Clara loves eggs! Boiled, fried, or scrambled, not a day goes by without a bite of her favorite protein. But when she heard that on Easter Sunday almost all eggs served are chocolate, she nearly lost her whiskers in excitement! If there is one thing Clara loves more than eggs, it is chocolate eggs!
"Clara" by Ulla Milbrath and vintage easter boxes available at Castle in the Air.
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.
Little Millie Mouse can't wait for the 'Mouse Castle' gates to open! She's borrowed her mothers shoes and filled her handbag with edible goodies in anticipation of the big day! Now if only she could walk without tripping every two steps...
MOUSE CASTLE will open November 9th, 2012, 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!
Oh how time flies! I've just posted a few of my summer classes on the sidebar. I'm especially excited about my Sea Dragon Fabric Bracelet, (Class On July 1st) pictured above and below. Inspired by my 'Dragon Familiar that I posted about HERE, this one is a tiny dragon or serpent, easier to wear and oh so fun! I need to get a photo of it on, they are quite wonderful. I added a bit of elastic under their heads, so they perch on your hand as you wear them!
Spring was filled with wonderful classes including a Rabbit Theatre, Dressed Figures, and Waxed Flowers... My last class of this session will be 'Cake Toppers' (Class is full) to be held at the Castle!
More Soon!!!
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!
'
I'm afraid I have not been a very reliable blogger lately. My apologies... Life has been filled with a variety of obligations, and blogging has had to take a backseat. Despite, or perhaps due to the full schedule, my creative juices have been flowing like crazy! Recently I had the pleasure of taking John McRae's 'Santos' class, at the Castle. Using wonderful composition German creche figures, cotton batting, and delicate wood pieces we constructed our own personal Santos figures. I decided to make mine with a kitchen theme. First I designed a center reliquary with tiny clay vegetables and cutlery. Then I added my collection of mexican kitchenware onto her wooden brackets. Bronze numbers, representing times of the day that we eat, are on her waistline. She holds 2 delightful vintage 'cakes' made of wax, offering her bounty to all who enter our little kitchen. I've wrapped her head in vintage velvet, but hope to someday find a small demitasse teacup to top her head. She sits quietly on a ornate shelf, welcoming all who enter...
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!
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...
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...
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!
Eight wonderfully talented women joined me this weekend at the Castle to create Marionettes! As a teacher I am always thrilled when my students exceed all my expectations - and this class was no exception! Truly whimsical and delightful little puppets emerged over these two days, now they only require their own personal fairytale to complete the story.
Here I present to you: A Jolly little Tree-Frog; A Nouveau inspired Ballerina; The Mad Hatter Himself; A Wild Haired and Chilly Jack Frost here via Poland; A Jack Rabbit- abit down on his luck; A Delightful little Long Nosed Elf; A Lovely Gypsy Maiden; And a Humble Chinese Peasant.
Enjoy!
This little 'Merbaby in a clamshell' was so much fun to create. The shell, coral, rock, algae, and underwater flowers were all made of a variety of fabrics and fibers. The sweet little Merbaby was done using a Patricia Rose mold, and is only about 2 inches long... She has a tiny opalescent shell cap and teeny tiny pearls for hair. Summer has me inspired by the ocean and all its many treasures...
The Marionette class over the weekend at the Castle, was a huge success! As you can see from the unpainted heads above, there was a large cast of characters that took shape! Not everyone was able to finish their puppets, but fun was had by all! Among the completed marionettes was a wonderful Nun, in full habit, whose alter ego enjoys playing at 'Burning Man'!
We were also visited by a saucy young lady, with red eyes and a bit of a snarl, dressed in lace and nano felting. Just look at those slippers!
A very 'Dolly' like Ballerina with glittery legs, took spins on our floor! She is wearing a very chic ballon-like French Dress, complete with sexy undergarments!
The last marionette to be completed in class was 'Mossy Fine-Fernfeather of the Fine-Fernfeather Clan from Oak Grove North of Marshy Glen'! A dashing young man with red hair and striped nickers! I was just told this morning that "he's in good health, subsisting on dew drops, flower petals, fairy cakes & vanilla soy lattes." Doesn't get much better than that!
We wait patiently for updates on a lovely little fairy, created by the Castles resident 8 year old princess, seen here ironing her fairies costume.
Also awaiting in the wings of this grand performance are a handsome winged Owl who is a pharmacist by profession, a mischievous calico kitty cat, a dainty little lady, and Papageno the Birdcatcher, from the Magic Flute!
