Some of you have found out about a secret that I have been holding ever so close to my wee little heart. I figure, since I have my copy in my hand, and I can't keep the secret any longer… I'll share it today :) I have been hiding this secret since about early February. Can you imagine?? My head is going to pop off my body, if I don't spill the beans soon…
This is the Autumn 2008 issue of Artful Blogging (which hits the stands on August 1st). I added a few magic sprinkles ;) Can you spot one of my little children hidden in there??
Miss Peculiar Day is having her 5 little seconds of sheer bliss… Maybe we should let her, even if she is acting a little over the top… Like wanting us to fluff her gown every 3 seconds… I think she is just excited and nervous ;) I suppose we all deserve to be Madame Foo Foo (as my mom says) every now and then…
A Pecualir Day girl is mostly excited and nervous, because after pouring through the pages, she is in complete out of body awe, at the beauty of this magazine… She can't believe she gets to dance around all those other pages that are oozing with pure drippy wonderfulness….
Now, she is forcing me to do something that might make you feel like punching me in the face with a fluffy donut.. Which, shamelessly, I might like, if it was powdered and filled with something yummy…
What I am about to do that is so annoying, is only show you a wee tiny snippet, not even a true taster of what is inside… I'll tell ya, just when I thought the issue was mind-blowing… I saw more photos and blogs, that left me completely speechless….
Don't worry, I am not just saying that because my little creatures were lucky enough to be asked to be a part of this wonderous magazine…
I am saying this because, this is only a smidgen of the beauty inside, and it looks enticing, doesn't it? I feel honored to be featured amongst these pages… Truly…
You can order a copy online, or find it at your local book store on August 1st. The Autumn issue of Artful Blogging is crazy fun! I have to say though, each issue has been pretty superb!!
Wait until you see the gals in it!! You will be surprised with all the friends you will find gracing the pages!! I was! It was so exciting to see who was in the issue!! I won't tell you who though… I don't want to ruin it for anyone… But later, say in a few weeks, after it has been out for a little while, I'll show you more pages, and not just snippets…
In other news… I have had an insane week. So busy, I don't even remember looking at myself in the mirror… Isn't that funny?? You can imagine what I must look like ;)
But, the week before that, I went on a thriftventure… And guess what I found? An entire wardrobe of fabulous garments… Sadly, they were too small for me…
Then I remembered I had the Alice in Wonderland Barbie in a box, and they would certainly fit her! (Alice was a gift from Mombie when she gifted me the Mad Hatter that looks like Tom Petty). Remember him? I stuck him in a diorama… I know they are both kinda strange… But, I like them all the same…
I took that floofy blue dress off Alice, and it was dress-up time, at a flash back level. I started racking my brain.. Where is my giant barbie house? And cars, and barbie clothes?? And the barbies themselves??? I have a recollection of our huge dollhouse being cleaned out as kids… But, where are they?? Hmmmm??? Mombie? Got any answers for me, hee hee….
Now some of these clothes are handmade, and others, do have the Barbie label in them…
So, here is Alice in her dress she came in…
And, here is Alice in her new found thriftventure wardrobe. Mixed and matched by me!! She was much thinner than a regular barbie, so she had to have some garment resizing. I know, crazy but true..
Okay, here we go… Sneaky Alice… I lent her, her baubles… ;)
Off to a picnic in a meadow, Alice…
Party Girl Alice…
Off to Paris, Alice…
And maybe, she'll even take her matching ice skates with her…
Christie's Auctioneer Alice, or Sophisticated Alice would do as well…
Charming Alice…
Carrie Bradshaw Alice (circa season 3)…
Pleasantly Perfect Alice (who can bake and sew like a pro, and can sing like a bird while doing both, simultaneously)…
Lovely thriftventure Alice…
And, my personal favorite. Crafty Artsy Alice (she made her own dress). I think she even sells them on Etsy 😉
There were sooo many more wardrobe changes where that came from… Maybe I'll share more some time. It was sooo much fun playing!
The day I picked up this bag of clothes, everything was 50% off at my local thrift place. So, guess what else I brought home??
A wee bench…
And this! (plus a radio flyer load of books)
It was just so wonderful, I couldn't leave it behind. My little creations seem to like it too… It just fits in, and we love it!! Thriftventures are the bestest!!
Well, I must Bid Adieu, and skedaddle on my way… I want to post this before my internet goes out again (I have been trying to post it for 24 hours)… I am having a tiny war with Qwest (my DSL provider). Everytime there is the slightest wind or cloudiness, my internet goes out. Someone came to check it out, and his synopsis was "it is what it is…" Umm, I don't think so… I can't go along with that… So, the saga will continue on that front…
Otherwise, everything is peachy lovely, and I hope it is with you too!! I am tempted to bake Ghirardelli Carmel Turtle Brownies today. They make the house smell so sublime… (love that food shopping site too! ShopFoodEx.Com).
Maybe I will bake some lovelies… Seeing as how I have some sparkly lovliness to cuddle up and view… I just adore this little girl, and identify with her in a silly little way….
Fun stuff, I tell ya!! See you sooooon!! I am soo delighted for renewed playtime, and a chance to catch up with you!! xoxo,V
Miss Vanessa, you don’t use REAL turtles in those brownies do you?!?
Alice/Barbie looks a little blase about her fab new threads, methinks. You did very well by her, by the way. Aren’t thrift shops FUN? I always find treasures at my local one, but my friends act like I’ve been dumpster diving when I tell them about it. Who needs ’em, anyway? (non-thrift-shop-loving-friends, that is).
Happy weekend,
Kate
Hola Vanessa!!! I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait to get my copy. Eliza is so cute. LA la la la la. Loved her. I was in Tuscon, last week. Beautiful. Had a great time. God Bless.
Hello! That was a lovely tease!!! heehee!
It looks wonderful and Congrats on you getting in there!!! I’m buying it just cuz’ your in there!!!!!
I love the doll~ you dress her divinely!!!
Enjoy your weekend my dear!!!!
WOW! That is so cool! What an honor! You totally deserve it. Big fat congratulations to the whole family! I can’t wait to get my copy!
The Tom Petty Hatter cracked me up! =)
What costumes the dolls have.
I will have to oder this magazine.
You have a delightful site.
Oh this makes me ache for all the Barbies and her accouterments I once had. I made clothes and had regular Barbie clothes for them and all is gone. Makes me sad. I love the things you were able to find and WOW, Alice now has quite a wardrobe to fit her every mood. Fabulous find indeed!
And that embroidered picture fits in perfectly!
hmm, I just remembered somewhere I have a coat my Mom made that has a REAL fur collar on it!! Must search garapalooza!
As for the magazine……you know how I feel but I’ll use some adjectives anyway…
WELL DESERVED
SPECTACULAR
AMAZING
MAGICAL
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
oh and that video of the wee girl…..I had to laugh out loud as I swear I have had days like that……riding along singing a song, minding my own business, happy and silly and WAM something trips me up. lol!
XOXOXO
WooHoo Girl! Loved reading your article in Artful Blogging! Your stories always whisk me away to some fanciful place. hehe! I know what you mean about keeping a secret. I honestly didn’t believe I’d be in the magazine as well until I held it in my hot little hands yesterday. Oh happy day!
Congratulations for the COVER of the magazine, (I guess we can say the cover), the magazine looks splendid, I need to take a look.
I’m enchanted by Alice’s wardrobe. Carrie Bradshaw Alice made me laugh haha 🙂
She is super chic indeed!
Congratulations!!! I’m delighted for you, and I can’t wait to see you in those pages!
Becky
OOH! CONGRATS! I need to run out and get this magazine now! How excited your creations must be to be out there for all of us to see. I love the great clothing find you made too and the photo shoot of Alice. I love your dolls so much(as well as your other art!). I think your dolls would be good friends with mine(I need to get going and make more! I have been stuck doing other things and it is hard for me to change gears).
Take care,
Merle of Rowandevoe
Oh Miss Vanessa! Absolutely Fabuloso! THe cover of the mag is awesome! I must go out and buy a copy I will make it my birthday gift to myself since it makes it debute on my cake day!
~Hugs,
Ann-Denise
congratulations Vanessa!
How wonderful for you!
~k
Congratulations!!!!!and you kept it a secret for so very long. I can’t wait to read the magazine it has become one of my favorites.
I can see you in my minds eye as this little girl singing away loving the world around her.
I think our little Victor will be like that…he is only 15 months old and laughs out loud when he is happy and when he sees something funny.
Wow!!! I wish I had a wardrobe like that…I wish I was this thin…well maybe not this small 😉
Congratulations on being in this magazine. Your bloggy really belongs in those pages.
I still love Barbie ! You know you still can buy the basic Barbie in her swimsuit for under 5.00$ , that’s one reason I like her.The other is she is just fun!
Loved your dress up photo shoot.
Amy
I just know I am going to be completely under the spell of the new Artful Blogging magazine! I am SO pleased to hear You are going to be in it! Congratulations from the bottom of my heart! Can’t wait! I’m going to go camp out at Barnes and Noble right now, only five days to go, I can do it . . . Twyla
Congratulations on the magazine spread! Can’t wait to see more! Love the photo shoot you did with Alice, she is way more beautiful than Barbie! Also my daughter is watching Tom Petty up at Pemberton festival in British Columbia as I write this! Today Tom Petty is the headliner, tomorrow Coldplay!! They are so excited to see Tom!! I’m thrilled to be able to peer in on your success!
Hugs Giggles
I can’t believe I forgot to mention how THRILLED I am about your girl in the magazine. Congratulations!
Kate
Congratulations sweet one!!!
Julie Bergmann
I think that i’m going to have to get that magazine….and Alice is gorgeous!
Dearest friend, how wonderful to find you gracing the pages of such a treasured magazine! I am so very proud of you (and your secret keeping!)…you deserve all the attention! You are an ARTFUL blogger. Yes you are.
Love & hugs to you, my friend!
xoxoxo
Oh, and a big HONK just because.
ohhhh… each outfit just got better and better! I am so dang envious of Alice I could scream! I would happily wear every one of those outfits! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the framed tree! That was a Supper amazing find! Congrats on the lovely magazine. You deserve it! You have a artful spirit bubbling over with sparkling charm and fun!
Chelsea Ann
Squealing! How wonderful are you and now everyone, everyone will know it! Dang! Somehow I like to pretend you are my own little wonderful secret discovery! But the world must appreciate your lovely girls and all your creations really! Can hardly wait to get me a copy! Oh, I just love playing Barbies! What is funny is my mom got a similiar bag at a thrift store a year ago or so and it had the same red and blue dress in it I swear! I am thinking miss Alice reminds me an awful lot of a Miss V I know, she really looks like you! Oh, have fun with your lovely shows, you seem to be visiting Halloween early! Hugs!
Congrats!! I’ll most certainly be picking up an issue! <3
And Alice looks AMAZING! A true fashionista!
xox,
dayna
Oh such secrative delights! Congrats on your cover! And I wish I was such a well dressed Barbie 🙂
Congratulations Miss Vanessa!!!! You SO Deserve this!!!!! 🙂
Also, I’m glad your internet is up and running, as I was needing my fanciful twist “fix” 😉
Hugs to you!!!
Michelle
p.s. I dumped Quest because of crazy problems such as yours. Cox is WAY much Better!
p.s.s. I drove by your neck of the woods yesterday. Did you see me waving?? 🙂
Congratulations…what a lovely tribute to you! I will have to scout out one of those magazines for sure! Well, my niece would be having vapors over that bag of Barbie clothing for sure…she is all about all things vintage Barbie, and is now even collecting them…it’s so fun to watch her passions unfold! I just heard a rumor that there is a new Alice and Wonderland being made…by Tim Burton? Can you imagine?? I’ve already casted Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter…but I am absolutely stymied as who shall play Alice?? I think though, they should come to you for wardrobe advise, you’ve done a simply smashing job…
CONGRATS!!! I’m so happy for you! You deserve to have your art in Artful Blogging-it’s one of my favorite magazines (well, bigger than a magazine, but you know what a mean)!! That is so exciting, even I want to scream! 😀 Your art is amazing, your blog is amazing, I love everything about it! Congrats again. 😀
Hurrah! So exciting to see you featured–I’m of to find a copy of AB!
P.S. Those ice skates? Sweet.
yay for you! a magazine cover! i also loved seeing the ‘fashion show’…i have the little blue and red dress too, still left over from my younger days!(i still have barbies, and play dress up with them from time to time!)
Great stuff! Congrats on Artful blogging!
xoxo
Dollybelle
Congratulations on being published in Artful Blogging. It’s my favorite magazine. I can’t wait to get my copy. Karen
Cute finds. Great show case, what model that barbie. My daughter loved it. The Antiques By The Bay is coming around again. Can’t wait to post my finds again this coming month. Thanks for sharing yours.
i have to confess:i have the alice doll too!and the queen of hearts!also,i love monster house the movie….you are just to much:)
xoxox
ryce
ps-i once found a huge bag of 1800 styled clothes for barbie at a thriftstore!my barbies are happy with the marie anntionet feel<3
oh!i was all cought up in barbie that i forgot to congratulate you<3
xoxoxoxo
Wow! You just amaze me with your creativity!I absolutely love it! Congrats and enjoy the fun!
So much fun to check up on your fanciful going ons… I love the Sommerset publications!! They do such a great job, I even love the quality of their paper. Can’ wait to see the next issue!
Congrats!!
How fun, how fun!! I blogged about an Alice doll on Saturday morning. Alice was living in a box in the garage. My mom and I bought her in a doll shop in Monterey about 10 years ago. How funny that she came out of hiding the same day you posted about your Alice. (Insert Twilight Zone music here)
Hmmm…I think tomorrow I’d like to be Pleasantly Perfect Alice. Thriftventure Alice would be nice to meet for tea, and then shopping of course…
Congrats on the mag :o)
Congratulations on your feature in ‘Artful Blogging’, I have got to find this magazine OR check if they do international shipping cos’ I am swooning over the snippets you are showing here! Oh, Vanessa you are fabulous you know that? you’ll make a great stylist, the barbie clothes and the way you’d put them together with the photo-shoot is perfect! So lucky to have found the bundle 🙂
RETURN TO OZ!! Love love love !:)
And that thrift found tree is amazing!! 🙂
Your little dolly reminds a wee bit of You, miss fanciful!
Happy Day to Youuuuu! and oh so many congrats on the magazine!! That’s SO wonderful!! 🙂 Hooorah!
What lovely clothes – she really is very thin even for a barbie type.
I love the arty crafty look and the carrie bradshaw one.
That little clip from onster house has really made me want to watch the film – I’ve never seen it before.
I love Alice’s clothes. Can I have them in my size?
Congrats on the Artful Blogging issue…what an incredible issue it is!! I am drooling over the pages! Love the precious doll clothes too! :)mendy
Alice looks fab girl! Congrats on Artful Blogging! Can’t wait to get a copy.
Karla
Congrats congrats!!! CAnnot wait to get my hand on a copy!!
I too am having laptop problems…long, sad story….am happy to be able to come round visiting…
x…x
::happy dancing for you sweets::
Can’t wait to pick up a copy!
& I love the thrifted barbie clothes (Frenchy Alice won my heart), I have barbie clothes my grandmother made for my mom & treasure them dearly 🙂
Ooh…I didn’t know the Autumn 08 issue was due to be out so soon! I can’t wait to see what delicious treasures hide inside, yours being one of them! Also, I see that you have Penelope there. I watched it over the weekend – such a whimsical treat!
Hola Vanessa!!! I’m so happy for you, Congratulation my friend! You have great talent, and your work is awesome. so, you can make smile to much when i read your blog! you are so fun.
I would buy the magazin. Voy a ver cuanto es el shipping cost. by the way, I hope you in my blog soon!
hugs! ;)from Argentina, from far!!!pero gracias a los blog no es tan lejos
P:D en las fotos ere igual a Jane Fonda, muy linda!
Marina at Only cute things http://wwwpurocolor.blogspot.com
This is super-fantastic! I have to look for this magazine, although I don’t I have ever heard of it before…or my memory is slipping. Either way I am so happy for you!
Congrats! You are always an inspiration Miss! All your hard work is paying off…I saw you got the cover of the Art Doll Quarterly, Fall 2008 issue too! That’s gonna be the bees knees…Beth, of Strange Dolls is in that issue too! WooHoo!
Am I spilling the beans on that? You are probably just being modest…not revealing the Power of the V all at once…hehe!
xo Lavona
Congratulations! Can’t wait to check out the magazine and the bits about you. 🙂
Congrats on the magazine feature-you definately deserve it! Love the Alice fashion show.
Congratulations Vanessa!
I bet you are tickled pink to be in that wonderful magazine..
I just love the cover of the fall issue with all the lovely gold’s and yellows…
I can’t wait to get my copy…
I so enjoyed the Barbie fashion show… what a great find.
Louise
felicidades!
and i love the barbie clothes. the best being that babysitter apron. i wonder if my mom still has my barbie stuff packed away somewhere?
Loving those sweet tiny clothes, quite the jackpot for one Miss Alice, I declare!
And I quite agree that this latest Blogger mag is the best so far!
I can’t wait to pick up my copy of Artful Blogging. I’ve been waiting patiently. Congrats on being in the magazine! It’s pretty cool to know that one of the blogs I visit is going to be featured. I also love all of your Barbie finds. My girls are just getting old enough to get into Barbie…I can’t wait. Thanks for the peek at the magazine.
Aw! Congratulations! That is amazing! I will definitely keep an eye out for Artful Blogger, we started getting it at the local Michaels, (which I love because you can buy their magazines with coupons!)
I cant wait to see your pages! Congrats!~
Congratulations! I picked up the summer issue and fell in love. I can’t wait to see the new issue.
What a find you found thrifting. It’s one of my favorite activities as well. We have an extra, extra bedroom and I’m filling it up with so many luscious things.
And, Lovely outfits for such a winsome girl!
la la la laaaaaa la la la … oooh! so prettily PUBLISHED! wooohooooo! seems like the BEST reason to purchase my first issue – couldn’t be more excited for you (and myself, really) … please excuse me while I continue my ride on my trike … la la laaaaaaa!
xx’s & much love ~M~
I saw that fabu feature!!!!!!!!!!
Yay…congrats!! I showed my boy Miss Vanessa’s pages and he said “oh how cool!” 🙂
Love all of Barbie’s cool thrifty outfits…but I really want to know who did her eyemakeup?? I so would love to have dramatic smokey eyes like that!! 😉
yipppeeee yahooooo for YOU:):)
I’m so excited to get my copy…and
just in time for my move!! I’ll have
extra time to read every juicy page while
I’m waiting for my big ol’ moving truck to arrive:) xoxoxo…jenn
Congrats!!! I picked up a copy at Borders on Friday and was very happy to see your wonderful art and blog in there. Off to do a little happy dance for you.
Hello Vanessa,
Congratulations on the feature of Artful Blogging!
Well deserved!
~ Gabriela ~
okay I want to play barbie with you!! Congrads on the the magazine I will be sure to get it and scream with delight how I know the super talented Miss Vanessa!!
Okay I really need some inspiration today, I just got back from Saratoga and will post photos of that soon.
I just noticed the Penelope movie in the last photo…just saw that!!! It was so great!!!! I loved Penelope’s coat, and Reese Witherspoon was so kooky!!
I love the Carrie Bradshaw Barbie!!!! What a great find…all those amazing barbie clothes!
How I love to go thrifting, you never know what treasuries you will find!
How impressive dear Vanessa…to be on the front cover of that magazine…YOU GO GIRL!!!
Well, I’ve gone and copied you…I did a video with my voice on my blog too….scary stuff hearing my voice!!!!
Congrats on being feature on the cover of that awesome magazine!! You must have been so excited! I can’t imagine! Oh and I just watched Penelope and it was excellent! Her clothes are amazing in the movie!! 🙂
Miss Vanessa, congratulations on being featured in Artful Bloggin. I can’t wait to get my copy.
Alice is beautiful in her clothes. I love the outfits you made for her.
Hello Vanessa,
congratulations with your publication !!
You may be proud on yourself : artful blogging is a very beautiful magazine ( I have all the previous ones…) and you deserve to be in it !
My friend Dorien is in the USA on holiday and she promised to bring the magazine with her for me… so I don’t have to wait so long before it arrives in Belgium !
I enjoyed you playing with the barbie-dolls … I’m 42 and I dress my baby-dolls now and then with other clothes because they are still part of my house and they must fit in the season…
My 15 year old daughter wasn’t really a babydoll-mommie, but she always loved to play and to dress her barbies.
Now she ordered a ball jointed doll ( enormous beautiful dolls) in Korea and someone is painting the face on it that she wants and when it arrives she will make drawings of the clothing she wants and I will sew them…
You see : little girls never grow up…
Inge from Belgium
congratulations! Very chic wardrobe as well!
I love the Artful Blogging zine – how wonderful that I will meet your lovelies in the next issue. Hip, hip, hooray!
You are so creative and talented. I know I say it each time I post a comment. But it is true and I can’t help but state the obvious and to repeat the message.
If you have an Internet connection for more than a second, and you have a moment, swing by to see the photos from my SoulCollage Tea Party in celebration of my birthday.
O!!!!! WowieeeEEEE! Now, I might just have to order this mag too! Congratulations!!! Vanessa! I just ordered the ART Doll Quarterly last night!!! WOOT!!!!!!!! I am still pissed to this day, when I went up to Conn. to work right after high school, my mom gave all my Barbies, my Shirley Temple Doll and a few others, I remember some ballerinas to my cousins without asking!!! UG! I still want to cry but never have yet!!!!
Fabulous fashion show, darling! And…I can’t WAIT to get my new Artful Blogging issue!
Dear VV
Congrats on being featured in Artful Blogging!! Your Blog is DEFIANTLY one of the very most ARTFUL for sure!!
Plus your Barbie outfits score!!! Oh my! I do believe the red jacket and the blue corduroy jumper are two of the very first outfits Matel made!! The condition is marvelous. Your Bab’s must be jumping for joy with all her new Fashion Options.
xox
Constance
A book you would love:
The Principles of Uncertainty
Maira Kalman
fantastic Vanessa – cant wait to get my copy now…Hugs to you! you deserve it lovey!!!
love the fashion show…gorgeous!
what a very cool blog, i’m a first timer here!!! the artful blog appearance is awesome…huge congrats!!!!!!! and my friend zee is in it too! how cool! and girl you have quite the barbie collection! one of my good friends brought a indian barbie for my daughter from their recent trip to india. she is sooooo pretty.
Miss Vanessa…those are the prettiest pictures I have seen anyone take af a magazine…I can’t wait to get my hands on this magazine, girl! I am very proud of you! xo Shannon
Can’t wait until Friday — I hope my local Chapters has Artful Blogging!!
I love thrift store adventure shopping…I find some of the best goodies that way!
I was DELIGHTED to sit down last night and actually pour over the entire contents of Artful Blogging… YOU, you keep quite a secret! missy!!! Beautiful spread, it is a joy to READ and absorb all that you share V.! Mind-boggling to peek inside your cave there… so many colors and enticings… I am hooked! ~Monica
hahaha….love, love, love the carrie bradshaw alice!!!…..that’s my fav!
hope you are well.
summer is flying by….
it’s nice to escape into your blog from time to time!
have a great day!
Oh, I can’t wait to see all of your wonderfulness on the pages of the newest Artful blog. I’ll be waiting in line at the book store on August 1st for a copy.
I just love Alice’s new wardrobe too! She is so trendy and fabulously fashionable! 😉
The first thing I saw when I picked up Artful Blogging was your Miss on the cover. Cogratulations! Lucky you with the thrift store finds, too. My grandma, a professional seamstress, made me a load of Barbie cloths one year for Christmas. They had a lot of little detail on them.
Congrats on Artful Blogging! I’m going to B&N tomorrow to try and find a copy. Trying to get caught up this weekend reading my fav blogs! Hugs!
Congratulations young lady on your appearance in such a beautiful magazine. Very well deserved methinks
Hi! I found you through my first ever issue of Artful Blogging. My computer was down for a week and I just had to have my fix…LOL! So I shelled out the moola for this wonderful mag. Well, my computer is back in business now and cooking with gas!
Lovely, Lovely place you have here and I look forward to many visits in the future.
Keep up the fantastic work! 🖤
Hello Miss Vanessa!
Your pages are beautiful! I’m stunned to be included with all you glowing stars!!
Hugs!
Nancy
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