♥ A Mad Tea Party and a Mad Giveaway! ♥

It's that time again....

Have you been anxiously awaiting it as I have?

It's the annual *Mad Tea Party*, right here in bloglandia, hosted by the always enchanting Vanessa Valencia, and her handsome cohort, the Mad Hatter, at Vanessa's blog "A Fanciful Twist". For those of you not familiar, this is annual blog-hopping sort of event, beginning on the aforementioned blog, where all the Mad Tea Party participants are listed...

Visit any or all, as time allows, but I feel that more is always better, especially when it comes to madness. ;)

So let the party begin!

Let's see, we'll need a teapot...I love them all. You decide. ♥

Now let's see what's in the Mad Tea Chest...

Maybe a cup of herbal brew?

And what tea party would be complete without sweets? I've baked up a batch of pink lemonade cupcakes just for the occasion. And how fun is the tea cozy? It was a gift from a very talented collector friend. So sweet of her. ♥

I love, love, LOVE tea parties, don't you?!

I'm so glad you came to visit, and hope you come back again to have a further look around! But before you go, do leave a comment - any comment will do - and you'll be entered to win this whimsical little painting "Down the Rabbit Hole". This is an original, not a print, painted in acrylics on 5" x 5" gallery canvas, and signed by the artist (me). :)

The edges are painted too, so there's no need for a frame.

I'll draw the winner's name via random number generator next Saturday, July 2, at 9PM.

Until then, "Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!"....I must be off...

Happy Mad Tea Party Day!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ ♥ Carolee

Finally, Some eBay Magic....

To say I've been having anxiety over my empty eBay page would be an understatement - in the nine years I've been selling my work there, I've nevereverever gone so long (weeks - eek!) without an offering...But such is life when preparing for a show. ;)

So I'm happy to report I've remedied the situation this evening, with not one but two new pieces listed...

The first reflects my love for my beautiful black cat Merlin, and for all things TEA - indeed a magical potion, a cure-all for what ails you - truly a cup of liquid wisdom and tranquility...

This hand painted tea chest is listed on eBay now, with a buy-it-now option. :)

The second piece was also inspired by Merlin, and by the old English charm I've written around the edge, used to invoke the blessing of a black cat...

(As anyone who's ever been owned by one of these gorgeous creatures knows, they are indeed good luck!) It's also listed on eBay.

I'll try to list another piece or two before the big show, but no promises. ;)

In the meantime, it's back to the studio....

♥ Carolee

Hi, My Name is Carolee...

..And I'm a magazine addict.

The addiction is especially acute this time of year, when all the Halloween issues begin appearing on the stands. I can't help it, once September hits, I start jonesing for every issue of glossy, autumny, Halloweeny goodness out there. Thankfully, my addiction is currently being financed by the last of several Barnes and Noble gift cards presented to me at my 50th this summer.

I was especially anxious to check out Somerset Studios "Holidays and Celebrations" issue, which includes a full page ad for the Ghoultide Gathering, and shows a piece of my work...

Hardly a feature, I know, but I was still VERY excited to see my work in print!


Sooooooo, yes. Definite magazine addiction. And this morning - since some kind of dreaded virus seems to have hit - I'd love nothing better than to set aside work for the day, brew up yet another steamy mug of Echinacea tea



....and settle into a big, comfy chair for hours of reading. If wishes were horses, right? ;)

As it is, there's a large storage table and soon-to-be Halloween checkers game calling my name, so just as soon as I photograph some commission work for a collector, work on the new piece will begin. Assuming of course, Arthur is willing to give up his perch...



I'm picturing this one done in the brightest orange and black, with all sorts of Halloween characters, and maybe a little verse around the edge. We'll see how it evolves.

That's about it for this morning. I'm off to brew up a cup of liquid magic and wellness, then to work....

Oops! One more thing!! Almost forgot to tell you about the monthly PFATT giveaway! Run over there and sign up for the drawing - there are some wonderful goodies up for grabs!!

Wishing everyone a happy, *creative* and productive Wednesday!

♥ Carolee

A Beautiful Day!

The sun is shining for the second morning in a row here, after what feels like a very long monsoon season. (I know, we don't have monsoons here in southeastern Pennsylvania, but this was pretty close, and thunderstorms too)....

So yes - it's absolutely GORGEOUS here, and despite this week's challenges (which have included very little sleep, deadlines, and a bad headcold) I'm in a place of true contentment, and feeling as though all is right with the world. :)

Last night found me burning the midnight oil in an effort to complete a piece for this month's PFATT Marketplace. The new piece is a tea box painted with a tuxedo cat and a ginger tabby, topped with teacup and saucer - and a tiny visitor inside the cup! As you can see, Merlin approves. ;)


I actually spent many hours trying to sculpt the teacup and saucer, but paperclay just didn't seem to hold it's shape - my poor teacups kept collapsing! Then I had one of those "aha!" moments, and remembered my daughter's old, childhood, china tea service....tucked away on the highest kitchen shelf, gathering dust for nearly 25 years now.

After briefly wondering if I should save it for future generations (possibly, but in the end, creating something new always wins out!) I swiped a teacup and saucer, got out the enamel paints and went to town.

Here's the result:


Well, the Tuxedo cat side anyway. The ginger Tabby is on the other side. I'd show you, but I should really save something for the Marketplace debut (tomorrow at midnight!). UPDATE - SOLD. :)

So many other projects in the works right now, including the fairy tale chest in the post below, a couple of signs, and possibly a set of wicked cool Halloween coasters, because it's never too early to start thinking "Halloween Party!", is it?

That's about it for today - I'm off to the market now, the back here to paint...

Oh! Almost forgot... This little guy was feeling very lonely in the Etsy shop all by himself (his companions having moved to new homes already!) - so I dropped the price by $10.00. You can almost steal him now, hehe. :)

Wishing everyone a beautiful, sunny Mother's Day weekend!!

♥ Carolee

Better Than Therapy.....

....And certainly cheaper, I truly believe a pot of tea is something at least approaching a cure for whatever ails you.

It's true - just ask the British. Bad day at the office? Have a cup of tea. Feeling stressed? Cup of tea. Kids driving you crazy? Brew a whole pot. Too many holiday obligations? Relax, and have a cuppa. I know, it sounds simple. But the best things in life usually are.

Tea is a staple around here. Couldn't get through a day without it. I prefer flavored and herbal teas sweetened with honey, while John (true to his English upbringing) takes his strong and black with a splash of milk. Tea with sliced oranges is especially good - the perfect ending to almost any meal.

All our tea is kept in the kitchen cupboard, although every time I paint one of these tea chests I threaten to keep it for my very own. And since the ginger tabby on this one looks so much like our Arthur, I was particularly tempted to keep this one, hehe....


It's listing this evening on eBay, with a buy it now option. (*UPDATE*-Sold)


The teas stay here though. After the week we've had, we need them. ;)

Which brings me to an update on John. He's home from the hospital again and feeling much better. Many thanks to everyone who called and emailed, and to all of you who sent prayers and positive thoughts. We're hoping this is the last hospital experience for awhile.

Off to brew up a pot of tea myself now, and curl up with a good book, or maybe some knitting.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend all....

~ Carolee