A Fanciful Twist

Hola Bloglovin'

Adios Google Reader!

It's true.

Just a quick reminder post...

Google Reader is no more on July 1, 2013.

That means, beyond pronto.

Like, yesterday, tomorrow, now.

I was never much for blog readers, but I am really enjoying Bloglovin.

I tested it out myself for several weeks.

And you know what, I love it.

It's clean, fresh and easy.

Plus, it helps you keep up with blogs you ♥ and don't want to miss. 

See here, Bloglovin'

I am not paid or anything by Bloglovin' to share this info.

But I thought you should know, because Google Reader is off to RIP tomorrow.

Here's some info on converting your Google Reader list to Bloglovin.

Of course, there are other options.

This is just the only one I have ever used.

If you have tips or thoughts to share with others, we'd love to hear.

 Annnnd...

Even if you never used Google Reader, Bloglovin' rocks, give it a whirl?

 

I'll see you sooner than soon.

I just wanted to jump in with that quick reminder.

 

 

 

By Evening...

By evening we are guided by golden light.

Slowly coming to life.

Sweltering days in the desert lead to shady afternoons in the front garden...

Where we are filled with excitement, day to day like clock work, waiting for the sun to set.

Because after record days in a row of triple digit temps, 8:30 p.m. becomes a magical hour.

A time to begin the un-wilting process.

A time to enjoy being outside.

I go around lighting lanterns, candle light...

Plugging in fairy lights...

I listen to things like this and this.

I know, how very romantic Arizona nights of me.

Of course, I switch it up with things most excellent, such as this.

And of course, Stevie visits through speakers too.

And then I plunge.

Full summer desert night immersion.

In hammock, happy as can be.

Fairy lights swinging about...

From that great big mesquite tree...

Summer nights in the desert mountains, so good.

Not one bit of chilliness in the air.

Just plain cozy.

I feel little bodies bumping underneath me.

Little playful growls, first one bump, then two.

Then a head pops up :)

We watch giant dahlias sway under twinkle lights...

On these...

Wonderful...

Summer nights.

 

Zero bugs that bite you are out.

No mosquitoes.

We don't get those until monsoon season.

And even then, they aren't as bad as places that are humid.

Thank goodness.

And since it's been rain free for months, it's dry.

Dry heat.

Sure, you have to lob a couple harmless beetle type things off you a couple times.

But that's no biggie.

:)

Mister Lovee got home from the office last night, and went straight from his car, into the hammock.  I took his shoes off and there he stayed for a good long while.

 

How's summer going in your neck of the woodlings?

 

See ya soon.

Love, V

 

 

 

Collecting Sage + Bazaar Style

One of my favorite things to pick in the garden is white sage.

The scent of the fresh leaves is everything summer to me for some reason.

I get a strange scent déjà vu of my childhood from the fresh leaves.

Like, suntan lotion and faint fruit and a fresh healing scent.

A scent of freedom and life, and anything is possible.

I can't describe it.

I fill bowls...

And baskets with it.

I never really bundled it together to make smudge sticks.

But my neighbor, who recently moved, loved burning them.

After she moved I had a smack on the forehead moment.

Hello, I have patches of white sage.

I could have made her oodles of smudge sticks.

This summer I have gifted a few, as I have been having gobs of fun bundling white sage.

You just need a hearty bunch...

Pinch the leaves as you go to release the scent.

Then look for me, as I might be hiding somewhere pinching all sorts of herb leaves.

In fact, every evening I walk around doing just that.

Pinching basil, mint, eucalyptus and rosemary, sage and dill - even lemon tree leaves.

Lemon and orange tree leaves smell so good when you pinch them and hold them up to your nose.

I looooove crushed lemon leaf scent.

I can't smell it enough.

I call it, scent therapy in the evenings.

I, like you, have every day worries and woes too, so scent therapy is the bestest for relaxing.

Give it a try?

Pinch pinch...

But where were we?

Ah yes, back to bundling sage.

Grab a good handful, and line the bottoms up...

Squeeze them tightly, as you wrap them with a sturdy thin string.

Let them dry a couple days...

And then, they are ready for burning.

Some people use them as incense.

Others as smudge sticks.

Always be extra careful with anything that requires fire, of course.

Light an end...

And then blow.

Keep blowing to keep it going...

Or let it burn as long as it wishes on its own.

Before I go, I wanted to share a little book I have been loving the last couple months...

It's a little treasure for those who love eclectic decor, with mixtures of styles and color and textures.

It's called -

Bazaar Style by Selina Lake.

I think it's a re-release, as it came out a few years ago?

I for one am so happy it's back, as I hadn't known about it years ago.

You?

The decor really speaks to me.

Especially this image...

I love decorating with flowers, and so want this cabinet in my house today :)

I have flowers all over my country pad.

Love.

Anyhow, it's so pretty.

Inspiring for those of us who haul treasures home from estate sales, antique stores and flea markets.

Colors, texture...

Collections.

Yumm.

Well, I am half way done with cleaning up the studio.

I have to finish today.

Have to.

I got sidetracked.

I have had 4 paintings going for a couple of months -

When did I become the slowest painter ever?

I used to be someone who would whip out a couple paintings in a day.

Impatient and filled with paint splatter madness.

Now, I take my time, sit with a piece, work on teensy details for ever.

Who am I?

Hahaha!

See you extra soon.

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  Just because...

A photo.

My shadows.

Where I go they go.

All day long :)

Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of Baby's death.

June 25th.

Life teaches you so many things.

How to love, and open your heart greater.

Losing Baby was terrible sad, to say the least.

She would have loved our crazy dog life.

Inspired by her.

But, we would have never met our angel Miles, if it wasn't for her passing.

And she is the one who taught us how to really love furs.

So...

Life.

Flows and crashes and whips around, taking and giving - opening eyes and hearts along the way...

If you let it.

 ♥

 

Where we Dream {Summer in the Gypsy Garden}

A little secret space...

Under a great big tree.

This is where we meet to dream, on these hot summer days.

Colors and textures and sounds intertwine with warm breeze...

Chirping birds gather above, as hummingbirds come right up to you, wings buzzing about.

Lovely shade...

A little boudoir...

Graced by filtered sun light.

Where we serve tea...

And treats.

We sing, and dress, and lollygag in our best...

Barefoot.

Wavy long disheveled hair.

Our jewels beckon the fairies with their own twinkling tune...

Treasures meet earth and dirt.

We dream up this and that...

Spells, herbs, miracles, magic...

Remember those nights?

Spells and Wish labels, always at the ready.

Draping on collections...

Coins, carnelian, turquoise, citrine, mother of pearl...

Someone likes this lifestyle.

Most certainly.

Smiling all day.

Whilst his big little brother sleeps amongst the pumpkin vines that creep around the big tree.

We pick the first zinnias and dahlias...

Marigolds too.

Passion fruit vines swirl up the tree...

While black eyed susans, mint and nasturtium cozy up together.

Right under the canopy of branch and leaf.

That's where you will find us...

On these hot summer days...

Catching waves of dreams, dangling off giant moon beams.

And always, always...

Serving hot tea.

At a quarter past 3.

With biscuits and fig jam.

Fig jam made by mombie, from the hugest fig tree I have ever seen, living in her garden.

Where she and dad collect buckets and buckets of figs.

And then, there is jam.

Jam for us dreamers.

Dreamers who wander through thoughts.

Accepting complexities of life, and learning just to be.

This is the task of us tender hearted dreamers, you see.

The quest of quests.

To enjoy this life, with a free happy soul.

Content.

With big breaths.

Song in the wind.

Hope in the heart.

That is what these dreamers dream.

For us...

And for you.

Always.

xoxo

 

Solder Magic {Art Pendants}

I am convinced solder was invented by some brilliant metal magician.

I am having way too much solder fun.

I have a new batch of art pendants today.

I shouldn't have kept all my tools put away for so long.

I am also longing for my pottery wheel bliss, but that's another tale ;)

As for art Pendants...

These are now in my shop.

I wish I could convey how fun and weighty and elegant these are in person.

I am entranced, bewitched, besotted with sitting at my work bench soldering for hours.

Frosting my pendants with solder...

These art pieces turn into little treasures with the glistening silver surrounding them.

Each image is beyond clear in person.

I spent days and days working on getting super duper high quality small art prints of my work.

Perfecting sizes, plus a couple weeks testing pigment ink and archival papers -

So that I could make the last batch, and this new batch...

I added these to my shop a few minutes ago...

The backs have really old sheet music and old dictionary pages...

A little menagerie...

All now available in my online shop.

 

I have to clean my studio this evening.

I think trolls may have moved in.

I wouldn't even be able to tell at this point.

:)

It's like...  Hoarders, the art studio version.

Eeek!

Not really, but close.

 

See you super soooon!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  For a long time folks have asked if this would ever be a print...

I had to rebuild it to create a print, but finally, here it is...

Carnivale of Dreams.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

So, Mister Lovee got his fave for his birthday...

Carrot cake.

Only...

The cupcake version.

They were moist and tasty, and I totally came up with some random recipe on a whim.

I had about 6 recipes for carrot cake.

So, I looked at them all, and then thought one up.

A random test, that thankfully worked.

I picked carrots from my veggie garden to make these.

Using garden carrots made it feel like a whole lot more love was going into these cupcakes.  Since I get up early every day and tend garden and all.  There was also a tinge of exciting fear, since I was sort of winging a recipe, and didn't want to ruin them. 

Plus, there is the planting of the seeds, and trying to keep birds away from seedlings, etc...

To finally arrive at these lovelies.

Anyhow, I scribbled down what I thought might work for a recipe...

Throwing in some of my own thoughts/ideas for good measure.

And yay!

It worked.

Phew.

The boys seemed to love them on Sunday.

And Lovee really seemed to love them.

Did you Lovee?  I forgot to ask.

So, now I think I can recommend making these to others.

:)

Here's what I did.

 

Carrot Cupcakes

Makes 24+

 

For the Cupcakes:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)

4 large eggs

3 cups grated carrots (about 8 large carrots)

1 cup well drained crushed pineapple

1/2 cup raisins (soak in water to plump for a few minutes)

(you can add chopped pecans to your mixture if you'd like)

 

For the Frosting:

1- 8 ounce package of cream cheese (room temp)

(you can add a 2nd package of cream cheese if you'd like a cheesier frosting)

2 sticks butter at room temp (equals 1 cup)

(I use regular salted butter, I think frosting needs a little salt to taste best)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 350'F

Line muffin tin with cupcake liners

 

In a bowl whisk together dry ingredients:  flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger.

In a second bowl mix sugar, oil and eggs (I used a mixer for this).

Add flour mixture to sugar, oil and eggs and beat until well blended.

Stir in carrots, pineapple and raisins.

Divide batter amongst cupcake cups, filling about 3/4 of the way.

 I have a very hot gas oven, so mine were done in 11 minutes.  But these could take up to 18-20 minutes to cook depending on your oven.

You want to take them out when they are still moist and tender, and not overcooked and dry, so test them with a toothpick when they begin to look done.  When your toothpick comes out clean, they are done.

While your cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.

Using your electric mixer, cream butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla, and last the powdered sugar.  Mix well.

You can refrigerate your frosting for a little while if it is too soft.

Frost once your cupcakes are completely cooled.

 

There you have em....

Yumm yummm ;)

 

Love, V

 

A Garden Filled with Summer...

It's been so busy around here.

I think we should take a nice calm early morning stroll, you?

Let's start with the giant volunteer sunflower.

Mid June is a crazy busy month in my neck of the woods.

Lovee had a birthday on the 15th, which I baked and made a nice meal for.

And then I had a day to put a lil'shindig together for Sunday Father's day.

And then...

Dad's birthday on the 17th.

So we got together for a 4 hour lunch party yesterday, which was super lovely.

(plus whipping up some handmade gifts too)

Phew, that was a lot of partying.

I know about 20 people who have a June 17th birthday, isn't that wild?

So now, it's peaceful garden times...

That early summer sun, when the earth isn't scorching yet, is beautiful.

I know it's not "technically" summer yet.

But it has been over 100'F for a couple weeks now, so it's summer to me :)

My furs and I make the morning rounds.

Miles can't wait to get into the veggie garden and sniff around every morning.

Matty cuddles up and just watches us.

He still isn't 100% himself, and relapses when we try to take him off the meds.

He gets lots of love and treats, and I for one can't wait for the day that we see the old Matty again.  If we never do, that's okay too, we love him just the way he is.  Little guy.  He is so strong and bigger and meaner from the steroids.  I am sure he scared the knickers off our Sunday guests plenty :)

Loooooove that lil' meanie!!

The huge sunflowers are waking up these days...

Miles is 3 steps up on the front porch below.

So, you can imagine how big that sunflower is.

I didn't try to fight the bugs that cause brown sunflower leaves this year.

No dishwashing soap sunflower leaf hand contact for me, no sirree.

For fear of last years hives, plus anaphylactic shock, I stayed away from that.

So, I am embracing the leaves as is :)

Hollyhocks are unfurling every morning...

Some are extra pretty...

It's amazing how many varieties turn up year to year.

Oh, look whose watching us again ;)

He switched spots.

(I loooooove those ears!)

Out back to the veggie garden we go...

Tomatillo lanterns, squeal!

Love em.

Growing growing growing...

This year, instead of a huge pumpkin patch, I opted to use a few beds to grow pumpkins.

As well as surrounding the domed veggie garden.

We'll see how that works out.

I just wanted to make less work for myself this year.

Mister Lovee loves those sage like plants below with the purple flowers that invade my garden.

So, I kept some.

(they are about to come out though, I'll leave him some others)

All the sunflowers in the veggie garden are volunteers this year.

I love seeing what grows on its own when you water the earth.

The best gift...

Yep, a volunteer fairytale pumpkin vine.

I didn't plant it.

And there are about 6 pumpkins more coming, all on one vine.

This is a magical happening, I tell you.

It is indeed.

Isn't that special?

I wanna hug that thorny vine.

I'll hug a punkin baby instead :)

We leave the veggie garden and whip back towards the west side of the yard.

Past the gypsy camp...

And the white endless rose babies.

Past the shastas...

Thanks ever so much for the tips, I was wondering exactly what kind those tall daisies were.

Admiring the dinner plate dahlias on our way...

And the bees too of course.

On an early morning garden day...

Where my huge oregano patch surrounding the rose arbor is blooming.

Perfect for that early morning bouquet collection...

Summer garden days are here.

Undoubtedly.

I can't wait for some rain.

I think February was the last time I saw rain?

Now, time to get my life in order after all those boy birthday days and events.

 

How are you out there in the great big world?

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Gypsy Garden Bath Days...

The days are here.

Garden bath days that is.

I am right in the midst of those very hot days that beckon you into the garden bath...

It's decadent.

And awesome.

And, if you ever get a chance to bathe in a private garden bath, do it.

You won't regret it.

If you can't be a real princess, you can at least pretend, right?

Surround yourself with pretty things...

Out in nature.

Little treasures add just that kick to the whole experience.

You know what I mean?

Beautiful crazy hot days in the gypsy garden...

I missed them so.

I spent years and years hating the heat.

But this extra cold winter taught me something.

I am a desert lizard.

Off with the shoes Mombie made me...

And in to that cozy little place.

I am telling you right now.

You have to try it.

It's sooooo good.

Throw in a few rose petals for good measure.

And in you go.

Tanned filthy veggie garden digging feet and all.

The warm sun and trees canopy.

Wonderful.

A dressing room under the trees...

A little rose water I made last year...

And a few jewels.

Of course, you need jewels under the trees.

After your garden bath.

Who doesn't?

;)

I am a happy camper.

I sneak back into this place for a few minutes almost every day.

Summer is here.

It is.

Happy Weekend!!

 

Tomorrow is Mister Lovee's birthday.

I organized the instrument room for him as a gift.

And, I need to make a cake.

Any ideas?

He loves carrot cake.

But is open to almost any dessert.

Any thoughts?

 

I've got my Khaled cd on...

A fave for 15-17 years.

(17 years??  What.  Where did the time go? Hello?)

The whole Sahra cd is excellent by the way, I haven't tired of it all these years later.  In fact, in about 1996 I fell in love with the song titled Sahra, like the album, and played it on repeat for years.  I think I drove everyone around me mad ;) 

Note to self, still playing.

Detni Essekra, Aicha and Mektoubi are also major faves on the album.

Anyhow...

 It's time to have a nice evening in the warm desert.

 

See you extra soon!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  You may have noticed I am trying to tidy up my blog sidebars a little.

I guess it was about time, no?

I wanted something fresh and different, so I decided to scan my handwriting for the links in my left hand sidebar.  That way it's easier to find things.  Is change good?  I dunno.  Change majorly freaks me out ;)

 But, I am getting a little better with it as I get older.

Soldered Art Pendants

Finally, I get to share some of the arty shenanigans I have been up to...

Like new soldered pendants in my art shop.

I made a handful of them over the last of couple weeks.

Each one taking a bit of time, with attention to detail.

It was about time I got my soldering tools out again, wouldn't you say?

I use a lead free solder with sterling silver.

Each pendant is double sided, encased in glass.

With the double side, it's like you get two pendants really.

I soldered on 3/8" jump rings that are a nice size, so that a person's own chain can easily fit through.

My pearls fit through nicely.

Secret treat on the opposite side.

The pendants hang on silk ribbons...

And can be worn, used as an ornament or gifted.

Nice little gifts for you or others.

I am very generous with the solder.

I was explaining to Mister Lovee that I like to create a frosting effect with my solder.

There are no rough edges and there is a nice sculptural quality to them.

There's that great jump ring size (3/8").

The pendants have a nice weight to them, and are 2" x 2" in size.

So, for a pendant they are a nice size.

I jumped into my secret special silk ribbon stash for these.

Nothing like nice silk ribbon is there?

Below are examples of some of the backs.

I have really enjoyed making these.

They can now be found in my online art shop.

Hope you like them.

See you extra soon.

 

Love, V

 

 

ps:

I also whipped up a new assorted card pack...

It's called -

Pretty Wonderland

 

Let's Make Newspaper Flowers

I was looking at the stack of newspapers that needed to be recycled, and I thought...

I should make flowers out of those.

So, I tried making some.

It was much mucho muchness fun.

After I had made a couple I decided to take some spray paint to them.

And then of course.

I was obsessed.

It began with a bit of testing of size and sheets....

I found that 6 layers of newspaper, cut down to 10" x 10" worked the best for my taste.

I decided to trim the end edges with scalloped scissors.

I liked the effect.

A lot.

So, I went with it...

I made these exactly like you would make accordion/fan tissue paper flowers for parade floats.

Folding back and forth, folds about 1.5" wide.

Securing the center with a pipe cleaner.

Then, all you do is hold your folded paper as I am below...

And carefully lift each layer to the center, one by one.

Use a method where you lift the first layer of each side to the center, then the 2nd, then the 3rd...

And so on and so forth.

Be careful and slow, because the paper can easily rip, but if it does, don't give up.

Mine have a few rips here and there that you can't see once the flower is fully opened.

And so...

You keep lifting your layers open...

Until you have something that looks like this.

All sides and layers, meeting up towards the center.

You will have two sides of your flower that are open.

At this point you can choose to staple the sides shut or not.

It's totally per your taste.

I wanted my flower to have a bit of a round shape, so I stapled a couple of the outside layers of the open edges shut, like so...

That's it.

Paper flower madness, here you come ;)

I can't stop thinking about the things you can do with these.

Make a beautiful garland with them.

Decorate a wedding car.

Use them for the 4th of July, with red white and blue ribbons.

Baby showers?

Birthdays?

Hang them from chandeliers.

Cluster them together to form a huge heart or cross for special events.

Etc.

As you know.

I can't leave well enough alone.

So I took out my fave.

Spray paint.

Of course, you should do this outside, or in a very well ventilated area.

I find that spray paint makes any paper more sturdy.

For example, my paper spider webs and paper snowflakes both got a dose of spray paint.

Sooooo.

I sprayed a thin coat of paint onto the newspaper flowers.

Blue...

Silver...

(you can sprinkle glitter onto the paint before it dries as well, hello fun yumm!)

Pink.

I love the pink, with the words peeking out like mixed media.

Love it.

(next time I might use my French or Chinese newspapers that I have collected here and there)

Also tried some white...

Sprinkled with gold glitter while wet.

Newspaper.

A few scalloped edges.

Some spray paint and glitter...

And there you are.

Your own snazzy newspaper flowers.

I feel...

Yes.

An addiction coming on.

Newspaper flowers made me crazy happy today.

I need to make more, now.

:)

I think it's the making something out of free bits and bobs that always catches my heart.

A bouquet of these would be crazy fun.

Will you give them a whirl?

I hope yes.

 

Love, V