Chapter 25: Mad as a March Hare

 The Hatter was the first to break the silence. `What day of the month is it?' he said, turning to Alice: he had taken his watch out of his pocket, and was looking at it uneasily, shaking it every now and then, and holding it to his ear. Alice considered a little, and then said `The fourth.' `Two days wrong!' sighed the Hatter. `I told you butter wouldn't suit the works!' he added looking angrily at the March Hare. `It was the BEST butter,' the March Hare meekly replied. `Yes, but some crumbs must have got in as well,' the Hatter grumbled: `you shouldn't have put it in with the bread-knife.' The March Hare took the watch and looked at it gloomily: then he dipped it into his cup of tea, and looked at it again: but he could think of nothing better to say than his first remark, `It was the BEST butter, you know.' -- Chapter 7, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

The term "Mad as a hare’ which was common during Carroll's time, alludes to the crazy capers of the male hare during March, the rutting season, and the straw on his head in the original Tenniel illustrations was also a symbol of madness. (from Lenny's Alice in Wonderland site) As March is the month we celebrate the mad March Hare, ANYTHING GOES is our challenge.

You have until Friday, March 29 to enter your creations. As always, multiple entries are allowed but each must be on a separate post. All entries are welcome, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. And what a prize it is! A $30 gift certificate for digital images from the fabulous, fantastical world of The Octopode Factory!

[ Etsy Store - Digital | Rubber Stamps | Blog | Challenge Blog | Facebook | Flickr ]

The talented Lily Chilvers started The Octopode Factory when she was only seventeen and they were an instant hit. Originally available only in digital form, they are now also available in rubber stamps, and she has a wealth of amazing Alice in Wonderland images. Be sure to check out these wacky images through the links above!

Design Team Inspiration

Bonnie McLain of  Love, Light and Peace has crafted an amazing multisided creation with windows, doors and pop outs for four of the Octopode Wonderland characters.  We start with the Mare Hare, obviously mad indeed.  Oh dear, is he late for the tea party?

It's always time for tea according to the hatter's clock.  See how he keeps his pot and cups handy? And what glorious colors Bonnie has used both in coloring the digis and creating the sprayed and stamped backgrounds.  So whimsical, so wonderful.

And next we have the Caterpillar.  He has his own story to tell.  He'll write it down, as soon as he decides what pen nib to choose.

And finally the Queen of Hearts.  I love the addition of the jeweled hearts and Wonderland motifs like the playing card and crown.  Please visit Bonnie for more detailed pix and to find out how these amazing sections fit together.  And while you're there, please don't forget to leave her some love.

Barbara Washington of  Magic Delights has created an interactive Jacob's Ladder filled with characters from Wonderland celebrating an Un-Birthday Tea Party!

Do you remember how they work? Two different ribbons interlace between the cards to connect them. When you hold them up, the sides flip-flop down in a cascade, it is like magic, especially with a cute grandson to show how it works!

 Please visit Magic Delights and leave a comment for Barbara on this amazing creation!

And now it's TIME for something truly incredible:

Donna Mundinger of Popsicle Toes created a fabulous framed clock, with Ocotopode's quirky Clockwork Flower really keeping time! I am just stunned at all the detail:

 The March Hare looks in dire need of caffeine! Donna has colored these images beautifully!

 Of course we have Donna' trademark alphabet beads. Here they proclaim that the watch is running two days slow. . . Tick Tock, Tick Tock! I love the patterned paper she chose, it is just perfect for this project.

And it really works! Bravo to Donna for this fabulous creation. Any Alice fan would be totally thrilled to have a watch like this keeping time. Be sure to visit Popsicle Toes to leave a comment for Donna on this amazing clock.

Submit your projects by Mar. 29 using the Linky Tool below. PLEASE include your name or your blog name in the TITLE, this helps me enormously when it is time to do the honorable mentions. Note: If you are viewing this in an email or reader, you may need to go to the blog by clicking on the title of this post in order to submit or view the projects.

Please leave a comment before you go! It means a lot to me. And be sure to visit the blogs of our talented design team members to leave comments there on the wonderful projects they've created!