A Fanciful Twist

Halloween Party 2012 {An Invitation}

Okay so, here is the plan.

You and me, and all of us.

October 27, 2012

Halloween party!!!!!

Of the most magical, crazy, wonderful, enchanted, whimsical, out of this world variety.

Yes?

Stockings on???

Because, you are invited, invited inviiiited!!!!!!!!!

That's, October 27th, Saturday - right here.

Halloween Blog Party, number 5!

Can you believe it????

Are you excited?

Even a teensy weensy bit?

I sure hope so!

I have not had my socks knocked off with this year's Halloween magazines on newstands and such.

Have you?

So, I think we need to get together and make our own magic.

When I think Halloween, I want serious Halloween.

I want sparkles oozing out of my pores.

I want pumpkins beyond galore.

I want the hugest caramel apples ever.

I want, I want....

I want major Halloween festivities.

I want twinkly lights coming out of my ears.

I want black lace dragging behind me down the street.

I want to bathe in a tub of candy corns.

I want to wear all the jewels I can, all at once.

I want black lipstick covered in fairy dust.

None of this, non-magical Halloween stuff I am seeing commercially.

Halloween is not supposed to be sensible.

For Pete's sake.

Hello wicked mayhem?

I want, SERIOUS Halloween makings.

You?

If you are a Halloween lover, you get what I mean.

I know you do.

I am already trying out some wardrobe pieces.

Funny enough.

These dresses do not come from my Halloween stash.

They come from my everyday wardrobe stash.

Ha!

We gotta do this.

Everyone is invited.

I mean...

E V E R Y O N E.

Yes, fur too.

Make sure you can jump and twirl in your frock...

Call upon some ghostly goooooodness!!!

I wish I could inherit an old scary mansion with an attic filled to the brim with treasure, and ghosts!!

Imagine?  We could have a real party there!

But for now...

Oh please say yes!!!

Won't you join us virtually?

Below is this year's flyer and button.

Click on each image, which will open in a new window.  After the new window opens, click on the larger image again, to see it in full size. 

Then, just click and save each image to your computer. 

And use them on your own blog.

Whoo whoooo!

 

 

If you have been a part of a blog party before, and you have your own blog, you know the drill.

But here are the rules again, just in case.

 

Wondering what to do if you sign up?

If you are signing up to participate in the Halloween 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 7 bits of advice (err, rules)...

1)  Share the flyer and/or the button on your blog as soon as possible and link back to me.  I will then add your name to the "Halloween Partiers" list in my LEFT hand side bar (which will go up in a couple of days), and link back to you. 

2)  On the day of the party, Saturday October 27, 2012, please make sure to post a Halloween 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 Halloween blog post up and running, please leave a comment at my Halloween 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 wickedly delicious blast!

5)  The party usually lasts two days or more.  Leave your blog post up for a couple of days if you can.  It will take folks several days to make visits.

 6)  For a more enjoyable and easy visit for your guests, please remove word verification for comments during the party.  This will make things so much easier for everyone, and allow people to easily comment on your blog.

7)  Double check the list to make sure your name is on it, if you want it to be :)

Note:  If you sign up, please make sure you post a party post on your blog for Saturday October 27th.  If you sign up and later find that you can't make the event, please let me know as soon as possible, and I will remove your name from the list.

 

 You have lots of time to sign up, right up until the very last moment if need be, we are flexible.

 

If you don't have a blog it's okay, you are invited to visit with us here and at participating blogs on the day of the event.

 

Hope you can join in!!!

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  My shop is stuffed with Halloween goodies.

Spell and potion labels, cards and original art, take a peek...♥

Click here to visit...

 

Zinnias & Other Petals

Beauty...

Pretty things from nature.

They really hit the spot, don't they?

Today I walked into a flutter of butterflies as I stepped out the office door.

I decided to go out and pick lots and lots of zinnias.

Zinnias love to be pruned.

The more you prune, the more they gift.

I threw a couple purple dahlias and some red and lilac roses in too.

But mostly, zinnias.

The butterflies chased me around.

When I was a little girl my grandma's garden was so full of butterflies, you could hardly believe your eyes.

It felt like millions, all around, surrounding you in droves.

My cousins and I would capture them, and fill big jars with them.

Isn't that horrible?

Then my Aunt Denise would find out what we had done and cry, and make us release the butterflies.

I was only 5.

I didn't really understand why she was upset.

Now I do, of course.

Capturing butterflies.

How naughty.

I think about that every time I see a butterfly.

And I secretly tell them, don't worry.

I am not into that anymore.

Haven't been for 31 years.

:)

Zinnias are such wonderful flowers.

They are so forgiving, and last for a couple weeks after they bloom, looking mighty nice.

Then you prune, and up come more and more and more.

Then they gift you seeds attached to the ends of their petals.

Really, what more could a person ask for?

Such a kind flower.

They also self seed, and pop up during monsoon season in the most curious places.

They seem to like the earth when it is extra extra hot.

Then they last until the first frost.

Lovely things.

Those zinnias.

Matty and I enjoyed them, he followed me around, as I was snipping.

Then, we sat in the gypsy wagon.

And he kissed my knee and my shoulder and my cheek.

What a guy.

I am so happy to be able to venture back into the gypsy wagon.

Since it isn't sooo hot anymore.

Pretending I am delivering flowers to and fro.

Isn't pretending awesome?

Remember when you were a kid, and you could pretend yourself to all sorts of places?

You'd stand with your friends and all plot where you were.

Who each character was.

A castle, a moat, a dragon.

And then, there you all were.

Running from the firey breathe of the dragon.

In long sparkly gowns.

All in your imagination.

Trees became castles.

Rocks became safe spots to get away from the wart mongers

 in the surrounding swamp.

Magic was everywhere.

Man oh man, what an awesome gift that was.

Memories are the bestest.

Making them and reliving them.

Yumm.

Miles turns up with the mail.

He won't give you the paper or the mail until you hand over a treat.

He's so smart that boy.

Hello Martha Stewart!!!

(he ran all over the place with the mag in his mouth)

Yesterday he went to Petsmart for the first time after the vet.

Or was it Petco?

He loves toys.

He has a huge bag of toys, and drags it around.

He sits in the living room and plays with toys every evening.

Sometimes Matty will play tug of war with him.

They especially love if Mister Lovee plays toys with them.

Miles picked 3 toys for himself at the store.

He literally sniffed them all, and picked 3 from the $2.49 area.

As we were paying, a man came up to us, knelt down.

(a tall strong man, in his late 50's)

Tears on his face.

And hugged and loved on Miles.

Then he stood up, put his hand to his heart, bent his head and said to me.

Thank you...

Oh my heart.

What a moment.

I figured he must have lost a pup that looked like Miles or something.

It was really so touching.

I know how he felt.

I love that Miles was so kind to him.

Well, I best be off to care for my boys, grill some chicken.

Pull together some sides, and voila.

Have you ever burned your eyebrows or eyelashes off turning on the gas grill?

Once, a lady I knew in real estate was curling her eyelashes while driving, and someone hit her, and she pulled out all of her eyelashes.

They never grew back.

On one eye.

I always think of that when I am tempted to do the same.

Imagine?

The pain?

Wholey Mackerel!

Okay, babbling brook.

Off I go.

Thank you for yesterday.

You are loves.

I hope you know you can e-mail anytime.

If you should need a shoulder yourself.

Here's to smooth sailing, and the wisdom to know what to do if the wind changes.

xoxo

Life.

Life has been crazy insane in my world lately.

A kick here, a kick there.

Trying to scramble to get up, then getting pushed over again.

Tumbling down the rabbit hole.

I won't bore you with the details, but it's been weird.

Doozy weird.

In it all, I have met the most intense dreams.

Angels.

And in a pool of despair and fear and worry, hope pulls me out.

And then, I have a day like today.

Where the universe tells me, there will be good days, and there will be bad days.

There will be magic, and sorrow.

There will be love and loss.

Sickness, health.

The key.

Finding the keyhole and your way out of dark places, somehow.

Of Paint & Moons & Pumpkins + Some Magic too...

Time to share more paint, and places and magical journeys.

All popped into the shop today.

What to share first...?

I have ventured Through the Trees again you see.

Part of my ongoing series.

It's a place I really like to be.

What is beyond the trees?

I know you must know.

For all folks who venture back through, and make their way down the dark earthen path, have been to the most wondrous place you can imagine.

There have been clowns and gypsies you've met, and now...

Is it the circus ringmaster himself?

And a good witch?

A fairy queen perchance?

Pulling her loot? 

With wand still in magical glow?

Why yes yes, it must be them.

As giant moon guides their way.

Who would have guessed, that if you look close enough down to the left...

Someone has made a teensy appearance.

 It's their fluffy black cat, Gertrudis, who always meets them when they are halfway home.

Oh, and let's not forget their little dog, Puppet...

A performer dog, don'tcha know.

Oh he knows all sorts of tricks.

He fancies himself a lion though.

And thinks he can even roar.

Which on some nights, when the moon is extra full, we hear that he can.

Thick glowing clouds and the hugest of moons.

Leaves have fallen from the trees.

Chilly nights, and mittens, four.

There is still a buzz of enchantment swirling around, as they venture

Through the Trees...

Through the Trees, A Magical Night.

16" x 20" x 1.5"

But that is not my only tale for the day.

If you don't mind.

Witches have peeked out from deep in the woods.

Cottage chimneys, with sparkles and fairy dust, puff through the autumn air.

And, what we have heard is that...

Mathilde is hosting a splendid little gathering!

See, in this house, witches aren't seasonal.

They are all the timers.

Once a witch, always a witch, right?

:)

Really, what proper household doesn't host a witch year round, I ask you?

And further, what fairytale, isn't chock full of witches?

Hmm, my pretty?

Looks like Mathilde is throwing just the sort of party I would like to jump into.

You?

Imagine, if we really could be there?

At a little fête hosted by a witch in the woods?

Candy apples, magic tea...

Sign me up, please!

I think it's time for us to dream up some snazzy frocks.

And let the magic totally, madly, unfold.

Mathilde, the Little Witch.

18" x 24" x 1.5"

 

Both pieces, can now be found in my online shop.

I tell you, I am giddy with this flutter of autumnal excitement.

You?

We are so lucky for seasons.

Truly.

See you extra soon!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Welcome Autumn

Autumn.

Hello there.

It's so nice to see you...

Garden chores of the longest summer slowly come to a close.

Warm still, in the desert.

But I feel it.

The change, the shift.

The season moving on is felt in early morning and night hours.

I tasted the autumn air tonight.

I knew it was near.

Time for the magic to creep in.

Why such magic in autumn?

I am not certain.

But, I know it is here.

Summer is light and exhausting in its heat.

Autumn brings time to make and bake and create.

We light candles in the gypsy wagon...

Playing outside by night can happen now.

As the heat flutters away.

Gypsy garden is here to stay.

For months, who knows?

But here it is.

Strange, but true.

How did summer go by so fast?

I can not grasp the fact.

But autumn, how more than delighted I am to see you!

I get good chills, with thoughts of what is to come.

We all make our own magic, after-all.

How will you make your magic, will you tell?

What does the new season bring for you?

The herb collecting is in full force.

Hanging to dry.

Plants begin to go to seed.

Time is so strange, isn't it?

It flows, flows flows flows.

Never stopping.

Not even for a short break.

So, we must do that ourselves.

Let's make a pact.

Not to forget.

Time to breathe in, and out.

Awareness.

Collecting.

Feeling.

Loving.

Being.

I suppose it's time to dust the hat.

Shine up the broom.

(oh oh oh, excitement in belly!)

It's that time of the year when things start to move really fast.

But I vow to take some time to do really important things.

Like roast marshmallows.

And did I mention?

I have been plotting and planning our next Halloween party?

Why yes, indeed!

I didn't, couldn't, wouldn't ever forget that.

No way.

Party details coming beyond soon!

 

Happy autumn welcomings!!

 

Saturday

September 22, 2012

First day of autumn.

Isn't it wonderful to get to have a first of something each year, over and over again?

I love that.

 

Looove, V

 

The Little Things...

Ah, the little things.

We gather up all the little things, hold them, smell them, savor them, watch them.

I think sometimes we lose our heads and spend too much time wishing for the big things.

Because really...

Aren't we all so lucky for the little things?

Morning time is so nice.

Especially with the cooler days.

I pulled the comforter over my sheets early this morning.

I was cold.

I had not used anything but a sheet to cover me for about 4 months.

Dare I say though, I feel like Goldilocks of the weather.

I want it to be not too cold, and not too hot :)

Anyhow, where was I?

Ah yes, mornings...

Spending some time with Genevieve while she searches for a loving home.

Warm sips.

Tails wagging.

A long morning hug from Lovee.

Standing in the kitchen, as he hands me my every morning treat which he squeezes up fresh.

Without fail.

Orange juice.

It kicks out any extra yucky stagnant sleepiness.

Then toast, and maybe some lemon-ginger tea?

A sweet if in the mood.

Cuddles from Matty Miles.

Magazines.

Book pages.

Inspirations.

Sugar cubes.

Love them.

Plus sugar holders.

Love them too.

Little.

Things.

Then it's time for sandals and a big hat.

And tending.

But first I check paint - make sure varnish is dry.

Look around the studio, see what I want to tackle when I return from the garden.

Then I head out.

These days, the little things are extra wonderful.

Soooooooooooo many butterflies.

So many.

I took lots of photos.

I couldn't choose, so I am sharing lots.

Hope you don't mind.

I get up close.

I think they know I am safe.

Then they swirl into the blue sky, and twirl, falling through the air with 10 other butterflies, until they catch themselves and swoop away.

I try to photograph the butterfly sky dance.

No luck.

But up close...

We see details and colors.

Little precious things.

They looove the flowers.

They spend lots of time on zinnias, marigolds and the butterfly bush flowers below.

I study them.

Nature invented polka dots.

Brilliant!

Flutters and spider webs, oh my!

Yumm yumm flower nectar!

Isn't it wonderful how nature made the wings look like eyes and faces to protect the butters?

That nature, I tell ya.

Corridors of flowers.

Hummingbirdlings...

And, when stress creeps up.

The one thing I love to do.

Soak up some vitamin D.

I am crazy mad delighted about the climbing rose vine explosion.

Imagine in spring?

All the white roses?

I dream.

I peek around.

Tea rose centers...

Lavender rose petals.

So pretty.

Blue petals climbing up.

And dinner plate dahlias.

Not so little.

But they did come from a little dry root (tuber), so that should count, right?

So big, so fluffy.

So fireworky.

Then they fall over with weight.

All the time actually.

I stake them up, and there they go again :)

Then I tie them.

Others plop over too.

It's a dance between us all you see.

Giantest marigold I ever spied.

And then...

The most magical thing.

Ever.

Maybe.

The butterflies might show you, just might, where they lay their eggs.

And where they live.

And where they hide.

And where you can find their family.

In a safe spot where their caterpillar babies have eaten every last leaf on the beautiful passion fruit vines.

No matter.

I don't care at all.

They're worth it.

It's better than them gobbling up the citrus trees, I say.

And so, they show you that...

Right by the madonna statue.

Underneath the marigolds and gourd vines...

Tucked safe in there.

Leaving trails of visions that will turn into dreams...

They tuck in, and place their eggs on leaves.

When the long day is over.

As...

The garden is growing whilst sleeping.

And your heart is full.

(lots of ands)

Teeth brushed.

Glass of water in hand.

Ready for bed.

You find someone warming your spot for you.

And you are ever so thankful, for all the little things.

The things that really count.

The things that are little, but huge.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

What are a couple of your favorite little things?

 

See you sooooon!

 

 

 

Whirls of Paint

I think the best part about painting scenes that take place in the depths of your mind is that, you get to venture into those places whilst creating.

Each layer of paint, paper and glue takes you deeper in, and for a moment, you are there as well.

The journey into imagined places...

One of my favorite things in life.

In fact...

I have two new pieces to share today, which I have popped into my shop.

 A paper dress girl and a cake girl.

 

Genevieve is our petite cake girl.

About to throw a party.

Planning, preparing.

Dressing up.

Cakes galore.

Genevieve Throws a Party.

20" x 24"

Sweets and butterflies.

Meanwhile...

In deepest dreams, we venture into starlight night skies...

A carousel goes round and round...

Song, dance...

Night time flight, through the sky...

Magic and whimsy...

A carousel horse to guide the way, into our deepest fairy tale dreams...

 

Carousel Enchantment

18" x 24"

Both pieces are now available in my shop.

I still have paint on my palette.

And music in my ears.

So, tonight I will be painting again.

The nights are crispy cool.

The mornings have that chilly autumn flavor.

I am in love.

See you super soooooon!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  Circus of Dreams is now available as a canvas print.

Also available as canvas print, which I keep forgetting to share is,

Tea and Sweets with Amélie...

Paint.

Painting days are just the best.

Intense, losing yourself, putting your whole heart and soul into it.

Emotions, feelings, ideas, thoughts.

Pouring out of fingertips...

Paint drips down the painting door.

I have easels - but I opt for my door.

I stand, I sit, I dab.

Drip drip dripping paint.

And somehow, it makes it onto the floor too.

Cakes stop by for tea...

Ballerinas fly through the air...

Feathers adorn hats...

And before you know it, you need an afternoon break.

The thing about painting (or making of any type), and doing it as your full time job - for me at least - is that you need to find a balance.

Because after you paint a detailed painting, you are left feeling drained.

Not in a bad way.

But, more in an out of body sort of way.

And you have to refuel.

Painting for hours and hours is intense.

It's another world.

No matter what you are painting.

Emotions pour out.

Energy pours out.

You have to go out and water plants, or play dress up.

Tidy your room.

Loosen up.

Go for walk.

Just something else.

For a little while.

For me the summer has been filled with a lot of sorting through 17 years of stuff from my other house.

17 years, wow.

Recently I came across these vintage shoes I bought in 1992, at an antique store.

I am not sure why they had these shoes, as they didn't carry much clothing at all.

I was a junior in high-school.

I wore them out to the discotheques all the time.

They cost 25 cents.

Yes.

25 cents.

A quarter.

They weigh a ton.

Solid wood stumps.

I put them on this week.

It takes a little while to get used to each crazy heavy step.

They are so sturdy, and made so well it's incredible.

Saying they are heavy is an understatement.

No wonder my legs were so toned back in the day.

Dancing in chunks of wood.

Yes, that's the ticket.

I should just leave them on all day, really.

I got to wondering what other things I have purchased for 25cents in my life.

Cheap books.

Art even.

And, some little Bambi's too.

Souvenirs of Oklahoma, they say.

Lovee also got me a huge plastic yellow heart love ring once.

When we were first dating.

It was 25 cents too.

I love that plastic ring.

And, I also love people who keep a few things as memorabilia.

Do you?

I love seeing people's tchotchkes and trinkets.

They tell stories.

They are interesting bits and bobs of life.

Even just a little tin, filled with tiny things, is sweet.

A little fortune from your first date dinner with your beloved.

A flower he or she gave you after a stroll on the night you fell in love.

Sappy one :)

I have one of those though, in my diary, from Lovee.

Cheesewhiz, but awesome too.

I love that I have it.

Would it matter if I didn't?

Not really, but having it sparks my heart.

A plastic ring.

The first Valentine you ever bought for yourself.

Yes.

See.

A perfect way to get away from the paint, refuel, and then go back all excited and refreshed to create again.

Little distractions.

Love them.

What is your favorite distraction?

Some little thing you do at break, that you look forward to?

I love busy packaging order days, where I tidy up my office first.

Then put on some music or a show in the background.

Then I just work away, with the fan swirling.

I also love hearing the mail truck pull up.

Matty running out to bark.

Miles runs out behind him, but picks up a huge log to run with.

I put on my long linen painting blouse over my clothes, and my big straw hat.

I can't go outside without my hat.

It's a perfect break.

Checking the mail.

I love mail.

Okay, enough babble from me.

Back to work I go.

See you soooon!

 

Love, V

 

ps:

Random tale about a song.

Last week I was mowing weeds, big fat huge juicy 3 ft. tall spiney weeds.

When, I started sneezing like crazy, eyes swollen.

You know, a typical allergy attack, if you get those?

I don't get them often at all, but they are the reason I was given 4 allergy shots twice a week my whole childhood to 19 years old (fun), so I wouldn't suffer my whole life.

Both parental units have mass allergies.

Great for me :)

The shots really worked.

Yay!

But every so often, ripe huge weeds will get me if I work in them, you?

Anyhow, point is.

I had to go shower, take an allergy pill, and crawl into bed to sneeze all day.

Finally in the evening, when the sneezing let up, I started to doze off.

I was exhausted and sort of out of it, from a whole day of allergy head.

I put a movie on.

That is when I heard a tune I have been listening to for years on record, actually coming out of the television.

I was floored.

One of my favorite records I picked up who knows where or when?

I couldn't believe I was hearing "that" song.

It tugged at my heart strings.

I shared it in this video I made a couple years ago.

 

The movie was The Deep Blue Sea.

The music is, Barber Violin Concerto, Op. 14

(2nd movement)

It's a beautiful piece of music.

The movie was terribly sad, in case you were wondering.

Have you seen it?

Hello Caterpillar.

Or should I say, hello horn worm, to be proper?

Don't live with me if you don't want to find me standing over your bed, very early in the morning (before you have even thought about opening your eyes), dangling this above your head, going...

HEY!  Look at this!

Almost gave Lovee a heart attack.

I never saw someone go from fully asleep, to across the bed gasping bad words, that quick ever.

He he he. 

Heehee.

Haha! 

It's huge.

More than massive.

Notice the size of my thumb in relation to the size of it?

It's not the first one I have found.

Gobbling at the speed of light.

This morning's pumpkin patch hunt in my garden got a little wacky, you see.

I am sure you could give two hoots about the trials and tribulations of me and, the bugs.

But on the way, we encountered all sorts of little horrors damaging this and that.

As far as bug fear goes...

I think I have become bug immune.

And rodent immune.

I used to run off squealing at the sight of a mouse.

Now I just shrug and go, oh white mouse.

(In my best Eeyore voice)

Oh, giant caterpillar.

Yawn.

Oh, 10 ant hills.

Loveeeeeeeeee!

The only time I cry is when the ants + caterpillars have been eating all the leaves off my citrus trees and rose bushes.

(Update: we just figured it out, the abundance of butterflies this year are creating these caterpillars that are eating all the citrus leaves.  We saw a bunch of HUGE yellow and black butterflies, called Giant Swallowtails, in action - laying eggs.  Awe man, but I love butterflies, now I want to save them.  What to do?  Click here and you'll see what I mean)

Like yesterday.

We are having a huge epidemic of something I had never seen.

Huge plants being stripped of their leaves.

I pick off the culprits, if I can find them.

Then I freak out in my mind.

As I feel very plant protective in some sick lady manner.

I take being the guardian of any living thing extremely serious.

No really, I do.

Annoyingly so, probably.

I am very territorial too.

But, that's another tale.

I whine to Mister Lovee about the eaters of my plants.

Then he feels sorry for me, and helps me try to get rid of the pests.

That -

Or he is just sick of me whining.

Both.

Isn't hearing someone whine just awful?

I do it so well.

What about you?

What is your main whine to your significant other?

Do you have a main whine topic?

Tell me, tell me, tell me.

You never think about that part when your heart wants a garden.

The never ending critters and insects who love your garden too.

:)

Ah well, they need to eat also.

I guess, you are doing something good, even if it doesn't make you happy.

This morning the boys and I set off to collect more pumpkins.

We do this a lot lately, but I don't take photos all the time.

Some big punkins needed to be collected.

The stems were already drying, as the vines had died.

Yet, more vines are still growing, gifting lots of babies.

And other big boys are still ripening.

Pumpkin stems are covered with painful spines, so you just gently scrape them off before you dare pick up a pumpkin.

I am in this strange garden daze mode.

My brain won't compute the size of the pumpkin patch.

Or all the pumpkins.

I can't explain it.

I am excited about them.

But, in a way.

I am...

Foggy that I grew them.

It's weird.

Does that make sense?

Do you ever look at your kids in amazement that you grew them?

That they are here.

That you have kids?

(of course, I am not comparing having kids to growing pumpkins)

With these interesting personalities, and ideas all of their own?

I wonder these things.

That is one GIANT fairytale pumpkin above.

I'd say it is about 20 inches across.

They (fairytale pumpkins) turn a sort of caramel orangey light brown when ripe.

They are the most incredible for eating.

Bright orange flesh.

Succulent.

The one above grew stem face down, as most of them do.

So, I flipped it over - ever so carefully, early last month.

That kept it from rotting.

I have had to flip them all often.

Not easy getting into that pumpkin patch, but quite fun.

They rot so much easier than Jack-o-lanterns, if against moist soil.

Some of the vines got gobbled by insects.

So, they are ripening off the vine.

They are turning from greenish to full caramel, so that is good.

I feel like I am babbling in some strange zombified fashion.

I am some boring growing things girl aren't I?

Talking about bugs and the weather.

:)

It rained for 4 days straight.

Cloudy too.

A huge treat.

The weather shifted a little.

I dare say, I tasted a hint of autumn air.

I did.

Window open nights.

Also...

I have been spending countless hours painting.

Packaging some orders too.

And painting some more.

The paint is waiting for me to return, as I type.

But I wanted to pop in because I was in the zone, and losing track of time completely.

Oddness.

I love oddness.

Curious time warps.

And, painting til you drop.

 

Looooooove, V

 

 

ps:

Just Because.

I think I'll go with the guy's arm movements at 1:19

Tell me you aren't moving your shoulders a little?

Maybe you should just stand up and dance?

Just go for it :)

Sooohooo sooohooo soooohoooo...

 

Spells & Potions + Halloween Cards!

I am so excited for today, I can't even tell you. 

Working on treats and treasures for Halloween has been great fun, and a ton of behind the scenes hours have gone into it.

So, when I finally get to share it all, I get super excited!

I have new spell labels, as well as new Halloween cards to share (which I have spent last night and this morning filling the shop with), so here we go...

I'll start with the labels, and share a little of what I conjured up this time around.

When I create I always turn to things that I really long for, or would like to see in my own world.

This year I wanted some magical spells to go along with some larger labels.

Plus, spells make it extra fun to invent things to stuff your jar with, as you follow the spell.

Whimsical and fun!

To glitter the inside of my jars I never follow permanent routes.  I always just swizzle a little water on the inside of my jar, coating the entire inside.  Then I pour out the excess water, and pour in glitter, shaking it about, and adding more glitter until I arrive at the desired look.

I used this method to glitter the inside of some jars last year, and they are still glittered.

I prefer this method, in case I ever need my jar for anything else in the future.

I really enjoy thinking up things to fill my jars with. 

Feathers and herbs and glitter, and more!

These labels are 3.25" x 4.25" so they are a pretty good size, and fit my large bottles really well.

I think they are a great addition to other sets of spell labels I carry in my shop.

Click here to see other labels I carry as well -

 Plus more ideas of what to fill your jars with.

I spent a lot of time creating these imaginary spells, and I so hope you like them.

I had a blast conjuring them up...

There are 6 labels, hand-cut.

And no shipping costs on this item.

 

You will find the labels in my shop here.

 

You can also find the spells as Prints in my shop.

They are so fun large and framed.

Here are some close ups...

 

These are fun both as labels and prints.

In person they are really lush and authentic looking.

As, if that wasn't sharing a bundle....

Halloween Cards are here too.

Fun fun!

I have already started sending some of these out snail mail myself.

They all come with complimentary envelopes.

The cards are really great commercial quality.

Sturdy and store bought grade.

They are printed by real card printers, and designed by me.

Bwahahaaaaa!

:-)

 (of course, the "A Fanciful Twist" watermark does not appear on any actual cards)

Miles as a witch makes me extra happy!! haha!

He is such a great sport, that guy.

 

Oh and the Halloween Witchies, loved drawing them up...

Some Halloween party cards too, this one inspires me for this coming year big time.

 

One of my faves, pumpkin village!

I want to live there myself.

Ooo, and night time parties!

Spooky candles and sparkly magic!

 

And, what I find to be a very lovely Halloween greeting, the spooky little pumpkin below.

It has an elegance to it in person.

A great surprise.

 

I know I shared EXTRA huge amounts of Halloween goodies today.

But I had to get it all in before more time crept away from me.

I have to submerge myself into Autumn and Halloween love, or I feel incomplete.

It's such a magical treat, this time of year.

I have plunged.

All the treats above are now in my shop.

Thanks for peeking in!!

Looove, V

See you sooooooon.

(Oh also, the Fortune Teller card has arrived and is available once again)

 

 

ps:  Lil' tip for easily navigating Etsy shopping .

When you visit a shop, there is a left hand sidebar with categories of items carried in the shop.

See below.

Here you will see all the sections, like Halloween and Christmas.

Makes it easier to look at specific holidays etc.

You probably already knew, but just in case you didn't, a tip.