An Alice In My Wonderland Family

Alice: Sarah Livingstone White Rabbit: Tenielle Stoltenkamp Cheshire Cat: Jess Ma Mad Hatter: Kellie Green March Hare: Daniel Gard Dormouse: Jessica Date

Ahem, yes Alice and I are related. This Alice is my niece, Sarah. They’re all fabulous aren’t they. But of course Alice is particularly wonderful! This series was photographed by the talented photographer Rebekah Lyn from Rebekah Lyn Photography. Rebekah Lyn is a photograher who can take chances and let imagination take over. Rebekah will travel, so contact her if you’re wanting any type of photography from weddings through to fantasy.

And how excited was I to find this second preview of the upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie! Just ignore the first 15 seconds of advertising.

It’s audacious what we’ve done.... The characters are from the books, but - except for when she falls down the rabbit hole - there is no section that is like the books in any way, in terms of the story that I created. So the only part is the "getting there" part. It's a sequel. First of all, I wasn't going to try to redo Lewis Carroll and that particular version. And to my mind, it was interesting to ask, "What if Alice was older and she went back?" Screenwriter, Linda Woolverton

But is she in fact the same Alice who roamed the trippy realm as a child? Time will tell…

Oops forgot to add these Free sample Alice art pieces from Dover Publication - one by Arthur Rackham here and one by Willy Pogány here. Just right click and save.

The rabbit's not dead, he's lounging at home...

Recycled homes, well most of us have them don't we. But we can always do with more decorating inspiration and this Flickr group - Recycled Home - is so well curated that there's always something stylish to look at. Now, rabbits, yes I know they're not actually relevant to recycled homes but I had this collage on hand, and nothing else prepared, so here they are. Any one of these original art dolls would look right at home in a chic abode me thinks.

1. pillow form doll from doll project 2. beatrice clay and cloth doll from simple tilly 3. rabbit and chick from pumpkin moon prims 4. city rabbit from plush play workshop 5. lucky rabbit with dog by patti singer 6. white felt by sandy mastroni 7. ballerina rabbit from chas batte studio 8. anxious bunny doll from grrl an dog

And while you and your bunny are lolling about your fabulous recycled pad you'll need something sweet to nibble on. Cakes, that's what you'll need. Make any cake look fabulous with these edible cake toppers from Enticing Icing. Good grief, they're only $6.95 for 12 birdies, or 24 hearts!

Precious flowers

1, 2, 3 crinoline flower photographs by daryl banks 4. a new beginning earrings from realisation creations 5. hydrangea top from all things pretty 6. the butterfly who swallowed a rose from nancy wiedower art 7. what the sea wants the sea shall have ltd edn print from sandra darling 8. photograph from kara o’keefe 9. the importance of flowers dome from mini memory worlds

Scratch n Sniff Post

Ah coffee. Go on, scratch and sniff that screen! Inhale that aroma! You know you want to. Now have a read of this exquisite poem, and a look at a couple of clever coffee art ideas. Then maybe you can help me 'read' my coffee cup...

Hans the Wooden Man by Sandra Eterovic using coffee as paint

Betsy Donkey, distressed with coffee (n tea) to give a vintage look by Little Black Crow Studio

My cup after drinking Turkish coffee today. What do you see for me?

How to Read a Coffee Cup (adapted from info by Sahar)

>You will of course need to prepare your coffee in such a way that there are grounds to read. Use grounded, powdery soft Turkish or Greek Coffee or the residue from a cappuccino or espresso will work just as well.
>Enjoy your coffee while relaxing, and ask yourself: What do I need to know about my present situation? or What will be the important changes in my life in the near future?
>Now, take out a piece of paper and pen, and in a stream-of-consciousness style, begin jotting down your thoughts as you casually meditate on the shapes you see there. Above all, don't edit yourself. Write what pops into your mind. If the first thing has nothing to do with the coffee, jot it down anyway. Continue to stare at your cup as if you were lying face up on your lawn (if you are fortunate enough to have one) staring at the clouds above.
>Continue writing for at least ten minutes. You don't need to read every cluster of grounds or patterns in your cup. Interpret only what speaks to you. There is no right or wrong here. Each of your interpretations is ‘correct’. You really do have all the answers within you. Trust yourself.

[I wish I could always remember those last two sentences!]

Up

Uplifting - photograph above by Tim Walker and below photographs and curation by Mariale Vitsky

Also uplifting is artists supporting other artists. One of these is Adelle who has a Best Craft Blogs poll in progress. Have a look at the blogs featured, including mine (ahem) and VOTE for the blog that you think is best. I’m just stoked to be nominated. A big thank you to all of you who've already voted, left comments, twittered.

When you visit Adelle’s site have a look at her artworks. There’s sculpture and painting and the resin jewellery she sells in her etsy store. My favourite section is the lesson plans. Here you’ll find instructions for simple to more complex projects – something for all ages and skill levels. Featured above are Adelle's ‘garden’ chair, a resin bangle and ring, and a lamp made from chicken wire and fabric.

Another talented and supportive artist is Julie-Ann Bowden. Through Heavenleigh Art, Julie-Ann regularly makes prints of her stunning work available for free download.

I would venture to warn against too great intimacy with artists as it is very seductive and a little dangerous. [Queen Victoria] Here's to living dangerously!

Bird Lovers Down Under

left: art by devon smith of deerface

Following are other Down Under girls who love birds. Yes I know there are plenty of boys down here who love birds too. But, like the cassowary, they can be illusive.

1. girl’s dress from hot fudge 2. chenille rattle from leahkl 3. diary from naomi orana 4. owl pendant from stella light designs 5. print from matou n peluche 6. bag from marilyn cardinal of missy mao mao 7. owl tic tac toe from annettes creations 8. swan painting from blossom n bird

talented lino artist betty jo has set up a flying ducks pool on flickr

Arty People's Spaces

Row 1: Lisa Congden at Bird in the Hand Home Pics / Art Store
Row 2: Jeffry Laneright has has art available for purchase through his blog where you'll also find some decor pics.
Row 3: Kim from Trampoline Home Pics / Vintage Goods Store
Row 4: Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist Art Store / Home Pics
Row 5: Libby Alexander of Alexander Salvage Home Pics / Vintage Goods Store
Row 6: Keri from Walldancers Art Store / Home Pics

It’s fun to peek into the homes of those who do clever things with their décor. I particularly like seeing the way art and vintage treasures are displayed. Interiors are difficult to photograph well. I'm glad these artists persevered. Even with today's technology, it's not easy to capture in a camera the view that we see with our eyes. From when I was very young, at particular times, I've pretended that my eyes were a camera. I've taken the shots and stored them. It's not difficult to access them myself. But it's tough to convey the vision to others. Maybe I need to practise painting word pictures...

from Redeem Designs

Just between you and me

1. From Desira Pesta a set of nine little pillows for you to tell your secrets to. These little friends will…’gaze amorously into your eyes for hours on end, regardless of how big your hair is today or how much mascara you got all over your face when you went swimming’. 2. Choose a blond, brunette or redhead retro style 'head' pillow from Vintage Jane.

Send your own secrets to Post Secret, or be a voyeur and read other's.

1. Excerpt from The Secret Garden 2. 'Stone' Cushions from Livingstones

Undercover

1. The Tailwind Coat from Bomb ‘n Belle Clothing 2. Mens Vintage Vest from Vintage Suits 3. Sterling Silver Pocket Magnifying Glass from Silvercraft 4. The Five Elements Leather Journals Set from Azenrain 5. Script via Don’t Touch My Moleskin



1. Valentina Vos 2. via Reckon

Joy-full of it - with plenty to share

As the fireworks disappeared and the illuminated sky turned dark, a group of golden orbs floated about surrounding me. It's true! Some said it was the New Year drinks, or the pyrotechnics afterglow, but I don't think so. These translucent treasures brushed my skin and oh the pure pure joy that flowed from them. Can you see those little orbs of joy? Go on and catch one! Feel it sitting feather like on your fingers; oozing joyfulness.

(submitted too as part of this Three Muses Challenge Something Old Something New)

Yes I'm sure these joy-full orbs will bounce off occasionally in 2010. But I think they'll come back. I plan on keeping my joy vibes close this year. Above is a little arty prompt that I sewed up yesterday. To remind me that being full of it doesn't have to be a negative. To remind me if I forget.

1. Fabric Clock by Amor and Stitch 2. Handsewn Happy New Year Mozzie via Two Left Hands 3. Big Embroidered Cushions from Lei Li La Loo