A Collector of Mushies

Hi all!  I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and I apologize for that!  I've had alot going on in real life and have just not been able to be on like  I want to.  I'm hoping I can be more regular with my posts again *crosses fingers*.

I'd like to dedicate this post to a precious accessory I absolutely love created by Maena Tammas of Mae Fairy Tale.  First, I adore mushrooms of all sizes, shapes, and colors.  To me, they are so magical and add so much to any kind of fantasy scene you may want to create.  There are so many beautiful and different "styles" here in Second Life.  I decided to go to a sim called Calan Diva to take some pictures for this post, as they have some lovely and colorful mushrooms on display.  I dressed Natalie in a darling outfit created by Elvina Ewing called,  Huldra, then I added a new accessory designed by Maena called Shroom Backpack with Gnome.  It's exactly as it states, a backpack full of colorful mushrooms with a tiny gnome holding a lantern hanging on the side of the backpack.  It is just wonderful and so much fun!  Thus, the little Mushroom faerie starts her collection of enchanted mushrooms.....with the little gnome's help of course!  :)

Natalie is wearing....
Clothes:  Huldra outfit by Elvina Ewing
Hair:  Early in Brown by Elikatira
Skin:  Leah by Aida Ewing
Backpack:  Shroom Backpack with Gnome by Maena Tammas of Mae Fairy Tale

Location:  Calan Diva sim

Mushroom by Emily Dickinson

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom."
--Thomas Carlyle

Mushroom Delight by Kupula

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants --
At Evening, it is not --
At Morning, in a Truffled Hut
It stop upon a Spot

As if it tarried always
And yet its whole Career
Is shorter than a Snake's Delay
And fleeter than a Tare --

'Tis Vegetation's Juggler --
The Germ of Alibi --
Doth like a Bubble antedate
And like a Bubble, hie --

I feel as if the Grass was pleased
To have it intermit --
This surreptitious scion
Of Summer's circumspect.

Had Nature any supple Face
Or could she one contemn --
Had Nature an Apostate --
That Mushroom -- it is Him!

Zigana, Sea Salts by Xanna Ziskey


"I am...a mushroom on whom the dew of heaven drops now and then"
--John Ford, The Broken Heart (1633)

Mushroom Faerie by Tamzin Xigalia

Elven Realm's Enchanted

On bridge from the light to dark forest

Mushroom forest

Wow, I didn't realize it had been that long between posts! Alot of the reason for this is because I've been working on a new and exciting project :) I thought it was about time I share with everyone the fact I've recently acquired a new sim of my own in Second Life as it's something I've wanted to do for years. I've had all these ideas running around in my mind about what I want to do with it and have finally done it! I knew Andrek Lowell, a very talented environmental designer who also created Chakryn and Bentham Forest, was who I needed to make my ideas a reality (well a virtual reality). He just finished his part of the work and now I'm adding things here and there that need done. The new area is called Enchanted, and it's in the sim, Elven Realm. It's a beautiful, magical fantasy world incorporating realism with a touch of whimsy. The "purpose" of the region is to provide a refuge or sanctuary of sorts for the rare unicorn and other woodland animals. Also, a percentage of all donations to the sim will be given to the national animal rights advocacy group, Friends of Animals, so it's all about the forest fauna. I plan to have events and contests now and then, plus there is a Flickr page where people can post pictures taken in the sim. I've always had a love for fantasy art and am amazed daily by the talent of so many artists within Second Life. I'd like to make this the focus of alot of contests and recognition I plan to have within the sim.

The unicorn pasture right outside the cottage

A view of the castle tower

Sitting on a mushroom at the gathering spot

There are quite a few "can't miss" areas of the forest, but I want them to be a surprise as they are hidden all over the sim. The best way to explore is definitely on foot, or you are bound to miss something. Also, set your environment to midnight when you enter the dark forest. That's right, we have a dark forest, just in time for Halloween! There's also a mushroom forest, flower field, fae gathering spot, unicorn pasture, mermaid inlet, and candy cove plus MANY other fun places to discover.

Entrance to the dark forest

Colorful mermaid inlet

I don't want to tell you too much, because I think you need to discover it for yourself! I've added a few pictures to this post so you can get an idea of what the forest is like. I hope you'll come visit soon! Fae, fairy, elf, wizard, drow or human, I think you'll enjoy Enchanted to the fullest!

Clothes: Lianna by Kira Lavendel of MysticHope Designs

Skin: June 2 Raccoon 2 by Gala Phoenix of Curio

Elf Ears: Wilted Star Elf Ears by Kioko Kumaki of Panda Express

Hair: Tara Swedish Streaked by Truth Hawks of Truth

Our Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/enchantedelvenrealm/

Our blog site:
http://enchantedelvenrealm.blogspot.com/

The Jar

If I could capture all the enchantment of the forest in a jar,
Then I would open it and let it escape when needed near or far.


I wish I could collect the magic dust and bubbles that sparkle in the breeze, as they make their way in and around the tall, dark trees.

I wish I could pick the kaleidoscopic mushrooms that cover the forest floor,
So many shapes and sizes that glow and adorn.


I wish I could catch the tinkling sound of the fairy flying by,
And the bewitching voice of the mermaid’s lullaby.

I wish I could trap the beams from the twinkling stars and moon above,
Filtering through the wooded forest I love.


I wish I could contain the majestic power of the unicorn
As it stands peacefully on the river bank where it was born.


All the magic of the forest contained in a jar
Would have the power to captivate both near and far.

Clothes: Merenwen by Selina Forder of Elvenbreath
Boots: Ving boots in Black by Fallingwater Cellardoor of Shiny Things
Skin: April/Crocus 2 in Sundust Light by Gala Phoenix of Curio
Hair: Riley in Platinum by Truth Hawks of Truth

Location: Tol Narwa Vire and Jaded Wings

Elven Forest: Simply Beautiful With A Touch of Magic

I was in search of elven clothes and as I was looking, I ran across a listing for "Elven Forest" in SL search for Places. That "Teleport" button is just too easy to use, because of course I had to click it and explore as soon as possible. When I arrived, I was on a wooden deck with several booths around me full of little stores. Up ahead, I could see beautiful, tall, lush trees lining the forest that lay beyond. Forget the fact my original intention was to shop, and also forget the fact an SL "shopaholic" was surrounded by stores...I felt drawn to the dark and mysterious forest that relentlessly invited me to enter. I walked toward the border of trees, which had a sign out front, "Elven Forest". Everything was done right, from the forest trees to the font used on the sign to the pretty quaint lighting around the entrance. Without hesitation, I began my walk into the forest and there were so many brick trails, bridges and open grassland to discover, I didn't know where to start! Right after you walk in and then go straight to the center, there's a little social area where you can do a group dance, sit on a unicorn or a mushroom, and view a beautiful pond. It took me more than once to discover little hidden areas, like a cave behind a waterfall with poseballs and a little beach area past the forest and down a small trail. The area is full of private AND social areas with poseballs in abundance, so a fun place for friends or couples' romance. The areas consist of treehouses, little pools, castles, floating lotus flowers, caves, waterfalls, beaches, a watchtower, and many many more features. There's also a few different "up in the sky" areas you must check out. It's more fun to discover everything yourself, and well worth the visit. You must know that you can't fly from place to place, you have to walk. This is done for the sake of privacy for couples and to add to the exploring experience. They do have a great teleport system when you first arrive. Right before you get to the entrance among the trees, this teleporter lists every main area in Elven Forest. It's a large region, covering 2 sims, Blossom and Jaded Wings. Also, please be forewarned, this is an M-rated area and does allow nudity.

I won't tell anymore, I will let you discover the fascinating details! Overall, Elven Forest was created with love and care, full of class, beauty and magic.




Clothes: MysticHope Anfaela Brown by Kira Lavendel of MysticHope Designs
Skin: Curio/Lovely Obsidian in Sundust light by Gala Phoenix
Hair Top Picture: Sophie in Blonde by Angelcross Skinstad of Cross
Hair Second Picture: Audrey II in Fire Red by Jolie Femme of JolieFemme Designs
Hair Bottom Pictures: Bella III in White Beach Blonde by Jolie Femme of JolieFemme Designs
Elf Ears: Judas Afterthought
Jewelry: Pearl Drop tiara by Vivienne Daguerre
Boots: Gryphon by Eclipse Lykin of ED~Eclipse Clothing and Accessories
Location: Elven Forest in Blossom, created by Voy Sands