An Ode To Fungus

Joana Garrido

I read a lovely little post the other day over at ~serendipity~ which got me thinking (yes, I do do that every so often)- why is it that we humans love fungi so much? When I say ‘fungi’ I am referring specifically to mushrooms and toadstools, but a fungus is a fungus at the end of the day.

Ok, so there’s the obvious folklore and fairytale factor to be considered; every culture on earth has given some sort of legendary status to our little fungal friends. And lets not forget that some mushrooms actually are magical. Then there’s the even more blatant fact that they’re pretty darn wonderful to look at. But I think there’s more to it than that. Of all the wonders in nature, I think mushrooms come out top not just because they’re so pretty but because their beauty sprouts from death and decay. What could be more miraculous than that?

So today I thought about just posting some photos of their aforementioned beauty. Then I thought, seeing as we all know what they look like anyway, I’d instead post some mushroom/toadstool inspired design. After all, is it not their effect on the human psyche that differentiates them from the rest of fungi kind?

Heather Bayless

Droog Studio

Full Circle Retro

Design Boom

Freshome

Design and Concept

A Pleasant Surprise

I think this has to be my earliest post ever, but I couldn’t wait I’m so excited! I just logged on to check my emails and, being the addict that I now am, had to have a wee nosy to see how the Etsy treasury I compiled last night went down. A few people liked it and it got some clicks, so that was nice. Then I noticed one of my previous ones from a few days back had loads of comments all of a sudden, and  I thought ‘that’s a bit weird’. Upon further investigation I realised that the good Etsy elves had put my list on their front page this morning!!! Oh, I’m so chuffed!

Said treasury.
(Though if you were on Etsy this morning you may have seen it already!)

Tim Meet Tim

Ok so this is all a little out of date now (as in the best part of a year) and a little out of season. But I just got so excited when I came across these images while searching for something totally unrelated that I had to share. They're from a fashion spread for last October’s Harper’s Bazaar by Tim Burton, photographed by the equally brilliant Tim Walker. How am I only coming across this now!!! Well, actually, it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m not really into fashion magazines and the like. I don’t know why that is; anytime I do leaf through the odd glossy I usually find myself oohing and aahing quite a bit. Anyway, here you go- the meeting of two of the world's most whimsically creative souls.

I’ll put them by the pond, or the wishing well.

Found more things to add to my dream home wish list today. This time we’re in the garden, where I’ve decided these lovely, large metal sculptures by The Forgery are going to live. Oh, I can’t wait till I win the lotto so I can create my magical place; you’re all invited for a visit when I do!

My first journal page…

…didn’t really turn out as well as I'd hoped. In fact, it looked so much better a day or two ago but I just had to keep on adding to it and now it’s a bit of a mess. I think himself summed it up best when he said mockingly: “It’s good for you age”. Oh well. It’s only my first go  at this kind of thing and I definitely learned a lot of lessons for the next one. Plus, it was really fun making it. I actually can’t wait to get going on another. Well anyway, here are some shots of it. 

 Sorry, they’re not great images (the shiny things were too bloody shiny for the camera). The writing on the right is an excerpt from Through The Looking Glass. Here’s the full piece because I thinks it’s just the most wonderful Wonderland quote:

At this moment, the Unicorn sauntered by them with his hands in his pockets . . . when his eye happened to fall upon Alice; he turned around instantly, and stood for some time looking at her with an air of the deepest disgust.


"What—is—this?" he said at last.
"This is a child," Haigha replied eagerly, coming in front of Alice to introduce her . . . "We only found it today. It's as large as life and twice as natural!"
"I always thought they were fabulous monsters!" said the Unicorn. "Is it alive?"


"It can talk," said Haigha solemnly.
The Unicorn looked dreamily at Alice, and said "Talk child."


Alice could not help her lips curling up into a smile as she began: "Do you know, I always thought Unicorns were fabulous monsters too? I never saw one alive before!"


"Well, now that we have seen each other," said the Unicorn, "if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you. Is that a bargain?"


"If you like," said Alice.

Enchanted Art

Moons, trees, clouds and fairies; I just love the fairy tale paintings of Philippe Fernandez. Here are some examples of how fantastic they are. 

 

 

Oh my, what have I done...

Ever since I found out about them I’ve been resisting the urge to furiously start compiling Etsy treasuries, knowing that if I gave in even for a second I’d be hooked. Thought it best just to keep posting the odd handful of finds up here. Unfortunately I had a few application forms to fill out last night and the procrastination fairy reared its mischievous little head. “Sure there’s no harm in it,” he reassured me. “Just start one now while you enjoy your tea and you can come back to it another time.” I now have five. And, no, the applications still aren’t finished. Neither is my first art journal page. But I did find lots of pretty little things! 

So here’s my first, probably of a very many:

 

Check out my others here.
I hope some of you recognise a few of the treasures!

A REAL Fairytale Castle

I was on a wee wander through blogland this afternoon when I came across this via a post at Diamonds and Toads: Enter the Enchanted Conversation.  It’s a miniature doll house and the life passion of silent film star Coleen Moore and it’s on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

It’s not just any old doll house, though. Noooo. This is, in fact, the most deliciously decadent, wonderfully indulgent, completely over-the-top doll house I ever set eyes on in all my years. And it’s so fantastically beautiful too.  “Experience the enchantment of  a fairy’s dream home…” invites the museum on their website. Indeed. 

Adorned with the stuff of legend and fairytale, it is a place where Arthur could rest his weary bones after a good night’s feasting and Cinderella could dance her pretty little feet off. Well, if they were five inches tall that is.  But if they were (5” tall) they’d undoubtedly be impressed with the quality and extravagance of the décor. 

In true fairytale style, there was certainly no expense spared when it came to the construction of this castle. Bathrooms made from alabaster, solid gold cutlery, etched crystal walls, platinum furniture, floors of rose quartz and jade… Seriously, if it wasn’t so wonderful it’d be immoral.

I think the most special and precious gem in the whole place has to be the vigil light in the chapel. In it is the diamond from Ms Moore’s mother’s engagement ring, which she left in her will to be put in her daughter’s doll house.

Here are just some more examples of the finery that abounds in the castle:

A Royal Doulton china miniature tea set, one of only two  in the world (the other resides in the Queen’s own doll house);
Tapestries from Vienna which have the smallest stitches ever sewn;
Gold chandeliers with real diamonds, pearls and emeralds;
Amber vases over 500 years old;
Ancient artefacts thousands of years old;
Murals and paintings by a certain Mr Walt Disney;
The smallest bible ever printed from 1840;
A weeping willow tree in the garden that cries tears into a little pool.

All I can say is WOW. Santa brought me a doll house one year and I was all chuffed that the lamps in it lit up!

Journaling in July

Picture by Shannon Blue

"Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, 'I’d like my crayons back… please.'"  -Hugh McLeod

I heard that quote from a friend of mine a few weeks ago. As someone who downed her crayons many years ago, and as someone going through somewhat of a pre-midlife crisis, I can completely see the verity of it. Since I turned 28 I’ve found myself getting all nostalgic and longing for childhood (a few of my recent posts should be testament to that).  At the same time I’ve had an urge to take up some sort of creative or crafty hobby, although until I heard that quote I hadn’t really connected the two. 

Anyway, why am I babbling on about this? Well, I’ve finally found a way to get my crayons back and it’s all thanks to D over at The Whimsical Cottage! Ms Suplicki is taking us along on an art journaling adventure this July and it’s just the kinda thing I was after. I’m not the most arty and I can’t draw to save my life but with the helpful tips and inspirations D’s has been and will be posting on her blog, the whole thing seems quite achievable. I think I’ve finally found my hobby! Anyone can join in too so hop on over there and share the fun! 

 

 

Magic Shoes?

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook today- what a blast from the past! I remember wanting these shoes soooo badly! I’m sure any of you who were little girls in the 80s did too. Remember the secret key hidden in the soles? I used to spend ages looking at the bottom of my feet!

p.s Sorry the quality of the video is so poor, but it is very old!

Ten Orange Things I Love

A while ago I visited The Hanging Garden where I left a comment on a wonderful little post regarding the colour white. Being the scatter brain that I am I completely forgot about it. That happens more often than I’d like; there are days when I go on commenting splurges and it can be hard to keep note of where I’ve been. Anyway, this instance was a little different because by leaving a comment I was entering into a quirky wee challenge.

You see the lovely Byrony set me the task of finding ten orange things I love, just as she herself had done with shades of white. I only today returned to find what colour I’d been given, and at first I thought orange would be a tough one. When I sat down, though, and put my thinking cap on I realised that it’s a great colour! So here you have it, rather later than planned, ten images of orangey loveliness. Oh, and in the spirit of things, leave a comment if you want to be assigned your own colour!

Ginger Cats

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Autumn Leaves

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Marmalade On Toast

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Harvest Moons

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Blood Oranges

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Red Hair

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Evening Skies

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Mushrooms and Toadstools

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This Fantastic Peach House

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An Madra Rua 

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