A Fanciful Twist

Early Morning Pleasures & Art Supply Treasures (2 Posts)

This morning, my brain awakened while my eyes were still closed.  I was dreaming about art extravaganzas... 

      

It felt cool and crisp, I cuddled under my covers more...  I heard a funny sound, what was it?  My brain had to jump into gear a little.  But my eyes just refused to open...  I could tell through my closed eyelids, the room was grey, so it must be very early...  I peeked one eye, less than halfway open, and could see a tiny ray of sun, casting shadows on my wall, from the tree outside my window...

      

The sound continued.  It was the beloved sound (not really beloved) of a very very chipper cricket.  It felt like it was sitting on my head.  The chirp was ever so loud in my right ear.  I invented a mantra, believing this cricket had a message for me...  In my mind I whispered, I love crickets, I love their chirp.  It is a song.  A song for sure.  I love it.  I just adore it.  I embrace it...  Cricket King, bring me inner peace through the chirping of the cricket...

I moved around.  It stopped chirping.  I got cozy.  It started again.  This went on about 6 times...

Finally, I looked at the clock.  5:27 a.m. Oh no!  I couldn't take it anymore.  I slowly decided to get out of bed.  Now, looking back, maybe the cricket was trying to tell me something?  Urging me to go outside...

It was afterall, a magical morning.  It had something to offer that was so simple, yet so fulfilling.  It was cool outside.  The birds were starting their morning song...  I went through our garden path, and down the way, to get some fresh eggs...

      

Oh, beautiful lovely fresh eggs...  I sighed...  Nothing else in the world mattered.  I was embracing this moment.  Admiring the gorgeous colors the chickens had to offer us for that day...

      

Amazing.  I could never take them for granted.  Ever since the country house came into my life, I had rarely eaten a store bought egg.  For some reason, less than a dozen eggs, found at a beloved small chicken coup, happy chickens floating around, seemed extra special.  Blissful even...  Makes me appreciate them more than I can express.

And, to have a light mint green egg right on top of those lovely brown eggs...

      

I admired each one.  Thanking the chickens as I walked back through the little road and into my garden...

      

There were lovely palm size eggs...

      

And a couple extra huge eggs...

      

I passed our Texas Ranger...

      

Who had ever so kindly, left me a purple flower trail, to enjoy soft petals beneath my feet...

      

I said hello to the 10+ ft. tall Sphinx like, Spineless Prickly Pear duo, as I passed between them...  Hoping that the heaviness of all the plump fruit, wouldn't cause a giant section to crash down on my head (as giant sections have been tumbling down)...

      

I lovingly thanked my old shopping cart growin' basil for...

      

Welcoming the Mammoth Sunflower babies amongst it (Wow, I only planted their seeds 1 week ago!!  Mammoth on their way, indeedy!!)...

      

Then I skipped along (remembering to thank Mister Chirpy Cricket for waking me so early so I could enjoy this morning & embrace nature).  I decided to fill my basket, with treats for you!  Go ahead, grab one ;)

Our peach tree is ready for picking...

      

It has been so incredibly generous this year.  There are so many peaches weighing it down, a pitch fork has had to step in for leaning purposes...

      

So many gifts from nature.  Isn't it amazing?  I think sometimes, we just have to stop, forgetting everything else going on in the world, and just infuse the soul with such gifts...  Heavenly delights...

       

I decided to take you out for morning coffee with St. Francis and a little shrine/mission I made a few years ago...  Are you enjoying yourself? (you can have anything to sip that your heart desires, if coffee is not for you ;)

      

I could hear Mr. Lovee mowing and gathering in the back...  So, I decided to spy on him...

      

He works so hard to keep the yard, as he says "Park like."  It is huge upkeep, and can get scraggly really fast.  Especially during monsoon season, when everything grows so fast...  Sometimes, we just throw our hands up and let it get out of control ;)

      

I offered him a dainty sip, for all his hard work...  I think I love this photo!!

      

What a precious morning, showing me all the little things, that matter...

Veering into the Art Treasures topic:  Segment II

Last night, I was in the studio playing with Golden Digital Ground (again), which I promised to show you weeks ago...  I can't tell you what an amazing discovery this stuff is.  Maybe you have heard of it already, but it was a new discovery for me, in my little world, and I am smitten...

      

There are three different types of the Digital Ground, that do similar things.  Quite simply, depending on the solution you choose, what it does is coats porous or non-porous material, so that you can run it through your regular computer printer, and get a good print (printing fabric, yeee haw!!).  Here are the details from Golden...

Two of the Digital Grounds are clear, so you will see the background color, and one is White Matte. 

I tested the Clear Digital Ground for non-porous material, and the White Matte Digital Ground.  I will share that below...

      

The Non-Porous solution, is not waterproof at all.  After printing on the fabric, I coated it with varnish on a brush, and had mimimal bleeding while doing so (I thought it would smudge for sure while varnishing with a brush, but it did okay. Spray varnish, me thinks, would work better).  Once the varnish was dry, I tested it under water, and in my opinion, it was about 85% waterproof after being varnished. 

   

          

In the first photo in this segment, you can see what the Ground for Non-porous material looks like on raw muslin before I varnished or wet it. 

I know the Digital Ground for non-porous material, is not intended for fabric, so why did I use it on Material?  Just for the heck of it, actually...  And it looks good after being varnished.  Not too bad at all...

I punched holes in it, to sew it into my journal.  As you can see, it did get a little blurry and bled a bit after varnishing and wetting.  But if I had not varnished it before wetting it, it would have simply turned into a giant ink stain...

      

The White Matte Digital Ground (as you will see below in my testing of the product, tends to be 95% water resistant, with just a tiny bit of fading after running under water and drying).  I coated a piece of raw muslin with the White Matte Ground.  It worked beautifully!! 

It really is just like a fabric gesso, prepring the fabric with a white background for printing...

      

After I printed it, I DID NOT VARNISH IT before I ran it under water...

      

      

WOW, waterproof!!  It lost just a tinge of its color brilliance after running it under water...

I also tested both the White Matte and the Clear for Non porous material on Aluminum foil...  They both worked good.  But, the White Matte was especially vibrant and excellent...

Below is what it looks like printed on foil...  To the left is the clear non-porous ground, to the right, white matte ground...

      

      

When I ran the whole foil piece under water, the left washed right off, and the right peeled off like a thin gum...

So there you have it, get in your studio and experiment.  It is soooooo much fun!!

      

Oops, almost forgot.  DO you like perfume and make-up samples??  Do you think they are fabulous???  Well, I'll tell you what??  Something even better than them!!  Sample paints!!  Golden has a new paint as well, OPEN.  It is gooood!!  The best part about it?  The texture is a bit different, and stays wet much longer than normal acrylics...

      

      

Did they say screenprinting?  Ooooooooo!!

Don't worry, I don't work for Golden, nor do they have a clue I am testing their products!  But, it could be fun if they hired me to be a tester!

By the way, if you have not tried Atelier Interactive Artists Acrylic paint, it is really good.  Awesome coverage!! And incredible colors!!

      

Well, I better be off, I have to be in town, and I am oh sooo late!!  Then it's into my studio I go...

      

        

      

I am also going out of town later this week for Mammie's Birthday, yipppeeee!!!

PS:  I have to thank Mr. Lovee for leaving me a super duper surprise!!  A brand new box of my favorite Caran D'Ache watercolor pencils!!  I go through them like water!!

Don't give me flowers, don't give me jewels, but give me art supplies, ppplease!! ;)  (And maybe jewels sometimes???  Possibly, maybe?)

      

      

Yummy stuff, I tell ya!!!

There is a local art store I frequent here in Tucson.  If you are in the area, you may have heard of it.  It is called Sarnoff's.  I raved to the owner Henry Sarnoff yesterday, about the Golden products, and told him I was going to tell you about this stuff.  His shop is incredible.  Every exquisite art item, from any type of paint and beyond...   

I realized that shopping in person for art supplies (especially at a store like Sarnoff's that focuses on traditional art supplies), makes me get that same feeling I had at age 13, in the pit of my belly, when I thought I was in love...  Flippity Flop!!

See you sooooon!!  xoxo,V

Also, thank you oodles for the Artful Blogging love!  It means so much to me!!!  Truly,  I humbly thank you!  I am sorry I have been a bit scarce lately.  I have some major changes happening in my real world job madness.  I am working with someone to ease that part of my life.  My plate has gotten so full, that it is just too much for me to handle.  Plus a stressful real world job, doesn't really help me with the peaceful art vibe...  So, this will mean, more Art time, Creative time, and play time with you!!!  In the Magical World!!  This will be sooo good for me!  Woo hooo!!

Artful Blogging Secrets & Thriftventure Loves...

Some of you have found out about a secret that I have been holding ever so close to my wee little heart.  I figure, since I have my copy in my hand, and I can't keep the secret any longer...  I'll share it today :)  I have been hiding this secret since about early February.  Can you imagine??  My head is going to pop off my body, if I don't spill the beans soon...

This is the Autumn 2008 issue of Artful Blogging (which hits the stands on August 1st).  I added a few magic sprinkles ;)  Can you spot one of my little children hidden in there??

      

Miss Peculiar Day is having her 5 little seconds of sheer bliss...  Maybe we should let her, even if she is acting a little over the top...  Like wanting us to fluff her gown every 3 seconds... I think she is just excited and nervous ;)  I suppose we all deserve to be Madame Foo Foo (as my mom says)  every now and then... 

      

A Pecualir Day girl  is mostly excited and nervous, because after pouring through the pages, she is in complete out of body awe, at the beauty of this magazine...  She can't believe she gets to dance around all those other pages that are oozing with pure drippy wonderfulness....

      

Now, she is forcing me to do something that might make you feel like punching me in the face with a fluffy donut..  Which, shamelessly, I might like, if it was powdered and filled with something yummy...

What I am about to do that is so annoying, is only show you a wee tiny snippet, not even a true taster of what is inside...  I'll tell ya, just when I thought the issue was mind-blowing...  I saw more photos and blogs, that left me completely speechless....

      

Don't worry, I am not just saying that because my little creatures were lucky enough to be asked to be a part of this wonderous magazine... 

I am saying this because, this is only a smidgen of the beauty inside, and it looks enticing, doesn't it?  I feel honored to be featured amongst these pages... Truly...

      

You can order a copy online, or find it at your local book store on August 1st.  The Autumn issue of Artful Blogging is crazy fun!  I have to say though, each issue has been pretty superb!! 

Wait until you see the gals in it!!  You will be surprised with all the friends you will find gracing the pages!!  I was!  It was so exciting to see who was in the issue!! I won't tell you who though...  I don't want to ruin it for anyone...  But later, say in a few weeks, after it has been out for a little while, I'll show you more pages, and not just snippets... 

In other news...  I have had an insane week.  So busy, I don't even remember looking at myself in the mirror...  Isn't that funny??  You can imagine what I must look like ;) 

But, the week before that, I went on a thriftventure...  And guess what I found?  An entire wardrobe of fabulous garments...  Sadly, they were too small for me...

      

Then I remembered I had the Alice in Wonderland Barbie in a box, and they would certainly fit her! (Alice was a gift from Mombie when she gifted me the Mad Hatter that looks like Tom Petty).   Remember him?  I stuck him in a diorama...  I know they are both kinda strange...  But, I like them all the same...

      

I took that floofy blue dress off Alice, and it was dress-up time, at a flash back level.  I started racking my brain.. Where is my giant barbie house? And cars, and barbie clothes??  And the barbies themselves???  I have a recollection of our huge dollhouse being cleaned out as kids...  But, where are they?? Hmmmm???  Mombie? Got any answers for me, hee hee....

Now some of these clothes are handmade, and others, do have the Barbie label in them...

So, here is Alice in her dress she came in...

          

And, here is Alice in her new found thriftventure wardrobe.  Mixed and matched by me!!  She was much thinner than a regular barbie, so she had to have some garment resizing.  I know, crazy but true..

Okay, here we go...  Sneaky Alice...  I lent her, her baubles...  ;) 

      

Off to a picnic in a meadow,  Alice...

      

Party Girl Alice...

      

Off to Paris, Alice...

      

And maybe, she'll even take her matching ice skates with her...

      

Christie's Auctioneer Alice, or Sophisticated Alice would do as well...

      

Charming Alice...

      

      

Carrie Bradshaw Alice (circa season 3)...

      

      

      

Pleasantly Perfect Alice (who can bake and sew like a pro, and can sing like a bird while doing both, simultaneously)...

      

      

Lovely thriftventure Alice...

      

And, my personal favorite.  Crafty Artsy Alice (she made her own dress).  I think she even sells them on Etsy ;)

      

There were sooo many more wardrobe changes where that came from...  Maybe I'll share more some time.  It was sooo much fun playing!

      

The day I picked up this bag of clothes, everything was 50% off at my local thrift place.  So, guess what else I brought home??

A wee bench...

      

And this! (plus a radio flyer load of books)

      

It was just so wonderful, I couldn't leave it behind.  My little creations seem to like it too...  It just fits in, and we love it!!  Thriftventures are the bestest!!

      

Well, I must Bid Adieu, and skedaddle on my way...  I want to post this before my internet goes out again (I have been trying to post it for 24 hours)...  I am having a tiny war with Qwest (my DSL provider).  Everytime there is the slightest wind or cloudiness, my internet goes out.  Someone came to check it out, and his synopsis was "it is what it is..."  Umm, I don't think so...  I can't go along with that...  So, the saga will continue on that front...

Otherwise, everything is peachy lovely, and I hope it is with you too!!  I am tempted to bake Ghirardelli Carmel Turtle Brownies today.  They make the house smell so sublime... (love that food shopping site too! ShopFoodEx.Com). 

Maybe I will bake some lovelies...  Seeing as how I have some sparkly lovliness to cuddle up and view...  I just adore this little girl, and identify with her in a silly little way....

      

Fun stuff, I tell ya!!  See you sooooon!!  I am soo delighted for renewed playtime, and a chance to catch up with you!! xoxo,V   

Mermaid, Monsoon, Silly voices, & Video?

I truly don't kow how people do it??  How they make videos and such...  I have such respect for them!!  I can't stand to hear my Gnomey Mammie, squealey, silly voice...

Still, I did take a video in a rain storm.  I was soaked, carrying a beach towel around my neck, my camera & an umbrella...  I have learned many things from this silly video...  Like, stay still longer and look up a bit more.  Although, with the umbrella and towel and camera in tow, nevermind the rain...  I couldn't really look up that much ;)  You'll see...

So, there I was minding my own business, finishing up some new Black and White postcards and prints.  Trying to be good and get some other projects squared away when I had this bright idea...

By the way, the fancy peacock will be headed to the shop as a print, and a rounded corner postcard... (black on white)

      

As will two new drawings...  A mermaid, and another character I will share later, when it is totally complete...  They will be a black and white trio of sorts.  As well as available individually... 

I drew the mermaid below while watching Wives and Daughters...  Loved it!! (Mr. Lovee liked it too)  Another Elizabeth Gaskell lovely...  Like Cranford...  You can Netflix them, or check them out at your library (our library had Wives and Daughter's). 

      

Oh to frolick in the sea...

Here is the silly video.  Eeeeeek!  Plus it got so fuzzy once I loaded it onto YouTube...  I need to get used to my voice, before I can branch out a bit more...  Traumatic I tell ya... But I suppose I have to start somewhere...  Even if it is amongst toads and mud ;)

       

I even made you this...  Mud pie...  Oh, and this is my YouTube Channel ;)

      

See you soooooon!! xoxo, V

The Secret Lives of Drawings & Their Voyages... (Plus, BlogHer Conference Snippet)

Oh, the lives of drawings...  Those little guys that get stacked and stacked in so many towering piles, they sometimes, get lost...  Until their faces are seen again (on a rare occassion) and they make it into the real world...

      

It seems, I might have to buy a tiny cottage in the wilderness, just to house all these stacks of inked papers... (joking, but a good excuse to buy a cottage, if you have a sack of doubloons, do you?  Where did you get it??  Can I get one too?)

      

I love drawing!  I try to do it almost every night.  You never know when a doodle, might become something more... 

      

I used to always work in ink.  Which is a bit of a nerve-racking thing if you are doing a job for someone else...  It just does not afford any wiggle room in case of a mistake...  So, you just go with what you get... 

And, since I am not a commercial artist, I don't have the gift of being able to reproduce the same drawing out of my own fingertips, over and over.... So sad...

      

All of the drawings I am sharing, are ones that I have done in the past.  Ones that you might recognize from a year or more ago.. Ones that have become a part of A Fanciful Twist...  Some I have done for other people, and still others, that have fallen into little drawing oblivion....

      

I like to keep dates on my drawings so I know when I drew them...

      

I realized with the date above, that unbeknownst to me at the time...  I had been given a magical gift of these guys...  I drew them on Christmas day it seems...  Do they look familiar??

      

Yep, they ended up in my banner...  And who knew??  Our circus girl actually has a floofy dress ;)

I also came across the characters that were going to be a part of my banner and sidebars...  And, they will in the near future, have another place, so they won't go lost in the pile...  These are also from 2006...

      

      

There are also the drawings that actually get to be made into stamps.  Which, if you have ordered anything from my shop, are what I use on my shipping mailers...

      

      

      

But, there are also some very very dear drawings...  Drawings that get to go live in places with other people near and far (some very very far).

Ever since I have started using pencil a bit more, it is like a huge "drawing for other people stress veil," has been lifted from me...  I still adore ink line drawings...  However, pencil allows for more versatility with shading (for me at least)...  And, you can erase!!  Phew, the ability to erase is lovely!! (drawing below, became this)

      

I thought I might share some of the drawings I have worked on in the last year or so, for other people.  One of the most important things I have learned is, research, research, research...  Don't jump into the drawing right away, but soak in images and ideas regarding the drawing to come... Details about the person or the character...

Case in point...  The lovely Di Overton.  She sent me a bulleted list of what she is like, bits of her character and such.  That was great... From there, I began my study of her and her exquisite eco-chic Ghost Furniture...

      

She was very open to what my vision was...  And, was such a joy to work with...  She was so kind to me...  Thank you Miss Di!!

      

She is using her A Fanciful Twist version of herself as her banner...  You can see it here...

      

She is up to all kinds of goodness (I want some of her furniture!!!!)...  Take a moment to visit her.  You will love what she is up to!

I have loved working with some of these ladies, because, they tell me what they would like me to incorporate into their image, and then give me wings... 

Another case in point, my beloved friend Tara Bradford of Paris Parfait...  She is wonderful, and a total delight. 

She had this idea, and a list of images to incorporate... And voila...  My study began with her ideas...  I mean, I don't know if you have, but I had never drawn the Louvre pyramid before ;)  That was exciting!!

      

Then the drawing came in one fell swoop...

      

      

Miss Tara has a few banners she loves and changes them out every so often... So, one day you will get a peek of this little Tara girl sitting on her blog...  But for now, here is what the finished banner looks like...

      

Tara is a writer, and not only shares incredible treasures from around the world, but writes about important things going on around the globe...  You will love her!! Check out her About page on her blog...

Another exciting drawing I worked on over a year ago, was for Maryam at My Marrakesh.  She and her husband, have been building an exquisite boutique hotel in Marrakesh.  You can see and read all the details at her lovely newly launched hotel website, Peacock Pavilions as well as on her blog (which chronicles the building adventure plus more)...

Maryam was looking for the perfect peacock whimsy to bring to her hotel...  She asked if I might come up with a drawing??  And so my peacock research began...

      

It was a very exciting time, and also a nervous time (if you do commissions, you so get this).  I started to quickly realize that, every peacock image I looked at (over 500) had such totally different peacock personalities.  And, truly, peacocks, have such character, that I knew this would be a challenge...  How to get the perfect little peacock love to come alive???  I had to put all the images away and just imagine... 

Now this was also a time when I only allowed myself ink.  It was like, a one shot deal ;)  So I began drawing..  But first, through my research, I memorized, what my minds eye's vision of a peacock was...  Then I jumped in...

Through my life I have had these moments (since my art journey began at age 13), of learning about art processes & about drawing...  About capturing feelings in a simple line...  And also, about what my limitations are and are not, as an artist...  You know, your mind sees something, but it won't necessarily jump off the pen...  Then sometimes, maybe, it does...

      

      

      

I have so many peacock drawings, and I have grown to really love them all...  I think anyone who creates, can attest to the fact, that, they become so beloved, they are like my very own little children... 

      

One day, after much drawing...  I took a break... 

After a couple of days, I sat down and doodled this guy below...   

      

Which, wouldn't you know it, we all fell in love with.  Maryam named him Karim.  And there he was...  I was so delighted to be able to create a peacock that turned out to look like he always belonged with Maryam's family, at Peacock Pavilions...  And dare I say, a magician even made him blink!!  Bravooo!!  This peacock Mammie is clapping!! Take a peek...

I love when people ask for animals or pets.  And, I will say, I have gotten a wee bit better at capturing them.  But, pets are like people.  They all have a distinct look...  Not always easy to capture...

When darling and funny Suzanne Broughton, (I think I have shared this before) asked for her and her lovely precious pooch in drawing form, I was soo delighted.  And, even though her pooch is only peeking from behind her skirt, I think we were able to include her essence ;) 

I drew several drawings for Miss Suzanne, based on what I knew about her, and had her choose... 

      

Her choice was sooo her!! 

      

She lives here....  her blog is filled with wonderfulness!!

So, those are some of The Secret Lives of Drawings, and what goes on behind the A Fanciful Twist scenes...  I have been sooo crazy busy lately.  I have some projects I am working on, and all the holiday stuff to finish up, which, even though you think, it is Only JULY!!  Is late in autumn retailing season time...  I have been working 16 hour days in the studio and on the computer.  And, I have to say it is all fun, so I can't complain!  But, you know, if you want to come over and help me...  ;)

Here is a little wall in my studio, where I keep some of the things I have worked on, or have ideas for...  It needs updating and sorting through...

      

I have a couple local commissions based on our gift tag last year...  I truly doodled it out and slapped it on our cookies & gifts, in an hour... I wish it was cuter...  But friends' friends want to become couple cartoons too... So, I am making gift tags as we speak (or type, or read)...

      

So there are some wee snippets of my world...

Also, about the BlogHer conference.. I guess this might be a little late for me to be telling you...

Typepad and their Six Apart team are hosting a cocktail lounge today, from 4-6:30 p.m. at one of my favorite hotels, The Westin St. Francis.

I tell you this, because they are having a fun raffle.  I was asked to donate...  I sent in two nicely framed large canvas prints...  Some other lovely art friends, donated some wonderful art pieces for the raffle as well...  It should be good fun...  Details of mine and other donated items here, on the Everything Typepad blog...  I hope someone we know is there, and comes back to tell us about the raffle ;) and more!!!

Well, I best Bid Adieu and be on my way... 

However, (I am sure you have seen him before) but I must leave you with Matt, from Where the Hell is Matt...  This video below (his 3rd video), made me cry.  You know why?  The fact that he can bring people together to jump around creating fun loving dancing madness, and happy giggling, is a huge dose of what we need in our world!! I find it quite touching...

This video has had over 7 million hits!!  See what happens 50 seconds into the video... And, read more about Matt here...

    

See you sooooon!!! xoxo, V          

A Girl & Her Collections = Escapes to Colorful Places

You don't always need a plane or a train, a hot air balloon, or a carriage to transport you...  You don't necessarily need to go through airport shenanigans, or passport hooplas...  Sometimes, if your imagination is being kind to you that day, all you need are a few collections to transport you long enough to make you feel like you really had a marvelous escape...

      

I know you are wondering, what's up with the felt balls?  In truth?  I just love them.  That's all.  They make me so shamelessly happy...

Those and some fuchsia dye, a little gold love over that, and maybe a little glitter.  Layer it on, while printing fabric...  That is all you need to begin your voyage through the secret keyhole, to another place...

      

I am a collector of those things which capture my heart.  I don't think it is a secret anymore ;)  My collections started at a young age.  Funny enough, the collections started with exotic treasures from far away places...

      

Sometimes, I wonder...  Have I really lived so many lives in one little lifetime??  And what an unusual teenager I must have been...  Collecting vintage saris...  Jewels, sculptures...  Sometimes, it really does feel like a lifetime ago... 

Until I find myself schlepping home new treasures to add to those collections ;)  Oops, same girl... Same lifetime...  Same people saying "What do you need that for?"  Same Dad's voice going, "What one earth???" (good thing he lives far enough away, that he doesn't see the half of it ;)

      

Most of my treasures are not with me in the country (the ones above are)...  However,  I do have enough with me today, to have a fun and colorful dress up fest...  Go ahead, choose one, let's play....

      

Being raised in and around Mexico, by parents who would take us traveling (trying new things ;), meant that what I thought was the norm (I came to find out in college), really wasn't the norm.  I mean, when the guy down the street paints his villa fluorescent cobalt blue, and noone flinches (because everyone else's is pink or orange), nothing is really what you think it is ;)  Normal doesn't even exist does it?  Hahaa...  That really is the wonderful realization!!

Then you take your friends from college home with you, and they call their parents to say, " you won't believe it, the guy down the street has a cobalt blue mansion.  And, her grandmother has all these statues, and we ate fried ants, and they eat spicy candy, with chili on it, and all the other houses are pink and orange and the men howl during their favorite songs, and her grandfather has tequila and worms for breakfast..."  You get the point...  I am standing there going, is that unusual?  hee heee....

Oops, I think I veered a bit above ;)  back to collections from around the world...

       

      

             

I graduated from the University of Arizona in 1999.  At that time, the program I was in encompassed some pretty heavy duty textile science classes (sadly the program no longer requires/nor teaches textile sciences).  They were very intense, very difficult, and in the end, invaluable...  They awakened the fabric passion in me...  Studying fabric history was incredible...  Equally fascinating was studying the fabric customs around the world...  From dyeing to weaving, to collecting fibers, and on and on...  Just astounding... 

      

      

          

Ever since then, I have been collecting old wooden textile printing blocks...  I have boxes full of them & lately, I have been playing with them on raw muslin...  I find that, if you lay your fabric over an open, giant dictionary, or some big thick book, your printing really does turn out nice with these... 

The book has just the perfect give, to allow the stamp to meld on.  On a flat hard surface, you get almost nothing...

      

      

      

I love being able to be transported without having to pack.  I love travel.  But, have done it less and less since traveling became what it is today.  The anxiety over the whole thing, is just the right amount, to get me to stay in and play with treasures instead... 

That way if all of a sudden, I get into my five year old self, and want to go home, I am already home ;)  Silly, but true (for me at least)...  Nothing like being in Budapest and deciding you want to go home, to Arizona, right then. ;)

Add a little music and some child-like pretending, and Bon Voyage, Buen Viaje, Kalo Taxithi, Buon Viaggio, Boa Viagem!  See you when you get back from your make believe voyage!!! 

I want details!!!  And a postcard!!  ;)

So, here's some music...  (Khaled was one of my favorites in college, below)  The girl in the video will make you want to play dress-up for certain... & paint!!

     

I say, get messy, and play!!  Pretend you are going anywhere on the map, and go, from the privacy of your own home ;)  Maybe even throw in a little culinary love from the region you will be visiting...  I think if you have little ones, this would be a bit of fun mixed with educational elements as well... 

I have some exciting new art supply treasures to share, that I think many of you will want to run out and get...  I will share them in the next post for certain...  Plus, I am three posts behind on other fun things I want to share...  Where does the time go????

      

Oh, I suppose, amusing yourself (as above) is where the time goes... ;)  See you sooooon! xoxo, V 

Innocent Until Proven Guilty... ( A Twist in Mouse Tales)

I was convinced that dreaded night was upon me.  You know the moment you plan for, reenact (if you are paranoid like me) and have all planned out.  That thing you'll do if you think an intruder is near... 

It is a seemingly gorgeous, peaceful night...  You are on your 15th dream, when...

      

All of a sudden, you hear a thud...  You reach for your scissors, your flashlight, your back scratcher, your remote control...  But all you can hear is your heart pounding...  You are frozen.  You go over the karate moves the guy at pottery taught you...  Was it aim with the left first, to throw him off?  Oh, how could you forget it all now??  You had almost put Mr. Lovee in the hospital the last time you practiced that move on him...

Another loud thud.  Oh no!!  What could it be??  You shake off your sleep...  Get re-combobulated.  Thud, Thud, Thud...   Is it the door to the outside from your private boudoir??  Thud, thud...  Ahhh, eeeeek, ackkkk, eeeep!!  Thud...  Oh no, it is coming from somewhere else?  But where???

From the wall??  You got it.  The furry creatures.  Back again... She was certain that there must be 1,267 mice waiting to Huff and Puff and knock her house down...

But wait.  This sounded like kicking...  Like, something bigger than a mouse...  Thud, Ahhhhhhh!! 

That is when it all changed.  The face of the intruder changed dramatically... 

      

And, what do you do?  When you have accused the wrong furry family?  It's not like you can say, oh sorry Mr. Mouse, my bad (details in last post)...  Her mind raced with thoughts...  Is that why the mouse traps were never tripped?  No signs of mice in the studio...  Just signs of something trying to get in.  Something aggressive.  Something that could knock down stairs? (okay, one stair face board, but still)

Could it really be...

      

Little Bunny Foo Foo and his pals??  No, come on??  Rabbit harrassment???  She assumed it was a mouse because, they did catch one once...  A round guy, that looked a bit like a hedgehog...  Not a rat, not an ugly thing.  A cute-ish little guy...  (That didn't change the fact that she didn't like them in her house or studio though) 

      

Those sweet floppety ears???  No way...  Couldn't be, I love bunnies!! (Miss Dees made the lovely bun bun below)

      

We were up all night...  Flashlights in hand...  And then, they emerged, early in the morning...  From a crawl space...  These little buggers!!

First two.  And I swear they were speaking some exotic language, and walking on two legs...  Talking about how they were going to get in the house...  Steal my shoes & mascara, make pancakes...  Take over my studio...  Make it big in Paris, by using my art supplies...  I think one was even smoking a cigar...  No, really, I am not hallucinating...  You have to believe me!!

      

And then there were 3...

      

I mean, these guys were royal meanies.  Could they really have it in them to be so mean??  Then she remembered... When her private boudoir was being built, some rabbits got in, and actually, would run and slam their feet into the screen door that used to be there before the real door came...  And once, they even broke through the door.  She found them inside...  Could they be the same guys???  Hmm, that was years ago... Who knows??

All she did know, was that these guys did most certainly emerge from the crawl space...  And that, there were many many more than usual scurrying around...

      

A bunny epidemic?  You be the judge...

I must say though.  For now it gives me a tiny bit of relief.  The whole tiptoeing around the thought of mice was getting very tiring...  Have you ever heard of rabbits being so aggressive??  Mr. Lovee nodded.  Like he knew it was the bunnies all along...  He found and sealed up their entry point today..  Boy oh boy, are they gonna be mad or what???

Well, anyway, getting closer to the real culprit is a good feeling...  And, being that it was an extra rainy day, meant that, baking felt like the perfect thing to do...

      

      

While those were baking, I ran around the yard in some crazy amounts of rain.  I mean outrageous rain.  I was beyond soaked, and I even took a video for you.  I will try to edit it and make it viewable.  If you are at all interested?  I dunnoooo....

      

      

The peach tree gets so heavy with all the water and the plump growing fruit, that it weighs all the way to the ground.  And our monster Agave looks huger than ever...

      

      

I almost forgot!  Look at this stunning huge hawk I saw this afternoon on a power line in our backyard...

      

       

      

All that goin' on outside while lovely scents wafted out from the inside...  Cakes.  I wanted to make my friend Sarah, a cake for her birthday (even though she lives in Iowa).  I had this perfect Mini 4-tier cake in mind.  But, I made a butter cake.  Which was so fragile, you could hardly frost it...  So, it didn't really work...  Sooory Foxy!  I had good intentions...  I had to share the photo because it is so pitifully funny...  Proof that my cakes won't always turn out like this ;) 

      

But the cupcakes frosted just lovely.  So, I had a party for one (me).  And toasted to my friend Sarah.  While also, throwing a welcome party for my two Sleepy Sam's, happily captured in Miss Emily's last originals shop update.  I love them Miss E!!

      

      

I like collecting art, as much as I like making art...  It makes my heart sinnnnng!!  ;)

So, that is where we are at in the Vanessa Valencia Saga...  Oh, by the way, I just looooved Cranford!!  As well, as the Forsyte Saga...  Have you seen them??  Totally different but just wonderful.  Cranford will charm your socks off!! 

      

In Mexico we have novelas.  Like American Soap Operas.  But more dramatic, and they actually end after a few months.  They don't go on for years ;)  Which is why I loved Cranford and Forsyte (just a few episodes from beginning to end.  Viewable in a weekend)...  Mombie always says, "thank goodness my novela is over, I am not getting hooked into another one again..."  But she does...  Because they do that to you ;)  I think one of her last ones was, Alborada.

Well, I best be off...  But before I go, I want to share some night time photos I took tonight. (click on photo to see the stars) 

      

I tricked my camera into taking them.  I used my tripod, and the manual setting.  Then I set the 10 second timer.  You see, normally, my big camera does not take night shots...  But, I have to say, I am sooo impressed by these.  They are so amazing.  The colors the camera picked up...  And I have to tell you, it was way dark when I took these...  Yet there is so much light in them...  I can't wait to try that trick again ;)

      

      

      

      

So there you have it...  Magical stars for extra outrageous dreams.... 

      

Tomorrow I hope to paint all day...  See you real soooooon!!  xoxo, V   

Of Mice & Rain...

This is a dramatized version of a kinda sorta true story (mostly true).  A little sensationalized for entertainment purposes ;)  It is a tail of what happened in the Enchanted Rainy Cypress Grove, while the girl spent a very busy week, mostly away from the studio.

      

As the book tells, the furry problems started years ago...

      

To bring you up to date...  An office addition was being built for the girl of this strange place.  The building was taking a wee bit longer than planned, and so, through an open bit of drywall, where plumbing was being done, furry creatures emerged.  Once a giant frog even visited (which was totally bizarre).  Creatures did not bother often.  But, when any sign of them was seen by the girl, in a word, she FrEaKeD.

The Mister had told her, that there was NOOOOO way that critters could be getting to her from said opening.  She begged to differ...  Sure he set a few traps (to appease her).  But he never got to see them or hear them, like she did...  All he could hear was her whining ;) (I won't go into what happened the day one did emerge for him to see, and the only one FrEaKiNg out, was him.  Don't tell him I told you that)

So, she put on her hard hat, and took things into her own hands.  She worked very diligently, with 5 rolls of tape and board and nails and glue, to make sure the furry friends could no longer enter her studio.  She couldn't wait for the plumbing to be finished in her new office, so that the lingering unfinished wall, could be drywalled shut, forever...

Soooo, as they say...  Much time passed, and the girl started to notice some disturbing signs...  Evidence that her enemies were back (maybe it was just one enemy).  But she did not panic. Yet...  She believed her territory was still secure... 

Fast forward to the week of July 7th.

      

The Cypress Grove was peaceful.  Giant raindrops brought in by the monsoon danced about...  But the girl, had to be in town most of the week.  Losing precious time with her friends (you), but also, well, this is where that old saying comes into play.  When the cat is away, the mice will play...  Noone, was left to be in charge.

She assumes that the mischief began occurring right after she started her treck down the hill, away from the grove...

      

She could almost hear them scampering, laughing, carrying on...

      

"Ha ha, you'll never find out how we are getting in, ha ha..."  She could almost hear them...  Now the little guy above is quite beloved...  But, remember, he is merely an actor, dramatizing a story ;)  Also, he has not a clue, that he is of the squeaking clan.  So let's not break his little heart...

Okay, back to the story...  So, one day, in this week of July 7th, when the girl arrived at the country abode, and walked into her studio, she found that the stairs, had one face board, pushed out...  And, that the nice wood, was mangled to bits in one corner, by little teeth... (Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!)

Well, you can imagine how that went down with her??  She was channeling Cruella de Vil on high alert at that point...  Now the Mr. Lovee man, was finally floored and astounded.  He immediately started a grueling process to reinforce & rebuild the stairs...  (thank goodness we didn't see any critters)  He said, "You know, we are in the country..."

I know...  But, "WHAT" she wailed???  Hands flailing in the air??  WHAT could they want from me????  Tears streamed down her distraught face.

      

I HATE them! Were words easily thrown about (and she didn't ever like to use the "H" word).  She had come unglued...  Finally the Mister saw her point.  He rubbed her shoulder, and nodded his head back and forth...

Then he said, "But Dovee, they love you.  Look at all the sparkles and ribbons and beautiful bits of paper on the floor.  You give them such a nice place to play in, and run about.  They think you are doing it for them..."

She glared at him, and grabbed the broom.  Within seconds, her studio floor looked like Mr. Clean had just visited...

After several hours, it was agreed upon that, there was no way they could ever get in again...  Not through the stairs at least... (I still ask how they managed to move a stair board?)  Mr. lovee thinks the stair board just fell out.  But, what with the teeth marks???  We have no cat or dog indoors...

      

So, she spent the next day in an OCD state of disinfecting (just in case).  Even though, the truth was, the signs of them were minor.  It really seemed like this was just them harassing her, because they could...

The next morning, there was another sign of something not good.  A little tiny wall opening (in one corner).  Something that had never been there before...  She yelled at the wall, "What do you want from me??  I have nothing for you!!" 

She was convinced the pesky rodentia, were simply after having a romantic evening in the Patisserie.  I mean, what else could they want???

      

While she was in town, Mr. Lovee sealed up the place like King Tut's tomb...  And he reassured her, that he was at a loss, because, there was no evidence (if you know what I mean)  that they had been anywhere in the place at all.  No signs...  Hmmmmm.  She lifted an eyebrow at the idea of those pesky guys...  A trick she mastered at age 3.

But, she thanked Mr. Lovee for all his hard work.  He was such a lovely guy...

      

Mr. Lovee assured her she was overreacting.  But, she was starting to believe that if it was her they were after, they would come into her private boudoir soon?  Perhaps, they were already plotting???  She lived in fear...  She began tiptoeing around...

      

      

      

Any little sound made her jump...  She would gasp...

Then, as she was looking for something to read one evening, she came upon a special book.  She had had this book for years...  Is this a sign??  No way!!  I will not say hello.  Mr. Lovee thinks, they think, I am like them??  The head Mammie?? (By the way, below is a real mouse book called "Say Hello, Vanessa."  Found at a vintage bookstore.  Can you believe it??)

      

      

Hahaha!!  I had to laugh outloud at this... So funny!! 

      

      

      

Well, I won't make you read the whole book ;)  But it is hilarious.  And, I don't mind being the mouse...  The friendless mouse ;)  I don't want any friends if they have to be real live mice...

For now, Mr. Lovee says I am 100% safe.  What do you think?  Should I trust Mr. Lovee Moose???

      

I guess I have no choice...  But, I will keep you up to date on that front...

Am I alone in this??  Does anyone have any furry stories to make me feel any better???  Miss M and I have shared war stories...  Please share any tails you may have (or have had)...

In other Arizona news...  Catalina has had so much rain, it is incredible.  It was cool here all day today.  Driving back to the studio from town, the sky was unreal again yesterday...

      

      

At 3 a.m., I was awakened by the most outrageous rain I have ever experienced.  It was so strong, and non-stop for hours...  One of you knows this is true, because there is e-mail proof I was up at that time.  I took a video of the rain at that time.  Here is a screen shot...

      

I know you are probably thinking, "Who cares about her rain."  :)  But, I will say, rain in Arizona is so beloved, I can never convey it...  I saw this down a street I rarely travel today...

      

So, that is the 411 in my neck of the woods.  I am so excited to catch up with you!!  The week has allowed me very little catch up time, so I am jumpin' in now!! 

      

And was on her way to your house ;)  xoxo, V

ps:  I made the wall decals out of thick black drawing paper, and double sided tape.  In case you want to put some designs on your own walls ;)  I hung the water drops from thread...

pps:  I did love this little guy though....

Unstructured Magic, Wild Muddy Abandon & Little Detours (long nature love story)

So, the planned post, is taking a nap for today, in order for me to share something else.  It has been a very strange week.  So, it was inevitable, that during a strange week (and it's only Wednesday) a person would be emotionally open to little messages, right?

      

I don't know if this happens to you (I think it does to all of us), but sometimes my little heart knows how to hear little messages...  It knows when it is time to stop, and take a giant breath, even if just for a few minutes...

      

Sometimes, you want to be silly, check out of daily life for a few hours,  maybe even play in a sea of beautiful felt balls... 

      

My felt ball "dealer" has decided that, if I don't buck up, she might report me to an agent at the FBA.  Felt Balls Anonymous.  And, I dare say, the last time I met her in a dark Italian restaurant, she warned me that the head BigFish is keeping her eye on me ;) Hahahaha!

      

Still, other times, a message might come to you so full force, the only thing lacking is the brilliant singing of angels... (case in point, photo below taken from my car, on a rainy day)

      

That is what I have really come to share today...  I was driving down the road, in the rain, (as we are in monsoon season of torrential rains right now).  I look to my left and what do I see?  Those heavenly clouds above...  You see, the monsoons are short lived, dramatic, and exquisite.  They come in, in the afternoon, and stir up all kinds of spectacular sights...

So there I was, minding my own business, and voila, huge billowing singing clouds to my left...  Then I look to my right and beauty, a rainbow is forming...

      

And I am like "Okay, I hear ya, I am feeling it, it's dramatic, I am listening..."  I know, that at this moment, it doesn't matter if I am in a skirt, or if I have to be somewhere.  This moment is speaking to me.  So, I keep driving, and realize, I have to stop.  I have to get out of my car.  It is pouring rain.  It doesn't matter.  I soak up every minute of this...

      

And if you look closely, what you can see, is that at the top, is another rainbow...  A double rainbow...  That moment was so magnificent and astounding.  We lost a family friend this week, and all I can hope for, is that she really is indeed, in a pain free, beautiful place, somewhere over the rainbow...

I stayed there under that rainbow for a very long time...  Then I hopped back in my car, soaked and completely in love with the moment.  I started to drive passed our little village fire dept., when the rainbow was calling me again...

      

So, I thought, you know, that rainbow doesn't look that far away.  I bet I could find the end of the rainbow.  I bet, I could live to blog about what magic, really is at the end of it... (ya, sure ;)

So, I didn't turn at the street that leads me to my country abode.  I proceeded down a huge long hill, and then turned north, driving for a bit...  I passed Miraval, and kept going.

      

I knew just what street I would have to turn on to get to that rainbow...  The street of a thousand mailboxes...

      

So, I turned there, and of course, I knew it...  The end of the rainbow was not far... I was determined to reach it...

      

Down the road I drove and drove...

      

Until I reached water?  LOVE it!!  Love it when the wash if full of water!!

      

Then, I realized, there was a bit too much water for me to attempt to cross...  I saw some guys on the other side, stuck in mud, while grading the road the old fashioned way...  I love rural living!!

I remembered that to the left was a vintage bridge...  Could it be braved??  I am not a risky kind of a girl though...

      

There was this cheek whispering, breeze kiss, kind of wind... You know, when the breeze kisses your cheeks, and dances in your hair...  There was a marvelous bird singing around me, with the most beautiful tune.  I walked over to the side of the bank to look upstream...

    

I sat there, loving every mere second.  I realized that, this is the moment I was supposed to revel in.  I thanked my heart for following the little messages that brought me here...

 

A couple trotted by on their horses "G'day lil' Miss" the man said as he tipped his hat...  Swooon, I love it!!

To the left the rainbow lingered as such...

      

And to the right, equally as beautiful...

      

      

I walked down a little hill, to get closer to the water... 

      

Rain and water in Arizona, are more than a good thing.  These are longed for moments...

      

Even if it is Chocolatey water ;)

I decided not to cross the bridge.  The gift of the rainbow and this lovely afternoon, was enough for my wee heart...  A hawk soared in the sky above, casting a huge shadow...  I knew it was time to go...  I had come this close to the end of the rainbow...

      

The sun was starting to set so beautifully to the west...  I just had to get home to see what kind of monsoon activity was goin' on there...

      

The dancing ladies were just tickled to be frolicking in the rain...

      

The view from our yard was spectacular...  I couldn't get enough of it...

      

The growing peaches were moist, and the mint was blooming...

      

      

My sweetie pooch asked me to play in the water with her...

      

She didn't have to ask twice...

      

      

      

And wait, is that a little prince swimming over there to the right??  Oh yes, Ribbit ribbiiittt!!!

      

Hi little friend!

      

And then, just as the day was at ridiculously wonderful nature love levels...  Mr. Lovee calls me over to see these little guys...

      

So, I get on the ground to try to bring you extra special shots...

      

      

And I have to tell you, the little girl below was quite nice, and wanted me to say Helloooo to you!  Well, she actually said, "Hey what's up?"  ;)

      

So, there you have it.  I lept into this nature filled day, and had such a lovely time.  And, thought to share it...  And also share that, sometimes, life can be insane, and we just have to take a detour...  Rebel against it all, and delve into that which is right in front of us...

      

And if your are lucky, you might go inside the house, to find that, there is a second chocolate stash, you hid so well, you forgot about it also... (upper left corner)

      

Now, really, I am losing my marbles right??  How could I have forgotten about two chocolate stashes???  (and how could I dream of showing you my mess ;)

Want one??

      

Oh you know what??  In the last post, Miss Gillian said, when she was a kid you might not find her at the cake and ice-cream table, but you would find her with her head in the potato chip bowl??  That was soooo me!!! hahahaaa!

Okay, I have so much other stuff to tell you.  I feel like I am behind in all my stories...  Don't I bore you silly???  You just let me know, and I'll get us some proper entertainment.  Heee heeee....  Call Mr. Depp, Donna is away for a couple of weeks!!

Oh it is raining again!!  Off I go!  Must play!! xoxo

Treats and Sips and Art, oh my...

Hi there!  Hope you had a lovely & safe weekend.  We did indeed.  A tiny escape + some much longed for, creating and real book reading time.  Oh how I loove books...  It has been raining and gloomy (which I adore), hence the darkish photos today.

      

Before we talk about art fun, I have to tell you about a funny little thing that happened.  A little before the Mad Tea Party, I stopped at a wonderful old candy shoppe and picked up some treats.  I planned on saving them for the party.  But guess what?  I forgot all about them.  They were tucked safely, deep in the fridge.  I howled when I found them.  I think I am losing my marbles, I tell ya!!

So, I figured, I could bring them out and share them with you now!  The Mister and I were tickled to find such forgotten treats..

      

My whole life, I was one of those kids who never liked sweets.  I can't remember accepting cake and ice cream at any birthday parties.  I just never found anything enticing about sugar.  Then a few years ago, the age of 28 rolled around, and all of a sudden, I started to like sweets a bit more.  I am not a sweets lover to the core yet, like my Mammie or Dad or Mr. Lovee.  But I do have an unusual sweet tooth every now and then.  And I adore beautiful pastries!!  Mr. Lovee eats so many sweets, he even smells like cookies and candy :)

Anyhow, grab a treat and tell me your tale about your love for sweets?  Or perhaps salty??  or perhaps even, tart?  What is your fave??

Speaking of fave, whilst veering, how do you take your coffee or tea?

      

That is of course, if you like them at all?  Truth be told, I drink my coffee black.  No cream, no sugar.  Is that strange?  I think I really freak my friends (and family) out.  They offer coffee with all kinds of creamers and flavors, and I say, "No thanks, just black..."  Then they stare at me, like I am insane.  I do not care for flavored coffees either (But Mombie does).  Blame Mr. Lovee.  He got me into making really really good coffee.  Ground fresh from amazing beans every day...

So with that, I will share how my favorite moments begin...  With a dark sip, a pencil, a pen, and some card stock...

      

I love drawing time.  The other day, I had this dream where I was actually inside of one of my paintings.  It was outrageously magnificent.

Sometimes, when I have an idea for a painting, the idea spills out in one fell swoop.  Other times it pieces itself together, over a period of time.  Sometimes it takes minutes, other times it take a few days... 

In a post in the future, I'll show you some stacks of the thousands of drawings I have...  Some of those come from drawings I do for other people (logos/banners and such).  Those can take weeks...  Research, and ideas, melding together...  Others come from my nightly drawing, before bed...  But all of them feel like special little pieces of my heart... 

The first painting I am going to share with you today, came to life like most of my others.  So very quickly.  I could hardly keep up with it.  It came to life in my mind, danced around, and thank goodness, I was able to catch it...

      

A few ideas on paper, and then I was off to the studio...

      

I have not given myself much painting time lately.  I missed it sooo much. 

      

      

Mr. Lovee likes this piece.  I caught him alone in the studio a couple of times, looking at it :)  I wonder what he was thinking to himself?

      

      

So, this one is called, Enchanted Tea Time...

      

I want to get a little Elfin Bonnet like hers...  Maybe I will have to make one?

I also finished up a little fairy I have been working on.  These are the first few steps.  Before the night sky came into play...

      

The photos do her no justice...  There are some little Mica flakes floating around, along with some tiny sparkles on her wings and hair...

      

She is the Midnight fairy...

      

      

I had so much fun with her wings.  There are tiny bits of subtle colors in them, that I so enjoyed playing with...

      

And the last painting I will share, is one I started ages ago.  This little girl has become a dear little studio friend to me...

At the Circus...

      

I feel like going to a fabulous fun carnival/circus.  I am so itching for one!!

      

One that is semi old-fashioned...  You know, where there is really good cotton candy and corn dogs.  A person in a huge vintage kiosk, making carnival glass trinkets...  A mirrored maze, and clowns and a trapeze act...  I have not been to one in ages.  Have you?  Do they even exist anymore??

      

      

So, there they are.  Three little pieces...  I tried to pop them into the shop tonight, but it is storming really hard, and I just lost interent service several times...  Luckily I saved this post as I went along!  I better scadaddle.  These paintings will be in my shop by tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Arizona time (as long as I have interent service, this monsoon storm is really bad tonight). 

xoxo, V

Eek, I still have so much to tell you... I'll save it for next time ;)

After-Party Refueling 101 + Giveaway Fun!

A little refueling in the Magical Cypress garden, was much needed after the Mad Tea Party.  I hope you all had as wonderful a time as I did!!

      

I was one noodled out girl after that!!  ;)  Although, it has not been all magical garden toodling time.  I went into town, for a little work, a little visit with Mombie & a little fun...   

      

I have to admit, I also munched on a little of this.  Yay for a new sushi place in my village, and take-out...  I brought it home and delved into pretty pages and, Yummy yummmmm! (my favorite)

      

And this...

      

I also managed to haul some bedding out of hiding.  You see, I am not a creature of much change.  But, you all know how I love bedding and towels...  So, I can't pass up something fun and pretty in that department. 

But, this is just silly!!  In Decemberish I picked up three different bedding sets at Anthropologie (including the one below).  I just couldn't say no...  You know how mesmerizing it can be in there, right?? ;)  The lighting, the eye candy, the scent...  It wins me and my pocket book over, every time!! 

Anyhow, I have not bothered switiching the three back and forth.  I have kept the same one on since then (the black and white).  So, I thought, time for bright and happy...  And, out it came...  It was like a new gift that had been hidden deep in my closet for months!!  ;)

      

That and some reading, equals some serious after-party refueling time at the house in the country...

      

The studio is still half a wreck.  I did pick up a little ;)  And, I have some projects I am finishing up.  In fact, one for a really lovely lady is almost complete!  Then I will share some of them with you.  As I realized the other day, how bad I am about telling you projects I am working on and such...  I also am still harboring a few secrets that will burst out of me soon enough! ;)

For more immediate exciting reveals...  What about naming the Mad Tea Party giveaway winners??  I used the random number generator and let's see... 

Who is the new Snail Girls' Momma???

      

Too-tooooo rooooooooooooo!!  Miss Stephanie at Rodrigvitz Style!! Yippeeee!!  You are the winner and a brand new, cheeky snail girl Mammie!!  Can't wait for you to tell us what their names are!! 

The second drawing was for...  The magical fairy ring & the party bird...

      

      

        

They go to, Miss Cindy at Yapping Cat Studio!  Yippeee wooo!!  Magical Glitter fun!

And, the two winners of any canvas print from my shop and a multi-postcard pack, go to...

      

Miss Tricia of Kooky Handbags & Miss Collette of A Bird in the Hand!! Yay lovely ladies!! Choose any print from my shop!!  Let me know which ones they are, and I will pack them up right away ;)

For all the giveaway girls...  Please send me your addresses, so I can send out your treasures right away!! ;)

I wish I had gifts for everyone...  Maybe one day, who knows??

For now I must be off to visit with the Witchies.  Maybe borrow a magic broom to clean up the ribbon and paper laden studio floor...

        

I must also bid Adieu to the last of the party guests... Phew... ;)

      

Sadly, the doors to the party are closed... 

      

Luckily, I am the keeper of the magical party keys...  So, I will lend them to you anytime, so you can venture back in ;)

      

It was a marvelous time.  I thank you for your participation from the bottom of my little heart!!  I can never gush enough about how wonderful you made it!!  It was quite a busy day for me indeed, but I loved every moment of it!!

So, with that, from a little broken street in the middle of nowhere, I send all the party love a girl can muster!!

      

Off I scadaddle for now!  See you sooooooon! xoxo, V