THE BUG SISTERS

I got a call from a friend that lives along a beautiful old Floridian canal, lush and tropical.

I took a walk over to her house and became mesmerized by the ballet of dragon flies swooping and flying, and gently landing on strands of grass.

I almost forgot the reason she called, the Bug Sisters had taken up residence among the plants on her pool deck.

I entered the pool area, and there they were, Dorthea Dragon Fly


Felicia Flutter Bug

Betsy Bumble Bee

All dressed up in their summertime frocks, I asked if they would like to come to the Mad Hatter Tea Party. The Grand Parade would be Saturday June 27th!
The girls happily accepted the invitation and wondered if the Chickadee birds would also be coming?
Yes, please come and meet me under the Oak Tree.
The March Hare was going to be so happy to see all these lovely ladies, joining him for a afternoon tea!

BETTER BUG PICTURES

DOGWOOD

I got a new camera, and I have been taking lots of pictures, trying to figure out all the buttons

So I rounded up all the bugs, which is not hard, cause you never have to go lookin for bugs in Florida!

HONEY BEE TWINS

MARY MOTH

DOGWOOD

BUTTERFLY KITTY

All these dolls are part of the Summer Time Bug Parade,

for the Mad Hatter Tea Party, June 27th, afancifultwist.typepad.com

see story below

MORNING VISITORS

I awoke this morning to a hot tropical Florida day. I just love the heat in the summer, it takes your breath away.
I got up stretched, yawned, and made my way to the front door to retrieve the local news.

Good morning Faerie Lady, I heard in a high pitch squeak! I pushed my glasses up on my nose to take in all the color.


It was Mary Moth, Dogwood, and the Honey Bee twins waiting for me.

Mary said," there has been a buzz lately about a fabulous tea party." All four bugs were dressed in their summer finery. Oh yes, the Mad Hatter Tea Party, would you like to go?

Will there be goodies the twins sang, yes, honey cakes and sweet sun tea.
Sounds wonderful!
Meet me under the tree right next to the faerie statues June 27th for a Parade to the Tea Party.
In fact, Dogwood should lead all the Summer time Bugs in the Grand Parade.

We will see you soon, Mary Moth flew after the twins who were always getting into mischief.
I brewed some tea and took a seat on the terrace with my paper, and watched the four bugs play in the yard.

Dogwood gave rides to the Bees, and Mary Moth just tried to keep her lovely hat on.


The birds were chirping and tree bugs buzzing and I could tell, it was going to be a winner of a Summer Day.

INVITATIONS FROM THE MARCH HARE

Who should stroll in from the country today, but the March Hare!

Covered in hay, I knew this dapper dandy had been out carousing the farm, for lovely bunny ladies. Brushing the dust from his tail coat, he handed me a invitation to The Mad Hatter Tea Party, hosted by Miss Vanessa, over at Fanciful Twist.

This would be the party of the Summer! I was so excited, and jumping up and down, that I didn't see the Hare eyeing me with that boyish bunny smile, oh one thing, the Hare said, could you round up all your little lovelies to join me for the tea party

This bunny was such a charmer, of course I'll call on all my friends.

I decided to pay a visit to Butterfly Kitty, she lives on the top balcony of a beautiful old Florida house on the Lake. Miss Kitty, would you like to go to a tea party?

She fluttered down, and happily accepted the invitation.

This is great, I'll be back June 27th with a Summer time Parade of Bugs and Faeries. I'll be ready she said, and watch out for the alligators.

She flitted back up to her pillow on the rocking chair!

See you soon Butterfly Kitty

FLOWER FAERIES OF FLORIDA

Mt. Dora sister city of Forres of Scotland, is a quaint little village. Hundred year old Cottages line the narrow streets, a canopy of ancient moss covered oak trees give this city an old fashion appearance. This is one of my favorite cities located in central Florida, food, art festivals, and beautiful old lake side inns.

I had heard of a very special garden, where Flowers and Faeries lived, it took several hours to find. But, when I found this secret garden, it was more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Colorful Faeries were everywhere I looked, butterflies and bees sang the summertime songs.

These three Flower Faeries are now in my Etsy shop

ADO MMC ELLEN DOLLS TO THE WALL

Art dolls only, mini monthly challenge

This month was such fun!

I am a huge fan of the Ellen Show, I decided to make Ellen and all her Loves

Her wife, who looks like a mermaid, lots of birds, and dogs and cats and Ellen in the center

All soft sculpture dolls, lots of felted pieces, it is the kind of piece that will make you smile, and that is what her show does for me everyday.

"Smiling and Dancing"

This piece will be donated to the Show for one of Ellen's many animal charities

If you can tell, my picutres are hopefully improving, new camera, and a new computer, you can even click on photos and see stitches, still trying to figure out the new computer, so bear with me!

IT'S RAINING MERMAIDS

OK, I know the song says its raining men, but in my world it is raining mermaids! Rainy season has officially started in Central Florida, it came in this week like a hissing, snarling alligator. Unrelenting rain doused Florida over a 1ft. fell in a couple days, so much for the drought, and some of us even have beach front property.

But every thing is green and sparkly, Lake Eustis has never had so many mermaids, they are everywhere.

Singing, preening on the docks, lounging on logs, that is where I spotted these two little finned lovelies.

Enjoying the mist of rain, they are of the Marsh variety, and I just love their little flook fin skirts, they can jump very high in the air, with their magnificent fins, almost like little birds.

Marsh mermaids are deeply tan, with Florida Bay shells, you have to look very closely around the shores to see them, but they are there!

These two little mermaids, will be in my Etsy shop this weekend

MARSH LAKE MERMAIDS

Central Florida, 2,000 lakes, marshes and swamps. Beautiful fresh water lakes among vintage towns. One of those quaint little cities Eustis, bordered by a beautiful lake and peaceful lake front, where you can walk along the docks that are just above the grass, the sunsets are magnificent. Lake Eustis is quite a large lake in the Chain of five, ancient oak trees, covered in lacy moss swing in the breeze, walk carefully along the sandie banks, because the alligator's like to nap on the cool sand in the grass.

I spotted the prettiest little mermaid catching a breeze on the dock, deeply tanned, green hair, and green tail, she practically disappears into the scenery.

Later, when I strolled back to my car, I noticed this pair among the fingers of the tree, getting ready to take a snooze in the soft lace moss.

Four New Marsh Mermaids will be in my Etsy shop soon!

byhand.me

byhand.me

LIFE IS A BEACH

Along the Flagler Beach front, the old pier jets out into the surf, recently this beautiful pier was closed for renovation.

But the day that I wandered out along the old wooden planks and watched the surfers catching waves.

I noticed these beautiful mermaids swimming around the pilings. Fuchsia pink and glitter fins flashed in and out beneath the pier.

I lingered for a long time, breathing in the salty air, watching the sea gulls swooped and catch bread I tossed in the air. I walked back along the pier listening to the creaky wood planks, as I approached the shore on some coral under the dock I saw them, shaking their rasta locks in the surf and waving their huge tales.

My Beach Babe is 28 inches long, 12 inches seated, bead pellets are in the tail, she is made from cotton batik and nylon fiber, balloon yarn for her hair, lots of sparkly net and sequins. She is a one of a kind art doll now in my Etsy shop