ULLABENULLA

GLAEDELIG JUL and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Our very traditional Danish/Swedish tree, with straw ornaments, lights and flags!

Gingerbread Elves!

My friend Lucille does the best kids party's of anyone I know! A few days ago, she invited all the neighborhood elves, (girls) over for a gingerbread house decorating party! Moms were invited too, but truly it was the elves who did all the work! Just look at all the sweet goodies Lucille gathered! The elves spent a couple of hours in complete concentration, with a few giggles and nibbles in between! No building was the same, from A-frames, to enchanted cottages, all dripping in sugar-ice and topped with love!!!

Vintage Christmas Paper Theatres...

I wish I could remember where I found these images... Aren't they wonderful?

Taft Museum Trees

These wonderful Antique (decorated) Christmas Tree's are from the Taft Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. I love the paper-doll decorated tree, (first image) so very inspiring!!!

Scandinavian Antique Christmas...

I dream of having a Christmas like this, colorless and yet, full of color... (from the Danish Magazine Boligmagasinet) Via

Miniature Paper Theatre Class in Ulla's Studio

Four wonderfully creative women joined me in my studio yesterday to make small Christmas paper theatres from German pressed papermache boxes (approx. 6" to 8" in size)!!! I apologize for the yellowed photos, I hate using a flash, and the evening light left the studio dark with electric lights. The theatres however, are magical, and full of whimsy!!! Great job girls!

Venetian Christmas At The Castle

While I was away in Minnesota over Thanksgiving, the Castle Queen and her elves put together a Venetian Christmas sure to make your heart drop! Two decadently dressed manniquins grace the windows with a feast of goodies that will make your mouth water! Petit-fours of paper and felt, a papermache boars head, faux candied fruit, swans baskets filled with clam-shell treats and my favorite, two glorious red crepe-paper lobsters!!!

John McRae created a giant golden chandelier completely out of large German pressed papermache dresden! Walking around the shop one finds many hidden little Christmas vignette's including, a miniature castle filled with mushroom gnomes, golden paper clothed fairies, magical white rabbits, favorite fairytale characters and glistening white trees filled with wonderous ornaments. If you happen to be in the Bay Area over the holidays, be sure and come VISIT!!!

Gunhilds Silver and Papercut Wonders...

Every time we go to Minneapolis, I always make sure to visit the American Swedish Institute, housed in the historic Turnblad mansion, built in 1908. My wonderful Sister-in-law came with me this year! My Husbands Grandmother, Gunhild, was a prominent figure at the Institute in her lifetime, and left many lasting memories. Years ago, she began the tradition of installing Christmas Tables and Trees, one for each country in Scandinavia, in the beautiful rooms of the mansion. When she died, memorial money went into the purchase of silver cutlery for the Swedish room. It is vintage Gense Silver, in the Vassa pattern.

I was so excited to be allowed permission to take a photo of her silver (and only after trumpeting Gunhilds name, whom everyone knew!) that I didn't get a photo of the full table set for 12. I did manage to sneak a photo of this years tree, full of swedish flag garlands, and the beautiful chandelier in the middle of the room.

Much to my delight, the museum also had a Danish Papercutting Exhibit with wonderful work by Minnesota native Cynthia McKeen. Feeling brave with my camera, (I know Gunhild wouldn't have minded...) I took some photos to share with you. There was a special paper cutting of the Turnblad mansion that McKeen has designed for the 100th anniversary of the completion of the mansion in 2008. This four-layer standing piece depicts the outside of the mansion, whimsically surrounded by figures inspired by Swedish stories and culture. A tomte stands by the front gate, and trolls, birds, and even Santa Lucia can be seen floating above the castle.

I loved her original interpretation's of 'The Princess And The Pea', and 'The Rose Bush' beautifully displayed hanging by big open windows...

There was a marvelous display showing Cynthia's process, from initial drawings and scissor cuts, to multiple cuts with rubber-cushion dies.

My favorite part of the exhibit, by far, was the 'Christmas Table Setting' in the middle of the room, filled with Cynthia's papercut trees, like a winter wonderland come to life!!! The last photo, showing more papercut trees, is from the Danish Immigrant Museum where Cynthia recently had another exhibit. Now my fingers are itching to cut a winter wonderland of my own, I hope this post may have inspired you to do the same!!!
(Cynthia's papercut trees are available for purchase online HERE!)

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!!!

Christmas Theatres At The Castle!

Sometimes it feels like Holidays just run into each other... With Halloween just a week past, I jumped right into a new season and taught Christmas Theatres yesterday at the Castle! What an amazing group of women!!! We were short a couple of students due to illness, but those that made it were full of Holiday spirit and cheer! One can never have enough glitter - Right? This class was no exception! Add in winter sparkles, rosy cheeks, icicles and christmas whimsy and you have a perfect recipe for fabulous Christmas Theatres!!!