Silverweed

G'morning all! I am super super busy planning my husband's 30th birthday party, but I wanted to announce a new fiction serial before October hits.

Beginning this October, Dorlana Vann will be releasing her new Red-Riding-Hood-inspired book, Silverweed, one chapter at a time on her blog Supernatural Fairy Tales. The eBook will be available in December.



Once upon a time Granny was attacked by a werewolf. Eighteen years later her grandson, Aiden Young, arrives in Indiana for his aunt’s funeral, and his unfortunate discovery of the family secret leads to a fatal mistake. Before the weekend is over, he’s trapped by a blizzard along with his superstitious cousin, Diesel, and Scarlet, Diesel’s manipulative girlfriend. In his grandmother’s spooky, old house in the middle of the woods, the teen faces life and death decisions: who can be trusted, and who needs to be saved? However, he must first figure out what the true monster is… werewolf or fear. Because in this Little Red Riding Hood-inspired supernatural fairy tale, the roles of prey and predator become interchangeable.

I really love the idea of serialized fiction. It's probably Dickens' fault. Do give this one a try when October comes around. ✩

Fairy Layers

Good Monday all! I hope you had a wondrous weekend and that you have enough fairy dust to last you the week. But if you don't, you can always stop by, I usually have extra. ✩

And if you need even more, allow me to point you to a new blog called Fairy Layers, run by RichLayers (to whom I must apologize; I always thought you were a man whose name was Rich. I am so sorry.) SHE is a true woman of faerie who has long been moderating Told Tales on Livejournal, from whence has come much blog fodder.

At Fairy Layers you'll find book reviews and recommendations from a variety of fairy-related genres, from the creepy to the sweet, and from children to young adult and beyond. After just a glimpse through the reviews my to-read list is growing (again). She's only been up to this for a month and she's already got 20+ posts (and she aims to post nearly every day!), so you'll have plenty to entertain and inform you not only today, but for a long time to come, I'm sure. ✩

(Caveat: And she's got book trailers! Am I the only one who is still wondering: Trailers? For books? Isn't that what paragraphs are for?)

Shoes for Goddesses

So here I am, wondering why I'm loving all of these strappy strappy shoes that are popping up lately on my fashion blogs.

Ah yes - because it's faerie fashion. We had this down long ago!

(Bella Caribe)

(Medieval Moccasins)

(Fairysteps)

Autumn Albums - Kate Rusby

At the start of each new season, I make a playlist on iTunes of all of the seasonally appropriate songs and albums on my iPod. Having music with just the right atmosphere for the season makes it tremendously deeper, I think. Perhaps in writing about these albums I'll share a new-to-you artist or help you rediscover a long-forgotten favorite.

Today, we are talking about Kate Rusby. Oh Kate, how I love you. Exhibit A: she's adorable. As beautiful as her voice.



My favorite album of hers is The Girl Who Couldn't Fly:



There are a few traditional songs mixed in with her original compositions, and I love them all. I never skip any of the songs on this CD, not-a-one. The ratio of playful songs to wistful is just right, and she sings about everything - travel, town life, adventure, love, battle...all evoking the stories we settle down to especially as the cozy nights draw in.

The other two albums I own are 10 (whose album cover is the first image above) and Underneath the Stars, each of which is beautiful in its own way:



I believe these two have more traditional songs than the first, and that is fine by me. Songs that are steeped in history often have that certain draw that I can't put my finger on. And her arrangements of these old pieces never fail to evoke the romance of times long past.

Kate has other albums (including a Christmas album and a new CD due out in November!) that I will someday get my hands on. I'm sure they're just as amazing as these. You can visit her site at www.katersuby.com. ✩

Taylor Jackson's Rapunzel Photos

Taylor Jackson has put up some beautiful Rapunzel-inspired shots on Flickr:



Just look at her hair...it's unbelievable. (So are those shoes!)






I think this last one is my favorite of the three.

Taylor is based in southern Ontario, where she runs On the Bright Side Photography. Though she specializes in family photography (do have a look at her galleries, she's quite talented!) it is obvious that Ms. Jackson also has an eye for the otherworldly. My favorite from her Flickr stream is right here. And you can visit her blog, too - I love this post with its fairytale plant pictures: Rodrick Lake You Have My Heart.

Interview at Pretty Wonderland

I am all a-blushing from being asked for an interview by Princess Crystal of Pretty Wonderland. Crystal is a true dreamer and her blog reflects her feminine, imaginative spirit. And she asked some very good questions!

You can find the interview here.

And what is a blog post without pictures? Here is Princess Crystal modeling, from her blog:



So pretty!

Final note: If you haven't seen Folk and Fairy's new design, please come and take a look. I have taken a free background and header graphic from Shabby Blogs, which is a wonderful web service that offers free backgrounds and graphics but isn't at all full of ads and terrible things. It's run by one woman who does an amazing job. Normally shabby chic isn't really my thing, but many of the backgrounds are of a wider appeal. I felt this background was just right for me. ✩

Woodland Wanderings

Have you seen Fae Nation's Etsy Treasury called Woodland Wanderings? A thousand sighs...it's got everything one might need to have the perfect forest adventure. These were my very faves:



A (now sold! *sniff*) set of Woodland Nymph Mossy Tiny Twig Hairpins by Woodland Belle. Check their shop for more twiggish hairpins of all hues.



And my new dress! (I wish.) This Sleeveless Medieval Dress by Oakheart is so pretty with its side lacing that it just begs to be worn into the woods each day by some beautiful adventure-prone damsel. Namely, me.

Sparrow Salvage: found object feral finery

Um, hello yes? I'd like to order one of these to wear each day of the year, thanks.



I don't recall how this came into my Flickr faves awhile ago but what a gem. And upon visiting the shop where it was sold, I have discovered one of my new style names: Victorian tribal. WHAT? Yes. Awesome. Designer Penny Elizabeth Neal promises that her designs are "steampunk gone feral". Again, I am on board!





It's especially fabulous that her creations are mostly made from reclaimed materials, so you can feel good about supporting an artist whose work is lighter on the earth than most.

For the weekend, I leave you with her blog Sparrow Salvage to explore, her etsy shop to drool over, and an amazing quote from her etsy profile:

"my methods and techniques are designed to emulate the rough, handmade quality of humble things. Wonky stitching, battered hammerwork, different colour threads and imperfect materials are all part of a look that attempts to conjour a world that is part faded empire, part post-apocalyptic war zone."

September Calendar - The Emperor's New Clothes

No longer will I forget to post the little calendars. I can deliver the goods, even if the Emperor's are unconventionally hidden. Welcome Fall, welcome cool temperatures and sparkles and the best scents. Welcome welcome welcome.