ULLABENULLA

PAPER DOLL FAN Class Sample!

Tuesday July 22nd, I will be offering a PAPER DOLL FAN class at the CASTLE, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is still lots of room in this class, so if you are interested please call: 510-204-9801 to reserve a spot!

This fan (inspired by an antique fireplace fan) uses a wonderful pressed paper form (from Germany) for the background. Colorful theatre sheets set the scene, and a vintage looking paper doll stands center stage in clothing that you will design and create out of found images. (dresses and hats 'hang' from the dolls, so you can easily display your fan however you want!) I have also added a vintage 'mother of pearl' handle to replicate the look of a vintage fan. In my first sample I 'antiqued' the pressed paper form, and used a festive background, giving a feel of a summer ball in progress. Our little lady dons a ocean~mermaid inspired ensemble and then changes into a music paper summer party dress.

In my Second sample, I left the pressed paper stark white, and added a pretty woodland scene for the background. This little lady wears a 'walking outfit' made of maps, complete with a beehive hat, and then a 'teapot' frock, topped with a 'Tour Eiffel Tea Cup hat'!!

I thought you might enjoy seeing my inspiration photos. The first two are from a book about vintage paper dolls. The fans have envelopes on the backside to hold the clothing. The last two photos show a fan one of my students received at a doll convention last year, obviously from the same inspiration! My understanding is that these fans were used by proper ladies, who sat near a fire, but didn't want to melt of heat...

Armchair Travels at the Castle!

Last Wednesday, Nine delightful women joined me in 'Armchair Travels' at the Castle! Away we went, all across the world ~ ripping, cutting, gluing and altering as we traveled! Here are some highlights from our adventures... ENJOY!!!

THE MAGIC BASKET!

Sometimes gifts take on a life of their own... Such is the case of a wonderful Chinese treasure that arrived recently from my friend Kimberlee!

ONCE UPON A TIME... in a land where fish swim in trees,

a Wee little boy was feeling sad, alone and just a little bit useless.

His brothers were hooting and hollering, busily climbing high, looking for longtailed birds to ride. His sisters sat giggling and whispering in a meadow gathering flowers to turn into crowns.

Quietly he crept in amongst the trees until big sister spotted him and asked, "Wee one, why are you so sad?" "No one will play with me..." he replied. "I am too small to climb with my brothers, and not nimble enough to help you with your flowers..." With a kiss on his forhead she said: "Then we shall find Big Brother and ask him what to do!"

And she gathered their other siblings, one by one...

...and went in search of Big Brother who was known for being wise, kind and generous.

Big Brother took Wee one on his lap, and told him he had found a great surprise, a magic basket that surely was filled with treasures inside! But he couldn't open it, the lock was too small for his Big fingers. "Will you help me Wee one?" he asked.

"Oh Yes!" said Wee one, "Surely this is a task just for me!" And soft as a kitten, quiet as a mouse, Wee one carefully opened the magic basket and found wonderful things inside! Teapots and Cups, enough for all his siblings to partake!

A scent of sweet Jasmine filled the air, and Wee ones brothers and sisters quickly gathered round, wondering what Big Brother had found!

"LOOK!" Big Brother said, "Wee one has helped us all by opening this magic basket!"

As the treasures spilled out, a wonderful feast was shared and everyone agreed that Wee one was truly the most helpful and useful sibling of all!

THANK YOU KIMBERLEE for your basket of joy! (vintage Chinese teaset, teapot and dolls from Ulla's collection)

Heat Escape...

The wicked California heat has me wishing I could cool off in a garden like this... care to join me? (images via Studio da Lu) correct link!

'Armchair Travels' Altered Book Sample!

Tomorrow I will be teaching 'Armchair Travels' at the Castle! Class runs from 10:00 to 5:00 and costs $100.00. There is still a space or two left ~ if interested please call: 510-204-9801.
Here are a few pages from my sample book for you to enjoy!!! Happy Traveling!!!!!!!

French Mood Boards!

Few can compare to the sublime taste and style of Eivlys in France! Her blog always makes me feel content and filled with inspiration. Just look at this CADRE AUX SOUVENIRS she has created from a lovely antique frame, (in a true french grey) chicken-wire and (my favorite) christmas tree candle holders as clips! So simple, and so SOPHISTICATED!!!

Here is another take on a stylish mood board, found on Esprit Champetre. Images of Marie, pinned onto a chair-back and then framed in gilded wood! Definitely Inspiring ~ and so easy!!!

Unfortunately I cannot remember where I found this last image, and I don't know if it is French... But it also has that "je ne sais quoi" quality that I adore! Don't you just love those enlarged postcard backs?!

Crystal And Pearls!

My friend Molly and I met 7 years ago when she had a wonderful boutique called 'Mixing Whimsy' here in town. Since then her business has grown and changed but her 'frenchy shabby chic' style has remained constant! Thursday she came over for a private class in soldering, with a goal of re-inventing antique glass bottles into something she could call her own. I was truly delighted in the end results ~ a wonderful melange of pearl crowned bottles that truly sparkle and shine ~ just like Molly!!!

Have A Snapping Great 4th!!!