Thursday, October 28, 2010

Cigar Smoking Sorority Sisters

Not really, but the title kind of grabs you, doesn't it? The Blogorette Sorority Sisters didn't necessarily smoke the cigars but our mission was to decorate a cigar box and fill it with fall findings for our secret sorority sister. Our House Mother, aka, Karen of Some Days Are Diamonds hosted this first ever Blogerette Swap and assigned our partners under a shroud of sorority secrecy. In the dark of night we crept around each others blogs to ascertain likes and dislikes before the creating, purchasing and decorating began. For weeks the suspense built, and then -
the postman came! and brought me this beautiful box from Ceekay of
Thinkin' of Home.

I fell in love instantly with the muted brown toile fabric and layered rosette!

Inside were all kinds of fun fall goodies.....

including this oh-so-sweet handmade plaque. Huge harvest hugs to my sorority sister and friend Ceekay!

While Ceekay was preparing all of that for me, I was busy finding just the right items for her. A few days after Karen announced this swap I was at an estate sale and scored this really cool wooden cigar box. I embellished with a vintage doily and one of my handmade rosettes,

assembled my specially selected Ceekay items,

stuffed that box as best I could,

and off it went with my best wishes!

Saturday is our Fall Findings Reveal Day (some of us simply could not wait!). If you'd like to see what the talented and creative Blogerettes came up with, visit our "Sorority House" for all the links. It's a BIG house-you might want to think about joining the sisterhood yourself.....

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Glamorously Ghostly

As we count down the final hours until All Hallow's Eve, let me share with you this special White Wednesday ornament I made, inspired by the Romantic Gothic Ghosts Workshop.

Friday, October 22, 2010

A Tea Party Under A Halloween Moon

The lovely and bewitching Anna of Frosted Petunias is our hostess. If you haven't visited Anna this magical season, now is the time. Her blog truly is hauntingly beautiful.
Mine is a Halloween Gratitude Tea. So grab a spot while I extend some big Halloween hugs to some very special new friends.
Allow me to introduce Linda, of Olde Baggs 'N Stuft Shirts. Linda makes some of the most charming Halloween art you've ever seen. So I jumped at the chance to enter her giveaway for an amazing witch's hat. I didn't win the hat but Linda contacted me to say I was chosen for a special Halloween surprise.
I certainly was surprised. I never expected so many goodies!
Isn't this huge rosette wall hanging amazing? I love the fact that the pleated newsprint is old Sears catalog pages.
And I found the perfect spot for it. Thank you Linda for making me the happiest "non-winner" ever!

I entered another giveaway at Because We Believe-Art and the Halloween gods must be smiling down upon me because I was one of their winners too. My gift came this week from Tammy of Light and Shadow Studio. Tammy is a full-time artist who works in many mediums, her favorite being sculpting paper clay. Her love of this art form certainly shows-look at this black cat ornament!!! Enlarge the photo because the detail is incredible. Thank you Tammy, your cat has found a good home.

How appropriate to wrap up my little tea party with an inspired etsy shop named Art Tea Life and it's proprietor. Sandy, the artist and owner, creates some of the freshest, most unique and easy-to-play-with collage sheets I've come across in a long time. Her designs are created to please everyone-paper dolls, Alice, Marie (we're all on a first name basis with these girls. aren't we?), banners, victorian, Christmas, and yes, Halloween.
Sweet Sandy gifted me with some amazing designs. I used a few to make my little bingo card. (Those glasses are the best!) Many thanks to Sandy. I appreciate your work and kind heart.
Thanks for stopping by my Halloween Gratitude Tea. I'm grateful to each of you for visiting me.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A Fancifully Twisted Sort of Party

So much to do before the guests arrive!!!!!!!

A skelly garland hung on the mantle with care....

and a bowl of fixings shall fill the room with autumn scents.....

cage the crow so she's not bothering the guests....


a couple of well-placed decorations....

Oh, I have to remember to put my hat and shoes away before the guests arrive!!!

the wine is chilled and ready to serve...

and I'm so happy the pumpkin tree is in bloom for the occasion...

the centerpiece is on the table (that blonde in the background is always the first to arrive)...

Is the butler at the door ready to greet the guests?

Wonderful, then let our guests in!
Costumes weren't required, but I appreciate the effort...

Flowers? for me? how very thoughtful...

The guests of honor have finally arrived. Let the festivities begin!

And this is just the beginning. The festivities continue in grand style with several Halloween Parties, hosted by the fabulously magical Vanessa, of
A Fanciful Twist.
Come party-hop with me, won't you?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Autumn Isn't Always Orange

sometimes it's simple and beautiful and perfect in white.....

...and sometimes it's magical and enchanting.

The sweet prim pumpkin held by my harp faerie, was purchased from an ebay seller, Tin Crow Primitives, should you happen to have a harp faerie in need of a pumpkin.

Visit Faded Charm and enjoy this White Wednesday.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Spooky Artist Trading Card Monday





Lots more spooky art to admire when you check out everyone who linked to Wendy's Spooky Mondays.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Dark and SILVER All Hallows Eve

I've been a long time fan and follower of Silver Sundays, hosted by Gypsy Fish. Thought I'd share my silvery Halloween table top vignette.....


Be sure to check out all the Silver Sunday participants-you'll be hooked too.

Friday, October 8, 2010

It's Time For The Fall Porch Party

Okay, I don't have a porch so I'm having a Fall Front Entrance Party, but I did link up with Debra's Porch Party at Common Ground. There are some beautifully decorated porches to visit, and still plenty of time to share yours! The party goes on all weekend.
Here's my "Crow Boy" in his Radio Flyer.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Sign Me Up for SA (Swappers Anonymous)!

I can't stop! Each time I tell myself it's time for a little break, I find another one to join! I'm especially fond of the Petite Inspiration Box Swaps, hosted by Heather at Speckled Egg. The one we just finished is the Black & White. For those not familiar, Heather divides us in to groups of three. We visit each others blogs and get to know each other via email, then the gathering process begins. "The Hunt" is so much fun - searching for the perfect treasures to fill our partners boxes. Then we take the large matchboxes (2 for $1 at Dollar Tree) and decorate them according to theme.
These are the boxes I made for my partners, Kana and Myrna. (I was so excited when I found the black and white rooster toile fabric on ebay.)

Their tastes were pretty similar so the goodies I chose were pretty similar too.

This is the beauty I received from Myrna. Do you see the rhinestone and beaded pieces? Gorgeous! And look at the fabric flower adorning the box! You have to visit her blog, More Than Heirlooms and see the Poe-inspired vignette she created. Dark, intriguing and gorgeously gothic.

And this stunning array is from Kana. I love the sugared box with that big black velvet wrap and layered flower! And the cameo and velvet millinery leaves are perfection! Kana is showing some pretty vintage finds at her blog, Kana Creates. And it's worth a scroll down or two for the tour of Phillips General Store, loaded with vintage Halloween.

THIS is why I can't stop. It's like Christmas in my mailbox year round, not to mention the new friends I've made. A huge thank you to both these wonderful ladies!

Friday, October 1, 2010

AND THE WINNER IS...........

KATHLEEN
OF
CHARM BRACELET DIVA
!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Kathleen, please email me with your address and I'll get your Halloween goodies out to you.
I want to thank everyone for all your kind comments. I wish you all could have won, but random.org has spoken. Here's a little something everyone is welcome to take though-


And someone has to win the Celebrate The Sisterhood giveaway at the end of the month......