My dear friends, 

Oh, my word! Would you mind indulging me for a few minutes, while I spout off at the mouth? I happened upon my old, (as that crust that's on the bottom of that tray, that slides out from your toaster) blog. I should probably archive that blog, and put it out if its misery. Trust me. It's for your own good and mine, too. But, honestly, I will say that after reading it from beginning to end- minus the writing typos- I AM a good writer. I must admit it, and funny, too. I think, anyway.

Maybe, that's been my dilemma with my blog, as of late-I've not written with much surrealism. Not because I don't enjoy a little surrealism; because I do. You wanna know the truth of it?

{I DON'T KNOW HOW TO WRITE IT OUT GRAMMATICALLY!} There, I said it.

Dear, baby Jesus; WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?

That's who I am in real life; so, maybe I should be myself and just write as I speak. I remember years ago on the blog, (Pioneer Woman), she gave her blogging secrets; and one thing she said was: write like you're speaking to your sister, unless, you don't like your sister, or you don't have a sister. I thought that was great advice, even though; I don't have a sister. Out of the mouths of blogging babes. 

Basically, she's saying, speak as you do in real life. I still remember her saying that, and that was like, a billion years ago.

I do use words like lackadaisical and forlorn, just because; I really love words. Always have. Always will. I write a new word on the fridge every week, and the gardener and I try to use it as much as possible. I used to do this when I homeschooled my children, too.

I'm talking about the blog, again, now.

The saddest part is that I didn't keep going with my blogging. I could kick myself for that; but, I can't live in regrets. I'm actually hoping that my writing skills are just like my mermaid skills. I could leave swimming for 20 years and still swim 4 football fields in 11 minutes top. Trust me, I can do that. Just recently, in fact.

I got skills with mermaid gills. Woot, Woot!

Hold the phone; while I pat myself on the back, in a BRAGGADOCIOUS fashion {I told you this already, I like big words and I can not lie}!

Onto other fragments of my brain.

I have a question to ask of you.

I wrote the first chapter of the BG {Beloved Gardeners} and my (or wait- is it me, instead of my) love story. I'm confused. Oh, Grammerlyyyyy, where art thou? {Big yellow alert circle, stating I have a misplaced word, I see you over there.}

Wanna read it? That is. The love story.

About me and my gardener? Huh, huh, do ya? 

I was thinking to ask you, how should I title it? I was planning to write you a chapter a week, on top of my regular scheduled posts.

It's mostly for you darling folks that don't give a rip about my pearls of wisdom but, prefer a little love story.

Do you enjoy a good story, about love; especially, in the summertime? I know, I do. 

Anywho... What I thought I could do was to list a few options, and you name the series or chronicles for me. Would you do that?

Are you game, friends? Let me know in the comments; and I will think of, say- 3 choices? I could then do a little painting give~away, too. That might be fun. Whadda ya think?

Also, just wanted to share with you some little pre-painted pieces I'm working on. If you see something that you think you might like to have, let me know. I'll post them tomorrow fully painted. mm...kay? 

Most affably yours til' my next swim, Raquelxxx

My Fountain Runneth Over {And Little Women/ Mermaidling Paintings Update}

My dear friends,

What a week this has been. I would indeed love to flourish you with dainty words and happy thoughts, for I have had an epiphany! I have been taken up for the last few weeks, through some deep and consistent meditation, and I feel ready for many new adventures. I feel a new lease on life, dear friends.

The summer days are upon us; I am as bright~eyed and bushy-tailed as they come.

I feel excited about the new ideas I have for my blog's future, authorship and my artistry. I am hoping to receive many more commissions for my Little Women/ Mermaidling paintings. I really miss the happy days of waking up, throwing the covers, and walking to my treasure room for the day of splashing paints about and rabbit undertow. The sounds of Debussy on the gramophone and the cool breeze blowing through the lace curtains. Is there anything more magical? I don't believe so. A sweet friend of mine sent me a message about painting little commissioned place cards and menu sheets. She said she would gladly pay for them, as she has many dinner parties. A pretty little place card would be such a delight at each plate. It reminded me of my dear, Beatrix Potter. Painting greeting cards and place cards are just how she began her career, too.

I wrote about my little commission pieces a few moons ago, but I was a bit lackadaisical in my efforts of promotion. I shall improve, indeed.

If you are curious about my paintings; below is a description of what I do to make each painting. I used to be on Etsy, which I may be for a bit longer; however, my new website will have an e~commerce store called; The Mer~Cantile. Its a little play on words for mermaid + mercantile, such as the Victorian days. Isn't it delightful? I used to have a little craft booth in the year 2000 with the same name. I sewed and made all of my items from yo-yos. Do you recall the yo-yo? It is such a sweet form of quilting. I should like to make a quilt for my sleeping room. It's very time consuming, but I love it ever so much. Have you ever made anything from yo-yos?

Little Women/ Mermaidlings 

An original custom Mermaidlings/Little Woman illustration is 4" x 6". Each little painting is in sepia ink and painted with watercolours. I infuse the paper with aged seaweed, flower tinctures and floral notes; that I've personally created from my garden here at Staffordshire Cottage. My water has been charged with crystals of rose quartz and moonstone. I believe that sending my paintings into the universe with a little magic adds a touch of love to all those that purchase my art.  Each painting is $20.00 sand dollars. My paintings have begun to have more detailing, and with the extra details, I have decided to add on a dollar per detail/pet. So, for instance, if you'd like a pet added, that will be an additional dollar.

Each painting comes with a hand-selected shell; that I have collected from years of beachcombing.

I am looking forward to painting for you. Last year, I had the opportunity to paint Christmas cards, addressing them with calligraphy and wax seals. They were exquisite and so beautiful, with the little added touches of gold leaf, they turned out beautiful. Another idea is to memorialise your pets. I have done many of those; they seem to be a real pleaser.

Send me your request by emailing me at Raquel@Raquelcarter.com
and I shall have a whale of a time painting for you!

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

How A Mermaid Writes And Illustrates A Storybook

My dear friends, 

Well, I've done it! You may have noticed that in a bid to become the world's most popular blog consisting of the words Victorian and mermaid, I managed to go through my posts and rename them- at nausea! I'm well aware, it may seem like a bit much. However, I am always, a bit much, and you know this about me already.