A Sneak Peek...

Just a few hours until the April PFATT Marketplace update, and I finished this treasure chest just under the wire...

You can see why it took so long, hehe...I think this is probably one of the most detailed pieces I've ever painted - and one of the most fun. :)

You can't see it in the photo, but there's an ocean scene with lighthouse and sailboat on the back, and a hot air balloon on one end. But I think my favorite part is the rainbow birds on top. They look so happy. The three dimensional heart is pretty cool too. ;)

It will be up for grabs on a first-to-email basis, on Tuesday, April 10th at 10AM Pacific time (1PM eastern).

In the meantime, painting accomplished, I'm off to bed before I turn into a pumpkin, hehe...

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

A Happy (and Healthier!) Easter

Looks like I did it again - 8 days without a blog update, eek!

I have a good excuse though. I was in the hospital. Then the day after I got out, John went in again. Seriously. Stomach ailments for me (still no diagnosis, but I'm on the blandest of diets, and will be going through some more testing), and another episode of heart failure for John.

He's much better now, and we're enjoying a quiet Easter at home. The brunch we'd planned has been moved back a week. At least. I'd really like to be able to order something other than jello or oatmeal before we go. ;)

Meanwhile, I'm painting like mad, trying to catch up on commissions - some long overdue - and also trying to meet a deadline for the upcoming PFATT Marketplace. Well, actually, I already blew the deadline, but was very kindly granted a reprieve. Truthfully, I was all set to skip it this month, and just be "out on vacation"...

Until I saw this...

How could I resist?

"Follow Your Heart", now in progress...

Yummy colors, yes? I think it would make an amazing treasure chest or memory box, and the black frame around the top will be lettered with inspiring phrases. I'll post pics here and on facebook when it's finished. :)

In other news, it's looking as though the epic "Road Dust and Wanderlust" trip will be a two parter, with the larger leg of the trip postponed until I gain a little more mobility - which means not only weight loss, but adjusting to a new, permanent, ankle brace. The first leg of the trip - Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida to the Keys and back again - is still on, and I'm beside myself with anticipation! Details soon on the Road Trip blog (as soon as I find time to post that is, hehe)...

For now, it's back to work. ;)

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Blessed Easter, and a joyous spring! Back again very soon with pics of the completed chest....

♥ Carolee

Welcome, Spring!

Has it really been over a week since I've popped in here? Blame it on spring fever - or as the Mice President likes to call it, "shiny object syndrome". ...

What can I say, I'm easily distracted. ;)

Spring is sprouting all over here; super early daffodils and crocuses, and hyacinths too. But strangest of all are the lilac blooms! Unheard of in March...

Can you see them?

Our neighbor's forsythia is spilling over into our yard, and I just love it. Must plant one myself, I think...

The Old Lincoln roses by the front porch are already filling out nicely, and we should have blooms before too long...

Still no takers for the little bird roosts we hung, but they all love the feeder (especially the greedy little squirrels, hehe)...Of course, everyone scatters the minute I open the door to take a photograph, but you get the idea. And oh my, look at all the blossoms sprouting on the dogwood...

The kitties just LOVE watching all the activity from their perch by the front window. Must try to capture a shot of that. :)

Here's one of our cheery daffodils, out by the front fence...

They're such happy flowers, don't you think?

And I just love the early spring moss covering the bricks around the koi pond, and the ground cover beginning to spread (some sort of succulent, but I don't know the name)...

Even the fish - normally still dormant this time of year - are active! We've already begun feeding them their "transition" food, and soon it will be time to fill in the pond with a few annual water plants...

In the studio, I've been immersed in painting a spring pieces too - in progress at the moment is another St. Gertrude piece, a tri-fold wooden screen. She's coming along nicely, and should be finished later today...

I just love that there's a patron saint of cats and gardeners. There's also a patron saint of dogs, st Rocco - must paint him some time too. :)

Also in the works are two more Easter platters - one already claimed, and one up for grabs very soon. I'll be posting peeks on facebook as they progress, so do drop by (the link an be found on the right sidebar). And I'm so hoping to complete a piece for the EHAG Art Guild and PFATT Group's "Screampunk" challenge, but between the full studio schedule, and more health issues for John, I'm just not sure - wish me luck!

How about you? Is it spring in your neck of the woods? Are you distracted by flowers and birdsong? Or are you in the other hemisphere and anticipating autumn now? Wherever you are, I do hope you're finding time to enjoy Mother Nature's blessings.

Well, I'd best get back to the studio now - so many ideas and sketches, so little time to complete them all! But I had to take a few minutes to "visit" this morning. Like I said, shiny object syndrome, hehe...

I'll try to be back much sooner next time. :)

Until then,
♥ Carolee

Button, Button....

...Who's got the button?

Sorry, couldn't resist, and yes, I know I'm dating myself here. Do kids even play that game anymore?

I hope so. :)

Anyway, I just thought I'd share these little button pieces before listing them on Etsy tomorrow. If you'd like to purchase one or more, just shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com. I'll take the first email I receive for each piece, and try to mark them sold asap...

Four little button paintings, measuring 5" x 5" with red polka dotted edges (no need for a frame). $45 each + shipping, which will vary by location...

Sleepy little mushroom mouse (UPDATE ~ SOLD)...

Bookworm mushroom mouse...(UPDATE ~ SOLD)

Beach Bunny (UPDATE ~ SOLD)...

Black Cat (UPDATE - SOLD)

Tiny tuxedo cat painting and easel (2" x 3" with 5" easel), $35 + shipping...

Tiny sleepy mouse trinket box (3" x 2"), $35 + shipping...

Tiny sleepy hedgehog trinket box (3" x 2"), $35 + shipping...

Thanks for taking a peek, and again, please email with questions, or to purchase. :)

♥ Carolee

Dancing Rabbit Dreams

Sometimes the best ideas and inspiration come when we've fallen deep into the arms of Morpheus.

I'm one of those lucky people with a very active dream life, and I tend to remember most of them. And sometimes they stay in my consciousness even after I've awakened, the lines between fantasy and reality blurring ever so slightly, so that although I'm physically awake, my head is still in the dream....Do you ever do that? Please tell me you do, or I might get worried! ;)

Sooooo, yes. These dreams are often surreal, and often include animals with very human-like qualities. Last week, it was dancing rabbits. I'm sure that means something to someone who interprets dreams, although what I couldn't tell you. To me, it just means I must paint them, hehe. And to that end, I decided to follow last week's platter with a ballerina-bunny treasure box...

She was so fun to paint, dancing on those clouds. And the eggs around the base of the box - Oh my, it was like being a kid again, decorating them all. I just love painting eggs - two and three dimensional. One day I must try my hand at painting pysanky - those intricate Ukranian eggs - sooooo beautiful!

And have you seen these?

So delicate! You can find them here.

Eggs and rabbits abound this time of year, and inspiration also comes from some of my favorite children's books. This piece was inspired by Margery Williams' "The Velveteen Rabbit", with a beautiful quote from the book hand lettered around the edge...

"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

So true, and always brings a tear to my eye (but in a good way). ♥

The platter and the box will both be up for grabs on Saturday's PFATT Marketplace (10AM pacific/1PM eastern) ...Oh, and I forgot to mention - I painted an egg on the interior of the treasure box, just so it could be personalized for a special someone. :)

One or two more Easter/Ostara pieces are in the works too, and possibly another St Gertrude - this one a tri-fold table top piece. Then it's on to Halloween and Ghoultide Gathering pieces.

On the home front, I'm off to the podiatrist tomorrow, where I'll find out if another temporary brace is in order, or something more permanent. I'd really like to resolve the painful walking/blown ankle issue before the big road trip (just a few week now!) I'm still pinching myself that this lifelong dream is coming true! If you haven't already, please do drop by the Road Dust and Wanderlust blog, where we'll be posting updates from the road beginning in mid-May.

In the meantime, it's back to the arms of Morpheus for me, and more crazy dreams, hehe...

I'll be back very soon though, with new work, and a little giveaway!

Until then,
♥ Carolee

St. Gertrude of Nivelles

Just popping in to share the latest painting, St Gertrude of Nivelles - patron saint of cats, gardeners and travelers...

I had so much fun painting her in this sort of folk art/iconic fashion, and do hope she finds a good home for her feast day (March 17th). She's listed on Etsy now.

Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back soon with a few new Easter/Ostara pieces!

Until then,
♥ Carolee

Winter Madness...

I'm torn.

One one hand, I'm ever so grateful for this mild winter we've been having, as it's kept heating costs well, if not low, then certainly lower that they could have been. And trust me, this is a big deal. ;)

On the other hand, I'm longing for a good old fashioned snowing-in. The kind that blankets everything in white and forces us to slow down and spend a few days enjoying the comforts of hearth and home; simmering soup and homemade bread, wool shawls and down lap duvets, quiet evenings spent reading and knitting and playing board games...

It's been a strange winter so far, with just a couple of dustings which were gone in a day or two. Nothing like 2010, when we had those back to back blizzards...

We called it "snowmageddon", remember?

Not that we need anything quite so dramatic - but one good snowfall before spring would be nice, don't you think?

Maybe I need to break out the snow wand? I have this fabulous little folk artsy piece by an artist named Brigitte Holsten, of Paint the Moon Primitives (whom I've since lost track of, and so wish I could find her work again)...

The wand hangs on the dining room hearth, beneath the far too dusty teapots, and there's a little spell card attached which says:

"God and Goddess that I seek
I hope this doesn't sound too meek
I ask of you to make it snow
and make the cold winter winds blow
Now that I have asked this of you
I will help you to make it true."

How fun is that?! You're supposed to chant the verse, and wave the wand in all four directions.

John says he'd much rather we had a wand for springtime weather, but I suppose that's because he's the one who gets to drive in the snow, and I'm the one who gets to watch it while sipping hot cocoa. ;)

How about you? Is it winter in your neck of the woods? Or are you missing it as I am?

Before I run, I must share one more little bit of winter madness, this newest eBay auction. I swore I was finished with eBay, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, and this week it means selling the Mad Catter box...

My favorite part is the message inside, which pretty much sums things up around here, hehe. ♥

That's about it for today. I'm off to work on commissions now, and perhaps do a bit of sketching for the new Practical Magic piece. I'll be back very soon, and in the meantime, I hope you're enjoying your day whatever the weather...

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Cute as a Button, Part Two. ♥

I'm having such fun with these button paintings! Here are two I finished today, which will be up for grabs tomorrow in the Etsy shop, unless they're snapped up first (larger than the previous ones, at 8" x 8", and $75 + $10 shipping)

You can't really see it in the pics, but there's a white rick-rack hanger at the top. Sooooo cute.

UPDATE - Both now sold. :)

I'll be working madly on commissions and a piece for the PFATT Marketplace this week, as well as catching up on a few things around the house, and applying for a new passport. Hard to believe the big road trip is just about 3 months away now!

Must run now, but I'll be back very soon...

♥ Carolee
PS - if you'd like one of the button paintings, just shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com

♥ Cute as a Button ♥

Four chunky 5" x 5" canvases, with button accents and rick-rack hangers, up for grabs on a first-come basis at $45 each + $10 shipping in the U.S. (email for rates elsewhere) ...

SUCH fun painting these, hehe...

To purchase one or several, shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com. Anything left tomorrow will list on Etsy. :)

UPDATE - As of this writing (just a few minutes after posting), the Dormouse and cat are sold and the other two are most likely sold (pending confirmation). Thanks so much, and I hope to have more of these soon - including a few Halloween pieces! :)

♥ Carolee

EHAG Emporium and "Springtime Blessings"!

I wanted to create something special for the first EHAG Emporium of the New Year, something witchy and wonderful, and something to welcome the season to come...

This original, one of a kind plaque is perfect for Imbolc (the first day of spring in the Celtic calendar) and also for the March spring equinox. It features a beautiful witch in silhouette, dancing among the fairies, a bird perched on her outstretched arm. A crescent moon and stars complete the scene, and the piece is framed by words of blessing, and a black and white checkerboard border.

Made of solid pine, with stained and routed edges, it's painted in acrylics and sealed with a clear, acrylic varnish. It measures 10 1/2" x 14", and comes with a sawtooth hanger for easy display indoors or out.

$95 plus shipping, which varies by location. Please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com to purchase. UPDATE - SOLD.

Thank so much!

Happy Imbolc and Happy Spring!!

♥ Carolee

*We're All Mad Here!*

Just popping in to show you the latest, this whimsical "Mad Catter" box...

A cross between the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, he soars through the air bestowing heartfelt blessings on those in Wonderland below. The Dormouse and Flamingo are along for the ride as well. I love the little surprise message inside...

So true, hehe!

Perfect for storing treat, treasures, keys, jewelry or hairclips - almost anything, really. It's listed on Etsy now, and I'm hoping it finds a good home.

(Update - I hadn't even noticed several print listings had expired - eek! Thanks to the heads-up from a facebook friend, they're back in the shop as well!)

I'll be back very soon with new work, and in the meantime, there are commissions in progress, and a relaxing weekend to spend with John, who is finally home after nine days in the hospital. It's nice to have him back, and he feels much better - thanks in part to all the support and encouragement, prayers and positive energy sent his way - We're so grateful!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Pure Imagination!

Imagination: The ability to form mental images, concepts and sensations in a moment when they are not perceived by the senses.



Pretty powerful stuff, and just think - we all have it! We can picture ourselves on a sandy beach, and almost hear the waves lapping, feel the sun's warmth, taste the pina colada...We can imagine ourselves soaring with eagles, climbing a mountain, or visiting Wonderland...

It's such a magical tool, and can be sparked by almost anything, although I find books and folk tales to be a personal springboard, hehe...

Sort of thinking aloud here, do you suppose all the technology we enjoy help or hinders the imagination? That is - does the constant stream of images via television, movies, the internet, etc., spark other images - or does it make us lazy, neglecting to use our own imagination as we settle for what someone else has seen in their mind's eye?

I wonder sometimes. It's such a precious gift, this imagination, and one I think needs to be nurtured, and even protected - because its manifestation is creativity. And by the way, I think we'd all do better to look to children in this regard - they're natural daydreamers and natural artists. They live absolutely in the moment, and when something inspires them, they create freely. What was it Picasso said?

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Maybe I'm not grown up yet, hehe? I hope not, anyway. ;)

Today I'm falling down the rabbit hole to Wonderland (a repeat visit to be sure, but always magical) and painting "The Mad Catter" - a sort of cross between the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, with a few other Alice elements thrown in there too.

It's a rainy and dreary reality here in Lancaster County this morning, but in Wonderland....Ah, in Wonderland it's filled with warmth and vibrant colors, with teapots and smiling cats, with flamingos and hearts...with pure imagination. ♥

Wishing you a wondrous day as well!

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

Two Out of Four

There are two new prints up for grabs in the Etsy shop. :)

I know, it was supposed to be four. But the gnome painting had an odd sort of blemish on the snow - probably a small spot on the scanner I didn't catch. And the Water Dragon I'd painted for Chinese New Year could not be scanned, and the photo just wasn't high enough resolution, and came out looking a wee bit soft and out of focus. John says I'm too picky, but I don't think there's any such thing as too picky when it comes to my work. ;)

The good news is there are still two new prints available! The first is an older piece (last year), but one of my all time favorites, The Owl and the Pussycat...

The second is titled "Dwell in Peace" and features an arctic fox lying down with a snowshoe rabbit, with the northern lights in the background...

There are four of each in the Etsy shop.

Oh, and the original Baba Yaga is still up for grabs too...

I'll be back very soon with new work - just catching up around here after John's last hospital stay. He's home now, and we've both resumed a regular schedule, so I'm hoping things will stay on an even keel for awhile. :)

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

♥ Price Reduction ♥

It's not often I do this, but in the interest of continued income as I spend time at the hospital with John this week, I've reduced the price on two originals in the Etsy shop ("Baba Yaga" and "Valentine") by about $40 each. I do hope they find good homes. :)

On a personal note, John is feeling a bit better this morning, and his doctors are working to find just the right cocktail of medication which will keep him out of heart failure, while maintaining a health level of potassium (which has been dangerously low).

Must add, many thanks for the kind comments and notes of support both here and on facebook. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us.

Much love,
♥ Carolee

♥ Etsy Love ♥

Just popping in quickly to share the latest Etsy offering, a hand crafted bentwood box, which I've painted with this sweet, long haired, angel cat (was going for a Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest)...


Of course, all cats are sweet angels, which makes them perfect subjects for Valentine's day. This one, which I've named "Valentine", can be found in my Etsy shop. :)

Back very soon,
♥ Carolee

Sneaky-Peeky

Just popping in with a peek at two sweet little treat boxes up for grabs on a first-come basis, on tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace...

As always, the update happens on the tenth of the month, at 10AM pacific - so 1PM eastern, and the pieces will go to the first email or emails I receive. (Regretfully, the Hershey's kisses are not included, their days - nay hours - being numbered, hehe). :)

I had so much fun with these two. There' something about the pink and red and white combination that just makes me smile. :) UPDATE - Both pieces have now sold.

That's it for tonight. But I'll be back very soon with something *WiTcHy*....
~ Carolee

Baba Yaga and Other Witchy Work to Come...

The fascination with folklore continued last week, as I painted one of my favorite characters, the old witch, Baba Yaga, from Russian folk tales. (You can click here to read more about her, or google her and read one the many versions of the story.)

She took quite a while to paint, but I'm so pleased with the finished piece - one of those I wish I could keep for myself, hehe.....But sell her I must, so she's up for grabs in the Etsy store now. ;)

There's more witchy work to follow, as I begin stocking up for the 2012 Ghoultide Gathering! Since I'll be on an extended vacation for a couple of months this year, starting early is a must!

And in the meantime (I'm sending you all over the place, hehe), there's the PFATT Markeplace tomorrow at 10AM pacific (1PM eastern) - where I'll be offering a couple of Valentine's Day treasure boxes.

Off to work I go, but not before brewing a pot of tea, and putting some music on. Oh - almost forgot - I just updated the playlist (on the right sidebar) with some inspiring January painting music. Do give it a listen and tell me what you think!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee
PS - another giveaway coming soon...

Another Work in Progress, Another Hospital Stay

Flying in quickly this morning to share a photo of the latest work in progress - another arctic painting...


After seeing the video of Siku, the polar bear cub, I just had to paint one. Soooooo cute. Look for it on Etsy later today. :)

On the home front, it's back to the hospital for John, who is having another cardioversion, in conjunction with some tests and new meds. Assuming all goes well, he should be home by the weekend, and in the meantime, I have all these furkids to keep me company here at the house. :)

While it's tempting to bemoan the need for another procedure, we're just ever so thankful that this technology is possible! When I listen to his artificial valve ticking away, I can't help but think how blessed we are to live in a time where medical miracles like this exist.

I'm off to the hospital now, and as soon as he's settled, it's back here to paint. After the polar cub is finished, it's on to Baba Yaga!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee
PS - don't forget to check out the previous post and enter the giveaway!

Beginning 2012 With a Giveaway!

I'm feeling very blessed this crisp, cool, January first morning, and feeling the need to give a little something back to the collectors and friends who've given me so much this past year.

Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me, and while I wish I could send a little something to each of you, I figure the least I can do is offer a giveaway - or three. ;)

Yep, three. All you have to do is leave a New Year's comment here, and you'll be entered to win your choice of any hand painted welcome sign, or any print in my Etsy shop. I'll draw three names next Saturday evening and notify the winners sometime on Sunday.

There's no requirement to share this, or re-post, or tweet, or whatever - but I so appreciate it if you do!

Wishing you magic, joy, and all good things in 2012!

♥ Carolee

La Befana Revisited

Popping in quickly between batches of cookies, to share the latest piece - another homage to La Befana...

She's just so fun to paint, and I so love the legend, I had to revisit her. This one (a very close companion to the recently painted plate) is on a birch wood box, and I think would be perfect for either treats or treasures. The Christmas star shines inside too...

She's listed on Etsy now, up for grabs on a first-come basis.

Thanks for taking a peek, and I promise I'll be back soon with pics of new work - and possibly cookies too!

♥ Carolee