Queen of Hearts Crown, Where are my tarts?

   Well this hatter has completed her crown,  I've made a tutorial for the crown, just click the link at the top of the page. 
I'd love to see your photos if you make one! Remember you don't have to make a Queen of Hearts crown the pattern can be used for any type of crown a White Queen, or Princess for example.  What I like to do is pull out all my magpie supplies (see previous post) at least twice as many as you will actually use so you will have plenty to choose from and spread everything out, mix match and try different things together, you might be surprised what you do end up using! Heavier trims can be attached with hot glue or even wire.
Wouldn't shelf holding a row of these little crowns look divine?  Of course I just  want to wear mine every day!

We're All Mad

A new member has joined my mixed media Alice family, Cheshire Cat sitting pretty in a tree!

I've been in a pink mood of late and it just spilled over to this "in the pink" Cheshire kitty. I always loved how Cheshire might mad, but always so calm and cool. A good role model I think!

Prints available here

"I'm Late"

I'm loving working with this paper doll method, I think I'm just thrilled to be able to some type of doll (oh woe are my sewing abilities!) I have one more Alice themed one after this then I'm off to a bride of Frankenstein one!

I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was small but nice, honestly its not my favorite holiday. Part of me is just sad Halloween is over and I don't like spending all day in the kitchen either. Lucky for me family brings dishes as well! Well the Winter Holidays are around the corner and they feel much more festive!

*passes cider* Cheers!

"The Pool of Tears"

"The Pool of Tears"

While painting I started thinking back to my first exposure to Alice, and it was this book. Beautifully Illustrated by Marjorie Torrey and published by Dandelion Press it was a "flip" book with "Peter Pan" on the other side. Peter Pan was one of my favorite stories while Alice on the other side was someone I wasn't quite comfortable with.
I admired Alice but her adventures made me nervous, as I grew older I started to realize that being an only child had some influence on my feelings about Wonderland. Alice stands alone, no prince or brothers to rescue her.
I actually felt daring when I flipped that book over to visit Wonderland. I had a lot to learn from Alice, she keeps her wits about her and only cries once that I remember, the pool of tears. The thought of tears so large you could swim in them like a salty sea is right up there with the disappearing cat in my childhood imagery. So I finally had a chance to paint my own "Pool of Tears" and it was like going back to visit an old friend.
She will be available in my Etsy shop

Spring Giveaway!

Spring is in the air and summer vacation only a few weeks away! To celebrate I've got a giveaway to take you down the rabbit hole!
An original ACEO painting of "Hold Tight Alice" (3.5 x 2.5 mini painting in a trading card size) Painted with watercolor and gouache on heavy watercolor paper.
Plus.... a 5x7 print of my "White Rabbit" I'll also include some little surprises!

Just leave a comment and I'll add your name to the hat (if you blog or tweet about the giveaway I'll add your name twice :) just add the link! Drawing will be May 31st.
Good luck!
Cat

(P.S. please leave a way to get in touch if you don't have a blog/journal)

Hold Tight Alice!

"Hold Tight Alice" 

I'm in the mood for spring, wild flowers, and riding rabbits to adventure. 

I'm thinking about doing another tiny Alice painting, I've always wanted to paint her in the pool of tears! Prints are available here

I hope everyone is seeing signs of spring! My girls and I are on break this week *whew* we could really use some down time. I think we are gong to do quiet things tomorrow, hair cuts, library and a trip to the smoothie shop!  Hopefully later in the week we will make it to the beach! 

peek at spring

The weather here is crazy warm, my azaleas are even starting to bloom! So I'm starting work on spring inspired pieces. Spring brings to mind unbirthday parties and tea time for me. Here is a rough sketch that is part of my Alice series of the inhabitants of Wonderland. I think the colors will be golden browns and pinks for this one. I've spent much more time than I'm comfortable with working on the computer since getting the hard drive replaced and it feels really good to get a sketch down.

And for all of my fellow winter fans don't worry I still have at least one more winter painting "Star Child" in the works for you!

White Rabbit under the tree

Its great to back with you guys, my laptop failed me and I had to have the hard drive replaced. I've missed everyone online!

Isn't this little guy great? He was under my tree, a gift from hubby and my girls. He was intended to go with my Alice statue out in the garden but I'm growing so fond of him I think he might live in my studio.. do you think Alice will mind?

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you a very bright New Year!

White Rabbit

Now I can show you my collage of the White Rabbit! I made this for Anunciatta for Christmas so I've kept him under wraps till now. I had so much fun with this piece collecting just the right charms and buttons. I love the idea of him being on stage so I tried to give that effect with the darker papers. Of course his admirers have thrown roses!

(please click on the image to see an enlarged version)

Alice in my garden

My birthday was in June, and my hubby and girls gave me the most special gift, a beautiful Alice statue. The best part was how they wrapped up clues and sent me on a scavenger hunt all through the house to find her. Right now she is braving Tropical storm Fay the picture shows her on a sunnier day!

And here is wonderful link from Ulla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wHMgTPF-s for those of you who are brave of heart and Alice fans a version not to be missed! Thank you Ulla!

Queen of Hearts

"Queen of Hearts"
watercolor 2008, This is a character that scared me to no end as a child. I thought if I gave her a great dress she might be pleased. Hmmmmm still not sure about that!

Prints available in my etsy shop

Cheshire Cat

 Back to Wonderland! 

My newest painting 

"The Cheshire Cat" 

He was my favorite as a little girl, and I adored cats and thought they were all magically clever. (well aren't they?) A smiling one was creepy and intriguing all at the same time. I tried to capture that mystery and dapper air in this piece. 

Prints and original available 

(copyright property of the artist, violators will be taken to the Queen of Hearts)

Alice in Wonderland

"Alice"  2008

Have I mentioned that I adore Alice, even though when I was little the story terrified me? See I had a book with Peter Pan on one side and when you turned it over and upside down Alice in Wonderland was on the other. I'm sure there were other book made this way but it was a bit unnerving all the same that down the rabbit hole was literally topsy turvy!

 But Alice, she was my hero! yes she cried, but she kept her wits even though the adults around here were nutty as can be! And what child can't relate to that? She was also so independent, no fairy godmother or prince for Alice. 

Oh yes I do adore the other more traditional tales with Princesses and towers, and princes *swoons* but this tale was about a real little girl, someone I might of known or been myself. 

So here I painted her feet firmly planted in Wonderland, and The Cheshire Cat is keeping a close eye on her every move, and yes thats the Queen of Hearts on the card!

Prints are available here http://darklingwoods.etsy.com 

Alice In Wonderland 1903

Here is an enchanting journey down the rabbit hole! from richlayers live journal, a vintage film from 1903. The film quality isn't perfect, but that adds to the charm. Its quite ambitious once you think about it!
enjoy!

White Rabbit

New Painting of "The White Rabbit" all decked out in the Queen's finest. 

Wishing all of you a very Happy Valentines Day.  Its one of my favorite holidays, being all about the glue and glitter and of course the chocolate and cupcakes!

xxxooo

Cat