Little by little, treasures are making their way into the cottage. Nothing fancy, just little bits and bobs that are treasures of mine own heart. A pair of swans my sis made me…
And lots of books.
Cozying up in the little nook, books in hand, so wonderful.
I decided I would spend my first night in the cottage.
It's always a combination of exciting and sort of childhood scary, to sleep in a new place alone. I was soooooooo excited when I got my own bedroom at the country house several years ago. A space just for girl love stuff, my shoes, a place to be me, a place to stay sane (a little at least). Just a space of my own. Oddly, the first night in there, I felt the same weird way, like a 5 year old in a big ole bed, in a strange place.
Luckily, that wore off quickly.
However, the cottage feels like a real world away, even though it is only steps from the house.
Inside, I am transported.
It's magical.
Sort of surreal, the way I feel like a different girl in a different land, within the walls of the tiny space.
I have put a few things on the walls since the air conditioning was a go a couple weeks ago.
This includes special treats like a garland I made from my free printable stars and moons.
And, of course, the sweetest and beloved, Dancing Fiona.
A wonderful piece by lovely Kimberly Wlassak, of Gerushia's New World.
Her work is so intriguing, mysterious, curious, unusual and delightful …
And guess what? It is all hand done collage, no digital.
She cuts and colors and pastes with her fingers…
Dancing Fiona makes me sooooo happy!
Kim's work is like literally stepping into another world. To me, it's almost like a dollhouse world – but changeable in feel at any moment.
And bonus!!
I have in my possession, some of Kim's delicious prints to give away.
Exciting!!!
(More details at the end of the post)
So, with a few treats on the walls, I began an evening in the cottage.
Rain on the mountains, a storm brewing, yummm….
I love my view from the upstairs cottage window.
Plink of rain…
Tales…
Cuddled up, words to transport.
And then, the storm gets really rowdy…
Oooooo!
Love it, stormy evenings in the cottage.
Faeries…
Dreamy…
Now with the air conditioning working in the cottage, I can finally move stuff in.
But with the Mad tea Party in the wings (for which I am not prepared or have thought about at all, can you believe it?), the cottage must wait a bit more before it's totally done inside.
But, I promise pictures when that happens.
Cottage evenings in summer.
A new fave.
Oh oh, and….
Kim, the creator of Dancing Fiona above, has sent me 4 prints to give away.
They will be gifted as a pair, so two people will receive two prints.
I will draw names out of a hat for the next post.
Do you spy circus folks and little red???
Ooooo, awesome!
I will send details of each print to the winners, first name drawn gets first pick, etc.
I secretly want to keep these for myself.
I am ordering The Uninvited asap.
Being in Arizona, it has a wonderfully mysterious Bisbee feel to me.
Simply say hello in comments to be entered.
Welllll….
It's raining again, and I need to do something I love, which is…
Stand under the peach tree in the rain and eat ripe sweet huge juicy peaches!!
Slurp!
Off I go…
Love, V
ps: Winner of the Somerset Life Magazine is………
Comment number #2, per random number generator.
That has never happened, how fun!
Mary Brockway!! Hooray!
pss: Randomest thing.
When I was in elementary school I became obsessed with the Hunting High and Low Album by A-ha. It stayed a fave through junior high, high-school, and still is played today in my house.
Listening to this today –
Blue Sky…
I was thinking about how, when I was a kid my greatest desire was to be in my 30's.
All grown up.
The now.
I loathed not being able to do what I wanted as a kid.
I needed freedom.
It drove me mad, this quest for being free as a bird.
I had such big dreams for myself.
Of course, my dreams (coupled by reality) changed as I got older – but my 11 year old Vanessa self still pushes me from the past, to enjoy today as much as I can, and to immerse myself in living a fun full life.
I am sure she would be thrilled to run around in mud without parental supervision, slam on the piano, sleep in the cottage. I hope in some way, I filled her little heart. Maybe I should have her over for tea. Rotten little rascal!
What were the desires of your 11 year old self for when you grew up?
Vanessa, this is so exciting! I am bubbling over with the excitement, actually. As usual, your pictures are stunning and I am greatly anticipating the completion of your cottage!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love how viewers can sort of experience the magic (in a secondhand way) of the cottage through your lovely pictures 🙂 xx
Your cottage is just perfect for you! We all need special spaces that are just ours to do as we please. I love this beautiful art, too! Thanks girlfriend!
Love those book titles in your cottage ~ A Friend is Someone Who Likes You……..& Ghosts!…….The Bisbee Hotel was on Ghost Hunters……
You should have a cottage sleepover with your Mom!
XoXo, Jill James
Sis! I am so glad you got to stay in the cottage! That must have been so much fun! It’s like a little getaway right in your backyard! Maybe Doug and I will come visit so we can have a slumber party in the cottage?
Kim’s prints are fantastic and totally something to live for! Am I allowed to enter the giveaway or is there a rule, like when you apply for a scholarship and if you are related to anyone who works for the company you are automatically ousted from being able to receive funding?… Just asking 🙂
I don’t know what I wanted when I was 11, but I do know that the younger me is very confused with how the older me turned out.
Magical, charming and kind Vanessa!
First of all, let me say “thank you from the bottom of my heart” for all your kind words about my art. I am humbled and heartfully thankful for you. I am thankful for you everyday…not just because of this giveaway. I am thankful and honored that you allow us…ME, into your world through your words and photos. I am thankful that, in some of my darkest days, I was able to visit you in your Bizarre Arizona and you made my darkness go away, at least while I was reading your words and breathing in your garden photos.
You, my dear, are a treasure in this electronic world. A treasure to your readers…to your fur babies…to your family!
I just picked up my copy of Somerset Life yesterday and I felt like I was reading an article written by a rockstar! You know…you are a sort of rockstar ~ in this art world, blog world, garden world, that has been created over the last several years.
Thank you, Vanessa.
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
P.S. Your sister is a rockstar too! 🙂
Oh! I can’t wait to see the inside of your new cottage – Mr. Lovee is the sweetest on earth (well, next to my own Honeybuns…) to have made this for you! <3
Ok...my 11 year old self. Well, corny as it sounds I knew when I was 10 years old that I wanted to be a wife and mommy. Of course, I really had no idea what that meant - but I knew it was what I wanted to do. And I did it. And it was nothing like I thought it would be at age 11. haha!
Your peach tree brings back memories of the plum tree and grape arbor we had growing up. My dad used to make homemade plum/walnut jam. Sounds weird, but it was AMAZING! He also made peach/walnut jam - also amazing! Guess he liked walnuts. =)
Take care!
Miss Vanessa, This is all so wonderful. I love it all. Your photo’s and all the things around you. I am so glad to see your surrondings and all your goodies that make you you. I would love to walk among your gardens and your home. I can see myself smiling. I love your books too.
All I really wanted for my 11 year old self was to have friends that understood me and my art..It was hard.
Congratulations to the winner of Somerset Life…yea…
What fun prints, Vanessa! Of course, I’d love a chance to win. Congrats to the winner of the Somerset Living magazine. I wound up buying one Saturday at Joanns ~ what a great issue. I really enjoyed reading your piece and I always love to see your pictures!
Every post is a journey to a magical place where my imagination runs wild. Thank you for sharing your lovely site. I think I’ll start with the stars and moon garland to liven up my own spot. I’m afraid of my own crativity, can I say that? Ha! I wonder where it would take me if I let it go…
Hello!
I’ve just found your beautiful blog and can’t wait to explore. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us
Vanessa, I loved the glimpse into your cottage. How wonderful it looks. And those prints are so unusual. I have never seen Kim’s work before. Loved this post. Oh, and I think your 11 year old self would be greatly impressed.
PS Your sister sounds so fun…I think she should be entered too.
Sister, of course you can be entered!! It isnt the Michael Feldman
show :))) Love, me
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 7/22/2012 5:17:34 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
We love the peeks inside your special cottage and look forward to being inspired by more after the best party of the year, which we know will happen outdoors in your magical space.
Happily I can say that many of my childhood dreams and desires have come true. Enough so that I now say Be Careful What You Wish For!
Oh me, Kim’s artwork it awesome!!
Hmmm, what were my 11 year old desires…goodness, I don’t know. I grew up riding horses on a daily basis and had dogs and cats and cows, etc. I used to want to be a veterinarian, but then I realized that sometimes animals die (and after having the vet come out on several occasions to ‘put down’ a few of ours, I decided I didn’t want to have to do that. And so…I am not a vet 😉
I also remember wanting to ‘grow up’ and be able to drive, etc. Now, I am telling my girls to stay a child for as long as possible, because life just goes by so fast, hahaha.
Jamie 🙂
Oh, what a sweet and lovely cottage! I’m a little envious,
yet so happy you have this place. You deserve it and how wonderful of Mr. Lovee to build it for you. It must be love! Your Bobby Pin Bandit sis is another talented one. What precious swans she made you! Those peaches are
GORGEOUS! Since I have not won the Somerset Magazine, I’m off to buy one tomorrow! One more thing – the rain must sound amazing on that cottage roof.
Melanie, this is so funny…. I was sooooo excited to crawl in my nook and listen to the rain on the roof in the cottage, and it was pouring, and I couldn’t hear a thing….
Why? Because Mister Lovee double insulated the heck out of the cottage 🙂 Who knew? Alas, no raindrop sounds inside for me.
Ah well, isn’t that funny??
I could stay forever in that cottage. Especially during rainy nights. Curling up in bed with a fuzzy and warm blanket will be nice.
P.S. Does anyone have any ideas for kitty names? My friend just got a girl kitten who is mainly black with white on her paws, stomach, and face. She is very rambunctious and likes to scope everything out. She also likes to climb into hidey-holes, but she also enjoys to snuggle. Any ideas? I’ve already suggested all of the Lost Boy names from Peter Pan, because those guys are pretty crazy….Need inspiration! xx
Glad you are moving into the cottage and spending the night there must have been enchanting. I think the 11 year old Vanessa must still be in there helping you dream.
The peaches look lovely.
I am dyyyying to see inside your dreamy enchanted cottage, oh please let this wonderment be revealed soon!
My 11 year old self was so in love with ghost stories and fortune telling, dream interpretation and magical spells. Oh how amazing it all seemed to me then! This is one of the reasons why I absolutely love love love a fanciful twist, you have captured a fantastcal part of my childhood all bottled up for me to experience through the screen!
xxxLaurie aka QueenCreative
http://www.queencreative.com
The cottage looks lovely and so inviting 🙂
Love the song you shared! Big hair days..not for me…always long, straight and parted in the middle(love Cher) Funny, I got some Roxy music from the library this weekend, love classy Brian Ferry…dreamy. When I was 11, hmmm maybe alittle older 13..I loved Twiggy, wanted to runaway from home and live at The Drake in New York and become a fashion designer……My few “Seventeen” mags at the time were worn thin and filled with all my dreams…
A 100 yrs later I am happy to report I am still dreaming!of what I will be when I grow up!
Your cottage is so inviting….and magical, nicely done! I would love to read Virgina Wolf’s novel you have!!! Back to the library 🙂
You can be sure I would love to be the new owner of those fab prints, I love escaping into others magical worlds as well. Thank you for the most generous giftaway opportunity. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed! Where are my manners…………Congratulations Mary!
🖤Debi
Dearest Miss V,
I am so excited to see you moving in to the cottage and getting it all prettied up. What a wonderfully mysterious and enchanting little place. I love curling up with a good ghost story to the rain.
The peaches look scrumptious. We planted a few peach and plum trees this year for the first time. We only had one lone peach tree survive, but that little tree gifted us with 12 yummy peaches.
The little hatters loved picking them and most of all eating them. Yummy!
I tried to leave a message on the Tea Party link but I do not know if it saved, so could you include me on the list of tea party participants. I know I am a little late joining, but I am looking so forward to it
http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities/
Wishes and Whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland
I awwWWW moment when i looked at the date this morning but i busy … pulling out the teacups and ready to party like it’s 1999 sorry i couldn’t help that … and oh my those prints are darling and yes I love one so yes please put my name in the mad hatter hat for me hugs Wendy see you on Saturday
Hello in comments to be entered!!!!
(Did I get that right? Is that what I was supposed to say?) Kim’s work always makes me so happy.
Thank you for the update on your beautiful wee cottage. I’m really excited for you!
You must have very happy trees. The peaches look so orangey and ripe and yummy. Wonderful to be among growing things, isn’t it?
Yesterday I was out in the middle of a lavender field. Bees hummed while they worked, and I stood, surrounded by purple, taking deep breaths of warm, humid, very lavender-scented air. Soooo gorgeous.
As to your question about past desires for the future, like Laurie, my 11 year old self was completely captivated with ghosts and dreams, fortune telling and all things witchy and magical.
I’m very pleased to be able to say that for a number of years I actually taught classes through the local community college: “Developing Intuition” and “How To Read Your Own Astrological Birth Chart”. I could feel my 11 year old me doing handsprings every time I went out to work!
Cheers,
Meg
Yay! Your cottage is coming along splendidly. ^-^
My 11 yr old self’s desires and dreams… I think that was about the time I was wanting to be a marine biologist. I was (and still am) madly in love with sharks… Someday I will swim with them! =D
My 11 year old self was moving from Denver, CO to Jacksonville, FL… what a totally new kind of place! With all the bugs and new kinds of plants… it was quite the adventure. ^-^
I was lucky enough to stay ‘young’ well up into my teens… and still even now. ^_~ I never wanted to grow all the way up, but thought that 17 or 18 sounded nice. 18 was my ideal magic age for most of my young life, as Nancy Drew was 18… and she was my idol from 5yrs old on.
I still love sitting down with a Nancy Drew mystery (I’ve read them all at least once… most of them multiple times) and being transported back to my childhood self, happily lost in a book. <3
I hope you got lots of rain! We're getting lots of it too, but that's pretty normal around here. ^-^
Love & hugs!
XOXO
Jealous! Of the beautiful yummy peaches, and of the fact that you need A/C (though I know it can be hell in Arizona in July).
Summer has finally reached Sweden, but man, was it a long time coming! I’m hoping for a looong “Indian summer” that stretches into October, but we’ll probably just get a few weeks of heat as usual…
I however, have been thinking and planning – and have now executed – my Mad Tea Party, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Thank you for organizing it this year, despite allergies, illnesses and what have you.
Hugs
Oh how fun!! I want a wee cottage of me own, but me thinks I may be dreaming too big “-O. I had no idea yours was a real live inside complete with air conditioning and all. Do you have a mini kitchen and a weence water closet?? Even if you don’t I think yours is the sweetest most darling little dwelling!!!
Aawww Bisbee!!! hubby and I were just talking the other day about making the trip back to that magical little town in the mountains. There’s something that just keeps drawing us back…don’t know what it is but I imagine having a small little bakery on the main road where I’d serve fresh lavender scones and other delectable treats. Oh to dream!!
I lOvE YoU Miss V “-)
LOVE your cottage and the photos of you setting it up!! Can’t wait to see more 🙂
Love your cottage! Such a charming spot to think and create magic!
Looking forward to more peeks into your enchanting world 🙂
The peaches…OH the peaches. But it gets even better! Peaches AND Rain. YuM!!!!
When I was 11 I wanted to be a mom, a dancer and a have a huge, enchanted Secret Garden. Now, I am a mom, and although I am not in a formal dance class I twirl and sashay everyday, and I have a small garden, which I hope to expand. However, it’s quite enchanted!
Love the artwork of Kimberly, so whimsical!
We got a rain storm last night- love the rain and love a good storm!! Lucky us!
Can’t wait to see more of the cottage! So beautiful!
Hey Vanessa! Just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and the One Lovely Blog Award: http://witchofhowlingcreek.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/award-nominations/
Hello! I am a new follower, found you Via Kim’s blog, I have followed her for a long time and own one of her prints!
I would LOVE to win a set of these prints! Thank you for hosting this give-a-way!
Deni
Oh my..Those peaches look wonderful..My favorite fruit..The season here is way too short..I guess that’s what makes them so special..What a lovely view you have from your cottage..I just love watching summer storms…
YOU have a peach tree???!!! My daughter brought me back peaches from South Carolina and they were PEACHY delicious!! and the cottage has an upstairs?!! Awesome!!! Loving that Dancing Fiona!! Congrats! to Mary!! Random Number Generator, “HERE I AM!!!”
Miss Vanessa! i have to tell you, the same thing happened to me! my hubby put a metal roof on our cottage and i thought i would hear drumming rain lullabies… nope. they put the metal roof right over the old shake roof and voila! soundproofed! and a disappointed me. your blog always makes me so happy! thanks for so much inspiration and bliss! rainy day wishes to you… shari
Yayyyyy! Total excitement to sleep in the cottage. It’s like going on vacation yet still being at home, dreamy! How wonderful to have placeing to go and be on your property depending on the mood at hand. A slice of heaven on earth :o)
This past weekend I went and had a pedicure (Queenie’s from time to time pampering indulgence). I was sooooo excited to find gold glitter toenail polish at the pedicare palace!!! I too am now sporting glitter toes. You’re right they do make me smile :o)
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Yummy Peaches and wonderful tales! To own a couple of her prints would be lovely.
oh vanessa! your beautiful cottage!!! i am so happy that you have started moving in…..and spent your first night surrounded by the magic!! i would give almost anything to be able to come over and play….and visit not only your cottage but your gypsy wagon….oh my!! i have been reading the article in somerset life over and over….i just can’t get enough! you are such an inspiration!!
Thank you thank you sweet Celia!!!!! You reminded me I should go play
in the gypsy wagon ;))) Ill pretend you are there for tea!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 7/23/2012 6:46:52 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh well, then you will hear the rain on the windows! I never knew you could insulate to where you wouldn’t hear rain. Wow.
I know, me either 🙂 I was so excited to hear rain, and then, nada
🙂 haha!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 7/23/2012 8:47:41 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Annalee! My 11 year old self wanted to be Nancy Drew! I loved every single book. My favorite: The Ghost of Blackwood Hall.
Those prints are wonderful! I have finally hung up some things in my room (the room in our new place that I get all for me to put all my things in) including some lovely Vanessa prints and those would go quite nicely! Isn’t decorating a new space fun? Now all I need is a little day bed or couch and a desk to use for art and all manner of things. If anyone near Tucson has either of these things they are trying to get rid of please let me know! For some reason I have been having a very hard time finding something. Don’t you just love the storms here? They are my favorite!
Swoon! A cottage all to yourself in a rowdy storm surrounded by a bunch of your most favorite things! Pure Bliss!
I love the titles of your books in your fairy tale cottage!
It is late and I am a zoombie right now, but must leave a comment. I love the digital collage print giveaways you have for some lucky two persons! There is something so magical about collages…the elements…the colors…the eye for combining contrasts that bring the collage together.
I think it is midnight here in California and I just turned into a pumpkin. My youngest sister is in town from Massachusetts and she gifted me with ‘Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children’ which I have been ‘dying’ to get for the past year. One of those surrealistic books that make you jump when you turn the next page. Creepy ghoulish indeed.
Mad Tea Party here I come!!!
Miss Teresa
Oh, about what I wanted to be when I grew up musings from when I was eleven. I wanted to marry a man who had a convertible, and I wanted to have two children and of course we would live happily ever after. Well, I did marry a man who has had many convertibles (over 100 vintage cars over a 40 year time frame for him from the time he was 17) And we ended up having four children, which double the number of my dream family. I think I wanted to be a movie star too, like Annette on the Mickey Mouse Club. I did get to go to Pacific Ocean Park and see American Band Stand live, with Dick Clark.
That was all when I was eleven years old.
I remember writing a list in my diary when I was about 11 that read something like this…
‘When I’m grown up I want to be:
an opera singer
an artist
a fashion model
a mother
an interior designer
a novelist
a poet
a chef and a special chocolate taster (!)’
None of these have come true! Instead I chose to d something else that brings me joy. But perhaps in my own way I allow myself to be at least some of the above in my spare time and in the privacy of my own home, and that’s enough 🙂
The cottage looks fabulous well done VV
Emalina x
Sign me up for when you do have your Mad Tea! I truly enjoyed visiting today. Needed the perfect respite of a soul sister’s blog. That is what you gave and I thank-you. I have a new email. asperryfaldet@gmail.com Hope all is well! Take care dear friend!Blessings.
Greetings!
I am looking forward to the Mad Tea Party!
Please count me in!!!
Mary
limelightartworks.blogspot.com
Rainy days are perfect for reading good books. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed a dazzling day inside. Congrats to your lucky winner and thank you for hosting yet another wonderful giveaway! 🙂 I had that A-Ha album, too. I was obsessed with “Take on Me” and the video that went with it! LOL My dreams when I was 11…I was SO indecisive when I was young. My goals weren’t lofty, that much I remember. And I still have changing dreams – even later in life. Keeps things fresh! Enjoy those peaches! I can’t wait to get some “seconds” at our local farmer’s market so I can make peach preserves! xoxo
PS I have not thought of my Mad Tea Party post, either. It will happen, though!
Lovely Teresa, heloooo there!!I hope you are having a blast with your
sister!! What fun!!!
Oh oh, You will never guess this – Kims collages are all hand done, no
digital, isnt that amazing?? I love that old school real hands on
style. I forgot to write that in my post.
OH! I LOVE that boook!!!
Will e-mail you back shortly, love, V
I love your new cottage and am sooooooooo looking forward to seeing it as you fill it up with Whimsy and Deliciousness.
xxx
Oh! I’m so glad you’re out in the cottage now. And how special to have rain to welcome you there. Rain makes everything more cozy, doesn’t it? Oh! Or if you’re reading something spooky or watching a mysterious movie…..the rain adds nice moody ambience, yes?
Hey—we insulated the heck out of the studio and can still hear rain. What exactly is your roof made out of? Ours is metal, so maybe that’s why it’s so loud. I want you to have rain sounds! Maybe you could plunk something decorative and metal up there to amplify the noise????
It is metal, so I dont know???? I couldnt hear one drop. Not
one!!! Must talk to L about this.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 7/24/2012 3:39:14 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
The cottage looks lovely in the rain, and so do those juicy peaches! I wish I could finish reading that ghost story, it sounds like an excellent story. Don’t you love books? I know I do; there’s just something magical in being transported from one world to another with only a flip of a page. 🙂
Wow i like your weblog design, I too want the same design for my weblog. I want you to design more such weblogs. I will bookmark it keep posting.
How wondeful to have your own cottage. A little girls dream, all grown up! Love the art work, and crossing my fingers I will soon have one of my own 🙂
Dear Vanessa, I cannot wait to see what you come up with this year!!!
I see lovely Teresa is planning something wonderful as well…
That peach looks amazing!
Love, light, and sparkles…
– Irina
Awesome !! I love the trees of flowers and fruits, peach tree with peach looking fantastic. I would like to eat those peaches. Very wonderful blog keep sharing..
Book has been my life since I got the skill of reading. I can live all day inside the house if I just have my books than staying out for shopping. I don’t find it useful either.
Ohhh how I love this exciting experience of a little ‘transferee’. I have been convincing our elementary graders kids that they will now have their own bedrooms. I hope that they would enjoy their little privacy as much as the enjoyment of the writer on this blog. Good luck!