Little Ruby Rae has found the perfect cozy nook to rest her weary bones. Having just spent days upon days gathering nuts for her Mouseling friends - she may just sleep through the New Year - or until the Bluebirds sing!
(Ornament made for the annual Castle In The Air Christmas party - 2012)
Photo © Tue Nam Ton
Karima, our Castle Queen, will be posting one mouse a day on the Castle Facebook page with a little story for each written by me. If you don't already 'like' this page, please do now - HERE! We have so much magic to share with you... Photo © Tue Nam Ton
I've been thinking of making this one for weeks! Finally I got a chance to work on him today.
Pinocchi-mouse is of course very fond of cheese. But ask him if he finished the last bit in the cupboard and he will respond, "No, No, it wasn't me!" Is that a spoon you have Pinocchi-mouse? "No, No it's my stick-horse, who doesn't eat at all!"
Pinocchi-mouse will be at Castle In The Air, this Saturday!
Please come by CASTLE IN THE AIR this Holiday Season and share in all the wonders and delights that the Castle is known for! More stories to come...
Very special guests are arriving at 'Mouse Castle' from near and far! Little Miss Plum Blossom, carried in a silk ribboned golden cart, came through the 'Mouse Castle' gates today. Known for her delicate and pale beauty, lovely eyes and near perfect manners, she is now resting in preparation for the big day on friday.
Please come and welcome Plum Blossom and all her other Mouse Friends on Friday November 9th.
Opening Celebration will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. but the shop will be open at 10:00 am.
Only 3 more days until 'Mouse Castle' in unvailed. The Prince of the Castle is seen here looking over his domain. It's the final touches that are being added now... Mouse Domain flags are being hung, silver towers are being polished, lots and lots of stairs are being swept, and cheese, cheese, and more cheese is being cut and placed on platters. Little feet are scurrying every which way, so that everything will be perfect when the Castle gates open this Friday.
Special Opening with spectacular displays, bubbly, hot cider, treats and 25% off Friday November 9th from 5:00 to 7:00
Castle In The Air
1805 4th street
Berkeley, CA
(510)204-9801
What do Artistic Aristocratic MICE sit on?
Paint brush - palette chairs of course!
Don't miss Castle in the Air's Grand Christmas Opening on November 9th!
Looks who peeking through one of the 'Mouse Castle' windows. Non other than John McRae! A passel of mice, John and I have been crazy-busy working on getting this years 'Mouse Castle' ready for Christmas. So many little details to be taken care of! Parapets to construct, Garderobe's to clean, Crenellations to mount, and Solar's to furnish! Only two more weeks until the 'Mouse Castle' gates open!
Christmas comes to Castle In The Air on November 9th, 2012!
What hangs in the 'Mouse Castle' kitchen? Why - Sugar-plums, Ripe Chestnuts, Sweet Radishes and Peaches - of course! Cook is furiously mixing, stirring and tasting, getting everything ready for the holidays! Mouse tea is brewing and itty bitty crackers are drying. Sweet corn is being shucked and wheat plucked. A feast is on the menu and every mouse whisker in the Castle is wiggling in delicious anticipation!
Don't miss the 'Mouse Castle' opening on November 9th, at Castle in the Air, in Berkeley, California!
All eyes were focused heavenwards this afternoon, when a very special delivery was made here in Berkeley! A winged troop of elephants carrying the teenyest, tiniest little baby mice - (sent by slipper post no less) arrived at the 'Mouse Castle' gates. You can imagine the excitment on such a momentous occassion! Little feet scurryed every which way - so much work to be done - cribs to be laid, bottles warmed and diapers cleaned and hung. A new generation has arrived and celebration is needed!!!
Don't miss a very special Christmas beginning on November 9th at Castle in The Air in Berkeley!
The word is spreading - deep discussions are happening in under-lit and secret corners. "What are the 'Mouse Castle' towers made of?", "Who is the special guest from the far east?", "Will there be a dungeon?" and most importantly, "What kind of cheese will they serve?"
Don't miss Christmas At the Castle, beginning on November 9th!
(Photo taken in the studio of John McRae)
Few know that there is a thriving and growing underground society of furry creatures busy at work here in Berkeley. In the wee hours, when the harvest moon hides behind the trees, little mice quietly scour the local neighborhoods -scrounging, hunting, borrowing and acquiring all kinds of wonderful found objects to use on their current master project. Nothing will go to waste - building a 'Mouse Castle' takes time, creativity, and many little hands worth of help!
November 9th will be the official unvailing of Christmas at Castle in The Air. Please Join Us!
Despite being a bit hard of hearing, and having sore bones when the weather is cold, FRUNELLA continues to be the official 'Mouse Castle' seamstress. Not a day goes by when her little studio isn't filled to the brim with projects to be cut, sewn and mended. Her proper Scottish upbringing dictates her work ethics; stiff tea in the morning, black please, 3 hours of sewing with soft cheeze nibbles on the side. Work until dusk, when singing and dancing commences and she can admire her finished work from a comfortable chair. Ahhhh - such is a mouses life!
Come join us on November 9th, when Christmas officially begins at CASTLE IN THE AIR, in Berkeley, California!
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)
What was the noise Little Brother Bear heard yesterday? Non other than Santa Bear arriving in style! His green shoe sleigh is pulled by two white goats, decked in antique paisley finery. Santa Bear wears a felted wool jacket and holds a huge bag of toys, enough for all the little bears who are now asleep in bed!
Wishing you a most Merry of Christmas' and Many Blessings for the rest of the year!!!
Just for fun, here is a photo of my Inspiration (top left corner), Santa Bear before being costumed, and the antique chocolate mold I used for my paperclay sleigh...
In Denmark December 23rd is known as 'Lil Jule Aften' or 'Little Christmas Eve'. It is the day when last minute preperations take place and then everyone goes and wishes Merry Christmas to their neighbors and friends. Bear House is enjoying these traditions as well! Here Ms. Bear Cook is busily getting all the trimmings together for the Bears Christmas Eve feast! One of the resident Baby Bears can be seen in the corner begging for sweets...
Papa Bear is writing his letter to Santa, while nibbling on cookies. Do you think he is wishing for fish and honey???
GrandMother Bear is admiring the tree, and Grandfather Bear is enjoying playing with yet another resident Baby Bear. He made this Baby Bears stroller years ago!
Upstairs, Mama Bear is taking a well deserved rest in her bedroom, reading a favorite novel, while little sister plays with her dolls.
Oh my! Just listen to the rukus coming from next door! Little sister runs to investigate...
Seems the rest of the Baby bears, have abandoned bath time and taken to jumping on the bed! Lil Jule Aften is always full of activity and adventure!
But look, Brother Bear hears something outside - what could it be???
To be continued...
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...
Years ago my Mother made a 'BEAR HOUSE' that was displayed only on Christmas - a Tudor confection that she crafted from a kit. As children grew the tradition become lost and forgotton in storage. I was thrilled when my Mother gifted me the house a few weeks ago, and have been busy updating it for this years holidays. Below is the house as it arrived, without snow or trees. Look at all those individual wooden roof tiles! It also has a backyard, with a white picket fence.
The first thing I did was take a big piece of white batting and layed it over the top of the house and then I ripped and tore all the edges to make it appear as if it had just snowed. Next I found a couple of miniature - but larger than dollhouse size christmas trees for the yard. These I sprayed with spary-glue and then sprinkled faux-snow on them for that realistic winter dusting. The out-house (created by my Mother) also received a dusting of snow. If you look closely you'll see a bird-feeder and 'snow-bear' statue in the yard as well. Things are getting cozy at 'BEAR HOUSE'...
More to come...
Today I had the special treat of seeing my friend Dolph Gotelli's 'An Enchanted Christmas' exhibit now being shown at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. If you are anywhere near Napa this is a not to miss exhibit of amazing wonder and delight! (It runs through January 23rd, so there is still plenty of time!) Dolph has created 30 vignettes of his favorite christmas collectables. Everything from 'Santa on a Midnight walk' above, to Grizelda's Christmas Tree - first image below.
My Mother and I spent nearly two hours looking at all the scenes, each one magical and nostalgic. I especially fell in love with 'Dinner At Willow Hollow' seen first below - depicting a christmas feast attended by a variety of woodland animals. Dolphs attention to details is supreme and his ability to make our hearts go back in time flawless. A couple more of my favorites are also seen below. More information on Dolph can be found HERE. And photos of all the scenes are HERE!
ENJOY!
