The storms hitting Northern California have me thinking of umbrellas and raindrops. Look at this creative delight by George Herman! After yesterdays storm, I actually have a couple of now useless (turned inside-out) Umbrellas that I should donate to his cause!!!
In the sure hands of Sophie Touret, wire, string, bits and pieces of fabric, treasured ephemera and other sewing related items - become magical little creatures, ethereal angels, and fairytale gardens! ENJOY!!!
Late Monday I realized that my next post would be number 1000!!! It seems like only yesterday I was at 750. I remember thinking then, I bet it will be Spring before I hit 1000. Well here it is, and its only November!!! How does one celebrate 1000 posts? With other bloggers of course!!!
Yesterday, dearest Nicol came up for a day of fun and play. We spent the morning creating little fairytale walnut wagons pulled by birds. We used German paper-mache walnuts and dipped them in glistening mica, added vintage wheels, and a dainty moss seat. The birds, cut from antique prints, are ready to pull their precious fairy cargo, wherever ones heart desires...
A little after noon, we were greeted by fellow bloggers Lea and Trish! In Celebration of Good Friends, we decided to walk Lea's beautiful 'Santa Rosa Labyrinth', and light a candle of intention... I chose to light my candle for 'many, many more Celebrations!!!'
An amazing lunch downtown followed, filled with fabulous conversation, laughter, stories, and salads that looked like artwork and tasted like heaven! We ended our day with an hour of 'Antiquing' finding little old bits and pieces to bring home for future artworks and inspiration.
I only wish the day didn't have to end so quickly... Time with dear friends is ALWAYS too short!!! In honor of FRIENDSHIPS near and far, and 1000 posts, I've decided to have another give-away. On Sunday I will have a drawing for 3 WINNERS, First prize will be a MADAME CROW FORTUNE TELLER KIT, with fall colors of your choice, second and third prize will be KIT's to create your own little FAIRY CART, similar to the one's Nicol and I made yesterday. Leave a comment here or send me an email before Sunday if you wish to join the fun... THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING PART OF MY BLOGGING FAMILY AND BELIEVING IN ME!!!
Last weekend I had two delightful women in my studio to do a paper theatre class. After talking a bit, they decided it would be fun to do a paper theatre, reminicent of an old-time shop, in this case a 'Sewing Shop' and a 'Candy Shop'! We designed them so they are more or less to scale with dollhouse accessories and then went from there. I think this will be a new class idea for next time around. Just think what wonderful shops you can hang on your wall, and I love the idea that you can add miniature doll-house accessories to them... In the sewing shop, note especially the wonderful 3/d cabinet, the 'wooden spool' table and those puffy curtains. And in the candy shop, the lovely lady behind the counter (she's actually from an old opera print of mine), those yummy colors throughout and the mirrored shelves full of candy boxes! WOW OH WOW!
What really made the day special was having only 2 students! Not that I don't love bigger groups, but having only two or three, allows me to really get to know them, and they get one on one attention from me. So I am going to offer a few days a month as 'BRING A FRIEND CLASSES', you chose what you'd like to make, bring your best friend, or friends, and we'll make a day of it... ANY ONE INTERESTED?
This is called 'Cave of the Nativity', and inspires me to play doll-house again... Lovely!
This is the sample for another new class to be offered at Castle In The Air. We will be creating Miniature Hats, and a Millinery Boutique to house them on JUNE 9th! I actually taught classes in Miniature hats in the late 80's... so this is really full circle. We will spend the morning creating tiny little hats, hat-boxes, and accessories and the afternoon putting together the 'Boutique'. I used images from a number of vintage theatre sheets to create the shop, so that it has true old world flair! I hope you can join us...
I just had to do one more post, then no more I promise... again from Noel Barrett on Ebay.
There are some outstanding antique dolls, toys and miniatures on auction from Noel Barrett on Ebay right now. Way out of my price range, but so fun to look at. You rarely get to see so many wonderful examples all together at one time! Just look at some of these treasures, and I have only been through a small portion of his offerings...
I recently had the genuine pleasure of viewing one of my girlfriends Mothers dollhouse collection. The three of us (my girlfriend, her mother, and I) spent 2 and a half blissful hours looking at dollhouses and miniatures. This first house I will show you, is amazing in its all white simplicity. It has a 'shabby chic' feel to it, and looks so comfortable. I found it very difficult to tell if I was looking at small scale or true scale rooms. The attention to details is amazing and mesmerizing at the same time... Enjoy your peek into this wonderful little world...
