Having fun in the Forest

I recently had a visit from my DGD Krista, which is why I haven't had time to post. We love exploring the enchanted forest and find such magical things...Of course we are always on the look out for "Fairy tears" (they look a lot like those little glass drops you see in fish tanks) but Krista and I see them much differently :-)
I was a bit disappointed that I never got any word from my swap partner about the paper doll fairy. My Grandmother used to say "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" That quote comes to mind as I wonder why she didn't at least say she got it...Oh well, I was completely out of my comfort zone on that one so I completely understand.
My Matchbox has been a hoot. I spent the week-end with my DDIL gathering local things...like goat milk soap, Maple syrup etc. I suddenly realize this is a BIG state and there is a lot of ground to cover. But it's a lot of fun. I feel like I'm taking a vacation while putting it all together.
I have finally decided on a design for my Gothic doll swap. She looks beautiful in my head, I'm hoping she comes out as lovey in person. I always love working on dolls...my little fairy friends twirl around me and seem to whisper to the unborn doll...Soon she tells me her name and that's always a point of excitement to me.
There is another swap in the process and that's a mannequin that will be embellished to project our personalities..LOL first thing that came to my mind was a mannequin with nuts hanging all over it LMAO
but then I realized I do go far deeper then that. I think it's going to be a ton of fun to see what people come up with. there is a great deal of talent in that group.
My DGD also got to meet Nellie. one of my resident deer. She wasn't totally trusting of a young child, but she did come close enough to send Krista into a state of awe and wonder. She also brought the babies out, which was another trip for my visiting family.
My little fox came out an hour after they left. I guess that was his way of telling me he doesn't like company.
My wish for every one is that they can have a place like this that brings them peace and comfort. If not, feel welcome to visit me in virtual reality and share the experience.
Wishing all of you a Blessed day.......

A New Fairy in the Forest

I was completely blown away this morning . As I had just opened a piece of e-mail from Kai I heard Rich yell "Mail Call, you've got a big box here". He had just come home from the P.O...e-mail could wait as I raced to the living room. What I found in the box was the most amazing fairy.
The swap was a "Paper fairy" that's all Kai would say and it was the only direction she gave "Make a paper fairy" OMG!!! My talents do not go in the direction of paper anything and I thought about not joining. But folks who know me know I love a challenge. Sorry to say I do not think I met that challenge very well after seeing what Kai made of paper.
Her name is Eka-Nape meaning Red Foot..not because she has red feet (she doesn't) but because she walks the Red Road, believes the old ways and lives the life of a traditional Comanche person as much as possible. She is a spirit woman that attracts Shapeshifters and she came with Esa- wolf. Right now they are resting on a big K (which could stand for Kai or Kathie LOL) Tomorrow will be soon enough to introduce them to the rest of the fairies, wood spirits, troll etc. They are at peace now, knowing they have found the perfect home.A home not only where they are welcome, but where they are held in high esteem.
It is difficult for me to even post the pictures of my Paper fairy, but I will...It is a perfect way to show the difference between someone who embraces Paper art and someone who doesn't have a clue. Kai told me to make a Paper Doll and that's exactly what I did :-( not a testament to the talented person you all seem to think I am...But I am Happy (I think) with my Vacation in a match box...That was fun...
Speaking of Fairies Donela is knocking on my window and pointing (Donela means "dark haired Elfin girl")She is letting me know that Nellie (a resident deer) has her twins out and is looking for food...Have to run...
Enjoy looking at Eka-Nape and Esa.

Busy, Busy

But in between all the work is "FUN" busy. Yes we do work here on the mountain, there are acres of grass to mow, animals to clean up after and tend to, wild critters to tend to as well. Nothing living in the Enchanted Forest goes uncared for....nothing..even spiders are handled gently. So yesterday I cleaned out the goat pen. Easy you think? All winter long I leave hay on the floor to create warmth, it gets packed down and along with  some wee and pooh becomes quite fragrant. The pen is cleaned every day, but winter build up has to be removed comes summer. It's like pulling fibers apart that are tightly woven. 34 buckets later, it is whistle clean...I put a layer of fresh made pine bark and wow what a wonderful difference. Of course today I hurt in places I didn't remember having...but that pen is clean and the goats are happy :-)
I also worked on getting my "Paper doll" swap ready to be mailed. One of the woodland Fairies let me trace her. Then I designed clothes of paper. Problem is the woodland fairy liked the clothes so now she wants them for real...Sheesh Fairies can be a real PITA
My Vacation Match box is also almost done, just adding a few finishing touches.
I am forever saying that I am going to stop with swaps, but ya know what? It is my way of touching other people. I live a quiet (okay, not so quiet) uncomplicated (another fib) life. I keep to myself a lot (that is true) so the swaps afford me a way to have fun with others and not have to leave my mountain.
Here are two places I'd like you to check out  http://celebratingchristmasyearround.blogspot.com/
That site belongs to my friend Kai, she is the one with the Matchbox and Fairy swap, but now she also has a doll swap to sign up for...a Gothic swap which should be fun. So go check it out, her wee little brain is always busy searching for fun stuff to do.
Another fun place to visit is

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FabricInAlteredArt2/

My friend Norma just mentioned a mannequine swap (look in the files section) Also Cathy , the owner of the site is talking sewing tray, that sounds real interesting, made from a picture frame. Check it out.
Don't forget, if you have a site and you are having a swap, let me know about it and I'll post. Sooner or later I will get more followers and together we can form a net work of fun and new found friendships.
Oops a little wood nymph just came to the window to let me know there is a hay wagon by the barn.
300 bales of hay have to be stacked, too bad all the woodland fairies and wood spirits are so small, I could sure use their help. Have a wonderful creative day and watch for pictures of the latest swaps.

They arrived at their New Home

So now I can discuss them. But first I must tell you I had forgotten about the community garage sale YIKES!! As if I hadn't had enough sorting out trash from treasure. I made $67 on stuff that would have been thrown away anyway, so I think I will donate it to the animal shelter for food. Actually I'll just buy the food and drop it off.
So let me tell you about my exciting mail from Pam, my swap partner for the Bugs. The first bug to pop out of the package was Pam's version of the Twirl-a-wing, done in a kind of macrame` and beads. also included with them was a bracelet which I slipped on and failed to photograph. next was a pretty paper Butterfly whose body was made of waxed twine. Then we had a bookmark (you all know how I love to read and tend to use a lot of book marks) cover with my favorite bug of all...the Butterfly, she also sent along a little goodie of note paper. It was delightful swapping with Pam and she seems happy with her gift from the enchanted forest.
Also not related to any swap was a "feel good" Happy Mail gift from my friend Kai...I book mark with my initials done in counted cross stitch. In the picture I took it looks white so my friend is going to take a picture so it will show the work Kai did.
I have been one very blessed person. There have been a number of  angels I have met along the way that have filled my life with such color and Joy...I can't even begin to put into words the happiness that some of you have brought into my life and continue to do so each and every day. I have also been blessed with wonderful swap partners that truly go out of their way, go that extra mile, to send me something I will treasure  forever.
Sometimes I wish everyone could live in this magical place...Good and wondrous things happen here, the least of which is fabulous people coming into my life.
Let go post the pictures of my bugs to Pam and her treasures to me so you can all enjoy them............

Captured Bugs

In my haste to bitch about all the work I've been doing, I forgot to mention the fun part LOL There is always a fun part to balance the stressful part..That's why I smile :-)

Okay so I told you that I found the Fem Fairy Flyaway...I took a picture of her hiding but I don't want to post pic's until Pam tells me they have reached her. They really can hide and are so difficult to spot unless you know what to look for. They hide for good reason. They are hunted buy trolls for their Ruby studded backs...but have no fear, like I said they are very difficult to find.

The Lotus Kissing Twirl-a-wing is not all that hard to find but I wouldn't dream of killing the poor things. They had a very short life span, very much like the Butterfly so the trick is to find them AFTER they have passed on. I am sure they would be delighted to know I use them. I press them along with the flowers from the magical garden (not to be confused with my own flower garden) and then fashion things, useful things from them. I will also post a pic of what became of the three I found :-)

As for the Magenta. Golden legged. Sparkling footed Araneae...Well he has grown quite comfortable knowing (at least thinking) he is safe. They are indeed a very special bug and like all bugs from the Enchanted Forest, he will freeze upon leaving. They never really die, when or if they return to the Enchanted Forest they spring back to life...but they can not allow the general population see them in action. Why you ask? Because most of the bugs in the Enchanted Forest carry either jewels or special potions. Can you imagine what would become of them if EVERYONE knew what they were and where to find them? Humans tend to over do everything and very often hunt things into extinction. That will never happen here.
So that's bringing you up to date on the Bugs.
Don't forget to watch for the paper doll fairy...One of my favorite little fairies modeled for the doll and we had fun discussing her clothes...Even more fun designing the house she will live in. Good heavens, what will I talk about when the swaps are over :-)

Lost in Neverland

While on my search for "Bugs" I tripped and fell down a Rabbit hole (okay, so it was more like I got in my car and drove) and landed in Neverland (better known as Long Island). You see, I didn't always live on my mountain with it's enchanted forest. In the earlier years of my life I lived in this....Oh I struggle to find words....this place of no peace. I spent summers in places like my magical mountain and longed to live there forever. At first the idea was to spend week-ends in the Magical Place we called "Hidden Angel" and slowly pack up a home of 30 years, sell it and move forever to our place of peace and serenity. But the beauty of the mountain, not to mention the hold of the fairies, wood spirits and such, was far greater then we expected and our idea vanished within a month. Not to worry, a friend needed a place to stay. The basement was loaded with years of running craft classes and quilting classes, but that was okay, the friend didn't mind. The gift shop was closed and left as it was and the storage shed also was abandoned for another time, which never seemed to come. The house actually was rented out to two "friends", at a loss of over $18,000 (no good deed goes unpunished)we decided it was less expensive to leave the House vacant. Not only did our kindness cost us money but we missed the window of opportunity to sell as the real estate market fell. Costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars (really, no good deed goes unpunished). The long and short, the time has come, the house must go or be rented. So I found myself, instead of playing in my Enchanted Forest, fighting off spiders and cob webs and lots of dirty dust. The house itself is livable and clean (empty), but we won't talk about the basement or attic. So instead of being home in my peaceful place, a place I love and find great comfort in, I clean by day, shower and then relax with my sewing machine at night.
My daughter-in-law who lives on the Island has been such a great help to me, I felt I had to make her a special thank you. A typical Mom of the new millennium, she needed a bag of many pockets. She absolutely loved what I came up with for her summer bag.
No , I have not forgotten my swaps or my dear friends BD, but I have fallen behind in time. Thank goodness my "Bug" was at least "found" long ago...Now I have to find my list of due dates LOL Can you tell I'm a bit disorganized at the moment ? The story of my life...Oh and to make matters even worse, it seems the people of Neverland are totally paranoid and I was unable to get a signal for my lap top (everyone is pass worded)
Thus my absence from this Blog...It's all good...keep the faith and be prepared for some more adventures.
To those who follow me...Thank you so much, I love reading your comments.

Still in hiding

That special little bug is still hiding under the Moss, I check on him hourly (no I don't). I spoke to my swap partner and now realize I should have gone with my first choice...No  big deal though because the enchanted forest is full of the kinds of bugs she DOES like...so instead of just getting one, she will probably get 2 or 3. I spied one just this morning...it was camouflaging itself as a small rock, but I knew better..It's a "Fem Fairy Flyaway"...can't fool me. Do not correct my spelling..Flyaway is one word in this case.
So all I have to do now is find a "Lotus Kissing, twirl-a-wing" and  I will be all set for this Bug swap.
It really does help that I live in such a wonderful place where these things are common.
Now if you head on over to Kai's at:  http://celebratingchristmasyearround.blogspot.com/
You will find a very interesting swap going on there as well. It's a vacation in a Matchbox...Oh what fun..I've already got it all laid out in my head and I'm collecting.  Living where I live is pretty exciting when I think about it and that's not even counting the enchanted forest and all the trolls and fairies and winged critters..not to mention the beautiful flowers and four legged cuddle bugs. I really do live in a fabulous place.
Now Cindy is also contemplating another swap. Gothic dolls...yummy all set for that and pretty sure what I'm going to do. I'll post that swap as soon as she has it up or go check her out yourself.Enchanted Hollow Designs
I wish I could get my Glitter things to glitter...I'm so disappointed..this blog is not doing anything my old one did...Must be user error LOL
Oh my!! I think I just saw a "twirl-a-wing" gotta run.....