The Ribboned Crown

" While More Visions....."

...danced in her head.

And in mine. No sugar-plums, but gilded porcelain dolls.

 "T'was the night before I had time to create..."

Someday soon, I hope. Maybe Santa will leave time in my stocking.

".....While Visions...

...and miracles danced in her head."

For my mom, our Christmas miracle.

~If the Shoe....~

They say you never really know a person until you walk around in their shoes. I'm walking in my accountant shoes these days working on our business year-end figures. I'd rather be barefoot...

~ A Tartan Trick or Treat ~

When my sister and I designed my living and dining rooms with a Scottish inspiration, I discovered many Halloween images with tartans, thistles, and bagpipes.

After researching a bit more, I found that the Irish and Scots (Celts) are credited for bringing many of the early inspirations of Halloween to America.

So Halloween trimmings became a Highland Halloween!

 

 

 

So on this Hallowe'en, may you garner a huge bag o' candy.

 

Or better yet...a Bagpiper....

 
 
And enjoy the 'trick or treating' visitors that may arrive at your door.

 

"Trick or Treat."

Mmmmm.......TREAT!

~ Protocol ~

"Pssst. Number 13."

"What's up with that Ribboned Crown woman?"

 

"Oh, you didn't hear? She's the new Queen." And not the Queen of Crowns. That's a totally bogus title."

"Queen of what, then?"

"Queen of us and this place we call home. The Land of Prototypia. And we are her unwilling subjects. She is the Queen of Prototypia!"

"She creates one of something, barely finishes it, if ever, and then starts something else. Like us. Drawing on doll heads. And you just know, we're never going to get out of here! Prototype mania hell!

"I just keep my eyes closed and hope that someone will rescue me."

"Wait. I have an idea. Let's grab some of her "she has so much stuff she needs intervention" supplies and try to finish the job. Maybe she'll think she actually completed something. And then she'll let us leave."

 

 

"Uh, I don't think this is going to work. This Ribboned Crown Queen whatever woman needs serious help. More than just some crepe paper thrown on our heads."

"Remember, we're talking about the same person who just this morning thought it would be great to put one of us inside a napoleon hat. And notice, she didn't even finish it!!!"

"Yeah, you're right. I guess the reality is we are destined  to mingle with all of her one-of-a-kind, half-finished projects."

"What's her tag line? Oh yeah, I remember. 'The Ribboned Crown- Where Frivolity Reigns'."

"It's more like, 'The Land of Prototypia - Where Crazy is the New Forty.' The ultimate in prototype protocol."

~ KEEPER ~

Thinking outside 'the box'.

I was pondering a new way of displaying and selling my crowns. I wanted to improve on the concept of 'the box'. Then an idea............... The Keeper of the Crown kept swirling around.

I incorporated everything I love, particularly the regalia of uniforms.

And corsets.

And dress forms and heraldry.

And ruffles.

And antique paper.

(I noticed this random word right on the front of the dress form after I had finished- so perfect for me!)

Definitely the most personally satisfying thing I've made.

And then I started thinking...she can be The Keeper of Anything.

Keeper of the Doll (heads, of course!)

Keeper of the Pumpkin.

Keeper of the Box.

So many ideas! And I will be creating and offering them to you... eventually. I know, I know, I'm super slow at production. I'll try to speed it up (a la Lucy and the candy factory- can someone help me and be Ethel?!)

But this first one I've made..... I don't think I can part with it. Definitely, A Keeper.

~ Ul-la-la ~

Who wouldn't want to spend their birthday wrapped in ribbons?

Every color under the beautiful San Francisco sun is available at The Ribbonerie. They don't host birthday parties but Ulla and I made our own in this store brimming with ribboned....everything.

I, of course, chose the colors of San Francisco's wonderful overcast days (now there's a shock) even though the sun was shining beautifully yesterday. 

Happy October 1st birthday, Ulla. You are a fantastic woman- I had such a great time with you. I hope today is wonderful!

~ A Highland Hallowe'en... ~

.......is marching in.

~ If You Squint..... ~

If you squint....and tilt your head just so.....

You can catch a glimpse of autumn on its way.

Waiting (im)patiently!

~ Eight is Not Enough ~

If you look closely, the photo above holds the eight fantastic bits of treasure I brought home from eight different artists from the Tinsel and Treasure show. I love them all grouped together. I only wish I had more time to continue shopping and get to all of the ladies as they all had amazing creations! 

My spoon necklace by Sylvia Anderson.

Game Board by Karen O'Brien.

A little acorn doll from Charlene Geiger.

Journal and tags by Anna Corba

My pumpkin girl by Colleen Moody.

A Victorian puzzle from Melissa Valeriote.

Vintage metal purses from Marsha of  Cottage Jewel.

And a pouting pendant necklace from Sue Bartolucci.

Aren't they just all so cool?? So you see....Eight is not Enough. I want more. "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!". Oh wait, that's The Brady Bunch. I never could keep those two shows straight. Forget it.

Now this show I know about. The Tinsel and Treasures Show -  picked up for a third season, coming again next September. Now that's a fall line-up.