A Winter’s Solstice in Summer

On By ResaIn Alley Gallery, GALA

Ecila looked up at the hot summer’s sun.

She was on her way to Teagan’s Christmas in July blog party, in a beautiful new gown. Blinded by the light, she accidentally turned left into a mural. Ecila looked around at the black and white world, and saw no way out.

Suddenly there was a black and white cat looming before her. “Who are you?” she asked.

“Why I’m Tac Tac the Water Cat,” he replied, “and you can’t get out the way you came in. You’ll have to go through the Purple Pink Rabbits’ door, in the pink alley.”

“Take this!” said Tac Tac, and he handed Ecila a gold rabbit coin. “Use it wisely. It’s your one chance to get out of here.”

Ecila wandered black and white curves until she saw a pink alley. In the alley was a Purple Pink Rabbit. “Hello! What’s your name, and can you please show me the door out of here?”

“I’m Tibbar,” the rabbit replied, “and yes, the door is at the top of the stairs.”

Ecila looked up some stairs guarded by three Purple Pink Rabbits. The door was there!

“But first you’ll have to get past Bugsy, Mugsy and Thugsy. Bugsy and Mugsy charge 5 gold rabbit coins each. Thugsy gets seven.”

“But I have only one gold rabbit coin,” Ecila said looking up at Bugsy.

“Not my problem,” replied Bugsy.

“There’s only one way to make gold rabbit coins here,” offered Mugsy. “You’ll have to play poker with the dogs! The game’s around the corner on an old red wood sliding door.”

Ecila found the dog’s game, draped her tail up to look like a gambler’s cape and threw her gold rabbit coin on the table.

“Chips please!” she demanded cooly.

The dogs howled. They figured she was just a human, and they would relieve her of her gold rabbit coin faster than the first day of winter. A chick in a bolero hat put a small stack of chips on the table for her.

Ecila thought of the wise words from her non uncle Kenny.

After many hours of holding, folding and not counting her chips, Ecila cashed in for 17 gold rabbit coins. She left the extra chips on the table, let down her tail and walked away.

Once out of sight of the dogs, she began running to the Purple Pink Rabbits’ door.

Ecila ran up the stairs tossing gold coins to the rabbits.

She threw the last 7 coins to Thugsy, and fled out the door. Elica ran all the way toTeagan’s blog hop party, where she made a grand entrance in her new Winter Solstice gown.

“Sorry I’m late everyone! My hair is mess and well, I can’t even begin to tell you what I’ve been through,” Ecila lightly panted. “Let me just say some cats are water cats, there’s such a thing as Purple Pink Rabbits and the the dog days of summer really are dog days.”

Teagan is holding a Christmas in Summer blog hop party. It doesn’t have to be Christmas, just a winter celebration around that time. Click on her badge above, and read the guidelines!

Outtakes

Winter Solstice gown created © by Resa – July, 2024

Pics of gown and street art © Resa McConaghy- June & July 2024

Story © Resa McConaghy – July 2024

Street Artists:

&

When Math Meets Art 2023 by Sasha Q

140 thoughts on “A Winter’s Solstice in Summer”

  1. Ah, dahling what an enchanting story, pics, street art and wow Winter Solstice Gown!
    You are A M A Z I N G , dahling!
    Hugs and Love
    and special slobberies from you know who!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. Aww, Thank you, dahling!

      You know I love making gowns out of old stuff.

      This fabric is from the early 1900’s. It’s scraps from the new Art Gown I’m working on.

      Love and hugs back to you. and to our slobbering goddess!

      xoxo🧽xoxo🧽xoxo🧽xoxo🧽xoxo🧽xoxo🧽xoxo🧽

  2. Another gem. I don’t know how to do it! By the way, I think I lost one of your blogs, yet cannot find it now. I think it was a day or two ago. At the time a postman was at the door! Such is me these days! Regards, TOF

    1. Thank you TOF!

      Be careful of those pesky postmen! You never know what they are delivering.

      Kidding aside, yes, my other blog is Art Gowns. It takes a long time to make the gowns or do the drawings, so I only post there every 2-3 months. There are exceptions.

      Anyway, I’m getting close to finishing some drawings, and a post is nigh. I will be sure to let you know, and send the url.

      Your book is still on deck, as I turtle read my way though the current terrific book I’m reading.

      Unless there are gowns in it, I’ll be reviewing your book on this blog.

      Pet Rosie for me, and love to you and yours!

  3. Wow–one of your best ever, Resa! I love how you blended doll and street art into the story. Wonderful!

    Did you ever see Kenny Rogers do The Gambler on The Muppet Show?

    1. Thank you, Merril!

      It was fun putting this altogether.

      It’s an odd circle, that I’ve come back around to making doll clothes, of course only Gowns now.

      Omg! No, I didn’t see that Muppets show. I’ll have to see if I can find Kenny Rogers on the Muppets. There might be something on Youtube.

      I never had kids, so didn’t watch it much. My mom LOVED the count. She’d do impersonations and laugh….. and count.

      1. You’re welcome, Resa. It’s a great post!

        I found it on Youtube, but I know links don’t always play in other countries. The Muppets show was different from Sesame Street. It was on at night, an adult/family show. (Though actually Sesame Street had some jokes geared for adults, too.) The Count was funny!

        1. Yay!!
          I found it on YouTube. It’s quite cute. It was an honour to be on the Muppets..or Sesame Street.
          I’m not sure if we got The Muppet Show in Canada. I don’t recall seeing it.

          The Count was one funny guy, four anyone to watch! I hear he only eight at night.

  5. Quite a journey, Escheresque alleys, cats, bunnys, just waiting for Alice to show up, and Barbie cousin’s, it was quite nice to read this morning, thanks Resa for another beautiful post!

    1. You are welcome Jean Marc!

      This was a fun post to make. I had a relaxing time making the gown.

      I’m happy you got a smile this morning. xx

  6. Great story! Alice, I mean Ecila (she must have gone through a looking glass and had her name reversed…) had quite the adventure with the street art! That was a lot of fun and a great way to show of some different art. And Uncle Kenny does have great advice about poker and life.

    1. Ahh, you are the first to mention Ecila is Alice backwards. (Tibbar?)

      It was lots of fun making this post, although I did revise and edit the story almost 50 times.

      I haven’t thought of Kenny Rogers’ songs for a long time, but when the dogs playing poker came into the story, it popped up as a natural. That painting has been around and untagged for over 12 years. I find it interesting what pieces of street art or murals get respect from different generations of adolescent taggers.

      I’ve seen murals/art tagged over the next day.

      Kenny’s advice is a good moral (or mural as Dave put it) for the tail.

      1. It is funny – I heard that song a million times as a kid but I don’t think I realized that the gambler dies or that he is talking life, not poker. I guess the difference a few decades makes… (Plus, I never heard lyrics as having meanings, I heard them as just another instrument, like a guitar or trumpet…)

        1. Interesting!
          I felt the music, and lyrics were important. It took me awhile to hear individual instruments, but when I did:
          First love was a keyboard player,
          Second was a drummer
          Then I went back and forth – guitar player – singer
          A trumpet player from L.A. got in there
          Then I finally settled on a guitarist. He has a bazillion instruments now. I think he said he just bought a lap guitar.

          1. I am not sure when I actually realized that there might be meaning to lyrics… Even after I did, I don’t know when I actually paid that much attention to them. Well, there was always Dylan, who is 100% lyrics, but other than that…
            I was 5 when I heard Switched on Bach and there was no turning back for me.
            Glad you found your guitarist and all of his bazillion instruments 🙂

            1. Yes, Dylan’s lyrics were meaningful. Surely his singing was ….
              Like Cohen, not a singer, but the poetry with music created something many related to.

              Switched on Bach? I just looked it up. I had heard of it years ago, now that I think about it.
              How cool and I can totally see that about you, and where you are at with music now.

              I’m going to see if there’s any pieces on Youtube.
              Since meeting Charlotte online and Marina’s Socrates, I have listened to a lot of classic music; more than I ever thought I would. I love it. I’m late to the party, as usual.

    1. Yes… way down..

      Thanks about the gown, Beth. That fabric is a scrap from the new Art Gown I’m working on. It is from the early 1900’s. One of our blogger pals sent me some boxes.

      What a treat!

    1. Thank you so much, Martha! It was fun doing this.

      Life should always be so much fun.

      Take care, and have a wonderful week ahead!

    2. Thank you dear Tim!

      Teagan is inspiring, and I had a really great time making the response for the challenge.

      Elica’s gown is made of scraps from the new Art Gown I’m making. Diana (Myths of the Mirror) sent me 2 boxes of lace and linens from the early 1900’s.

      Thanks about the pics. You’d have fun doing a Barbie fashion shoot. I wonder how Spunkie-Poo 💋 would react to a Barbie being shot by paparazzo? xo

    1. Thank you, Dave, you comedic literary rascal!

      The mural of the story… 😂🤣😵‍💫

      Still you make a good point. Now my head is filling with morals changing to murals. My ventromedial prefrontal cortex is in overdrive.

  11. So enchanting Meece, I feel I’ve fallen down the bunny hole and discovered such a magical world of rabbits 🐇 in all colors if the rainbow, portals leading to places I’ve never been and princess in a winter white gown who is a gambler at heart. Such a find is rare unless you at graffitilux! Thank you for this gem , it’s beyond captivating!

    XOXOXO

    1. Yes… the bunny hole.

      What we really need is a Meece Hole. Now, That would be a different kind of fun.

      Actually, seems you and I are down in the Meece hole filled with poetry, gowns and art.

      I love the gown gambling princess. Lol.. Beauty, brains and card sharking all in one winter white package, can and do exist here on Graffiti Lux.

      You are the best Meece, ever!

      XOXOXOXO

      1. Elica in Wonderlands ( Alice has nothing on her). This is a fabulous response to Teagan’s challenge. Everything anyone in fantasy land would want to find. Card Shark lovely Elica sounds like the beginning of more to come for this winter goddess, there’s not a Chesire than can top her.
        Loved this … thank you Meece and Teagan for the awesome inspiration.

        1. Yeah, lotsa fun, Meece!
          Winter goddesses, and then summer Love-up ones.
          We’re going to have a lot of fun with the Gown-In!
          I think I’m on the last drawing, unless I mess up. It’s another BP on skates, but not in a gown.
          Adore you Meece!

          Hey… I’m having one of those ‘Oron arguments in comments. (his blog) He insists Meece is spelled Meese.
          So annoying!
          xoxoxoxoxo

  12. Your stories are enchanting, Resa. So much creativity and fun. Ecila’s gown is lovely. Do I recognize bits of the fabric or am I imagining it? And the murals are fabulous – especially Bugsy, Mugsy and Thugsy. Lol. The names cracked me up. Thanks for the fun, my friend.

    1. Thank you Diana!

      Yes, you recognize fabric bits! I’ve got a good start on the gown.
      There’s been a lot to consider. I’ve been doing certain sample tests like washing, cutting, tugging, ironing, sewing, etc. to check out the tensile strength of the pieces, and other aspects.
      This was a test scrap, that had a great outcome.

      The basic skirt structure is in place, ready to finish /embelish.

      I’ve decided to use the back/pale side of the blue Table cloth for the under bodice. I’m just putting the darts in now.
      I washed it and this fabric has a lot of strength left. I’ve cut it on bias.
      You don’t find fabrics like these anymore.

      Anyway… not quite time for a good partway pic. Soon!
      Hugs!
      Yes, this was lots of fun!

      1. 🙂 I can imagine that you needed to test the fabrics. They’re all so old, many over a hundred years. I recognized the patterns it right away on Ecila’s gown and was so tickled. ❤ ❤ ❤

  14. Murals, gowns, and word-play, oh my! Resa, this is a brilliant post, through and through! The gown: the swirls in the eyelet make me think of swirling snow, despite the summertime crispness of the fabric and style — a perfect contrast-combination for Christmas/Winter Solstice in July. The story is a whimsical delight. The murals are some of the most gorgeous you’ve ever posted. I felt I might walk right into the black and white one, just as Ecila did. It’s an honor to have you participate in this blog hop. I’m still just shaking my head. What a wonderful post. Big hugs.

    1. Teagan!

      I was quite inspired to do this. At first some vague ideas eddy around. Then… kaboom.

      There’s a new Art Gown in the making. Diana sent me 2 boxes of laces and linens from around 1900. This Winter Solstice gown is of a scrap from that.

      The moment I saw this mural, I thought of you. It’s so Wonderland whimsical. I had to use it, as you are the queen of whimsy.

      Anyway, I’m tickled pink that you are happy and shaking your head. Makes my day!

      Give big hugs to the Scoobies for me, and big Wonderland hugs to you!

    1. Thank you Jan!
      Yeah, my Barbie never looked so well dressed/ pretty either. I guess I’m on a Barbie come back tour. I’ve made her 3 gowns now.

  16. HI Resa, this is the most amazing post. I love the dress you created. I used to make dresses for my dolls and I would have loved this outfit. Wonderful murals and such a clever story idea.

    1. Thank you Robbie!
      It was fun writing this. I played on some of Teagan’s whimsy ideas/stories.

      I also thought of the Sir Chocolate books of yours that I read.
      There is an art to writing for children and adults at the same time.
      Thank you for everything! 🤗🤩

    1. Thank you kindly, Liz!

      Yes, you are on the money about the fabric.
      It is antique fabric (good quality cotton embroidered and drawn fabric). It seems like it was a bed skirt. The centre was a large piece of plain cotton with this as trim.

      Diana sent me 2 boxes of inherited linens, cottons and laces. I am currently making my new Art Gown from the pieces. This was a scrap off of an end. I have been washing and testing the pieces for tensile strength.

      So, you got it!

        1. Yes! This is why I’ve been doing various tests to check tensile strength and other aspects.
          Most of what I have is quite strong. Some is shrinking.
          I think Diana only sent pieces that looked healthy.
          Some of the lace is a tad worrisome, but most of it is good. I’m backing the good pieces, with sheer, so they don’t have to rely on their own selves.

          The gown will have a decent fabric integrity, as I am being fussy….. and slow!

  22. Resa, you have an amazing creative mind to come up with this Christmas in July blog. The way you put it together was such a fun, fantasy, colorful read. The white gown a gem. Thank you for the smiles. 😊

    1. Thank you Christine!
      Teagan had a great idea, and it turned into creative fun. The gown was a lot of fun to make! 😊 😊

  24. LOVE the colorful bunny murals and enjoyed the fun narrative you came up with, Resa! The Winter Solstice gown is gorgeous too, beautiful design + fabric!

  25. Resa – you have given us an incredible recreation of Alice in Wonderland. Your ability to bring together art and story has a way of enticing us to look deeper into the mural and the storyline. This is an excellent example of bringing several forms of creativity together. You inspire our community with your imagination. Teagan’s Christmas in July party is a must-see and must attend event. Ecila exudes elegance in her gown. I laughed out loud when I read that she draped her tail like a gambler’s cape. Simply magical. This is my third time around and I’ll be back again.

    1. Thank you Rebecca!
      It was fun pulling several art forms together into a story.
      This story would not have happened had Teagan not come up with “Christmas in July”. The idea that it could be any celebration around that time was the winning inspiration for me.
      Ecila, like any true gambler, knows the importance of an impressive entrance.

      Almost makes me feel like taking up gambling.
      Hugs!

  29. What an enchanting story Res. I loved the collab with street art and story. And of course, I love Ecila’s Winter Solstice gown! ❤ xoxo

  32. How beautiful, Resa! You combined your fashion and street art into this wonderful story. Ecila is gorgeous and a lucky gamer. Happy Winter Solstice in summer!

  33. Beautifully illustrated and very clever, Resa. This is a great contribution to Teagan’s Christmas in July blog hope. I love Ecila’s gown and the street art. The story is a fun romp through the unknown but plausible world.

    1. Thank you, Dan!
      I had a lot of fun with this one. Teagan is very inspiring.
      I’m almost finished reading The Delta Pearl, then will read the second book.

  35. It’s as though, I walked in within a universe of pink rabbits and dog days and such and stumbled into their world.

    The way you told your story and blended so well with the street art is brilliantly amazing. Felt like I watched a short animated film on your story. Take that as a high compliment my friend. 🙂

    Love this one Resa. 🙂

  36. Ecila in Conrete Wonderland. This is so trippy, and wildly entertaining! Thugsy drives a hard bargain at 7 gold coins. But THAT Poker Faces; those dogs had no chance.🏁🐇❣️

  37. Hey Resa, it’s weird but I can’t comment on your latest post ‘Somedays I Feel Like a Wolf’ for some reason, but I LOVE that mural. Blue and turquoise are my fave colors, so I absolute love the color scheme of it and the wonderful details, especially the eye and fangs.

    1. No worries! I turned comments off for that post. I’m so busy that I’ve fallen behind on comments and visits, so it’s my way of taking a blog break and catching up.
      I have a new Self Portraits post coming out in a few days.
      Also, I’ve finished the drawings for my next Art Gowns post, so I need to work on that presentation.
      My new Art Gown is underway, so I need sewing time, and I’m trying to read a book to do a review.
      Plus I have a lot of shows to watch in the next 4 weeks. Voting begins mid August!
      Whew!
      AARRRROOOO!!!
      I love the artist- Nick Sweetman. His work is A+. He did a Monarch butterfly on the side of my home.

      1. Ohh I see! Yeah I totally understand since you get SO MANY COMMENTS in every post. I’m sure it can be overwhelming, esp. since you are sooo nice that you reply to every single comment!

        Oh please do another Art Gown post! I LOVE those, and you do such an amazing job with the gowns and the blog presentation!

        Best of luck with catching up on all the shows… you sure have your work cut out for you, dear! Wish I could help LOL!

        AARROOOO!!! Love it! Yeah that Nick Sweetman (even his name is artsy!) sure does amazing work. Do you have the pic of the Monarch butterfly mural? Sorry if I missed it!

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