ULLABENULLA

Paperbox Memories...

My Godfather, who just happens to be my favorite uncle, just sent me this delightful photo of me when I was about four or so in Denmark.  I had very few toys back then, living a gypsy lifestyle, so joy was found in the simplest of things! He remembers, as I do, the total delight and bliss I had playing in big paper boxes - how I long for those days again...

January Fairytale...

Life has been so full lately that time seems to blur... How I wish I could step into a fairytale and believe that everything ends good...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

(A few more images from the shop...)

Christmas At The Castle!

The Castle elves have been busy as ever this year, and the Castle is now wearing its full Holiday Regalia!  Do come and visit us...  (more photos soon)

Haunted Skeleton Nichos...

Here are the class samples for next Wednesdays (October 19, 2011) "Haunted Skeleton Nicho" class.  I was inspired by my own antique Mexican Nicho (see last photo).  These are constructed from old cigar boxes, layered with wonderful papers that the Castle is known for.  The inside will feature a dressed skeleton and waxed flowers.  There are still a few spots left, if you are interested, please call (510) 204-9801 for more information or to reserve a spot.  

 

Grimoire Of Grace...

I've started a new tumbler account filled with the little things that give us joy.  Called 'Grimoire of Grace' I hope its magic filled pages will inspire simple pleasures in your day to day...

Click HERE to see more.

More IPhone Love...

IPhone Love...

Who knew a phone could be so addictive???  I've been playing with 'Hipstamatic' and 'Instagram' on my Iphone.  But the best $1.99 I've spent in a long long time has been on '8mm' a video app that lets you film in a look reminiscent of the 1920's... Now to figure out how to load it onto a computer...

Sunday Smiles!

A Few More Masks...

A few more masks that I've been creating.  Fanciful fish and a gruff old goat!

What Owls Like...

I was thrilled to hear that one of my customers, after purchasing one of my owl masks, wrote a little poem and posted it on You Tube!  Thank you Margie!!!  You and Owl are truly delightful!

Dragon Familiar at Healdsburg Center For The Arts

I've been invited to participate in a group textile show at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, June 29th thru August 1st, 2011.  Along with my textile masks and jewelry, I will also be showing this 'Dragon Familiar Wrap' at the show.  I've always loved the idea of having a pet dragon that one keeps wraps around ones neck.  This one has scales of flame bubbled polyester, and bright pink silk wings. His face is created from a multitude of textiles, fur, felt balls and sequins. Although ferocious looking, he is actually quite friendly!

Kitchen Santos

I'm afraid I have not been a very reliable blogger lately.  My apologies...  Life has been filled with a variety of  obligations, and blogging has had to take a backseat. Despite, or perhaps due to the full schedule, my creative juices have been flowing like crazy!  Recently I had the pleasure of taking John McRae's 'Santos' class, at the Castle.  Using wonderful composition German creche figures, cotton batting, and delicate wood pieces we constructed our own personal Santos figures.  I decided to make mine with a kitchen theme.  First I designed a center reliquary with tiny clay vegetables and cutlery.  Then I added my collection of mexican kitchenware onto her wooden brackets.   Bronze numbers, representing times of the day that we eat, are on her waistline.  She holds 2 delightful vintage 'cakes' made of wax, offering her bounty to all who enter our little kitchen.  I've wrapped her head in vintage velvet, but hope to someday find a small demitasse teacup to top her head.  She sits quietly on a ornate shelf, welcoming all who enter...

 

New Summer Classes Online Now!

I have added a few more Summer Class offerings to my sidebar on the right.  Press on each for more details. Above is my 'Sacred Heart Reliquary' offered on June 4th.  Below is my 'Costume in Miniature' sample for July 17th.  I'm thrilled to be teaching at both Castle In The Air and Chateau Sonoma this year.  Hope to see you there!

Mask Class At The Castle...

Yesterday I taught my 'Fabric Mask Class' at the Castle!  This class is so satisfying, as everyone goes home with a finished mask (some with 2)  and its always a treat for me to see what students come up with, when using my patterns.  The mask above is my Krampus pattern, but oh how wonderful the transformation! Below are a couple of 'Firebirds, a horned 'Greenman', 'Jackfrost' taking a Carnival twist, and a new student designed and created 'Tiger'!  Bravo!!!

 

Waxed Flowers On Etsy!

I've just added a few Waxed Flowers to my Etsy Shop, and hope to add more very soon!  Enjoy!!!

Woven Heart And Hand Valentine Tutorial...

I've had a number of requests for my 'Woven Heart And Hand Valentine' so I've decided to create a mini tutorial on how you can make your own.  My Mother taught me this technique when I was a little girl, and its always been a favorite of mine.

Step1:

With a pencil, trace your hand (from wrist to wrist) onto the back of a decorative paper .  I've used old sheet music.  Refine the lines, by straightening them - making elegant fingers.

Step2:

Flair out your tracing at wrists on both sides - creating cuffs.

Step3:

With scissors, cut out hand and cuff.

Step4:

Using decorative scissors (I used a small scallop) cut a curved end where cuff will be.

Step5:

Now cut out a heart from a pretty red decorative paper.  I've used a handmade Italian Marbled paper from the Castle.  Make sure your heart fits into the palm of your papercut hand.

Step6:

Gently fold hand in half lenghwise, without creating too hard of a crease.

Step7:

Fold heart in half as well, matching lobes.

Step8:

Now place folded heart over folded hand, so that the heart lies upside down in the center of your hand palm as shown.  Make sure folds are tight together.

Step9:

Holding your heart and hand together, cut 5 slits into both layers, making slits equal distant apart and equal distant in length, and slanted up towards heart curves.   Be careful not to cut slits beyond hand papercut.  I like to start with the center slit and then cut slits above and below.

Step10:

Pull heart from hand and turn so that the hand and heart are facing upwards together.  Place heart on top of hand, and gently slip each cut notch of heart into cut notches of hand.

Step11:

Now gently push down on each tip (starting from top) so that another heart layer shows through.

Weaving will vary depending on length and width of your cuts.  Try a heart with more than 5 cuts for extra complexity!  Hint:  odd number of cuts will always give a pretty end result.

Step12:

Finish off your hand by adding a crepe-paper or doily cuff on the end.

Sign the back and send to your Valentine!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Folkart Valentines at the Castle!

Five lovely women joined me in creating Pennsylvania Dutch inspired Folkart Valentines yesterday at the Castle.  Quiet as mice, they cut and painted truly lovely romantic artwork!

Perfecting Violets...

Over the weekend I made these tiny little 'waxed' white violets, following a pattern from a vintage crepe paper flower book. (they are stuffed into a vintage salt shaker)  I was mighty proud of myself, and thought they looked lovely.  Later that day, while walking the dog, I found some real white violets growing in our neighborhood and picked a small bouquet to bring home.  To my dismay, my crepe paper bouquet suddenly looked clumsy, thick stemed and awkward next to the real thing.

So today I decided to try again.  I trimmed my patterns, twisted in spots where I hadn't previously, and used thinner wires.  I know I will never achieve perfection, but I do think I'm closer to the real thing now. Lesson learned - patterns are good, but real flowers are better!