My Brambles

Atian is shedding some lights on our Books...

10/14/2019

Don't you like to curl up and read a good book or hear someone tell a story? As the Historian for the Village on the Wall, I enjoy both. Books are a wonderful way to live an adventure without ever having to leave the comforts of your chair.

A good book can be enlightening by providing entertainment and knowledge, but you would never believe the surprise I got the other day looking in the MisPlace Dolls library while I was trying to find something new to read.

Their library is always an adventure because they don't believe in having just one classification of books. I didn't even know that Outies (people who live outside of the Realms) kept encyclopedias anymore!!!

I even found out that they have a mechanical device that stores thousands of books on it and it weighs less than a henway (What's a henway you ask? Once you catch one and if it doesn't peck you to get away - you will know when you pick it up - old joke I found in one of their books - I still don't get it)...

Anyway, to get back to what I was saying about books being enlightening. I got a surprise the last time I was in their library. A shelf of books that I did not recognize the titles for caught my eye and I took them to a favorite little reading spot that they have all set-up for me (I am a frequent guest). You would never believe the surprise I got when I opened the first one... (enlightening indeed!).

I had to admit... they got me and I then just had to open some more to see what was inside.

Each book had something different and when you pressed a switch on the side, they would light up (wished I had some of those little lights in my cottage...).

This one really caught my eye. It took a minute to find the mouse (can you see it?). It helped when I turned the light on...

It was at this time the Outies here at MisPlace Dolls showed up and I decided it was time to go... as I was leaving, I realized that I had not opened the last book that I had taken out and it was still in my reading spot. I wonder what was in it? I guess I will just have to check soon in the PeddlersCache to see... maybe it will look good on my shelf in the cottage.

Children's
Book Week
is
November 4-10, 2019!

How do I get myself into these things???

10/7/2019

Hi - this is the secret hubby who works behind the scenes here at MisPlace Dolls and the Realm of Wymsy. I carry the boxes, help make the doll molds, give terrific advise to the boss (even when I didn't realize it when I opened my mouth)... and help with the website development. So a couple of weeks ago (in a weakened moment), I made the off-handed comment that the website could be improved with a little work. (After all of these years, I still don't know how I get myself into these projects...)

Anyhow, that is how I have spent the last two weekends (and probably a couple of more) redesigning the website. Many of the changes most won't notice, but with these changes, we can now offer new things on the website. What are some of them? Well... I am here to tell you.

First, we have added the ability for you to sign up for our newsletter updates. Be the first to know when a new character has arrived in the Realms or the latest news.

Do you want to know when an update to the story appears? Just sign up!

For a limited time - those who signup will receive a welcome email that includes a link to a magical tale of the history of the Nytemares.

We don't share these lists as we see you as a guest to the Realm - not someone to whom we want to bombard your email accounts. We don't like it when it happens to us, so why would we want to do it to our guests?

Next, several of our characters in the Realms told us that we don't let them out much to see the 'Outies' (that is those people who don't live in the Realms - read more about Outies in the journal - when it is back on-line in the next couple of days that is...). So we gave them a job. You will see one of them before you leave the site today... so please don't forget to say hi.

So, while you are checking out the updates on the website and find a page 'under construction' - please come back in a few days and see what may be new...

Everything taste better with a little honey...

10/1/2019

"I don't know why we need her," moaned Efem. “Surely we can think of another way to get our mission accomplished."

Cornelia turned her head towards Efem. "You know we have already talked this to death and she is the only way," replied Cornelia as she and Efem continued walking through the woods to Parsley’s place. Over and over again Cornelia could hear in her head what she knew Efem was thinking but not saying. "WHY? Why must we go there?"

As they continued on the trail, suddenly Cornelia realized that after all of these years of feuding, it was going to take a Dragon to get these two to talk to each other again? Chuckling with that thought, she decided that she better start talking before Efem asked her what she was snickering about.

“This isn’t so bad,” she told Efem as they walked. “I mean, after all, you probably don’t even remember why you and Parsley are still squabbling.”

“That is not so,” retorted Efem, but as she said these words, she realized that all the time they had been walking she had been trying to remember what started the feud in the first place. Her and Parsley were once the best of friends, the closest two could be without actually being sisters. They grew up next to each other and did almost everything together. “When did it change?” she thought. She stayed silent - thinking, while Cornelia continued talking about the things they must do to find the young Wish Dragon. Silent and only slightly listening she mused on what was it that had come between her and Parsley.

“You aren't still angry at her for choosing to work with herbs instead of trees are you Efem? You know you both could be doing healing magic on the forest instead of fighting,” Efem heard Cornelia say. “That was it!” Efem realized to herself. “She turned against me and decided to work with herbs instead of trees.” Thinking about it now, after so many years, Efem was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, she was being silly and that Cornelia could be right (not that she would ever admit that in a million years).

Suddenly she noticed it was quiet and that Cornelia had stopped talking. She was just standing there staring at her. “Okay Cornelia. I will be on my best behavior. I know that seeing Parsley is for the best and that we need her help.” As they continued their journey, Efem decided that actually now she was wanting to see Parsley again after all of these years. Smiling, she thought it might just be time to apply a little of "Cornelia's honey" to the situation and do a little healing herself. Maybe it was time to swallow a little pride and put the past behind her. After all, everything tastes better with a little honey applied to it.

Cornelia only looked at her sister and worried about that smile. "Hmmm," she thought to herself and wondered why Efem was starting to glow?

The Mushroom Line...

9/23/2019

As Efem and Cornelia were discussing their plan of locating the missing Dragon, Efem asked, "Now that we have sent Nemmer and The CAT to look for the young Dragon maybe we should contact the Twitter network?"

"Yes, we could. Everyone in the Shadows’ Realm know the birds are a good source of gossip since they do like to twitter all day long to anything that will listen. But you and I know the most reliable source of news is the Mushroom Line," answered Cornelia.

Efem nodded her head as she had to agree, for where ever a shadow lay - a mushroom was sure to sprout, and even though their ears don’t stick out they hear everything that is happening in the woods.

No one knew how they told each other what they heard - not even the trees using the Root Connection could understand it; but the Mushroom Line was usually the first to report anything ‘unusual’ in the Realm.

And if you have not guessed it yet, Parsley is the Telegraph Master to this news line which just irked Efem to no end. Efem wasn't thrilled that she and Cornelia needed to ask her for help in finding the elusive Wish Dragon before anyone else found him.

Efem, who prided herself in being the first to know anything happening in her Sacred Grove, was already feeling a little hedged in as she was sure that Parsley already knew that Efem and Cornelia had already started their journey to see her. That is how efficient the Mushroom Line is.

So as Parsley prepares herself for her visitors, and Efem and Cornelia make their way to her - the mushrooms watch and listen for more news in the Realm for tales of a Dragon.

What is Parsley...

9/17/2019

If Efem and Cornelia are coming over to Parsley's, then she better wake up and get her face on. As I am working with her face, I do feel like I paint in clay rather than sculpt in clay. Just like applying makeup to a face, it is all about the layering process.

Starting out with the foundation, then on to the eye shadows, then maybe a little contouring with the cheeks by adding some depth with another color - or in my case, by adding a little more clay.

As I continue to work on her face, what else does she reveal about herself? After all, our personality shines through our face. When she told me her name, I knew she was going to have a talent (or mis-talent *smiling*) in the kitchen. A fae who likes hanging around the kitchen or dabbling with the soup.

Maybe Parsley isn't necessarily a main ingredient to a meal, but it does add it's own flavor. Plus, I am enjoying discovering it's healing properties along the way, all which make for an interesting adventure.

In the meantime, Parsley is going to offer some recipes and cooking tips she hopes you enjoy while she is getting ready. Her first hint is... did you know that you can freeze avocados? I was reminded this summer that not everyone knew this - so here is her tip.

Simply peal and pit the avocados and then slice them to whatever size you like to work with. When I make something, I tend to use 1/2 of an avocado at a time, so my slices are more liked halves. Also keep in mind the ripeness of the avocado because whatever level of ripeness it is frozen at, is what it is when thawed.

After slicing, place the pieces on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice which helps them from not turning brown. Place the cookie sheet with the avocado slices in the freezer for about 10 minutes to freeze. Take them back out and bag them for long term freezing. That's all there is to it. Now you can have avocados all year around for cooking or making your favorite spreads.

My little "Honey Bee"

6/24/2019

So while Cornelia is away and Nemmer has his nose buried in the latest issue of "Arrows are Us - The Golden Guild Guide Book"... let's take a peek at a special secret recipe of hers.

Once the chocolate sauce is melted and the vanilla is added... spoon a small amount into the mini-muffin/candy pan. Note to self -- line pan with liners. Then set the pan into the freezer for about 10 minutes.

In the meantime, mix up the ingredients for the peanut butter center. No cooking involved there... just mixing it up in a bowl.

Pull the pan out of the freezer and then place a layer of the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate.

A few minutes in the freezer might help keep the chocolate that is the top layer from blending with the peanut butter level or leave a bigger space to add more chocolate to top it off with. Either way, place the final layer of the chocolate sauce on top and then place in the freezer for a good hour (I did mine overnight).

The buzz is that they are pretty easy to make. Plus they are gluten free and dairy free (though they do have peanuts). Almond butter could be substituted. Also I did put a pinch of vanilla in with the peanut butter mixture just because I always do *smiling*... Enjoy this little honey sweet.

What happens if...

3/10/2019

I am sitting at my sewing machine (sewing doll outfits of course) and listening to a program on my tablet, when I hear these words... "What happens if...?" This woman was talking about her creative approach towards her writing. SPARK! I know that process! The "What Happens If..." process - it is what I use in my own approach to my creativity.

I am told I have a great imagination when, in reality, it is because of this "What Happens If..." process. I am just TOO darn curious to see what happens if... (for those who wonder where Meen gets it *lol).

And apparently, What Happens If must have Curiosity to accompany it for the process to work.

"What happens if..." I see a person with a funny expression? A glimmer starts rolling around in my brain and bounces like a ping pong ball which sparks a magical idea.

Then Curiosity rolls it around into the next...

What happens if... I take that idea and with a lump of clay turn it into a doll? And then Curiosity keeps that ball rolling until...

This What happens if has now becomes a character which my Curiosity has chosen to ride along with. The two of them fuel the creative sparks that feed my work.

For if I don't have Curiosity along for the ride, the What happens If's might never happen and how sad that would be. I love my Curiosity, as it has taken me many places (with maybe some I shouldn't have traveled), and how much bigger my world is for having gone there in the first place.

So, I put the What happen if's in my backpack. I stuff my Curiosity into my travel bag and take off to travel the paths of creativity. I bring along my compass (so I can stay true to my path), my map (so I can have a point of destination or goal), and my admission tickets (giving myself permission to play with my inner child) and head on out the door to those creative places - Let's Go!...

How does a Faerie Get her Name?

3/5/2019

It is an interesting and serious process acquiring a name. It may reflect a well known hero, a family member to be honored, or it can be related to an emotion - such as Joy, Love, or Desiree for example. A name is a very personal element. Not everyone is thrilled with being called 'hey-you'.

My process of naming is intuitive. The more my characters tell me about themselves the more their name is revealed. Often their names will come in a dream and I don't need to dig any deeper.

Not so with my newest character. At the time when I began her, she was going to be a part of a sister energy. I recently walked the path of loosing my sister to cancer. Part of my healing is to use my art to reveal and play with that powerful and loving relationship between sisters. After all, sisters are a breed unto themselves (just ask my brother).

At first my character told me her name was Fern as I began exploring the valleys of her face. Then her ears took on a whole new twist and she said "Wait..", now her name was Marigold. Yes, I was getting a little confused by this time. Further research was required. I looked up the meanings of Fern and Marigold. I discovered that Fern is a plant of shade and green which I took to mean the dark part of the Ying/Yang energy. Marigold was the fire and light part of that same energy.

I couldn't decide on one or the other and neither one sounded right to me. Okay, then let's combine them. Nah... that didn't work either... until I decided that FM - F(fern)M(marigold) was it. FM is a radio wave that is unique and often plays more music than not. FM's twisted ears reflect that she hears things on her own vibration and wavelength. So FM it will be... but now with a magical twist -- Efem.

Please meet my newest magical character. She has only revealed her name so far and still hasn't decided to tell me whether she is a faery or a nymph. I will keep you posted as to our further 'conversations'.

March 1st is Dragonfaust Day!

3/1/2019

What is a Dusty Myte?

2/17/2019

When I can't see something but I "feel" that it is there, a personal fear is created. By that definition, then maybe I should fear the Dusty Mytes since I can't see them. Now Nemmer, having run into these annoying creatures, knew there was nothing truly to fear from them. They are more like pesky little gossamer flocculent (look it up - it means fluffy) things than anything else. If it wasn't for their particular ability to make us forget where we placed our keys and leaving long trails of dust behind to be dusted away; Nemmer wouldn't have an issue with them.

So once again Nemmer shot me with his arrow of "seeing" (elfshot) and showed me that they weren't evil looking... just nettlesome. And of course, being so sweet and fluffy looking, I had to touch one. By which action, I then made it real... real enough that I can show you how to make your own annoying but sweet looking Dusty Myte.

To visit the tutorial - click here or on the Dusty Myte.

Greetings

Welcome to my blog. This is where I will reveal the magic of my Fae and their stories and share with you some of the success and pitfalls through the journey of doll making, sculpting, and other crafts that all come back to my dolls in many ways.

May you find some small treasure that will enhance your world...welcome to mine.

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