Not the horses birthday

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Coming up to 1 August, the horses’ birthdays here in the Southern Hemisphere, I thought I’d do a little horsey post. Well it was hijacked. By a horned one. In that space at the outer corner of my eye where shadows dwell, that elusive unicorn kept appearing making sure that he, and not his horsey cousin would be the feature of this post. Who knows. Maybe the unicorns have their own celebration on the eve of the horses birthday, just nudging their more common cousins out of the way.

Above and below: Wall Mural for twin girls from William the Artist from Tulsa Oklahoma on Flickr

Apparently the horses are quite miffed at the number of books and movies starring the unicorn made in the last few years. They are particularly scathing of writers such as Josephine Bradley citing her novel In Pursuit of the Unicorn as ‘fantasy on wheatgrass’!

Wall Mural from Arteriors, Natick

Patient as a candle flame, inviolate, here is our guardian, keeper of the silent unknown. The unicorn holds many secrets: the secrets of jungles and moonlight, the secrets which lie hidden at the roots of trees and conceal themselves in coral labyrinths beneath the ocean. I look deep into its amber eyes and see my own reflection, but altered in line and light, as if in a dream.

The unicorn stands alone, still as frost. It keeps watch down corridors of time. The past and the future meet in the presence of the unicorn: the darkness and light become one.

From Etsy Sellers left to right 1. Unicorn Tunic from Devani Weaver 2. Ulani The Unicorn Elf Personalised Name Print from Twinkle Star Art 3. Vintage Cufflinks from Olden 4. Hot Pink Unicorn from Jenna Michelle 5.Clock from Double Trouble Design 6. A Walk In The Forest Prints, Mirrors, Pendants from Serpent Mandalas 7.1980s My Little Pony Unicorn from Black Scottie Treasure 8. Vintage Rotating Music Box from Zipidy Do Dah

Unicorns are aware that the horses are always trying to pass old cow horn off as genuine unicorn horn. They caution against the purchase of horn from anyone other than a genuine unicorn. Having said that they did share with me some tests that can be carried out to check for authenticity:
* Place scorpions under a dish with a piece of horn. If the scorpions die in a matter of hours, the horn is real.
* Feed arsenic to pigeons, followed by a dose of Unicorn horn. If the pigeons live, the horn is genuine.
* Draw a ring on the floor with the horn. If the horn is real, a spider will not be able to cross the ring.
* Place the horn in cold water. If the water bubbles but remains cold, the horn came from a Unicorn.

Opening Graphic from Miruna Uzdris

Polaroids

There aren't dozens, or hundreds, but thousands of hibiscus flowers blooming at my place. And yes it's winter here. How lucky am I. None of this gardening is my handywork. I just get to enjoy it and be grateful.

Paper Bag Magnets - One and Onlys - incorporating original polaroids and ephemera - House of Cards from You and Amy

My friend Bill, he said
I could leave the horizon
Alone, let the sky
Be spacious, the sun

Polaroid Originals - One and Onlys - The Lost Girl diptych by Pauline Von Aesch of Peau

Shine high, and pay attention
To how the grass bends.
He said the heart moves
To the sway of the green fern,

Polaroid Original - One Only - We Carved Images Into The Earth by Quiet Darling

To the way one small seed
Falls into fertile
Soil, how squirrel scolds when I
Come too close to her.

Polaroid Original - One and Only - Headdress from T Suru Foto

He said, follow love.

'Follow Love' by Christopher. This is one of those poems that wriggles its way into your subconscious, and stays. I found Christopher via Michelle another insightful poet/writer /artist. And a song clip with a polaroid feel from Ladytron.

Below is the last page from the 365 Days of Gratefulness Polaroid Project recently completed by Brisbane photographer Hayley Bartholomew. Visit HERE to be inspired by all Hayley's photos and notes.

Reflecting

I’ve been thinking about my blog lately, about its focus. I’m pleased I went in the direction of supporting other artists. That’s you…yes you! You help me to remember the spark that lives in all of us, sometimes dim but always ready to be flamed.


It doesn’t matter what we work with - paint, thread, discarded rubbish, plants, words, film, song. It might be a huge oil painting; or the placement of an object on a desk.

It doesn’t matter if the end product isn’t a concrete thing…maybe it’s the whispered response to a loved one’s request before sleep ‘Tell me a story...’ the ‘Once upon a time’…the ‘Imagine if…’.

Candle photos via Country Living

All that matters is that creativity enriches this experience that we call life.

Reflections at my place. Not candles, but mirrors. Not for looking into, but for reflecting.

I sit down at the table. One of my fists is clenched so tight. And in my head, a person who was out walking and walking in the dark comes to a little house with a light on. Waits at the door for a moment, and then goes in. Finds such a welcome that she stays. Excerpt from True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

Talk about giving away the store I think this group is giving away the country! Head over HERE for giveaways and sale items all weekend from Australian sellers having a Christmas in July sale and promo!

I received this skirt last week from Angel Lea Designs one of the Australian sellers taking part in the promotion. Angel is offering 20 percent off all items this weekend. I won a giveaway over at Aussie Handmade Giveaways (head over to this site too for continual giveaways) for a pair of boys trousers from Angel's store. She was kind enough to subsitute this skirt for me when I asked. Talk about customer service!

And for inspiring eye candy - Karen over at My Desert Cottage is hosting a party where bloggers show readers their creative spaces. Check out all these beautiful studios. Droolworthy.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland...a taste....HERE
and apparently the following is just a fan made mock up....

Altered Dolls

Doll Chandelier photographed by Capt Joe 06 on Flickr

As the tv chefs say 'Here's one I prepared earlier'. Still moving pretty slowly here but improving and with that comes glimpses of the joie de vivre. The light of possibilities glimmers. Who knows what nice things will be just around the corner... Thank you again for your support. I'll be skipping by to visit with you soon. This post is for all those artists who take broken dolls and give them new life.

Left to right: 1. Doll Letterhead Assemblage. I've misplaced the name of the Etsy artist who made this assemblage. Please let me know if you have any details. 2.The Dream Realm Necklace from Venus Soberanes 3.Freida of Freaks by Artsy 4.Fawn Gun Doll from Something Exceptional 5.Spyro Gyro from Rufus and Paco 6.Queen Bee Vintage Doll Assemblage from McKinzie Quinn 7.The Devil’s Advocate from The Pat Studio 8.Come Along Now from Urbandon 9. I’m a Little Teapot Short and Stout from Lorelie Kay Designs 10.Gargoyle Doll (sold) by Suzan Buckner 11.Golden Thread by Ugly Art Dot Net 12.Madam Butterfly from Lauretta Creations

Below are a few photographs from the Hannah Series by German Photographer Geufel. What a doll!

I'm reading The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder, an unusual worthwhile read...here's a few sentences...

'Do you know why most people just shuffle around the world without marvelling at everything they see?'

I shook my head.

'It's because the world has become a habit,' he said...'Nobody would believe in the world if they hadn't spent years getting used to it. We can study this in children. They are so impressed by everything they see around them that they can't believe their eyes. That's why they point here and there and ask about everything they lay their eyes on. It's different with us adults. We have seen everything so many times before that we take reality for granted.'

Dresden Dolls - The Sheep Song (footage Vertov and Ruttmann) from drakirr on Vimeo.

On being sick...

I discovered Polyvore a few weeks ago. Head over there for a play if you haven't already.

Well the pneumonia is responding to drugs (miraculous but horrible things) and I’m now at the point of just sleeping a lot. I have bronchiectasis – congenital so have never known a time without it –and events like this happen a couple of times a year. Thank you so much for your words of support. They mean so much to me. I feel very lucky that the blogosphere has brought me into contact with so many beautiful people.

I hope to be back posting and visiting at your place by the end of the week.

Fishy Tales

Mermaid Towels from Tiny Green Apples.

Reason is a supple nymph

The Mermaid Travel Quilt from Raggedy Owl.

and slippery as a fish by nature.

Centre stage is the flattering High Waist Fishtail Skirt custom made for you from Maisy Brown Repro Retro. On the left is Vanessa Hudgens and on the right Melissa George via Daily Mail.

She had as leave give her kiss to an absurdity any day as to syllogistic truth.

Fish Tail Braids are apparently big on the catwalks this year. Some instructions here at Cosmo. Lots of other how-tos on youtube.

The absurdity may turn out truer. (DH Lawrence)

Luscious Inexpensive Prints from Matou en Peluche

My entry in this week's 'whispers' challenge from the Melange Team, Whispers of The Early Tides, embroidery on organza wall hanging. Please visit their link for other entries.

Stop motion animation by Rima Staines for the Orla Wren track 'The Fish and the Doll' from album 'The One Two Bird And The Half Horse' released in 2009 on the FLAU label. Vocals by Russudan Meipariani. Album available through Orla Wren and FLAU. Video first sited on Rima’s blog, a wonderland worth visiting.

Bathrooms and Outdoor Shower from Coastal Living.

I’m in need….have been really ill this week with pneumonia so please send your loving healing vibes my way and forgive me if I'm slack with my blog visiting. Thank you dear blog readers.

Magical Fairy Tale Marionettes

The Grimstones Tour Details / Asphixia’s Blog / Order Asphixia's Book

Marionettes for your own gothic fairy tales from Etsy artists left to right Marley the Ghost Marionette from Broken Baby Dolls, Haunted Urban Memory Marionette from Australian artist Sayraphim, Rapunzel’s Mother Marionette from Ozle Makin, Catrina Skull Marionette from Terra Maya

The Little Stevies’ single Sunshower, featuring Auslan signing by Simone Ellen

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Footnote: In one of the comments on the last ‘train travel’ post Kat (please go visit Kat and have a look at her beautiful artwork) suggested I have a look at Madame Tutli-Putli, a stop motion Canadian Film that took out Best Short Film Cannes 2007. Thank you Kat....what a clever intriguing film….

Paradoxical Train Tales

Her Travelling Menagerie by Aimee Stewart, a wonderful visual storyteller.

Etsy sellers left to right No 7 Train Night Light from The House of Six Cats, Vintage Suitcase from Mammys Shop, Ye Old Paris Locket from Secret Jewellz, Train Station Fairy Boy Artists Trading Card from Anitra Bear, Cast Iron Train from Eclectic Pelican, Perfect Travelling Dresses from Australian designer Lyptis, Vintage Travel Charm Bracelet from Terry O, Orient Express Passport or Ticket Holder from Rogue Empire, Vintage Railroad Cheques from Paper Aeroplanes, Not All Who Travel Are Lost Train Case from Get Ready Set Go

Photos of Pullman's Orient Express from Train Chartering and Private Rail Cars on Flickr

“Orange is the happiest color,” Frank Sinatra said of his favorite hue, which showed up in his clothes and his houses. Sinatra bought a modest house at the Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage in the mid-1950s and lived there until May 1995. A caboose, a gift from some of his employees in 1971, became the compound’s full-service salon, complete with barber’s chair, a professional hair dryer, a massage table, a scale and a sauna, at rear. via Architectural Digest

Yoko Ono: Freight Train This work consists of an actual freight train with a locked door, riddled with bullet holes. Inside the freight train, there is a very strong light source sending beams of white light out of all the bullet holes and from a singular large hole in the roof. The concept of Freight Train comes from a specific instance of human brutality. Several years ago, a group of Mexican workers attempting to enter the United States, were locked inside a freight train for the crossing, and perished when the transporters abandoned the train in the American desert. This single incident inspired the artist to create an artwork expressing resistance, healing, and hope for the next century. (Boxcar with light and sound exhibited Germany, Japan, USA)

words from Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

Woven Memory

What We Cannot Speak About by Moonwild on Flickr

My memory is a crystal clear prism. I’ve always felt fortunate that it is, that I can close my eyes and recall scenes from the past, including the environment - what people were wearing, what colour the furnishings were etc – and most importantly, the words that were said. There are some things in my past that I’d like to forget but I’ve found that I can’t free myself from them, only work from them and with them. If I deny them they just lay in wait and corner me when I least expect it! But maybe I’m fooling myself. It has been said that we are sum of our memories, that all that we have ever experienced goes into that end product. But…. it makes sense to consider the reverse of this statement. People’s memories are not only the sum of all that they have done, but there is more to them: The memories are also the sum of what they have thought, what they have been told, what they believe, or have been led to believe, so that we're all always 'angling the prism of memory'.

Altered Baby Dress from Altered Alchemist on Flickr

Tea Bag, Found Objects and Wax Dress by Jennifer Collier

for my Granma

Original art above available from Etsy left to right Morgana’s Fairy Closet by Camp Cactus, July Breeze, Sculpture by Deborah Harrington from Cow Bird, The Dress 2 Original Mixed Media by Monica J, White on White Original Artists Trading Card from Boubelina 2,
Recital Dress Haiku by Unbecoming Lily an Australian artist and poet, My Victorian Dress Closet from Pug Pink

Something a little different but so exquisite I had to share. Dress For Monozygotic Twin or The Cat Dress by Australian textile artist Robyne Melia on Flickr. Robyne has used the old fashioned punched card method (remember the old card boxes?) in an avant garde fashion. Please have a look at Robyne’s crazy quilting while you're browsing her work on Flickr. It's truly inspirational. Robyne also sells some of her embroidery patterns on Etsy. For some little victorian dresses to work with yourself visit No Flying In The House. I've purchased and received one and now waiting for some time and energy to alter it.

Inspired by the art and writings of Sandra McQueen and by the writings of psychologist Elizabeth Loftus.

A Blanket For The Soul

From Etsy: Hoo Are You Mobile from Tango and James, Large Cotton Bed Canopy/Netting from Caramiya, Carpe Noctem Wall Decal From Pillbox Designs, Fox Dream Large Print from Ginger Pocket


Photo by *Keith* on Flickr

Did you know that in some primal societies, members were unable to distinguish between the dream world and the waking world? Or they could simply choose not to make the distinction? They saw that the dream world was not only an extension of reality, but as a more powerful world. In the Greek and Roman eras, dreams were believed to be direct messages from the gods or from the dead. Special shrines were built where people could go to sleep in hopes that a message could be passed to them through their dreams. Their belief in the power of a dream was so strong that it even dictated the actions of political and military leaders. In fact, dream interpreters even accompanied military leaders into battle to help with war strategy. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle believed that dreams were a result of physiological functions. Dreams were seen as being able to diagnose illness and predict the onset of diseases. Special temples were built and it was believed that sick people who slept in these temples would be sent cures through their dreams. In Egypt, priests also acted as dream interpreters. People with particular vivid and significant dreams were believed to be blessed and were considered special. People who had the power to interpret dreams were looked up to and seen as divinely gifted. Then during the Middle Ages, dreams were seen as evil and their images were temptations from the devil. In the vulnerable sleep state, the devil was believed to fill the mind of humans with poisonous thoughts. In the early 19th century, dreams were dismissed as stemming from anxiety, a household noise or even indigestion. Later on in the 19th century, along came Sigmund Freud who revived the importance of dreams and the need for dream interpretation.

Photo by Marin A on Flickr

And so it goes on. I wonder what future generations will see as the place of dreams to us, the people of the 21st century? There are plenty of dream dictionaries out there –books and websites where you can check out what certain dream symbols or themes mean. There are scientific theories about dreaming as a processing of our day’s events. There are Freudian psychoanalysts. I don’t know if these tools are useful to anybody else but they’ve never seemed relevant to my own dreaming. They’re too simple. I can never make them ‘fit’. Maybe there’s no definitive answer. Maybe when it comes to understanding our dreams - like the meaning of life - all we have is the mystery. Because, like life, it’s beyond us to understand, but we can still soak it up, breath in every moment, marvel, enjoy. Because like the meaning of life the more we try to hang on to an answer, the faster it slips away. We think we have it and then it’s gone. Grabbing on aggressively and pulling with all our might is fruitless. Better to lay still and replay that dream, letting the film roll as it pleases. Being with it, sitting with it, gently, with no pressure.

All people dream, but not equally.Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind,

Wake in the morning to find that it was vanity.But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people,

For they dream their dreams with open eyes,And make them come true.

(DH Lawrence)


Bedroom Photographs from Architectural Digest