ULLABENULLA

COMPUTER WOES

Much to my frustration and dismay, we seem to be having computer problems here... Our main MAC is in the shop, mine operates too slow to post photos or other fun stuff, and I seem to have 'heavy fingers' when I try to use the lap-top - soooo in other words, I am out of commission for a few days. Hope to have some fun posts for you soon, as well as photos from a few classes. Till then, hang on and hope for the best...

PINECONE SANTAS

While teaching the 'Christmas in July' class, I was reminded of these wonderful 'Pinecone Santas' from a book called 'Family and Friends' (c.1988) by tole painter Michele Walton. These figures use real pinecones for the body and have a sculpted face and painted capes.
A google search found a similar santa presented by HGTV and this wonderful Victorian Santa Claus from Harpers Bazaar, December 1867, (with a girdle made of moss!) and complete instructions! Now the search is on for the perfect pinecones...!

For those of you who asked about the paper mache pinecones and walnuts, we carrry them at the Castle. (Email or phone the Castle for more information)

Christmas in July Class at the Castle.

Last week I did a 'Christmas in July' class at the Castle. We made mini theatres using german paper mache pinecones and walnuts. (same technique as in the Easter Egg theatres...) They all turned out charming and full of winter glee!

When the Temperature Soars...

Take a look at these images from the National Ice Carving Association. If I had a car like that, there would be no need to worry about if the air conditioner works...

Delicious

Beautiful ceramics by Australian Fiona Hiscock.

Babes In The Woods...

Funny little forest floor babies by Dutch artist Tine Kamerbeek.

Fungal Rapture

Just look at these facinating dolls found on Ebay by Paul Robins and David Chapman! They are called 'Mushroom man and woman', but deserve more whimsical names I think... I love the details on them, his jacket is amazing, and her bodice looks like she just stepped off the forest floor!

Friedericy

So, I was looking at this 'sweet post' over at Inspireco and some of the dolls reminded me of the dolls created by Lucia and Judith Friedericy! For a number of years I attended doll shows in San Francisco, just to see the dolls by this mother and daughter team. The dolls have a wonderful translucent feel and lifelike appearance due in part to their being dipped in wax when done, and the costuming and design is always delightful and fairytale like! (and sure enough, my eyes didn't deceive me, the 'sweet' dolls are indeed by Friedericy and a similar one is pictured last!) More dolls Here!