ULLABENULLA

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!

Susan's Wonderland Of Toys!!!

Last Friday a friend and I visited Susan's Store Room in San Anselmo. If you are in the Bay Area, and need a 'WHIMSY' fix, let me tell you, this is the shop for you!!! For 30 years, Susan, the lovely proprietor of Susan's Store Room has delighted and thrilled all who visit with not one but three huge rooms filled to the brim with toys, dolls, bears, miniatures, gifts and all things magical and whimsical! Not a space is left bare, and no corner empty, truly a wonderland of delights!

Susan is also known for a delightful series of books, "The Travel Journals of the Steiff Reggie, Pansy and Clarence Bears". Our visit just happened to coincide with the arrival of her newest book: "Clarence goes to The Chelsea Flower Show". This wonderful book (illustrated by the very talented Maryjo Koch) tells the tale of Clarence visiting England! Clarence, designed by Susan and created by STEIFF takes us all over the Queens Kingdom, journaling about his adventures as he goes. Here we see Susan and Clarence posing at Beatrix Potters home!
(Book and Bear available from Susan's Store Room)

You need to plan on spending a good amount of time when visiting Susan's Store Room, there is sooooooo much to see! look around and you will find Noahs Ark - filled with Steiff animals of every kind; Jolly Gnomes hiding behind a forest of trees; dressed Mice having tea-parties; King Tut holding a conversation with a giant ostrich and Elephants playing Safari! Doll Houses filled with delicious miniatures of every kind, tempt us to join in the fun. Every Holiday has its place all year round here, with Halloween and Christmas sharing space with Easter and Valentine's. Shelves are crowded to overflowing and Dolls and Bears peek out where ever you look! A visit to Susan's Store Room makes us walk back in time and be children again! Truly an adventure not to be missed!!!

Millinery Fiesta

Sunday afternoon, Lucille and I visited Phyllis Beals in her amazing home, where she was having a Trunk show, with her friends Deborah Starks and Joan Vilms. Some of you may remember my post from last year's visit filled with color and creativity! Well, this year was even better!!! Phyllis met us at the door, wearing an amazing corkscrew like felted hat (that I quickly purchased right off her head!) and offered us the most divine EggNogs we have ever tasted!

Lucille and I spent quite a bit of time trying on each and every hat we could find. Doesn't Lucille look like one of her dolls in this hat?

Along with numerous Felt hats, was a selection of fairytale like Straw hats and beautiful head bands all displayed with magic in mind!

Even Marie Antoinette made an appearance, sitting on Deborah's table, wearing beautiful jewels any Queen would adore! Surely if Marie's hair were red, she'd look like Deborah!

Like any true artist, Phyllis has a gift for collecting and display! Her twice yearly trips to Mexico inspire and fill her home with joyful color, playful light and amazing Latin energy! She is truly a Pixie Crowned Queen living a Fiesta life!!!
Please don't miss the fabulous jewelry of Joan Vilms as well! Somehow I neglected to get photos of her wonderful work, but her charming presence was heartfelt and true! ENJOY!!!

Antiquing With ArtsyMama!

We are finally home from our holiday trip to Minnesota! We had a beautiful WHITE Thanksgiving, (the snowflakes were as big as moths...) with all the trimmings! The highlight for me was my day with Kari of Artsy Mama! Her POST about our day, captures the true spirit of our whirlwind adventure! Kari picked me up at 10:00, with a bundle of maps on her lap, that took us to 'estate sales' and 'shops' all around Minneapolis and St. Paul. My Husband was so surprised at how much ground we covered in a day!

I felt like I hit a home-run even before we began shopping, with the lovely gifts that Kari presented me. Beautiful Handmade cones held a wonderful 'U' mug, divine soap, and a charming vintage pipecleaner angel! She also spoiled me with bits and pieces of old paper, postcards and ribbons.

Kari introduced me to Minneapolis' Estate sales, and I'll tell you, I wish I could join her each and every weekend! It was such a delight shopping with a like-minded friend and artist, finding treasures and antiques together! Here is Kari after our favorite Estate Sale, where we scored wonderful old books, ephemera and other goodies! Isn't she adorable? And thats me pointing to one of the yellow 'Birkeland' estate sale sign's, that kept us running all morning...

Next we went to Hunt & Gather Antiques, an amazing shop filled with cabinets, boxes and bins bursting with an artists trove of delictable finds!!! I think we could have stayed there all afternoon if our hunger had not intervened!

Rooms were color-coordinated... and we found many wonderful displays to enchant and inspire us! (just look at this tree held up with Vintage books)

Here we are catching our breath at the front counter! (Don't you just love the Christmas display with red water-bottles, and a fire-hat?) As you can see, Christmas was in the air, and I found a few new treasures to use in my classes!

A good day of shopping deserves a good meal, and this was no exception. We did manage to pull away (not till 3:00 though!) and spent our last hour eating and sharing stories...

THANK YOU KARI for a Fairytale like day - My wish is that there will be many more!!!

(illustration from a real treasure of a book that I'll share later)

DRUM ROLL PLEASE FOR THE WINNERS....

With just over 100 entries for my give-away, the bowl, as you can see, litterly 'runnith over'!!! I am so grateful for all of you, my faithful readers, and as far as I am concerned each and every one of you is a winner in my book! But, alas, I can only give away 3 prizes this time...

To keep this little contest honest, I let my daughter draw the names. First, the two winners for 'Fairytale Walnut Wagon Kits' are: La Source Aux Bois and Crust Station!!! I am truly delighted to be sending both of these off to European soils! And for the Grand Prize winner of a 'Madame Crow Fortune Teller Kit' the winner is: Dorian of Uncommon Ephemera!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS AND THANK YOU EVERYONE, for all your kind comments! YOU mean the world to me!!!