Childhood: Lost and Found

by Tina Anderson


I remember, from times gone by
A world so magnificent So full of wonder I could hardly contain

I would stare out at the sun and say
"Mother, mother, it shines brightly
Amber in the sky!"
I would stare out at the moon and say
"Father, father, it shines gently
Silver in the sky!"
I would stare out at the stars and say
"Mother, father, they shine coolly
Jewels in the sky!"

In my dreams, I'd laugh
Dance among the clouds with angels
Watching sunsets with my muse
Put on the stars as a necklace
And talk gleefully with the birds

Light was my joy
I played in the sun
Happy and joyful and evermore alive

Darkness was my comfort
I reveled in the night
Sleeping and smiling and evermore alive

Then the bleakness caught my mind
From one day to another, I was left behind
Talking of amber in the sky brought scorn
Talking of silver in the sky brought snorts
Talking of jewels in the sky brought sighs
The admonishing words:
"Don't be foolish, girl
You are no longer a child,
But a being on the verge of adulthood
Leave childhood behind
Forget your kiddy dreams
Grow up, girl!
Leave childhood behind!"

I was obedient
I was good
I knew not these strangers
With whom my parents had left me
These... "teachers"
They were to tutor me on life
This was life?
Leaving dreams and childhood behind?
Forgetting my muses and angels?
My amber and silver and jewels?
This was life?!

"Leave soft songs of gold behind
Come to the world of numbers
Of tales that relate to you
That bring you to reality
Come back to earth, girl!"

I came to earth
I couldn't claim to come "back"
I don't believe I'd ever been there before
But I came to earth
Obedient
Good
I was absorbed in stories
Relating to what I should be
Absorbed in numbers
That should have fascinated me

Days went by
Months went by
Years went by
My life went by
I was obedient
I was good
I was sad beyond belief

Then, one day
As I precariously bordered the brink of womanhood
I was told
By an angel in teacher's guise
"Write for me, children grown up
Write for me a poem
Tell me your fantasies
The high-flying, swift parts of your soul
Write for me!"

Write for me...
My... soul?
I had... a soul?

My fingers rested lightly upon the paper
My pen rested lightly upon my fingers
I closed my eyes, searching for this
This
This elusive soul

Sweet laughter filled my ears
Harps of all religions' heavens sounded
Birds tittered
Amber, silver and jewels shone
And my muse touched cooling hands upon my brow
He kissed my cheek softly in welcome
He wiped away my tears
He embraced me
"Little girl, little child
Mistress of this world
Welcome home at last..."

Nice Contrast: Blue and Black

Blue and black has always been one of my favorite color combinations. It's so striking, beautiful, and any bright color with black looks great, blue just happens to be my favorite color. Selina Forder of Elvenbreath has done it again with this sharp, lovely, and very hip ensemble. This detailed outfit comes with a black vest containing touches of faux fur, pants with small, metal discs down the side and bright blue shirt. It's a great choice for casual wear at any time and truly stands out in the crowd!

Clothes: Aloda by Selina Forder of Elvenbreath
Boots: Ving in black by Fallingwater Cellardoor of Shiny Things
Skin: Eva in Natural Makeup 2 by Aida Ewing of Glam Affair
Hair: Zz504 in black by Leena Ying of DrLife Healthy Hair
Elf Ears: Wilted Elf Ears by Kioko Kumaki of Panda Express

Fantasy Art Focus: Doni Parlanti (Tigre Milena in SL)

Set Them Free

"I was never very good with words, but give me a lump of clay any day, and I will turn it into anything you like!"...Doni Parlanti

Doni Parlanti, also known as Tigre Milena in Second Life, creates beautiful, unique, creative, expressive and sometimes whimsical art in Second Life. I discovered her work easily when I saw she had a flair for fantasy pictures, my favorite. Every time I glanced at the Flickr pool and what people had posted, I'd see a picture that stood out in the crowd and then I had to zoom in. Doni's was always one of these! Her pictures are so colorful, full of creative imagination, and original, I just had to write about them. What impresses me the most, and I didn't even realize until a little later, is that she doesn't edit or process her pictures! That makes them even more amazing, and the fact you can't tell, pure brilliance.

Doni does not consider herself a good PC artist, however, I know many of us would have to disagree, I being one of them. Her forte is working with her hands on anything from sculpting with clay to working with paint and textiles. She also enjoys photography in first life. In fact, she has a degree in Arts and Crafts and this covers anything from Sculpture to Graphic Design, therefore, Doni is definitely a true artist by trade and came to Second Life by request of a friend who thought she might enjoy taking pictures in game. Boy does she! We're so glad she came so we can now enjoy her many talents! Doni noticed how most people process pictures they take in game and challenged herself to take pictures just as good and inspiring to others without any processing at all. She builds and has built alot of the props she uses in the pictures she takes and also uses other artists' props and background sets in her pictures. She considers this and the fact she doesn't change anything, a tribute to these artists and gives them the recognition they deserve. Doni realizes no post processing means some imperfections in the pictures, but never intended for them to be perfect. She feels showing others how pictures can be just as beautiful, expressive and good a quality by not editing them will inspire others with their own creations. I think this is an admirable and wonderful goal on her part! I know she inspires me a great deal :)

Fish Skin

Rapture

The Pied Piper of Bentham

The Lost Prince

Food For Thought

Spectrum

The Owl and the Pussycat

Secrets

You can see many more of Doni's pictures in her Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52520931@N04/

Faerie Wings 'N Things

And as the seasons come and go, here's something you might like to know ... there are fairies everywhere under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day. So listen, touch, and look around -- in the air and on the ground. And if you watch all nature's things, you might just see a fairy's wing....author unknown

I know I just blogged about a gown from Studio Sidhe, but they have such great designs, I can't resist telling you about another find. I love going to the store and just browsing, it's so much fun and so much to see! If you've never been to Faery's store, you have to go! Recently, I found some fairy wings there that are so lovely and go with everything. If you have dresses or outfits you want to wear wings with, but don't have any that match, these wings will work with just about any piece of clothing. They're called Silver Lace Wings and are beautifully detailed, the perfect color, and reasonably priced. After all, faerie wings made by "Faery" Sola have to be good, right? hehe

Faerie Wings: Silver Lace Fairy Wings by Faery Sola of Studio Sidhe

Gown: Symphony in Black by Azriel Demain of Falln Creations (blogged here: http://nataliemontagne.blogspot.com/2010/12/falling-for-falln-formals.html)

Skin: Keeshya by Naalyeh Raleigh of Inaya
Hair: Hair Zz504 in black by Leena Ying of DrLife Healthy Hair
Elf Ears: Wilted Elf Ears by Kioko Kumaki of Panda Express
Fairy on Head: Fairy Luna [White] on head by NaMiya Nishi of NaMiya's Fancy Goods

Location: Tol Narwa Vire

Leafy Couture

the Leaf Couture skirt

the Cocktail skirt

the Long skirt

The Leaf Couture gown, a limited edition release by Faery Sola of Studio Sidhe, is truly a lovely and feminine choice offered in three different styles within one product. There are only 50 gowns in each color available, and can be worn formally or casually with options of either a long skirt, shorter cocktail skirt, or leaf couture skirt, which are all shown in this blog. The gown comes in six colors: green, red, purple, fuschia, bronze (shown in this blog) and black. All three skirt styles are made of a beautiful chiffon overlay with silver detailed trim and they all also come with the Leaf Couture pendant. The leaf couture skirt has the added touch of little flowers on the front and back plus three tiers of chiffon with silver edging down the skirt portion of the gown. The cocktail and long gown both have the long straight pleated chiffon skirt with silver trim at the bottom. All three skirt styles flow from a beautifully cut empire waist bodice. You can't go wrong with this versatile and gorgeous gown!

Clothes: Studio Sidhe Leaf Couture gown by Faery Sola
Skin: Dejah by Naalyeh Raleigh of Inaya in Pale Brunette
Hair: Peta in Swedish by Truth Hawks of Truth
Elf Ears: Wilted Elf Ears by Kioko Kumaki of Panda Express
Location: Enchanted of Elven Realm and Tol Narwa Vire

I'd also like to mention a relief effort that is very true to Faery Sola's heart and is a very good cause. Here is her notecard on the subject of the Queensland flooding:

Queensland, the state where I live is currently being hit by flood water. A LOT of flood water. People have lost their lives, their pets, their homes, their livelyhoods and it's STILL RAINING.

Where I live it is currently cut off by flood waters, we got a phone call today from Emergency Services to evacuate if we felt at risk of flood waters. Luckily for my family and I, our little corner of our town hasn't flooded... yet. I say yet, because we're being told it's only going to get worse.

Please help in whatever way you can by either going to the Extend a Helping Hand Event Hall ( Event Hall Location: Adien 28, 65, 1026) and purchase:

Faery's Daisy Parasol at 80L

Extend a Helping Hand (information) -
Money raised goes towards the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal which will assist Queenslanders affected by massive flooding.

Plenty of fantastic vendors taking part. Purchase a donation item where part of the proceeds go to the appeal, or make a full donation.

The Market will be held between Jan. 11th and 31st, but vendors may also have items up at mainstores and there may even be events. Click a subscrier to make sure you keep up to date.

You may be able to get involved! Please contact Sanura Sakai if you are interested in being a participant, blogger, donation point or event holder.

100% of the proceeds of this sale go to the fund or you can check out the other amazing content creators there OR you can donate at the kiosks which are located in the participants mainstores (including my Studio Sidhe store) or at the event OR you can go directly to:

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

thank you in advance for your support,

Enjoy!

~Faery~

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011 and all the best to all of you in the New Year! I hope all your many dreams and wishes come true :D Happiness always and may you always be filled with magic and enchantment :)