ULLABENULLA

Stork Dreams...

I'd Love A Swing In My Studio...

Image  link, via Old Flowers 4 Me.

Bird Whistle...

Did you know that there is a Whistle Museum?  Neither did I...  Isn't this little Victorian diecut mechanical bird Whistle adorable?  Something new to collect...

Paper Blossoms...

I love this paper flower installation created by Jo Lynn Alcorn for Maya Romanoff Wallpapers at Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2009.  Such wonderful whimsy and tactile materials to create a stunning wall treatment thats unique and one of a kind! 

HOPE...

“Hope is the dream of a soul awake.”

—French Proverb

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Sing, Dance, Smile - Its Sunday!

John's Enchanted Optical Illusions...

Spending a day with John McRae at the CASTLE is always like taking a bath in creative inspiration.  Ideas and images get tossed across the shop, as we chat about new finds, discoveries and directions!  Yesterday was no exception!  John ALWAYS has something new up his sleeves!  Here he is with one of his magical 'Optical Illusion Spring Tableau's', a truly enchanting Victorian style handheld folly, made from a convex mirror, miniature trees and foliage, dresden, and an antique handle.  Look within - at the mirror -  and you are immediately transported into a three dimensional illusion of a springtime tableau!  Magic as only John can do!!!

 

Paper Pinwheels!

I'll be working with John McRae at the CASTLE today and on Monday!  If you are in town, come by and say Hello!!!  I've been wanting to share John's Paper Pinwheels for a while now, so today seems appropriate.  This is also a great post on how one artists mind works - namely Johns!  

John came to my house a few months ago, and admired my hand-tinted 'French Merchant' prints that I have hanging in my hallway.  One in particular caught his eye immediately.  Called 'Merchande de Moulins a vent' (Windmill Merchant) by Carle Vernet, it shows an older woman with a basket full of wonderful toy pinwheels. See image below.

Let me tell you, I've had this print hanging in my home for over two years and not once did I think to take direct inspiration from it.  John did!!!  A couple of weeks after his visit, not only had he recreated the pinwheels in the print, but he come up with a few of his own designs, and created a class out of them!  Combining juicy papers, Dresden, wooden sticks, and cotton batting dolls John's Whirling Wonders would be perfect for any party!  

If you'd like to make your own Paper Pinwheels, John's class will be held on Saturday May 30th, from 11:00 to 5:00.  (Call 510-204-9801 to reserve a spot!)

  

Mica Disguises!

My good friend and fellow blogger Florizel featured this delightful 17th Century Dutch - handpainted on copper - miniature in a leather locket recently, and I just had to share it here.  What makes this locket extra special is that inside are numerous hand painted 'disguises' on Mica, so that the fashionable young lady can be shown 'transformed' as the wearer desires!  I think this piece is amazingly inspirational and would love to try something similar as a reliquary!

 

Birdcage Fashion!

This has to be the ultimate Fancy Dress Costume that I have seen yet!  Kasey McMahon of Southern California has created a 'Birdcage Dress' that really works!  She even has a link on her Websight on how to create your own Birdcage Dress in 25 steps!  Don't miss some of her other clever projects to be found Here!   Gives a whole new meaning to having songs at your feet!!!

Ethereal Blues...

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Castle Reliquary Class...

Seven delightful women joined me this past weekend in creating one of a kind Reliquaries at the Castle!  I think they all did a marvelous job of creating unique and very personal pieces.  Bravo Girls!

Fairy Tale Couture From Russia...

From Russia with love...  Slava Zaitsev creates exquisite Haute Couture straight out of a Russian Fairy Tale!  In his 70's, Slava is known as the 'Red Dior'.  In honor of the 100 year anniversary of Sergey Dyagilev's Seasons in Pairs, Slava's designs this year hark back to the world famous Ballets Russes, that kept Paris on its toes in the beginning of the 20th century.  His extravagant use of braids and ribbons, and rich jewel toned colors make me think of Russian Princesses eagerly waiting to dance in the cold chilly moonlight!  DREAMY!!!

More Images HERE.  Via Wearable Art Blog

Dreaming Spires...

Everyone could use a place to escape to now and then...  I would love one of these Dreaming Spires Playhouses to call my own!  Handmade in England by Judith Needham, from natural english willow, this is surely the most whimsical creation of 'Green Architecture' I have seen yet!  Tempted???  You can purchase one for yourself on Etsy Here.  If traveling is more in line with your daydreams, perhaps a Rocket Playhouse is what you need...  Either would keep me quite happy!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Cupcake Ruffles and Lovers Eyes!

The ever creative and multi-talented Darla Teagarden sent me these wonderful photos of her 'Lovers Eye' Cupcake Ruffle Dress, with a beautiful glittered mask!  The combination of lace, eyes, glitter and style is truly stunning!  Bravo Darla!

To see more of Darla's amazing work check out her MySpace Page HERE!

Reliquary Class At The Castle This Weekend!

I am truly thrilled to have another full class at the CASTLE  this weekend - my ever popular 'Reliquary Class'! Yesterday I made a few new samples for the class, inspired by Antique Reliquaries.  As always its the little bits and pieces that make them special...

Sizes vary from two inches to two and a half inches.

This round reliquary has a wonderful vintage 'flaming heart' as the centerpiece.  The spines are actually porcupine quills that I've had for some time, and not known what to use them for...  The Music paper is old French and the quote from a vintage love poem.

I've had a tiny bag of 'Mouse Skeleton' bones laying around for years, and finally decided to use the ribs in this piece.  Beautiful Dresden bits surround the bones, and found words give them provenance.  The background is old wrinkled red silk.

This one started with the black sequin net on red background.  The cross is cut from a antique piece of ecclestastical silver ribbon and overlayed with a brass finding, with a old watch wheel at the bottom.  I adore the little silvered glass fish - tiny antique beads from my stash.  The quote is from an old found poem.

You can't see the background on this one, but its real butterfly wings!  Gold Bouillon, Dresden, quilling and a vintage cameo make this reliquary special.  Butterflies are the symbol of the soul, and here also dreams...  

Pagoda Birdhouse Class - ZNE $85.00 SPECIAL!

ZNE CONVENZIONE has decided to offer my Pagoda Birdhouse Class, on Thursday April 30th, in Pleasanton, California for a BARGAIN PRICE of  $85.00 for the day, including lunch!  (A  $100.00 savings over the original one day class pass)  This is a super price for what should be a wonderful class!  I hope some of you can make it!!!   

To Register, Contact ZNE and add your class HERE and mention the ULLA SPECIAL!

DESCRIPTION:

This paper carousel looks like it came straight out of a fairytale!  Inspired by 'The Emperor and the Nightingale', it features a lovely pagoda shaped roof, a flock of birds any ornithologist would envy and a lazy susan base - so that it can turn just like a real carousel!  In class you will learn the basics of creating a 3/d paper theatre while working with a variety of papers and trims.  (14 inch by 18 inch)

David, Paul and a few Chicks!

Its been a while since I have posted about David and Paul and their Old Pretenders. Firstly, Paul's 'Chick Invasion' made me smile!!!  Ever wonder where all those little chicks travel to after Easter?  Well, here's a good guess!  (Click on Photos for better views!)

Now for a few photos of Loveliness!  I have always adored the idea of a 'Dolls Doll'. How about a 'Dolls, Dolls, Doll'?  Just look...

How small can they go?  The 'Dolls, Dolls, Doll' in the second photo is less then 1 inch tall!  WOW!!!  I can't even imagine what kind of glasses were needed to create this treasure!!!

Here is another beauty I adore...  There is something truly delightful in her 'raggy-ness' and worn clothing.  Not that I don't adore David and Pauls costuming skills, I just find the simplicity of this little maidens clothing makes her 'Dolliness' shine through...  She is one of my very favorites of their creations so far!!!

And here is one of their very latest, dressed in a beautiful antique Paisley!  She makes me want to invest in  Mouches big time!!!

Next is a wonderful and unusual 'Black' Old Pretender.  She gives an entirely different perspective to these delightful dolls!  Just look at those teeth too!

Last but not least, and just for fun, here is a Punch and Judy set (plus a little devil!) created by David - a fews years back...  Their skills truly know no bounds!

ENJOY!!!

Easter Bouquet For You!

These glorious flowers are by Sarah of  Saipua in Brooklyn, NY.  Truly her flowers make me want to be a butterfly - flitting to and fro, kissing petals as I go, and dreaming of summer to come...  Don't miss her Blog, a visual feast for the eyes! Happy Easter Everyone!

      

Hungarian folklore... How Easter Eggs Become Colored!

Ever wonder how Easter Eggs become colored???  Click HERE to read the magical tale!!!