German Toy Book

Hard to believe there are only five more days till Christmas! Before I hunker down with last minute preparations for our own family celebration I wanted to share this gem of a book with you. Published in 1938 it is a colorful catalog of classic German toys....spielzeug! Chock-full of whirligigs, kites, building blocks, anthropomorphic veggies, paper toys, hobby horses, jumping jacks and marionettes, there is something to tickle everyone's fancy. And with this plateful of eye-candy I bid you and yours a very happy holiday season. I'll see you back here in the New Year!

Chevron Clown

Chevron, mixed media assemblage art doll clown

Decked out in chevrons & harlequins this clown is ready for the limelight. Kinda reminds me of Klee's amazing hand puppets 'tho only in shape--mine is quite rigid.

Puppet Master

Puppet Master, original collage on scribbled book cover

Two years ago Patrick and Lizzie were well into their Oz adventures. This week they are finishing up the 47th book in the series, Trouble Under Oz. It has been a fantastical journey and even though I don't sit in on the nightly readings there has been a bit of Oz seeping into my own work. I've dubbed it Oz-mosis ;)

Vintage Hand Puppet

Earlier this week I made an spontaneous thrift shop stop and look what I spied on the counter as I was being rung out--this darling old hand puppet! Of course I had to add it to my pile of goodies. You know it's hard for me to pass up a clown--especially one with a paisley collar and a pointy red hat too. Happy weekend!

Puppet Girls

I'm downright delighted by these 'puppet girls' Lizzie created. They've been entertaining both of us in the studio for the past couple days. Just in case you ever need one...an afghan draped over the back of a chair creates the perfect puppet stage. Miss Bluey, Miss Greeny, Miss Rainbowy, Miss Yellowy and Miss Redy will be amusing us all weekend with their antics I'm sure. Happy April and don't forget to steer clear of those April Fool's Day pranksters!