ULLABENULLA

They Draw And Cook - A Blog!

Every Friday Morning we receive a 'Farm Box' filled with organic fruits and vegetables grown in California. All three of us eagerly await each weeks edible treasures, and I have been loving the challange of cooking with in season, fresh and sometimes unusual vegetables.  Often the best solution is the easiest, a simple stir-fry or raw as is.  Other times, I need inspiration - and will spend hours looking through my cookbooks or going online in search of the perfect delicious recipe.  Today, I discovered a truly delightful blog called "They DrawAnd Cook", filled with wonderful recipes - each illustrated by a talented artist!  What a Joy and feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!  I only wish I had known about this blog when I taught my 'Fairytale Cookbook Class'!  Such Inspiration!!!  Do visit this blog HERE, and brouse the many wonderful catagories for hundreds of recipes that are sure to make you smile as well as feed your soul!

(Press on each image to see it larger)

Fairytale dreaming

I am completely in love with the work of Spanish artist Beatriz Martin Vidal. Her evocative and moody images portray fairytales, myths and other personal inspirations.  A subtle theme of overgrowing foliage runs throughout much of her work, poetically twining between her subjects.  Like dreams - pulling from leaf to leaf...

More work here.

  

   
 

 

Juul's Etherial Drawings

 

The drawings of Dutch artist Juul Kraijer speak to my heart and soul.  Gentle charcoal strokes that are in 'the domain of the spirit, draw images that seem quiet, but are also filled with tension and otherworldliness.  The young girl portrayed in each drawing is transformed - is she human? or is she something else entirely?  

Lovely...  via Hortus Noctis

 

 

 


    

Fairy Ring...

I think this fairy wreath is just delightful!  Via Anastasia Drawing and Dreaming

 

Cobwebs On The Walls...

I've been in love with the wallpapers of Marthe Armitage for a while now.  Their attention to detail and subtle coloring is supreme!  Marthe handcuts lino blocks for each design and then rolls them herself on huge presses.  True artistry at work here! 

The papers are carried by the prestigious Hamilton Weston, a supplier of many historic wallpapers. Images and scans here from the beautiful blog Little Augury. 

    

 

Wishing For My Garden To Grow...

This cold, wet weather has me dreaming of pretty flowers and warm spring breezes!

Image Link

 

Treats and Things...

May the seasons treats rain down upon you... 

Illustration by Ana Juan

Via

My Kind of Christmas Party!

VIA

 

Leaping Deer...

These seem Perfect for a papercut garland, or perhaps to Leap across your tables!  via Vintage Printable.

And a few more!

  

Christmas Robin...

 

Legend tells how a robin,

On the night of the first noel

Braved the frosty winter night

So the baby might sleep well.

Throughout the night, the small grey wings 

Did flutter for their worth

And fanned the fire that warmed the Christ

His first night here on Earth.

In the heat of stirring the lonely fire

The shepherds have said

The Robin wears with honor 

A breast of Christmas Red.

Poem Link

I have always loved the symbology of the Christmas Robin from England.  These sweet little birds can be found in so many parts of our world, and deserve extra care this time of year.

 

 

Image links, here and here and here   

Russian Cuteness...

I don't often go for cute, but these images are just irresistible!  Can't you just imagine yourself as one of these little guys?  And I sure wish our town looked like the one in the last image!  Found via the amazing Kidpix.  Go Here to see more!

Winter Whimsy...

I found this delightful little card while in Minnesota over Thanksgiving.  Wish I knew who the artist was... Off to the Castle today to partake in some Christmas Selling!

Folk Art From England...

I absolutely adore the folk-art style painting of English artist Anna Pugh!  Her attention to details, love of nature and ability to tell stories within a frame are amazing!   Her enchanting artwork mesmerizes and demands a second look.  ENJOY!

Welcoming the New Season, and Playing Catch Up!

Where does the time go???  I've been overwhelmed with classes, events and projects, and seem to have neglected my blog.  I'm so sorry!  I promise to catch you all up as soon as I get some more rest.  Yesterday and last night was the CASTLE'S Christmas Transformation .  I was the first to arrive at 9:30 am, but not the last to leave!  At 11:30 pm, 14 hours later for me, I had to head home, and leave the rest of the Castle Christmas Magic up to the remaining elves...  Do come and visit soon!!!

Illustration above by Theodor Kittelsen of Norway.

BELOW:  A peek at our 'Christmas' Window (using antique Chinese Theatre Puppets) created by the ever talented John McRae!

All My Students And Me...

Following a week filled with wonderful teaching experiences and celebration, I am feeling completely exhausted and spent.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach, but it can drain me to the bone...  I have many beautiful things to share, and will try to be prompt about it.  But today?  Today I will sleep - head first on my pillow... Image via Moonwomb.

Devilishisly Ghoulish Wishes!

If only we still wrote in images...

Link

This Sounds Like My Kind Of Neighborhood...

How wonderful to have an address on 'Spider Web Lane'!  Book available on a pdf format (so clever!) Here!

Riding To The Castle!

Wish I had a magical horse like this today... I am off to teach a full class this weekend in 'Altered Books' at the CASTLE!

Luna und ihre Kinder, c. 1480 link here.

Fridays Goal...

 Link!

Anatomy Within and Without...

How lovely, a woman with her newborn child presented on a rose petal pillow... 

But there is more than meets the eye at first,  for the 'petals' are actually the pregnant mothers stomach dissected to reveal the treasure within...  

By Odoardo Fialetti, 1631, from the amazing exhibit Dream Anatomy held at the National Library of Medicine in Maryland. 

Link via Scribbling Woman