Once Upon a Pumpkin Fairytale ~ Halloween yet ?

A few Halloweens ago I made this FairyTale Pumpkin ( a real one ) for Halloween .

"Cinderella's Haunted Ride " was a blast to create and my Antique collectible Victorian picture frames  suited the Ancient gourd nicely in creating the carriage's whimsical windows and door.

If you want to try your hand at growing these Very Old French Heirloom Cinderella Whimsical Pumpkins, I suggest buying the seeds from this organic grower in the states. I recently found them on Etsy...Kenyon Organics FairyTale Pumpkin Seeds ..... I will soon be ordering some for myself to grow next year. 

And now for a different take on Whimsical Pumpkins that last a little longer than the real thing, that's if you can't wait for their return in Autumn. Myself I luv them both, especially the real ones ; )

Fairytale Pumpkins are Magical and Whimsical and perfect for any decor in my mind especially when created in worn tattered vintage fabrics like I have done here.

Last Autumn I asked a local pumpkin farmer for the remaining pumpkin stems lying out in his field and lucky me I just got hold of him before he was turning them over that afternoon.
I made a few pumpkins and the rest of the stems I stashed away for a later time.

 Well, it seems Harvest and Halloween isn't too far from my mind these days and the month of August would seem ideal time to get started on this particular home decor but alas I'm afraid I am running late and out of time for you see I have a date to meet this coming October. I have been asked to have a showing at my town's library.I had one this past January but since much of my work has some sort of magic element to it the committee thought it would be perfect for an Autumn show.
And so I am busily getting ready for it and conjuring up some magic .....

Double Double Toil and Trouble
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble!!!!

Yes, double toil....... and trouble following me along the way.
Too many side tracks interrupting the flow of artistic endeavours, NOT TO MENTION THE HEAT.....NO AC...HAHA : ( Well at least I had a reprieve from the heat yesterday after getting caught in the down pour as we were picking up cut grass. I was so covered in the green stuff and it felt icky so I quickly rinsed myself off partially in my bird bath...but it too was almost like a cauldron :) I spotted the blocked spout of the roof and took a shower underneath it....ahhhhhh relief and so much cooler, I felt better : ) and was abled to carry on with my agenda.....hooray!!!

It has been many months since I participated in Paint Party Friday and terribly miss the interaction with my fellow artists. The warm seasons here in Canada aren't to be taken for granted and when we have such beautiful weather there is nothing else to do but to enjoy the outdoors; in my case early mornings and evenings when it is cool and because of the weather much has taken a back seat for the season....no regrets.
So now needless to say, I am behind schedule and must double my work load, still within certain restrictions; a good work can't be rushed!

Fairytale Pumpkins have been around for many , many years and in many shapes and forms and probably the tomatoe pin cushion is a smaller version of the stuffed pumpkins of today.
I have a book titled "Two ~ Hour No Sew Decorating " by Diana Dunkley.
In it, she has a section titled "Autumn Harvest" with whimsical pumpkins you can create. She doesn't sew hers and I probably would have done it her way if I didn't know how to sew a few stitches but I gathered the patience and learned to sew and now throughly enjoy the total process.
It is a matter of trying something out first before turning your back to it, or you'll never know what you missed if you didn't give a try.

So here now is one of my whimsical pumpkins.
Cottage country, whimsical, enchanting, romantic, no matter the style, it is after all a FairyTale Pumpkin that welcomes all upon entering the threshold of a house to think "There's No Place Like Home "; )

Some more pictures to enjoy....

Hand dyed seam binding

Boiled Wool handmade roses and hearts

Vintage Antique tea dyed lace with embroidered swallows and posies  and vintage millenary cream  flowers...can you spot the butterfly?

Tiny heart made from boiled wool and tea dyed seam binding bow...adore it's whimsy

Many Tiny Hearts.. for more pumpkins in the works

If you are interested in purchasing this pumpkin please see here: FairyTale Pumpkin

NOTE BENE : IF INTERESTED IN A "FAIRYTALE PUMPKIN TUTORIAL" PLEASE ASK AND IF ENOUGH REQUESTS ARE RECEIVED I'LL MAKE ONE

~ Dream Stone Castle of Thunder Bay ~ Art Bottle

~ DREAM STONE CASTLE of THUNDER BAY ~

In a MidSummer's Night Dream a princess deeply sleeps in the sweetest slumber she ever knew; her body veiled in the softest Egyptian sheets, as if she was wearing nothing.

The Amethyst crystals she placed by the window that evening next to the climbing white and purple Wisteria outside her oriel glistened and almost seemed to her that the flowers had reached their vines inside the room and embraced the crystal stones affectionately.The Twilight night had turned beyond Magical! Once Upon her Dream she was lost in the night, living her most treasured thoughts in a 
Mysterious Moonlight Garden.
It had been so long the princess could't embrace a good night's sleep but after her wish she had made on Bubbles the Seahorse, magically the stones appeared in her room with a very old note telling her to place them by the window in her room.The crystalline crystals of shades of purple, lilac and mauve were her precious .....The Dream Stone would never leave her room!!!

And so now she called her castle "Dream Stone Castle of Thunder Bay".

~ Bubbles the Fairy's Seahorse ~

Group of Bottles ...some done and some in the works.

This Precious Amethyst Crystal Induces Sweet Slumber 

A Castle is always Magical in A MidSummer's Night Dream or any Dream!
I adore creating magical art with a story, even if just an itsy bitsy teenie weenie tiny little story. I also quickly weary of duplicates therefore I am a huge aficionado of ooak...one ~of ~a ~ kind art work.


As some of you may already know if you are a Canadian or adore Amethyst crystals that Thunder Bay Ontario has an Amethyst Mine " Amethyst Mine Panorama".


The Amethyst Stone is also the gemstone of Ontario Canada.

 For some fun facts visit the mine site here:


Thunder Bay Mine

From unearthing old relics , weathered and worn, tattered and torn, I create something magical and whimsical, romantic and unforgettable embodying it with spirit and love , hoping in the end I have achieved in capturing one's heart.

This Amethyst glass vintage bottle has been lovingly wrapped in copper wire holding onto a beautiful Amethyst crystal drop with three small gorgeous swarvoski Amethyst crystals at it's tip.

The refractions of light emitted from the gorgeous Amethyst crystals in day's sunlight keep positivity and health in the home and by night by the light of the full moon the purple hued crystals will keep all that dwell within the home serenely calm.

All of it crafted with care and thought , from designing it to adhering the Spoontiques collectible castle c 1989 with swarvoski crystal on it's pinnacle with sculpted solder and then cleaned throughly and waxed for many years of enjoyment.

Height of art bottle is approximate 9.2 inches tall and about 11/2 inches in diameter.

Hope you like it......another Annabelle creation ; )

~ MossHill Lighthouse at SeaMist Cove ~ new art work

Latest art work in my Art Bottle Series



~ MossHill Lighthouse and Bubbles the SeaHorse ~

If by chance you happen to anchor your boat by a lovely bay covered in velvet green, you know you have arrived at SeaMist Cove.
High up it's highest cliff is perched a lonely majestic stone turret lighthouse, many, many ages old, MossHill Lighthouse.

Every evening when the sea is cloaked in a zillion stars MossHill Lighthouse sends out illuminating rays of light creating a magical display of twinkling lights as if it is Christmas in July
and the moss rose that grows wild at it's foot climbs eagerly up the rocky facade of it's tower intoxicating the night air with it's sweet perfume , greeting the happy traveller of the sea safely into it's Cove.

SeaMist Cove holds a secret, a well kept secret. 
A magical place such as this , covered in a mossy coat, is a perfect veil to obscure view of a very precious treasure that it holds or should I say resides there.......Bubbles the fairy's seahorse.
Lucky is the one that lays their eyes upon it's iridescent bubbles in the sea green froth since rarely does a seahorse venture to the top of the water.But when one does catch glimpse of it's tiny, tiny bubbles of rainbow colors one must quickly make a wish and it has been told by the lucky few who've seen him,  that their wishes did come true.

I adore creating magical art with a story, even if just an itsy bitsy teenie weenie tiny little story. I also quickly weary of duplicates therefore I am a huge aficionado of ooak...one ~of ~a ~ kind art work.

From unearthing old relics , weathered and worn, tattered and torn, I create something magical and whimsical, romantic and unforgettable embodying it with spirit and love , hoping in the end I have achieved in capturing one's heart.

This sea green glass vintage bottle has been lovingly wrapped in copper wire and encased with swarovski crystal beads to evoke the beautiful sea.The refractions of light from the morning sunlight make this gorgeous bottle twinkle it's own starry sea. All of it crafted with care and thought , from designing it to adhering the lighthouse on it's pinnacle with sculpted solder and then cleaned throughly and waxed for many years of enjoyment.




Approximate measurements : Height 10" x 4" at widest point
Hope you like ~ MossHill Lighthouse and Bubbles the Seahorse ~

Annabelle : )

Tid Bit : How Bubbles the Fairy's Seahorse's name came about.....Bubbles was M.J."s pet monkey ~ Bubbles ( the seahorse or sea monkey : )

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105912680/vintage-green-seaglass-bottle-with

An Etsy Exclusive ~ Shop here

                       ~ Moss Hill Lighthouse and Bubbles the Fairy's Seahorse Art Vintage Bottle ~

Back of Lighthouse

"Bubbles" the Fairy's Seahorse

Handmade glass bubble bead with wild moss rose

Sea grass and Swarvoski crystal beads encased inside bottle

Sea Grass against a beautiful green 

******* Notice *******

MORE NEW ART WORK WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY....LIKE TOMORROW : )

The Wild Wild West.......A Student's Summer Work Adventure

Sometimes, one should be very careful what they wish for........
Adventure somewhere in an exotic and wild land.
Different and exciting, eliminating boredom.

Well M, I think you are probably not so bored any more but as for adventure , you may have got more than you bargained for in the short period of time you have been there.....haha!

And so M looked out the window and saw this.........mom on the other side of the cell didn't think it was so bad....think again ; )

This Funnel cloud- possible developing Tornado was on one side of my husband and daughter's work camp. Two different Funnel clouds sandwiched the camp ; essentially if they touched down, there was no place to run.



Talk about experiencing exciting new things in life...... in the Wild Wild West - " Land of the Living Skies " M ......... lol .

So glad those Funnel clouds weren't too fond of "Lanigan" and decided to move on.

Sunnier days coming your way....Talk to you soon...luv mom

p.s. A tiny post to remember your awesome adventure !

gROW UP sWEETLY, gROW UP Strong

Face the music, face the truth
Chase that fleet sweet bird of youth
Grow up sweetly, grow up strong
Hear the heartbeat, in my song..........


Well M , it's been a little less than three days that you've left on your Wild West Adventure. Not a very exciting beginning I must say , you probably would like to forget it but it's all part of the trip, makes for great story telling later in life. Anyway, I haven't forgotten what you asked for....pictures of your pets, they seem to be the more important fellas in your life at the moment .... ; ) I totally understand, furry is easier to cuddle, even in a pic.
So I thought I post them on my blog , that way you can pick the ones you want and I can slowly get back to playing on my blogs and get my work back on tract.


Hope these are okay. I'll look for some more in the mean time. Hope all is well in Saskatchewan and that your job isn't too boring and will make the time fly swiftly.Mean while your brother Ty is patiently waiting for his call.....then I'll be all alone ....with the furry kids...; )


Love you and miss you terribly,
Love Mom xxxooo


P.S. Dad just called..... going on Skype

Grace

Karson

The number # 13 ~ Paint Party Friday Week #5~ year 2

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream...

Is the #13 your lucky number or your scary #?

I happen to think it is lucky, after all I was brought up in Italy, I have a horseshoe charm with the number #13 inside it given to me by my mom.

I even found this little vintage bird with the number #13 on it's base, most probably someone who thought differently from me....haha!


In Italy, the number #13 is looked upon as a lucky number but I do from time to time have a little fun with it , like now; I thought it had a perfect place on my tree.

One can think of it as they wish, after all an art piece should give thought and question to the viewer, all in good fun I say ; )

That's it for this week, busy with other projects.

Until next time ,
Annabelle

p.s. Don't forget to visit the artists participating in this week's party on Paint Party Friday

Starry, Starry, Starry Night ~ Dandelions in the Moonlight ~ Paint Party Friday Week # 4 ~ Year 2

Starry Night by Alex Ruiz

Starry Night by Van Gogh

Good Friday and a Happy Paint Party Friday to Everyone!

Unfortunately this week I have nothing to show case of my wip works, too busy a week ; (

Since I wanted to participate in this week's PPF and had promised Gloria that I had something to share with her I just  couldn't miss it . 

Isn't this paint and digital work a gorgeous rendering of Starry Night ?

Soooo Magical. Alex Ruiz created a masterpiece!

I have since incorporated it into my desktop.Press the link at the top of the page to see what Alex had to say about the work inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night", enjoy!

Oh and I will be adding a itsy bitsy starry magic art work of mine own to this post later tonight.

" Dandelions in the MoonLight "

Quick sketch done with soft pastels that I learned from StarTwister  ~ Raphael Kempter a german artist on Deviant Art

I also used Prisma colors for the stars and dandelions as well as soft pastels.

Happy Easter ,

Until Next time , Annabelle

What the Moon Saw ~ Paint Party Friday Week #3 Year 2

"That orbed maiden

 with white fire laden 

whom mortals call

 the MOON."

I adore the Moon in her ever mysterious ways...... she always presents me with something curious and lovely.

What did the Moon see?

Paw Prints in the dirt.

But Who's? Looks to me like the Spirit is willing to be seen ~^..^~

Meet "DIRT"...He's adjusting to his earthly form.



So here is one....awaiting the arrival of more visitors from here and beyond.




Until next time ,
Annabelle ~^..^~



P.S. Don't forget to visit all of the  Paint Party Friday Artists.

The Secret's Secret ~ Works in Progress~ Stage 2 ~ for Paint Party Friday Week #2 Year 2

What lurks deep in the dark crevasses of my heart?

What lurks within the shadowy channels of my mind?

What lurks in a bottomless pit of my soul?

Only I would be the one to know these very thoughts, these well cloaked secrets of my mortal self!

And if I’d wish to have them known...upon a card I’d write my secret note

Within a book or in a box it travel distances that I wouldn’t know or even if it touched another stranger’s soul

And yet the secret still would have many secrets more!

From where it came or whose hand came upon its work...

Only the secret... really knows!

Annabelle


******************************   The Secret of being a  bore is to tell everything....Voltaire

And so with that thought in mind I shall only tell you one of my secrets ; )



Here she is........A 1920's spelter metal figural lamp of a washer gal. She is a part of a wip that I am presently working on .I am sure once I'm finished the two will be great together.

Although she isn't  a 

Francois Moreau I still adore her.

And here is my WIP of Moon Spirits  ~ Stage 2

I added the varying shades of blue, green, violet acrylics for the leaves and I hope it conveys that to the viewer. I also added a few shrubs at the bottom and worked some more on the tree trunk but so far I like it's progress. I will start adding the spirits soon ; ) For more art please pay a visit to the Paint Party Friday Participants 


Oh, and if you are kinda of curious like me , there is a clue in my poem to what I may be working on to complement my lamp.
It's always fun to go on a Treasure Hunt ; )

Until next time,
Annabelle : )

Moon Spirits ~ WIP ~ pAINT pARTY fRIDAY WEEK #1 ~ Year 2

Thanks again Kristin and Eva for continuing this group, much appreciated and look forward to another year of Friendship. Inspiration and becoming a better Artist : )

Sorry everyone, I'm running a little late today....

I sketched  a portion of the design on the canvas board in pencil and then began working on the background in paint.

As the title indicates, there are a few missing ; ) To be continued........

         
" mOON sPIRITS "

I had a heck of a time in creating this background.....advice for the novice....BE PATIENT...TAKE YOUR TIME....When you paint you have temporarily left this world and entered another, something like going through a time tunnel ; )

Will add the moons features later at the end.

A possible place where something may appear?

Here....whooooo could be one ...not sure

And here....most definately....something spooky!

So this is it for Week #1 of a brand New Year with Paint Party Friday

Please visit all the other participating PPF ARTISTS

Thanks to all for your visits and lovely comments, much appreciated. 

Until next time

Annabelle ; )

P.S. Krisitn, I thought of you when I discovered my latest treasure and since I found more than just one I think I should post them all up, so warning, the post will have quite a few pictures.

I'll share them with everyone on PPF next week ; ) 

In the Still of the Night , As I gaze from my Window

At the moon in its flight

My thoughts all stray to you....

This scene from my window wasn't exactly taken in the stillness of the night but rather in the wee early morning hours of Saturday March 10th / 2012 ~ my birthday. Later in the morning, hubby gifted me with more lenses and a flash for my camera and silly me, here I was taking pictures at 4 in the morning without a clue I was getting equipment for my camera that he and the kids had bought for me on Friday while I was busy shopping in a local thrift store and uncovering more treasures . I was expecting more like books and art stuff, but don't get me wrong, I'm totally happy with my gifts, it's only I find it so Twilight zone, always a little step ahead of things to come....I guess I'm a little strange in that way. Anyway, a strange and happy occurrence  : ) and now I know why he had a little tiny grin on his face while I was snapping shots of the moon.Hopefully my camera skills will improve and in the future will take better pictures of the moon but for now I think this one will do.

Listening to this song I realize that I am missing my husband a little more than usual since this time around he had to travel the opposite way and across the sea; his work took him to Germany, funny how distance makes one's heart grow fonder.
He asked me what I wanted and I asked for a locket, gold or silver, old and oval but I'm not sure what he will return with , don't matter, he will be enough : )
He sent us some pictures of Laars, where he is staying, and with it's beautiful high steepled roofed houses,  cobbled stone roads and castle ruin right smack in the middle of town, it sounds much like a scene in a fairytale book.........makes me want to be there with him *_*

So, for this coming Paint Party Friday I am working on, you guessed it, another moon painting and I'm hoping it will be almost as lovely as the picture.


And I now I leave you with this beautiful song and it's lyrics. You may just want to sing along and pretend your on "American Idol", although I doubt this brand of music would be on their list of musical choices....too old fashioned I suppose ; )

Until later,
Annabelle :)



In the still of the night
As I gaze from my window
At the moon in its flight
My thoughts all stray to you
In the still of the night
All the world is in slumber
All the times without number
Darling when I say to you
Do you love me, as I love you
Are you my life to be, my dream come true
Or will this dream of mine fade out of sight
Like the moon growing dim, on the rim of the hill
In the chill, still , of the night