The word is spreading - deep discussions are happening in under-lit and secret corners. "What are the 'Mouse Castle' towers made of?", "Who is the special guest from the far east?", "Will there be a dungeon?" and most importantly, "What kind of cheese will they serve?"
Don't miss Christmas At the Castle, beginning on November 9th!
(Photo taken in the studio of John McRae)
I delivered my 'Punch and Judy' dolls to the Castle today, and they are very comfortable in their new theatre/home built by John McRae! When John gave me the project a couple of weeks ago, the first thing I did was go through all my boxes of fabrics and trims and pull out things that I thought would work for the dolls. I knew I wanted to work mostly with primary colors, and that I wanted the 'Baby Punch' to be done in baby blues. Amazingly, I ended up having everything I needed on hand, which is always a wonderful feeling, and the only things I purchased were the mannequin's! The heads were sculpted out of 'DAS' paperclay on 12" and 5" mannequins.
For Punch, I found a wonderful rich red wool that become the main part of his 'costume'. He "had" to have a bump on his back and a big belly, which made pattern drafting a little tricky. I was really happy how the embroidered fabric from Guatemala turned out on him, and the combination of vintage laces with other trims. I put one of the red anchors on the back of his hat, a quiet nod to all the 'Seaside' Punch and Judy shows that are so popular in England now.
Judy was less defined initially, so I gathered fabrics that had a 'country marm' feel. As you can see, I didn't use all of them. Her bonnet was created from a piece of an antique French baby bonnet, that is wired for form. Her apron is also a vintage piece. You can't see them here, but she has bright red bloomers on underneath her skirt!
Baby Punch was a surprise, as I had been asked only to do Punch and Judy. But I just couldn't leave him out! Shari, one of the Castle's employee's had recently given me the little 'duckling' handkerchief that belonged to her mother, and it became the focal point of babies costume! His dress was created of a vintage tea towel, and the hat used one of my favorite trims with bunnies on it!
All in all, they are a very happy family, full of mischief and the usual dysfunctions! ENJOY!!!
Couldn't resist showing you these too, via Flickr! (Not Anthropologie, but just as creative!)
I love the window and interior displays that Anthropologie whips up around the country!!! They truly believe in 'More is More' and have fun with it! I tell you, I want to be a 'display girl' for them when I grow up! Sigh... Check out this fun blog for more inspiring pictures!!! (photos via Flickr and Craving Anthropologie)
Its always tricky to photograph windows. But here is my 'Little Red Riding Hood' officially in her window at the Castle!!! She seems happy, I hope everyone enjoys her!
MY LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD is finished at last! I started with one of last years 'Angels' that never sold. I re-did her clothing, in paper of course, painted her gold slippers black and added a lovely Red Cape! Don't you want a red cape? I sure do - in a nice Irish Wool - thank you...
And then for the ULTIMATE TOUCH, in an 'Inspired' moment, I asked LUCILLE to felt a 'Wolf' doll for her to hold. Isn't he wonderful?!?! Talk about perfect size! THANK YOU LUCILLE!!! Now I can't wait to get the entire story into the CASTLE window on Friday! Isn't she lovely???
Just a quick post to show you the door-knocker I made for the cottage! I was inspired by THIS POST of Corey's, with those wonderful French hand-knockers, and decided to make my own. I found a small doll arm, and cut it in half with a pair of snippers - who would of guessed that it would work? but it did! A little 'apoxy sculpt' on the top part of the arm finished it off with a bow. Then I created a small tile for the back - out of leaf beads and added a 'red apple' bead in the palm! My second guessing said this could be seen as a bit MACABRE for a 'Little Red Riding Hood' story, but then one shouldn't second guess oneself - right???
I am just about finished with everything to go into the 'Little Red Riding Hood' Window at the Castle this Friday! Here is 'Grandmothers Cottage'. The base is made of foam core, which I sponged for a sandy 'stucco' feel. I cut out all three windows, added a foam-core casement, mica glass, and gold dresden shutters. For the wolf, I created a mini-theatre behind the house, to give the illusion that he/she is peeking out the window. I gave the wolf a lace 'cap', and found a 'grand-motherly wall paper for the wall.
Next came the trees which I cut out of foam-core, spray painted black and then sponged avocado greens on them. I did a few different sizes, so that one gets the illusion of being in a forest. I was really lucky to find a 'bushel full of fabric vegetables' yesterday while out antiquing - which I think will be the perfect prop for Little Miss Red to have at her feet! And speaking of Miss Red, she is almost finished - just a few more details, and she'll be ready to meet you!!!
I was given the assignment of making a 'Little Red Riding Hood' Window for the Castle today, due a week from Friday!!! The first thing I do when working on a project like this is search for wonderful images for inspiration! Here are a few of my favorites found on Google-Images. I am thinking of doing a 'Thatch-roof cottage', with 'wolf' peeking through, a 'Little Miss Riding Hood' doll, and some trees... More details as it progresses...
I love these signs by DEBBIE DUSENBERRY of Curious Sofa! She put actual old papers through her copier and the results are magnificent! I wish I lived near her shop in Kansas City - looks like a place to spend hours!
Debbie found inspiration from another shop owner, Elizabeth Maxson of The Adventures of Elizabeth in St. Louis! Elizabeth created entire walls of old paper - reminding me of my own shop window last year! She also used crumpled paper very cleverly - stuffed into glass containers! Both blogs are well worth a visit!!!
Spring break, my good friendLucille and her daughter took my daughter and I to JapanTown in San Francisco for a day of fun and play! (I'm the kitty to the right) I have added a photo of a little Japanese vace that I found on Ebay last month. Being Danish we do not have the tradition of 'Easter Baskets' in my family but rather do an elaborate decorated 'breakfast table' where this little vace was this years highlight! I love that the children really swing, and have all their pets with them!
The windows are in, lights have dimmed and the show has begun! Mother Goose and her Gaggle of Geese already have Sir Fox and Mr. Cat in the audiance, certainly guaranteeing a performance full of drama and suspense. Dear Madame Sun will keep a careful eye on everyone while providing gentle warmth and plenty of light. (I added banners in the back, lots of 'goose' eggs and birds nests in the trees.) The second window has Miss Mouse 'running up the clock'! While 'time' seems to have spilled everywhere... Sweet little (German) flower children have found homes within the clocks, and Stars (glass chandelier crystals) fill the sky. Last but not least, Little Miss Teapot is doing her best not to fall out of the cradle when the wind blows... (What I am hoping to add is pretty Calligraphy verse banners hanging in the air...)
Apologies for the glare (its hard to photograph windows!) but here are my dolls in their new home. Please refer back to the previous post to see details...
And a few shots from inside. Doesn't my jewelry look great in its new home?
