Speaking of birds & other little things…
Come in to my abode, let me tell you some silly stories before you are off to your next stop…
Perhaps the stories are not all that silly. Here is the storyteller for the day. She is known to scare a certain friend who calls her, Miss Stigmata. Miss S is a gift from my Momm-bee. I think Miss S is going to whip me into shape. As my art endeavors have been very slow this weekend… She sits on the mushroom… Watching, waiting…
Wait, I need a sip before I can even get started. It is so lonely to have a Mr. Lovee who does not enjoy a glass of wine. I am at the point where I am such a lightweight that, only a few drops touch my lips and I am fluttering…. Join me, let's open one up and sip for a sec… Friends have offered a few bottles as offerings, to The Wooden Mermaids brother, both from the Philippines…
Back to the story, which at this point, seems like it might be a serious story. But really, it isn't. It is a story that happened by chance… You see, I was about to write a new post, when, my attention got taken away. I decided to visit a few friends first. When the comic irony to my life, was the topic over at The Black Apple. Birds. Birds? Is this a coincidence. I was about to tell you my bird story…
Frida wanted to join in… Can you hear her now… "Hablando de Pajaros (speaking of birds)… Oh, Freeda, thank you for joining us, in spirit…
You see, it has been made very clear by a few folks, including Emily (whose bird themed collection is quite lovely), that the bird trend has really seeped in. Along the way, many of us have amassed quite the bird collection. Some are ready for it to go away, some always had birds and always will. Others don't much care, and yet others have barely started letting the birds flutter in. All being A-okay as far as I am concerned. Where are you in the bird call?
As for my place in the bird call, birds are everywhere in this Hippie world I live in. First of all, some of you have seen the crazy bird feeders I make. Bird feeders all over this yard.. All shapes and sizes. My first time here, at Mr. Lovee's, I was astounded at the bird books and diligent bird feedings in Mr. Lovee's world… I thought, No biggie . Birds everywhere was fine.
Then, one little afternoon, I was poking around the bathroom I claimed as my own here. I had, a few years back, painted a thick white coat of paint over an atrocious blue (hospital quality blue). And I noticed not too long ago, one little corner was bubbling up a bit . Well, too bad Sulu-Design was not here. She would have helped… You know what I did right? Yep…. I couldn't help myself…
I peeled. Under the paint, I found this hazy matte & chalky film covering some wallpaper… I got out a srubby thing and bleach. After scrubbing quite alot, I found a wallpaper, that looked like this…
I thought, cute. What next? I was standing in a bathroom, that was once pleasantly white. But now, I have this 1970's colored bird wallpaper.
So, I did as any artist would do…. I took paint to it. I now have this…
It is so funny. I use to have this friend Carla in elementary school. Her mother was the kookiest lady ever. She used to ask us to paint on doors and walls (not colors, images), to change the ambience. I always wished for that, but my mom would have my head before that would have ever happened in the world I grew up in…
Now, Mr. Lovee let me do this, painting on walls. Only guess what? I am stuck with it forever. He loves it. He is over the moon about it. Trend or no trend. I am living with birds in my Catalina bathroom for a very long time. Oh well. hee heeee…..It is funny.
Oh, and I got the Anthropolgie shower curtain up. The whole house smells like the shop. I love it! What is that smell???
You can see from this shot above, the walls are not finished. I have yet, another unfinished project. You silly girl, did you think I had completeled this bird brain project? Another thing to add to the list….Oh, forget it… I am burning the list… I mean really, whose life schedule am I on anyway?
Okay. Whew, Liberating. Now I have nothing to do! YAY! So, I suppose I will scadaddle back into the studio, as my Gouache paints are probably totally dry…And, my oils are getting chunky…Why must I put so much paint on my palette?
I love popsicles in summer! Oh, and, I have some incredible treasures to share! I can't ever thank enough!!! Treasures coming from, Jungle Dream Pagoda, Anastasia & Crust Station. Unreal girls! I will share next time. Have a lovely rest of your day! xxo
Oh I am SO happy to be back visiting!! This was really scary not having any internet!!!! So Hello!! yay!!
I have always loved birds, real, painted….I will share some of mine one of these days…I have of course shared some real bird stories, but I have lots more!
Your bathroom wallpaper…lovely!!
xo
s
I love birds. I especially love the birds in that bathroom. I am not over birds yet, who is? Maybe I should have a chat with them? I love birds of all kinds. I miss those popsicles. I need to find the dude with the ice cream truck so I can buy one of those popsicles with the bubble gum stuck in it, remember those?
This is one of the most beautiful posts ever! I don’t know where to begin!
Oh, Miss Fanciful, i feel like calling you that today, is that okay?? Miss F, i see that you have the most beautiful birdie walls in your bath…could you add to the list ‘Come over to Miss Tricia’s to paint birdie mural in bathroom’, but please don’t burn that list – ha! You’re such a kooky girl, like moi!! Shower curtain is lovely!
Birds are soooo amazing, of course, i don’t want them to go out of fashion! I am bird crazy too right now! I even received a bird card today in the mail!
I love the rocket popsicles best, the red,white and blue ones – yum!
Hablando de Frida…I think she is a he in el draggo. Anyway…
I am with Mr. Lovee and don’t love the bottle but I DO love what you did to those birds!!! Make another list! Finish the banos!
I carried my Trader Joe’s bag to Nashville and pretended I was a real city girl today…and I made a discovery…I’ll tell about it soon.
The paper came out stunning…you clever girl….
One of my all time weird thing….I`m scared of birds…so this gypsy will never get into the bird thing…..
I love that you actually burned the list and photoed it! You crack me up! LOVE the wallpaper! Wish you could add my walls to your list. So funny, I have never been a collector of birds, but just yesterday I ordered the cutesest little blue bird necklace charm from etsy and I can hardly wait for it to get here!
Darling,I’ve been so busy in my real,non-cyber world!
I have a birdie heartbreak tale! A widdle baby birdie fell from its nest,oh-so-new to the world. No ,I did not touch it for I knew its mommy would reject it. I ran inside to phone my out-of-town Hubs. “What should I do ?”,I heralded! “Don’t touch it!”,said he. To the computer I ran, to google “fallen birdies”.Did you mean”badmitton birdies?” came the Footbal Bat answer.Back outside like a super hero I dashed! Only,too late was I, the villainess Catwoman had him in her grisley jaws .With a lump in my throat,I came back inside. The phone it was ringing,the bell-tone was sharp.Ah,as I answered the phone with tears in my eyes,my hubs said,”so…”.Said I,” A new angel in heaven with its second set of wings,they are now fully feathered and how lovely it sings!”
Mr Lovee is right, you should keep that bird paper for ever: Trend schmend! What an amazing story and you painted it so beautifully. And Hooray for burning lists!
Oh eek, I am trying to get beyond Jungle Pagoda’s horrifying comment…..Bird breakfast:-( Well thank goodness that yours on the wall are out of harm’s way! The wallpaper is just amazing. And I do love that first sign – do tell us where it is from.
Okay, really must run…I have a To Do list to burn, which will really free up my whole day….
oh WOW wow!! love that birdy wallpaper…how glorious and its looks amazing how you’ve painted it – what a sweet wall that must be!! tweet tweet they sing in joy!
I love Freida – her look, clothes, flowers in the hair – what an inspiration she is..what an artist!
Glad to hear my parcel arrived…take care of wee baby girl!
Oh, I am one of those “trend or no trend, I love myself some birds” kind of girls! I am just thankful that it IS a trend right now, since there are so many sweet little bird-adorned pretties to come by! 🙂 For a long while growing up my taste was not reflected in any major aesthetic trends….now that it is I am always coveting this and that…a bird printed dress here, an owl lamp there!
Oh I am not really pro bird or anti bird…, though I am pro bird cages in homes filled with things that are not bird related…but that is me, it is something I love.
I love reading your words and was so excited to see Frieda…
xoxo
Oh I love the door. Is it to your studio? I can imagine all kinds of wonderful adventures that started by walking through that door!!! I must admit I like painted birds, birds sitting or walking, but flying birds scare me to death!!! I think my parents took me to see The Birds movie when I was too young. LOL So you will probably not see birds in my work. Now the painted wallpaper is way too wonderful. I am e-mailing you about putting that in the magazine I edit!!! So you must finish what you’ve begun. Hugs & Blessings Rebecca
Isn’t it funny when you get blog-crossing coincidences like that? I love the bird you’re holding. Love what you did to the wallpaper and that bathroom mirror is just too cool! I guess there is a reason why I never write ‘To Do’ lists, your pictures proved the point 🙂
I just wanted to come out of hiding to say you have the most wonderful blog. I love your work & you always have something sweet or funny to say. You have a wonderful attitude.
“… I mean really, whose life schedule am I on anyway?” – absolutely words to live by.
Vanessa you are just too funny, and I just love, love that wallpaper. I’m with Mr Lovee there it must stay forever.
You are like an artistic archaeologist – I love the painted wallpaper!! And I know exactly what you mean about birds. I never gave them much of a second thought (except the loveliness of hummingbirds that zip into my life every so often) then I went to a friend’s house and she had these little birds on display. That sent me on a crazed ebay vintage tin bird bender. Then I started blogging and well, they are starting to take over.
The ceremonial burning/barbecuing of the to-do list, free at last. I need to do that!
Love the bird wallpaper. You took ho hum and made it Wow! I just have to say something though….why didn’t Frida who was such a fabulous artist ever get rid of those dang eyebrows!
HEY!! Give me that DOOR! I covet it! ha ha! WEll. Birdie girl, I just flew in on my Crow….to say hi! I loved your post today! …How groovy that you peeled away to vintage bird wallpaper! And then you painted it! Wow! I want to come to your house and see all the treasures! It must be like a fairy house!
How lovely…I enjoy birds so very much, and there is usually a flock of doves everywhere I go. Sometimes, I wonder if they’re ever truly there, or if it’s a large cloud of love and support seen only by me, because you know that birds are the spiritual protectors of the universe don’t you? But, soemetimes other people see my doves, and I know that there are a few that are real. (In fact, Gadget over in my sidebar has a lovely post about a dove…weird with the bird thing lately…hmmm, mass consciousness at work?)
Wonderful idea…to burn that list. I think that shall be on the list too. OH that list is too much isn’t it?
hello, im new to this blogging lark, but i have been looking through other blogs and yours really stands out, gotta say i think your etsy description could easily describe me, im all over the place with what i make, one day i want to be a photographer and the next a printer, but thats what makes life fun i suppose, so thanks to you for being so free, and giving me inspiration to set up my own tiny newborn blog and an etsy shop, which im currently building, i have added you as a link to my blog also, hope thats ok.
much love from london.x
That wallpaper went from blah to… Oh my heck that is the cutest paper ever!
That Frida picture, and your imagined quote, just made me laugh out loud at work.
Another delightful trek into your world… I love it! xo… KB 🙂
Burning the To Do list! That’s awesome! It fills me with wicked glee and fabulous luxury to think about. Thanks for that. All the friends in your space are lovely! Being an architectural salvage houd, I especially love the door painted Hotel du France. Neat! ~A 🙂
Just popping back in to say thanks for the visit & very sweet comment!
I have been oh so bad the last two weeks. I love the painted wallpaper too – Mr. Lovee is right on. I’m just trying to keep only my own tados on my tado list. That’s been the difficult part – which one are really just mine anyways?
oh my darling vanessa! mi amor. i missed you missed you missed you. i love the painting on the walls of your bathroom. it is beautiful. i can’t wait to visit vanessa magicland in person. giant hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m coming over to join you for some red wine…..
Love the painting on the wallpaper. Brilliant idea. I love your “nesting” quality. I’m a nester, too. 🙂
La espanol mia es muy mal, pero me gusta mucho Frida tambien. “My spanish is pretty bad, but I really love Frida too!” Your wallpaper is seriously amazing. Come on over and paint on my walls anytime!
Oh we have another thing in common.If I even look at wine I start giggling!!Thanks for making me realize I don’t have to do anything unless I really want to myself!! I needed that.thank you dearie!xoxo
Dearest Marie Fanicful twistoinette…
Your are an angel, truly. Your comments and support and most especially your humour have really cheered me through a pretty crap time (still crap, but a little better than previously, even walked Lucy yesterday s l o w l y).
the blogs i love most are also the ones that have suffered most from my illness as i can’t be dispassionate about reading many of them, so i have had to stay away, especially the larger ones (that’s you honey pie, where do you find the time to make so much, NAD photograph it all AND blog about it plus so much more wild and varied and incredibly interesting things????).
i am accepting that I simply cannot keep up with the reading so i have decided to at least visit the photo’s cause i miss you too much if i don’t.
but it does mean i may be missing important words, events etc and therefore my comments may seem odd or inappropriate, so do forgive. and often i don’t comment cause it’s hard to type, but i will be around, unseen, watching – like the full moon.
and on photo’s alone this is STILL a wonderful blog, Hotel du France, ooh la la!
wallpaper transformation – phenomenal!
Frida K – never seen that one before :0)
That metal ship, amazing
Mermaid bottles, oh the envy.
That bike – what joy. Tattered treasures always for me, the joy of searching in the basket under the clothes rails while others climb over (ok, so i did i teeny bit of reading as i skimmed your pics)
Oh MY – I just so you put me on the thinking blog thingumy! Wow, really, me, do you see mine that way? I see yours that way, but seriously, do you se mine that way??? Wowee, thank you sweet petal. That has floored me, I’ll have to recouperate now – good excuse to eat a macaroon!
Posted by: cally | May 30, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Oh the wallpaper!! The wooden mermaids brother – I just adore it. I too am a lightweight wine sipper, I leave a trail of no where near empty glasses behind me. I love burning the to-do list!! Infact I need to find some matches! xxx
im pretty amazed about that wallpaper….what a crazy gorgeous find, it lying there hidden below the layers of time. Why doesnt anything like this ever happen to me!!!???
birds are for sure a great theme, a beautiful motif, a symbol of so much that is positive…….mm, and i often utilise blackbirds and ravens in my art, i wonder what the hell that might mean!!?
xxx
that is a beautiful wallpaper and you made it even better!
i have always been a lover of birds, have had some for years.
i need to burn my to do list too, great idea!