ULLABENULLA

A River of Tears - Silent Wails Flowing Through my Life

IMG_1432

When you look into the glass eyes of antique Neapolitan figures, you can almost feel their tears. In no way do I claim to look like a madonna these days, more like a wailling banshee... My emotions are so off kilter, and close to the surface, I can't predict when the flood will flow - and flow it does - and often! I have tried to put a name to the tears, but as of yet, the stream is running too fast, and I cannot hear its song.

I don't think I am alone in this need to feel, and release my emotions, but few ever talk about it. Perhaps its a middle-age stage. A trial of sorts, that will help me cross over to what comes next.  Is it regrets? Lost opportunities? The elephant in the living room? I just don't know. The salt dries my cheeks and makes me squint at the light, and then I am crying again.  

Making art helps, long talks with my daughter helps, kisses from my dogs and husband helps, taking walks helps, eating blueberries helps... I want an endless list of things to help me, and yet, truth be known, in the moment, the tears feel good.  As if I am giving up something, making way for something new.

Clearing the mud from the river... 

IMG_1440

Wednesday, June 03, 2015 in Antiques and Insights, Who is Ulla | Permalink | Comments (0)

Very Special Antique Pincushion Hearts

IMG_0163

I was recently gifted this wonderful 'Heart Token' - Thank You Lana!!!  Covered in black velvet, and beaded with what looks like an anchor and flowers, it has a surprise on the inside!  Open it up and there are tiny little precious scraps glued to handcut paper hearts.  It is truly delightful and precious (3 inches in length) and I am hoping to create a class inspired by it!  

IMG_0164

I also recently aquired my own WW1 'Sweetheart Pincushion' on ebay.  I was surprised by the weight of it, being stuffed with sawdust.  It is also larger than I had imagined, about 6 inches in width.  The beading is bold and covers the entire pillow.  My pincushion classes have been so fun and inspiring, I can't wait to create a new version.  

 IMG_0162

Friday, June 15, 2012 in Antiques and Insights, Castle Classes | Permalink | Comments (7)

Haunted Skeleton Nichos...

IMG_0005

Here are the class samples for next Wednesdays (October 19, 2011) "Haunted Skeleton Nicho" class.  I was inspired by my own antique Mexican Nicho (see last photo).  These are constructed from old cigar boxes, layered with wonderful papers that the Castle is known for.  The inside will feature a dressed skeleton and waxed flowers.  There are still a few spots left, if you are interested, please call (510) 204-9801 for more information or to reserve a spot.  

IMG_0006

IMG_0008

IMG_0010

IMG_0003

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 in Antiques and Insights, Castle Classes, Class Samples, Ulla's Art | Permalink | Comments (10)

Enchanted Christmas in Yountville!

Midnight_walk

Today I had the special treat of seeing my friend Dolph Gotelli's 'An Enchanted Christmas' exhibit now being shown at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville.  If you are anywhere near Napa this is a not to miss exhibit of amazing wonder and delight! (It runs through January 23rd, so there is still plenty of time!) Dolph has created 30 vignettes of his favorite christmas collectables.  Everything from 'Santa on a Midnight walk' above, to Grizelda's Christmas Tree - first image below.

Grizelda_s_Christmas_Tree

My Mother and I spent nearly two hours looking at all the scenes, each one magical and nostalgic.  I especially fell in love with 'Dinner At Willow Hollow' seen first below - depicting a christmas feast attended by a variety of woodland animals.  Dolphs attention to details is supreme and his ability to make our hearts go back in time flawless.  A couple more of my favorites are also seen below.  More information on Dolph can be found HERE.  And photos of all the scenes are HERE!

ENJOY!

Dinner_At_Willow_Hollow

Journey_Through_Childhood_Valley

O_Hare_s_Budget_of_Good_Things  

Friday, December 17, 2010 in Antiques and Insights, CHRISTMAS, Doll Houses and Miniatures, Dolls and Puppets, Dolls Inspiration, Fairy Tale Style, INSPIRATION | Permalink | Comments (13)

Inspiring Me Today...

176-103_needlework-purse_1

I love that this is called a 'Make Do' purse!  Now I want to get all my little bits and pieces out and 'Make Do A Purse'!

Link

176-103_needlework-purse_3
 


 

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 in Antiques and Insights, Fun with Fashion, INSPIRATION, Textile - Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ultimate Christmas Room Inspiration!

AK-330.1L

Sometimes I could just kick myself for not finding Inspiration like these earlier! These 3 Vintage German scenes would have made truly wonderful Holiday Classes - I'm thinking of next year now!  Just look at the details!  And the use of cotton batting, paper scrap and doll house shapes is supreme!  Although they are all sold, we can gather hours of creative ideas from these images!!!

Many more details can be found Here, and Here, and Here

AK-330.2L
AK-330.3L 

AK-330.5L
 
AK-330.9L
AK-333.2L
AK-333.1L
AK-437.1L
AK-437.4L
       


 

Friday, December 18, 2009 in Antiques and Insights, CHRISTMAS, Doll Houses and Miniatures, Fairy Tale Style, INSPIRATION, Paper Art | Permalink | Comments (7)

Botanical Treasures!

DSC00242

Its been a while since I did this post on Papier Mache Botanical Models.  I still love these wonderful scientific and didactic yet fanciful models!   These images, also from  Staetshuys Antiquairs are just as inspiring and wonderful...!ITM12297742921

ITM12297029171

Sunday, November 08, 2009 in Antiques and Insights, INSPIRATION, Paper Art | Permalink | Comments (7)

Moonlight Sonata...

2478-iID

Like stepping into a fairyland, this 'Antique Victorian Papier Mache Desk Blotter' is truly dreamy! Intricate Mother of Pearl flowers and delicate enamel and gilt flourishes make one think of dancing under diamond stars...

Link

2478-iID_1


Sunday, November 08, 2009 in Antiques and Insights, INSPIRATION | Permalink | Comments (2)

Next »
My Photo

About

Ulla Norup Milbrath


Categories

  • Alzheimer's and Dementia
  • Antiques and Insights
  • Books
  • caregiving
  • Castle Classes
  • Castle News
  • Ceramics - Inspiration
  • CHRISTMAS
  • Class Samples
  • Classes Elsewhere
  • Classes in Ulla's Studio
  • Cooking
  • Doll Houses and Miniatures
  • Dolls and Puppets
  • Dolls Inspiration
  • Etsy Shop
  • Fairy Tale Style
  • fashion Inspiration
  • Film
  • Fine Art Inspiration
  • Food and Drink
  • Fun In Merryville
  • Fun with Fashion
  • Fun with Friends
  • Halloween
  • Illustration - Inspiration
  • INSPIRATION
  • Jewelry - Inspiration
  • Millinery Inspiration
  • Music
  • New in the studio
  • Paper Art
  • Paris Discoveries
  • Photography - Inspiration
  • shapeshifters
  • Shopping
  • Textile - Inspiration
  • Tutorials
  • Ulla's Art
  • Ulla's Dollhouse
  • Ulla's Sketchbooks
  • Weblogs
  • Who is Ulla
  • Window display

Archives

  • June 2015
  • August 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012

More...

Ulla
Ulla
3 Following
203 Followers
Carondunn Laetitia French la Vie