ULLABENULLA

Fairy Tale Couture From Russia...

From Russia with love...  Slava Zaitsev creates exquisite Haute Couture straight out of a Russian Fairy Tale!  In his 70's, Slava is known as the 'Red Dior'.  In honor of the 100 year anniversary of Sergey Dyagilev's Seasons in Pairs, Slava's designs this year hark back to the world famous Ballets Russes, that kept Paris on its toes in the beginning of the 20th century.  His extravagant use of braids and ribbons, and rich jewel toned colors make me think of Russian Princesses eagerly waiting to dance in the cold chilly moonlight!  DREAMY!!!

More Images HERE.  Via Wearable Art Blog

Dreaming Spires...

Everyone could use a place to escape to now and then...  I would love one of these Dreaming Spires Playhouses to call my own!  Handmade in England by Judith Needham, from natural english willow, this is surely the most whimsical creation of 'Green Architecture' I have seen yet!  Tempted???  You can purchase one for yourself on Etsy Here.  If traveling is more in line with your daydreams, perhaps a Rocket Playhouse is what you need...  Either would keep me quite happy!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Cupcake Ruffles and Lovers Eyes!

The ever creative and multi-talented Darla Teagarden sent me these wonderful photos of her 'Lovers Eye' Cupcake Ruffle Dress, with a beautiful glittered mask!  The combination of lace, eyes, glitter and style is truly stunning!  Bravo Darla!

To see more of Darla's amazing work check out her MySpace Page HERE!

Reliquary Class At The Castle This Weekend!

I am truly thrilled to have another full class at the CASTLE  this weekend - my ever popular 'Reliquary Class'! Yesterday I made a few new samples for the class, inspired by Antique Reliquaries.  As always its the little bits and pieces that make them special...

Sizes vary from two inches to two and a half inches.

This round reliquary has a wonderful vintage 'flaming heart' as the centerpiece.  The spines are actually porcupine quills that I've had for some time, and not known what to use them for...  The Music paper is old French and the quote from a vintage love poem.

I've had a tiny bag of 'Mouse Skeleton' bones laying around for years, and finally decided to use the ribs in this piece.  Beautiful Dresden bits surround the bones, and found words give them provenance.  The background is old wrinkled red silk.

This one started with the black sequin net on red background.  The cross is cut from a antique piece of ecclestastical silver ribbon and overlayed with a brass finding, with a old watch wheel at the bottom.  I adore the little silvered glass fish - tiny antique beads from my stash.  The quote is from an old found poem.

You can't see the background on this one, but its real butterfly wings!  Gold Bouillon, Dresden, quilling and a vintage cameo make this reliquary special.  Butterflies are the symbol of the soul, and here also dreams...  

Pagoda Birdhouse Class - ZNE $85.00 SPECIAL!

ZNE CONVENZIONE has decided to offer my Pagoda Birdhouse Class, on Thursday April 30th, in Pleasanton, California for a BARGAIN PRICE of  $85.00 for the day, including lunch!  (A  $100.00 savings over the original one day class pass)  This is a super price for what should be a wonderful class!  I hope some of you can make it!!!   

To Register, Contact ZNE and add your class HERE and mention the ULLA SPECIAL!

DESCRIPTION:

This paper carousel looks like it came straight out of a fairytale!  Inspired by 'The Emperor and the Nightingale', it features a lovely pagoda shaped roof, a flock of birds any ornithologist would envy and a lazy susan base - so that it can turn just like a real carousel!  In class you will learn the basics of creating a 3/d paper theatre while working with a variety of papers and trims.  (14 inch by 18 inch)

David, Paul and a few Chicks!

Its been a while since I have posted about David and Paul and their Old Pretenders. Firstly, Paul's 'Chick Invasion' made me smile!!!  Ever wonder where all those little chicks travel to after Easter?  Well, here's a good guess!  (Click on Photos for better views!)

Now for a few photos of Loveliness!  I have always adored the idea of a 'Dolls Doll'. How about a 'Dolls, Dolls, Doll'?  Just look...

How small can they go?  The 'Dolls, Dolls, Doll' in the second photo is less then 1 inch tall!  WOW!!!  I can't even imagine what kind of glasses were needed to create this treasure!!!

Here is another beauty I adore...  There is something truly delightful in her 'raggy-ness' and worn clothing.  Not that I don't adore David and Pauls costuming skills, I just find the simplicity of this little maidens clothing makes her 'Dolliness' shine through...  She is one of my very favorites of their creations so far!!!

And here is one of their very latest, dressed in a beautiful antique Paisley!  She makes me want to invest in  Mouches big time!!!

Next is a wonderful and unusual 'Black' Old Pretender.  She gives an entirely different perspective to these delightful dolls!  Just look at those teeth too!

Last but not least, and just for fun, here is a Punch and Judy set (plus a little devil!) created by David - a fews years back...  Their skills truly know no bounds!

ENJOY!!!

Easter Bouquet For You!

These glorious flowers are by Sarah of  Saipua in Brooklyn, NY.  Truly her flowers make me want to be a butterfly - flitting to and fro, kissing petals as I go, and dreaming of summer to come...  Don't miss her Blog, a visual feast for the eyes! Happy Easter Everyone!

      

Hungarian folklore... How Easter Eggs Become Colored!

Ever wonder how Easter Eggs become colored???  Click HERE to read the magical tale!!!

Dance Out Loud!

“Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.”

—Anthony Robbins (b. 1960); self-help writer, speaker

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Wardian Adventures...

What better way to spend a pouring rain kind of day, then playing with friends and creating treasures?  Yesterday I treated Nancy of Fete et Fleur and myself to a day at the Castle, to create Wardian Cases with John McRae!  I was intrigued with John's inventive use of Mica and Dresden and have totally fallen in love with his techniques! This morning I looked in awe at our creations again, did we really make those?  Above you see our finished pieces all lined up in a row, pretty wonderful don't you think???

Here's John putting his 'golden hands' to good work.

We were all happily focused and content...

My case is the one to the farthest right, with a half golden ball (below)...

And here is Nancy's - in front to the right with the delightful chains hanging from it...

Mermaid Carousel Fun...

Saturdays Mermaid Carousel class was pretty wonderful!  Unfortunately it was about an hour too short, so no one finished...  First time classes can be like that, especially when it was such a friendly easy going and chatty group!  We had loads of fun, and it felt fantastic to be back in the swing of things at the Castle!  If you look closely you'll see that there was room for personal expression and variety with each students carousel, even real shells were used (see last photo).  Fabulous work, wonderful women and a great class!

Sunday Swoon...

Ethereal illustrations of  'SwanLake' by the ever creative Gabriel Pacheco.

Happy Friday!

Here is a delightful little Friday adventure via the ever creative and inspiring Shelley Noble!

Mermaid Paper Carousel Sample!

This Saturday's MERMAID PAPER CAROUSEL class at the Castle is Full, but I wanted to share the sample with you for future reference...  It features a bounty of beautiful mermaids with glistening tails and golden crowns.  On the bottom are waves with frolicking fish, and a coral cave is hiding in behind.  I've added some wonderful faux coral to the roof.  Lots of fun options here, this should be a wonderful class!

 

Macabre Thursday...

Wonderful Macabre photo shoot by Ruven Afanador, found via Foto Decadent.

Looking For Omaha, Nebraska - Women Who Create!

A special friend of mine is looking for Women Artists (with great studios!) who live and work in Omaha, Nebraska.  Any suggestions that I can pass on to her would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Free Easter Egg Tutorial On The Castle Blog!

Visit the Castle Blog HERE to find out how to download FREE directions to make your own Easter Egg Paper Theatre!  Also be sure and sign up for the Castle Crier Newsletter HERE so you'll be first to find out about future Castle tutorials and specials!

ENJOY!!!

Now, These Are MY Kind Of Eggs!

All I can say is Wow!  

Martha has instructions Here for something similar using food coloring.  The eggs above are definitely brighter than what food coloring can do, with the addition of gold leaf.  I also found These instructions...  

Any ideas???

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happy monday...

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Erin's Masks...

I've been a big fan of Erin Fetherston for quite a while!  Her clothing is always whimsical, ethereal and fairytale like...  For her Fall 09 collection some of her models wore sparkling masks with her dresses - masks created by her husband Hedi Ferjani. Lovely..!

Photo links Here and Here.