I had a glorious day yesterday, to attempt some laundry and clean and dust (oh goodness, the dust of it all) & to begin my Christmas decorating. Just the kind of day I needed…
I made a garland, and organized my shelves. I made a new little nook in my room, which I will share once I whip everything together, so my room doesn't look like a tornado side swiped us…
I also started on the Christmas Branch. Which really is up all year, but with different decor… I love my branch. Since I spend Christmas at our family home, I don't put up a full scale tree here…
I watched Portrait of a Lady (with Nicole Kidman) and Northfork while I worked along… Soon I want to tell you about a very dramatic encounter I had with a movie, that I have typed and kept to share in the future. Although I might forget about it if I am not carfeul…
I have been on snow watch all week. I am waiting with bated breath for this teaser of a snow storm to hit, so that I can make use of my Grandpa's wonderful birthday gift. He is such a cool grandpa. He loves to collect "junk" like me. Or treasures, as we prefer to refer to our findings…
Once I completely tired of waiting for the snow, I decided to take the snow watch matter to a different level. More like the snow hunt, if you will… My partner in crime and I planned our mission & headed into the brisk air…
We would take some necessary items with us, to visit the snow covered hills. I would need my magical red and white striped curtain (details on how I made the easiest curtain ever using Sealah tape at the end of this post). Some wood… What else, hmmmm?
A pot for cooking – and of course some daisies…
Oh, some lemons too…
Fire wood, oh yes! Can't forget that – And a bunch of other odds and ends… Did I fail to mention, how we would be traveling into the wilderness?
By super three wheel bike, of course ;) Can you see the snow in the mountains that hover above our wee love shack?
That is where me and my little blondie are headed. We have our tea set packed, and some warm blankets… I really can't think of what else we might need?
Oh and we have treats too!! Must not forget the treats!!
And of course, things to play with and give us good luck…
Like thee wonderful sparklies and keys, and fun things to play with from Miss Krista!!
Amongst the trinkets from Miss Krista…
I found a serpent ring with little hearts dangling, for good luck 😉
Thank you Miss Krista!! What treasures!!
I am also bringing with me a boxling that would blow your mind, from Michelle Cummings… Just take a look…
Ready for this… 1, 2, BOING!!
If that is not fun stuff all tucked inside the best pop open box on the planet – then I don't knw what is ;) Too fun Miss Michelle!!
And while I am at it – I brought some tiny candy canes and beautiful tags from delightful Chris!! (a totally unexpected surprise package!). Candy for elves, if we see them in the forest, and tags to write for gifts I have not yet made, eeeeks!! Thank you Miss Chrisssss!! The tags are so beautiful and awesome colors and paper!!
So, I think I am all set. I am wearing my warm tattered scarf. Which I have worn out over the last 3 or 4 years for sure… But I love it. And it houses a brooch that I found in that stash from that darling lil' Krista too!!
Okay, let's be off….
We don't go very far before someone wants her tea… Oy… Okay okay…
Are you sure you need tea now I ask? "Aha aha aha, she nods…." And how can I say no to that face?
(Note to sister – "I am wearing the lil' warm boots you gave me!!!" )
So we have our tea and I collect some moss. Which mind you, wasn't easy, because my little muffin dog, ain't so little. And she wants to be on my head if I am eye level with her. So, collecting moss, not so easy. She knocked me over, wanted to sniff my ponytail… Goodness me…
Now to save this so I can put it in my terrarium… And finally head out – making our way through our arbor and onto the road… In search of that great white snow…
Will we make it? Will we find snow? Will we come back with a wonderful tale to tell?
Who knows? But we will sure have fun trying ;) Or even pretending ;)
Before I go, I want to touch on a subject that I find very important. I want you to truly know how much I enjoy our visits here at "A Fanciful Twist." I try to make visits to many of you, and love those e-mail exchanges with many of you who e-mail me.
I want to say, if you ever feel snubbed or ignored by me, I never ever ever intend that. On the contrary – I actually think about you, and find myself, often before bed, going, "oh me oh my, I forgot to stop by to get my award from lil' Miss. Or, oh goodness, did she have her baby? Is her hubby okay? What is going on over there…" Often I pop in to peek on many of you!!
I do the best that I can juggling all the things on my plate. But honestly, sometimes, I am not that good at it. And the last thing I ever want to do is make you feel like you are not important to me. Your little worlds are fantastic, and you guys are up to so much goodness!!! Just know I admire and appreciate the little worlds we get to share. And you are very important!! From the bottom of my heart – truly…
🖤 🖤 🖤, see you sooon!! Vanessa
PS: If you want to make some super easy, no sew curtains (or anything no sew for that matter), you will need Sealah Tape. An extraordinary invention by Kay Ellen's parents. There is a link on her blog to Sealah tape, or send her an e-mail and she can help you for sure 😉
Once I put these curtains up correctly, I will show you how awesome they look. But not having to finish the edges on a machine made the curtain making process so super easy!! 😉
Look at that happy finished edge! Wooo hooooooo!!
pss: I have been finding lots of fun links for printable tags and holiday projects. I thought I would share them with you… Some of my items are on these sites, but there are tons of fantastic printable tags and handmade ideas. I am doing of a few of them myself!!
Next post I will share some of the lovely stockings people have made with my free stocking template ;) I am so tickled it was enjoyed!!
http://bagsforbrent.blogspot.com/
Love these photos. Enjoy seeing others getting ready for Christmas Time.
Merry Christmas
Katrina in AZ
Oh thanks for the plug about Sealah Tape sweet Vanessa!
I will be in Phoneix,Arizona in Jan. 2009…for the Rusty Barn Show. A whole booth filled with Sealah Tape products:)
Any Arizona friends should come by!!!
Also have a new product called UNDO that will take the tape out if needed and it won’t hurt the fabric!!!
Hugs and warm wishes coming your way…
KayEllen
oooohhhhh miss vanessa you are so unbearably cute and sweet!!! hee hee!!!
and i love love love your photos!!! especially the ones of your gorgeous three wheel bike!!! oh my oh my, how cute is your bike!!! i love your garland of ornaments on the back!!! you have put such a grin on my face!!! and your little stash of treasures!!! weeeeeeeeeee!!! you know how much i love treasures!!! hee hee!!!
thank you for sharing your wondrous adventures!!!
peace out
I do hope that you and your sweet friend found some lovely snow! Your mode of transportation is like a parade float – it totally makes me smile 🙂
The weather did look gloomy in your direction…..up here a bit of dark clouds and some sprinkles. I love this kind of weather in the desert!
Happy Trails,
Denise
hello sweet girl from across the ocean-mmmm-your christmas things are so over the top divine…..singing and skipping-jo
Your photo-stories are so much fun! And the pictures of the storm rolling over the mountain are breath-taking!
Can’t wait to see how the curtains look once you get them hung up…weeee!
Ciao!
Donna
I wish I could send you some of our snow. We’re having blizzard snow, here in the SoCal High Desert.
Your three-wheeled bike is wonderful! I want one!
~elaine~
Oh! What pretty adventures you have! Love the cart with the ornaments…you must be a funny glittery gypsy out on the Arizona countryside! and if you get your snow, send some my way’ I am dreaming of a white christmas!~
Vanessa ~ How do you do it? You take some of the MOST: FABULOUS * BEAUTIFUL * GORGEOUS * *&* ENCHANTING PHOTOS I have EVER SEEN!!!
Wishing you & yours a most magical holidays!!!
SpOOky CK (-:
XOXO
Happy Adventures on your Snow journey. I hope you find some. We had a lovely snow storm here in NYC. It was quite beautiful. Hugs to you, Vanessa.
Sealah Tape huh? Well, looks like there will be someone in SoCal making some curtains in 2009 *smiles*
I enjoyed the tea party and the ride/walk through the woods. Thanks for the invite Vanessa.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Cyber hugs and kisses!
Just make sure your adorable “little blondie” doesn’t eat those chocolate treats! They can be deadly, you know. That sweet blondie face is irresistible! Give him a kiss on the cheek from me!
Vanessa,
I hope you find some snow on your Christmas journey. You have some lovely items to take along with you on your trip. It is truly wonderful how thoughtful and giving people are. Did you know generosity spreads and giving love is the best gift of all.
Happy Holidays, and thank you for your generosity and kindness.
Kris
Another dreamy post Miss V!!! Have a lovely Christmas and thanks for coming by my blog. I love when you stop by 😉
love ya
Emily xoxox
Vanessa, you have so many people who appreciate you and want to give you beautiful things! I’m so glad you enjoyed the little tags in the box. I just love your little blondie, too. You are lucky to be on a journey together. Where’s the snow!! And I forgot to take a picture of the stocking I made from your template! I’m going to ask the new owner to take a photo and send it to me! Loved making it,and you are very sweet to share so much.
You have so much to do all the time, so no worries about not sending out greetings all the time. Those who enjoy and appreciate you understand…
our lemons are going great guns!
Love it! love that you have lemons!
Oh, what a LOVELY journey you and your blondie had 😉 I love how you never seem in a rush and you really enjoy your ventures, hehe…makes me giggle (and wishing I did more of that). Your photography always amazes me and I do hope that you get that snow soon. We are waiting for ours too, anyday now….la di da…still waiting, hehe.
Thank you so much for your sweet little Christmas tags!! We have been stuck in the snow on the hill and could not shop for gifts. We had a few silly small things we picked up for our adult children. So we packed them up using your beautiful tags….made them look so cute!….and off they went in the mail with money for the big gift. You made our’s and their Christmas so special with your happy tags.
PS please come and see my blog and Christmas song video I wrote and filmed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8_tB2rbuos&fmt=18
Merry Merry Christmas!!
i just love your blog so much… so inspiring!!
Coming by to see why you have been snubbing me! 😀 Of course I am not thinking that sweet girl. You and I both know we are busy bees and can barely find time to breath let alone keep up on all our visits. I too think of you often. I too lay awake sometimes at night thinking “oooo, I miss my friend Vanessa! I miss all of our good times and emails late at night screaming about rodents and scratching sounds. it has been far too long” and so, here I am coming by to tell you that in person.
And to bring you many many hugs.
xoxo
Aww thanks for the mention-they were FABULOUS stockings! Are those lacey cookies in your glass? I just bought a carton tonight! YUM!
Oh your little stories bring such joy to my heart…I use to think I was the only one who had such whimsical thoughts, and I was afraid to share them….now I have super-fun jumping into your photos and using all my wishing-magic-beans to carry me off into your fairy tale sunset….I love them..
Now don’t worry your pretty little charming head about all us ignored peasants….ha ha…we know you are the magic queen, and we lovingly give you permission to keep up the charming tales and banish all worries from your kingdom….
This was the best post ever, magical! Thank you for bringing this all the way to Sweden, there we actually have snow…No snow hunt needed, to bad, it looked so much fun. 🙂
Oh how I love all those “preparing for Christmas” days in December. I actually almost enjoy the days before Christmas more than Christmas itself (is`s over so very very quickly…. sigh)
Yesterday I bought the last few presents (all for my husband, we always finish everyone elses presents before December), and all I need to do is decorate the tree on Saturday (here in Norway people usually decorate the tree on Dec. 23rd) and bake a tiny bit more of our favourite Christmas cookies.
What a wonderfully decorated tricycle! I hope you felt flurries of snow on your nose even if you just imagined it! The snow flakes haven’t reached us yet, but maybe by Feb, so in the mean time glitter everywhere will do just fine!
Thank you for all your wonderful posts this year, your little space in blogland is always such a joy to visit! x
Hi Miss V!
What a wonderful visit I’ve just had with you and Miss Blondie! I don’t care what stresses or worries or troubles I may have in my mind…a visit here always soothes them and quiets them down. I truly thank YOU for sharing with all of us your daily doings, your whimsey, your sweet world and your love of all things wonderful in this life! I also have to say that even though it was not needed, your note on not ‘ignoring’ your visitors was sweet. I guess it meant something to me because one time you emailed me asking me if I was still looking for a camera, and I replied that I was..did you know of one? and when I didn’t hear back, I thought, perhaps, I had done something offensive… I do apologize if I had, but a wee little elf tells me that it was merely an oversight and to not take it personally…so I and siding with wee little elf! Life is so hectic, especially, I find, in the autumn and winter. I really don’t know how you do all of the things that you do do!!!! You do sleep, right??!!?? : )) I hope this wonderful storm has sprinkled snow around your sweet love shack… it has gifted us here in Gilbert with plenty o’ raindrops! Enjoy your Thursday adventures and again, thank you for sharing your gifts, talents and beautiful spirit with all of us! : ))
xoxo
VB
Awww! 🙂 Your little blondie is so sweet! 🙂 I’m hoping for snow for you!! 🙂 Your pretty felted garland is so lovely!! And all the magic of your little gypsy cartling…..oh I just love it all!! 🙂
I don’t know how you do it but your photos just seem brighter and more “alive” than any other pics I come across. I feel as though I’m really there with you…and this post was so abundant with life. Thank you for sharing! I love it!
Peace & Love,
~Barb~
I hope you and your traveling companion have found snow. If not, you can come on up to the Northeast for your hunt tomorrow. We should be getting our first big storm.
Karla
Oh, inside your mind is a glorious place to be! **blows kisses** Deborah
Hey V
Love your blog it is always so colorful, I like that you live in fantasy land too!
I still think you should have a small tree at home for the holidays, your house faeries would love it when your out and about!
Karey
Your photos are the most gorgeous ever! And that puppy is super sweet – Hi puppy!
~Fire Light~
Melissa
I was going to go on a snow hunt too. I will have to rethink what I put in my snow hunting basket now! LOL You are just so much fun!
Hola preciosa! I love how you make every event a real occasion, complete with beauty and imagination. You are one of a kind! xoxox
I’m so jealous of your lack of snow. We had a big storm on Tuesday and we’re getting another one, with ice, today. And poor Brian is stuck in the negative 5 million degrees temperatures of South Dakota because of the weather. So, if you wanna find snow, come here. Or, you can go to Flagstaff, because it’s closer and they got like 10 inches the other day. But come here anyway, because I love you!
Thank you for such a magical trip. The snow has finally arrived this mornings, so I think you found it 🙂
simply perfect!~
Oh my goodness, you’ve outdone yourself! I am in love with your bike, the ornaments strung across and your basket full of whimisical goodies! (And it made my day when I saw some of the things I sent you! Thank you for sharing them!)I hope your snow-hunt goes well..if you’re still searching I can always send a magical fairy to scoop up the piles of snow we have here and fly it on over to you! Happy Holidays & say hi to your darling doggie for me!
xoxo
~Krista
Whimsical is the right word 🙂
As I’m having a hard time with the equation: daisies + lemons = snow.. hehehee..
At least you are decorating! My husband is doing that as I’m just now finishing up packages and ghave all of my shopping for family yet to do. And it’s dumping snow like mad here! Hope you had a wonderful birthday and a Merry Christmas in case I’m not back here in the next week.
You shouldnt worry about the emails by the way. I’m having a hard enough time visiting peoples blogs lately (and in the past month or two) and I feel bad about that but I can only do so much and I’ve been pulling some all nighters lately too. I dont know how you find time to respond to everyone! I no longer try, but like you I appreciate people’s emails and comments 🙂
oK.off to to more busy busy things! Happy Holidays to you and yours:)
The bike looks great and your dog looks very happy but those mountains do look a long way away. Are you sure you shouldn’t go in the car?!
You are obviously not a person who would ever snub anyone ( tiny creatures, magical beings and people included). I just get worried if people don’t respond and happy when they do! I love that pop open box too! I want to make one-it would be such a good way to wrap a present.
Take care in the mountains!
Sarah 🙂
OOO! I love your magical sled..ooops..I mean bike! thank you for your inspiring story..there’s all whispers about here in my tiny seaside village of ‘Snow Faeries’ arriving tomorrow with their sprinkles of sugar delight to cover the land.I love walking the beach during a snow storm and watching the ‘snow faeries’ dance on the waves with mermaids..Thank you for your lovely comment too!
Ghostly Greetings Vanessa, thanks for stopping by my Little Dark blog to say Hi! Glad you enjoyed my creations!!
I enjoy reading about your colorful adventures!
Have a Happy Haunted Holidaze!!
Gail
I am just getting back to my blog visits and my trip here today has been transfixing!!! My greatest delight is the large tricycle! My Great Aunt Grace used to ride one of those clear across town whenever she paid us a visit. Of course, her trike was never garlanded with this much aplomb!
I love your little piece of blogland!
KJ
DId you make it to the snow? Or, did the snow make it to you? It is so wonderfully cold and weathery right now…I love it! I love hunting snow too…along with playing in it.
Rose
what a fantastic blog you have!
this is my first time visiting and i was just pulled into your gorgeous photography and whimsical adventures! SO much fun 🙂
You are so Delightful!!!! Thank you for your wonderful comment on my Dolls and Christmas video/song….
“I think you are a fairy princess, I think I am certain of it!”
I am honored to take the title….you have crowned me with!!!!
Love and Merry Merry Christmas Blessings!!!
I love the image I have of you and Blondie rattling off down the trail with your tea set balanced precariously and all the beautiful decorations swaying and tinkling as you go!!
Um…..that bike is too much! I adore it!
Oh, I went to see your theatres and there are none! Either I got what I wanted from Santa, or they were already gone! oh no!
I simply cannot tell you how happy your posts make me! The thought and detail you put into your pictures is unrivalled. And it makes me soooo happy to think you are out there happy as a lark in your night gown! Sweet!
Joy
xo
It is like a fairy tale comeing here 🙂 Lovely.
Hola Vanessa!!!
Todas tus historias son fantasticas,igual que tus fotos.
Besitos.
What a tale you can weave…..I sit here in my pjs and travel along patiently waiting for my cup of tea. A nice calming respite at this busy time of year. Thanks so much for the links! Very cool stuff! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
What an adventure! Your little muffin dog has the SWEETEST face!! And a silver tea service on the back of your trike…..you are too much! 😀 I SO enjoy reading your blog….it whisks me away from the real world and always makes me smile. Did you get any snow yesterday? Happy Friday!
~Allie
Hello Sweet Miss V!
Searching for snow, you say? Well, come visit me in the North Woods! Here in Wisconsin we have that stuff all the time, but it seems much more magical through your eyes. I agree with a post-er…how is it that you take the most incredibly magical pictures? I try, but can never get my camera to work so well. You should teach a class on doing just that! I think that each and every post I read would make it’s own fabulous little story…I read the link about little blondie and that alone would enchant any child, from 2 to 102! Thanks for being such an inspiration to so many!
Enjoy the day!
Erin, TesoriTrovati
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Hello Sweet Miss V!
Searching for snow, you say? Well, come visit me in the North Woods! Here in Wisconsin we have that stuff all the time, but it seems much more magical through your eyes. I agree with a post-er…how is it that you take the most incredibly magical pictures? I try, but can never get my camera to work so well. You should teach a class on doing just that! I think that each and every post I read would make it’s own fabulous little story…I read the link about little blondie and that alone would enchant any child, from 2 to 102! Thanks for being such an inspiration to so many!
Enjoy the day!
Erin, TesoriTrovati
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Oh ms fanciful! I am droooooling over your Christmas bike….simply drooling.
Hey Girlie~
Love all the photos!
Loved your decorations, including the branch.
Most of all, love your doggie!
Merry Christmas,
Donna
It is snowing like mad here. LOVE LOVE LOVE your felted ball garland. Warmly, Cathy ^..^
Happy Christmasing Miss V. I hope everything is simply magical!
All I can say is..I love you! Your stories warm my heart. It is snowing here…..I had to go a very long way to get it..ha ha!
We just got a smackrel of snow here…a tiny bit of a handful. It was still very appreciated however! It’s been quite chilly as well…I just turned on my heat and I think it’s been going for about a half hour now…oh dear!
I am obsessed with the colors you are able to produce using photography and Photoshop. Sweet Eye Candy!!!!!!!!!
You must have been a gypsy in a (recently) previous life – you do it so well! I love the ornaments hanging from the back of your bike – so silly and fun. And your blondie, I’m surprised she wasn’t sporting a set of antlers. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my blog last week.
Happy Christmas to you and yours,
hugs,
Kate
Ready along on my (most necessary) regular visit to your bloggy heaven and I came to the shot of that bike and all the goodies and sitting here all snuggly in my robe I was stunned with “are you kidding me??!!!!” You have such a gift for this whole blogging thing, my dear.
Just soo amazingly cute and dear….love all those delightful goodies, oh me oh my!! And seriously cute companion 🙂
BTW rest assured, you have much on your plate and though it is mighty nice and thoughtful of you to think of everyone, you really need to know you are so cherished and adored and really those of us who come by for our gift of a new post will have to give you our gift in return of patience and understanding that you are caring in your heart 🙂 xo
A little early … have a very merry and happy Christmas, Vanessa!
With love from Marie Neige (see, here comes the snow you were looking for!)from France.
Vanessa, I always suspected you were a gypsy, this post proves it. I loved your little caravan adventure. You are pretty special yourself! Merry Christmas! Twyla and Lindsey
You little minx! 😉
Got my latest copy of Artful Blogger yesterday, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? But Vanessa’s grand tea party! How fabulous! Girl, you are getting to be a super star!~
My postcards arrived today via my grandmother in the states! They are so beautiful and thank you for the extras you put in! My whole family was oohing and ahhing over everything and how pretty it is.
Your photos are just so gorgeous. Have a Merry Christmas!
snow shmo who needs it??? we never get here in hot hot hot queensland australia! (but i would secretly love to spend some time making snow angels) big smooches mmmwwaaahhh rosey
That is a fantastic adventure bicycle. I hope you get your snow Vanessa and have a very, wonderful holiday. Merry, merry Christmas sweetie!
That is a fantastic adventure bicycle. I hope you get your snow Vanessa and have a very, wonderful holiday. Merry, merry Christmas sweetie!
Merry Christmas fun lady!!!!
xoxo
Hello Vanessa,
I think you make people smile when you ride by with your bicycle !
You sure know how to keep the child in you ( and in us ! ) alive !
By the way, I forgot to tell you I liked the stamps on the envelop of your own drawings !!!
Did you make them yourself ??
No snow here too… just on my piano and mantlepiece…
greetings from Belgium
Inge
I just have to tell you how much I LOOOOVE you, your blog/world! You are the medicine I have been needing!!!
Happy Happy Holidays!!!
Love from the Jersey shore!
xoxo Jenny
Your blog is so inspiring. I to cultivate more color and magic into my life in 2009 and your posts will help. Do you know that I go on flickr and your website and stare longingly at your jewelry and shoes! YEP, I even emailed my hair stylist a picture of a pair of your shoes…we agreed-you have the best things!!!
I always wonder how you get it all done? My husband is supportive of everything I do,but I suspect he’s more “needy” than Mr. Lovee…it seems he’s the type that needs his alone time too. Is he? You seem to have such nice balance. It’s like you don’t need to create any magic, you just see the magic in all there is. Good luck when you start offering your jewelry on Etsy and have a magical holiday. Thanks for the inspiration your blog has been bringing me for more than a year!
Thank you for sharing your fanciful journey!
oh Vanessa! If I could ONLY send you some of my snow:):) what sweet pictures…as always. You are a sweet, sweet dear:) Merry Christmas!!! xox
My friend sherry came over today and said you posted the scrapbox I gave you! I “do” hope you love it! thanks for mentioning me.
~Michelle