Here are a couple more 'Sweetheart Pincushions' that I made, and now at the Castle, these with a definite Pirate theme! And on another watery note, I forgot to post my Christmas Ornament Exchange Ornament, so here it is... A bright pink 'Lobster Gnome' - complete with sea-gifts on top! Not too many of these out there...
Enjoy!
'
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)
Saturday was a very special day for one of the resident Castle Princesses. To mark the occassion I was asked to create a 'Chariot pulled by Butterflies with a Fairy inside' class for this 9 year olds Birthday party. (A students finished chariot is shown above) Its been a few years since I taught 9 year olds, and I had forgotten how attentive and focused they can be! They were as quiet as mice for the first half hour - watching, following and creating.
I hadn't expected them to finish their project so quickly! Karima, Queen of the Castle, came to my rescue and suggested that the girls also create tea-party settings, with toadstool bowls and golden Dresden cutlery. Suddenly their imaginations were set free... The Chariots continued to be embellished, some with umbrellas to protect the fairies from rain. Fairy's were given jewelry and belts. Little tables appeared, created from crepe paper and corks - kids are so ingenious! I was thrilled that they could expand on the theme and create magic!
A table was set up with 'grass' and Fairy Houses, so that the Fairy's had a place to fly their Chariots to, and perhaps even rest on a hammock!
Topping off our party, was a 'Princess Cake' covered in candles, joyous singing and smiles all around!
Oh my! Look who has arrived at BEAR HOUSE today! Non other than Krampus himself!!! A few days early, he is here to warn and punish any Bears who may have forgotten their manners...
Krampus was my surprize 'Ornament Exchange Gift' at our annual Castle Christmas Party. Karima, Queen of the Castle created him with all the love and attention she showers onto the Castle on a daily basis! Here I am receiving my gift, just look at that grin! Fortunately for me, my number was high - so no one could steal him away!
Our annual Christmas party is one we all look forward to the whole year. The highlight is our 'Ornament Exchange' complete with stealing allowed. The one rule is that each ornament must be handmade! This year I made a miniature winter parade scene, of a Raindeer with Rabbit and Squirrel Passangers - rushing to greet everyone at the party! Raindeer wears an antique paisley blanket on his back, and Rabbit and Squirrel have 'flower hats' on.
John McRae Won mine early on, and it was stolen twice before it finally found its way home to John again...
And so the adventures continue...
I've been making Masks like crazy these days. Many of them are now at the CASTLE. But some will also be featured as a window display at FABRICATIONS in HEALDSBURG over the holidays. (116 Matheson Street, downtown Healdsburg) Here are a few of my favorites for you to see.
When my daughter saw the long earred owl and mouse above - she screamed "Oh Mom, thats Scary!" So I made the mouse detachable with velcro - just in case you feel the same...
The little House Mask below, is my favorite design so far... Inspired by gnome houses and gingerbread dreams - I hope it brings smiles...
This friendly Dog Mask, was inspired by a pug, but seems to resemble a bulldog... oh well... Thats a lost red velvet slipper in his mouth - attached with velcro again, perhaps you could hang your extra 'lost socks' there instead...
This lovely Moth Mask is quite large - a real statement mask! The colors on this one remind me of Venetian Sunsets...
The Swan Mask below, just spoke to have feathers added. Perfect for one who dreams in ballet...
And who better to partner a Swan, than Jack Frost? His Icy cold spirals glistening in snow...
If you are a regular at the Castle, you know John McRae! His talents know no bounds! Although he has not taken my Reliquary class, he decided to create his own version in memoriam to someone very special. The result, above, is truly exceptional!
Have you ever wondered how to tempt a fairy into your garden? Here is the perfect answer! I have created a Gilded Fairy Chair Tutorial, that you can download free HERE! A miniature version of my French Wedding Chair, this delightful little Dresden wonder will surely make you popular among the fey!!!
If you have not done so yet, please also take this opportunity to sign up for the Castle's Crafting Newsletter and Class Schedule HERE! (Newsletters will now only be sent out via email.)
I just LOVE this little Snow Baby on a Snowball Box designed and created by Karima, the owner and Queen of Castle In The Air! Best of all, there is a FREE PDF HERE so you can make your own! You can also buy a kit Here, which comes with everything you need to create your own delightful little Snow Baby Box! I'd like to make a whole family of these, just to put around the house!
Here is another amazing FREE PDF from the wonderfully creative Ann Wood! I have always loved her magnificent paper ships, and now she has generously shared her pattern and instructions for making a enchanting paper boat just in time for you to sail away on Christmas time dreams! Complete Instructions can be found HERE! Can't you just see a family of Snow-babies riding away on one of these?
I think this little 3-D town calendar from Canon is delightful too! I love how each month gives a new scene, and yet you can see all of them at a glance! You can print your own calendar for free here!
And just for fun, I found this wonderful old 'Cook Book' illustration! Doesn't it make you want to cook a holiday feast? Link
Where does the time go??? I've been overwhelmed with classes, events and projects, and seem to have neglected my blog. I'm so sorry! I promise to catch you all up as soon as I get some more rest. Yesterday and last night was the CASTLE'S Christmas Transformation . I was the first to arrive at 9:30 am, but not the last to leave! At 11:30 pm, 14 hours later for me, I had to head home, and leave the rest of the Castle Christmas Magic up to the remaining elves... Do come and visit soon!!!
Illustration above by Theodor Kittelsen of Norway.
BELOW: A peek at our 'Christmas' Window (using antique Chinese Theatre Puppets) created by the ever talented John McRae!
I am falling a little behind in posting - sorry... This last weekend I had 10 wonderful women join me in learning 26 plus plus plus techniques at the Castle. This is a fast paced class, where students focus on 3 to 5 techniques per alphabet letter. Its amazing to see how each student renders the techniques, and no book looks the same in the end! We use Moleskine Japanese Accordian books to present the letters, so that everyone goes home with a colorful lineup of multiple techniques. This class is perfect for those who want to learn about altered books in a two day intensive!
Now YOU get to guess which letters are shown here!
I am off to the CASTLE today, to take John McRae's 'French Sedan Chair' Class! So why the image above? It is called 'A Lady Descending from a Sedan Chair' and is a study drawn for the painting 'The Porteous Mob' by James Drummond, in 1855. Isn't she lovely? Drawing Link , painted scene here.
Tomorrow I hope to show you my completed chair, till then you must imagine what it will look like...
There are still a couple of spaces left for this Thursdays French Wedding Chair Class to be held at the CASTLE! Nancy of Fete et Fleur did a delightful post about our day playing with this theme HERE! Today I have been gathering lovely hand-dyed velvet's and charmeuse's to use for our chairs - I hope they will inspire!
Victorian
Papercut Heart Boxes
This
class is a wonderful introduction to the art of paper cutting. Decorate red or pink German paper mache
heart boxes with wonderful paper
cut ‘love tokens’. We will use
beautifull calligraphy printed papers, giving these boxes a wonderful romantic
feel.
Half day. 1:00 to 5:00 (Limit to 8 students)
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4th, 2009
$75.00
Call 'Castle In The Air' at 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!
