   What did you do this weekend??  Anything extra fun?  or extra cozy?  Anything I should kow about? ;)  Come on tell me.  I live in a tiny little world in the middle of nowhere and spend hundreds of hours alone.  Give me some juicy details!! 

Off I go for now...  See you very soon, xoxo, V

A Teeny Tiny, Happy Weekend!!

Hi there!  I know I don't pop in enough to wish you a lovely weekend (But, I do, even if I don't voice it)!!  On this lovely day, I am painting and cooking all at the same time.  A little stir of paint, a little stir of sauce, a little choppy chop...  ;)

      

Cooking to me is so terribly relaxing.  I love everything about it...  Everyone in my family loves to cook. But, I never was "taught" to cook, per se.  I just always knew how to, in a way.

I decided to make Mole today.  No, not Mole as in the critter.  I mean Mole as in a sauce and chicken dish (pronounced Mo- leigh). 

      

Is it strange that I enjoy straining my chicken broth, in a trance like state, until it is crystal clear...  Or that, I love chopping garlic into tiny pieces.. Slowly and meticulously?

      

      

The rice is almost done... 

      

I will get my black beans ready soon... 

      

And then make some lovely homemade tortillas.

      

Saturday Morning Update on last night's tortillas...

      

      

(Ohhh Mombieeeee, check out those bad boys!! ;) 

So, tonight is P.S. I love you night.  Was it good?  I dunno...  I don't know if I am into that sort of thing.  But, if it is as good as everyone says...  Will I need a kleenex box?

I love to watch movies.  I have seen all of our favorites, which I happen to own and watch on repeat. Like Fairytale, a true story.  And, Pride and Prejudice (all the Jane Austen pieces), and Practical Magic, and Amelie, Marie Antoinette, Snow White a tale of terror...  The list goes on and on...  But, I own all the typical movies we love...  Little Women, Great Expectations, etc.  You get the idea...

Lately I have seen so many through Netflix (especially documentaries), that I don't even know which ones to suggest for some weekend viewing... 

But, for any artist out there, especially if you like photo taking, & truly on a necessary history level, you must watch Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye  (I get all my movies on Netflix, and some of these you can watch instantly).  If you love Georgia O'Keeffe then this one is a two part bonus...

For a spooky movie, I really enjoyed:  El Orfanato (The Orphanage)  I speak spanish fluently, so it was a great one.  Spanish can be so intense and extra spooky...  But you will still love it with the subtitles.  If you like ghost stories... (you can watch this one instantly on netlfix)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was good too.  But very intense and very sad.  And a little overwhelming in its anxiety raising levels.  But good...   

Mr. Lovee loved I'm not there,  however, it put me into a coma.  Maybe it was just the mood I was in.  I should try to rewatch it...  I know everyone loved it...

I have a major love hate relationship with Warhol, so I really really enjoyed American Masters: Andy Warhol.  Maybe you saw it on PBS? Loved it!

I also enjoyed My Kid Could Paint that...

Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind  was lovely...

An unusual and interesting one was, In the Realms of the Unreal.

Oh, also, I really enjoyed, Rivers and Tides.  I fell into that one on a perfect day to watch it.  So I loved it...

I own this version of Alice.  Very wonderfully bizarre.  But you can watch it instantly on Netflix...

Also, don't Miss Madame Tutli Putli.  You can watch it instantly on Netflix, but you can also see it on YouTube (in two parts.  It is only 15 minutes long).

Finding Neverland  is always a good repeat watch.  I need to buy it...  As is Chocolat...

I saw Basquiat many years ago and loved it... 

I really think that if you are an artist, especially self-taught and have not had any formal art history classes and such...  You really should be watching all the movies out there about artists.  It is vital.  The old masters and newer masters...  Mix it up...  Dive into it all, DaVinci, Bosch, Pollock, Modigliani, Basquiat, Vermeer, Chagall, Klee, Miro, Dali, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Botticelli ...  And on and on and on...  Watch them, read them...  It will change your life...   All of them.. Get out there and jump in.  It is my hearts one true passion... 

Here is a really good artist list...

I am waiting for Picasso's two part series to get here tomorrow... So that, and painting will make up my weekend...  Hope you have a good one!!!  Netflix is a really good way to get in there and have access to alot of this stuff (on art and such) on DVD...  Have a marvelous weekend!!!!

I am back to this...

      

And this...

      

See you in a couple of days!!    xoxo, V

A Curious bevy of Characters, Sprinkles of Magic, Witches and... {Visits Part 2 & 3}

In my little world live a curious bevy of characters, all with interesting stories and tales.  Some mysterious, some boisterous, some sneaky, some intense...  I am always blown away at some of the things that have gone on in my family, now and in the past. (warning - this is a long double post) 

(My great grandfather, from France)

      

This man's daughters are some of the most lively, lovely women I have ever known.  He was my Grandmother's Father (on my Mom's side).  They all sing and dance.  And, they all happen to be around 80 years old or older & most are still alive... (all the people I mention in this post are on my mom's side of the family)

      

I looove hearing people's tales within their own families, and revel in the moments I get with my grandparents.  For they hold the key to all the tales...  I have shared a little about my grandparents before.  I was lucky enough to know both sets of grandparents and didn't lose my father's father until I was a teenager.  Besides him and the tragic loss of an aunt a couple of years ago, everyone else is still ticking along.

Everyone gathers at my grandmother's table (some live faraway and come to visit every now and then).  But others, make daily visits.  All interjecting stories in Spanish, before anyone gets to finish.  And all laughing, and patting eachother on the arm saying, remember this, or remember that...  I look at them in awe.  They all have such a youthful glow.  They hold a sense of peace and genuine happiness...  My grandmother's sister, Loli, was here visiting recently from far away... 

My grandmother on the far left holding the jug and her sister who was just here, on the far right...

      

Our Tia Loli was here for a few weeks.  And when she left, my mom said that the parting between her and my grandmother was terribly sad.  So many tears shed...  They both realized that at the age they are, they might never see eachother again...  My heart just broke when I heard that...

          

My Grandmother (above) is, I don't kow, there are no words to describe her.  She is so kind and sweet.  Sweet as can be.  But intense too, and tricky and mysterious...  Her name is Josephine.  Everyone calles her Josephina or Pini (pronounced as Pea-knee).  I just love everything about her.  Her curious ways and her crazy stories...

      

I happen to be the keeper of family photos, stories and treasures (known to everyone else as junk, but no to me, no sir).

The reason I am telling you this, is to shed a little light on some of my adventures to Granny's house.  She shares this very very old house (about 100+ year old house) with my granfather, Pedro.  He is some character, I'll tell you that.  He does not hold back.  His character is on "green light" all of the time.  I am learning as I get older, that I got all of my treasure hunting passion from him.

      

Now on his side of the family are a whole other cast of outrageous characters...  Including, real life witches.  Witches who would pay my mom and her siblings a quarter when they were children, to find them horny toads & other spell grocery list items...  Eeeek!!

My grandfather has a whole warehouse of treasures.  I mean piles and piles and piles.  Vintage cars, airplane parts, bike parts, motorcyles, metal for making sculptures, oh the list is endless...  He really is a real life Monsieur Tutli Putli, if ever there was one... He keeps treasures for me, knowing I will love them... 

      

On my last trip there, he told me a story about a wee armoire he had hauled home for me.  But everyone told him it was junk and he had to get rid of it.  So guess what he did?  He removed the door for me.  And saved it.   You will see it in this blog post.  It is now sitting right by me.  I love it!!!!  Mr. Lovee thought it was as precious as I did (thank goodness)...

So, if you can, try to imagine a very old, two story brick house, almost two miles up a steep hill, in a tiny little town...  A home where Josephina & Pedro created a little world...  A home where once you park at the top of the hill, you must descend many many stone stairs, to get to the house, that teeters at the edge of a green jungle like cliff... 

      

A house with many pathways of stairs, and outside corridors...  A place with a witches house, and an abandoned playground...  A place that has heard the voices of many many children...  A house that now stands, old and worn, barely whispering all of the secrets it holds...

          

If you can imagine this place, then come along with me, and I will tell you what happened there just a few days ago...  While I eagerly attempt to collect and bottle all the bits and pieces this place has yet to share...

You see, my grandmother has so many ghost stories about this place, that you can't help but be a little bit jumpy while there...  And, I dare say, I do not think I would spend the night at Nana's house...  I might die of fear...  With sightings of little old ladies (long gone) and ghosts of witches, roaming the area... Well, that added to the list of double attics and mean fairies...  I'd say, it rates, as, yep, scary, goosebumpy ;)

So, On Sunday, my young cousin and I set off to make you a bit of a documentary.  It was perfect because both of us thought we heard strange noises coming from inside the witches house...  She was game for going out and checking it out, if I was... 

         

So, we set off to crack open the rarely used gate, a remove all the boards blocking passage, down to the abandoned stairway that lead to this place...

      

        

You see, to get to that area down there, you must pass the very very old rickety cesspool doors (in the ground).  Where, my grandmother has told that once drained many years ago, held the skeleton to the woman who used to live in this very house (who by the way was murdered in the early 1900's)... 

Still,  off we went...

      

We almost went back, when the swings started swinging very aggressively (by themselves), but we turned around and kept going.  Both of us die-hard ghostbusters :)

      

Once we were down there, my little helper decided to stop the swing from moving...

      

But that is as far as we were going to the abandoned Witches house.  We were just feeling a bit strange...  Then all of a sudden we heard a slight humming of an eerie tune...  And just as fast we both saw a flash of light sparkle above us...  We ran out of there, trying to find whatever it was that was taunting us...  We followed so many paths...

Up some little stairs...

      

Down others, following the tune...

      

We climbed rock walls in search of something we didn't even know...

      

We decided to make our way to Grandfather's treasures...  The little helper suggested we build a flying machine, so we could look down upon the place, and see what we could see...

      

Just then, we heard a loud thump.  She was certain it was coming from inside the Attic.  We were looking at the attic window.  Yes, she was certain it was in there...  Off we went...

       

Jumping over boulders and rock walls, back through corridors, down 50 stairs... Into the house, up many more stairs.  And then...  A Fairy like creature, flew around us...  The little girl held the teeny tiny door to the first phase of the attic.  She wasn't sure...

      

She opened the door with much trepidation...  This part of the attic leads down a wee hall, to another door to the larger part of the attic.  Which has an even tinier door, that is always blocked shut...

      

She took deep breaths.  She slightly wimpered, I said, "close it, let's go,"  she peeked in...

    

She was mesmerized by something.  I heard faint giggling of a child...  Something came towards us, and we slammed the door...

      

What was it, we both asked, wide eyed.  We sat at granny's dressing table.  I was stunned, she calmly played with powder...

      

As she put powder on her cheeks, she said, "we have to go back outside and find out what that is.  I think I know where it is..."  I looked at her, raising one eyebrow very high...  I am not so sure, I thought...  It is all fun and games until real ghosts and fairies start appearing...

Before I knew it, she was down the stairs, out the door, and headed down another pathway...

    

We were headed to the forbidden breezeway.  But first we wanted to get some tools, like a little flashlight and such...  So, we headed to Grandpa's stash...  And came upon the most enchanting little mirror.  My helper asked "Do you want to see me go in it..."

      

No, not really, I said.  And gently nudged her away from the mirror...  I said, weren't we on a mission???  To find that little creature making those sounds, taunting us...  She looked at me, like the memory of our task had flooded her mind...  Oh, yes!  So we grabbed our little tools, and went off...  Down another hundred stairs..

And, to the forbidden breezeway...

      

There she was, the fairy that was taunting us all along...  It was her making those giggly little noises...  She flew all around us...  She told us there was a secret the wall held...  She wanted us to climb up the wall, using the old vines...

      

But we couldn't reach inside the secret pocket in the wall...

      

It was impossible.  So, we continued down the stone corridor...  Where the activity was at its peek...  There is where it happened, we found a wee creature...

      

The fairy said that the little girl was the only one who could save the magic creature...  The creature who guarded over the grandparents...  The one who kept the witches away... 

      

The creature had once been the Great Rabbit King.  He needed a light touch of a very young hand...  To breathe life into him again...  The witches wicked wolves had gotten hold of him... 

So the little girl reached to touch him...

      

Magic swirled all around...  Our hair flew in a magic fairy dust wind...  And, then what happened, I will never be able to forget...  But, that, that is left for your own imagination...  Or perhaps, simply, To Be Continued...

See you soon, xoxo V

A Visit to Mombie's {Part 1}

I am sitting in my humble country abode, typing this, while eating the "natural" version of cheerios (thank you ML), with no milk.  Why?  I have no idea.  The fridge was cleaned out while I was gone.  You see, that is what happens when Mr. Mom stays home alone.  Things get all Willi Wonkified.

       

I bet you didn't even notice I was gone, with all that partying you did.  Oh the neighbors already told me.  They heard girls laughing, clanking glasses, shouting names like, Phyllis, Tiffany, Michelle, Melissa, Nancy, Jenn, Sadira, Christine, Sandra, Marjorie, Donna, Monica, Cassandra, Tara... Oh the list goes on and on.  But those are just the first batch to be in trouble :)  I want details of who is responsible for what ;)

          

As for me, I had a more than a lovely time on my wee voyage.  Too many things to bottle them all up in one blog post.  So, I am going to give you the R&R version in this post, Part 1.  And then, the fairytale, visit granny, witches, dances, etc. in Part 2.

My wee voyage was in the name of a Mother's Day visit.  But, I dare say, it turned out to be more like, a relaxing lovely visit for one long haired half spoiled girl :)  My parents are more than good hosts, and they really know how to make things fun and lovely...  So, here is a bit of what it was like...

      

I began the voyage South, to my parents home, which is about 2 hours from my country abode and 1 hour from my city abode.  Our part of Arizona is very strange.  There are some very desert like areas, and then some very green areas, as you can see above...  I took that from the car, hence the quality...

As you get closer to your destination, you cross some railroad tracks, and the sky turns pink and lovely :)

      

You have to follow an extra twisty extra vertigoey road as you get even closer...

      

And, when you look out your car window, this is what you might see.  Nothing  for miles...

      

My parents have a very long driveway with a gate at the bottom... In we go...  Ready for some fun??

      

Grab some ice and a nice cold drink, because, Dad is up to some wonderful business...

      

Yumm Yummm!

      

I arrived to platters full of shrimp and flakey bread with balsamic and olive oil...  While Dad made skewers for our evening out on the patio.  Oh the nights were divine.  Warm with a gentle cool breeze...

      

I went outside to watch the city lights begin to twinkle.  I have loved that ever since I was a little girl.  Watching the city lights come to life...  I think I shared some of this in my Christmas blog post though...

      

Mombie and Dad are so cute...  They were putting up lights and getting ready to have a lovely dinner for my sister and I.  My brother wouldn't arrive until the following day.  He was shooting a movie and or editing all night...

      

I took so many photos, I didn't know which ones to share.  I don't want to bore you to death...  But, I wish, I could have had a wild tea party for all of us on that very evening...  The weather was astounding.  And the way the sun set and the sky glowed in blue was picture perfect...

      

When monsoon season comes with the outrageous rains in summer, it is wonderful to be at my parents house, watching the down pour...  I can't wait...  Oh rain, please come soon!! 

As Dad cooked...

      

I couldn't help but savor every little morsel of the night...  Oh, how I would love to have a swimming pool at the country house...  Can we start a campaign to convice Mr. Lovee??  Will you help me? 

      

I have a ball and claw old fashioned bath tub in the yard at the country house... And, one summer, it was so hot, I filled it up with water and bags of ice, and just sat in there for hours...  It was marvelous, but a pool could be even better?

Oh, okay, back to one of the lovely evenings visiting my parents...  So, we had a lovely dinner in that magnificent weather... Lights glowing everywhere...

      

Trees intertwining above head, with lights. I just love stringing lights all about... It makes everything so dreamy at night...

      

      

Such a magical evening...  Sitting with my parents and sister... Chatting, laughing...  Beautiful music playing...

      

Oh, I also did Mammie's hair.  I am not a hairdresser.  But I do know how to cut and color and streak hair (with foils).  I have been playing dress ups since birth :)  and, at around 10, started with the more serious dress ups...  With scissors and such ;)  Mammie let me take a photo of her treasures, while her hair processed (it turned out so lovely)...

      

She is the funnest lady you will ever meet, that Mombie of mine.  She is so hilarious and fun and knowledgable and interesting...

So, there was tea & coffee and treats too...  But, we forgot to have a full blown tea party with her wonderful silver tea sets and such...  But we had this...

      

With this...

      

      

My beautiful and really amazing baker cousin, Marcela, made the phenomenal berry galette...  We enjoyed it in the garden... 

      

My sister made waffles for Mother's Day, they were delicious...

      

Mombie opened gifts...

      

We then scurried to get ready to go to my Grandma & Grandpa's house (Mammie's parents).  When I then realized, AHHH!!  I didn't have enough gifts...  So, my cousin Marcela and I raided Mombie's pantry, which is a whole other story in itself.. And found some lovely things...

      

To make lovely things...

      

And voila...  Lovely gifts indeed...

      

And guess what?  Mombie sewed up some little strawberries she saw on Martha, and attached my little Mother's Day cardlettes, which she printed off from a post down below...  Wasn't she a sweetie for doing that?  Love it!!

        

So, that was a bit of that...  Annnnnnd, there is more to come about the fairytale adventures at Grannies + treasures Grandpa Pedro had for me!!  I can't waiiiit, to share... Back with that in a few days. For now here are some teeny tiny treats...

      

Hope you had a little fun and I didn't bore you silly!!! I am so tired, I don't even know if I made sense...  See you soooooon!!  xoxo, V

Oh, Also, I spent hours indulging in family albums.  We have so many photos and home movies and such...  I took some photos of some photos.  Here I am, blissfully indulging ;)

      

And, being my silly self  (Looove Mombie's outfit, and that wallpaper! haha)...

          

A caged event. A splendid event. A curious party perhaps?

So, it was one of those regular days in the funny little place at the edge of the desert.  Where the cacti meet the trees, and heat looms but winter surely takes a decent peek.  Not quite the Sahara, but not quite Washington State either...

A day, where the clock strikes three, reminding it is time for a magical kind of tea...  The creatures were getting cozy, gathering around...  Two had arrived early, when an odd thing occurred...(click on photos to enlarge)

      

You see, one could not clearly recall every detail...  However, the distinct memory was that of a sound... A sound accompanied by song, and then a smell of sweetness all too tender...

It was the tiny song of the rare Cupcake Duncecap Goldy Winged Bird...

      

Yes, it was quite certain...  He was sitting on a tree.  He appeared every few hundred years...  Luring creatures to a place so sweet, so divine, one taste, and you would never be the same...  We followed him...

      

He chirped, telling it was something special for you and you and you and, all of you!  A caged event.  A splendid event.  A curious party perhaps?

Could it truly be a fact?  Not an urban legend?  That when you see the Cupcake Duncecap Goldy Winged Bird, a sweet caged curious tea party awaits? One that with one taste of the caged splendor, brings waves of neverending creativity and imagination? 

I am here to prove it to be a true tale...  For what awaited us, as we peeked inside....

      

Were the very treats themselves...

      

The door slowly opened...

      

Which one would you choose?  Which one would you eat???  They all called out...  Beckoning... 

       

We soon found, those were not peppermints, but strawberry creamsicle swirls of delight...

I can here you exclaim?  Did you choose the one???  With sprinkles and shiny red flair?

      

Or was it the one with enticing swirls?

      

Wasn't it impossible to choose? 

      

No you say?  You say you knew right away???

      

I should have known better.  You closed right in...  The one that tickled your fancy...  And how did it taste??

Mr. Lovee had several, his eyes closed in bliss.  He slowly chewed, he muffled, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm...  So moist, so perfect.  The best ever...  Hooray!!!

A morsel to take all those sorrows away...  (if you have any at all, which we hope you don't)

      

We shall set one aside for our trusty gnome...  Who guards us and cares for us, whenever we are alone...

      

So, here I am, just a delivery girl...  Bringing you an endless sweet curious cupcake feast, while I am away.  Oh, don't worry, it is just for a few days.  I must see the Lioness Queen Mombie and her hilarious storytelling funny mother (my granny).  For that very special Sunday, that is right around the corner...

So make yourselves at home and eat up all those wonderful treats...

      

Oh and, since you offered ;)  I am leaving you in charge of the place while I am gone...  You have to be careful with all the little characters...  They like to get out and cause mischief... 

Beware of the sweet sheepish faces...

      

You remember what happened with the rabbit and the porcupine and the costume chest while I was away last time?  Oh, and I presume you are going to tell me that my three wheel bike got dented on its own??  Hee heee......

      

Okay, here are the rules...

        

Have a marvelous weekend!!!!  Eat your treats and hang from the chandeliers!  Make sure not to brush your hair, or to wear matching socks to the grocery store!!  Oh, and please, make sure you play in bubbles and make a mess!! 

Don't forget your free Mother's day cardlettes in the post right below this one... Oh and, I popped a new little treat in my shop...  Sweet Day - at the fair...

      

See you really really sooooon!!! xoxo, V

Tiny Things, New Prints & a freebie (think, Mother's day)

Phew!  I have been working feverishly to get here all morning!!  I have so much to share.  I am sooo sad to see that last blog post go!  I wanted to live in that Wacky Fanciful Pirate moment forever!! Alas, we can relive it through flickr photos.  Thank goodness!!

So, I have been living in a funny tiny moment, with my miniature table and typewriter, and teeny tiny sheets of paper, trying to tell me secrets...

       

I don't know if you share this with me...  But, I am an intense dreamer.  By day and by night.  I will say, sometimes (like last night), I have such intense dreams with so much detail that I can hardly wake myself up.  My head feels so heavy, and so the story continues, until it decides to be over.  All kinds of stories calling to me...  Some times, dare I say, they feel more like messages than dreams...

      

As a child I was a serious sleepwalker & sleeptalker.  I thought, I had outgrown this (I have not, more on that next time).  That I would no longer be exiting the house by night or acting out oddly while asleep.  When I was little I exited our beach house in California, in full sleep mode...  And survived to tell the tale ;)

Now, if only I would follow my own advice, and write it all down, the second I wake. Or the second a day dream brings me a tale, so juicy, so scandalous, so fairytale madness like...  But I don't.   Do you?

Needless to say...  I created a new print with many of those ideas in mind...  The Writer, ideas floating around...  The storyteller...  Being urged to tell a tale...   It is part of my Creature Collections series...

The Writer

      

I really do think there is a storyteller in all of us...  Just waiting to take stage, with ink to paper.

      

I also have two new Charming Silhouette prints...

Cuckoo...

      

And, Mushroom Love...

      

So that is that...  Now for some Mother's Day fun stuff!!  I have a PDF file for you with Mother's day Cardlettes, free for you to use.  Now, the photos I am going to share of them below,  are simply for you to see the detail...

However, you MUST click on the following link to get the crisp printable PDF file:

"A Fanciful Twist" Mother's Day Cardlettes. (it is a large file and might take a couple of minutes to download)

So, here are the examples of what they will look like when you click on the link above to print...

      

The Queenie

      

  Fabulous Mom!

      

Mammie to all little creatures...

      

Moms are so sweet!

      

And, you know, those times your kids are trying to do something good :)  But, it ain't so good at the time.  However, the memory is good years later, after you get the batter off the ceiling :)

We made pancakes...

      

So there you have it!  Print them off and share them with anyone you know!!!  Send your friends to get some too if you'd like!! 

Now, for the winner of the Pirate's Wacky Wacky Wacky loot bag!!

       

Yo Ho Pirate's loot for...   Nancy of Fete Et Fleur!!  Yippeeee!!!  Send me your address Miss Nancy!!  Mr. Pirate is waiting to set sail and bring you your wacky loot!!

      

I hope all of you get to use your Mother's Day Cardlettes!!!  xoxo, see you soon, V

ps:  I had no idea I had so many lovely visitors to the Pirate's Soiree until I went to do the drawing!!!  Seems that typepad never sent me all the e-mails!!  I am having so much fun making visits.  We were so busy all weekend.  Mr. Lovee played (as he does ever year) with his band (he is a an upright bassist) at the folk festival Saturday & Sunday. So I am still getting to pretend it is Pirate day (and tomorrow too) and make visits to friends old and new!!!  How fun!!!

Hooray! The Swashbuckler Soiree!!

We were not told what time the pirates might turn up for the Swashbuckler Soiree.  We didn't know how many there would be, if one, or perhaps a few?  Until we heard the sound of waves crashing through the air... Was it truly them?? In their ship filled with loot?  Or was it all a dream?  Thank goodness we were slightly prepared during the pre-party post below...

      

No no, it seemed very real!  Not a dream at all...  It was the pirate ship, filled with wonderous treasures...

      

Rare rubies dangled above an even rarer ruby eyed skull....  While pure diamond neck jewels, from a beheaded queen, rested upon a sail...

      

It was magic!!  Seeing the ship soar through the waves in the sky, amongst the tree branches.  With the brilliant sun illuminating it...

      

I wondered if I might be able to get my hands on some of that wonderful loot...

      

They were a rowdy bunch, dancing all about, while passing their beverage around...

      

I was glad I had time to entertain them all...  Oh by the way, was that you I saw dancing on the plank???  Canoodling with the head pirate guy???  Oh Beware!!  Do not let Donna find you out!!

I have all the meals prepared for you and the pirates!!  I have brought in fish all the way from Sweden...

Oh ya!  Swedish Fish my friends!!!  Yumm Yumm!!

      

I also have for you, the ever tender, delicious, Golden Medalions.  Oh, no no no, don't worry, they are not Golden Medalions in the form of Ostrich, like you might think...  Oh No, I know you all are Candarians.  You know, kind of like vegetarians, only candy based :)

I guess you can say, these are more like Golden Nuggets...  (other wise known as, Rolos ;)

      

Now isn't that a delicious beginning?  Oh, and let's not forget the Octopus...  A rare red twisty variety...

      

And what is for dessert you ask??  Well, I say?  Have you no faith in me??  Of course, I made sure to have Strawberry and Cream swirled together, just for the occassion...

      

What a yummy spread!!

      

Did I hear you say, we were lacking something???  Why yes we are!!  What about some music!!!

      

Yo Ho, Yo Ho!  A pirates life for me!  Who wants to show their skills first???  Oh, he does.. Okay, take it away Johnny Canales...

      

      

Oh, I almost forgot...  I have two games!!  First, the "What made you become a pirate?" game...

      

Promptly followed by the, who can stack more treats, game...

      

This is all just wayyy too much fun...  But, all those sweets, are making me feel....

      

Why can't I be more like her???  She stuffs her mouth with treats all day, and never gets a headache...

      

What about you?  Did you get a belly ache from all of that??  Do you need some Dramamine for the ship ride to the next stop?

      

You are more than welcome to come and party with us any ole time!!!  Now, the ship is getting ready to set sail again!!  Hop on, you don't want to lose the chance to have real food at someone else's blogstop!!

      

By the way!!  Before you go, make sure to say hello, as I will be drawing a name for the snazziest bag of random pirate loot that ever lived!!!  Oh yes!!  Wait til you see it!!!

Thank you Miss Donna!!  For throwing such a marvelous Soiree!!!!   

See you sooooooon!!! xoxo, V

Delightfully Playing & Preparing for Donna's Party {otherwise known as, the perfect reason to pre-party at my place}

The blog soiree of the season is being held at the Swashbuckler Castle in just a few days...  So, I decided to start a little early.  Have a colorful little outdoor party for myself, to celebrate the upcoming event... (may I add that, everyday in itself, is reason enough to throw yourself a party)

      

I am so in love with color!  Do you think I could convice a Swashbuckler to prance around in fun stripes or delicious polka dots?  Hmm, it might take some moonshine to get away with that one...

      

I must say, discovering a can of Design Master, Olive Bright #790, on my shelves, was more excitement than my little heart could contain!  It was enough to get me to Olive Brighten up a brass candelabra!!!

      

May I humbly add, that I made all of the ceramic treasures on this table...  Most of you know, I have been a potter at the Tucson Museum of Art for many years...  But, believe it or not, this is the very first time I have set the table, solely using my creations...   

      

      

I best make sure to set a place for Miss Mouserson...  She would be terribly offended if I didn't...

      

Don't forget to set your table (as well as yourself) with lots and lots of ribbons.  Ribbons (or little strips of precious fabrics) make everything extra special...

      

      

Be sure not to miss all the lovely edible and rare treasures that might make their way here by way of a magic pirate ship (on Saturday)...

      

Can you imagine, that a green candelabra could spark such joy, and cause all this raucous...

      

I have been soaking up the lovely weather, and just indulging in thousands of flower petals...  I have been throwing them up in the sky...

      

And letting them rest upon my walkway...  Amazing really, how such a simple pleasure, can feel so decadent...

      

I had better be on my way...  Here I am dreaming and playing, when I have tons to do...  And paint!!

      

Especially with an almost perfectly healed leg!!!  We have to paint the town hot pink, chartreuse, yellow & teal!  Don't you think???

      

Oh and I almost forgot...  I have a new colorful Creature Collections, print in the shop.  I so thank Miss Holly Becker of Decor8, for featuring it!! (You can see it on her blog, if you scroll down to one of several 4/30/2008 posts)  That was a lovely surprise for me this week!! 

      

There will be siblings joining this piece soon.  I can't tell you how much I love white with brilliant splashes of color, and vintage love!

      

I am excited to share what comes next in this series.  I am still working on more paper dress girls... And, like I said, the new dolls are 2 seconds away from complete...

        

See you, oh so sooooon!! xoxo, V

ps:  the photos in this post are funner if you click on them, to enlarge, as you go...