Annabel Lee Artist Trading Card

Did you know that "Annabel Lee"

is the last complete poem composed

by Edgar Allen Poe?

"It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may

know by the name of Annabel Lee . . ."

Like so many of Poe's poems,

it tells the tale of the death of a beautiful woman.

"The wind came out of the clouded night,

chilling and killing my Annabel Lee . . ."

The narrator tells of a man who

fell in love with Annabel Lee

when they were young,

and even says that this love for her

was so strong

that even angels were jealous.

What a sad love story that

remains so strong even in death!

"For the moon never beams

without bringing me dreams of

the beautiful Annabel Lee . . ."

I created these artist trading cards

for a swap this month.

Edgar Allen Poe is probably

one of my favorite poets.

CREDITS: MOONLIGHT JOURNEY COLLAGE SHEETS

Woodland Gnome Sweater

Now, after more than 60 years of observation, I feel that the time has come to put my experience and findings on paper. Having received permission of course, from the authorized council of gnomes, it is my belief that this post may fill somewhat of a deplorable gap.

In earlier times, the gnome was an accepted member in society. But that was a time when waters were clear and when the heavens were only filled with birds and stars. Now that we are so concerned with saving what is left of nature's treasures, there is some hope that gnomes will begin to move about more freely.

A "Woodland," or "Forest Gnome, " is probably the most common and one of my favorites. Folklorists insist that the cap they wear is not its principal function. Rather it is an indispensable head covering that has the power to render a gnome invisible.

So today, I am willing to show you this sweater for a two-year old little gnome. It will be a gift to my niece's little boy, a miniature person who speaks our language, yet mixed with strange words. I have spoken to this little man. I believe he is a descendant of a race called Kuwalden, known for their fondness to drink milk.

My belief that he may be a "Woodland," or "Forest Gnome" is probably difficult to really verify. He is still a little shy, and is very good-natured. However, he does have a tendency to tell melancholy tales.

Even though my nephew resembles a little gnome, I doubt it can be entirely true. Gnomes visit their birthday tree yearly on Midsummer's Eve and add a carving to the bark. He celebrates his birthday every January, where in Gnomeland, birthdays are not celebrated. Little Giovanni dwells on the fact that he is another year older. Upon request from faraway friends and family, he will extend these birthday weeks for an unlimited period.

Happy Birthday, little one!

Exerpts taken from the book GNOMES, by Axel Munthe, Copyright 1976, A Peacock Press, Bantam Book

A Giant Has The Map

Post 5: Final
"This gruesome woman," thought the Queen. "How could I ever fulfill a wish that was not my fault?"

Madame La DuRee hovered close to her face breathing in short wrenching spasms, as she ran her long fingernails against the Queen's smocked satin sleeve. The Queen held back her fear. "I know of a giant who has a map of every town, village, and house marked on it. He has a much larger map upstairs in a chest that shows every inch of the sea."

"If you promise to purchase at least one item from this Golden Castle of Faerie Enchantment, I will transport your beloved Samuel back to you. He has been living on an island not far from where his British ship "The Stargazer" sunk ten years ago!" Loraina is very much alive and you are a great-grandmother!"

The Queen was happier than she ever could have imagined. All has been a dream, for "The Amazing Princess Lisa" has cast a spell over me today so that I could bring you this story that you shall be forced to forget. But, in this happy hour, it has taken away my fears of my missing grandson and renewed hope.

It took some time to get Samuel home, where she had found him grown, and their child tall and beautiful. And they lived happily till the end.

Is That Really Madame LaDuRee?

Post 4:
"Ah, I so need some refreshment," whispered the Queen to Sage. "There is so much to taste, and my eyes are full if imagination. And, look at those cupcakes!!" Just follow the signs ahead....look at all of those sweet, edible jewels and dazzling stars just waiting to behold and devour.

The Queen smelled the cotton candy, roasted cinnamon almonds, fried sweet donuts, and kettle corn. Could she resist the scent of heavenly delight? She had to go back and and visit more circus themed art projects back in the tent, and thank Miss Lisa for such a glorious day!

And would she need a Circus and Follies image CD to take back to the castle?

She felt guilty for having the most imaginative visit. So many years had passed. She longed to see her dearest grandson, her Samuel. "Are you still alive?" the Queen asked. "But wait, I see someone I know ahead. Is that really you, Madame LaDuRee, the Queen shuddered. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, yes, my Queen. It is me. Certainly, I can bring you happiness again. But, first, I must make a condition. And if you do not fulfill it, you will never see your grandson again!" warned the fortune teller.

So Much To See and Do . . .

Post 3:
With laughter in the Queen's heart, her horse drawn carriage arrived in the Land of Winchester. She could hear the haunting melodies of the carousel.

"Glad to meet you," said Albious Woodsby. "This is Laurel. He can assist you with anything you may need, My Lady. Don' t forget to visit the Carlisle Pavillion, the Candy Court, and Food Pavillions."

The Queen grew overwhelmed in excitement. "There are so many things to do, and places to visit. How will I ever see everything?" she cried. As she rounded the Carlisle Pavillion and said one last "hello and goodbye" to Carneigie, the clown, there was The Tinsel Tent! "Look, look, look, these dolls are so vintage and even beyond that are MORE demonstrations! What a wonderful land of Faerie Enchantment!"

If only I had brought more friends, she thought.

Whisked Away to Adventure

Post 2:
The Queen loved parties, games, and especially music. "What will I wear?" she exclaimed. "All I have are these old horrid clothes!"

Perhaps I need a extravagant party hat? In the very tiniest of fine print on her invitation reads: You must visit the "Emporium of Wonders." There is a table set up just for you to assemble a wondrous hat. "Oh, how clever of them!" she said. "I will look divine!" The Queen lovingly packed her artful suitcase filled to the brim with tinsel, paint, glue, carnival images, and crepe paper!

So, as the sun rose over her magical kingdom, she stepped into her carriage to be whisked away to undertake the adventure she so needed. She thought of Samuel, who was lost at sea after that severe thunderstorm. It was so hard to be happy, when she had lost so much!"

The Magical Message

Post 1:
Once upon a time, at the end of winter, when the snowflakes fell like feathers from the sky, a Grandma Queen sat at her window knitting.

As her beauty had faded, and her children had married, she longed for a life of fun and tom foolery like in the days of her youth.

As the hours passed, and the sky grew dark, there came a knocking at her door. Hesitantly, she opened the heavy wooden door to her castle and there stood a sweet little elf named Hans, from Party Owl Service (aka POI), who eagerly handed her a magical message!

"Gracious, gracious," the Queen cried. "What is this?" She lifted the seal of the leather envelope. And, behold there was an invitation to attend a great magical event called "The Carnival Soiree."

She was so full of joy to see that she had not been forgotten by her long lost friends in another kingdom across the huge pond. The invitation read more like a treasure map than a request to attend, but the Queen grew excited in anticipation.

First, you need to find the "Path of Illumination." There you will see all the colors of the rainbow flickering in sparkling lanterns like twinkling stars.

Pass the "Growing Wand Garden." There you will see a tree next to a brilliant yellow tent. Inside this tent is your ticket for adventure.

"Oh, my," said the Queen. Will I find myself light-hearted and full of happy thoughts today?" She was never quite the same when her first born grandson, Samuel disappeared off the coast of Madagascar so long ago.

Yes, she will go. How could she not?