A Fanciful Twist

Of Light and Pink Paint

Hello friends!

I finished painting my piece of furniture last week...

And now I am spooking it up a little bit.

Truth be told, I had painted it peachy pink and fully decorated it for Halloween.

But the color was too light and peachy for the feel I really wanted.

So I took it all down, which is quite unlike me, as I am usually easily pleased with things I paint.

I mix all my own paints, so I painted it 4 times total, until I reached the shade I really wanted.

The final color needed to be able to adapt well to the changing light in this room.

I decided to leave the peachy tone, and create a two tone look,

Then I striped the top, as I shared in my last post.

Nothing was planned at all.

Not even the gold leaf, but how I ask, could I not?

;-)

I really love it now, and am back to getting a jump start on October decorating.

The weather is so cool.

I woke up this morning to let Matty out, and there was the smell of rain and a deliciously cool breeze, wafting in ever so gently.

I left the door wide open and crawled back into bed to enjoy it.

Now I'm collecting little treasures for my new old pink piece.

I posted little videos of the painting process in my Instagram stories a few days ago.

So many were asking me for colors, but I simply don't have them.

I just mix some white, some off white, some red, some yellow...

Then swirl it all up :-)

Until I reach the tone and tint that fits my liking.

Most everything I own is old, collected, antiqued, thrifted -

Some upcycled like this piece.

When I got it, it was blueish grey, then I painted it white and distressed - it which I really loved.

Then recently, I had this wild idea to paint it pink for all the holidays.

I have many painted pieces in my house, often leaning towards teals and pinks.

Colors just make me happy.

I do love rustic and natural too, and I LOVE to look at it.

But for some reason, in my own surroundings I need colors and things that make me happy.

And, that really is what it is all about, isn't it?

Surrounding yourself with that which makes you happy.

So, with that I shall say Happy Friday!

I hope you are doing lovely in your neck of the woods.

I shall return super soon!

 

Magic, Wishes, & Stars Forever!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Welcome Magical Autumn

I woke up this morning, groggily opened the door, and felt it immediately...

The tinge of cool swirling in the warm breeze.

Bliss.

Memories.

I whispered, I know you.

I threw on my shoes and Matty and I headed out to the garden.

There were butterflies swirling around madly, all colors.

New ones had arrived overnight, big white butterflies, and canary yellow ones too.

I decided I would pick some pumpkins, to celebrate the day.

A couple Fairytale pumpkins and a Jack-o-lantern.

I didn't bring in Mister Big yet, but I did bring in his younger brother, and a sister.

Several more to come <3

I pruned zinnias, and took a few spent ones.

I plop other ones right back into the earth, as they will self seed next year.

My happy collection for the first day of autumn makes me so content.

Full heart.

Thank you pumpkins.

They have gotten me through many summers, but have meant even more these last two summers.

I needed them so much, while the world has its odd goings on, they are here like everything is good - just as it should be.

They make everything better all the time.

Hope, love, memories.

Good-bye summer 2021.

I will miss you.

Strange but true.

Autumn of my heart.

So happy to see you.

I know you so well, you always bring a sense of wonder and joyful memories - on the tail of a breeze that dances between warm and cool.

Another chapter of summers closing, turning the page.

The garden, still full of all it brought us, as we venture into our spring-like autumn.

Where pumpkin everything makes everyone delighted.

This should really be an ode to the pumpkin -

The pumpkin that somehow hugs everyone.

Sort of saying, it's all going to be okay.

A message from the pumpkin king, that we eagerly embrace wholeheartedly.

It's almost universal.

Pumpkin spice should be the secret code word.

It holds so many joys tucked deep inside of us.

A wealth of memories thriving in a flavor and a scent.

My gratitude for the pumpkins that grew in my garden this year, and those of year's past, is immeasurable.

Pumpkin LOVE abounds!

Happy first day of Autumn dear friends!

And Happy Spring to those of you on the other side of the globe.

Seasonal magic is upon us!

Lots of love.

 

Magic, wishes. and stars forever!

See you super soon,

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Here is some beautiful autumnal music for your day <3

(Autumn/Fall 2021 Alexrainbird music)

 

Autumn on the Breeze....

Two more days until the official first day of autumn.

I can feel it in the evening air, can you?

This is a similar intro photo, as seen in the last post, only taken in the opposite direction.

Going up the little hill in the secret garden, and under the arbor, through the tunnel of flowers.

The blooms are loving the cooler nights, and the dahlias are right on cue.

A second spring begins in high desert days of autumn.

Magic.

Giant pumpkins, oh my!

Vines reach for the sky.

Varieties of fancy squash are all around.

Some cross-pollinated, others did their own thing.

Some went full Fairytale as planted, and other Fairytales made babies with Jack-o-Lanterns.

Does that make them Fairy Lanterns?

Pumpkins took over paths, and even climbed fences.

Some fell off the fences they climbed, and others crawled all over the chicken coop, plopping down into super tall wild verbena when they got too heavy.

I shall have to hunt for them when the time is right.

I squeeze through the overgrown Paradiso Perduto, a sort of Miss Havisham land, of my own making.

I did always find this incredibly unnatural pull towards her.

Treasures in old mansions, with ceilings caving in to allow the night stars to shine through.

And overgrown forgotten gardens, of wildest imaginings.

I suppose, in many ways you become what you love.

What you are drawn to as a child.

Take for instance, us fellow lovers of pumpkins.

The mere idea of the pumpkin patch would make me squeal as a child and into adulthood.

Until I started growing my own pumpkin patches at around 24 or 25.

Now they just take over my whole world from May to November.

I loved pumpkins so much, I became a pumpkin caretaker.

Mother Pumpkin :-)

This was once a path that went straight ahead.

But now it is completely sealed off by pumpkin vines and a wall of cosmos and zinnias.

It will be fun to see the garden paths again in winter, when I do my summer 2021 clean up.

Until then, I shall enjoy the wonderful chaos of wild growing things.

I sip my orange tea, as snippets of All Hallow's Eve begin to trickle in.

I've been ever soooooo busy adding sold out cards, new cards and Halloween cards to my shop.

Because as far as I am concerned, the first day of autumn means Halloween :-)

The butterflies are ready...

Costumes on point!

They know it is time.

And it seems, the pumpkins do too.

As they are changing color quickly.

We had the most unexpected rain for two days in a row this weekend.

It lasted only a little while, but it rained so hard, it made everyone in the garden extra happy.

They are all turning color, and soon will come inside to take part in the pumpkin holiday festivities.

I have been painting furniture...

Shipping out wonderfully fun orders.

And getting out all the magical stuff.

I am in full décor mood.

I want to get a head start on October.

But not too fast, because I will absorb every second of the last two days of summer.

How does it all happen so quickly?

I do not even know.

Last week was ever so busy.

My dad did well in his hip surgery and is at home recovering.

I made him an apple crisp, and now he waits the 6 weeks healing time, although he's already on his phone, doing this and that.

He's a very busy man, but I made him accounts in my Amazon and Netflix, so luckily he can watch all the things he didn't even know existed.

Because he must must take it easy.

We are both true crime lovers, and so we watch these shows and chat about it for hours on the phone.

I painted a piece of furniture and decorated for Halloween.

Then I decided that I didn't particularly love the shade.

So, I took down all my Halloween decor...

And ended up repainting the piece 4 more times (I mix my own paint colors).

Until finally, I arrived at the color I really wanted.

The color changes a lot in the room because the room goes from light to shady.

So, I wanted a color that worked with all the different times of day.

Then I decided to add stripes, and gold leaf, and make it two tone.

(Insert eye roll, just my own kind of therapy)

It's like a jewelry box now.

All decked out.

I honestly think I just got carried away with myself, with my nervous energy waiting for my dad to have surgery.

It feels so good to be able to breathe, now that he is home doing the very critical healing part.

Hopefully it continues to go well.

I have all my Halloween bins out, and I will redecorate the furniture I just painted.

(it's almost done actually)

You can see snippets of it above, right after it dried, but I will take better photos soon.

I love these cool nights that are upon us, it's so delightful to be able to go out walking in the evening again.

All the monsoon rain we had caused so many volunteer plants at the country house.

You wouldn't believe all the lantern plants that self-seeded, it's beyond words!

I think I took some photos, I'll look for them, or take more.

I honestly do so many things in a day, it's hard to document everything going on.

So, I just share a tinge of snippets, and hope you enjoy.

I shall return very soon.

Are you as excited as I am, about the first day of autumn?

You'll have to let me know.

 

Sending you Wishes, Magic and Stars,

See you super soon!

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Studio Blossoms & A Tale About a Curious old Cabinet

Hello friends!

I've been trying to get here for 3 days to tell you all my stories.

I had garden chores and endless things -

But here I am, with an extra long post for you today.

The tale of the very old cabinet is one I've been wanting to share for months.

Since I have spent the last 1.5 years going to zero stores, I have found other internet related ways to bring treasures my way.

There is a once a month antique shop in Tucson called Gather Vintage.

They travel everywhere looking for treasures, and I have purchased many items from there over the last 5 years or so.

A few months ago I saw this tattered old cabinet with many drawers roll through their Instagram account.

I loved it in its, highly patina aged, wood glory.

Then I saw other local Instagrammers who refinish furniture posting it, and I thought, I better save it soon before it is sanded or painted.

So, I called them up and bought it on the phone sight unseen, and had someone pick it up for me.

I will tell you the whole story about the curious cabinet after I run up to the secret garden, and pick some flowers for the studio.

Greeted by my beloved butterflies as soon as I enter.

This one fluttered up to me and flapped its wings against my nose and cheek.

I nearly fainted, it was sublime beyond words.

I will never forget that feeling, for as long as I live.

It wasn't just the feeling, but the sound, of life and wings.

The giant cosmos are starting to bloom and will do so until the last frost.

They are so tall, it feels like I'm walking through a corn maze.

One thing I am smitten with are the curious buttercup shaped cosmos this year.

They might be from the Floret Flower seeds I planted, but I'm not entirely certain.

Okay, we have our flowers, so let's head back to the tale...

Nothing like nature's colors for a little inspiration.

Purples and pinks and...

(I do a lot of paintings that I never share, they are more about painting my feelings and color therapy for me, and I enjoy it sooooooo much! Just a really important outflow of my busy mind and feelings that balances me out - and has since I was 11 years old)

So, the curious cabinet arrives to my house, and it is wonderful.

Also, a bit rickety and sooo heavy.

But most interesting of all....

Are the bit and bobs written and tacked onto the drawers.

So, I started by having a helper put casters on it for me.

Actually, it was too deteriorated and I just happened to have a heavy duty piece of wood, so he mad a new base and attached the casters for me in less than an hour.

Then I needed to clean it, and by clean I mean scrub it down with soap and water.

The drawers were filled with 100 year old thick soot and mummified spiders, as was the outside.

Then there were all the measurements jotted down on the drawer faces with chalk, which I was madly in love with.

I did not want to lose the integrity of it, so I purchased some oil based permanent chalk marker, which is used commercially on roads and such.

Then I carefully went over all the writing on the drawers, following the exact lines.

After that I scrubbed it down, even washed the little paper tags tacked to the drawers as carefully as I could.

There were about 27 knobs missing on each side, as the cabinet opens from each side.

(I should have taken videos or photos when it first arrived)

So I went on eBay and found a bag of old knobs.

The gentleman would not let me buy them until the auction ended in 6 days.

(insert impatience, haha)

I was the only bidder and got the whole bag.

The knobs looked so worn and stained, they looked like they had always belonged on the cabinet, more so than some of the knobs that were already on there.

When I asked about the history of the cabinet, I was told that it was found in some old barn somewhere in Arizona.

If you remember me talking about some of my Arizona road trips years and years ago, you know there are some wonderful old places here.

I'm one who really loves and appreciates old things, especially when they have memories of the past attached to them.

Something really interesting is the scent of the cabinet.

It smells so good, like a wooded forest.

When I first walk into my studio I can smell it, and it is a scent engrained deep into my memory.

I can't describe it, like I've smelled the scent before, but it smells so good.

It's not a chemical scent or fake scent sprayed on, but more of the natural scent of wood and time.

You might know the scent I speak of - I love it so much.

Above you can see the casters we attached to it, and the board I stained in the same shade of brown.

I have been using the drawers to help get me get organized in this studio, and it has worked wonders.

I use pearl pins to tag the drawers with a sample of what I have put inside.

For example, I tacked a butterfly to the front of the faux butterfly drawer.

And a star to the stars drawer, etc. tec.

Something interesting was that, when I was editing these photos I noticed that the drawer below has two V's on it.

Likely just a random mark or scratch, but meaningful to me.

There are 3 drawers missing, which the fellow who put the casters on can make for me.

I'm not sure how old this piece is, but it is made purely of wood, no screws.

It is made almost identically to some of the old drawer cabinets I have at the country house studio.

Those were made from old wooden cheese boxes - similar concept, but sit on a counter.

I am sure this was used for a couple generations at least.

I did find some square nails in a drawer, so that gives some idea.

I think maybe a grandfather made it, and then his son used it, and then his son, and then it came to me.

Where the 3 drawers were missing, I just tacked on some book pages and card stock, which I prefer more than having actual drawers.

And so...

That is the tale of the gigantic, old, and very curious, cabinet.

I love it so much.

I am happy to be the keeper of it for as long as I get to enjoy it.

I can not ever see myself painting it.

When I showed it to my close people, they thought it was too tattered, they were all pretty much not for it.

But for me, it's functional history, and it makes my heart skip a beat.

I love old treasures so much.

I remember the fascination running through my entire being, upon finding old treasures, when I was younger.

What a wonderful feeling that was.

I am so happy to have that appreciation engrained deep inside of me.

My grandfather loved old things, and every once in a while I'd be the lucky recipient of a thing or two.

I will cherish them forever and ever.

I am the keeper of so many old things for people I do not even know.

And some that I met briefly, like the dining table and cabinet that belonged to a gal's grandparents, that I cherish and use daily.

I use the cabinet as my library and the dining table as a huge credenza for my giant urn and books.

And the old mirrored armoire door my grandfather saved and gave to me (which I have hanging in my tiny garden cottage), because everyone forced him to get rid of the actual armoire, but he salvaged the door for me.

And all the china dolls I find, that were loved a hundred years ago.

And the old mirrors, flaked and bubbled exquisitely.

Well, I could go on and on about all the things, and I reckon you love old things too.

I cherish every morsel, old tattered wood is like rare gold to me.

I remember when I was around 17 years old, I had this HUGE urge to go to the Goodwill.

My family had never taken me there, I didn't even know it existed, until I happened upon it by accident.

And then, when I discovered the Salvation Army, I just couldn't believe my eyes.

I started collecting way back then.

Antique stores, estate shops and sales, thrift stores.

They have given me a wealth of treasure that is irreplaceable, unique and filled with old stories.

When I started treasure hunting it wasn't as popular as it became a few years after.

I could still buy stunning 1970's platform shoes for 25 cents in 1999.

And people would literally give you their old treasures, from their exquisite historic homes, during yard sales.

What a time, what memories!

Per usual, I have veered tremendously.

I know there is a huge chance you too are a lover of old things.

I'd love to hear about some of your very favorite finds that you cherish.

I'm so happy I collected all the tea things, tea cups and such, when I did.

People often ask me where I buy my teacups and teapots, especially in my mad tea party posts.

I always think to myself, oh if only I could take you with me back in time, through 25+ years of treasure hunting.

One tea cup at a time :-)

It's a wonderful adventure isn't it?

Of course, life isn't just about things, but it's a fun hobby.

Ah well, I suppose it's time for me to sign off.

That is the tale of the curious old cabinet.

I will continue to fill the drawers and show you what I put inside <3

 

See you super soon!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps: 

Speaking of old things, that reminds me to share a tale very soon, about an epic project I was beginning in winter 2019 - right before the pandemic. I hope to be able to work on it someday soon. I'll put a post together about that.

 

pps:

I'll share an old post of my country house studio, where you can see some of my old table top drawer cabinets, which I mentioned above.

The yellow one's drawers are made out of old wooden cheese boxes.

My country house studio here.