ULLABENULLA

"Sweetly At Home"

This beautiful hand carved and hand painted door header graces the enchanting home of fellow blogger Anita of Castles, Crowns and Cottages in Minnesota. Lovingly created by her husband Ruben, chief scribe of the blog  Rattus Scribus, who also happens to be the brother of Nancy of Fete et Fleur it set the stage for a delightful day spent with this wonderful couple!  These are the JOYS of Bloglandia!  Anita is a Fourth grade French Teacher in a French immersion school, and her home is pure Provence!  Filled with lovely hand made touches and treasured antiques, that sing of 'Castles', 'Crowns' and 'Cottages'!

Both Anita and Ruben are self taught musicians, Anita on the harp and Ruben on the guitar.  My husband, who ended up staying for a couple of hours talking with Ruben, and I were serenaded with lovely music filled with joy and friendship!

Anita and I had planned a day of antiquing but ended up staying in her home and talking all day!  We had so much in common and so many things to chat about, time just flew by!  The hand colored photo below, is Anita's Grandmother, obviously true beauty and style runs in the family!  

 

This delightful 'Castle Theatre' below, designed by Anita and created by Ruben, has been the place for a number of inspiring tales told on Castles, Crowns, and Cottages, and will surely continue to keep us all enthralled!

 

And look closely below, and you'll see a wonderful tiny velvet slipper crafted by Anita, in front of a enchanting bouquet also created by her hands!  Truly their home was FILLED with treasures such as these...

 

As you can guess, their Christmas Tree was also a true work of art, nestled in a corner, covered in glitter, feathers and romance!  

  

THANK YOU DEAREST ANITA AND RUBEN for a lovely day, and dreams of many more! 

THANK YOU NANCY for making this day happen!

May Angel Award!

Dearest Anita of  Castles, Crowns and Cottages has named me her May Angel on her blog!  Even more touchingly she wrote this poem - which I am honored to share with you here!  Thank you Anita for letting me be part of the magic you share!!!  

(Underwater Angels by Zena Holloway)

   

Glittered dreams are far from futile
When within them hearts unfold
This my friends is but a story
Of dimensions left untold

Wake up dear ones in the company
Of friends and artists minds untamed
Bringing dreams down from the heavens
In an image beautifully framed

Not with baubles, gems or trinkets
Though her art is fine and rare
Friendship, kindness are her treasures
Up at Castles in the Air.

Wardian Adventures...

What better way to spend a pouring rain kind of day, then playing with friends and creating treasures?  Yesterday I treated Nancy of Fete et Fleur and myself to a day at the Castle, to create Wardian Cases with John McRae!  I was intrigued with John's inventive use of Mica and Dresden and have totally fallen in love with his techniques! This morning I looked in awe at our creations again, did we really make those?  Above you see our finished pieces all lined up in a row, pretty wonderful don't you think???

Here's John putting his 'golden hands' to good work.

We were all happily focused and content...

My case is the one to the farthest right, with a half golden ball (below)...

And here is Nancy's - in front to the right with the delightful chains hanging from it...

Peeks From A Royal Birthday Tea!

Here are a few magical glimpses at Lucille's Birthday Tea at Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon in San Francisco.  Amy, Queen of Crown & Crumpet set a delightful table for us, overflowing with treats, decadent sandwiches, and a variety of teas.  The Salon is filled with color, and whimsical 'sweet' touches - a perfect place to celebrate a special day!  Here is Amy waiting on our Birthday Girl Lucille - Their smiles tell all!!!

And here are the ladies who celebrated with the Birthday girl, including Lea who also blogged about our enchanting day HERE!

A Mile-high cake sat on our table, although not edible it sure looked sweet!  Similar cakes and confections graced the room.  

  

We felt like Royalty and played tea like little girls.  Surely the Queen herself would have been happy to partake in our fantasy..!

Celebration Tea!

What I really love about my little neighborhood - is that I am surrounded by some pretty amazing artists and incredible friends! Today is the Birthday celebration of one of these wonderful women, for whom I made the paper-cut above.  Can you guess who???  Non other than the delightful Lucille, queen of felted fairy's and gnomes, whimsical fairy-houses, and lover of toadstools...  A flock of us are off to celebrate Lucille's special day at the Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon in San Francisco!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCILLE!!!

A Peek At A Special Day - Flora's Blue Door!

Nestled in a corner of S. San Francisco is a delightful nursery called Flora Grubb Gardens.  A true plant-lovers destination, the grounds are filled with a whimsical variety of plants, pots, garden treasures and amazing ideas!  Lea, Lynnette and I took our mutual friend and gardener Michelle there for a Birthday in the city!  I fell totally in love with this antique blue door, propped up against a back wall, and had to pose the birthday girl in front of it!  Her smile tells all!  What a wonderful day we had!!!  For more details on our day see Lea's post HERE!  

 

Dancing The Blues...

Thank you to everyone who has commented or emailed me about my DiZzY's!  It's been disconcerting to say the least!!!  I have an appointment with a specialist on the 28th, and hopefully will get some answers then...

Fortunately I have friends like dearest Lea who believe that I can dance even when I am feeling 'blue'...  Just look at this oval treasure she recently gifted me with, I feel like I should be waving my gown at the Petit Trianon not the Danish Landscape you see me in above...  She used a special 'transfer technique' that she learned from our mutual friend Marilyn Radzat and blogged about it HERE!  I love my Dress!  I love my Hat!  I love my Mouche!  And I love all the delicate details she wove into my essence!   Thank you Lea for showing me that 'Dancing the Blues' can be beautiful!!! 

Rumor Has It...

There is a very special BIRTHDAY today!  One day before the Year ends...  Can you guess whose???  Someone special has donned a CROWN just for her! 

And written a song only SHE will understand...  

The melody is filled with soul, passion, art and glitter filled ribbons woven just so...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY  QUEEN OF CROWNS!

Dreaming of Sugarplums...

Imagine knocking twice on an old wooden door, and quietly it opens...  Outside is grey and very very cold, but within - dreams stir and tiny lights twinkle!  Step inside, into a warm embrace and your eyes dance with visions of the sweetest of treats...  This is how my visit with Nicol began. (Yes!  a couple of you knew right away!)  Step quietly to the right and melt into wonderland... 

Is your heart beating quickly?   Nicol's dearest of husbands, who knows her so well, recently surprised her by setting up her daughters childhood bed ("because she loves things like this" he said) in the middle of her living room!  Swathed in antique lace, with dear little dollies sitting center front, and lit with 'Christmas stars', this is truly any romantics christmas dream come true! Everywhere you look Nicol has created delightful Magical vignettes filled with treasures and special finds set 'just so'.  Glass domes and boxes reveal fairytale splendors in a palette that one can only call NICOL!  

Sometimes 'sugarplums' take months to prepare, and Nicol's newest dreamland has been 'cooking' for quite a while!  New renovations has granted her a dearest wish - to have a studio that sparks creativity the moment you enter and makes one feel the need, urge and desire to make wonderful 'dollies' and treasures while letting time stand still...

A vintage chandelier hovers over an old oak table.  The light is perfect - pale sunshine and vintage shadows!  A slightly peaked roof highlights the victorian window that peeks into the garden beyond.  Along the walls old tables hold cabinets, baskets, and bins filled with antique bits and pieces ready for Nicol to create!

Over a delicious Black Forest inspired lunch a mysterious butcher-paper wrapped package arrived from 'the old country'.  Within were not 1 but 62 tiny little frozen charlottes, recently dug up from an old factory in Germany - a recent EBAY splurge.  

Such sweet little things, 'like angels with broken wings' - and there was the inspiration we needed!  An old photo hanging on a bulletin board, of a sweet cotton batting wrapped snow-baby set our creative juices whirling.  Nicol pulled out boxes filled with ribbons, tinsel, antique christmas glass beads and batting the color of old creamy butter.  With Chopin playing in the background, quietly we dreamed up our own versions of snow-babies with old paper wings dancing to sugarplum dreams...

Here you see our little angels, Nicol's on the right, wrapped in walnut colored bullion and topped with a golden star; mine to the left, wearing ribbons of vintage chenille the color of faded roses, and a tiny cream colored star from an old forgotten desk.. Surely we were helped by the many little eyes who kept watch over us as we created, and the sweet 4 legged benevolent souls who kept us company as the sun faded and dreams came true! 

THANK YOU NICOL FOR SHARING YOUR DANCE WITH ME!

   

Can You Guess Who I Played With Yesterday???

Marty's Magic!

This weekend I went down to Santa Cruz to spend some quality time with my dearest friend Marty.  Over the years, Marty and I have shared one of those special relationships where no matter the distance or time we can always re-connect and inspire one another as if it were only yesterday that we were last together.  I met Marty when we were both doing crafts fairs in the early 90's.  I was instantly attracted to her smile, generous spirit, true business savvy and unmatched eye for detail. We became fast friends and have supported one another through the thick and thin of life's adventures.  This weekend was no different, being able to spend time with Marty's Granddaughter Molly!  

Marty lives in one of Santa Cruz's beautiful Victorian gems.  Her home is like a museum, filled with a lifetimes worth of artistic treasures!  Her love of the exotic, gothic, original, whimsical, and antique evident everywhere you look.

But the brightest new jewel in her collection right now is truly little Molly!  A strawberry blond sprite (look at those Flintstone piggy tales!) with giggles that can curl your toes, she kept us laughing all weekend long!

It's Marty that I owe my love of bats, skeletons and the macabre.  Her passion for creatures that others may not find as appealing always inspires me!  Who else but Marty would get 3 orders for Tree Sloths while I was there?  Here is a favorite necklace that she designed called 'Skeletons in the Closet'!

My own Marty Magic Jewelry collection rivals any shop display!  If the number of ones jewels equates the level of our friendship over the years, then ours is truly tops!  In the center is my newest addition a Rhinoceros Beetle Charm!!!

THANK YOU MARTY for another perfect visit!!! 

 

BAT BABYS at TINSEL AND TREASURES!

I am so excited to be presenting my new BAT BABYS at this weekends TINSEL AND TREASURES show! These sweet little pendants (they hang upside down!) are crafted from fimo, and apoxy clay, and then embellished with beads and shimmering metallic powders. Each is unique and one of a kind. I will also have a large selection of reliquaries available for sale. Please come by and say HELLO if you are in the area!!!

Stealing Away With FRIDA and Friends!

Yesterday I snuck away with my Mother and dear friend Shari to see the FRIDA Exhibit in San Francisco. What a fabulous show!!! I have long admired her work for her use of symbols and how she transformed pure pain into astonishing art. It was thrilling to see her work in person, so intimate and detailed, and wonderful to see so many photos from her life ~ like peeking into a movie-reel.

About midway through the show I spotted the most delightful Mother and Daughter sitting in the middle of the room, each dressed in Frida style. They seemed to draw everyone's eyes towards them, in a loving sincere way. I walked up to them, intending to compliment their 'look' and thank them for being who they were, when suddenly the Mother said, " I know you! You are Ulla!!!" Then I realized, that Yes, I knew them too, fellow blogger Patrice and her delightful daughter Annie! We had never met in person, but knew one another from across cyberspace. Surely a Frida Synchronicity was at work here, magically drawing us together! I felt foolish having left my camera in the car, but sweet Annie offered me theirs along with some delicious Cheerios... Gratefully Patrice's photos mark my highlight and share their genuine smiles! Thank you Patrice and Annie for being you and making my day more special!!!

Deborah Simmons Jewelry Studio Visit!

One of my dearest friends, Deborah Simmons recently started her own jewelry business, and is now selling her wonderful earrings on ETSY! Deb and I have been friends and neighbors for almost 10 years, and its been so much fun to watch her evolution into a first class jeweler. I currently own 3 pairs of her beautiful earrings, and refer to them as my 'BLUEJEAN EARRINGS' as a way of saying I can wear them with anything!!! Her designs are simple, elegant, and classic.

I thought it would be fun to show you a more indepth view of who Deborah is and where she creates her art. She has a charming corner in her garage created from old worn doors and a vintage window that she calls her studio. Here she keeps precious findings in seashells, gold remains in a mud-bowl crafted by her son, and tools lined up on a small ledge, waiting to be used... One senses the importance of family, nature and spirit when seeing her space.

A matt board is filled with inspirational images and ideas, giving a peek into her process. Treasures like this antique cross, which she loves for its simple lines and worn quality beckon from the corners awaiting transformation into something new. Nearby outside, a quiet corner of her garden allows for contemplation and ideas to take form...

Deborah keeps her finished pieces in vintage cigar box trays, here displayed like a work of art in itself. A favorite corner of her home sings quietly with the same grace and style that she herself has and that her jewelry shows. Muses, of all forms, human and animal keep her busy, and inspired! Please take a peek at her Shop to see more of her lovely work! BEST OF LUCK DEBORAH!!!

The Pirate Queen's Soiree!

IT WAS SAID SHE WAS LURED BY THE GIFT OF A PARROT, WITH FEATHERS LIKE A RAINBOW, BROUGHT BY HIS MOST TRUSTED PEER... BUT I THINK IT WAS THE SPARKLING JEWELS ON A MOST PRECIOUS CROWN ~ WORN BY THE BIRD, THAT TEMPTED HER TO FOLLOW HIS PATH...

BENEATH THE PARROTS WING, HE HAD HIDDEN AN OLD PARCHMENT MAP, WRITTEN IN EEL'S INK, NOTARIZED BY A DRAGON AND SEALED WITH HIS PERSONAL MARK... "COME MY QUEEN, PLEASE JOIN MY SOIREE..." IT WHISPERED IN THE WIND...

AWAY SHE TRAVELED, ON DISTANT SEAS OF RICH EMERALD BLUE... FOLLOWING EXOTIC FLYING FISH BY DAY, AND TWINKLING STARS BY NIGHT... IMAGINING THE MAN SHE WAS TO MEET AT THE OTHER END... WOULD HE BE TALL, WOULD HE BE DARK, WOULD HE BE KIND, WOULD HE BE TRUE???

ON AN EVE DARK AS EBONY, A GIANT GHOST SHIP SLIPPED OUT OF THE WAVES AND NESTLED BESIDE HER'S... "I AM READY!" SHE CRIED, GRABBING HER SWARD AND FLINGING IT INTO THE AIR...

"SHE'S A TRICKY ONE, THIS QUEEN OF CROWNS!" HE THOUGHT... "I'LL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND MIND HER WELL!"

SHOUTS WERE HEARD, AND CANNON'S SET AT THE READY... OFF THE BOW OF HER SHIP, THE QUEEN LET SAIL HER SWARD AND DEMANDED; "IS THE SOIREE READY, ARE THE CROWDS CONTAINED? WILL YOU BE MINE, EVEN IF MY RIBBONS ARE TORN?"

"YES MY DEAR" HE REPLIED WITH A DELIGHTED LAUGH AND A GRIN, "NO PARTY WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT ONE AS FAIR AND DIVINE AS YOU!" HIS REWARD? HER ENCHANTING SMILE... AND HER'S? LOVE EVER AFTER!!!

(Links: Moor & Parrot, Crown, Pirate Party Photos, Pictures of Donna Taken at Lauren's Magic Party!, Flying Fish, and others found on Google Images)

Gifts and Decorating!

Sometimes all it takes is a very special gift to make one redecorate! I was thrilled Wednesday, when Donna gifted me one of her incredible 'French Wedding Wreaths' which I have coveted ever since she posted on them!! It is truly a magical work of art ~ in need of a very special display!!! While out shopping with Donna, we found a wonderful French silk child's dress from the 1920's, and it just screamed to come home with me. I could immediately see my new wreath with the amazing creamy silk of the little dress... (please ignore the plastic hanger, I couldn't wait to show you, but I am planning on covering the hanger in silk too...) After pulling apart my living room, I re-assembled this little corner with a few of my favorite things. Look closely and you'll see my favorite dove painting from Erla, a pair of worn wedding shoes, a lovely hand-painted fan, 2 etched and painted glass vases, and a wonderful old chinese paper crawfish. But truly its the Wreath and dress that make the display, don't you think???

Now to find places for everything else... more to come...

A Pastoral Dollmakers Gift!

It was last October that dear Fine Pigg chose my name out of 'The Old Top Hat' for Christine Crocker's 20th Anniversarie Celebration! Then to top it off, (pun fully intended!) Christine asked me if she could make my PRIZE in colors of my own choosing! Of course I said YES! I told her I love old faded colors, roses and greens... So of course I was thrilled yesterday when a box arrived from Christine with my own personal 'Antique Worn Velvet Pinkeep' within!!! Beautifully handcrafted with rose printed bark-cloth, pink polka dotted tulle, and luscious antique velvet berries on top of a lovely hand-turned wood stand, I could barely wait to encrust it with my favorite pins! It now sits proudly on my dressing table, looking like a splendid dessert topped cake, delivered straight from a Fairy Bakery! THANK YOU CHRISTINE, for treating me with such BEAUTY!!!

Our Last Stop

After leaving Wendy Addison's studio THEATRE OF DREAMS on Tuesday, we decided to peek in at Tail Of The Yak in Berkeley. Ironically none of us took photos, except I did ask if I could photograph this lovely santos, who took my breathe away... If you feel cheated, I highly encourage you to look at this post by Amy of Inspirico, lots of photos, including some of the Castle! Enjoy!

Wendy's Eye Candy!!!

Following our visit with Stephanie Blythe the other day, we headed over to the tiny town of Port Costa to visit Wendy Addison's studio THEATRE OF DREAMS! As her sign so whimsically proclaims on the front door, she is open only by Chance or Appointment! Not wanting to 'take the chance' of missing her we made an appointment for 1:30!

Walking into Wendy's shop is like entering WONDERLAND. Glass cases are filled with one of kind creations and vintage finds and glittering constellation's hang from the ceiling... Magical Theatres beckon from every corner, and delightful visual poetry fills the air... We were swept away with fairy dust, while being serenaded by 'Queen' Wendy herself. Like little children, we put our noses right up to the glass, and looked with wide eyes, trying in vain to decide which 'candy's' to bring home... Each of us did finally find a few special things to steal away, with the hope that we could bring Wendy's magic with us as we went home... Come join me here in a THEATRE OF DREAMS!!!!

A Visit With Stephanie Blythe, and the Possibility Of A FAIRY Doll CLASS!

Yesterday, my dear friend Jocelyn, who is visiting from L.A., Lea and I set off for the Bay Area in search of magic and inspiration! Our first stop was the home and studio of Stephanie Blythe, who lives just north of San Francisco. Stephanie for those of you who may not know, is the Master of porcelain fine art fairies! With her nimble fingers she has been creating teeny tiny little creatures, dressed in magnificent finery since 1977. Her background in textiles and love of Children's book illustrations formed a firm foundation for her career in Fairy art! The piece above, called 'One World, One Heart', spoke to all of us on many levels...

While visiting we brainstormed the possibility of Stephanie doing a FAIRY DOLL WORKSHOP someday soon. A very special opportunity for you to come and make your own magical fairy doll, in Stephanie's studio using one of her amazing molds. IF THIS TEMPTS YOU, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT HERE, AND OR EMAIL ME PRIVATELY, and I will let you know what we can come up with!

So many steps are involved in creating these little treasures, and we delighted in seeing hints of each process. From initial inspiration, to boxes filled with tactile delights; a cozy corner devoted to sculpting and painting, and a vintage cabinet filled with dyes in many fairy colors... Here I will leave you with a photo album of our amazing visit, filled with whimsy, magic and plenty of fairy dust!

Stephanie and Jocelyn share a moment discussing the lifestyle of fairies...

While Lea bonds with one of the studio mascots!

A huge 'Inspiration Board' fills one wall of the studio...

While boxes with labels such as 'Sweet Peas' and 'Big Roses' or bursting with beads and baubles tempt from every corner...

Tiny Fairies asleep in teacups, hide in cupboards...

And Walnut Babies rest on our fingertips!


Bits and pieces of porcelain 'body parts' wait for new incarnations...

While dozens of handmade molds hold surprises inside!

Mother Natures Inspiration sits on the windowsill, and ancient trees covered in moss and spider-webs beckon outside!

Surely this little 'Shadow Box Fairy' once lived just outside Stephanie's door...

My personal favorite fairy lay quietly within a tiny antique embroidered purse, her beautiful little legs peeking out...

We couldn't resist holding one of Stephanie's new Madi the Magical Fairy Play Doll, seen here as a whimsical little bumble bee!

And of course, drooled over the many wonderful past creations Stephanie has produced! It was truly an amazing and magical visit being with the lovely Stephanie and her little fairy kingdom! Thank you Stephanie for letting us peek in your wonderland!

ENJOY!!!!!!!

More about our wonderful trip coming tomorrow!