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Where does the time go??? I've been overwhelmed with classes, events and projects, and seem to have neglected my blog. I'm so sorry! I promise to catch you all up as soon as I get some more rest. Yesterday and last night was the CASTLE'S Christmas Transformation . I was the first to arrive at 9:30 am, but not the last to leave! At 11:30 pm, 14 hours later for me, I had to head home, and leave the rest of the Castle Christmas Magic up to the remaining elves... Do come and visit soon!!!
Illustration above by Theodor Kittelsen of Norway.
BELOW: A peek at our 'Christmas' Window (using antique Chinese Theatre Puppets) created by the ever talented John McRae!
As I alluded to in my LAST POST, making these tiny little miniature 'Winter Wonderland' scenes is truly addicting and wonderfully fun! They are easy to create and make me want to do a whole table-scape full of little mountains!!!
Heres what you will need:
Foil, Cotton Batting, Scissors, Moss and natural bits, DAS paper clay (for little houses), Fabric Stiffener (I used Aleene's), Stiffen Quik (Aleene's), Spray on Snow, Glitter and Mica and Hot Glue Gun.
Step one is to decide how big you want your scene to be. We were limited to the inner circumference of our glass domes, (about 3 inches) but you can use any size you'd like. Take a length of heavy duty foil ( about 2 feet or so) and crumple up a preliminary shape to work with. Pinch out peeks, and pay attention to height.
Step two: Cut a piece of creamy white cotton batting big enough that it will cover you foil on all sides when it drapes over. Lay your batting flat on the table and pour some 'Fabric Stiffener' onto the batting and work into the batting with your fingers. You want the batting to be moist and tacky on both sides, but not 'drippy'! Drape batting over your foil, and begin forming it. Use your fingers to create peaks, and let the batting drape dramatically to form mountain ridges along the sides. Press the batting flat to the table along the outside edges. Have fun with this part! When happy with the mountains, set aside to dry.
Step Three: While your mountains are drying you can make some tiny houses out of paper clay or even cut pieces of foam core. I made mine of DAS paper clay, and then painted them different shades of red and pink and glued cotton batting onto the roof tops to give a snow topped roof effect. When your mountains are fairly dry you can cut the edges of the cotton batting to fit what ever size and shape you are aiming for.
Step four: Make trees and bushes from tiny pieces of moss. I cut triangular shapes from pieces of thick moss to simulate conifer trees. Trees often grow in clusters, and even up on the hillsides, but rarely on mountain peeks. Use your imagination... Hot glue trees, and houses in place as desired.
Step five: The Snow! First I sprayed a light dusting of 'Spray Snow'. Be sure to test this before you spray your piece, as a little goes a long way. A heavy spray of snow gives a very different but equally lovely effect as a light spraying. If you wish, you can add a sprinkle of glitter on top of the Spray Snow now. Or you can wait for the snow to dry. Once dry, use the 'Stiffen Quik' as a spray glue, and lightly spray again applying glitter or mica where desired. I found that a small sprinkling of Mica on the peeks gave the impression of 'sunlight on the mountains, and a dusting of finer glitter over the countryside made the lower areas look as if a light snow had just happened. If you can't find a 'Spray Snow', I suggest using the Stiffen Quik and sprinkling on 'fake snow' or glitter.
A couple of my students in the Mother Winter Workshop added crystals and other miniatures with great effect! The skies the limit here, just keep scale in mind when you add things. We also thought about how fun it would be to add mini lights onto our hills. I hope someone will take this project and really go wild with it!!! I know I will be making more of these little worlds soon and hope you will too. ENJOY!!!
Last weekend 5 lovely women joined me in creating their own personal versions of MOTHER WINTER at the CASTLE! Not only was this my last class of the season for the Castle, but I think it was one of my absolute favorite classes! Using glass domes as a 'skirt' and wonderful papers, fabrics. glitters and natural materials - true fantasy versions of Ms. Winter appeared! Inspiration came from Pagan Myths, Marie Antoinette and even the Aura Borealis! My personal favorite part of this project was creating the miniature 'Winter Wonderland' scenes that fits under the glass domes. Teeny Tiny little trees and houses clinging to snow encrusted hillsides - one is truly transported!
Enjoy!!!
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...!
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...
Following a week filled with wonderful teaching experiences and celebration, I am feeling completely exhausted and spent. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach, but it can drain me to the bone... I have many beautiful things to share, and will try to be prompt about it. But today? Today I will sleep - head first on my pillow... Image via Moonwomb.
Chateau Sonoma is my absolute favorite shop North of the Bay Area! So I am thrilled to be offering it as a new teaching venue. This past Sunday 8 wonderful women joined me in a 'Reliquary Class' held at the home of Sarah Anderson, owner of Chateau Sonoma. We felt as if we had been transported to Provence, nestled in the dining room of her truly stunning home! Surrounded by French antiques, beautiful views and good company, amazing art was created by all!
Sarah is in the process of creating a 'classroom' at her shop, where I hope to offer many more classes in the near future. Stay tuned for more wonderful classes to take place at Chateau Sonoma HERE! as well as on the sidebar of my blog.
The Castle's own wonderful Daniel and a delightful Mother and Daughter team joined me on Friday to round off this years Halloween and Day of The Dead classes! As much as I love full classes, there is something really special about spending the day with 3 wonderful people like these!
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
Roald Dahl link
This lovely display was hidden in a corner window of a small shop in San Francisco. I can't even remember its name, but couldn't resist photographing it... I love the elegance of the Asian hand holding such a delicate natural treasure... Much like we as artists, hold precious creations to our hearts!
Have a wonderful Friday!!!
Four Lovely Women joined me on Tuesday to create 'Fairy Chatelaine's'! Little treasures were encased in clay, glittered, shaped and formed into enchanting charms any fairy would be proud to wear! The first one below, was created by one of the students for "a friend who just lost her Mother", filled with personal symbols and meaning... Truly Wonderful Day!!!
I was being chased by ghosts in my dreams last night - my Husband had to wake me from my screaming... I wish they had been as cute as these...
Ten Happy Students joined me last weekend for the 'Dia de Los Muertos Shadowbox' class at the CASTLE! What a wonderful day we had! Each student created their own version of a coffin reliquary using my hand-dyed velvets, dresden trim and other delightful wonders. Then they added a tiny skeleton inside, with accessories that tell its story - Delightful!
This class was so popular that I added a second date. If you have time, Come this Friday, October 30th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Friday's class is filling quickly so Call 501-204-9801 to reserve your spot!
Must be the season, I find myself so attracted to spider web designs. Link
Something about these photos by Billy & Hells strike a chord with me today. They seem historic, yet not. Faces boldly looking out, but also dreamy and nostalgic. Perfect for a change of season!
Link via Lobster and Swan!
Something about these photos by Billy & Hells strike a chord with me today. They seem historic, yet not. Faces boldly looking out, but also dreamy and nostalgic. Perfect for a change of season!
Link via Lobster and Swan!
I am falling a little behind in posting - sorry... This last weekend I had 10 wonderful women join me in learning 26 plus plus plus techniques at the Castle. This is a fast paced class, where students focus on 3 to 5 techniques per alphabet letter. Its amazing to see how each student renders the techniques, and no book looks the same in the end! We use Moleskine Japanese Accordian books to present the letters, so that everyone goes home with a colorful lineup of multiple techniques. This class is perfect for those who want to learn about altered books in a two day intensive!
Now YOU get to guess which letters are shown here!
My Husbands Grandparents came from Dalarna when they were young. We have a large collection of wooden Dalarna Horses to prove it! I have always been fond of Scandinavian folk art, and recently discovered the site for Jobs Handtryck. These fabrics have been entirely printed by hand since 1944. Patterns created years ago are as modern today as they were yesterday! Hand-printed means expensive, at around $140.00 a yard, but its hard to resist these patterns! You can also buy their fabric made up into handbags, pillows and shoes among other goodies. I just love the pumpkin print above, wouldn't it make a wonderful Autumn tablecloth? Or how about the beautiful chestnut print below, perfect for a woodland party!
Available statewide through Magdalena York Collection
How wonderful to have an address on 'Spider Web Lane'! Book available on a pdf format (so clever!) Here!