Saturday, June 27, 2009

Mad Tea Party at Vanessa's!


The magic and enchantment at Vanessa's (of A Fanciful Twist) Mad Tea Party are well under way.
Be sure to click on the button to see all the rarefied delicacies and splendiferous outfits! ... even the Mad Hatter is there - and shares his hat! Don't miss the fun.

Now I have to go put the final touches on our tea party ... and to dig out my maddest hat!
Hope to catch up with you later in the day ...
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Quick Apology to My Readers! ...


Sorry I wasn't able to honor my commitment to Pink Saturday this week. I'm dealing with a major water issue which has put our (1 year old) kitchen underwater. Grrrrr. Lots of mess to deal with - as well as repairmen and insurance agents.

I'll be back in a couple days. Thanks for sticking with me!

Oh - I've been working a little bit on the torso mini-theatre - this is as far as I've gotten!

Hope you're making something beautiful!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Friday Flea Market - Belle Starr

This 15"(wide) x 19"(long) collaged wallhanging is constructed of aged new fabrics and vintage fabrics. It includes various hand-made papers and crochet details. Embellishments include vintage and antiqued keys, rusted tin stars, silk ribbons and threads, bugle beads and vintage beaded flowers and jewelry.

As always, clicking on each photo will enlarge it.
The text: "Shed not for her the bitter tear; nor give the heart to vain regret. Tis but the casket that lies here; the gem that fills it sparkles yet." carved into the headstone of Belle Starr.



The price for the OOAK wallhanging is $135, with shipping included to the continental United States. For international shipping rates, please contact me. This piece, as well as others, may be acquired at my Etsy shop by clicking here.

After checking out the other offerings of artists who participate in Flea Market Friday, feel inspired to go create something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

This, That, and Some Art Nouveau

I've been trying to get some work done in the past few days. This is the beginning of my next mini-theatre. I'm still not sure how it's going to work out - but I think it's going to be fun...or a total disaster - which can be fun, too!
I also finished my spread for the Art Paper Doll Symposium Traveling Journal. I've never even attempted to make a paper doll costume before, so, frankly, I'm a little embarrassed by this FOURTH attempt. It just has to be okay, because my deadline to move it on is upon me. I like the spread okay - it's just that insipid costume that annoys me. Oh, well...I done did muh best!
When I think of art nouveau, I always think of Mucha prints, Klimt, and other artists who used the female form as their expression for the graceful curves and lines indicative of art nouveau...
...and of course, all those fabulous art nouveau lady lamps and fountains
But I often forget about the gorgeous examples of art nouveau in architecture and the decorative arts that don't use women as their basis...like this entryway in Horta's Brussels Maison & Atelier. Wouldn't you feel grand ascending this staircase?
Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without seeing Hector Guimard's fabulous subway entrance at the Port Dephine exit. It's sad to think this is the only one of Guimard's enclosed entrances left ... the others (all over Paris) were torn down when art nouveau went out of fashion.
I don't know where this lamp hangs (anybody know?), but the lavish and extravagant swirls and lines epitomize the nouveau style. I would love a miniature candleabra version!
I think pulling out this lorgnette at the opera would immediately identify you as a person of taste and quality! - and, of course, poor eyesight.
I have no use for this art nouveau beaded bag - but I think it's very pretty - and certainly a good example of clothing accessories being inspired by the art nouveau movement.
I love, Love LOVE this lamp! From the elaborate metal work to the stained glass to the "crowning" of the piece. It's just marvelous ... and would look lovely in my dining room, if my dining room had 20 foot ceilings. Which it doesn't - so it would really look pretty stupid in my dining room. But that's okay. I still want it.
And if I could have this exquisite clock, I would look at it so often I would never be late for anything again as long as I live!

Speaking of being late, before I take off for the day, I'm going to leave you today with this poem.

Dowsing

Cut a forked branch.
Strip it clean of bark,

and holdfast.

Seeking water,
it leads you to places

you've never been.

The unseen
pulls like a ten pound trout

bending your branch earthward,

reeling in
the hidden spring.

by Laura Treacy Bentley

Hope you've found something to amuse or inspire you today. Now go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Pink Saturday Fantasy

This week, I was feeling kind of fantastic and magical ...
so, let's take a look at a few pink masks.
Let's look at masks that are meant to intrigue, provoke, amuse, and bedazzle.













Now, visit Beverly, and see who else is participating in Beverly's Pink Saturday! There is always a plethora of pink treasures and wonders!

Then go make something beautiful - perhaps a mask!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Show Me Your Crown

Today is Vintage Bella Studio's
Show Me Your Crown Day
Click on the image below to find out who else is showing you their crown!

This Roman-style wreath crown sits on Irving's head, while he holds some gold coins I use in art, and keeps an eye on things on one of the supply shelves.

This glittered crown sits in front of my jar of rhinestones.
Mostly it just sits there and looks fabulous.
The vintage German glass glitter is starting to tarnish
and I'm allowing it to grow old gracefully.

This is my newest crown. It was made by Gabriela Dellworth, and I won it
on her blog give-away...aren't I the lucky boy?!

This little crown doubles as a storage bowl for precious finds ...
things like brass findings or broken jewelry.
If you look in the back, you'll see my frog prince, wearing his crown as well!
That's my crown collection ... not as extensive as others' - but I love them. I'm always keeping my eye out for new ones...but they're just not that easy to find! What I really want is a coronation crown.

For a truly, truly enviable collection of crowns, check out Anita's incredible collection at Castles, Crowns and Cottages. It's quite an eyeful!

Be sure to check out Vintage Bella Studio to see the other participants' crowns ... and then go make something beautiful - maybe a crown!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Cole Porter, Greta Garbo, and Privacy Invasion



In honor of Cole Porter, that great American treasure, and his birthday (June 9, 1891), here is a photo of Cole having a good time with Ann Miller, Kathryn Grayson and Jack Cummings. It's hard to find a photo of Cole Porter in which he's smiling. He spent so much of his life in extreme pain, after having his horse fall on him in 1937, and after having numerous operations, finally had his leg amputated. The photos of the composer of "Anything Goes," "Kiss Me Kate," "Nymph Errant," "Panama Hattie," and "Can Can," are usually somber and moody looking.

I was so surprised when I found a photograph of my bedroom online. Why won't people respect my privacy?
If you remember a few days ago I posted a pencil drawing by John S. Gibb ... well, I found another one that just knocks my socks off! I keep examining this drawing to be sure it's not a photograph! Amazing. And it's only 30" wide! To see more of his awesome work, click here.
My friend Peggy sent me this lovely image of the early 20th century actress, Blanche Walsh. Long before Michael Jackson and Coke made headlines, Ms. Walsh got lots of press when her hair caught fire during a performance. I don't know what role she's costumed for here ... but it does rather look as if she's playing Joan of Arc, doesn't it?

Well, in the words of the magnificent Greta Garbo, "Aye vant to be alown." Actually, I need to be alone and get some work done! I have several projects going, and I need to get them all completed and off the work spaces so I can get going on some new ideas!Enjoy your afternoon - hope you're not having the Noah-style storms we're having today! ... and go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥






Saturday, June 6, 2009

Pink Saturday, June 6

as all bloggers know, a picture can be worth a thousand words ....










Now that you've been either amused or appalled, please head over to Beverly's Pink Saturday and see what others have offered up this week ... then go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥