ULLABENULLA

Fairy Tale Altered Books at the Castle!

Saturday was spent teaching 'Fairy Tale Altered Books' at the CASTLE to 8 wonderful women! A variety of tales were created and embellished, and good times were had by all!!!

Carousels and Spring Theatre's at The Castle!

Playing a little catch up here; last week I taught my Woodland Carousel at the Castle! Although everyone used the same images, each turned out slightly different. We had a wonderful time brain-storming ideas for future carousel's! So of course I was thrilled when one of my students came back this week with her own personal version - a true vintage circus animal carousel!!! Wow! My mind is spinning now! Fabulous job Ingrid!!!

This weekend, I taught a Spring Theme Paper Theatre class, and results were poetically beautiful! Look closely and you'll see: fair maidens dancing in the mist, children swinging on a rabbit swing, an enchanted garden beyond the gates, and a wonderful ode to the cherry blossom festival! BRAVO!!!

'Fairy Coaches' Class At The Castle

A parade of beautiful FAIRY COACHES were created this weekend at the CASTLE! I love the sense of imagination the students showed. Wouldn't you just love to ride in one of these magical coaches??? WONDERFUL!!!

ABC's of Altered Books At The Castle

I had five lovely ladies join me for the 'ABC's of Altered Books' at the CASTLE this last weekend! They were a quietly focused group who accomplished all kinds of wonderful pages! Just take a look!!!

Soldered Jewelry at The Castle!

I had 8 students this last weekend learning how to Solder Jewelry at the CASTLE! They were a productive and creative group as you can see by these photos! Unfortunately the sun was playing games with my camera so I had trouble getting true to life images, but I hope you get the idea... FABULOUS WORK GIRLS!!!

Paper Carousel Class Sample!

Here is my sample for the upcoming CASTLE class PAPER CAROUSEL, to be held Monday April 14th! Students will create a 'Woodland Animal Carousel' that spins on a 'lazy susan'. I've used some fabulous vintage hand-colored animal prints that came from Germany, as well as a combination of other paper-theatre images, gold dresden and green metallic crepe paper. The little gold saddles are actually dresden crowns - turned upside down! This should be a wonderful class, and I am already thinking of other 'themes' to use for future Carousel's!!!

For initial inspiration I found this wonderful 'Paper Circus' print-out online! As easy as it looks, it still took me about 2 1/2 hours to cut and assemble, and I didn't like how the spinning interior functions. Great idea, but hard to make it look good. (I'd recommend stiffening all your paper before you cut the pieces out.) Still, if you want to make your own 'Paper Carousel' and can't take my class, THIS is a fun one to try!

Students Share!!!

I am always thrilled when my students come back to take my classes. But even more thrilling is when they bring in pieces they have created, inspired by past classes, to share with me! Valentines class weekend was no exception, with two of my returning students bringing in wonderful eye-candy!!! The first photo is a wonderful 'window box' paper theatre created by Ingrid of 'An Original by Ingrid' on Etsy. Ingrid has been a student of mine for a few years now, and I've delighted in watching her grow artistically! Her work has been showcased in Somerset Magazines a number of times, and she now sells not only on Etsy but to shops throughout the Bay Area. I love what she created here, a romantic garden scene, with a moss lined path, birds in the trees and music in the air!!!

Nancy, whose work is shown in the next 2 photos, has also been a student of mine, as well as a thoughtful friend and confidant, for a couple of years. She brought in this beautiful 'Japanese' box that she created as a christmas gift. She 'photo-shopped' a variety of images and text to perfection. I absolutely love the inside, with its bold black, white and red text and sweet little Japanese angel!!!

As luck would have it, these two talents spent last weekend side by side while taking my Valentines class at the CASTLE, thats Nancy on the left and Ingrid on the right. They also gifted me with wonderful handmade Valentines - showing how true to heart they both are, with sweet crowned angels as a card from Nancy, and a sachet from Ingrid! THANK YOU and BRAVO GIRLS!!!

Playing Catch-up and Weekend Class Photos...

Have no fear, I do read each and every one of your comments and emails! However, responding in a timely fashion is NOT my forte! So today, is another day of 'playing catch-up'. Like many artists, I have a bit of a haphazard way with correspondence, answering some immediately and others months later. Don't take it personally, there truly is no rhyme or reason...! It has taken me a while not to go in shock when I wake in the morning and find 40 emails waiting for me... If you are in my cue, you should hear from me soon...!

The weekend was spent in a flurry of Valentine's classes. Saturday creating paper Valentines and Sunday Valentines boxes. Interestingly the PUZZLE PURSE ended up being the most challenging so I've decided to share my LINK with all of you. I don't think I'll teach it again, but I love the concept and hope some of you will try to make your own... Here are some photos of a few of the other Valentine treasures my students made this weekend at the CASTLE! ENJOY!!!

Castle Valentines Classes!

I will be teaching 2 Valentines classes at the Castle in February. The first, VICTORIAN VALENTINES will be on Feb. 9th, 11:00 to 5:00, $95.00. We will create 'Woven Heart and Hand' valentines like the one above; a 'Folded Puzzle' valentine that slowly opens up to reveal a message within; a 'Cobweb' valentine, that you can pull and see a surprise; as well as embellished valentines. This should be a fabulous class!!!

The second class I will be teaching is 'VICTORIAN CANDY BOXES' on Feb. 10th, 11:00 to 5:00, $95.00. In this class we will create a variety of small paper boxes that can hold candy or other goodies. Included will be a sweet little 'Purse Box'; a delightful 'Heart Box' and an embellished 'Cone Box'. As with all Castle In The Air classes all materials are provided. Phone 510-204-9801 to sign up or for more information!

Mini Christmas Theatres at the Castle!

Last Tuesday I taught my last Class before Christmas at the Castle. I will be teaching classes over the Winter in my studio - so stay tuned! Five lovely ladies joined me in creating little christmas theatres in papermache pinecones, snowballs and bells. Each theatre is about 4 to 6 inches tall, small in size but huge in whimsy!!!