A Fanciful Twist

Hello October!

Well, it's here!

I can't really believe it.

As it still feels like summer.

And it was only July yesterday.

So now I scramble to soak it all up.

It's soooo good!

I just started putting up a little Halloween goodness.

I got this banner from Kathy Jacobson, I love it!

Isn't it fun?

Just what I needed.

That and some autumn spice.

I baked up two pumpkin breads last evening using this recipe, to celebrate.

I am not sure where my cream cheese mixture went???

It disappeared into the bread, and there was a ton of it.

I am sending one off to Mister's rehearsal gig tonight.

And made another for him.

He loved it, but says he likes my recipe here better.

Brownie points?

How the man is so svelte I do not know with all the treats.

This was a good and nice trial.

My recipe has a more mild spice, so I think that's why he likes it better?

But this was really good and the crunchy topping was lovely.

Soooo...

The Halloween mayhem is just trickling in...

Whilst napping seems the "in" thing around here.

The big white birdcage is being devoured by pumpkin leaves, hooray!

As orangey roses turn up for the event.

Flower power is in full garden effect.

And new pumpkins turn up in droves.

Hope a cold spell doesn't come in and do them in.

They are even trying to escape through the chicken wire it seems :-)

Some are ready for picking.

Others are a surprise we had missed.

Giant ones get daily peeks.

Little butterflies decide to sleep as I find them in my path.

And orange orbs start to get tucked in everywhere.

It's time, it's time!

Can't wait to see what the season brings!

Welcome October!!!

Are you all excited for October?

What is your favorite time of year?

 

I suppose I like them all for different reasons.

But the heat relief that starts to trickle in with October sure is magical.

Not to mention the mayhem and frolic ;-)

 

Yipeeee yay!

Time for tricks and treats galore!

 

Love, V

 

ps:  My online shop is bursting with Halloween goodies and I am shipping daily for the season!

Take a peek ♥

Potion labels, Halloween cards galore and more!

 

 

 

Halloween Goodies Galore {New Treats in the Shop}

It's mere hours until the first day of autumn.

Can you believe it?

So, I thought, what better way to celebrate?

Time to share some new Halloween cards and prints in my shop.

Where to begin?

Let's just plunge....

There are 4 new card styles.

(all cards are commercial quality with a lovely satin finish)

First off is...

Halloween Cottage

The backs of the cards can be quite fun too.

The back of this card looks like this...

 

Then we have Halloween Moon...

And one of my faves...

Halloween Tea -

The back of Halloween Tea looks like this, below...

And then, because I was asked several times....

Halloween Festivities in the gypsy garden turned into a card...

I am sooo excited about these.

They are so pretty and fun in person.

Oh oh, almost forgot, I brought back this card...

Because lots of folks were asking me to, so here it is.

Hauntingly Magical Celebration -

 

I also have two pieces that have never been prints available as fresh new prints!

Halloween Tea Party with Mathilde.

I normally never make prints until an original sells, however the original version of Mathilde is still looking for a home, but she sooo wanted to be a print for the wonderful autumn season, so I obliged ;-)

Mathilde Print...

(I made a test print and she is so much prettier and crisp in person, if you click on the image below you can see a clearer view)

 

Last but not least is a piece that was itching to be a print.

From the Through the Tree series...

Magical Night at the Autumn Carnival.

 

So there we have it, some Halloween fun.

I am crazy about Halloween.

Can you tell?

:-)

Ever since I was a kid, every adult in my family would dress up.

(uncles & aunts too)

We would plan costumes for weeks and give out candy all night.

We would go to Halloween parties and festivals galore.

It was endless fun.

I looooved dressing up.

I was raised to enjoy it so, and the magic of that sort of frolic.

So, I hold it dear.

Once I had this beyond words dream of the most perfect detailed Halloween village in full party mode.

I can remember the scents, the sparkle, glitter, magic and more.

It was a dream that felt so real, like I was there.

So, every year I try to bring a little bit of it to life.

 

All new Halloween goodies are in my shop right here.

 

Happy Autumn in 7 hours!!

Wonderful times!!
The pumpkins are growing, the air is slowly changing, I even saw a yellow leaf today.

 ♥

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

 

 

Flower Petals {New Cards in my Shop}

I am soooo excited today!

There are pretty new flower cards in my shop, hoooray!

When you design a new batch of cards, you never really know what to expect until they arrive.

These do not disappoint, they are soooo pretty in person.

Bright and happy!

Here are some close ups...

The back of the card above is extra fun, with yellow polka dots!!

Oh, it makes me want to write snail mail now.

 

This one below is a very dear fave of mine.

I love the shadows and details the back window light casts.

Almost like a painting.

Here are some fairy lights and lovely little petals.

It's almost like an underwater scene isn't it?

And, last but not least...

That beautiful golden evening light...

I have always adored that image above.

Outside the gypsy wagon, cooking on the cast iron stove.

Graced by the sun and all the magic it imparts on photos snapped just at the right moment.

I am smitten by these.

I hope you like them too.

 

You can find them here.

 

And those polka dots below!

I think polka dots make the world a better place ;-)

Don't you?

All of these cards are now in my shop.

Stocked and ready to go.

I even have an assorted set of all of them available too.

I just adore receiving and sending snail mail.

Isn't it such a luxury?

 

I find it so dreamy, this whole taken for granted postal service.

Mail right in your mailbox, it is amazing isn't it?

Even my little path to the mailbox makes me happy.

I think we should all send more fun snail mail, don't you?

 

Also, don't forget, I can always make you any custom assortment you might fancy.

And would be more than happy to.

 

 I have been ever ever ever so busy.

I can't even describe it all.

You know those days when you are busy every single moment?

I have been like that for about 12 days now.

Creating, shipping, custom behind the scenes work, aiding in a move in 104'F weather for days.

The list goes on and on.

Plus playing in jewels and paint past midnight.

 

Many more fun things to come.

I have so many garden photos and things to share soon.

I invented some herby cheese scones by whim & accident.

I needed something to accompany a salad, so I took a cookie recipe I had in my mind, omitted all the sugars and replaced them with garlic and herbs and salt and cheese.

And a scone was born, oh my!

I also whipped up two new dressings.

One is a basil avocado vinaigrette.

Beyond delicious.

Must remake them to test my recipes before I share.

 

How are you?

What is going on out there in the great big world??

 

Loooove, V

 

 

 

 

Isadora Woodhaven Apothecary {Spells, Herbs & Potions, Oh My!}

Something magical and lovely to share for today...

New spell and potion labels in my online shop, with an herbal twist!

Details and names of the labels are listed in my shop.

There are 15 in an order, lots of them, so you can quickly have your own little collection.

They are also fun mixed with other spell and potion labels I carry.

They work well on any shape or size of bottle, as you can see below.

I collect assortments of bottles from extracts, oils and more.

I find antique bottles at estate sales sometimes.

I have found some oldies on our property over the years -

Which I always save for labels as such.

You can fill your bottles with real or make believe ingredients, that's the fun of it all.

It's all up to you.

Let's set off for a visit to Isadora Woodhaven and her garden apothecary, shall we?

And see how she uses her labels?

Through the garden of giant morning glory vines...

Trinkets, treasures, herbs and spells!

Come closer, and peek...

Outside of the gypsy wagon we gather.

What sort of concoction do you fancy?

Mmmm, the scent is sublime!

A mixture of herbs and flowers swirl around.

A clustered display makes me extra happy.

Let's see, what do we have here?

Something for anything that ails...

Curious and wonderful, all the same.

And the first pumpkins of the season, snuggled in.

It's sooo much fun to put these together.

It takes you to another place in time almost.

I dare say, I think Isadora Woodhaven even showed up for a good while.

(she might be my conjuring alter ego)

As I collected and filled and played.

It was an enchanting time.

From Garden Angelica...

To Sacred Sage!

Just collect a few bottles...

Pick up some labels...

Peel and stick just like this...

Easy!

And you are well on your way to your own potion and spell apothecary shoppe.

The sun is changing, the breeze whispers the secrets...

Oh, a magical season is on its way!

Morphing and twisting, from summer to autumn.

Just in time to pick a few garden treats to fill your jars with.

 Soooo, the new labels are now in my shop.

I must go now, and play in my own apothecary display, it's sooo pretty in person.

I highly recommend you getting into these sorts of shenanigans yourself.

It's a lovely time, I sure enjoyed myself.

I know you will too!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 ps:

I have also spent some time making and restocking other potion and spell labels I carry.

 You can find these in my shop as well.