Sarah has won the little Alice print.
Thanks so much to everyone for the kind comments on the Mad Tea post!
I'll be back very soon with new work to share...
♥ Carolee
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole; A Mad Tea Party and a Giveaway!
Oh my ears and whiskers, how LATE it's getting....
Life has been so hectic lately, I very nearly forgot - but not being one to miss a good party (or ANYTHING *Alice* for that matter), my tea-addled brain reminded me that magic is afoot....
That's right...
It's time for Miss Vanessa Valencia's annual *MaD TeA PaRtY*...
Some of you have been coming to these parties for YEARS, but for those who are new to all this, the Mad Tea Party is an annual blog-hop; sort of a cyber tea party where we visit with friends and celebrate All Things Alice...or All Things Mad, for that matter, hehe....If you click here, it will take you to Vanessa's "Fanciful Twist" blog, and tea party (always a treat!), where you'll find a list of all those participating - soooooo many wonderful blogs to visit!
But before you go, would you like a cup of tea?
Let's take a look in Alice's tea chest to see what we have....
Do you have a favorite?
I prefer loose tea myself, and I'm thinking I'll have a cup of lemon chiffon - along with some Wonderland cookies of course...
Delicious, yes?
I must fess up though - I didn't bake these. They were a gift some months back from a wonderful art collector, and just made me smile from ear to ear!
Oh - and speaking of art, before you run off, I have a little giveaway. It's one of my "Down the Rabbit Hole" prints, shown here. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and include a way to contact you (blog, email, etc). Then on Wednesday evening I'll draw a number, and we'll have a winner!
Thanks ever so much for dropping by, and if you have a moment, do find me and "like" my page on Facebook as well. :)
Finally, for those who know me (friends, family, etc), I'll leave you with this thought from The Cheshire Cat:
"I'm not crazy. My reality is just different from yours."
Artful Wonderland Blessings,
♥ Carolee
Life has been so hectic lately, I very nearly forgot - but not being one to miss a good party (or ANYTHING *Alice* for that matter), my tea-addled brain reminded me that magic is afoot....
That's right...
It's time for Miss Vanessa Valencia's annual *MaD TeA PaRtY*...
Some of you have been coming to these parties for YEARS, but for those who are new to all this, the Mad Tea Party is an annual blog-hop; sort of a cyber tea party where we visit with friends and celebrate All Things Alice...or All Things Mad, for that matter, hehe....If you click here, it will take you to Vanessa's "Fanciful Twist" blog, and tea party (always a treat!), where you'll find a list of all those participating - soooooo many wonderful blogs to visit!
But before you go, would you like a cup of tea?
Let's take a look in Alice's tea chest to see what we have....
Do you have a favorite?
I prefer loose tea myself, and I'm thinking I'll have a cup of lemon chiffon - along with some Wonderland cookies of course...
Delicious, yes?
I must fess up though - I didn't bake these. They were a gift some months back from a wonderful art collector, and just made me smile from ear to ear!
Oh - and speaking of art, before you run off, I have a little giveaway. It's one of my "Down the Rabbit Hole" prints, shown here. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and include a way to contact you (blog, email, etc). Then on Wednesday evening I'll draw a number, and we'll have a winner!
Thanks ever so much for dropping by, and if you have a moment, do find me and "like" my page on Facebook as well. :)
Finally, for those who know me (friends, family, etc), I'll leave you with this thought from The Cheshire Cat:
"I'm not crazy. My reality is just different from yours."
Artful Wonderland Blessings,
♥ Carolee
Monday, June 29, 2015
Surfacing...
Yes, I know - it's been awhile.
And just when I had resolved to be a better blogger, LIFE came along and got in the way...
Where to start?
As some of you know The Mice President (a.k.a. my husband John), has been dealing with quite a few health issues the last few years; congestive heart failure, lymphoma, and COPD to name the top three, but there have been others as well. He amazes me with both his positive attitude and his resilience - so much so that I often forget how many challenges he's facing.
A few weeks ago it was his heart, which was beating dangerously fast and resulted in a two day hospital stay and another cardioversion (where they shock the heart back into rhythm), and just a few days after that, he was back at the same hospital with severe breathing problems. His COPD is very advanced now, and with each hospitalization, we're learning to cope with a new normal. I'm happy to report he's home now, but also dealing with diabetes, which was brought on by some of the meds.
Soooooooo.....that's where I've been; running between the hospital, home, caring for the pets, trying to get some painting in, and generally stressing over his progress, and my ability to juggle everything. Most days I do OK.
Knit Night at The Lancaster Yarn Shop has been a sanity-saver, and I have a new project to show for all that time at the hospital (my first attempt at lace knitting)...
Painting was on hold for awhile, but has now resumed with a vengeance as I try to play catch-up with both commissions and bill paying. I painted this Innkeeper's sign today, and as of typing this, it's available in the Etsy shop...
And a few days ago I completed this Kitty Cat themed Wheel of the Year (now sold, but I am accepting orders for similar pieces)...
A huge thank-you to everyone who's been so kind through this whole process - friends and family, and also those I only know on Faceboook; artists and collectors, who've offered up prayers and sent good wishes and positive energy our way.
We're taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, and remembering that despite the challenges, we are truly blessed.
I don't expect anyone to believe this, but I WILL be back with an update sooner this time, I promise...
In the meantime, it's back to the work table, where there's a Fairy Garden sign calling my name. ;)
Much love,
♥ Carolee
P.S. On a completely unrelated subject, *LOVE WINS!!!* How awesome is that?!? ;)
And just when I had resolved to be a better blogger, LIFE came along and got in the way...
Where to start?
As some of you know The Mice President (a.k.a. my husband John), has been dealing with quite a few health issues the last few years; congestive heart failure, lymphoma, and COPD to name the top three, but there have been others as well. He amazes me with both his positive attitude and his resilience - so much so that I often forget how many challenges he's facing.
A few weeks ago it was his heart, which was beating dangerously fast and resulted in a two day hospital stay and another cardioversion (where they shock the heart back into rhythm), and just a few days after that, he was back at the same hospital with severe breathing problems. His COPD is very advanced now, and with each hospitalization, we're learning to cope with a new normal. I'm happy to report he's home now, but also dealing with diabetes, which was brought on by some of the meds.
Soooooooo.....that's where I've been; running between the hospital, home, caring for the pets, trying to get some painting in, and generally stressing over his progress, and my ability to juggle everything. Most days I do OK.
Knit Night at The Lancaster Yarn Shop has been a sanity-saver, and I have a new project to show for all that time at the hospital (my first attempt at lace knitting)...
Painting was on hold for awhile, but has now resumed with a vengeance as I try to play catch-up with both commissions and bill paying. I painted this Innkeeper's sign today, and as of typing this, it's available in the Etsy shop...
And a few days ago I completed this Kitty Cat themed Wheel of the Year (now sold, but I am accepting orders for similar pieces)...
A huge thank-you to everyone who's been so kind through this whole process - friends and family, and also those I only know on Faceboook; artists and collectors, who've offered up prayers and sent good wishes and positive energy our way.
We're taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, and remembering that despite the challenges, we are truly blessed.
I don't expect anyone to believe this, but I WILL be back with an update sooner this time, I promise...
In the meantime, it's back to the work table, where there's a Fairy Garden sign calling my name. ;)
Much love,
♥ Carolee
P.S. On a completely unrelated subject, *LOVE WINS!!!* How awesome is that?!? ;)
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Cats, Cats, and more Cats....
Well, so much for my New Year's intention to keep up with the blog, eh?
No excuses, save that life has been insane lately, and I'm desperately trying to catch up on commission work, while also offering a few new goodies.
Cats have been on the work table this past week, so I thought I'd pop in and show you some. All except one yawning Tuxedo kitty have been claimed...
"Soooo Sleepy", the yawning little guy you see above is still looking for a home. I try not to think of him as too lonely sitting there in the Etsy shop, and hope he gets adopted soon. ♥
Aside from commission work, the next piece is likely to be a large one - a Wheel of the Year, also featuring cats.
In the meantime, it's lots of commission work to finish as I head off to the studio this morning. Thanks as always for visiting, and I WILL try to update more often.
No, really. ;)
♥ Carolee
No excuses, save that life has been insane lately, and I'm desperately trying to catch up on commission work, while also offering a few new goodies.
Cats have been on the work table this past week, so I thought I'd pop in and show you some. All except one yawning Tuxedo kitty have been claimed...
"Soooo Sleepy", the yawning little guy you see above is still looking for a home. I try not to think of him as too lonely sitting there in the Etsy shop, and hope he gets adopted soon. ♥
Aside from commission work, the next piece is likely to be a large one - a Wheel of the Year, also featuring cats.
In the meantime, it's lots of commission work to finish as I head off to the studio this morning. Thanks as always for visiting, and I WILL try to update more often.
No, really. ;)
♥ Carolee
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles
As the feast day of Saint Gertrude approaches (she shares her special day - the 17th of March - with another, more well known saint, Patrick), I once again felt inspired to paint her....
Gertrude of Nivelles was a seventh century Benedictine abbess, who is the patron of cats and gardeners, and I believe of travelers as well. She is sometimes invoked against mice too (notice the tiny mice included in the tapestry-like border).
This particular piece is a bit larger than I usually paint, and at 14" x 18", cannot be scanned, so no prints will be available. The edges are painted, leaving framing optional.
I truly agonized over her price, and in the end, reduced it quite a bit in an effort to find her a home right away. She'll be available on today's PFATT Marketplace, at 1PM eastern time, as always on a first-come basis by emailing me at carolee@kingofmice.com.
In the meantime, it's back to work for me - there's a VERY cool commission in progress, and I must finish it! ;)
Until next time,
♥ Carolee
Gertrude of Nivelles was a seventh century Benedictine abbess, who is the patron of cats and gardeners, and I believe of travelers as well. She is sometimes invoked against mice too (notice the tiny mice included in the tapestry-like border).
This particular piece is a bit larger than I usually paint, and at 14" x 18", cannot be scanned, so no prints will be available. The edges are painted, leaving framing optional.
I truly agonized over her price, and in the end, reduced it quite a bit in an effort to find her a home right away. She'll be available on today's PFATT Marketplace, at 1PM eastern time, as always on a first-come basis by emailing me at carolee@kingofmice.com.
In the meantime, it's back to work for me - there's a VERY cool commission in progress, and I must finish it! ;)
Until next time,
♥ Carolee
Friday, February 27, 2015
"Blessed Bee"
Hello again!
It's EHAG Emporium time tomorrow night, and this month's offering is an homage to our friends the bees - and a bit of a springtime play on the magical phrase "Blessed Be"....
The birch wood box measures 10" x 5 1/2" x 4 1/2", and is painted in acrylics, finished with a clear, acrylic varnish, and has a little sculpted, bee skep handle. Oh, and take a peek inside - there's another little bee!
The EHAG Emporium updates as always, on the last day of the month at 9PM eastern, and this piece will be available on a first-come basis once the update goes live.
I've already received several comments and messages from people anxious to capture this one, and while I sooooooo wish I could paint faster and offer more, my art would lose the fine detail I'm so passionate about, and then it wouldn't be my art anymore. So thanks to everyone for the very kind words and feedback I've received on this piece, and I look forward to seeing where it will find a home!
Until next time,
♥ Carolee
It's EHAG Emporium time tomorrow night, and this month's offering is an homage to our friends the bees - and a bit of a springtime play on the magical phrase "Blessed Be"....
The birch wood box measures 10" x 5 1/2" x 4 1/2", and is painted in acrylics, finished with a clear, acrylic varnish, and has a little sculpted, bee skep handle. Oh, and take a peek inside - there's another little bee!
The EHAG Emporium updates as always, on the last day of the month at 9PM eastern, and this piece will be available on a first-come basis once the update goes live.
I've already received several comments and messages from people anxious to capture this one, and while I sooooooo wish I could paint faster and offer more, my art would lose the fine detail I'm so passionate about, and then it wouldn't be my art anymore. So thanks to everyone for the very kind words and feedback I've received on this piece, and I look forward to seeing where it will find a home!
Until next time,
♥ Carolee
Thursday, February 19, 2015
On Becoming Real
"What is REAL?" the Velveteen Rabbit asked the Skin Horse one
day. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out
handle?"
"Real isn't how you are
made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a
child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY
loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Velveteen Rabbit .
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"It
doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes
a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break
easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.
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 your 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. But once you
are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
One of my fondest memories of being a young Mother was reading Margery Williams' book "The Velveteen Rabbit" to my daughter - and this was my favorite passage.
Truer words were never written. It takes a very long time to become Real; to become loved and cherished for who we are, to come to a place in our lives where what truly matters is the love we feel, the love we give, and the love we inspire. It's a journey, and if we're very, very lucky, we become.
It was such a blessing to paint this piece, and it's one of those I'm sorely tempted to keep, and to eventually pass on. But part with it I must, and trust that it will find a home where it is cherished, with someone who loves the book and the quote as much as I do, and someone who aspires as I do, to one day be Real.
The original wooden platter measures 18" in diameter, and is available in the Etsy shop. UPDATE ~ SOLD.
Thanks for visiting, and I'll be back very soon with new work and/or more ramblings. ;)
♥ Carolee
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