Back to the Land of the Blogging ... Grab a Cuppa ... and a Contest!

The doc has given me the go-ahead to get back to life as usual. My hands have healed almost completely - though they still ache a bit, the sharp pain is gone. Hurrah!


It's so nice to have a thoughtful and compassionate dog. While I was not feeling so well, I decided to open up the sofa bed in the living room, put on my favorite embroidered sheets, and spend my day in there instead of living in the bedroom for days on end. Dusty couldn't have cared less about my plans. He rooted around and scratched until my lovely sheets were the perfect nest for him to sprawl out on. No doubt he was dreaming of being a


Just look at the gorgeous little get-well-and-good-wishes faery doll from Kaerie Faerie! What a delightful surprise the postman brought from Bloglandia.

Thanks so much Kaery ... and be sure to visit her site - not only does she make the most marvelous dolls, but she is having a splendid tea party in honor of Vanessa's A Fanciful Twist's 3rd Annual Mad Tea Party event!

Speaking of gorgeous. Look at this stunning miniature torso theatre from Amada at Over the Top Studios. Amada has also thrown a knock out Mad Tea Party, so be sure to visit and see the enchanting spread she has conjured up!

And, in the I-Could-Move-Right-In-This-Afternoon Department, we have ...

Has it been unseasonable (and unbearably) warm where you are, too? We've definitely been having some ruff weather.

Truthfully now, does anything say "I love you" like a boiled clean skull?

Stick puppets and romantic silhouette cutouts from someplace on the web...if I found these on your blog, please let me know so I can credit you! These are just terrific!

Update! I've been told that these are from Lotte Reinigers "The Adventures of Prince Achmed." - Thanks, Harry, of Toy Theatre Digest!


Mary and Maggie at The Decorative Paintbrush create such delightful little treasures with paint and creativity and a witty eye! Visit their site to see more of their work! I'm not sure I'm a fan of porridge. But I believe this 1938 sterling porringer from Savoir Faire: For the Chosen Few just might have me crying, "please, sir, can I have more?" Perhaps instead of porridge, I could have it filled with tiramisu! If you don't follow Savoir Faire, pay a visit - you'll find everything from fashion to - well - vintage porringers! - and all with savoir faire!

Speaking of savoir faire ... I know it's a little early - but I thought I should post this now so you have plenty of time to whip these up for this year's family sumptuous repast!

From the early silent film of Peter Pan ... does Wendy look just a tad narcissistic or is it me? I'm afraid Peter should never have gone to RuPaul for his make-up. But, still, a charming ... still!

Don't hate her because she's ... well ... don't hate her.

Do you think she's going to grab a brush to use as a microphone and start lipsynching to Cher's "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)?"

So what are YOU staring at? How do you dress when you're hanging out swabbing the deck?

Shall we meet for lunch here at Agitato, in Barjac in the south of France?
Read more here about this fascinating restaurant, gallery, performing space and cultural center!


Now that it's summer, I finally got all the fabrics aired for spring cleaning ... and fall will be here before you know it!

If you've been following for any length of time, you'll remember last year I was busy with a commission for large miniature theatres with vintage circus themes. They were for a new ballroom being restored in The Banker's Suite (Astoria, Oregon). The ballroom was completed and had a grand opening recently - and these are photos of this breathtaking and opulent space. You can see two of my theatres installed! Please visit The Banker's Suite and see other spaces - the guest rooms are to die for! ... and the gift shop has been stocked with extravagant offerings!

Oh! What have I been working on? I started a postage stamp quilt. This is one block (26"x26") - I have three completed and there will be 16 blocks, and the final quilt will be 104" square - large enough for a king sized bed. Each block has approximately 450 patches. Except for the Irish Chain part (the orange and brown), none of it is strip pieced. It's all done individually. The quilt will only have 4 repeats of each patch fabric. This has a lot of fabric! Doesn't it look like a Depression-era blanket? I know I don't usually make traditional quilts ... but this seemed like a terrific way to use up some of my way-too-much-to-deal-with fabric stash!

Contest time!

Okay. Who is this? Still alive ... but this is a pretty old photo! First person to accurately identify the celebrity wins something fun from the Tristan Cupboard of Curiousities!

(6.28 update: We have a winner folks! Forever Jan guessed it! - 19 year old Harvey Fierstein!)
Enjoy your day - and weekend! I'm so glad to be back in the land of the blogging! It's been a long and lonely road! Thanks again for all the thoughtful emails and cards and treasures - both physical and written - that I've received!

Now, go make something beautiful!

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

... got ants?

I have to share my surprise!

The doorbell rang ... and was waiting for me?!

a gorgeous array of roses ... yellow (my favorites!), red, peach, and some gorgeous two-toned pink-and-red ...
Why did I receive this plethora of beauties? They were a get-well gift from Daniel, le petit Américain! Daniel is the delightful son of Julio and Dan, who enchanted us with "his" stories of his first ever trip to Paris this year. Click here to read them yourself. You will fall in love with le petit Américain!

Also, if you aren't familiar with Daniel's dad, Julio's blog, Beaux Mondes Designs, you owe yourself a visit. His tablescape photos are always spectacular!
Thank you Daniel - and Julio and Dan! You have brightened my day so much!

Also, thanks to everybody who has sent good wishes and cards and emails - I appreciate each and every one. It's astounding what caring and generous and thoughtful people are residents here in Bloglandia!

I'm back to my sick bed ... but you ...

Go make something beautiful!

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

Does He Hurt and Have a Temperature?

... and the answer is a resounding, YES.

Late last week I decided to go to the doctor to have a persistent rash checked out. It seemed to be getting worse, and my self-medication of Cortisone 10 just wasn't doing the trick. Not only was the rash growing, but it actually hurt (as opposed to itching), and seemed to be blistering, rather like poison ivy.

Turns out I have Shingles (isn't that a disgusting name for something that is growing on your body?! UGH). Apparently, it's rather an adult version of Chicken Pox.

So they gave me shots of something-or-other, pills to take four times a day, and orders to wear long sleeves because it's highly contact contagious.

By Saturday the rash and blisters had almost covered by hands (my arms seem to be getting the worst of it all. It's so nice that Mother Nature chose to put them somewhere that is highly visible - not on my chest or abdomen that can be hidden. Grrr. Grrr.

So, it's fairly painful to type, and I've spent little time on line - mostly just to check email. I haven't visited any of your blogs since last week ... sorry! I will get around to them when my poor pathetic fingers are in better condition. Thanks for sticking with me during my "down" period!

I'll leave you with this Betsy Johnson chair to cheer your day. See you soon!

Now go make something beautiful!

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

Relaxing After the Holiday Weekend ...

I love a gang of kids who really know how to have a good time ...

From Princess Margaret's estate auction at Christies is this 1900 3 tier chandelier. I won't even say I want it ... but, I do!
This is the fabulous Moroccan home of Yves St. Laurent which was used in the new Sex and the City 2 film. I love the color surprises - the teal and white checkerboard floor - the aqua and white living room (so spare for a YSL residence!) - the blue chandlier. So beautiful and soothingly cool.





Wyntoon, the summer retreat of William Randolph Hearst, Northern California. The murals are by Willy Pogany, an artist fashionable in the 20s. What I'm most curious about is the "grown-up Hansel and Gretel village" that apparently exists on the same site, according to the book from which these scans were taken. Said village was built by Julia Morgan and commissioned by Hearst after the original Rhenish castle his mother had built burned to the ground. This house is beautiful, but a grown up Hansel and Gretel village??? Seriously??
... just look at these exterior murals! Fantastic!

Let's spin the Wheel of Fashion and see what we come up with today!

Barbara Streisand, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Martinelli, at a Chanel show, 1967. What a juxtaposition!
"I like my own taste, good or bad!" stated Helena Rubenstein ... and Helena Rubenstein had so much good taste, I'm pretty sure it was oozing from her perfectly refined, scrubbed, and polished pores.

Not only did her wildly successful beauty empire employ 30,000 people, making her one of the richest women in America at the time, but she was also an extremely stylish, fiercely saucy taste maker.

It was said that her style was a cross between "Byzantium and the flea market." I rather like that mix.

This photo of chopines is just for my friend Ingrid ...
Somebody get me a bowl, a spoon and some milk ... I'm ready for breakfast! Apple Jacks on the house!

This is a fashion shot ... but what I love is the apartment! Look at the mouldings and the trims - and doesn't everybody need a secret door to escape once in a while to a world better than this?! And not just any door - a curved door!
As I've mentioned before, until a couple of my blogger friends posted photos of their dollhouses, I was never really interested in them. But, now that I know how much time, skill, and care goes into creating one, I've become fascinated with them. Now, when I see photos of dollhouses that I find especially grand, I feel the urge to share them!

In 1743, Sara Ploos van Amstel-Rothé, a Dutch merchant's wife, employed a different craftsman each for the ivory work, copper and brass, earthenware, and ironwork in her two dollhouses and Below, then commissioned another artisan to build a cabinet to encase it.

What I find especially interesting is that when I take both photos, and blow them up side by side, it is clear that after the dollhouse above was completed, there was some redecoration and reorganization of a few of the rooms before they were permanently installed in the cabinet. And I though the originals were pretty awesome!Check out this stack of drawers from hand-painted chests, desks, and cupboards. Be sure to click the image so you can get a really good look at the detail work - and don't miss the wall murals!

From Indecorous Taste - an astounding blog of beauty and surprise - comes this magical combination of dignified toile cotton print, and candy-colored hues. Click on the link to get her directions (and links to supplies) for this - what she calls - easy DIY. What a statement in a room, right?!

It's one thing to adopt a culture - and something else to totally f**k it up. Looks like a winter white out.

The bedroom was part of the New York city residence of Marie Hélène de Rothchild (1927-1996). The bed, walls, and curtains were all designed by the late (and very great) Geoffrey Bennison. It's a bit fussy, even for me with my love of over the top exuberance. But, it's certainly beautiful, that can't be denied.

A handpainted French pianoforte circa 1860. I'm sure even MY playing would sound good coming from this rare treasure!

I'm sharing two images with you from Ulla's collection of fairytale style and inspiration, Moth Tales.

First, this marvelous mermaid brooch, created by Kelly of Beadfuddled. I'm thinking it would make a pretty fabulous belt buckle!

...and then, for all of who love books and enchanted places as much as I do, this magical image. It comes from perhaps one of the most inventive website titles yet: Bookshelf Porn. It's for those who are excited by bookcases! Wouldn't you love to spend a day (or week!) reading in this fantastic library?! If you super ♥ bookcases, you owe it to yourself to take a little time perusing this site!

It takes a lot of work to put together a dinner party hosted by Mrs. Post of Hillwood. Be sure to click on each image so you can read the attention to detail required!


In the Making Do With What You Have section today, we have the prison cell in Eastern State Penitentiary of gangster Al Capone (1899-1947), where he served nine months on a gun charge. Not even Martha Stewart's cell was this put together!

A hidden grotto at the 14th century Villa La Pietra, in Italy. Look closely, the decor is composed entirely of pebbles and seashells. I wonder how long this feat of magnificence took to complete...

Now that summer has arrived here in gorgeous New England, we can look forward to witnessing more gems like this.

This decadently bejeweled and dripping glam rock orgasm of a $32,500 chandelier by jeweler Erickson Beamon is still available at Vivre. WHY?

Yo. What are you lookin' at?

The café entrance to Brassi Place d'Italie in Paris, 1943. Don't you want to stop in for an espresso? - or an absinthe?! It's so romantic looking!

...an excellent example of walking the fine line between beautiful and questionable with conviction...

Good, better, best...
This marvelous assemblage is by the mass market grunge-and-distress king of the mixed media universe, Tim Holtz. I find his curio 'cabinet' intriguing and whimsical and mysterious. Apparently he gives workshops on making this jewel - but I don't think he ever comes to CT. I would very much have fun making one of these and using a lot of my what-am-I-ever-going-to-do-with-this-fabulous-thing junk!

Well, I'm off to start playing with fabric and working on a new quilt. While I'm away, here is something I thought you might get a kick out of playing with ...Now, go make something beautiful!

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