A Little Practical *Magic* Giveaway!

Apologies for coming to the blog party a wee bit late, but *magic* is abounding here in the studio as well, and sometimes it can be a wee bit...well, distracting, hehe. :)

But I'm so happy to take a break in honor of one of my favorite all time books and movies! In fact, "Practical Magic" inspiration has been swirling around in my head for weeks now...

"Spellcasting"...


"Midnight Margaritas"...

"My darling Girl.."...

I can't make up my mind which print is a favorite, so I thought I'd leave the choice up to the giveaway winner - you may choose whichever you like. :) All you need do to enter is leave a comment here, and I'll draw a name on Oct 5th. Be sure to leave me a way to contact you...

Back to the studio for me now (major show prep underway), but I hope to do a little blog hopping later. Until then, wishing you a day of magic and wonder!

♥ Carolee
PS - My Etsy shop is out of most of the Practical Magic prints now, but I'll be replenishing them after I get back from Michigan (the week of the 5th)

*Bewitching* Brew....

...Magical Potion...Enchanting Elixir...Intoxicating Infusion...Liquid Wisdom; that restorative wonder and general cure-all, liquid bliss and inspiration; a cup of TeA.

Loving tea as I do (and collecting teapots!), it's become a frequent subject in the studio, painting as I sip whatever brew strikes my fancy that day, perfectly content with every moment of the process. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something very Zen about the combination of tea and art, a sort of calm that washes over you, kind of like what happens when you sit down with a cup of tea and a good book. ;)

C.S. Lewis famously said "You can never have a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me."

I ♥ that.

But I'm getting off track here...Aside from extolling the virtues and wonders of tea, I want to share what I've been up to all week. Well, half of it anyway.

This is a hand made, birch wood tea chest in it's original state, straight from the woodworker. So many possibilities, but of course, the one that leaps to mind is something illustrating the *magic* it contains. A black cat, a witchy little mouse, a *magical* Halloween tea set, and cupcakes that make you want to steal a bite or two...

And inside, room for boxes and boxes of your favorite brew. I'm running a tad low on teabags myself, or I would have added more for the photograph. Guess it's time to restock.

I'll be listing this one on Etsy tonight, where it can be directly purchased (I'm really loving that people don't have to jump through eBay hoops to get my pieces any more) and I was also thinking it would be fun to offer personalization on the inside of the lid - a name, a date, a quote - whatever makes it special. ♥

I think it would be perfect for a Witch's Tea Party - or even a tea party for one...

This was my very own solo party last October.

Which reminds me - veering off topic a bit here, but I have to tell you, there's a Practical Magic blog party coming soon! If you scroll down on the right sidebar, you'll see the banner, which will lead you to the hostess' blog, details, etc. As soon as I heard about it, I was IN! Can never have enough Practical Magic. ;)

Are you still with me? I know I ramble sometimes. At least, that's what John says ("Does this story have a POINT?")

Sometimes, hehe. ;)

Anyway, I'll be back soon with more new work. Things can get a little crazy this time of year as I divide my time between work for sale, work for the Ghoultide Gathering, and commissions. (Sleep is soooooo overrated, ha!)

Wishing you days of magic and bliss as summer draws to a close, and the first traces of autumn appear. I'll leave you with this video of one of my favorite folky autumn songs...



Until next time,
♥ Carolee

New Prints Available!

After receiving many requests, I've had a few prints made of three recent paintings, and they're now available in my Etsy shop. The first two, "Spellcasting" and "Midnight Margaritas" were inspired by one of my all time favorite books and movies, "Practical Magic"...


The third, "Hubba's Halloween", was inspired by a beautiful ginger boy who used to live at our vet's office (but has since been adopted and gone to his forever home). :)

Isn't he a handsome fellow?

There are just eight of each print available at the moment, but I may order more before Halloween, not sure...

Back very soon with pics of a wicked cool tea chest in progress. Until then, happy Monday!

♥ Carolee

"Spellcasting" on PFATT Marketplace

OK, first, TWO blog posts in one day?!? Hehe...

Sorry, but I just have to share this little homage to one of my all time favorite books and movies, "Practical Magic". I'm offering this piece on tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace (update at 10AM pacific time)...

The edges are adorned with rosebuds and vines, so there's no need for a frame (additional photo on tomorrow's listing)...

Back very soon with new work, and further ramblings...

♥ Carolee

A Little "Practical Magic" Inspiration...

As the downside of summer continues (although you wouldn't know it by the heat here - yikes!) and my thoughts turn to autumn, it's time for another viewing - or two or three - of one of my all time favorite movies (based on an all time favorite book) "Practical Magic".

Which of course leads to painting inspiration! This original 8" x 8" acrylic on gallery canvas (up for grabs on Etsy now) features one of my all time favorite quotes...


"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!"

Words to live by, eh?

I love the Owens sisters, I love their daughters, and I absolutely adore the aunts! But I think of all the characters on the movie, my very favorite has to be that HOUSE!

Oh, to live in a place like that, by the sea...herb garden, greenhouse, aga range in the kitchen. It's like someone read my mind and created a movie set. There's a wonderful site called "Hooked on Houses" where you can read more about it. I'd read it last year, but didn't bookmark the link, so had quite forgot about it when a friend shared the link the other day. Total house porn. ;)

And lucky me - this piece isn't the end of it! I have a commission for a Practical Magic insipred chair, and one more 8" x 8" painting, probably including one of those lovely toads from the movie! Hey, maybe I can use this guy as a model. He lives in our pond, and after much help from facebook friends, he now has a name...


Meet "The Frog Formerly Known as Prince". Or "Sherman" for short.

That's Dave, the pond guy holding him. John won't go near the pond, and would give away the fish and fill the whole thing in with cement given half a chance. What can I say - I like aesthetics, he likes low-maintenance. ;)

Where was I?

Yes, Practical Magic. If you haven't seen it, you must, and if you haven't read the book, you must. Inspiring and enchanting!

That's about it for now. I'll be back very soon with more on next year's road trip, which is becoming known as the "Road Dust and Wanderlust" tour, hehe. Love that.

Stay tuned, and in the meantime, try to stay cool!

♥ Carolee