ULLABENULLA

Grimoire Of Grace...

Tumblr_lg9a256gfO1qahuhjo1_1280

I've started a new tumbler account filled with the little things that give us joy.  Called 'Grimoire of Grace' I hope its magic filled pages will inspire simple pleasures in your day to day...

Click HERE to see more.

Tumblr_lk6ej7PMlC1qiy0txo1_1280

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in INSPIRATION | Permalink | Comments (6)

Woven Heart And Hand Valentine Tutorial...

IMG_0018

I've had a number of requests for my 'Woven Heart And Hand Valentine' so I've decided to create a mini tutorial on how you can make your own.  My Mother taught me this technique when I was a little girl, and its always been a favorite of mine.

Step1:

With a pencil, trace your hand (from wrist to wrist) onto the back of a decorative paper .  I've used old sheet music.  Refine the lines, by straightening them - making elegant fingers.

IMG_0001

Step2:

Flair out your tracing at wrists on both sides - creating cuffs.

IMG_0002

Step3:

With scissors, cut out hand and cuff.

IMG_0003

Step4:

Using decorative scissors (I used a small scallop) cut a curved end where cuff will be.

IMG_0004

Step5:

Now cut out a heart from a pretty red decorative paper.  I've used a handmade Italian Marbled paper from the Castle.  Make sure your heart fits into the palm of your papercut hand.

IMG_0005

IMG_0007

Step6:

Gently fold hand in half lenghwise, without creating too hard of a crease.

IMG_0008

Step7:

Fold heart in half as well, matching lobes.

IMG_0009

Step8:

Now place folded heart over folded hand, so that the heart lies upside down in the center of your hand palm as shown.  Make sure folds are tight together.

IMG_0010

Step9:

Holding your heart and hand together, cut 5 slits into both layers, making slits equal distant apart and equal distant in length, and slanted up towards heart curves.   Be careful not to cut slits beyond hand papercut.  I like to start with the center slit and then cut slits above and below.

IMG_0011

Step10:

Pull heart from hand and turn so that the hand and heart are facing upwards together.  Place heart on top of hand, and gently slip each cut notch of heart into cut notches of hand.

IMG_0013

Step11:

Now gently push down on each tip (starting from top) so that another heart layer shows through.

Weaving will vary depending on length and width of your cuts.  Try a heart with more than 5 cuts for extra complexity!  Hint:  odd number of cuts will always give a pretty end result.

IMG_0014

IMG_0015

Step12:

Finish off your hand by adding a crepe-paper or doily cuff on the end.

Sign the back and send to your Valentine!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

IMG_0016

Sunday, February 13, 2011 in INSPIRATION, Paper Art, Tutorials, Ulla's Art | Permalink | Comments (11)

New Years Blessings!

Image (348)

Saturday, January 01, 2011 in INSPIRATION | Permalink | Comments (13)

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)

Amazing New Online Drawing Tool!

Unknown

I just whipped up this little drawing using This Harmony Tool!  Talk about Fun!  Press on image to see it close up.  I think I could spend hours playing with this...  If you want to see what a fine artist does with this tool - take a look at Julia Lundmans post Here.  Thank you Julia for the link!  Click HERE to make a fabulous drawing yourself!

Saturday, November 13, 2010 in INSPIRATION | Permalink | Comments (7)

Mothtales Delights!

4872063981_7b3f190f54_b

I've been quite ill the last few weeks, and hope to heal soon.  But while in bed, I have slowly added new treasures to my Mothtales Tumblr blog.  Have a look and let me know what you think! 

As always, when on Mothtales, press on the photo and you will see the image completely, press again, and you will be taken to its source!

Friday, August 27, 2010 in INSPIRATION, Photography - Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (8)

Summer Blooms At The Castle!

IMG_0012

Last weeks 'Summer Blooms Class' at the Castle was a huge success!  Eight wonderful women joined me in creating a garden full of lovely accessories!  Necklaces, hairbands, hat ornaments and brooches all took shape in this day of 'Blooming' creativity.  BRAVO!!!  

IMG_0003
IMG_0005
IMG_0006
IMG_0007
IMG_0008
IMG_0009
IMG_0011
IMG_0016
IMG_0018
          

Monday, June 21, 2010 in Castle Classes, Fun with Fashion, INSPIRATION, Jewelry - Inspiration, Textile - Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (8)

A Few Things I've Been Working On, And A Few Things To Come!

IMG_0002

My beloved Apple tree is in bloom outside of my studio.  After a rather difficult winter, its blossoms tease me out of my doldrums.  I thought I'd share with you a few of the projects I've been working on recently, and show you some peeks at what I will be teaching this summer!  First, I am thrilled to be creating with textiles again.  My studio floors are awash in a sea of colors, until I can rearrange my storage space.  

IMG_0015 

I litterly have BOXES and BOXES of fabrics buried in the garage, from my wearable art and doll days back when.  Its the old textured fabrics that I seem to gravitate to these days, silks, velvets, laces and damasks...  Although the classes I am offering this Spring at the CASTLE are full, I will be doing lots more this summer, as well as here in my studio.  Keep an eye on my side bar for upcoming classes!  

I was inspired by one of my Chinese Baby Hats to create a delightful 'Chinoiserie Fish Brooch Class' to be offered this summer. (Date to come)  These little guys are about 7 inches long, and look fabulous pinned onto a hat, blouse or pillow!   

IMG_0020
IMG_0028 

Working with the same technique I've been experimenting in creating Cicadas and Moths as well.  I'm not as happy with these yet, but they bode well for a future project, down the road...

IMG_0040 

My Fabric Flower Necklace class filled so quickly at the Castle, I've created a new Fabric Flower class for the summer.  We will be using a variety of poly linings to create colorful blooms that not only look wonderful as jewelry, but are light and airy enough to attach to clothing. (Date to come)

IMG_0048 

I am also working on some samples for a 'MAD HATTER' class, where we will create small decorative hats (also known as Fascinator's) that sit on top of ones head!  Here are a couple of little hats to tempt you for this summer.  

IMG_0042 

Although I have not been porcelain painting as much as I would like to, I have been working on a SELKIE head, with a sealife bust.  It's been great fun to paint a fantasy underwater scene, with crabs, coral and fish. My goal is to paint her head, as if she is just coming out of her seal skin, leaving one world for another. There is something about the Selkie Myth that really resonates with me right now, perhaps it is their ability to live in two worlds, and yet they are eternally bound only to one.

IMG_0045 IMG_0046 

Last but not least, I have been growing rare and coveted Oriental Indigo seeds in my windowsill!  This may not seem like much, but truth be told, babying these little guys and watching them grow has been a highlight of the last few weeks!  Soon they will venture out into the garden, and hopefully grow big and strong.  If all goes as planned, then by Summers end, I will be able to make my own batch of Indigo Dye!

IMG_0051 

I recently took a Natural Dye Class from Rebecca Burgess and  was so inspired by the results (see below) that I have been not only collecting pots and pans, but also Apple and Cherry tree cuttings, onion skins and avocado pits!  I dream of being able to offer a variety of natural dyed fabrics in my classes, as I find the mellow colors so wonderful to work with!

4415614031_c7e141b3c43  

I hope this post tempts you to stay tuned.  I promise class dates and more studio creations soon!

Blessings, 
Ulla

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in Castle Classes, Fairy Tale Style, INSPIRATION, Millinery Inspiration, Textile - Inspiration, Ulla's Art, Who is Ulla | Permalink | Comments (14)

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
200 Followers
Laetitia French la Vie Carondunn