"Black Cats Prowl" on the EHAG Emporium...

"Black cats prowl and witches fly, Hallowe'en is drawing nigh"....


Here's my offering for this month's EHAG Emporium; a whimsical treat or treasure box, painted in acrylics on a birch wood box, which was hand made by a craftsman here in rural Pennsylvania.


I've added four wooden feet and a handle on the top, jack-o-lanterns all...

And inside, you'll find a shooting star. :)

The piece measures 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" and has been finished with a clear, acrylic varnish.

$185 plus shipping, which will vary depending on location. Please email me with questions or to purchase at carolee@kingofmice.com *UPDATE* ~ SOLD.

Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back with new work very soon!

♥ Carolee

Signs of Autumn...

Like many parts of the country, we're experiencing a monster heat wave here in Lancaster County...I mean, seriously, seriously HOT...Our one old (30 years at least) room air conditioner runs all day, but only keeps the downstairs to about 82 degrees. Eeeesh...

But imagination is a powerful thing, don't you think? It can transport us to other times, other places, and sometimes even other temperatures, hehe. ;)

With that in mind, I've been immersing myself in autumn; a playlist of fall tunes, scented pumpkin candles, and a palette of crisp autumn colors.

Here's the result...

and another one...

and another....

These three hand painted tavern signs list on eBay later this evening at 9PM, 9:05 and 9:10 respectively, all with a "buy it now" option available.

More goodies are on the way very soon, as I play catch up after a bit of a scare with John earlier in the week (ER visit, but he's doing better now)....At any rate, stay tuned!!

And don't forget to drop by the EHAG Emporium to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Back very soon!
♥ Carolee

Metamorphosis

Many years ago, I remember discussing the concept of Heaven with an elderly priest. I remember him saying that it didn't really matter how we envisioned it, because it would be a completely different state of being; that trying to explain it would be like trying to tell a caterpillar what it will be like to become a butterfly. He said his own image of heaven was being able to sit down to a cup of tea with the Blessed Mother. For him, that was the ultimate image of peace and contentment.

Having long ago abandoned the concept of a kingdom in the clouds somewhere, I hang onto that old priest's description; the metamorphosis from lowly caterpillar to beautiful butterfly, transitioning from one life to another. Becoming something more beautiful, taking flight.

Butterflies have long been a symbol of the soul and of transition, a totem if you will, reminding us to embrace the changes in our lives and trust that we'll emerge alright. Not a bad lesson, and one particularly close to home as we learn to roll with our own changes and challenges here.

So I suppose it's no surprise I've had butterflies on my mind this week, and have incorporated some of their symbolism into the latest piece, a one of a kind keepsake box...

It was such a blessing to paint this piece, and I hope it brings a little peace and contentment (and maybe a little butterfly magic) to it's new home.

It's listed on eBay now, along with this one - another treasure box, inspired by the notion of cats wishing on a star - or in this case the constellation "Catsseopeia". :)

I like to think they're wishing for a warm hearth, a full tummy, and a forever home, which of course, every cat deserves. :)

That's about it for tonight. Or I suppose I should say this morning (I turned into a pumpkin about an hour ago!) I hope you enjoyed a peek at the latest goodies.

I'll be back very soon with more works (Halloween!) in progress. Until then, have a happy and creative week!!

♥ Carolee

Little Boxes :)

I'm flying in very quickly (and very early!) this morning, to show you two whimsical little pieces I completed yesterday...

Tiny trinket boxes, just 3" square, now up for grabs on eBay.

More goodies are on the way soon, but right now I'm flying out the door to make the drive to Philadelphia, where John will begin his interferon treatment. Thanks sooooooo much for all the prayers and good wishes! They're much appreciated, and I'll post an update soon. :)

♥ Carolee

Blessed Bees and Blessed Me

Pink Zinnia Blessed Bee...

Orange Zinnia Blessed Bee...

Tuxedo Cat in catnip heaven...

And my very own blessing this week too, when I heard I'd won fellow blogger Maria-Therese's giveaway, and soon after, a package arrived all the way from Sweden!

Could this notebook be any more perfect for a tea lover who keeps notebooks filled with artsy inspiration? Thank you again, Maria-Therese!! (DO stop by her blog - it's a feast for the eyes!)

I'm so filled with gratitude this week; for honeybees, for purring cats, for tea and art, for family and friends.

And also for the wonderful guy I've spent the last thirty years with. We've had our share of challenges, and are facing more this week as he begins his cancer treatments. But challenges are made to be overcome, and overcome them I know we will. Many thanks to those who've been keeping us in thoughts and prayers, and incredible gratitude to those who support and encourage my artful endeavors.

I'm truly blessed. :)

♥ Carolee

Crisp Cool Breezes

Well, OK....not really. Only in my imagination. ;)

It's actually sweltering here in Lancaster County, but imagination can be a powerful and magical thing, allowing me to travel from the oppressive heat of the studio to a soft, sandy beach, where a gentle, misty breeze is blowing in from the ocean...

It can allow me to fast forward a few months to autumn (my most favorite of all the seasons!) where leaves are turning, and pumpkins are ready to be harvested, and baked into muffins and pies...

It won't be long now, *sigh*...

Back in the real world, these two signs are up for grabs on tonight's PFATT Marketplace update (midnight pacific time) on a first-come basis. Oh - and the pumpkin sign can be personalized at the bottom. :) UPDATE ~ Both pieces are now sold.

More goodies are on the way soon, including several Halloween pieces! In the meantime, I have commissions to complete, and shipping to do, and the Ghoultide Gathering to prepare for, and, and, and....

Does anyone know where I can get some studio elves?!

Back very soon. ;)

♥ Carolee

Wicked Sweet :)

It's no secret I have a TERRIBLE sweet tooth...

And this has been the weekend to indulge it, artistically and otherwise, hehe...

This whimsical box was originally designed as a candle box, but I think it holds so many other possibilities as well; a treat or treasure box, a tea box, a desk accessory - or a place to store all those cupcake and cookie sprinkles!

It's up for grabs on eBay now. :)

I'm afraid this weekend I gave in to said sweet tooth not only with a paintbrush, but with a spoon.

This red, white and blueberry trifle was my little nod to the Fourth, as well as a nod to John's heritage (God save the Queen and all that). It's surprisingly light - made with diced angel food cake, sweetened light cream cheese and whipped topping, and fresh organic berries.


The recipe is here - I just lightened it up a bit with the cream cheese and topping choices, leaving out the glaze, and cutting the sugar in half. Perfection!

Soooooo, I'm curious. Do you have a sweet tooth? What's your very favorite indulgence?

I think mine would have to be creme brulee. Pumpkin creme brulee. Nothing better, and it's almost that time of year again - pumpkin EVERYTHING, haha.

Which means I'd better get cracking!!

I'll be back soon with another eBay piece. In the meantime, have a wickedly sweet week!

♥ Carolee

☆¸.•*''*•.¸☆Happy Fourth!!☆¸.•*''*•.¸☆

Independence Day Greetings from the now comfortably cool studio! (And John says "God Save the Queen", hehe)....

I'll tell you, even this ancient monster of an air conditioner (yes, I know I should invest in something more energy efficient, but such is the budget) makes ALL the difference in the world when it comes to productivity. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you're not melting. :)

Not to be a tease, but I have to share this week's project, which is already sold; a table inspired by the Celtic goddess Eostre, who legend has it could shape shift into a hare...


If you look closely, you'll see the shape of a hare in the moon's shadows. Other cultures have hare moon legends too, and I've been doing a bit of reading/research on these tales, along with re-reading some passages "Watership Down", an all time favorite. Soooooo, this isn't likely to be the last hare moon piece. Stay tuned.

I'll be spending today working on a card for the upcoming oracle deck, and the rest of the week on commissions, eBay offerings and the July 10th PFATT Marketplace update. I'd like to say we're doing something fun and fabulous for the Fourth, but it will be a quiet, working and housecleaning weekend here, with crockpot cooking, as the grill is broken. (MUST get a new one soon!)

In other news, the magic random number generator chose Christina Silverio of Hoyden Designs as the winner of the little trinket box - congrats, Christine!!

Look for another giveaway here very soon, as well as July giveaways on the EHAG Emporium. Speaking of which, have you checked out this month's offerings?!! I'm afraid I didn't have time to participate, but WOW - some truly amazing Halloween art there, and a few pieces still available. ;)

That's about it for today. I'll be back very soon with new work, and hopefully a sneak peek at works in progress for the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering (I can't believe it's less than three months away!)

Wishing everyone here in the US a safe celebration!

~ Carolee
☆¸.•*''*♥☆♥*''*•.¸☆