A Fanciful Twist

Pink + Cobalt Blue {& a Piggy too}

I am so so glad to be back!  I wanted to give guys and gals at least a week to see the Mad Tea Party invite.  Although there is plenty of time to sign up.  I don't know about you, but I have been shuffling trinkets and treats around my house, inspiring myself for tea party planning because...

Truth be told...

I never know what I am entirely going to do for the Mad Tea Party until a few days before the event.  I know I know, I am one risky sorta gal ;)

Right now I am obsessing on one of my fave combinations of all time, which is pink and cobalt blue.  I have always been so attracted to this combo.  I also adore cobalt blue and white patterns, paired up with all shades of candy pink.

And then, there's me wee pig.

Which I schlepped home when I was around 20, and have had him with me ever since. (my sister doesn't like him, isn't that sad?  he is so sweet!)  I am pretending he is the baby pig from Alice in Wonderland, all growed up to be a chef.

One thing that so inpires me is having a stress free day, where I wash floors and dust and bleach everything (I have a small, okay, a large bleach obsession).  And then after everything is clean, I play with my collections, moving things around, re-loving inanimate objects.

Flipping through books and magazines I have stacked high.

I find those sort of days to be my favorite, just being in my space with my stuff, getting all cozy and in my own space happy.

In a glass box I keep one of my most treasured items.  It is a cobalt blue and white tea-set, that comes in a wicker picnic basket where each piece fits in perfectly.  I am sure you have seen those?

Anyhow, this set is so so so so so dear to me.

It belonged to my aunt (mom's sis), who passed away a few years ago.  My aunt's daughters, my two cousins, gifted me the beloved tea-set this past Christmas.

I know, heart strings. 

I am so thankful to those two lovely gal cousins of mine.

Cobalt blue, and white and pink...

Yumms.

Move things here to there, and there to here, and inspiration trickles in...

Plink, plink, zwizzzzle, plink! 

Any thoughts swirling on what you will conjure up...

For this year's mad event?

I am not sure what I will be doing...

Just not sure at all.

Not even one inclination, oh my!

 But playing with this stuff is sparking my imagination.

Oh and, seeds flowering everywhere doesn't hurt either, for a little wonderlandish inspiration.

So much going on around here, mostly garden care and painting.  Getting up super early to squeeze it all in.  Eating lots of treats from the garden.  Tending to 5 pumpkin patches, and 14 different garden areas.  Phewey.

Gophers making me cry all the time. Loving that I have my neighbor to commiserate with (she has them too).  They are so harmful.  Argh.  Sucking my hard work down into the earth (even through wire and rock and more).  The rabbits are being crazy too.  Then again, it hasn't rained forever and a day here, and there is nothing for any animal to eat but what we are watering. So, that's that.  Mister says that the folks who used to live here (ages and ages ago, and grew everything they ate, and canned) said "you will never get rid of the gophers."  Scary Mary!  Zoiks!  Gulp. 

I would just really like to deter them.  You know, convince them to build their dirt mansions somewhere else, far far away.

My neighbor and I keep sending a really cute photo of the gophers back and forth to each other, as to remind ourselves that they are c-c-c-c-cute.

And, hmmm, let's see, the pups are being adorable as heck and Lovee is up to all of his regular shenanigans.

Plus, five pages of projects.

And, that's about it.

;)

How are you all?

Any Mad Tea Party planning goin' on with you?

Okay, must run for now,

See you super soon!

Love, V

 

ps:  I just realized that this is my 601st blog post! Wowie Zowie!

Mad Tea Party 2011 {An Invitation}

It's the maddest time of the year, the maddest time indeed.  Time for preparing for our annual Mad Tea Party.  Tea cups, cakes, crafty garlands, sparkles and more!  As I was preparing to make my way to invite you to join in, I heard a curious sound coming from around the bend...

Who could it be thought me?

Color and magic, song and laughter, filled the air... 

No no, it wasn't Ian McShane, and no, it wasn't Keith Richards either....

Why, it was the Mad Hatter himself!!

What a treat to see him again this year ;)

But wait, what is this?

Why, it's his trusty chicken of course! 

(or is it a rooster?)

They have traveled from far far away, to make it here, to you and me. 

To invite us quite properly...

With the sound of his horn, and the tic toc of his clock...

He cries out with glee!

"Come one, come all, to the 4th annual virtual Mad Tea Party!"

Go mad, go ruffly, throw in some bloomers and tea cups and twirls galore!  Invent things as you go along, and more!  It's mad, it's tea, it's a parteeeeeeeeeee!

What fun, what fun!!!

Winged pigs turn up to celebrate the glorious announcement.

And fluffy furry creatures are also invited to join in!

But wait, wait, what's this we hear?

A swirly, sweet and twisty secret to share? 

Why yes, oh yes!

It's a deliciously sweet and wonderfully frosted secret we get to reveal!

The secret lies within cakes, and super pretty treats.

Edible sweets, and confection delightments beyond our dreams!!

You see, the maker of this cake, happens to be...

 

The super lovely and beloved Rosie, of Sweetapolita.

And guess what?

She is this year's honorary guest.

How lucky for us!

Thank you Rosie!

(that's lovely Rosie below)

Rosie brings such excitement to the party with her "fancy cakes and confections."

Such inspiration for a cakier, bakier, craftier, makier, and madder tea party than ever, don't you think?

I do, I do!

Just look at a few of the treats she creates! 

I put some of her pretty treats together below.

A cake artiste me thinks, for certain!

So this year, let's make it super fun, with lots of homemade goodies, and crafty projects.  What do you say?

Anything goes, as always.

Won't you please join us

on

June 25th, 2011

for

a

Mad

Tea

Party

?

The Mad Hatter made sure to swirl magic into the air, under the full moon, in order to add extra enchantment to this year's event...

Time to whip up some goodness.

I simply can't wait!

Below you will find this year's flyer, and blog button. 

Simply click and save, to use on your own blog.

Alice and the rabbit joined in!

(Flyer)

 

(2 button sizes below)

200 pixels wide

 

150 pixels wide

 

Do you remember the party drill? 

If not, here you go...

Wondering what to do if you sign up?

If you are signing up to participate in the Mad Tea Party all you have to do is leave me a comment, with your blog link, stating that you wish to join in...

Then follow these 4 bits of advice (err, rules)...

1)  Share the flyer and/or the button on your blog as soon as possible and link to me.  I will then add your name to the "Mad Tea Partiers" list in my LEFT hand side bar, and link back to you. 

2)  On the day of the party, June 25th 2011, please make sure to post a Mad Tea Party post of your own, on your blog, linking to me.  Other partiers will be visiting you on that date. 

3)  IMPORTANT - On the day of the party, after you have your own Mad Tea Party blog post up and running, please leave a comment at my Mad Tea Party post, including your "Actual Party Link."  It will serve as an archive of all partier links. 

4)  Blog hop with the other partiers on the day of the event and have a mad blast!

Note:  Please make sure you post a party post on your blog on June 25th if you sign up.  If you sign up and later find that you can't make the event, please let me know and I will remove your name from the list.

So that's that.

Easy as pie ;)

Now...

 

Magic and Whimsy abound!

We hope to all heart hopes that you can make it.

What joy, what fun!

It's mad, it's virtual, it's a party just for you!

Time to get busy ;)

(If you would like to see parties from year's past, click here)

Much love, V

 

ps:  I so tried to get here sooner, but we have had construction in the garden for 3 months of craziness (which got a hair crazier lately).  Plus, a party in the garden last night that took days of planning, and busy busy bee times all day yesterday preparing for the guests.  It was for boys, so I hid at night ;)

But now, now it is time for the Mad Tea Party, and all the wonderment and surprise it brings.  With lots of crafty ideas leading up to the day.  I am so excited, I really am so looking forward to it!

pss:  Important note - I will be adding names to the list every couple of days.  If you don't see your name on the list (after a couple of days), and you want to be on, please contact me.  Sometimes things do slip through the cracks when I upload links, so don't hesitate to let me know, please.  I just noticed a couple of people I added last week, not on the list.  So it does happen.  Just send me a note and I'll take care of it ;)

Rabbits, Flamingos and Gnomes, Oh My!

Exciting tid-bits are being wrapped up in our neck of the woods, as an official party announcement will be here in mere moments (a couple of days).  So much to do, so much going on, so many squeal worthy happenings to share.

However, the grandest news is that YOU GUESSED!

Yes, the Mad Tea Party is about a month away. 

I can't wait, can't wait I say. 

Treats and sparkles and wonderland, who can resist? 

It beckons me, it beckons you!

 

Every year, about a month before the party, all manner of characters show up.  There must have been a memo posted in a mushroom meadow or something, because oodles of gnomes are turning up.  And even better, they are building wee chalets, with plans to stay!

They said they will protect me too, so that's good news!

Secretly, I can't resist, I must reveal that the white rabbit has come to visit me...

And just yesterday, Alice saw me frantic trying to save my computer from a virus disaster, and turned up with cupped delights.  Of course, she asked me not to utter a word...

Okay okay, I know what you are wondering.

What of the Mad Hatter?

Well.

Um.

Ahem.

Yes, he too.

He has so much to tell you in days, less than a few.

Let's just say, we danced under the full moon, ducked in bushes from passersby, ran around the street, in full costume.  Yes yes.

But wait.

I must save some for later.

What about your secrets? 

Are your Mad Tea Party gears churning and turning?

So much to do, so much to do!

The flamingos are eager as eager can be, for proper croquet in the garden...

They are borderline threatening, with their partyness excitement overload...

Things can get kooky with 6 flamingos living in our garden areas ;)

Oh oh, and I almost forgot.

Gus, the hugeish gnome, got lost between here and Michigan, twice.

But finally, he is here, just in time.

He is the party bouncer, butler and valet, for those of you arriving on tricycles and in pumpkin carriages.  And, when he is not doing those things, he runs the karaoke machine and makes fluffy paper flowers.

I don't know how to tell that mad hatter that I am in love with Gus.

Gus.

Be still me heart.

Oh Gus.

Gnome of me wee hearrt (roll your r's there).

I think he won me over with his total belief that he is Gnomey Bennett.

 

I mean Tony.

So, I must skedaddle and finish up the last bits and bobs of planning, so that I can properly invite you, for the maddest most wonderlandest tea we can conjure up.

Oh my, oh me!

Love, V

ps:  The first tall sunflower of the season has bloomed, and guess what?  It is a conjoined twin!

Two flower heads, on one stalk.

 

Tic Toc, Tic Toc!

What's that sound you say?  What's that tugging at your bloomer hem today?  What's that twinkling of your toes & skipping of heart beats?  Why, it's just about that time you see...

 

You do know what I mean, don't you?

I am quite certain you simply must.

I was told you could feel it swirling, and twirling and calling your name.

Checking in glass boxes...

Preparing frocks?

Opening the door to the crystal case... 

Preparing to get ready for the most funnest, the most maddest, the most...

Wait wait...

I can't give it away quite yet.

But I bet you know, yes you do.

Because the most bestest magic lives in you!

It's almost time, almost time indeed.

To let you know about.......

Well, ahem...

You tell me?

 

ps: 

Let's get sillier, and crazier, and more over the top, and madder, and wilder, and frillier, and singier, and dancier, and happier than happy for what's around the corner.

I am in so much need of some sparkling, what about you?

Tic toc, Tic Toc..........

More to come, in one shake of a bunny tale. 

Tail.

Have you guessed?

Evening Secrets

Soooooooo, guess what?  Remember when I was trying to figure out what those oodles of giant plants were in my garden?  There were so many suggestions, and quite frankly, every photo I would pull up on line, looked like every suggestion, haha!  Then I got a note from Nicky in the UK, who said she was "almost 100% sure" that I had lots of Evening Primrose growing in me garden.

Hello Evening Primrose!

 

Well, she was correct. (Thank you Nicky!)

The secret is finally revealed by the evening primrose itself.

Last week they began blooming.  Most have yet to bloom, and just seem to be getting taller.  A couple are almost as tall as me, but don't seem near blooming yet.

I can tell that some of the plants will have tons of flowers blooming on the way.

The shorter plants, that are splayed out 3+ feet, are the ones that are blooming...

Now I await the blooming of the super tall ones. 

So, now we know.

Evening Primrose it is.

Fun fun fun!

 

The extra tall ones are behind Miles in the photo above.

Or you can see them here.

 

I am also finding them growing in 5 parts of the garden not shown (I will take photos as they bloom), exactly where I sprinkled all those seeds last year.

So, that's inspiring isn't it?

You never know what will turn up year after year.

Especially here, where little grows, unless you water every day.

The best news is that, it is that time of year where the days are hot, and the nights are still cool.  Which means, we all await the evening with grand anticipation.

 

The sun hits the west side of the garden, and I know delicious skies will envelope us as the sun sets...

Oh, and something else.

Let me veer for a second.

I was on a hunt for some new floral, pretty garden cushions, for snuggling in my old chaise once the sun sets.

I went everywhere.

I mean everywhere.

And then, I passed a newish shopping plaza with a massive...

Wal-Mart.

I saw letters that said Outdoor Living.

I called my Mom and asked her to look and see if they had any pretty cushions online while I was in Cost Plus World Market.  She started sending photos she was taking from her computer to my cell phone.  So funny! 

I liked them, so...

I went to the Wal-Mart garden section.

It was empty of people, and nice, and BIG.

I almost fainted.

The prices were astronomical.

(in the low sense, compared to other places I had been).

Lots of plants and treats.

I was floored.

It felt like, I was the last one to hear some sort of grand news.

Did I mention the prices?

Well, lo and behold, they had pretty pretty garden chaise cushions.

Nicer than anywhere else I had been, for half the price.

Pinch me?

Where have I been?

Do you all go to Wal-Mart?

Big box stores and malls are my phobia.

What if you can't get out?

But, I am still floored at the good prices.

I had no idea. 

Not bad quality on the garden stuff either.

Slap me silly!

I bought a cushion, but told Mister Lovee about other cushions and umbrellas they had.

And then...

He proceeded to come home that evening with a car full of cushions, umbrella etc, on his way home from the office.

What a guy!

My garden is happy.

I feel sorry for my old huge green umbrella that was sent over to the other side of the garden though.

Isn't it silly to feel sorry for inanimate objects?

But I do.

Although this one goes with my 3 big red umbrellas me thinks.

Okay, enough about umbrella nonsense.

What was I saying?

Oh yes...

So, while we wait for the sun to set...

 

I marvel at how the hues of the landscape change.

They go from yellow to bright pink, to a sort of sepia with glistening sparks of sunshine...

 

And just as the sun says good evening, all the colors sort of wash away, and everywhere I turn becomes that fabulous shade of twilight blue...

 

Which makes certain flowers extra blue...

Especially the hydrangea...

And then, everything starts to turn a purple hue, which I adore, just as the sun officially sets...

I am sure you know where I am headed next...

When we have mild beautiful nights...

Yep, you guessed it.

Gypsy nights ensue...

I took everything out of the gypsy wagon, I mean everything, and dusted and vacuumed.

And now it's pure

Yumms.

 

Another season in the Gypsy Garden begins...

 

With hopes of grand tales and happenings.

That's where I will be in about 20 minutes.

Gather some reading material, and/or music, and off I go.

Happy Happy Weekending to you!

 

ps:  Something Sweet

 

Miles is as soft and squishy and lovable and hilarious as could be.

A growing baby boy.

Everyday he gets a little bit bigger.

(already bigger than his big brother)

Yikes!

pss:  Let's not forget big brother himself.  The family/garden protector, guardian, little brother's best friend, love-boat and all around...

"Quirky muffin cakes, don't mess with me strangers, or else" 

Matisse. 

Matty.

Where Women Create {The Business of the Studio}

We are back from our weekend adventures, with tales to tell too.  However, I am going to save those for next time, as I came home to find something fun to share!

The Summer 2011 Issue of Where Women Create...

The exciting news is that I am in this issue, in a section called

"The Business of the Studio."

(The pages are much more clear and lovely in person, my camera was in weird light)

This is so exciting, however, the most fun is the reaction from my family.  As you know, I spend 95% of my time looking like a dirt mouse.  I am always in the garden, or covered in paint.  My life is a whirlwind of country house chores, running my own little business and never ending things to do.  These days are far from the seemingly glamorous life I once led ;)

(Last night I was trimming mass amounts of a huge mesquite tree, with a hand saw, for pete's sake. Haha!)

It's quaint and work filled, but full of love and goodness.

So, when I get a call from my sister, who is screaming in a paper store in New Mexico because she just glanced at this issue in a rack in said shop, and had no idea I would be in it...

Well, it is the most heart fun thing ever.  

I truly believe that sharing with people who care about you, is the best part of the whole thing.

It is a wondrously surreal feeling, to see yourself published anywhere.

It is really heart thumping and whirlwind twirly feeling.

And also, it makes me feel sort of, shy in a funny way.

 

I am not shy.

Or maybe I am, in a round about way?

Nah, my family would teeter on saying I am overbearing and loud ;) and maybe even, pushy?

Eeeks.

But, there is also a part of me that hides in closets at certain parties... 

So maybe I am?  I dunno.

Either way, I am delighted to get to share some snippets of the issue...

 

My behind the scenes is pretty buzz busy all the time.  I know it seems like sometimes it's a hair quiet.  But tricks and treats are always brewing.  And if they aren't, then by golly, we'll brew up another potion to keep the fun going ;) (right now we have a heck of a busy behind the scenes, with mass projects to finish up)

 

The entire issue is pretty snazzle razzle dazzey!

I am entranced reading articles, and peeking into studios.

Isn't that so much fun?

So, if you would like a copy of your own, lots of grocery stores have it in their magazine section.  Safeway has it for sure (if you have a Safeway grocery store), and you can order it from Stampington online, or check into most craft and book stores.

I am a thankful girl, who doesn't want to take one morsel for granted.

I hope you can sometimes hear me, whispering a thank you your way, for being my friend via the ether-net ;)

Want to hear a funny random tale before I go?

So, about 15 years ago, some boy gave me a bundle of orange lilies.

They dried up in a vase in my house (the city house), and so, I took them outside and plunked them in a pot, for lack of knowing what to do with them.

The next year, they grew and bloomed in that very pot, all from those dry stems.

I was floored!

THEN...

My sister would tell me every spring or so, that the flowers would bloom in that same pot.

Fast forward 14 years later (last year), to a dry pot, with nothing in it but old dirt, that I went and picked up at the city house, and brought to the country. I put some new soil in it, on top of the old stuff (stirred it around), popped in some seeds and began watering regularly.

I had forgotten about those lilies.

I mean, why would I think that in dry old soil, 15 year old lilies would turn up again?

But they did!

 

And bloomed yesterday...

In a curiously magnificent shade of red.

I am speechless.

Who knew such a thing could happen?

Like I really needed something to further fuel my garden obsession?

In the last two weeks I planted a bunch more, two trees, 6 shrubs, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Sunday, my granny and I dug up things in her garden for me to bring home.  3 tiny trees, violets and more.

I look at it as adding to the future of my garden.

And, helping the earth in my own little way.

Am I delusional?

 

Do you see a hedgehog cloud?

I better be off, I can tell I am in a veering mood, and I might end up with some long wacky blog post ;)

Love, V

 

 

ps:  You can peek at more photos of the studio, and more of my living spaces, here...

Happy Happy Happy!

A very special day is on its way...

 

It's a lovely, precious

most splendiforous

wondrous

Mother's DAY weekend!

My wish would be that all moms would get to sleep in as late as they want...

 

And that, all the treats of your heart's delight would find their way to you!

Plus, that about 5

 of your top 10 wishes

would absolutely positively

actually come true!

 

I am on my way to see my own Mombie, and my Gran, plus I get to see a bunch of other family I heart, as they will all gather to celebrate the moms in our lives.  Mister will stay home, and keep things in order.  (he is on water garden weekend patrol)

 

Have a super lovely Mother's Day weekend!!!

(that includes moms to furry and/or feathered babies)

 

Much love, from me, to you!

 

Love, V

 

Camille & Midnight Tea {a painting}

She was the sort of gal you immediately felt fond of.  She was caring, compassionate, kind, and yet reserved in the slightest way.  In fact, folks might say that she was reserved in a way that made her a tinge mysterious...

She lived in the tiniest little village, bordering one of those sublime fairy tale forests.

Where fireflies and deer danced in the late night hours...

 

And so, it wasn't unusual, to see lovely Camille,

scurrying through the village,

and into the forest

in the wee hours of the night.

 

She loved putting ribbons and flowers in her two braids that she tied atop her head.  And, she was known to almost always be wearing the daintiest of pinafores.

 

When nights turned to spring and summer, and even fall, Camille would often put together a gathering in the forest for the much anticipated....

Midnight Tea Party.

 

The butterfly and firefly society were always the first ones to show up.

The fireflies guided her way, and kept the little soiree illuminated, with the aid of the moon.

 

And so, that brings us to

Camille & Midnight Tea...

She is one of my newest paintings.

Here are two photographs of Camille hanging on a white wall...

 

 

Camille & Midnight Tea.

18" x  24" x 1.5"

She is now available in my online shop.

(Camille just found a delightful home.  There will be lovely canvas prints soon)

Back to the studio I go.

It is Mother's Day gift making time!

Are you all sorted out on your gifts?

Any fun ideas?

As a Mom (if you are a mom), what would you LOVE to receive for Mother's day.  I mean, within reason of course ;)

 

 

ps:  My Mother's Day coffee filter corsage idea is still available right here.

pss:  Silly ME, I forgot, Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!

 

In the Studio

In the studio, a good place to be.  A safe place to roam the destinations I carry in my thoughts.  The faces that visit, little worlds in the pockets of my imagination here and there, where feelings and emotions run free, and feel at home...

The truth is, it is only in the garden where I find an escape and can refuel enough, to come back to my friends day to day...

 

All with their own personalities.

Truly.

If you use paintbrushes I am certain you feel the same way.

It's like, they are characters in their own right.

 

I love all of my paintbrushes.

Even the old tattered ones.

No one will ever get thrown away, but more like elevated to royalty when they can no longer be used for painting.  It's like, they get to retire to a tahiti of their own ;)

 

Is it okay to feel actual love, I mean really thump thump in your heart love, for art supplies?

I actually go weak in the knees and get butterflies in my stomach when I go into a proper art store.

I guess this is what happens when you start to get a little bit older, and a little bit wiser.  You exchange pointless crushes, for meaningful ones ;)

 

And so, tucked into this space I call my studio, is where the real me, meets up with the girl I am in my mind's eye.

 

We collect inspiring trinkets for beckoning the muse...

 

They inspire thoughts, places...

An old 1800's hotel, at breakfast hour.

Possibly by the seaside?

Gloved women, tender clanking of teacups.

 

Hats, parasols...

Dapper gentlemen, curled mustaches...

A tune by Sir Edward Elgar wafts in.

We go there...

And, promptly get to work -

Happiest of days!

It is the height of spring, May is here, can you believe it?

Time is flashing before my eyes.  Must soak it up as quickly as I can.  Do you feel the same way?

From our neck of the woods, we wave madly!

 

These are Days...

I have a song visiting me.  You know how sometimes you get a song in your soul, and it tucks in, and makes your day light and happy?  It's an old favorite that is filling my heart today, making my smile, helping keep my eyes open (to everything around me).  You probably know it.  It goes something like this...

These are days you'll remember...

Never before and never since, I promise -

 

Will the whole world be warm as this...

 

And as you feel it,

you'll know it's true

that you

are blessed and lucky.

It's true

that you

are touched by something

 that will grow and bloom

in you...

These

are days

you'll remember...

 

And, when May is rushing over you...

 

 With desire -

 to be part of the miracles you'll see

in every hour...

 

 You'll know it's true

that you

are blessed and lucky.

 

It's true

 that you

are touched by something

 that will grow and bloom

in you.

 

These

are

days.

 These are the days

that you

might fill with laughter

until you break...

 

These days you might feel a shaft of light

make its way

across your face.

And when you do

then you'll know how it was

meant to be.

  

 Hear the signs

and know their speaking...

To you.

 

To you.

 

  (Lyrics - 10,000 Maniacs, These are Days)

 

Song below...

 

I love that song.

I do.

Makes me happy.

We all have many songs we love, but do you have a fave that makes you feel like jumping out of yourself and into the clouds?

We should make a super good feeling song list!

I am off to the studio (20 steps away), for today.

Love, V

 

ps:  I realized when looking at these photos, that "the good ole days" are happening right now.  We are making memories, to squeeze tight and reflect on, at this very moment.  We all are, no matter what age.  I have Roo and Cowboy on my mind today.  Sending lots of good thoughts their way...