ULLABENULLA

Bay Area Blues

Yesterday we took a spontanious trip to the ocean. It was a balmy 68 degrees, and totally cloud free. We had a delicious picnic next to the community gardens in Olema, a town of 355 residents. The girls ran through the waves, climbed rocks and dug through tide-pools, while Michael and I dreamily held hands, dug our toes in the sand and relaxed. We often ask ourselves why we continue to stay in the Bay Area, when the cost of living is so incredibly high. Well, this is one of the reasons why. Where else can one drive, 35 minutes in January and sit and soak up the sun and hear the gulls sing blissfully? It almost makes the outlandish morgage payments worthwhile...
I have added a few of my favorite 'Inspiration' websights to my sidebars, and am now working on some photoalbums of my artwork. Take a look and stay tuned. I am off to soak up some more sun, they say it might reach 70 today. Incredible...

"Cirque de printemps"

Wouldn't it be wonderful if tradition had it, that spring was the time for a circus? Just when we feel ourselves falling into the rabbithole of winters darkness, old gypsy wagons pull into town, full of color and anticipation. They set up a tent, just outside of town, in a meadow awaiting wildflowers, by a small quiet stream. Clowns come into town to buy carrots, steak and peanuts for their animals. Beautiful long-legged women join us at the gym. Children are everywhere, we are them and they are us... And then the tent flaps open and we are allowed to enter their world of fantasy and enchantment.
These pages are from my 'Circus' themed altered book, created a while back. The children on animals are from a series of 'photo transfers' on fabric, that I made a few years ago. I just love how they look like a parade.
Dear Pierrot with his family of many, is thinking:
"...his starved heart, ever before quite empty, was swollen to the bursting point with an emotion even more exquisite than the miraculous galaxy of happenings...It would be folly not to go."
Join me at the 'Circus of Spring'...

Valentines for the Castle...

I have blissfully been creating Valentines for the Castle the last couple of days. The romantic that I am, Valentines has always been my favorite holiday. As a child and teen, I spent hours putting together complicated and involved cards for everyone that I loved. As I reached my 20's though, I was always sad that few seemed to appreciate them. Perhaps it was the birth of my daughter, or more likely, the "I am going to make whatever I want to make" attitude that comes later in life - I now set aside time each year to make Valentines again. This batch (of 50) had to retail for $5.00 each, and be "Victorian" in theme and inspiration. I made lots of photocopies from my ephemera collection, and bought Doilies, base paper and envelopes. Here's a few for you to see.
Last year I made my Husband a 'fold-out' Valentine, using my favorite Moleskine 'Japanese Journal' (we have them at the Castle!). I illustrated in collage a 'found poem' using words cut out from a old trashy Romance novel that I found at the thrift store. (Romance novels are great for finding wonderful words!) Needless to say, he loved it.
The last photo, a green Valentine's collage for my parents, is dated 1980. Thats me as a child... Enjoy...

Where was winter?

Roses in January? Where is winter? There is still a chill in the air, and I haven't planted my bulbs yet, but it sure feels like Mother Nature is cheating us a little. I can Imagine living in this little cottage (created by John Mcgrey and for sale at the Castle). Don't you think we all should have pinecone shingles to keep us warm and cozy?

Angel Theatre's in Menlo Park

My 'once a month group' in Menlo Park, decided to make a variety of Angel Theatre's in December. Elves, snowladies and even a tree became magical christmas treasures. I think they turned out wonderful!

Santa Theatre

Its catch up day, posting a few pre-christmas treats. This went to Santa Fe. It was such a treat to be asked to make a Santa theatre! The customer wanted a nature scene with an angel inside.

Soldered Jewelry in Oakland

I had a lovely group of ladies for a soldered jewelry class at "High Strung Beads" in Oakland a few weeks ago. (I accidently misplaced the photos, sorry gals...) Take a look.

Pinocchio windows completed

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?