Off to see the Wizard

When Sugarwings was just tiny, that kid was obsessed with the Land of Oz and all things Dorothy.  That theme lasted for many years, with a Dorothy costume in every size from baby to teen.  Ruby slippers were worn out and replaced over and over.  The beloved Dorothy doll was restitched and salvaged many times.  A yellowbrick road pathway was put into our flower bed.  Every Oz event, movie screening, or play that was available was attended and we wore our costumes each time.  

I perfected my witch’s cackle and my husband learned all the words to the scarecrow’s song.  I also got really good at pretending to be a flying monkey and sweeping in to run off with Toto (our Yorkie, Twinkle.)

That child’s love of the Wizard of Oz never waned.  So when I saw a collection of Oz books at an auction a decade ago, I snapped up the stack for Sugarwings to read someday.  But the Grandfairy ended up being an audio book fan instead, so I don’t have any sentimental reason to hold onto this collection of old books.

So now, they are going into the mall, along with some other Oz themed loot for the next First Friday weekend sale.

This special set deserved a display worthy of it, so I started with a vintage wallpaper rainbow backdrop and added some colorful items to amplify the rainbow effect.

Then I sorted my collection of books into colors to match the shelves and filled in with Totos, witches, lions, and more.

There is a heart for the woodsman, a picnic basket on top of the cabinet, and an antique black satin dress made for a wicked witch hanging on the door.

I used copies of a portrait I’d done of Dorothy as tags.

Isn’t this chalk ware Lion great?

After it was all set up, I liked the look so much, I almost packed it back up to take home and reset up in my studio.   Nope, time for these books to go to another Oz fan.