It tells me of a treasure. A treasure so special, a treasure, so you… (perhaps?) Come with me…
We have a story to tell you, about what the crystal ball has to say… Let me get my pet & his crown ready, and we shall tell the tale…
You see, the crystal ball speaks of all that is red, and plump and juicy… A magic berry? A berry so rare, it is found only, in The Fairytale Forest, it seems…
Yes yes, that is what I see…
You see, this berry was so marvelous, that the cobbler’s wife (they lived in The Fairytale Forest), being the seamstress she was, decided to capture the berry in art form… In sewn, art form…
This berry did not just have leaves, oh no no no… No leaves, but velvet ribbons instead…
And perfect stuffed berries. So perfect in fact, people would gather from near and far, to gawk at these glorious sewn fruits…
One day, it seemed that the Princess Berry Head, needed protection while crossing the forbidden woods, deep passed The Fairytale Forest. So, the cobbler’s wife contacted the local Wizard (of course), and they added all sorts of magic to the berries. And weaved them onto a carrying basket (known today as a handbag) so that she could be protcted no matter where she went, as long as she carried this magic woven creation, covered in magical berries…
But there was something even better to this story. Anything that went into the woven carrying basket, would become magic also.
So, aren’t you lucky, that this morning, when I put my hand into the enchanted mirror, the Wizard himself, placed the very magic carrying basket, covered in berries, that was created for the Princess Berry Head, on my arm…
And urged me to bring it to one of you…
Yep, that’s right… This weeks Thriftventure Giveaway!! I know I know, I wanted to keep it, but I am not that greedy in real life…
Plus, it is sooo cute!! And all those berrrrries!!! So, leave a comment, and into the basket your name will go…
Vintage Berry love! And, it is in good condition too…
So, there are the crytsal ball results… Magic berries, indddeeed!
Off I go, time to get ready – late for a lunch date!! 🖤 V
ps: I will draw names on Sunday night or Monday morning…
pss: I got back a very old computer, like 1996 old. It had crashed, and I was wondering what was in it. My tech saved all the info that was on it for me. Well, there is a bevy of old school photos… Including this… I miss my Cabriolet!! My parents gifted it to me, shiny brand new, white and sparkly when I was 15. I drove it until it could no longer go… I think I must have put over 100,000 "cruising only" miles on it. That is what I am sitting in… I wish we had kept it… I traded it in for another convertible (white again) in 1999 (which I no longer have either). Eeeeekkk, where has the time gone??
In 1994 all I wanted was to be 30. And, here we are now (32)… haha! Free as a bird and kooky as a nutcake – just as we had hoped 😉 And when they asked her, What do you want to be when you grow up? I think she said, anything with the words bird and kooky in it 😉 Good thing, we never ever have to grow up. The realization of that, really is the true magical gift!!
psss: Random note. Mom’s are so special! I love mine oooodles. Today, we (me & Mombie) were Hidden in a "real" Italian place. We got there at about 3:30 p.m., so we were the only ones there at first. Chatting, sipping, chatting s’more. Then some Italian people come in, carrying on with the owners in their lovely voices… Dean Martin carried on in tune… So gooooood!
Mammie’s camera phone photos of us being, real real naughty. Don’t tell anyone 😉
Me.
Mammie.
No faces. But I can tell you, they were happy. This Tiramisu. Perfection. Not sweet. Just perfect. 5 a.m. jogging. Vitello’s rocks…
WOW! You can certainly enter my name in the drawing for this!!! It is lovely. When I grow up??? Don’t really know, but right now, 30 is looking mighty good to me (cuz I am a tad older than that).
When I grow up, I want to be exactly who I really am 🙂 I don’t think I’ll ever quite get there, but as long as I keep getting closer, I’m happy 🙂
So far, I think I’m accomplishing that – and so far it seems like that person has a bit of kooky bird 🙂 Just ask Trina 🙂
Darling post Vanessa! I was out gardening…and melting…kind of hot out there!!!sooooo, I came in to check email and saw your lovely post!
Ok so add me to the hat for the flee bag too cute:)
Hugs and have a great week!
kayellen
I love those berries! so sweet and vintage! when I was little I want to be princess with beg poofy dresses. The nearest i came to that feeling was onmy wedding day where I “did feel and look like a princess. I wish I could have bottles it up for a rainy day…
When I grow up…do we ever really grow up? I want to be an artist (well, I already am, but I still want to be when I grow up!) Those berries look divine. 😀 Magical indeed.
I love me some vintage so please enter me into the drawing. I look forward to each and every post you make. I usually read them at work and it makes me forgot how stressful the day can be. What a special creative unique person you are. Thanks.
What a cute bag! I love those berries!
I want to be…me! I like my life right now. It’s not perfect, but I’m happy!
becky
Oh but you do weave such magical posts. Wonderful story dear Vanessa. What a wonderful find from your old computer. What do I want to be when I grow up? Well, I’m suppose to already be “grown up” but I don’t feel like I am so I will say I want to be just like you when I grow up. A wonderful fairy tale artist.
I want to be Tara! Seriously, your work is beautiful.
Oh, oh, oh! Please add my name to the magic bag! A lovely find indeed.
30 is a curious age. I’ve always heard, don’t do this or don’t do that until you’re 30 because you tend to change and become settled and who you really are, blah blah blah. I don’t know if it’s true, but I’m holding off on tattoos and marriage until then 😉
oh you! that purse is soooooo wonderful. that i can make room for in my coat/bag closet! i love my kooky bird of a husband and am so glad we match in our quirky ways. 🙂 oh when will we ever get to go thrifting together???? so much fun to be had.
you ARE nuts! in the best possible way of course. 🙂 🙂
i heard a story about you pouring olive oil all over yourself and driving to phoeniz with the top down. 🙂
What a lovely bag! Please enter me in the drawing. I love your crystal ball.
Oh heavens…I had a 1972 Blue Volkswagen Bug when I was that age…and I just loved it to no end. I’m sure I have a picture around here somewhere…I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
When exactly can I expect that??
(swoon-o-rama on the berry bag…)
Hi vanessa! just wonderful history! and I love your pictures, you have big talent! you are queen! one beautiful queen in the blogosfera! I love your post and I am your fans! so cool!
besos
Marina
visit me anytime….;O I hope so!
Lovely berries! They look just too good to eat!
You also look very cute and youthful sitting in your Cabriolet. I don’t think I even have pictures of my first car, which was NOT a Cabriolet but a Cavalier…not nearly as cool, and I was 20 rather than 15. My parents are a bit old fashioned… 🙂
Vanessa,
I want a crystal ball! Such a fun story. The purse is so sweet! Please add my name to the list.
PS you are so pretty! Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Vanessa-
I was absolutely delighted to see that the artwork over your mantle is the very same piece that I bought a few weeks ago! I just love it…and now that I know that you have the same beautiful dancer floating above your mantle, mine seems even more magical than it did before (if that is possible!)
I love the crystal ball with the marvelous snow and sparkles! And those divine strawberries! And then you in your first car! Almost more excitement than I can stand!
My first car was a 1973, Gold Duster! And, it was gold, with an alligator skin roof(not real skin). I loved that car.It would be worth a bit today.It ran and ran.
You look darling in the drivers seat.
The strawberry purse is sweet.
~Amy~
That is one of the most gorgeous bags I have seen. The detail in the strawberries is fantastic.
Velvet Strawberries!!! I LOVE those! OOOH! I’m keeping my fingers crossed this time! Yippee!
Ooooh, those strawberries look delicious! Pick me, pick me! 🙂
Wow, love the vintage photo!! My first car was a VW convertible too! I got my cousin’s old 1974 Super Beetle – in chartreuse! Miss it so…Please count me in for this fun giveaway, what a great bag!!
Your posts make me so happy. That vintage bag is divine. Please put my name in the hat for the giveaway. My first car was… 1994 Plymouth. Yes, 1994. I grew up in England where gas prices are unaffordable and you can walk everywhere.
ohh You are So Good and I AM GREEDY.
Greedy for THIS !
Love From, One Berry Head to A Kooky Nutcake.
You are Quite A Bird !
you are the best story teller…..i know this beautiful bag will get a loving home
what a fabulous purse!!! so cute!!!
Oh, Queen of the treasure hunters please enter me for that darling bag! It is sooooo adorable. Every time you do a giveaway I think, “okay, now this is the one I really want to win!” And then another comes along and I really want that one too! You are so cute in your car! I have to say I just compared to your current pic up top and you are definitely improving with age! Prettier than you were back then, no fair! Hugs!
wow you have a MAGIC BAG!
and everything you put in it turns MAGIC!
that is so special
i could use some of that
I would put my face in and hope it my fix my silly dislocated jaw!
🙂
Love the handbag, so adorable with those velvet berries!
My best friend in high school had a dark blue Cabriolet and we spent oh so many hot summer nights just cruisin’ (circa 1989) in the Blue Dolphin (her license plate was BLWDLFN). Your picture brought back so many great memories!
Thank you for your inspiring posts!
I’m glad to see that you never grew up. I never did either and I have no intention to. Your work is a joy and your imagination seems to know no bounds.
🙂
berry-licious!
I would love to do some thrift shopping of my own with that lovely treasure on my arm.
🙂
ooohhh…
look at
your red*strawberries
on
your pink*chair!
🙂
so very perfect!
{{ what i like best is how
~~stylishly~~
your circa 1994 nail~poish
matches you lip~stick!
GIRL!
i bet you were something
in
that white Cabriolet.
did you have a magic crystal ball
then, i was wondering }}
I just found your blog today. I’m excited about exploring it! The purse is truly fetching, so please DO enter me into the drawing. It is a beautiful piece.
Thank you!
Are you seriously allowed to drive at 15 in America? You have to 18 in the UK, 17 when I was a teeanager! I love the photo of you as a whipper-snapper- so lovely!
Sign me up!!!!! That bag is divine 🙂
Oh look at you all gorgeous there in 1994! Hee hee!!! Hey I didn’t know we were the same age, I always thought you were at least 5 years younger, you look so young and sweet, you definitely don’t look like you are in your thirties my dear!
Well I would about die if I won your giveaway of that divine strawberry bag! I’d use it sparingly, and mostly hang it on the wall to smile at!!!
Please, pick me! xoxo
now you’ve made me hungry for strawberries and cream! 😀
bags and strawberries, two among the several things i like best 🙂
that bag is sooooooo cute. please add my name . . . and pick it! hee hee
I want to step into that mirror!! Ohhhh! I hope you and your lovely Mombie had such fun….it looks SCRUMPTIOUS!!! And what a darling, Strawberry adorned satchel that is!! Could one call herself, Strawberry Shortcake, while wearing it!? Yes, indeed! I do think so!!
Hellooooo to the 1996 You! In 1996 all I wanted to be was in the 19th century!! 😉
Oh girl, could I use a magic bag. I had one such bag when I was a teeny tiny…a giant berry with a zipper up the middle. My sweet grannie would tuck in quarters and hard candies. I thought they got there magically…well maybe they did !!!!It actually matched a dress I had all white with berries dancing around it and a fine belt with two luscious berries hanging off the ends. My first wish would be to find such a dress again !!!!!Of course, I would have a head start with that magicical berry bag !!!
I just love your little fairytales. I would love to carry the magic purse so I could be protected from all the gremlins and gobblins.What peace that would be on my travels through the winding road in the forest. I enjoyed seeing your blog in the artful blog magazine. You must be so excited to have seen your site in a wonderful magazeine. Congrats!
Hi, happy day! I just wanted to stop by and say I saw your story in The Artful Blogger. It was a great feature. Congratulations. I love the strawberry purse. Just adorable. Have a great day….happy creating, Gail
I’ll give it a shot! I love strawberries! And tiramisu and cappucino in the afternoon? Not naughty, good for you!
Wow, velvet strawberries! YUM! I NEED this bag!
What I want to be when I grow up?
An artist!! Not a STARVING artist!!!
heehee!
Your give~aways are oh so lovely!
Enjoy your day sweet gal!~
What a fabulous find! You are so sweet to part with it…I don’t know if I could! I love your dessert photos…i love your red little hearts on the photos! You are too much miss Vanessa! xo Shannon
Adorable! You have such a fun life!
well, i wanna be just like you when i grow up ;). still not sure if i should enter this, living far away and so, but i just love the way you post and your magical photos so i HAD to comment :).
Kuddoes! Please add me to your drawing list. I love the strawberries. What a cute idea!
That bag is so cute! And your new paintings are so wonderful! I love the Strange Beautiful Lady at Carnivale!
I love your artwork! You are very talented!! The purse you are giving away is so sweet! Please include me in your drawing. Thanks so much!
Lou Ann
louannmoo@yahoo.com
oh how I need a magical berry basket to protect me through my adventures!
Oh that bag is berry heavenly! I hope the Wizard wants me to have it. I could certainly use a magic woven bag. Twyla
ooooh I missed you Miss V!!!!!!!!! Catching up on all your posts was like visiting a candy store…so many yummy treats to peek at!!! LOVE your new paintings. ADORE the paper dolls! And…HELLO!? 2 magazine covers…ahem!!! Congrats to you sweet Vanessa. I’m off to the bookstore tomorrow to buy them!! Thanks for the sweet messages about my move:) I’m so glad to be settling in and catching up with all my friends!
xoxox…jenn
Well hello there! Fancy meeting you here tonight! 🙂 That is what us lonely gals do on a Friday night. Just chat the night away.
That is the cutest vintage bag I ever did see. And you are pretty cute circa 1994 too! But we aren’t vintage yet. Nope.
Ok, dear. Have a good night!
little honk (its late).
xo
Beautiful red berries 🙂
Thought it was appropriate to introduce myself… the lurker from Finland who found her way to your blog a few weeks ago and was breathtaken by all the magic.
I find this place so delightful.
Your blog is always such a delight to visit! Beautiful photos, and the purse is a terrific find….
~ Carolee
That purse is darling along with all of your art work. I love to look at blogs of people that are creative. It makes me jealous and inspired. Definately put my name down for the purse. I will cross my fingers! Thanks!!!
Jenn
~Please enter me, too! It’s okay to be greedy sometimes(smile). ~Amanda
I’m 23 and I still don’t want to grow up.
Your photo’s are always so inspiring!
Geez…that a thrift find?! Im live in the metro Atlanta (GA) area and I can’t imagine finding such a treasure! Its adorable. 🙂
I can’t get enough of your magical blogs. I love the latest painting…wish I would have been quick enough to get the Strange Beautiful Lady at Carnivale as she is ever so lovely!
Holy Hanna, look at all those berries. Yummy Yummy! I’m not sure I would be able to share!
I myself did a load of cleaning today. And right now I have yummy rolls ready to be put in the oven! Wish I had berries to eat with them!
It feels so good to get house work done! When its done that is!!!
Chelsea Ann
What a visual treat at the end of a long day filled with doggy washing chores, plenty of dusting, and garden maintenance. I found you in Artful Blogging Autumn 2008.
Your art is beautiful. The bag is yummy.
Another wonderful post, with beautiful images and magical inspiration. Thank you for sharing the links, I always love to explore new places. I am participating in the tour of Where Bloggers Create today, and I couldn’t describe my art table without mentioning my creative muse…your beautiful dancing lady print, which sits on my art table. Have a wonderful weekend. Karen
That bag is gorgeous and delicious enough to eat! Love your blog. It is always an inspiration. Loribeth
Oh what a sweet sweet strawberry bag – count me in for youre giveaway.
Alison
40 is even better. But don’t be in a hurry.
Trust me. I’m old enough to be your second mamacita. And I think a daughter of mine would have looked very similar to that dark-eyed cutie in the photo.
baccione,
Colette
since you said it was ok… i would love to be on the drawing list! and i’m taking some of that magic powder you’re so kindly offering ;).
Jack in the Box??? I had you pegged for a Taco Bell gal. Who knew??
Oh, you are so wonderful to be giving the beautiful thrifted bag away (so cute)! Loving your old photo and the delicious Tiramisu…you have me drooling 😛
Love berries and love Tirimisu!!! YUM!!! Count me in pretty V!!!! :))
When I was in the 1st or 2nd grade, we had to write a story about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wanted to stay home and ride horses all day while my husband worked. I even drew a picture of me riding a horse. Hmmm that didn’t work out so well, although I am very happy with what I grew up to be.
Love the purse.
Oooh, those strawberries looks so yummy… and the bag is beautiful 🙂
ooohh!i wanna be princess berry head!!
ahhhaa
I had one such bag when I was a teeny tiny…a giant berry with a zipper up the middle. My sweet grannie would tuck in quarters and hard candies. I thought they got there magically…well maybe they did !!!!It actually matched a dress I had all white with berries dancing around it and a fine belt with two luscious berries hanging off the ends. My first wish would be to find such a dress again !!!!!Of course, I would have a head start with that magicical berry bag !!!
Hi my name is Michelle Hathaway and I just love the strawberry purse. My daughter who is an active Army nurse would love this purse. Are you selling the purse? My daughter would just love it. She is so tired of wearing green and looking like a boy. She loves girley things. Thank you
I liked your site very much…the artsy-craftsy stuff, images that revealed you (cuz you’re sort of easy on the eyes, lol) and the attractive photographic subject matter you’ve included, AND the wonderful way you have about writing, AND the recipe-ish for making a scrumptious salmon meal.
You may marry me whenever you like, just give me a little notice that it’s coming up 😀