girl

by Bill Tiepelman

The Girl, the Cat, and the Garden that Didn’t Exist Yesterday

Once upon a Thursday that was supposed to be like any other, Lydia—a small, curious girl with an affinity for rose-patterned dresses and grand adventures—wandered into her backyard to find something that had definitely not been there the day before: a sprawling, enchanted garden. There were plants she didn’t recognize, which was odd because Lydia considered herself something of a garden expert. Enormous blooms the size of dinner plates arched over winding wooden paths, their petals shimmering in impossible shades of indigo, coral, and bright peach. Vines coiled up ancient trees as if they were knitting a tapestry, and the air smelled like honey and cinnamon, though it was probably just the same backyard where the neighbors’ dog liked to dig up their lawn. Perched beside her was her fluffy, slightly sarcastic Maine Coon, Maximilian von Purrington. Max had been named by Lydia’s grandmother, who claimed that cats with long names developed character, and Lydia figured it was true since Max had a personality that could fill the house. His ginger fur glowed almost theatrically in the soft light filtering down through the foliage, and he sat with his tail wrapped around his paws, regarding the garden with a mixture of surprise and mild disapproval. He preferred the indoors—where snacks were abundant, and the risk of strange vegetation was minimal. “Did you do this?” Lydia whispered, already certain the garden was hiding secrets she had yet to uncover. Max glanced up at her, narrowing his green eyes with the world-weary expression of a cat who’s used to humoring humans. “I think we both know I’m not one for horticulture,” he replied, his voice dripping with the kind of dry British accent Lydia imagined for him. In truth, Max didn’t speak, but Lydia’s imagination filled in the gaps. “And don’t even think about eating anything here. If the mushrooms have eyes, we turn around.” But Lydia was already dashing down the first winding path, lace skirt swirling around her legs, her hair bouncing as she leaped over roots that seemed to pulse with life. Max, torn between his loyalty and his reluctance to enter the garden, followed with a resigned sigh. The Garden’s Secret The deeper they wandered, the more peculiar the garden became. There were flowers that seemed to rearrange themselves whenever Lydia wasn’t looking, and plants that shivered and withdrew as Max approached, as though intimidated by his casual haughtiness. Lydia laughed and twirled, delighting in every strange and marvelous sight, while Max muttered under his breath about “botanical nonsense” and “humans and their foolishness.” Then they reached a clearing where a massive, intricately carved wooden door stood alone, leading to nothing in particular. Painted on its surface in delicate script were the words: “For Those Who Are Lost or Simply Bored.” “Oh! We should go through it!” Lydia declared. “Or,” Max drawled, stretching his paws delicately, “we could turn back. I hear the sofa is nice and warm this time of day.” But before he could protest further, Lydia had pushed open the door, and they stepped through. A Dance with the Toads On the other side of the door, they found themselves in an even stranger garden. The path beneath them was not dirt or wood but soft, thick clouds that cushioned each step, and the plants here were even more absurd than before. Bright purple mushrooms sprouted on floating rocks, and enormous, puffy plants with pastel fur swayed in time to music that seemed to drift out of nowhere. “Are we floating?” Max asked, somewhat distressed. “I’m a cat, Lydia. I’m supposed to stay close to the ground. Gravity is part of my brand.” Lydia barely heard him. She was already darting toward a cluster of flowers with gleaming petals that looked like stained glass. Behind the flowers, a signpost read: “LEFT: A Friendly Ogre with Free Lemonade. RIGHT: Beware of Tap-Dancing Toads.” Lydia, being a logical child, decided that free lemonade was an opportunity not to be missed, so she veered left, with Max reluctantly padding along behind her. Sure enough, they soon encountered a friendly ogre sitting in a large, comfy armchair, looking surprisingly domestic. He wore glasses, had a nose ring, and held a jug of lemonade in one hand. As they approached, he grinned and offered them each a cup (Lydia gladly accepted, Max sniffed his cup suspiciously). “Lovely day in the garden, isn’t it?” said the ogre, whose name turned out to be Gerald. “Oh, I wouldn’t go past the river, though—wild blueberry bushes with quite an attitude over there.” “Oh, thank you, Gerald!” Lydia said, delighted at having found a friend. “Do you live here?” “Oh, I wouldn’t say I live here,” Gerald replied mysteriously, peering over his glasses. “It’s just where I go on Thursdays. Fridays I’m more of a mountain troll, if you catch my drift.” He winked. After a few more sips of lemonade, Lydia and Max thanked Gerald and set off once more, waving goodbye as he returned to his magazine, which appeared to be titled “Ogrely Affairs.” The Journey Home Hours—or maybe only minutes—later, Lydia and Max finally retraced their steps back to the lone door in the garden. They slipped through it and emerged once more into Lydia’s perfectly normal backyard. The enchanted garden was gone, replaced by the usual bushes, a patchy lawn, and that neighbor’s dog who was barking at a pigeon. As they stepped inside the house, Max immediately sprawled out on the nearest rug with a sigh, as if he had been on some terribly arduous journey. “What do you think it all meant?” Lydia asked, glancing back at the garden, as if hoping it might reappear. Max gave her an inscrutable look. “Some things, Lydia, are better left unexplained. Like that ogre’s lemonade recipe.” They never spoke of the garden again, but every Thursday, like clockwork, Lydia would check the backyard, just in case the door returned. And though he’d never admit it, Max always checked too.    Bring the Magic Home If you loved Lydia and Max's enchanting adventure through the mystical garden, you can keep a piece of that magic in your own space. Explore our Mystical Gardens and Childhood Dreams collection, featuring whimsical designs by Bill and Linda Tiepelman that capture the story’s dreamy spirit. From cozy throws to charming accessories, these items are perfect for adding a touch of wonder to your day-to-day life. Tapestry – Transform any room into a fairytale escape with this beautiful tapestry. Throw Pillow – Add a splash of magic to your sofa or reading nook with this cozy throw pillow. Tote Bag – Carry a piece of the enchanted garden with you wherever you go! Pouch – Keep your essentials close with this charming pouch, perfect for daily adventures. Each piece in this collection is designed to bring a smile and a touch of whimsy into your life. Take a bit of the garden’s magic with you, and let your imagination roam!

by Bill Tiepelman

Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary

In a forgotten corner of the world where the whispers of nature still roam free, there existed a grove untouched by time’s relentless march. It was in this very grove that a peculiar yet heartwarming friendship blossomed. Iona, a girl with curls the color of twilight shadows, and Bramble, a Highland cow with fur like spun gold, met under the fractal canopy that danced with the colors of dreams. The grove was a secret place where the flowers whispered and the trees told tales of old. Iona, wearing her favorite dress—a tapestry of pink roses on white—would visit daily. Her arrival was always heralded by a chorus of birdsong and the soft shuffling of Bramble’s hooves on the rich, earthen floor. She brought with her a single rose, each day a different hue, which she would offer to Bramble with a smile that mirrored the innocence of dawn. They would sit together, girl and beast, speaking in the silent language of shared glances and soft touches. Around them, the grove hummed with the magic that fueled its eternal bloom. Here, in this fractal-infused haven, Iona found solace from the world beyond, a world that sometimes forgot the meanings of magic and wonder. And Bramble, in her silent wisdom, found companionship that bridged the gap between the wilds of the grove and the heart of a child. One day, as the sun dipped low and painted the sky in shades of fiery orange and soft lavender, Iona and Bramble settled into their ritual of serene companionship. Iona had brought with her a rose of the softest pink, its petals still beaded with morning dew, and as she nestled against Bramble’s warm side, the grove seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the moment that always followed—the telling of tales. Whispers and Wonders As the grove's luminescence began to weave its nightly spell, Iona recounted tales of the ancient ones, the guardians of the grove whose whispers could be heard in the rustling leaves and the babbling brook. Bramble listened, her gentle eyes reflecting a wisdom as old as the stars dappling the twilight above. Each story Iona told was a thread in the fabric of their connection, a bond as deep as the roots of the elder tree under which they sat. On this particular twilight, Iona's story was about the Fractal Fairy, a guardian said to paint the sky with dreams and hold the secrets of the universe in her dance. As the tale unfolded, the fractals in the sky above them shimmered more brightly, as if in approval of the child's words. Iona's voice was soft, yet it carried the weight of belief, imbuing the air around them with a sense of anticipation and enchantment. With the end of the story, a hushed silence fell upon the grove. It was then that the impossible happened—the air itself began to quiver, and a soft glow emanated from the fractals above. The Fractal Fairy, drawn by the purity of Iona's belief and the sincerity of their friendship, appeared before them. Her form was a tapestry of light, ever-shifting, her wings a kaleidoscope of color casting a gentle glow upon Iona and Bramble. The Fractal Fairy spoke in a voice like the wind through leaves, "In this grove, the heart’s true wishes are heard. Speak, child, and friend of the wild, for your bond has earned you a single boon." Iona, with eyes wide with wonder, looked to Bramble, knowing that this wish was not hers alone to make. Together, they whispered their wish to the Fractal Fairy. It was a simple wish, one that echoed the purity of their hearts—a wish for the grove and its magic to thrive, for the dance of life and dreams to continue, unfettered and free, as a sanctuary for all time. The fairy smiled, and as she vanished into the night, her laughter lingered like the final note of a lullaby. The grove glowed brighter, the magic stronger, and in the heart of the grove, the friendship of Iona and Bramble flourished, a testament to the beauty and power of serene companionship in this surreal sanctuary.     The Magic Continues: Exclusive Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Collection As the tale of Iona and Bramble reaches its heartwarming conclusion, the enchantment need not end. You can carry the essence of their serene companionship with you through our exclusive Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary collection. Immerse yourself in the magical grove with items that capture the spirit of their story. Adorn your walls with the whispers of the enchanted grove by bringing home the Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Poster. Let the tranquility and beauty of this unique friendship fill your space, reminding you of the serene moments that life has to offer. For a touch of whimsy on the go, the Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Stickers are perfect for personalizing your belongings and sharing the story's magic with the world around you. Experience the comfort and allure of the grove in your own home with the Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Tapestry, a piece that weaves the fantastical hues of Iona and Bramble's sanctuary into a fabric of daily inspiration. Capture your own stories and dreams in the Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Spiral Notebook. Each page holds the potential for new tales, sketches, and musings inspired by the grove's eternal magic. Carry the essence of Iona and Bramble's connection with you every day with the stylish and sustainable Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary Tote Bag. It’s perfect for those who cherish a blend of artistry and practicality. Each item in our collection is a portal back to the serene grove, a way to keep the story alive and close to your heart. Explore the collection today and let the tranquility of Serenity in a Surreal Sanctuary be a part of your world.