ULLABENULLA

Solar Eclipse 6:30 pm Sunday evening

These are the lovely rose like crecent shadows on our front window right now as the moon crosses over the sun - pure poetry!

Paperbox Memories...

My Godfather, who just happens to be my favorite uncle, just sent me this delightful photo of me when I was about four or so in Denmark.  I had very few toys back then, living a gypsy lifestyle, so joy was found in the simplest of things! He remembers, as I do, the total delight and bliss I had playing in big paper boxes - how I long for those days again...

January Fairytale...

Life has been so full lately that time seems to blur... How I wish I could step into a fairytale and believe that everything ends good...

Dragon Familiar at Healdsburg Center For The Arts

I've been invited to participate in a group textile show at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, June 29th thru August 1st, 2011.  Along with my textile masks and jewelry, I will also be showing this 'Dragon Familiar Wrap' at the show.  I've always loved the idea of having a pet dragon that one keeps wraps around ones neck.  This one has scales of flame bubbled polyester, and bright pink silk wings. His face is created from a multitude of textiles, fur, felt balls and sequins. Although ferocious looking, he is actually quite friendly!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BEAR HOUSE AND ULLA!

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...

Little Christmas Eve At The BEAR HOUSE!

In Denmark December 23rd is known as 'Lil Jule Aften' or 'Little Christmas Eve'.  It is the day when last minute preperations take place and then everyone goes and wishes Merry Christmas to their neighbors and friends.  Bear House is enjoying these traditions as well!  Here Ms. Bear Cook is busily getting all the trimmings together for the Bears Christmas Eve feast!  One of the resident Baby Bears can be seen in the corner begging for sweets...

Papa Bear is writing his letter to Santa, while nibbling on cookies.  Do you think he is wishing for fish and honey???

GrandMother Bear is admiring the tree, and Grandfather Bear is enjoying playing with yet another resident Baby Bear.  He made this Baby Bears stroller years ago!

Upstairs, Mama Bear is taking a well deserved rest in her bedroom, reading a favorite novel, while little sister plays with her dolls.

Oh my!  Just listen to the  rukus coming from next door!  Little sister runs to investigate...

Seems the rest of the Baby bears, have abandoned bath time and taken to jumping on the bed!  Lil Jule Aften is always full of activity and adventure!

But look, Brother Bear hears something outside - what could it be???  

To be continued...

Bremen Town Musicians Mask...

Here is my latest mask, of the Bremen Town Muscians.  You look through the donkey eyes and wear the rest on top of your head!

I also made this Rabbit mask holding a moon - very oriental in feel...

Winter Solstice at BEAR HOUSE and Other Adventures!

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...

Bear House Christmas...

Years ago my Mother made a 'BEAR HOUSE' that was displayed only on Christmas - a Tudor confection that she crafted from a kit.   As children grew the tradition become lost and forgotton in storage.  I was thrilled when my Mother gifted me the house a few weeks ago, and have been busy updating it for this years holidays.  Below is the house as it arrived, without snow or trees.  Look at all those individual wooden roof tiles!  It also has a backyard, with a white picket fence.  

The first thing I did was take a big piece of white batting and layed it over the top of  the house and then I ripped and tore all the edges to make it appear as if it had just snowed.  Next I found a couple of miniature - but larger than dollhouse size christmas trees for the yard.  These I sprayed with spary-glue and then sprinkled faux-snow on them for that realistic winter dusting.  The out-house (created by my Mother) also received a dusting of snow.  If you look closely you'll see a bird-feeder and 'snow-bear' statue in the yard as well.  Things are getting cozy at 'BEAR HOUSE'...  

More to come...

 

Anyone Out There???

I have not been a very good blogger lately...  This summer brought a variety of pressures into my life, and I am still trying to find my way.  We did manage to spend our annual week up at beautiful Lake Tahoe - where I allowed a little sun to kiss my cheeks and found heart-rocks in the mountains.

 

I have added my current list of Fall classes to my side-bar and hope I will see some of you there!  Its hard to believe summer is almost over.  This part of California still hasn't felt a genuine heat-wave - which I am thankful for, but it does seem odd...   Perhaps we are in for an Indian summer after all?  

Would love to hear a Hello from you and feel a part of Bloglandia again.

Blessings,

Ulla 

A Few Things I've Been Working On, And A Few Things To Come!

My beloved Apple tree is in bloom outside of my studio.  After a rather difficult winter, its blossoms tease me out of my doldrums.  I thought I'd share with you a few of the projects I've been working on recently, and show you some peeks at what I will be teaching this summer!  First, I am thrilled to be creating with textiles again.  My studio floors are awash in a sea of colors, until I can rearrange my storage space.  

 

I litterly have BOXES and BOXES of fabrics buried in the garage, from my wearable art and doll days back when.  Its the old textured fabrics that I seem to gravitate to these days, silks, velvets, laces and damasks...  Although the classes I am offering this Spring at the CASTLE are full, I will be doing lots more this summer, as well as here in my studio.  Keep an eye on my side bar for upcoming classes!  

I was inspired by one of my Chinese Baby Hats to create a delightful 'Chinoiserie Fish Brooch Class' to be offered this summer. (Date to come)  These little guys are about 7 inches long, and look fabulous pinned onto a hat, blouse or pillow!   

 

Working with the same technique I've been experimenting in creating Cicadas and Moths as well.  I'm not as happy with these yet, but they bode well for a future project, down the road...

 

My Fabric Flower Necklace class filled so quickly at the Castle, I've created a new Fabric Flower class for the summer.  We will be using a variety of poly linings to create colorful blooms that not only look wonderful as jewelry, but are light and airy enough to attach to clothing. (Date to come)

 

I am also working on some samples for a 'MAD HATTER' class, where we will create small decorative hats (also known as Fascinator's) that sit on top of ones head!  Here are a couple of little hats to tempt you for this summer.  

 

Although I have not been porcelain painting as much as I would like to, I have been working on a SELKIE head, with a sealife bust.  It's been great fun to paint a fantasy underwater scene, with crabs, coral and fish. My goal is to paint her head, as if she is just coming out of her seal skin, leaving one world for another. There is something about the Selkie Myth that really resonates with me right now, perhaps it is their ability to live in two worlds, and yet they are eternally bound only to one.

  

Last but not least, I have been growing rare and coveted Oriental Indigo seeds in my windowsill!  This may not seem like much, but truth be told, babying these little guys and watching them grow has been a highlight of the last few weeks!  Soon they will venture out into the garden, and hopefully grow big and strong.  If all goes as planned, then by Summers end, I will be able to make my own batch of Indigo Dye!

 

I recently took a Natural Dye Class from Rebecca Burgess and  was so inspired by the results (see below) that I have been not only collecting pots and pans, but also Apple and Cherry tree cuttings, onion skins and avocado pits!  I dream of being able to offer a variety of natural dyed fabrics in my classes, as I find the mellow colors so wonderful to work with!

  

I hope this post tempts you to stay tuned.  I promise class dates and more studio creations soon!

Blessings, 
Ulla

A Little Slice of Heaven!

I am thrilled to let you know that the 'Where Women Create - Book of Inspiration' is finally in print!  This lusciously filled book created by Jo Packham and Jenny Doh is a real feast for the eyes!  I am humbled to be part of the truly talented parade of women presented in this book.  A complement to the 'Where Women Create Magazine', this book features 23 amazing artists with wonderful tales to tell, and spaces to share! Press HERE for a peek at last years post on the photoshoot, and for your viewing pleasure, here are my pages, press on each to see full size!

 

 

   

Needing time to find my wings again...

I will be taking some time away from my blog for a bit.  My health has been tattered and frail since November and I am feeling the need to hibernate and be still within.  So often my body tells me when things need to change and often it foretells future leaps and flights.  I am wishing for sunshine, clarity and direction.  

Blessings

Ulla  

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Dreams In A Suitcase!

When I saw this over at A Little Hamster something went bang in my heart! When I am finished teaching and can't think of what else to do, I want to be 'the funny little old lady, wearing wild hats, who gives marionette shows out of a suitcase - along busy streets'!  Perhaps I can talk my husband into doing the music, and we can be 'the CrAzY couple who entertains'!!!  Now there's a dream!

Taking Inventory and Cataloging Words...

 

If you read the Castle blog, you know that we will be doing INVENTORY this week.  I am one of the few who truly loves this task, and doesn't wince when asked.  There is something about looking back at what was sold and seeing what remains that fascinates me.  It mirrors my own inner INVENTORY at this time, looking back at the year and seeing what worked and what I want to change about myself.  I realized yesterday that this 'looking back to look forward' is a ritual for me.  At times painful, (its no wonder I have been so sick these last few weeks - flushing away the old) I take my own INVENTORY quite seriously. Being at the Castle, counting meditatively allows me to sit quietly with my inner thoughts, like a good soup, cooking them until they are ready for the NewYear. 

Rather than resolutions for 2010, I have composed a list of words.  Words that I hope will stand out and guide me.  Words that I hope will become me.  There is no  particular order in these words, one does not have more weight than another - yet.  The soup is still cooking...

Grace

Contentment

Abundance

Humility

Creativity

Ritual

Health

Cherish

Spontaneity

Family

Travel

Friends

Beauty

Love

Reverence

Deserving   

(Image is 'Rest' by Wilhelm Hammershoi)

Feeling The Need To Look Within...

After the Christmas whirlwind, I always feel a need and desire for quite contemplation.  The season, with its lower sun, colder days and bare trees, makes my heart tremble slightly and wish for warmth.  I find times like this, similar to days in illness, forces me to look at myself in ways I normally wouldn't.  My soul opens like a fairy tale, and invites in questions... 

Where do I belong?

What has the most meaning to me?

Who do I cherish?

Why do I do what I do?

How will I bring 'GRACE' to my life?

What questions do you contemplate these days?

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Christmas Decorating When There Are 2 Women In The House - Part 1

 

At this time of year, my Husband, Daughter and I have an on-going argument about WHEN to start Christmas decorating.  Being Danish, My preference has been to wait until the day before the 24th, (OK, a week before would be tolerable).  My Husband's family is Swedish, but as transplants to Minnesota, the Tree went up in early December.  My 14 year old Daughter wants Christmas to start the day after Thanksgiving! What to do?  Compromise...  Last week I had the idea of agreeing on getting a tree on December 13th, which also happens to be St Lucia Day, a fitting start to our holiday season.  Truth be told, I love having a tree and green garlands in the house - its the rest of 'Christmas decor' that sets my teeth on edge.  

With the big date set, discussions have already begun on HOW we will decorate, and with WHAT.  A few of you may remember THIS POST about Halloween Decorating with my daughter, well let me tell you, Christmas is no different!  She, bless her, has a very definite idea of what Christmas should look like. Lately her favorite line is having a 'Catalog Christmas'.  What is a 'Catalog Christmas' to a 14 year old?  When all of the ornaments and decorations are color coordinated, and look like they came out of pretty gift boxes from a favorite shop in the Mall.  At times like these I truly wonder "Is this MY daughter?"  Five huge boxes sit in the rafters of our garage - all labeled Christmas.  Each is filled with Nostalgic Scandinavian Jul Decor, Little Red Tomte's, Hand-woven wheat ornaments, Flying geese, crystal icicles and plenty of hand-made delights.  No Catalog Christmas in sight.  

Today, tired of being sick and a little bored, I decided to jump the gun on Christmas decorating.  Ok, the reality is I am also claiming a little bit of 'Christmas Territory' in our tiny house, before the big guns come in on the 13th.  I have fantasized about a WHITE CHRISTMAS for years, with lovely white furniture, simple crystal candleholders, and a breath of French elegance.  I'm afraid my tastes are too 'Worldly' and 'Eclectic' for this fantasy.  Digging out some splendid spangled trees gifted to me earlier this year by Nancy made me smile.  Who could sit under these eye-popping trees placed to either side of my mirrored Arts and Crafts sideboard?  A Lovely Antique Chinese Embroidery from the equally lovely Nicol sets the stage beautifully. Ten sweet little paper-mache dolls from China, two ducks and a big blue 'Star' crafted by the Castles own John McRae, have created a Ulla Inspired Creche Scene like no other...  I love how everything looks together here, the spangled trees framing the hand-sewn treasures. Like an exotic Asian Fairy-tale come to life...  I Wonder what my daughter will think???

"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!

A Gift That Never Ends!

LOVE is truly what keeps the world together...  HERE is what my Husband gave to me - music that continues to melt my heart!!!

49 Candles!

Every year of my life, on this morning I have been serenaded by song, and this morning was no exception! From near and far, phone calls, emails, letters and hugs have arrived - letting me know how truly Blessed I am!  My Mother told me (again) this morning how happy she was that day 49 years ago, at 2:12 am when I arrived, and I told her how happy I am too, that I am here!  Life is indeed good!

These amazing antique movable Silhouettes are a small part of a stunning gift given to me yesterday by The Queen of Ribboned Crowns who always makes me smile and laugh and helped me celebrate my day - a day early. Doesn't that look like me above, singing with Sadie? And surely tonight the golden candle will be lit when my dear husband opens the door!