Christmas 2013

Hello, and Happy Christmas!! (I can still say this, because today is only the third day, hehe.) ;)

I'm back in the studio today, with more ideas, notes and sketches than I know what to do with, but before beginning, I thought it might be fun to share a bit of our holiday with you; the first in thirty five years I haven't hosted myself! I must admit to some initial reluctance in letting go of the reins, but once I did, I was able to sit back and enjoy the day as I haven't in years. 

Daughter Courtney her beau Robert went all out, continuing the tradition of our large Dickensian feast (his family does the same, so it's actually a shared tradition)...The table looked so festive...

 

(And that wheel of cranberry/apple/pecan covered brie you see there was just amazing!) The menu included a standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus, creamed onions, carrots and turnips, and a delicious cottage pie contributed by one of the guests. Oh, and wine, lots of wine, and mulled cider simmering in the crockpot, served with a splash of spiced rum. 

Bliss! ;)

Oh, and dessert of Victoria Sponge (you take a slice and drizzle a bit of heavy cream over the top), and Robert's pumpkin pie (the best I've ever had, with a gingersnap crust!)....

As the younger folks prepared the feast, John was in the living room watching Dr. Who, and was delighted to find one of the other party guests was a Whovian as well. As they watched, I accomplished a bit of knitting. ;)

 

Here's a better shot of the beautiful tree, with Courtney's cat Chloe in the foreground...

After a thoroughly enjoyable day (LOVED all their friends, and connected with a few on facebook), John and I settled into a room at the Doubletree in Center City, rather than brave the Schuylkill on Christmas night. Here's the view from the 22nd floor...

Whenever I spend time in Philadephia, I'm reminded why it's one of my favorite cities. The architecture is just breathtaking. But as it turned out, braving the traffic at night might not have been a bad idea. Unexpected snow prompted us to leave early the next morning, and after a quick stop for coffee, we took the Schuylkill to the Pennsylvania Turnpike - where we discovered had we NOT stopped for that coffee, we would most likely have been a few minutes ahead, and involved in a horrific pileup! Multiple accidents on the same stretch involved something like 35 vehicles, and closed the turnpike for most of the day. In the two hours we sat parked (they eventually let us all go via an access road), this was our view...

Not a bad view if one must be stuck. Miraculously, there were no fatalities, and those injured were rushed to area hospitals. They remain in our prayers.

So home again, home again quite late in the afternoon, where we collapsed, did a bit of tidying, and turned in early. Sooooooo, all in all a very Merry Christmas, but an altogether exhausting Boxing Day!

Back to painting today, and back down the rabbit hole (that's a hint, hehe)...

I expect to be back very soon with a peek at what's on the worktable, and also expect to make major headway with all those January commissions!

In the meantime, I hope your holiday was filled with friends and family and feasting, lots of love, and as the movie says "all those lovely intangibles"!

Until next time, 
♥ Carolee

Tomten!

Five of these eight, limited edition, 2013 ornaments have been claimed, with three still available...

They're $47 including shipping anywhere in the US (international shipping will be more) and are available on a first-come basis by emailing me at carolee@kingofmice.com.

Update - all sold now.

Thanks for taking a peek - I'll be back very soon with some kitties! :)

♥ Carolee

Sneaky Peeky...

Just popping in with a quick peek at tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace listing...

"Through the Woods"...
 

The beloved Tomte of Scandinavian legend, riding his folkloric predecessor, the Yule Goat. As in previous incarnations I've painted, he's shown here riding through a birch forest, accompanied by a contingent of cardinals.

He'll be available as always, on a first-come basis, after the Marketplace updates at 10AM pacific/1PM eastern time.

Update ~ SOLD.

God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)
♥ Carolee

Winter Play and Winter Work

Hello, and Happy December! (Fair warning - this could get long, hehe)...

Next to my beloved autumn, this is probably my favorite time of year. I consider us so fortunate to live in one of the few remaining places in the country where life passes in tune with the seasons, and where there are daily reminders of this cycle, this turning of the year. Leaves have long since flown, birds gather at the feeder, and we gather sprigs of holly from our little tree out back. Inside, candles burn, and kettles simmer.

And of course, there's *Christmas*; the season of peace and goodwill, of smiles and kindness, of presents and most of all of *SuRpriSes*!!  I love, love, LOVE surprises, don't you?

Even some rather major challenges and setbacks (car trouble, computer trouble, etc) can't dampen my elf-like holiday spirit. ;)

The season began with a little road trip to West Virginia, where I had a chance to exhibit at Paul Gordon's annual "Friends in Christmas" show. What a fabulous experience! Dear friend and super talented photographer Jennifer MacNeill Traylor helped out at the show and captured some wonderful photographs (you can see more on her flickr page). This is the cozy little front room of Paul's studio, with my small display in the corner...

And this is our wonderful host, in the living room of his enchanting home in Martinsburg...

Paul is not only an incredibly talented artist, but one of the dearest people I've ever met, and I'm so honored he included me in his show. I also met some truly wonderful collectors, people whose enthusiasm for holidays and for folk art is just infectious, and I feel truly blessed my pieces found such good homes. ♥ 

Our dear friend Ann, who had driven up to the show from the Carolinas, had planned to return with Jen and I to Lancaster County for a Thanksgiving visit, but alas, the weather did not cooperate, so she returned home - and just in the nick of time, as we hit quite the snow squall coming home on 81! A few flurries one minute, then a near white-out the next...scary stuff, but such is winter in the northeast. ;)

Since returning, I've been working like one of Santa's helpers, burning the midnight oil to complete holiday commissions, and to offer a few pieces in the Etsy shop. There's La Befana, of course - the beloved character of Italian folklore...

....and quite a few smaller pieces as well. I just want to cuddle this little guy...

and I want to take a bite out of these cupcakes too, but that would be a bad idea given the sparkly glass glitter, hehe...

 

 I also did a little painting on metal this year, and thought these chickadee buckets filled with birdseed would make nice stocking stuffers or hostess gifts...

There's more of course, and if you'd like to give any of these pieces a home, be sure to enter the coupon code HOHOHO at checkout - it will give you 10% off your purchase. :)

And there's much more in progress too...a painting for Tuesday's PFATT Marketplace (sneak peek on Facebook soon), and the last batch of ornaments as well - I've been accepting a few orders for custom ornaments this week (pet portraits), and I think there are one or two spots left, so if anyone is interested, please message or email me. The rest will, as always, be limited edition designs.

Speaking of which, I've been away from the work table far too long here, lol...must get back to it! The Mice President is very kindly making supper while I paint, so I should take advantage of the time and set the paintbrush flying. ;)

If you've made it all the way through this, I thank you for your interest, and I wish you a blessed and joyous season! I'll be back very soon with another peek at some winter inspiration and winter work...and maybe even a little winter play!

Until next time, stay warm...
 ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

La Befana

For those who've been waiting, here she is...

A 2013 wooden platter, hand painted in acrylics and finished with a clear, acrylic varnish.

She's listed on Etsy now. ♥

~ Carolee

♪ ♫ 'Tis the Season! ♪ ♫

Hello! Has it really been almost a month since I stopped by and posted an update??

I'll tell you, much as I love facebook for keeping in touch and keeping up with all my art friends and collectors, it sure makes me lazy when it comes to writing more than a paragraph!

Where to start?

It's been a crazy-busy few weeks; catching up on commissions, working on pieces for the upcoming show, and painting ornaments galore, but in the midst of all the craziness, we did manage one, brief, blissful day away.....

 ....up in Jim Thorpe, PA (more about this in another post at some point before the holidays!) and I ducked out for a couple of days for the thrice annual Cabin Ladies weekend. Both much needed getaways, and I returned to the studio feeling rested and restored.

And none too soon, as the holiday madness is now in full swing - and with a SUPER short season this year (Thanksgiving weekend ends in December? Seriously?)

The first holiday project of the season was a group of trinket boxes - such fun (and I have a few others set aside for the show!). They've all been captured now, except the little mouse in the upper right hand corner, who remains up for grabs in the Etsy shop (surprised the heck out me, because I think he's so cute, but maybe he just wants to live here with us, hehe). ;)

Next up was the second annual batch of limited edition ornaments, which flew to new homes so quickly! (Although again, there are a few more set aside for the show)...

Fun yes?

I can't tell you what a joy these were to paint!

There are also several goodies waiting patiently for the trip to West Virginia (and others in the works)...

Excitement is building just as quickly as the inventory, hehe. I've attended this show in Paul's *magical* studio for several years now, never dreaming I'd be invited to participate - still pinching myself, hehe! It's such a small, intimate gathering, and just *feels* like Christmas, you know? Full of magic and wonder...

Hope to see you there!!

In the meantime, it's back to the studio to light a Christmas scented candle, make some cocoa and wait for the snow to fall (the first of the year expected this morning - yay!)

Back much sooner next time, I promise!

¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

A Christmas Show + New Work

Hello, all!

I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but I'm absolutely giddy with excitement about participating in Paul Gordon's fabulous Friends in Christmas show this year! I've attended for several years, but this will be my first year exhibiting, and there are already several new pieces in the works.

If you'd like a wee glimpse from the past, click here for a blog post from the 2010 show (the first year I attended) - just *magical*!

It's no secret I'm in love with All Things Christmas, and like Halloween, usually push the season just a wee bit, hehe. This year is no exception, and I've already begun painting pieces not only for the show, but for the Etsy shop as well. At the moment, this little Peppermint Mouse angel is looking for a good home...

I love the red/pink/white combination - looks so pepperminty I can almost taste it, haha. Actually, a great idea - fill it with peppermints for a gift. ♥

Other pieces are on the studio table as well, including one more "Seasons of the Witch" piece, this one a gentle movement between the seasons; planting in spring, tending in summer, gathering in autumn and resting in winter. I'll share a peek here - and on facebook - before offering it. :)

That's about it for now - I'd write more but am also dealing with workmen in the basement, who are replacing our leaking oil tank (yikes!). Ah, the joys of home ownership, *sigh*...

I'll be back very soon with more photos,  and in the meantime, I hop everyone is finding time to enjoy this absolutely GORGEOUS autumn! What a blessing it is....

Until next time,
♥ Carolee
PS - hope to see some of you at Paul's Show!

A Yuletide Hare

Can it really be PFATT Marketplace time again?

Between shows and seasonal activities, the days just seem to fly this time of year. Now that Ghoultide 2013 is a magical memory, it's time for a few Yuletide pieces, and this is the first offering of the year...

Painted on a hand made, bentwood box, this piece measures 6 3/4" x 4" x 2 1/2", and is painted in sagey greens, soft gold, and deep mulberry, and accented with Celtic knotwork around the band. I think it would make a lovely gift, perhaps filled with a few wrapped candies?

It's available as always, on a first-come basis, by emailing me after the page updates (10AM pacific/1PM eastern) at carolee@kingofmice.com . UPDATE ~ SOLD

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll be back very soon with a peek at work for the upcoming Christmas show in Martinsburg, West Virginia!

♥ Carolee

"Malice in Wonderland"

Just popping in quickly to share one of four remaining pieces from the fabulous Ghoultide Gathering show - and I must admit, a personal favorite. This is the piece which appeared in the Ghoutide Gathering ad in Art Doll Quarterly's fall issue...

 "Malice in Wonderland" is a trip down a wicked sort of rabbit hole, kind of an *Alice with a Halloween twist* sort of piece...

It's available now in the Etsy shop, along with three other originals, and for a limited time I'm offering a free print (your choice) with the purchase of any original. My little artsy children...it just doesn't seem right that they don't have a Halloween home yet, hehe...

Thanks for visiting, and I'll be back very soon with a peek at the first of the 2013 holiday pieces. ;)

♥ Carolee

Ghoultide Report! (This May Get Long) ;)

Well, I'm back from the most *magical* weekend of the year, the annual Ghoultide Gathering! Have been back for several days in fact, but am just now beginning to float back down to earth, hehe...

John stayed home with the furkids, as dear friend Jennifer and I set out in the Kingofmicemobile - whose packing process was something like playing a game of tetrus, lol. Every inch of space was utilized.

It was a one day show this year, so after Friday's set-up, the artists were able to gather for a little pizza/wine/soda reception, and wander the building gazing at all the incredible Halloween creations befroe the doors opened the next morning. Here's just a sampling of what my uber-talented fellow artists conjured up (Do click for enlarged photos!)...

Scott Smith (who along with his partner Bill, produces the show), created this pumpkin man in a coffin, delicately withered under the glass...

And I just love this one, "Drucilla Fusspot", walking the remains of her beloved pet crow...

Allen Cunningham created this "Midnight Mercantile" - each tiny piece inside sculpted and painted in fine detail...

Sheila Bentley's bewitching work....

 One of Nicol Sayre's beautiful, vintage dolls...

And another Nicole (Johnson), of Mealy Monster Land. Love the combination of creepy and whimsical...

Lucky Stradley's pottery - so cool!

 Laurie Hardin's work never ceases to make me smile, and one day I hope to own a piece. Aren't they fun?

Joyce Stahl's *Little Enchanted Ones" are always a hit. She says "they put a smile on your face, just before they bite!" Teehee...

These beloved bunny pieces by LoriAnn Corelis, of The Spotted Hare are so bittersweet to me. Her work is always the perfect combination of whimsical and touching...

Katherine Webber's amazing, vintage style work (Nosferatu scared me, lol)...

Jennie Hepler, of  The Prim Pumpkin, always achieves the perfect balance between sweet and vintage Halloween with her lovely, sculpted pumpkin dolls...

 

Pam Gracia, of Soft in the Head, created this amazing steampunk raven, riding a tricycle. So fun!

 

Paul Gordon's work always astounds, and this Owl and Pussycat piece is no exception...

And what can I say about Sue Bartolucci's pun-inspired folk art, except "wow!" - would that I were buying instead of selling, *sigh*...

 Arbutus Hunter had the most adorable spun cotton ornaments. Check out this darling bat...

There were several new artists too, and it was so much fun to meet them, and experience the energy and talent they brought to the show. Doll artist Kevin Buntin created these fabulous gourd guys - I just love the vibrant color and expressive faces...

And Rhode Montijo brought some of his "Halloween Kid" books along with his original creations - the story is currently being animated for a fall special!

Doll artist Dustin Poche was our neighbor, and he completely blew us away with his talent. Someday I know we'll all say we "knew him when"...(and he's a super nice guy too!) These were two of my favorites...

And I'm in love with Melissa Belanger's paintings. A goal for next year is to own a small original...

And finally, my own humble offerings. The first is a pic of the entire display, courtesy of dear friend and photographer, Jennifer MacNeill Traylor, and the second is a detail she shot...

I know I've missed quite a few of the other artists, but didn't catch them at their tables to get permission for blog photography (if any of you are reading, and would like to email me a photo, I'd love to include you here!)...I also didn't get a chance to capture the crowds, as by then we were so busy we could hardly think, hehe!

But I hope this gives a little glimpse of the magic. No pics of me either, I'm afraid (major camera phobia), but Jen did take this one of my amazing bat necklace I wore to the show, a gift from a very dear collector friend...

As I type this, there are a just a few pieces left, some of which I've already listed in the Etsy shop, and a few more, which will list tomorrow. This wicked, whimsical, wonky clock is a personal favorite, hehe...

If you'd like to experience the magic yourself, the date is already set for next year's Ghoultide Gathering - October 4th (and believe it or not, the hotel is already taking reservations from people planning to attend - eeeeek - better get mine in, lol!) It's sooooooo much fun, and from a purely selfish standpoint, my favorite part of the show is meeting collectors in person, so I do hope some of you can make it!

And now, it's on to a few Yuletide pieces for Paul Gordon's "Friends in Christmas" show (at Paul's studio in Martinsburg, WV, on November 23rd)...

Back very soon with a glimpse at some holiday goodies, and in the meantime, thanks in advance to all those giving the last of the Ghoultide goodies a good home for Halloween!

♥ Carolee