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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.
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.
But wait, what do you mean they are actually pine cones??
Yes yes, it's true.
These are pine cones pretending to be zinnias.
Pine cone bottoms that is!
You see, these came about in the most curious and unexpected manner.
One day very recently, I was sitting at my work bench, feeling rather lack luster.
I had my hand on my chin, wondering what I wanted to make or do.
I was actually rather bored that day, as I sat and stared at some less than perfect pine cones sitting on my studio work bench.
I had collected them off the ground under my pine tree for holiday decorating.
And here they sat, 3 months later.
In my way really.
I picked one up, tossing it about in my hand.
When the most curious thing happened!
I took my pine cone as you see below and flipped it over.
Only to reveal a zinnia on the bottom side of the cone, as seen below.
I gasped really, I was so surprised.
So, I grabbed some standard acrylic craft paint, and painted a few pine cone bottoms.
Pretty much just to prove to myself that what I thought I was seeing was true.
With each stroke of the brush, a real zinnia emerged.
I was utterly amazed.
Zinnias hiding under pine cones?!?
Who knew?
After I painted some up I realized you could either leave the tops pointy, in their regular state, as below, or...
You could use craft cutters to remove some of the pine cone petals and reveal a stem, like below.
Either way works just fine.
I think they are easier to arrange in a bowl if you just leave them as they are in their natural state.
You can also paint your pine cone bottom white first and let it dry before applying brighter colors.
Then add the colors of your choice.
Don't be afraid to layer different colors and layer shades for depth.
This is not time consuming, simply use a medium to large paintbrush and glob the paint on.
It's that easy.
A little paint and there you have zinnias that never ever fade.
Are you as gobsmacked as I was?
Who on earth knew that zinnias would be hiding in such a place?
Right on the bottom side of a perfectly regular pine cone?
I sure didn't.
Such an easy and pretty craft.
All you need is standard acrylic craft paint of your choice, a medium to large brush and you'll be well on your way to a perfect bouquet of zinnias.
Great for gifts for any occasion.
And the things you could make are ever so many.
From centerpieces to wreaths and beyond.
You can sparkle them up if you want too, the options are endless.
They sit perfectly in a bowl, those wonderfully tricky pine cone bottoms.
So, if you find yourself kicking around pine cones on your walks, pick up a few.
Turn them over and look for a zinnia hiding on the bottom.
Take them home and give them a whirl.
I'd love to see yours.
If you make some feel free to send me some photos.
Pine cone fun!!!
Let's get crafting.
This one's too easy to pass up, don't you think?
Love, Vanessa
PS: Regarding pine cones...
I don't know what kind of pine tree it is or specifically what kind of pine cones these are.
(although someone mentioned that they are loblolly pinecones)
I did this project on a whim never thinking so many people would be interested in it, the response has been incredible! Wow, I'm so amazed!
The cones are from a pine tree in my garden in Southern Arizona nonetheless.
If you are unsure if your pine cones will work, simply turn them over and look at the bottom side to see if you spot the classic shape of a zinnia. If you do, then paint away <3
PPS:
I get so many emails and questions about this project, which I just did for fun with the paints I had on hand.
Many folks ask if they can use spray paint and the answer is, I don't see why not?
It would probably be super easy and the spray paint colors out there are amazing.
I can't see why you can't try any paint you want, the sky is the limit.
I used regular acrylic craft paint and just mixed up basic colors that I layered as I painted, nothing outrageous.
Another question I get everyday is about baking the pinecones first to remove bugs.
Now, being the wild woman I am, I didn't even worry about this.
Mainly because I never saw a bug emerging ever.
However, I live in the desert where the temps reach 100+ all summer.
So I'm quite certain my cones are baked/dried naturally.
But, my mom told me you can wash them in white vinegar and water.
Big bowl water and about 2 cups of vinegar, just soak and slosh around for an hour.
They might swell up and look funny when soaked but will go back to normal once they dry.
Then set them on paper towels to air dry for up to a week.
If you want to really make sure you have no bugs, then after you wash them just put them in the oven on a foil lined cookie sheet at 200' - 250'F for an hour, checking carefully to make sure they don't burn.
Then just let them sit around on paper towels for 2-4 days.
Like I said, I've never done any of that, because I live in a dry dry dry desert climate.
So, don't hold me to any of it pretty please :-)
And please don't burn anything.
If you are still unsure just google, prepping pinecones for crafts, and you'll find all sorts of info.
I'm sorry if I haven't answered everyone's questions via email, but I try ♥
Thank you so much for the huge response to this fun craft I discovered on a whim, simply to amuse myself on boring day. I am so glad you liked it! ♥
From such delightful fairy tale lovely day places in my heart.
Early morning walks show a little pop of party color in the veggie garden out back.
Wild zinnias are growing everywhere in there.
Yay!
I am also tending girl to all manner of succulents and cacti.
Pumpkin blossoms.
The other day I had this flash spark memory of pumpkins and early autumn.
And I got a little flutter of butters in the belly.
Mama hummingbird always meets me for my waterings after my walk.
White hollyhocks turned up by the many.
As vines crawl up and over and under and along.
I can't wait for monsoon season to really do something.
Those big rains make everything blow up madly.
We are waiting.
Nibbling basil, picking zinnias and watching babies, of the pumpkin variety, grow.
Oh also...
Been meaning to say.
I bought a Climbing America rose bush a couple months ago.
And might I say, it is growing so fast and so beautifully.
Amazing for the first year.
I recommend it.
It has new bright coral roses everyday.
And while other rose bushes see their roses get fried at first noon sun-
The Climbing America roses last for days.
Mind you we are in a record of 30+ days of over 100' temps.
So, that says a lot about these blooms.
(I made a little metal wire enclosure so the rabbits have not been able to gobble her down)
I hope they crawl over the fence.
Where I live, since people have goats and horses and chickens (and more), most people have sturdy metal fencing like chain link or barb wire fencing still remaining, now vintage or antique even.
Well, we were going to change our front fence which is metal (we have walls on sides) to a charming wooden fence, but the honeysuckle and vintage roses blew up and are covering most of it.
Dreamy!
So, I planted that Climbing America amongst them, and now I am sooo glad we didn't put in a white wooden fence.
Because now all the plants can grow over, and have a place to climb.
Looks so pretty.
Supposedly the Climbing America will grow 15 feet wide or more.
Imagine?
I hope it all works out before gophers discover it.
Then I think, forget the journey itself, sometimes you have to wonder how to even being the journey?
Before I go on....
Let me be honest here.
Over the last week and a half, there have been some really intense freak out moments regarding "the scary thing."
I am working through lots of things in my mind, that my little foray into the unknown has brought me.
This includes replaying the event itself.
Throat closing in, hives all over my body, not being able to breathe, shaking uncontrollably and not being able to communicate because my brain feels trapped in confusion.
Then of course, I panic.
I am trying to work through it all and just move on, I am, talking about it helps so much.
Somehow, I know I am not alone in this.
In these feelings.
My thoughts lead me to think about others, maybe even you?
And where you might find yourself at this very moment.
I know so many people right now going through so many things.
Changes in their world.
Divorce, loss of loved ones, major life changes, health issues, or even finding themselves in that place in life where they feel plum lost.
Any matter of things life hands you, can leave you feeling like, "hey, where did the path go?"
Where am I?
Where do I go from here?
How do I get out of this?
For me, it comes down to my tools, a lot of self pep talks and prayers...
(Oh and, lots of talks with Mister Lovee and hugs with the furs)
The other day I felt so panic stricken, I finally bolted outside, and ran around the yard as fast as I could listening to this...
Never mind that I have not been running in eons.
Between gasping for breath and letting out some anxiety, I was sobbing.
Mostly because for the first time, I recognized my mortality?
Was that it?
I don't know.
But I ran and ran and ran.
And sobbed, and ran, and heaved for breath.
It felt so good.
So so so insanely good.
Then a huge gust of wind came and whipped around me.
I felt like, in the wind was a message.
Work hard, keep believing, don't give up on dreams.
Love yourself.
Be good to you.
Live your life.
Live your life.
Live your life.
Really live.
To the fullest.
What does really living entail?
I thought I knew already, but...
That wasn't in the message.
:)
I haven't the foggiest clue for certain, but I have my eyes open, just in case.
Paint at the ready.
For many uses it seems.
And so, I locked myself up in the studio.
Music, paint brushes, canvas, clay...
For some reason, when thinking about things in my life, my brain jumps to thinking about others.
And I feel this sort of deep compassion for people I don't even know.
I wonder, how do others cope with even grander things going on?
How do they find their own way back?
How do you?
The only thing I know is that, in the place where the depths of my imagination meets creating, there is a map back to myself.
I know it's in there tucked away.
Even if it gets lost in the suitcase lining.
It's there somewhere.
All I have to do is get out of my chair, and go get it.
But sometimes, that is that hardest step, isn't it?
The first step?
So, I force myself.
Each step brings me back to that familiar happy me place.
A place that is always there.
Even when I think it's missing or misplaced.
Lots of things happened to me earlier on in my life, which forced me to find myself.
I feel lucky, even though the things seemed hard at the time.
Lucky that I could piece some things together, an emergency kit if you will.
To help me back, when things get foggy.
Sometimes I have to bang on things on my way there.
Just to get my brain to open up, just so.
I guess, for a long time everything seemed perfect.
And it still does, in its own imperfect way.
But really, I had a wake up call.
Yes, that's what it was.
Over the last week, I have been telling my very hard head, that there was something to learn from it.
To be open, to let go.
To succumb.
The first time I heard this song I could not let go of this one line.
It has replayed itself in my mind, over and over and over.
It says,
"I'm not giving up, I'm just giving in."
Isn't that an amazing liberating thought?
I think, only with age have I been able to really understand the beauty in that.
It's incredible to me, how so much emphasis is put on being young, and staying young.
Being young is touted as being the end all be all.
Ya sure, you feel good, you look good.
But, when you are young, you know so little about certain things.
If you had told me that when I was 25, I would have thought you were mad.
I thought I knew it all.
But it is only as I get older, that I really see.
It's only with getting older that I really understand my youth, and live it.
It is only with passing years, that I have come to appreciate the now.
It's only today, that I have some form of tools, to help me find my way back to Wonderland.
If ever I get lost.
An ever changing place in my heart of hearts.
A place of everyone's own making.
In everyone's heart.
And so I ask, what do you do to stay in your happy place?
What are your tricks?
And, if you haven't made a map yet...
Are you thinking about it?
I'll tell you another secret.
There are people who I love who don't get what I do.
Who, might not even believe in it like I do.
Who think I am insane, and impractical.
It's soooo hard, I know, to try not to let that affect you.
But I repeat this to myself -
I can't live my life for anyone else.
I have to be true to me.
I HAVE to be true to me.
Some days I have to remind myself many times.
Luckily Mister Lovee and I are on the same page.
What would I do without him?
Wowe.
Was that too heavy for today?
;)
My brain runneth over with thoughts it seems.
Thank goodness for paint and paint brushes to keep me semi-sane.
And chats with you, for sure.
Love, V
ps: Early Sunday morning, black eyed susans and evening primrose...
A while back in time, and eye sore happened in the garden, right outside of the little gallery building. It was because of an electrical upgrade, that our tiny vintage box with one handle (scary), had to turn into a proper huge large giant electrical box (yay safety). I hadn't been able to see the last one, but boy oh boy could I see this one.
Months and months, and more months went by as I wondered what to do with the metal lemons into lemonade box.
It will come to me, I thought.
I was going to paint a mural on it. But, wasn't so convinced about that.
So, I kept waiting.
Knowing it would come to me someday.
Then, one day last week, it did hit me...
Actually, it hit me when the hollyhocks began to bloom just the other day.
You see, I planted about 500 hollyhock seeds 2 years ago.
Back then, when I planted them, they sprouted and began to grow very slowly (biennials).
Then rabbits came in a mowed them down.
Gobbled up in one night.
Just like that.
But, a few were able to be saved by me.
I covered them with birdcages, and other cages I made with waffle wire.
I protected them, watered them.
I saved them from a huge wave of caterpillars eating all the leaves up, and thousands of their black eggs.
Eeeeieghwee.
And then, it was another year, another spring, and they began to grow tall and bloom in the now.
2 years waiting.
All of a sudden, I knew what to do with the electrical box.
The hollyhocks made me feel like I was in my own floral shop forest...
I cracked opened the can, spray painted, and never looked back.
I loved my decision right away.
Now I have a little place to write in the garden.
I'm smitten!!
The paint lets the chalk write so easily, like butter.
I so recommend it.
(oopsie, missed a "u" in bouquet)
Must thank the hollyhocks for chalk board inspiration for certain.
Thank you fluttery papery beauties!!
;)
Hollyhock love.
I don't know how I will ever be able to live without a hollyhock in the garden.
All it took to save them from the caterpillar invasion was spraying with dish soap water mixed into a spray bottle.
There are seemingly two kinds of flowers on these stalks. Some stalks have single flowers, and others have ruffled flowers. It is all so exciting and inspiring to me in some grander way.
Does that make sense?
Can't wait for them to bloom all the way up the stalk.
Would you believe I still had my Valentine's Day Balloons?
I hung them out there for my very proper and pretend flower shop opening...
Petite Fleur.
So, when life gives you lemons, buy chalkboard paint.
Is that the lesson here??
:)
Oh and... I must share some new cards I just put into the shop.
These are so scrumptious in person.
I took the drawing I did for the previous Mad Tea Party, and make proper invites.
I am off to paint, and repair my new hot glue gun.
How about you?
See ya super duper sooooon.
Love, V
ps: Oh, guess what? Some have suggested that my meter reader will be smitten. I only wish! Sadly, he shall never spy it, for technology has him using a gadget to read my meter from far far away, digitally. Gasp! ;)
It's true.
pss:
The best part of getting up at 5 a.m. and weeding and thinning the garden is (dark and chilly, but getting used to my summer hours)...
Nibbling crunchy cool baby carrots that had to be thinned.
This is my second round of thinning them.
I love taking the tops, sautéing them with sweet onions, and cooking them into an egg dish.
(I hear mixed reviews about the safety in eating carrot tops, any thoughts?)
So so so delicious!
It takes me 4-5 hours to tend my garden, so I have to get on a schedule, no lollygagging, or I will never get anything done. Hello 5 a.m. :) Eeks.
Hello, my name is Vanessa Valencia and I am an artist living in a lovely part of Arizona. I make all kinds of art, from painting to clay sculpting. I love tending my gardens and cuddling my dogs. This blog is about art, lifestyle, gardening, cooking, crafting & every single little magical thing in between ♥