A Fanciful Twist

Holiday Swirls & Last Minute Treats

I am shocked that the holidays are upon us.  I am not sure where the time went, or how the time warp happened, but it did (to me at least), and so here we are.  Time to stop and breathe and enjoy the magic of Christmas, before it slips away...

   

I want to share some of my holiday freebies from the last couple of years (I should have done this last week).  Just in case you want to make some last minute treats, or print some free gift tags.  As a reminder all my freebies are available year round in the "Free Treats" section in my right hand sidebar.

Remember last year's "No Sew Stocking" project I shared?  

        

Post link with ideas, here. And, get your Printable PDF Here. (give it at least 40 seconds to open)

If you want some serious last minute inspiration, you must run over and visit beloved Nathalie of Kennedy & Friends.  Look at what she made with my free stocking template (above).  Swoonilicious, right?

     

She added her own silhouette twist, and sewed hers (tips on her blog).  A perfect example of how you can run with your own fabulous ideas.  I adore her blog, I want to move right in...

As for free gift tags, here we go ~

Click here for the Printable PDF for tags below, give them a few seconds to open~ (as featured in this blog post)

        

Click Here for the Printable PDF for the handmade gift tags below...

        

Below are some fun lil' gift tags I shared a couple of years ago as well.  Get your Printable PDF here.  Again, give it 40+ seconds to open.

        

Annnnd, if you are in the mood for last minute green craftiness, here is the link to the tutorial for the fused plastic bags ~

        

Tonight I must make a paper flower chandelier for a little someone in my family, and then...

        

Back to crocheting some gifts.  I pulled out a bunch of my yarn.  I have a huge trunk and two cases full of delicious yarn.  I was a super avid crocheter, until about a year and a half ago, when I got busy with other things.  But this winter, I think it is time to finish the great wall of blanket.

 

Tools, check... 

  

Longest blanket ever, check... 

        

But first, must make some gifts for my family. 

        

More details about what the lil' crochet flowers will become, after I gift them...

  

I love squeezing yummy soft yarn.

   

Oh, and a couple friends asked for these... Eeks, talk about last minute crafting! ;)

        

I am also getting ready to make candied orange peels, and Vania of Fantasy Whispers' yummy little muffins, which floor me because they use NO flour, but bake up like real muffins that would have used flour.  Bafflingly wonderful, and healthy too!  I think it must have something to do with the fiber and texture of the dates.  (mash up your dates real good)

        

Recipe - 

        

Soooo, that's the 411 around here.  Must get my fabric back from the bandit, and get to work.  By the way, Matty really is a fabric bandit - oh the tales I have yet to tell.  He took half of my gypsy wagon fabric to his bed the other day.  And he collects branches and flowers and things, and puts them all in his bed.  And then stares at them and cuddles them...  He is SO CUTE!

   

        

Remember his short little legs?  Oh goodness, I miss that babyness, must go cuddle now...

  

Growing up... 

   

Holiday madness, puppy love, crafty goodness, Bliss!  Oh, and today is my 400th post.  I just noticed that.  Fun!

  

Must get busy...  See you super soooooon!

♥ ,V

ps:  I Beyond loved American Photography, A Century of Images (rent it from Netflix if you can, it has meaning on many levels, as well as to us as bloggers - and how we share photos and life.  Delightful, fascinating and moving!).  I think I will watch Wings of Desire while I craft today.  It is about an angel who falls in love with a circus performer.  I will let you know what I think ;)

A Simple Winter Tale...

Morning light seeps in and sleepy eyes open in the secret sleeping nook...

        

Winter mornings in the desert feel like fall would in colder places.  Crisp and cool with mere tinges of cold here and there.  Some nights drop to freezing, but not all.  And sun shines almost everyday, warming the ground in the most delightful way.

So, it is natural that in a place that undoubtedly is lending sun rays, you are motivated to want to see what is going on outside of the the secret little sleeping nook...

        

The warm light glowing outside the nook curtains, tells of a spring-like December day awaiting your visit.

A tiny peek into life is taken, after a night of journeys through dreamscapes untold...

        

Little shoes are put on, as groggy steps out the front door loom.  It's interesting, what you can see with fresh morning eyes.  When they are willing to look closer.  To see what this incredible place called earth has to offer...

In the most seemingly mundane spaces, wonderment exists.  All we have to do is be willing to open our eyes to see, just so.

   

The giant apricot tree has finally turned warm shades of golden, and calls out, come play under my branches...

A dreamy escape.  There is total disregard for dirt, as laying under the tree seems so much more important.  So necessary for the sheer enjoyment of the dance between azure, and cerulean, sunflower and saffron...

        

It is moments like these, where time stops.

   

Music rustles through the trees.  Winter weather will not truly visit the desert until January, and so today brings an authentic feeling of Autumn.  Curiously, one day before the Winter Solstice arrives.

At closer look, the most stunning waves of crimson sap puddles, linger on the tree's bark...

   

Giant cabochons made of the same sweetness of the tree, silently sit like a vast treasure, undiscovered...

        

I don't notice until some time has passed, that hidden on the other side of the tree, love has joined me.  She sits in the sun, drying a wet coat from morning splashes in the pool, it seems...

        

And then, a trot of little paws tells me, another slice of love has decided to join me...

        

Love does seemingly live under the golden apricot tree...

   

As I look up through the tree, sprites gather in shades of...

Pale Lavender ~

   

Caribbean Sea~

   

And Fire ~

  

I drift away in thought, and for a moment, I am certain I can hear Lisa Lynne's harp in the distance... 

After some times passes, I hear the voice of a woodsman (aka Mister Lovee). He has arrived to trim my beloved tree.

   

Which in the photograph above, looks like a fake back drop, don't you think?

Just like that, Mister Lovee Woodsman sends me off, in search of a new-old treasure he has placed on my wagon.  And so I go, with thoughts of baking cookies dancing around me...

        

The gift I find is a lantern.  So that I may see by night, the glowing magic that awaits, if I open my eyes just so...

As cranberry,white chocolate and pecan cookies bake, sending heavenly aromas adrift, I stop and think ~ what a lovely simple little day.

And, I am thankful for the gift to recognize splendid little moments.  Moments that are fleeting, and golden...

Do you find yourself making sacred collections of such little moments that take place in your world as well?  I would love to know of such moments.  Did you have one today?

For now, I must be off to make homemade french fries, but I will see you super soon with a treat ;)

♥ ,V

V

The Littlest Visitor ~ Milo

I was asleep, dreaming. Stars glowed in a pale warm sky.  Was I floating?  I saw a face in the distance.  Darcy?  Was it Darcy walking towards me?  Heart beating, faster and faster...

        

I heard that familiar tune playing over and over in my mind (I have seen Pride and Prejudice 7,890 times and never tire of it).  In that dream state, I felt a love so mind blowing, it was one I had only been able to touch in my dreams.  Of course, real world love is wonderful.  But dream love, dream love is the kind of love storybooks are written about...  Dream world love has no real world infusions.  Just sticky disgustingly mind blowing Cinderella love, castles included...

So, there I was, Darcy in the distance...  A breeze kissed my cheeks. Stars glowed.  Music played, and the story was getting really good.  Suspense unraveling...

When all of a sudden I heard another familiar sound.

Only this time, it was the sound of my low grade intercom gate buzzer.

Two dogs barking their brains off.  Not to mention the new dog in the back distance that has woken me up for 2 days in a row with non stop barking for hours.

I realized I had been dreaming. 

I could still hear the music though, it was coming from outside. 

Who's there?

        

I heard tires on asphalt.  I stumbled outside to see what was going on.  The music was coming from a tiny spot in the distance.

As it got closer, I realized that it was...

        

MILO!

        

He is such a romantic!  Or was it Cori who gave him that glorious soundtrack for his travels when he left her abode?  Whatever the case may be.  I guess, it wasn't Darcy ;)

Although, Milo is even more delightful.

Milo is here after visiting not only Cori, but Rhonda Roo, Marie, Ariadone, KJ and still has a handful of places to go all over the world. 

Lucky for us, he is spending the holidays at A Fanciful Twist.  Isn't that exciting?  

The second he arrived in a travel case full of remnants of his past visits, I decided, he needed a new outfit.  Poor guy has been traveling mostly bare bug.  And, he didn't want to have to wear his Halloween sweater (cute as it may be) all winter...

First he got a party hat...

      

Then a snazzy pair of lil' pants ;)  All handmade by Auntie V...

       

Of course, he needed a coat to go with his snazzy pants.  Funny, how people's personas change when they put on different outfits.  Mister says, Milo's Mama might not be too happy with the whole disco fever around here ;)  

        

Then again, Mister Lovee doesn't know Milo's hot Mama.  She is fabulous!

As you can imagine, many of the fanciful creatures came out to have a Welcome Party for Little Milo Bugaboo.  Notice any treats or treasures you have sent throughout the years?  Carousel from beloved Paris?  My magic egg from lovely jewelry maker?  Ornament swap treasures?  And many of my own creatures.  All joining for a great big party.

        

As we were all partying by a tree, I heard a voice.  I was at the far back end of our property, where I can't see anyone, and I "thought" no one could see me.  Then I heard a voice.  At first, I thought it was the tree talking to me.

voice:  Hey you, what are you doing?

me:  Silence

voice:  Girl, what are you doing by that tree?

me:  Me? (in my pajamas)

voice:  Ya, you, what are you doing by that tree?

me:  Playing with my dolls and taking pictures (private hermity side emerges)

voice:  Is it true you guys have a studio or something over there?

me:  Umm, uhh, yah, well, yes.

me:  I can't see you???? (squints in the direction of the voice, holding her hands above her brow to block the sunlight)

voice:  I can see you, and I have a new puppy

me:  Oh, that's cute (I know I heard it all morning, it woke me up)  

voice:  It is like your dolls, a puppy maltese

me:  cute!

voice:  So, can I come over?

me:  The studio is not open.

voice:  When will it be open?

me:  I'll let you know...

I called Mister Lovee who was utterly amused at the story.  She seemed nice.  We exchanged names.  I still never saw her.  I hope I wasn't hearing voices.  Milo wanted to ask her if we could have dinner at her house ;)

Luckily my gypsy garden bath and such are in the front yard, just in case I am visible in the way back yard.  Although, I never see a soul back there (there are two houses in the acreage distance), and it is tree and shrub covered.  So, I think maybe it was the tree talking to me...

Anyhow, after that meet and greet, all the creatures and I kept partying on!!  It was lovely, under the glow of the iridescent sunlight...

        

You can imagine, the tale doesn't end here.  The places Milo will go!

Oh and, feel free to share your ideas of what you think Milo should partake in while at A Fanciful Twist headquarters ;)  (Or should I say, A Fanciful Twist Madhouse?)

♥ ,V

V

Little Faces & Impromptu Sales...

Hi there!  I have been trying to get here for two days, alas I was covered in paint and glue and having so much fun with new creatures and art (officially in my shop) that I got carried away.  The process of filling the shop and taking photos is longer than I expect every time, but fun all the same ;)

I have been fluttering in a theater where dreams come to life... (I just put the Original below, in my shop)

        

        

       

       
 

        

One of my favorite pieces, yet so difficult to photograph.  The photos don't do it justice because you can't see all the sparkles and texture.  

Anyhow, I also disappeared because a certain Magician stole my heart...  A charming gentleman by the name of, Oliver Tobias ~

        

But before I start sharing faces, let me mention.  For starters, I am having a Print Sale, buy 2 get 1 free, and the rules are at the top of my shop announcements.  I don't have sales often, but every once in a while there might be a little party time sale of sorts...

As for new faces (I won't chat too much because I have to finish dinner and practice some new songs with Mister) but here they are, itching to meet you ;)

A little bunch of Gnomes with names like Ludo Pilnab and Yon Bleenickle ~ not to mention their deer, who have equally magical gnome forest names ;)

        

       

Then a sculpture take on my illustration of the tiny girl hiding in a magical tree stump...

Adeline Eudora ~

  

And a mushroom forest...

   

Oh, almost forgot, a tea pot girl, Little Miss Cordelia ~

        

You will also find a couple of elves and theaters and other fun stuff.  If you have a moment, take a tiny peek, won't you?  ;)

        

Those are the faces and curious creations for the day.  I will be making many more treats, more often.  Or at least, that is my plan ;) 

I have a ton to say, and tales to tell, I will be back sooner than you think.  I have a tiny house guest to tell you about!  Mischief I tell ya, mischief!!

You can get to my shop by clicking here ♥

I hear a guitar and a mandolin, must skedaddle...

 

ps: Art Poster Calendars on their way ;)

pss:  Don't stop, Believing...  (I know, I am so stinkin' corny)