ULLABENULLA

Let's go to the Opera...

Last weekend, while returning from dinner at my parents house, I saw this treasure in one of the local shop windows in Sonoma. It was too late to stop, and I didn't have my camera with me... Today I went back, camera in hand, to look again and beg photos... The shop, Chateau Sonoma, is a favorite of mine. I have purchased a number of french bird-cages and other small goodies from them in the past. This theatre is a mere $15,000.00 (If only one had money like that to spare...) but what a beauty. The owner, Sarah Anderson, bought it in Paris earlier this spring. I told her it belongs in a museum! (Ironically it was destined to go to a Museum in Switzerland, but the buyer pulled out at the last minute, and Sarah couldn't resist.) The little puppets are enchanting and the backdrops and gold-leafed fret-work glorious. I alone was the only audiance, watching the show, feeling the history, hearing the songs and sweet music, and oh so excited to share it with you!

Feather dreams

So often in my dreams, I am soaring high above the world... The moment I wake I swear I know how, but instantly the feeling disappears. My father says it is a good thing to fly in ones dreams - I hope so, as I often do. I just wish I could in real life too... Perhaps you could almost imagine yourself flying if you were wearing this lovely feather collar by Anna Lewis. (found on the beautiful sight Nebo Peklo) Anna prints enchanting patterns on feathers, like buttons, lace, maps and writing and then transforms them into delectable wearable works of art. Sweet dreams...

AND A MERRY SPRING TO ALL...

Found this lovely brooch on ebay last year, Miss spring in all her glory, although a bit worn and discolored with time... Miraculously no one bid against me. And just in case you were wondering if Spring should hit my garden, look what I found this morning. I planted them over 3 years ago and am amazed that they still come up each year as our yard is filled with squirrels and other critters!

Window Sneak Peek

Next week my windows are due at the Castle, and I thought I'd give you a sneak peek. I am focusing on Mother Goose this time. One window will have 'Twinkle, twinkle little star...' as the central theme. These baby 'Grandfather Clocks' (about 30 inches tall) will ultimately become little theatres (see the marked holes?) and have a long long ladder up one side with a little mouse climbing it (Hickory Dickory Dock...). I wanted them to be like a little village, as well as clocks setting the scene for 'Twinkle...'. I was totally inspired by CoreyM.. I have a couple of her pieces and love her layered look. My clocks have 6 plus layers of paint and papers, (you have to look real close to see them, but I know they are there.) CoreyM. is a master of color and layers and I love the whimsical look that is her personal style. I was also inspired by the lovely shapes that old Scandinavian Grandfather Clocks have and the amazing illustrations of British illustrator Jane Ray. Below is one of CoreyM. pieces that I own, and a couple of close ups of the clocks. More soon...

FAIRY TALE FLOWERS

Tage Andersen, a Danish florist, made this amazing bouquet and then shipped it to a customer in NY. (can you imagine?) It has more flowers in it then my tiny garden does in full bloom! Isn't it stunning? He also designs a series of wonderful garden and flower accessories, I am especially fond of those made in honor of H.C. Andersen's bicentennial last year. Do also take a peek at what he has done to Norrvikens Tradgardar, an amazing garden where fairy tales undoubtably take place! Perfect images to welcome Spring and all her abundance back to our gardens... (I found this sight this morning while browsing another blog, but promptly forgot whose, sorry)

All My Sisters and Me...

I am truly overwhelmed and delighted with all the attention my little blog has been receiving. THANK YOU SO MUCH! It has now been just a few days over half a year, and I am, as they say, truly addicted! Daily I am stunned with wonder at how in tune we all seem to be. Comments fly in from across the world, and yet it feels as if we are in the same room. (I am still trying to figure out the correct protocol for responding, I now understand why movie-stars need a press secretary, it takes so much time to reply thoughtfully. Must one respond to all? Forgive me if I have been remiss.) We are indeed Sisters of Creativity, and such a generous bunch!

On very rare occassions you find real "soul-sisters", the kind who: Finish your sentences before you even think them through; Who can cook a meal for you, having never met you, and it is your favorite food; See something at the flea market or thrift shop and just know it is exactly what you need that day; Or upon showing them your latest project, they have already made three just like it! Corey and Lauren have become such kindred spirits for me. I find it amazingly ironic that it is modern day technology that has brought us together. Why the irony? Because as I see it, it is our mutual love of: the Artfully antique, Tarnished and torn, and Decadently decayed that introduced us in the first place. I am honored and thrilled to be in their company, though we are miles apart.

My list of 'Beautiful Blogs' grows daily. Please visit as many as you can. As 'Sisters' we always have room for more! Sharing seems to be a human nature, and the vulnerability that seeps through makes us all so wonderfully human... Today look especially at these for inspiration and joy... dear Mrs. Staggs, Susan, Cally, Corey, Joanna, Angela, Pam, and Delila. A gathering of 'Sisters' like no other, and yet like so many... Blessings to you all!!!

Any suggestions?

A few years ago, at my daughters old school, I took a wonderful class in Natural Dyes. Today I look back at the experience with wonder and awe. We were eight women with a variety of backgrounds and ages but all wanting to learn more about the gifts that mother nature shares. Our classroom was an old barn, in the midst of an apple orchard, with cows, rabbits and chickens running every which way. Idyllic! For hours we stooped over old camping stoves, mixing huge pots of Rasberries, Blueberries, Marigold, Onions, Walnuts and Oak Galls. The smells were intoxicating... Modern day witches brewing old fashioned rainbows. On a hunch I brought strips of silk velvet that I had laying in my studio, to share with my classmates. As the wool and silk came out of the pots we all gathered round to Ohhhhh and Ahhhhh. It was such magic. Food found in the fields and brewed with iron or alum created the most amazingly delicate and dare I say delicious colors! (the photo barely gives the true luminous colors justice) The silk velvet, especially, took the colors well. So now I have this little box filled with my samples. Yesterday I added tags, but they need somehow to be displayed. How then to do so? They must not have too much light, as the sun will fade them quickly - such are natural dyes. I have thought perhaps a shadow box would be nice, old or new frame? Or tied up on a board of linen. I am a bit stumped. You are such an artistic community, so I ask you, what would you do???

A Bit Of Green...

May you find a 'pot of gold' under your pillow tonight...