A Fanciful Twist

Of Enchantment & Garden Magic

How to explain the where of where I have been...

In my gardens...

I have been with knees in dirt, scents of earth, bewitching spring, petal gifts of nature, light of dreams, breeze that twists your hair over your head in dance, song of birds - moments so beautiful I have filed them in my deepest memories.

And somehow...

Somewhere...

In these unfathomably beautiful moments I have urged myself - 

Willed myself really...

To attempt to capture something through my lense.

I try for that moment when the sun begins to drop to the west, and graces my rose arbor with a daily gift so intensely wonderful that there is no kind of thank you I could ever muster.

Perhaps by continuing to plant seeds and roots, she hears me and knows.

I think about these things with each click of my camera.

Plates full of gentle flowers.

Perfect golden hour.

I gasp at the beauty I am allowed to collect and share with you through this photographic contraption of wonder.

I pass the gift on.

Because really, what other reason do I write this blog for?

What other reason do I collect photos and moments and tales if not for you?

It's all for you.

Friends, kindred strangers, beauty seekers, artful souls - nature lovers.

Whoever is there, on the other side of this -

There is no other reason to do all of this other than to share it with you.

Some inexplicable need to pass it on.

The best I can do for nature - to hand you a slice of what I see without asking anything in return.

Just to know that maybe somewhere, somehow, you have reached through the screen and taken what you need from the snippets shared.

That's all that inspires me, and nothing more.

No rhyme or reason necessary.

And so here, at this beautiful golden hour in time, I welcome you.

I thank you.

I invite you in - always.

Through the light -

Into the swirling rose tunnel...

That slowly beckons you - 

Embracing you in a little rose vine twist of sorts.

A fanciful twist if you will.

I had to seek within myself, ask, why I do what I do?

I know.

It's why I do anything that I do in life.

Love.

I share, I snap pics, I chat with whoever I imagine to be out there.

For weeks, months, years - 

A decade and into the second one - 

For no other reason than love.

I do it all because it feels good.

Good to share - good to be here.

Because a piece of my heart lives in this virtual theater space.

Because so many of you, I have known for so long now, are a part of my love for this.

This nonsensical dreamy fantasy world filled with moments of real life.

Merged together like a swirl ice cream cone, a place for you.

Seekers, believers, kind hearted creatures.

Yes.

That's all.

Nothing more and nothing less.

That's how I somehow weave my way back here.

Despite the busiest of days, crazy life, and that thing called time.

I seek the balance and hope to find it.

So we can continue to meet through the twist in the arbor - 

Meet me there - 

Here?

Hope so.

<3 <3 <3

 

 

 

Easter Fancies for You {Tutorials & Freebies}

Easter is rapidly approaching isn't it?

Perfect time to select some fanciful Easter freebies and tutorials to share.

Revisiting some faves can be so much fun.

These pressed sugar pretties are made using the same technique for panoramic sugar eggs.

Click here for my panoramic sugar egg tutorial. 

The tutorial will show you how to press sugar as seen here, as well as make panoramic eggs.

You can then use that basic skill to add food coloring to your sugar and press sugar into any sort of mold or tin or tea cup you'd like in order to come up with fun shapes.

Just click on the link above for an easy how to.

It's addicting and oh so fun I tell ya.

Okay so, next let's plunge into some free printable freebies.

Let's begin with these cutie egg wrappers.

They are free and printable, simply Click Here for Printable PDF .

I drew these little cutie heads and love sharing them with you.

Humphrey is a hoot isn't he?

:-)

Simply print, cut & use.

You can use standard printer paper or card stock.

Next we have doodle eggs filled with confetti and sparkles.

Click here, for tips and the tutorial to make some of your own doodle eggs.

What about some more cutie egg head wrappers you ask?

These are a singing trio!

Simply CLICK HERE for your free printable pdf.

Give the pdf several seconds to open.

Easy right?

I just used everyday printer paper for mine.

But you can use anything you want, such as card stock.

Then just cut them out and stick the bands together on the back with tape.

Easy as pie!

And what a cute treat for egg recipients, don'tcha think?

You can also use them to wrap around plastic eggs.

Or doll them up even extra with paper and glitter as you see below.

These are elfin Easter egg wrappers.

Click here to access the elfin style below.

 Where I come from you will always see cascarones on Easter.

What are cascarones you ask?

Basically hollowed out and washed/dried egg shells, that you fill with glitter and paper confetti.

That are then decorated.

Traditionally broken on people's heads for fun in Mexico, during Easter.

Here's a style I like to make.

If you would like to make a cone cascaron, which I grew up with, and sparkle it up all pretty, click here for ideas and tips.

 And last but not least, we can not forget panoramic sugar eggs.

The tutorial to make these can be found right here.

They are incredibly fulfilling to make.

Mine have kept perfectly for years now.

The peeking inside is really magical.

I highly recommend giving them a whirl.

Like I said at the beginning -

You can use the panoramic egg technique for pressing sugar to make all different types of shapes.

The sky is the limit!

Fun fun!!

Now hopefully the Easter bunny will stay up long enough to make his rounds.

But I seriously doubt it.

:-)

Hope you enjoyed the freebies and tuts.

I sure love sharing with you & hope even one person gets a use out of these treats.

That would make me extra happy.

Time to start feverishly crafting my friends.

And ~

Happiest Easter Wishes to you and yours <3 <3 <3

Loooove, V

 

 

 

 

Of Soft Petals & Winter Tales...

February is such a wintery month...

Beautiful diffused grey light makes me feel like I'm having déjà vu.

Then I remember, it's the February light.

The month when it almost always snows.

And yet, residents of the land of sun say, it's colder than normal.

As long as I can remember it snows a bit in February here, especially at my elevation in the mountain.

And so, I embrace these sort of quiet winter days and their beautiful light.

I light candles and bring home some petals.

I take out my crochet bag.

I lay by the fire.

I go for walks in the sunny cold days, my favorite for hiking in.

I make tea and collect books.

I scrounge around for my little glass bottles.

I fall in love every time I take cuttings for my dusty lil' bottles.

How I love beautiful simplicity.

How can a few petals, books, bottles and candles inspire so?

I don't know why but they awaken something in me.

A sort of hope.

A knowing that spring is near.

The seeds tucked in the earth loving the cold snap and rain.

Warm dirt and sprouts growing, somewhere sometime, not so very far away.

I've pruned all my roses and I've sort of settled in the swirls of life.

And now I find myself noticing the little things.

That's how I know when I'm feeling more grounded.

I go through phases of fluttering around, going to and fro and visiting and traveling.

Then I go through homebody moments of coziness and simple things - grounded.

I feel like, I am in a wave of quiet moments this week.

Hugging my dogs, cuddling them tight on our little bed in front of the fireplace.

Having dinner in that same spot.

Being still.

Taking time to enjoy little moments at home.

I was not very good at choosing the best photos for this post so I sort of squished them all in.

They may seem similar but each one is a little different in its own way.

And each one catches the light just a tiny bit differently.

I feel really addicted to this light this week.

It's so different.

Cold weather light, dappled winter sun through hugest fluffy clouds.

Coming in all my windows with a sort of hazy glow.

A different kind of golden hour that changes ever so rapidly...

Bringing out deeper tones and warmer candle light in this last snap.

I have been baking more.

Definitely a cozy mood week.

The holidays are over, even Valentine's.

It is quiet and cold.

A perfect time to doodle.

To write down wishes.

To dream of what makes us feel hopeful.

To snuggle up tight and read a good book.

A quiet before the busyness of spring and then summer.

It's a break for us garden lovers, because the summer is hard and beautiful and long here.

February, a month of reflection in a way.

What are you doing these winter days?

I'm trying to organize my closet.

Enjoy the moment.

I'm finally watching Victoria on PBS.

I love her so far.

Anywho, stay warm my friends.

It's a cold week here, with a winter weather storm warning even.

How about where you are?

 

I am reading Walden too.

Have you read it?

 

I have to install a new printer so I best be on my way.

Happy quiet winter days.

xoxo

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

 

Of Flower Walls & Vintage Things

Hi hi hi!

Hope you all are doing lovely.

How about some pops of color for your winter daze?

So you see...

I was supposed to be organizing last week - 

When I popped onto Craigslist for a quick browse and found this sweet lil' desk. I loved it immediately and it fit right into this little spot like a glove.

Isn't treasure hunting the bestest?

Especially when it's unexpected?

I find treasure hunting to be relaxing and exhilarating all at once.

The bonus of this little piece is that it has its original working key.

Through the secret keyhole right there, insert hearts galore!

<3 <3 <3

Since my wall peeked out a little I thought I would show you my floral mural I painted last year.

I meant to take photos sooner but time just escaped me.

I should have taken a picture before I put the mantel shelf back up.

My favorite butterfly is being covered up right now but I'll take more pics in the future I'm sure.

I guess I just love a beautiful mess.

Maybe a plain mess to others, but layers of florals and old things have my heart.

One day (a few years ago) I bought an old painting at an antique store and the seller also had the artists paint palette. I have plenty of my own palette's, stacks really from years of use, but having someone else's seemed magical in its own way so I had to have it.

There's so many ways to bring happy pops of color into your home.

Spools and paper flowers are good for that, especially when it's not flower season.

I bought this record a while back (you might recall) because I just loved the colors.

It was such an easy way to bring some of my fave colors into my home.

I have a few John Derian plates that are always fun too.

I got the little bubble blowing girl in 2006 or thereabouts.

I am enjoying the petals and leaves peeking out around my bed.

I had no idea they would work well with the shelf up too.

I had not intended to put it back up but I left the brackets in the wall just in case.

I camouflaged them with paint into the leaves and petals and now I'm glad I did.

Plus I love a shelf to place artwork and candles and any random little assortment of treasures.

I'm in love with the little ledge on the desk because it gives me a place to use as a dressing table too.

To place my jewelry + etcetera's.

Tea and happy things.

What more can one ask for?

I love these hand tinted vintage postcards.

Another way to add a pop of colour.

Once you crawl into bed you are surrounded by a forest of red mushrooms at the foot of the bed.

Perfect place for dreaming...

Or water coloring, which I do happen to do sitting in bed from time to time.

I know, I live on the edge ;-)

I'm so glad I painted flowers on the wall.

It adds so much happy, especially when the winter garden is sleeping.

I think we should all paint on the wall at some point in our lives.

When I was 11 my parents let me paint on the walls, it opened the flood gates to my love for creativity.

They also let me paint my furniture, which I enjoyed profoundly.

I painted all sorts of designs and colors - several times actually.

I know a lot of us here love to paint on furniture, it's such a huge undertaking but so incredibly rewarding when you are done.

So, what about it, you feel like painting on your wall?

Show me if you do.

I'm sure some of you have already.

Well, it's a beautiful day out and I hear the breeze and sun calling me.

It's going to get really cold tomorrow they say.

Not as cold as some of you at all though, I'm certain of that.

Stay warm and happy.

Wishes, magic and starssss!

 

Off I go for now, but I'll be back soon.

Promise.

 

Looove, V