A Fanciful Twist

Of Tea-Time in Cozy Nooks...

Another lovely winter's day, in the cloudy nook.

I did not intend to be writing to you from the same place as the last post, however, this is where you actually will find us every day.

So, I thought you might enjoy joining us for tea today.

This breakfast nook is where we spend most of our time.

No matter how much space is in the rest of the house, everyone ends up huddled in here.

You are free to choose whichever porcelain pieces you'd like to use.

I have several cabinets with teacups and things, but this one happens to live in this nook.

Where we find ourselves nibbling treats and chatting.

We meet here for all of our meals.

There is a little love seat on one side, and all the chairs are cozy.

The boys love this space too.

There is sweet little Matty, under his mom's feet, or right behind her as usual <3

And Mister Cuddler, up to no good.

(He's pretty good actually)

I do believe that there is no better place to take your tea on a cold winter's day...

Than in a window of evergreen vines, no matter how grey the light, with windows and a little golden candlelight.

My dear friend Jen, that I met at our workplace 20+ years ago, gave me that beautiful orchid for Christmas.

I found the blue buffet at an antique store for 20 dollars, only, it was black.

It is the heaviest thing and seems to be handmade of really solid wood.

It was in my second studio, in the black color I purchased it in, when I decided to put it in the loggia up in the garden.

I sanded it down to the raw wood, which was pretty, but then I decided it needed more protection.

So, I mixed up some acrylic paints to come up with a teal blue.

It lived out there for a couple of years in that blue, and then faded into the perfect shade you see now.

The table was living in the garden too, and the top had deteriorated completely.

I ordered a wood piece to use as the top and sanded it smooth.

I sealed it with a few layers of matte water-based varnish, just so it wouldn't get super stained.

Although, I do love when natural wood shows its wear and patina.

I think that will happen anyway.

After all that work, I decided to drag it inside.

It's funny because, we originally purchased a very nice table and chairs for this area.

But over time, I gravitated to my tattered paint and upcycled vibe that feels so right to me.

And so, this is where you will find us throughout the day.

Sitting around the table, music in the background, enjoying a meal or tea.

With windows on 3 sides, you almost feel like you are in a fishbowl.

If you are lucky, an owl or hawk will stop by, or you'll see some critter such as a bobcat wandering by.

You are always guaranteed to see hummingbirds and quail.

I wonder what you are up to in your neck of the woods, on this January day.

All of a sudden time doesn't seem to be rushing by as it was the last 3 months.

There is a lovely calm in the air.

I like this so much.

I hope you are well, as I say to you, see you soon.

 

Lots of love from the fishbowl :-)

Vanessa

 

 

ps: I thought you would enjoy the outtakes...

 

Teddy wondering where his teacup and scones are.

And always, the side-eye glance.

He's such a wonderful joker.

I never knew a dog could have a jokester personality until I med this hunk of love.

I especially love when he crawls into bed for the night and cuddles up to me so tight, I almost can't breathe or move.

On the coldest nights, it is nothing short of divine, to have a giant dog cuddling you with his chin on your shoulder.

Softly snoring.

Oh my, it's perfection.

<3 <3 <3

 

 

 

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities {Golden Insect Pumpkins}

Dear Friends, I know Halloween has come and gone, and there were no posts here.

My blog service has been down for a week, which has been very stressful.

I am not able to upload photos as I normally do, so I am having to upload these giant versions in a round about way, until they iron out that glitch.

I figure, that is better than nothing.

I had so much fun and magic planned for you this season, I know Halloween is one of the most beloved posts at A Fanciful Twist.

And so, I have decided to go forward and post everything I had planned for you, even if it is a week late.

I know social media moved on to Christmas at the stroke of midnight on Halloween, but I also know some of you are true Halloween lovers, so these next posts are for you.

And now we have...

Golden insects treasures!

I'll show you my idea for these curious pumpkins and then the next post will be our 2022 Halloween post.

One day I was sitting on the sofa looking at my white pumpkins, thinking that they would look amazing covered in golden bugs.

I remembered I had a bag of plastic fake bugs, and of course, I always have gold paint on hand...

And so, I spray painted a bunch of bugs, bats, tiny mice and lizards in gold, and then I sprinkled iridescent glitter on them.

This really is the easiest craft ever, with the most fancifully magical outcome.

After I spray painted and glittered the bugs, I thought for a second about how I would attach them.

I almost instantly knew the answer, pearl head pins!

I just pushed the head pin through the top of the softer bugs, and anchored the pins around the bugs that were too hard to push through,.

I had soooo much fun with this craft, and the result was pretty magnificent.

At least, I thought so.

They almost look like valuable brooches.

In fact, you could glue a brooch back onto the bugs and cover a dress or jacket in them as well.

The uses for these bugs are really endless.

I loved the tiny golden mice so much, I saved a few to tuck in here and there.

This pumpkin fit in just perfectly with my daily decor.

I almost wish it could stay here forever, it's so wonderful.

I will keep it out until the pumpkin decides to perish...

The real bonus is that I can pull out the bugs, leave the pins in, and store them in a little box.

Then I can use them again next year.

 I hope you try this yourself, it really is a satisfying craft.

Amazing what a little gold spray paint can do to almost anything.

Next, I will be on my way to see if I can upload our Halloween post as well.

I'm hoping I am able to publish this for you now.

It has been such a harrowing time dealing with the Typepad crash of 2022.

It turned quite chilly here yesterday, and the pecan trees have turned a rusty golden color.

Autumn has arrived in my neck of the woods for certain.

I hope you are well dear friends, and that you had a really lovely October.

I will see you at our Halloween post soon.

 

Lots of love,

Vanessa

 

 

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

 

 

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