Those Tiny Things....

 

For The Record....

As I was rushing around trying to photograph scenes for "The Halloween Tale", Dear Readers, I was also madly trying to "finish" a few Tiny Things that possibly would be needed in parts of the Story. And because the Story sometimes "unfolds" at it's own direction, I wasn't exactly sure who or what would be needed... but thought it couldn't hurt to make a small amount of progress (long overdue if you ask me!) on some of these Tiny Things. For starters, above you can sort of see Pandora, the youngest of Lady Evelyn de Paradise's sisters, who I introduced to you last Winter as I was working on the Little Wonderland Shop and mentioned that she still needed her gown completed. She has waited very patiently, as she was started in the Spring of 2016 and lived in only a lace petticoat for ages. She gained her skirt somewhere along the way and I was determined to complete her costume. Here I have added a "glitter strewn" mesh overskirt.... I know, it is nearly impossible to tell!  I have a hard time making the camera focus on such a small thing... (just under 1/2 inch tall) but she wanted more sparkle! And then I had to try for the sleeves... using the same glittery mesh fabric....

 

Can you see that tiny sleeve?

 It is more of a "capelet" really.... on her left arm

 (the one to the right side of the picture)

 

And here you can see the other sleeve... in progress.... 

waiting for the glue to dry on the front 

before trimming the cloth and gluing it to the back. 

I still think she needs some sort of waistband.... 

but have not yet found the right material.

 

And meanwhile, I have also been rushing around 

to put a more "tree-like" exterior on the Nano Tree House. 

 

The wooden structure needed some 

"branch wires" glued to the exterior on all corners.

 But I had to make sure these did not impact 

the opening doors in any way.

 

 

The wires on the front corners in particular, 

had to be glued very carefully to go

 around the wooden floor sections.... 

you can see one just being started in the above picture.

 This required a lot of waiting for the glue to dry...

 

That single piece of silver wire sticking up

 from the top left corner is the "hinge post" 

for all the opening doors. 

I trimmed it slightly shorter and twisted it into a 

"collection" of other wires to make a branch stub.

 

Here you can see the other side with the multiple "stems" 

and the roots at the base started.

 

And here....

 Oh.... 

Wait...

Look at this scary fellow.....!

 

Well, Dear Readers, I admit that

 I didn't think this one through before getting started....

But way back in the Winter as I was working on 

the little items that go inside that Fairytale Wonderland Shop.... 

one of those was a kit for a very "Harry Potter-ish" Magical scene....

 

 

You can see the "Gothic" window and the bench in front of it

 here on the Workroom floor just in front of the chair.

 It was supposed to have a "paper scroll" lying across the bench,

 looking magical, I suppose, but I thought it really needed

 a little "wizard figure" instead. 

That would make it clearly magical.... 

 

I got the figure started while I was making the

 dandelions for the Fairy Market vignette.... 

(I am sure you remember that scene!)

 

And I got him painted by the beginning of March.... 

But by now Spring was arriving and my attention was drifting.... 

so he stayed precariously perched in that

 scrap of foam on my work table..... 

all Summer and Fall.... 

until it was urgent that he be completed! 

 

I needed to dress him in a hurry 

and thought it would be easiest

 to just copy The Wizard of the Castle.

First his legs were trimmed to the right length

 and he got his feet....

 (that picture 5 frames back...)

 And here he is getting his undergown....

 a scrap of gold silk, although it is not the

 exact same silk as that on the True Wizard. 

(As I got going I had to search out those fabrics 

that were used for the original Wizard. 

Yes, I found them but I had already attached this gown.)

 

And with the sleeves attached.

 You might wonder why I added them

since they are hardly visible... 

but I didn't want him to feel chilly on his arms.

 

And then the blue velvet over gown... 

yes, this is the same cloth as the Wizard wears.

 

And of course, we must not forget the

 Wizard's lovely iridescent overcloak, 

with that distinctive pointed hood.... 

could I render it in mini-mini too?

 

It needs to be carefully fitted.... 

just long enough to sweep the ground... 

the hood just big enough but not hiding the face...

 One side at a time glued in place.....

 

And adding the long beard.... 

yes, the very same fibers are used.... 

they will need a little trimming.

 

And there he stands! 

All ready to be attached to the little vignette....

 

Like so...! 

 

Except that he protested loudly at the very idea 

that he would stand tamely on this little plaque 

in a two-bit market for ever and ever...! 

Ah.... I should have known

 that would not be appreciated.

So I made a bargain with him.... 

it would only be a temporary "gig".... 

He would have his choice of residences

 if he could just "go along" with this now......

 He made me swear to it!

 

And meanwhile, Dear Readers, the Nano Tree House 

has been slowly growing more "Tree-like" ... 

one or three branches at a time.

 

I started gluing clusters of wires at the top 

to make more branches, 

and I also added a "back" at the top of the House.... 

that pointed pediment.... 

to serve as a "wall" for the top roof garden area.

 

Then I started adding the paper bark to the Tree House.... 

it is just old paper bag torn into a scrap 

and scrunched on with lots of glue.... 

once again, being careful to ensure that it doesn't interfere

 with the working doors!

 

I had to rush it into the stage-sets....

 first in the Fairytale Wonderland Shop.....

 

in time for Little Dreamer Beth to spot it there..... 

I am going to have to make a version of this

 for this shop.... no it will not be identical....

 but it is a must in my opinion....!

 

And of course, it had to make a showing as part of 

Pollyanna's Miniature Garden at the Ravenwood

 for the Castle Halloween Party!

 

And at the last minute, I helped Pollyanna 

whip up this tiny graveyard for the Ravenwood.... 

 

Just a small amount of family history in there....  

 

Here it is.... just in case you couldn't get 

a good view on Halloween...!

 

Ah, Dear Readers, I do Love to revel

 in making the tiniest things.....

 Just for the Record...!

 

Time......

 

Winks.....

It Was just Another Autumn Afternoon, Dear Readers, and up on the Cloud Palace, floating high up in the Clouds where the passing of Time hardly mattered at all Everybeary was enjoying their favorite peaceful activity. The sky was nearly always sunny up there, and because they were always floating along with the winds, nobeary could tell you what Time it was... except possibly when it was "Time for snacks".... or "Time for bed".... that was always obvious too... because who was counting? Who keeps track of Time on drifting Clouds? And how many lovely fragments of moments are there in a second...? Does anyone know? So Like their Fairy Folk cousins, The Fairy Bears were content to drift along and let the passing moments stretch out into their long strings of "was-ness" without wondering where they were going at all. Sweet Pea and Brother Beorn were up in the Guard-en Tower looking over the small collection of magical plants and discussing the possible plans to develop the Guarden better... and this could take as many fragments of seconds as anybeary wanted to give it!

 

They were wondering about the habitat needed for 

the Fluffy Cloud Plant that had arrived 

with Sweet Pea a long time ago....

 

And not far away at all, Sir Orion Blackthorne the Skywalker

 and Hamish Harry 'Hotcakes' McCloud

 were "discussing" the various merits of 

the Cloudcycle belonging To Hamish, 

versus Wild Ponies, which Sir Orion was partial to.... 

 

And a little way  above in the Lookout Tower, 

Blue was taking some Time to read in the Library....

 

It seemed she could lose herself in Story books

 for hours at a time.... 

 

And just a little ways above her, Lady Lavender 

was hanging out some washing to dry...

 

She swore it wasn't the lavender that 

made it smell so good... just the fresh air...! 

And suddenly she thought she heard something

 faintly on the wind....... 

she perked her ears....

 

Was that a cry for "help"....?

 

And Blue was suddenly pulled from her storybook....  

had she heard a cry for "help"...?

 

Sir Orion and Hamish Harry also heard something.... 

"Did you hear that ...?... said Sir Orion...

 

And Brother Beorn and Sweet Pea both looked up

 and said "that sounds like a cry for 'Help'!"

 

In No Time at all, the entire gang of Fairy Bears 

had gathered in the Cloud Palace Parlor. 

"It sounds to me as though we will be needed..." 

said Blue, the Blue Fairy Beary to the others. 

"It sounded like echoes...." said Lady Lavender... 

"or more than one cry..." she added. 

"I have a feeling we will All be needed this day" said Blue. 

"We need to get to the Castle as soon as possible!"

 she added before she flew off. 

The others didn't even wait a wink before they followed her! 

 

And you might recall that we left Tommy outside 

the dark and brooding Castle as he realized

 he didn't want to go any further. 

But as he turned Prince to head home, 

something spooked the pony.

 He shied, and Tommy was tossed from his back

 as Prince ran off into the gathering mists. 

 

"Oh... Help....!" cried Tommy as he fell off his pony.

 But he hit his head hard enough to lose consciousness

 as he landed there on the ground. 

 

And you might recall that Little Dreamer Amy 

had found the trapdoor in the little Monks Cell in the Chapel. 

She was afraid that Beth had gone down there..... 

she could see a sliver of light and feel

 the sea breeze coming up the stairs. 

She bravely ventured down those dark stone steps

 toward the door, but when she pushed the door open further

 she heard the trapdoor slam shut above!

 

She stepped through the door out onto the cliffs 

and realized with a shock how close to the edge she was!

 It was Right There... not ten feet away.... 

the slightest wind could blow her off.... 

she froze, panic rising in the throat....

 

OH....! Help....! She squeaked.... 

she couldn't imagine what she should do! 

So she stood very still right where she was. 

 

And you might recall that Little Dreamer Beth

 had found herself inside the Little Fairy-Tale

 Wonderland Shop out on the Distant Briar Moors... 

talking to a pie-drunk Fairy and wishing she could 

show it to Amy, the Shop, that is, not the Fairy! 

.... only to realize she was not sure where Amy might be... 

or how she could possibly get out of the Shop!

 

"Oh, Help....!" murmured Beth as her eyes lit upon

 the Tiniest Wizard she had ever seen. 

"Say... can't you get us out of here...?" she asked him. 

"I am afraid that at this size I can only 

make Little magic...." he replied sagely. 

 

And lest we forget Beatrice, Dear Readers, 

as she headed to the Castle to find her errant brother Tommy, 

you might not have noticed but she was followed

 by her protective Littlest Fairy.

 

He is devilishly difficult to spot.... 

he his hovering just behind the point of her hood... 

amongst the leaves and his wings are glinting red.... 

see him there...? Well, no matter if you can't,

 he follows her everywhere she goes,

 and it is a good thing he does. 

Because when she arrived at the Castle and saw no sign of Tommy, 

she went in through the stables and came to the kitchen

 as she often did, hoping Tommy would be there ahead of her.

 

She found the Ancient Castle people instead... 

although they didn't seem to be able to see her... 

except for the Old Hag in the corner... 

"Old Meg" was here name.... 

who beckoned her closer...

 

So she crept closer. 

"Do not be afraid, my child..." said Old Meg as gently as she could... 

"these folks cannot see you because you are not of their Time"

 she added. "You have strayed far into the past 

and help will be needed to get you home..." 

Beatrice said nothing. 

She had seen Old Meg before and was sure she would help... 

but she wasn't sure about all that Time stuff... 

she was here now wasn't she? 

But her Littlest Fairy Friend let out a desperate little squeak....

 "Oh Heeeelllp....!" 

 

And lest you think their cries were in vain, Dear Readers,

 It did not take the Fairy Bears long to reach the Castle....

 

The Fairy Bears themselves were a little alarmed

 at how murky the mist around the Castle was.....

 

But as they came closer to the Castle it thinned a little.....

 

 

They landed atop the tower and passed quickly down to the Kitchen.... 

where they were greeted by Old Meg.

 

"We came as fast as we could" said Blue, The Blue Fairy Beary. 

"We understand you might need a Little help 

with the missing children..." she added. 

 

"The Wizard, too, is missing..." said Old Meg. 

"I am afraid he fell under a Little Spell and has wandered too far to see..." 

she trailed off... gazing into the distance. 

 

That's when the Littlest Fairy piped up... 

"I know where he is... or he was... !" he said.

 "My cousins took him for the Wonderland Shop... 

just for a lark, you see.... or not...." he added self-consciously,

 realizing that Old Meg had said she couldn't see

 that "Far" into Time. 

"They 'Winked" him and now he is stuck out there

 in that iity-bitty little place...." he added giggling...

 "Oh help....." he added...

"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone...." 

 

 

Nobeary said anything for a minute.... or two. 

Then Sweet Pea spoke up.... 

"I know right where that Little Fairytale 

Wonderland Shop can be found..." she said quietly.

 "I've passed it on my rambles often enough... 

I could go there and get the Wizard out... 

I have a basket I can use to carry him..." she added.

 

Then Brother Beorn spoke up...

"I can go too and bring back the Little Dreamer Beth..." he said.

 "I think I saw her wander that way!"

 "And I will find the Little Dreamer Amy..." said Hamish Harry, blushing...

 "I thought I heard her cry from near the shore.... " he added.

 And just like that they were off.

 

Hamish Harry did not have far to go. 

He circled the Castle... searching through the foggy mists... 

until he spotted the lonely Little Dreamer.

 

"I have come to give you "Help"..." said Hamish Harry,

 not wanting to frighten her further. 

 

 

But Amy was familiar with Fairy Bears,

 so she gladly climbed upon his back and let him fly her to safety!

 

In no time at all he was setting her down 

in the Lord's Council Chamber.

 

 

"I think we must wait here until the Wizard has returned" he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Kitchen was still full of

 Fairy Bears awaiting their tasks.

 

Sir Orion Spoke up next. 

"I can help this Little one find her way safely home..." he said. 

"It is her brother Tommy who needs to be found", said Blue thoughtfully... 

"I fear he has strayed to a distant era....

 closer to the present than he knows..." she added.

 "I will go find him and bring him to his time...." said Sir Orion,

 "then Beatrice will not go further astray in seeking him...!" he added.

 And off he flew!

 

When Sir Orion found Tommy he realized that 

Tommy had "knocked himself" back to his own Time 

so all they had to do was wait. 

"Your sister is looking for you..." said Sir Orion.

 "She' s always doing that...." said Tommy irritably. 

"You will need to wait here for her to come... 

she became a little lost herself in seeking you!" he added.

 

Meanwhile, back in the Kitchen, Blue the Blue Fairy Beary

 turns to Beatrice and asks her what she truly wants. 

"I can only help those who truly wish for it..." said Blue. 

"You must tell me what you are wishing for

 before I can help you ..." she added gently. 

Beatrice just looked at here and said "I want to find Tommy...!"

 and in that instant a wishing star appeared in her hand.

 

And just like that ... 

in the Wink of an eye... 

Beatrice was gone! 

 

But Blue the Blue Fairy Beary was fairly certain

 those two Little Wanderers were going to need 

more help getting home tonight. 

So she followed them out to the Castle grounds.

 

It was a long walk for two tired children 

and the Dark was growing...

 "We'd best fly them home..." she said to Sir Orion.... 

and so they did.

 

And back in the Kitchen... 

Old Meg had risen from her corner 

and stepped up to the fire....

 

"The Wizard will need a Little Potion..." said Old Meg to Lady Lavender. 

"If you are willing, " she said, 

"I will mix this now and you can take it to him..."

 "Oh!" said Lady Lavender... "I would be so honored

 to be able to help in any way...." she added,

 hardly able to believe she was being given such an important task! 

 

"Bring your wand to me...." said Old Meg, gently... 

sensing how shy Lady Lavender was. 

"I will sprinkle this growing potion on it... 

so you will be able to sprinkle some onto the Wizard when he appears.

 Be careful not to sprinkle too much.... 

we do not want to create a monster...!" she warned. 

"You will find them shortly in the Lord's Council Chamber..." she added. 

And last but not least, Dear Readers, Did Brother Beorn and Sweet Pea 

find that Little Fairy Tale Wonderland Shop on the Distant Briar Moors...? 

 

Yes, they did!

 It was right where they thought it would be!

 

They could see the Little Dreamer

 through the window as they approached. 

Brother Beorn went in first. 

 

And Sweet Pea followed right behind him.

 

Little Dreamer Beth turned when she heard them... 

not entirely surprised to see a couple of Fairy Bears. 

It was a Fairy Tale Shop, after all! 

"We have come to help you..." said the Big White Bear....

 he reminded her faintly of Someone.... 

but she couldn't remember who that was.

 "If you would like ..." he said quietly 

"I could carry you to the Castle where

 your sister is waiting for you." he added. 

 

Little Dreamer Beth simply nodded.... 

she felt slightly mystified... and couldn't find her words... 

so she climbed onto his back... and off they went....! 

 

Flying over the Briar Moors towards the Castle!

 

Then Sweet Pea looked over at the Tiny Wizard

 in the corner of the Shop and explained why she was there... 

"If you don't mind, Sir Wizard..." she said politely...

"I am supposed to 'collect' you and bring you

 back to the Castle...."she said hesitantly.

 "Old Meg said I was to do so..." she added just to clarify.

 "Ah...." said the Tiny Wizard... 

"I can be 'collected' now can I..." he added sardonically... 

"I suppose it is better than being 'hunted' or 'trapped'... 

or 'Winked'...!" he added fatalistically. 

"Do what you must!" he said

 almost resigned to this humiliation. 

 

So Sweet Pea reached into the work area 

and grabbed the Wizard... base and all 

and loaded him-it into her basket.

 

Then Sweet Pea took a moment to glance around that

 amazing Fairy Tale Wonderland Shop... 

my what a place this was she thought! 

Then her eyes landed on the Tree House stump... 

right there in front.... Oooohh... she thought... 

isn't that just what she was wishing for.....? 

A house tucked into a Tree Stump... 

she was almost certain she had mentioned it

 to the Daydreamer once..... 

 

well.... it would have to wait.... 

she had a Mission to accomplish first...

 

And in almost no Time at all, 

she too was returning to the Castle...!

 

When they arrived Sweet Pea set the Tiny Wizard on the floor... 

and Lady Lavender stepped forward...

 

And carefully sprinkled a few drops 

of the Growing Potion onto the Wizard....

 

Then she quickly stepped back.... 

and.....

 

Suddenly there stood the Wizard....!

 

And in even less than a Wink.... 

the Fairy Bears all Disappeared...! 

As if they had never been there at all! 

 

Well, I don't know about you, Dear Readers, 

but I am wondering What Time it is.... 

Is it Time for the Party to begin.... ? 

Or has it already begun....?

 

The Lovely Old Dollhouse Folks 

had been ready to go for a while...

 but Helen had lost track of Time... 

she wasn't ready yet. 

So they headed to the Castle anyway... 

there was no reason to wait longer... 

Charles would bring Helen when she was ready...!

 

In the Castle Great Hall everyone's favorite band 

'The Deadly Nightshades" were up in the Gallery.... 

already deep into their Annual Repertoire....

 

The Witches were guarding the Portals... 

Woe to any who trespassed there tonight...!

 

The King of Darkness is "Standing In" 

for the Usual Host who is "Running a bit Late..." 

but the Hall is filling with all the usual guests.... 

 

All the Little Princesses are gathered around 

the Gypsy Fortune Teller's table 

wondering what their futures will hold....

 

Victor and Joanna come to take a look 

at Pollyanna's miniature arrangement.... 

they are impressed at the tiny ladies... 

they are so well dressed!

 

Sally May is charmed.... 

"I don't know how you do it..." she says enviously... 

"my sewing skills are all thumbs....!" she declares. 

"Yes, but your cooking skills are so much better than mine..." 

said Pollyanna, laughing. "Probably a more useful skill!"

 

Helen and Charles have arrived at last.... 

(No, they are not late just because everyone else came early...!) 

and Helen is looking the "Belle of the Ball" tonight 

in a gown that seems made just for her... 

though she claims it wasn't! 

 

And Nobody seemed to notice the moment When Kendall arrived...

 but he was suddenly just there...!

 

And high up in the Little Gallery... 

a pair of Watchful Fairy Bears are keeping a good look-out

 for any stray or missing minutes... or moments.... 

that need to be set straight again....!

And depending on where you are or when you are, Dear Readers,

 you might want to watch out for that extra hour 

that might come waltzing by.... 

Because it is that Time of year 

when Time Winks....!

 

Happy All Hallows Eve!

(And I do hope you can stay for the Party...!)