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Letters from the Lovelorn...

1/21/2020

"Morning is my favorite time of the day," thought Griselda. "I can enjoy the latest edition of the Bellwether and have my fresh cup of tea in peace."

"Now where is that section that Sneefle was telling me about? Something about the Baron placing a letter again this year," she remembered as the Dowager turned to the Lovelorn page of the newspaper.

"What's this? Be My Valentine?" Apparently every year the newspaper publishes a few of the letters it receives from the locals looking for love... "and this year is no exception it seems," Griselda mumbles while perusing the page.

Would you be my Valentine?
If you love the enchantment of romance, we can go for long walks in the starlit Moon Garden where the flowers of love bloom. We could even go along the paths where the Pyksees play as I give you rides in my wheelbarrow.
If this sounds like your type of evenings, then please respond through Snail Mail to the address below.
~~~Looking for a Dream
Gardner, the Garden Brownie

Can She Hear Me?
I have given my heart to a raven haired beauty who awaits by the docks each morning to watch me teach the fish how to sing. She calls to my soul as I sit by the old fishing nets that I don't use anymore. We talk for hours of the wonders we have seen and the places we both still wish to go. I write in hopes that this letter finds it's way to her so that she might know of my love that is deeper then the deepest ocean.
~~Looking for his Soul Mate
Ichthy, the Fae Fisherman

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places...
A lady who is ready for an adventure is whom I seek. Where we would go and what we would do does not matter as it will be a new experience since we will be doing it together.
Sharing my love for animals (all sorts of strange creatures) would be nice and having the ability to talk to dragons isn't a requirement (but could come in handy). Please have any health/life insurance paid up before our first date.
~ Looking for a Partner in Love & Wonderful New Adventures
BATS, the Baron

"... so, apparently these letters will continue until Valentines Day. I wonder who will be in the next edition of the Bellwether," she thought to herself. "I wonder... do I date... I mean dare?"

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What the heck is fuzzy body paint?

1/12/2020

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Have you dropped in to the Tutorial page yet under the Projects & Tutorials section of my website? It is there that I share my dream with a dash of inspiration as to why I decided on what I was going to do in regard to painting my new character, Sprout. Sprout is just full of creative energy and he suggested to me that I shouldn't be afraid to take those "leaps of faith" by getting in front of the camera myself to show you what I do.

Magic, just like Sprout, can also be very hard to capture. Even when he has been (the mischievous character that he is) a fountain of ideas. He already knew I like playing with the video special effects and thought to entice me with a little shower of fairy dust to show off his face. Sprout isn't a shy Fae at all if you haven't figured that out yet *smiling*.

In the meantime, while his head is going through the multiple firings to fix each painting stage, I decided to start on his body. Sprout shared that he wants his body to be more unique than what I would normally do for one of my characters. He is a Fae and wants to show his body off after all. I decided to be different and create his body with needle-felting. Now needle-felting isn't an art form that happens quickly (especially for larger projects). It can also involve blood, pricked fingers, and a slight stab or two.

What does that mean? I hope to do some needle-felting "painting" on his body. That means I will be using small pieces of various colors to add dimension to his body.

So, as I am getting Sprout in shape, don't forget to check out the tutorials or maybe stop in for other magical fun. He tells me that perfection can't be rushed so this might take a few...

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And just where is Sprout?

1/7/2020

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Parsley has been looking for her son, Sprout, so he can help in the search for the Wish Dragon. So far she and the Mushroom Line have not been able to find him, making them wonder where he could be off to...

"Oh that delicious smell! They must be making a new batch of Sugar Plum Muffins!

I just can't get enough of those sweet delights," thought Sprout as he waited for the next batch to be put in the window to cool. He could see the baker standing in the doorway hoping he would be placing the muffins in the window soon.

The Sugar Plum Bakery was his new favorite place (especially when they were cooking) to hang out. He licked his lips in anticipation as he waited for the muffins to appear. "Ah, the sweet smells of all of those goodies just waiting to be eaten," as he licked his lips once more.

"I wonder how many I can carry home? It isn't like the bakery isn't that close to my house. Oh... if he would only put them in the window soon. I should really be heading back home," he decided. "Maybe mom will have lunch ready. After all, I am just a growing sprout and need my nourishment. I just hope she doesn't have any chores or errands for me to do so I can still make it back before the bakery closes their doors for the day."

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A Christmas Greeting from all of us...

12/18/2019

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Granny Flare is busy in the kitchen cooking up some sweets;

While Gardner is checking out the presents and the
oh’ so delicious treats.

Meen is having fun in the library playing Leap the Mistle-Toad;

While Fiddlefaddle is going off to visit family and is getting ready to hit the road.

Snooker is trying to
re-write the
Naughty or Nice list;

As Griselda prepares to make her
Christmas wish!

And Snoop
(with us at MisPlace Dolls and the Realm of Wymsy)
wish you all
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for your continued support
and we are looking forward to sharing new adventures in the New Year.

See you in January, 2020!

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The Tea Reading...

12/3/2019

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The muffins were gone and the tea had been sipped and Efem was starting to get anxious again. “I have enjoyed this catching up but we need to start doing something to find the Wish Dragon,” Efem told Parsley. “He could have been found already and we are just sitting here drinking tea and eating goodies. Have the mushrooms found anything yet?”

“Don’t worry,” Parsley told her as she stood and began to clear the table of dishes. “We will be informed when they do, but in the meantime, our next step is to do a little magic of our own. Finish up your tea and remember to leave just a little in the bottom so that we will see what the tea leaves tell us.”

Both Efem and Cornelia had heard about Parsley’s ability with the tea leaves being second only to Chamomile (if you like a tea reading... check out the link by clicking on the highlighted name). Maybe it was because Parsley created her own blends of tea which gave it that extra power or because she was an herbalist, either way, Efem finally felt like they were doing something to find the Dragon. “What can we do to help?” she asked their host as she started to rise from her chair.

“Stay put Efem and finish your tea,” Parsley told them. “I will be needing your cups shortly. Think about the Dragon before you finish drinking. That will help when I read your tea leaves.” It only took a couple of minutes before Parsley had the table cleared and returned to her seat. “Now, let’s see what we can find out.”

Flipping each of the three cups over onto their saucers, then turning them counter-clockwise three times, Parsley touched each of the cups and mumbled some words that the sisters could not hear, she then turned Cornelia’s cup over first to see the leaves. “Ahh... I see here two faces going in two different directions. They will have to learn to work together if they are to find the missing young Dragon. If they do, then Nemmer and The CAT will find him, but the question remains - will they be the first to find the Dragon?”

Next, it was Efem’s cup to read. Turning the cup over, Parsley looked closely at the leaves. “Many are looking for the Dragon. That bit of information we already knew, but this tells me that there is some who are wanting the Dragon more than just to find him.

"See how he holds his arm out to the right? Almost like a wizard or a warrior. In his other arm he seems to be carrying something. I don't know if it is a shield or a baby Dragon. The message is muddled with how strong this searcher is and I cannot see what it is he wants from the Dragon.” Frowning, Efem started to worry even more than before.

Parsley could see that Efem was getting concerned. “Let me see if my cup can tell me more about the searchers." Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on her teacup. As she opened them, she turned the cup over and looked in. "One of the searchers is not of the Fae nor of the land while One is the land.”

“Parsley, I am confused,” Cornelia said. “What does that mean? One not being Fae nor of the land can only mean an outsider I would assume, but how can one be the land?” “I don’t know,” replied Parsley. “I am just as confused as you are. Efem, any ideas?”

"Give me a minute to think about what you have said,” answered Efem. “You have given me hope knowing that Nemmer and The CAT will find the Dragon at least. The problem is being the first. We must increase our efforts. Cornelia, you need to contact the B-Gs and have them looking also and I will connect to the Root Connection. We must be the ones that find the Dragon first.”

Parsley stood and started to the cottage door. "I'm going to run down Sprout! He needs to join in here to help look too!" Efem and Cornelia looked at each other. "Who's Sprout?" they thought.

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The Season of Thanksgiving...

11/28/2019

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Of Tea and Muffins and Dragons...

11/20/2019

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“Please sit while I brew some tea for us to drink. Afterwards we can see what the leaves can also reveal to us,” said Parsley as she motioned for Efem and Cornelia to sit at her table. “I have a nice herbal tea here I would like you to try. It is my own special blend I call Chameleon as it changes flavors as you drink it."

“We don’t have time for tea,” replied Efem. “We need to be finding the Wish Dragon,” as she looked at Cornelia for confirmation. Efem saw that Cornelia was already moving towards the table though and pulling a chair out to sit on. She gave Cornelia a glare as she was sitting down. Efem was anxious to be doing something other than sipping tea. Corneila glanced back at Efem and motioned with her head for her to sit down and be quiet.

It is amazing how by not saying a word, volumes can be implied thought Efem. Taking a calming breath and the hint, she sat down at the table to await the tea.

Parsley turned away from the sisters and stepped over to the stove where she had a pot of hot water already simmering. She then took down her teacups from the cupboard and reached for her special blend. This she added to the steaming water and stirred in a silent wish as she turned back around with the pot of tea. Pouring the tea to everyone and taking a sip, she started the conversation. “Now, from what you have told me of the young Dragon, you both think the first problem is to find him before anyone else does. Is this correct?”

“Yes, we need to find him right away before anyone discovers he is a Wish Dragon,” answered Efem, frustrated and impatient to be started and not sitting here talking.

Cornelia continued to sip her tea and decided to try one of the muffins that Parsley has brought with the tea. Efem looked over at her wondering why she was not agreeing with her. Cornelia continued nibbling on her muffin and just smiled at her as she turned her gaze to Parsley. "Parsley, these are delicious. Mind giving me the recipe? I am sure Nemmer and The CAT would love some of these." Efem was starting to simmer and about to boil over from their apparent lack of concern, when finally Cornelia, taking mercy on Efem, asked Parsley "What do you think we should be doing?" “Finally,” thought Efem.

“Oh, I have already started. The Mushroom Line has been informed to find the Dragon as a priority news item. Anything involving the Dragon is to be reported immediately. They already have a few reports but nothing substantiated yet,” replied Parsley. “Do you really like the muffins?” she asked Cornelia. “They are one of Mrs. C's recipes. I just whipped them up for Sprout. He really likes them.”

“Enough of the small talk! What do you know about the Dragon?” an exasperated Efem demanded. “We should be out there looking!”

“Enjoy your tea Sister,” answered Cornelia calmly before Parsley could reply. “Parsley has already started the search and you know we came here to ask her help. This way we aren't wandering the woods hoping to get lucky enough to run into the Dragon. Nemmer and The CAT are already doing that.”

Parsley smiled thinking that Efem really hadn’t changed all that much over the years. “The Mushroom Line confirms your report that the Dragon was sent to a teacher by the Shadows’ King and was originally traveling with a Nytemare guide. They say that Scarlet has reported that the Nytemare was separated from the Dragon and has since returned to the stables.”

Taking another sip of tea, she continued, “The Twitter network reports several sightings of the young Dragon in several different places but as you know, the birds are not the best at hard facts. They have substantiated that others do seem to be searching for the Dragon as well since they have been asked by others if they know where the Dragon is. Now this could also include Nemmer and The CAT, but that is unknown.”

Efem was stunned. These were just the things she needed to hear. That everyone was working together to help find the poor lost little Dragon. She also realized that she truly had missed her old friend and started to glow with joyful feelings.

Parsley, seeing Efem starting to glow at her words, started to blush. She too had missed her childhood friend. To hide the blush, she lifted the pot of tea. “I will get us some more tea. Then we can see what the leaves also have to tell us about this young Dragon."

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Stubborn as an old oak...

11/12/2019

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“What brings two wayward Faes to my humble home?” Parsley asked as Efem and Cornelia started walking up to her door.

“Good day Parsley. Efem and I were out for a walk and decided to stop in and see how you are doing,” answered Cornelia, knowing that Parsley probably already knew about their mission.

Now this was a strange event indeed since it had been many a year since the sisters had come for a visit. "Could she still be carrying a grudge?" thought Parsley. The last time Efem decided to talk to Parsley was before she decided to become a herbalist instead of a tree mother like her. Shaking her head she extended her hand, “Please come in. I was just making a tonic for the mushrooms. I have a couple with some sort of blight that seems to be affecting their hearing,” she said as she ushered them towards the door. Cornelia did not move, but waited to see what Efem would do. Her sister better behave herself and not say something that would spoil everything.

Efem had been looking at her feet the whole time Parsley and Cornelia had been speaking. Finally she lifted her head and looked at Parsley. “Parsley, I know that it has been a long time since we last talked. I know I have been a stubborn old oak but right now we don't have time for chit-chat, we need your help.”

Parsley almost started to laugh. “Efem, you have not changed in all of this time, still jumping right to the point like when we were young. Okay, tell me what it is that is so important other than a young untrained Wish Dragon on the loose?” Efem and Cornelia both glanced at each other, both thinking, ‘see… I told you she would already had heard about it’.

“Does the Mushroom Line know where to find him?” they asked Parsley at the same time. Slightly embarrassed, Efem nodded to her sister to continue, “We must find him. We think it is important that we become his first teachers. At least that is according to the Sleeping Ladies and their Petal Post. Otherwise great havoc will occur in all of the realms.” Cornelia quickly explained to Parsley what they knew about the young Dragon and that they were aware that there were others now trying to find the young Wish Dragon too. The Sleeping Ladies felt that this must not happen until he understood the consequences of his abilities.

“I will help you both as this emergency affects us all,” decided Parsley. "Now come inside so we can start making plans." As they all entered Parsley's mushroom home, Efem did have something to say and knew if she did not say it now, it would not get any easier later. “Parsley, I am sorry. It never should have taken a Dragon to make me realize the friendship I lost through my obstinance."

"Efem, I regret that it took something as important as this to bring you here to my door too. You don’t have to say anymore, let us focus on what needs to be done now." Parsley wondered if the Wish Dragon was already granting wishes for she had wished for a long time to have this misunderstanding end.

“Now then let’s get started, we have a Wish Dragon to find!” smiled Efem at Parsley and Cornelia.

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Happy Feet...

11/3/2019

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Parsley has finally told me her story after all the chasing her around the house... Although, she did look cute popping up here and there and running across the couch. She had been trying to show me her 'happy feet'.

Are you familiar with the movie Happy Feet with the little penguin that needed to learn his own rhythm and way to express himself. He saved his family by teaching them how to dance which was something totally foreign to them. Their voices couldn't save them, but when they all danced together the strangeness was over-powering enough to get the attention of those that were trying to endanger the waddle (that's what you call a group of penguins on land). He saved his family and the colony by being different.

So how does this movie apply to Parsley? I know she made me smile as she was running around the room and she certainly captured my attention. She reminded me when I used to play under the lilac bushes by my house with the fairies and giving them mud pies as treats. That was Parsley's story to me, to remind me about the child within.

How fun it was to run carefree and let the wind blow through my hair or squishing mud between my toes (which to be honest, I still squish mud...). After all, isn't this the main purpose of a fairy - to awaken the child within us? The child within holds our dreams, wishes, and our laughter and beliefs that we carry with us into adulthood. Don't lock them away... let them run free and be 'happy feet'.

Now that she has shown me her 'happy feet' she is willing to reveal herself to me. Which is good because I am a little out-of-shape for all the chasing after her. But, like any good exercise the more I practice the better I will get... even if it is only a little skip to begin with.

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Is it Fishing or is it Wishing...

10/29/2019

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Oh, chaos is running rampant. Christmas is now beginning to blow in the air and I am busy chasing Parsley around the house. She is pretty fast too as I am trying to catch her so I can dress her. In the meantime Hubby step in with his...

... Parsley is running the "boss" ragged - so this is that helpful Hubby filling in on this week's Brambles to talk about fishing (or is that wishing?) before the Christmas season starts (you know what I am talking about - where Halloween and Thanksgiving have not even happened yet but the stores are filling up with Christmas decorations). Anyhow, here at MisPlace Dolls I have found the best way for me to get new toys is to drop those little "helpful" hints. You know, like when the "boss" is creating something and then I hint something like 'oh, if I had a (fill in the blank) tool, I could do that for you'. The other day was no exception.

Parsley was getting her dress made and as I was strolling by, I heard the "boss" talking to Parsley (she does that time to time but as long as I don't hear "them" talking back that's okay). I heard something about Parsley growing herbs to cook with that maybe she should have something like a mortar and pestle. Now mind you, here at MisPlace Dolls we don't think like normal people (see reference to talking to dolls)... so in our discussion it was decided it had to be something different, something a little unique. Something different turned into a walnut shell for the bowl and a dowel rod for the grinder.

Sooo, being the dutiful minion, I cut a dowel rod into a short stick and scraped out the walnut shell with my meager set of tools and showed them to the "boss". "Well.... hmmm . It might work" was her reply. Which means it's okay but what if we did this... was the decision. Now here is where timing adds to the perfect happy ending to this story (also called baiting the line)! Somewhere in the conversation certain words might have been said... 'If I had a Dremel tool with the right attachments, this would be so much easier and would probably look better' (the hook!).

Almost if by magic, you would never believe what showed up in the workshop (imagine that...). I was even given permission to play with the workshop toys!!!

In short order, the package was unwrapped, the tools assembled and the project took on a whole new look (even if it did take a couple of walnut shells to get it right and not drill right threw the husk).

Now as wishes go, I thought that I had been pretty good about throwing out the bait for the "boss" to pick up on as wishes always need a little help for them to happen.

By the way, the "boss" is now happy because the new mortar and pestle for Parsley was made (and this worker has a new toy to use). Maybe it is now time to start that Christmas Wish list (a few more attachments that I don't have yet wouldn't be bad... oh the fishing)!