Saturday In the Countryside

What a perfect fall day for the Tarte Boutique Flea! It doesn't get much better than what Mother Nature provided on Saturday. We had a wonderful time. I hope that She doesn't mind that I "altered" the kale to get into the Halloween spirit!

My little feathered friends made their debut and then flew home with new friends.


This little gal was shy ...


and preferred to stay in her cage. Notice her chic little black hat.
I think Coco would have approved!



Glittery, pumpkin fairy wands, sparkly tinsel and

a jack-o-lantern with a small surprise peeking out from inside.

Sorry, you have to really look hard to see a little imp inside.

Squishy, soft linen pillows ....

and the second of this year's special creations ...

"Be careful what you wish for..."

Okay, so Elf Patty doesn't just glue and glitter like she tells everyone.

She creates these wonderful, detailed paper cuttings! This one is my favorite.

Or - maybe this one. I can't choose.

Then, add these glass paperweights and I want them all !

This is the third special piece that I created for Halloween 2009. It is my favorite and is still available, if you can talk me out of it! It's hanging in my entry hall and it is definitely a favorite.

Speaking of favorites... I was fortunate to see many of my friends and flea buddies. It is always so nice to get to visit and catch up. A reunion of people with like minds. And that Natalie out-did herself with her pumpkin/orange cake. I think I got the last slice - Yum!

I would like to thank all the wonderful shoppers that purchased my creations. I get attached, but know they went to great new homes. It really makes it all worthwhile when I hear someone giggle, laugh and make a connection with one of them. Thank you, thank you!

If you missed this event, you can catch the next one on Saturday, October 24th. It will be the Tarte Halloween Spectacular, featuring Madame Zadora, Palm Reader! Don't miss it!

AND ... Mark you calendars for the Molly Mo's and Vintage Trifles

Holiday Treasures 2009, November 6 & 7 in Diane's sweet barn in Sublimity.

More info to come. Check back soon! M.

Bibbity-Bobbity-BOO !

Cinderella (and those witchy step-sisters) would have loved one of these pearly little pumpkins! You can see them and many, many more wonderful things at the Tarte Boutique Flea. All the fun begins at 9 a.m. at the Land of Tarte on South End Road in Oregon City. We've seen what's there and you won't believe it!

In the period of a few short days, Elf Patty and I have managed to come up lots and lots of new Halloween items -- all hot out of my workroom. So hot that the glue is still drying!

I'll be sure to take pictures to share later this weekend. If you are in the area, take a drive out in the beautiful fall countryside and stop in to say hello. Have a wonderful fall weekend. M.

Sneak Peek #2: Esmeralda

Esmeralda will be making her Fall debut this Saturday at the Tarte Boutique Flea! Please come and meet her. "Essie" hopes to find a new home with someone special. She is lonely since her roommate Suzette moved in with someone new last weekend.

These pillows are something new I tried for Fall. They are 100% linen and down-filled. Very soft and mushy. You kinda want to hug them!

Come back for another peak tomorrow! M.

Sneak Peek #1: Feathered Friends

These are a few of my new feathered friends that will be flying in for the Tarte Boutique Flea Market this Saturday! Even though it isn't "black tie", a few of them insisted on wearing a top hat for the occasion. They are dying to meet you!

I know it's my imagination, but they seem to be staring at me. For some reason,
I keep thinking of Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock ... hmmm. More tomorrow. M.

Autumn Greetings

This morning the sun is peaking through and streaming in. What a beautiful way to begin Autumn -- probably my favorite season of the year!

Throughout the week, I will be posting some sneak peeks of Halloween creations that will make their debut at Tarte's Boutique Flea Market this Saturday, September 26th. Maybe it should be called at BOO-tique? Check back tomorrow, M.

Antique Faire this Sunday at Historic Deepwood Estate!

This Sunday from 9-3 , Historic Deepwood Estate in Salem will be hosting their 9th Annual Antique Faire in the beautiful English gardens. There will be fabulous flea market finds from areawide antique vendors, a vintage automobile show, live music by J.T. & the Tourists, appraisals with a $5.00 donation to Deepwood from 9-11 with local antiques expert Cindy Day, an art restoration demonstration from 11- 1 by Max Marbles, and .... food and drink by Jack Rabbit Cafe. All of this to enjoy with FREE admission and parking !

The weather forecast is calling for absolutely perfect antique shopping weather - WOO HOO!!!

So make it a day at Deepwood located at 1116 Mission Street SE, Salem. Free parking at 12th and Lee Streets near the greenhouse. Questions? Call 503-363-1825.

See you there! M.

Another Great Year at Coburg

It's hard to believe that Sunday was my 9th year participating in the Coburg Antique Faire! I began in 2001 with my sister-in-law and her sister and this is what has evolved over the years.

What began as a rocky start for me on Saturday evening, smoothed out on Sunday morning. Saturday evening was very hot and muggy (or should I say buggy?). I just wasn't happy with the placement of things, so I kept moving stuff around. Making myself crazy.

Then I realized why it seemed so dark -- I had my sunglasses on and it was dusk. My regular specs were in my vehicle with my husband! That was when I decided it was time to call it quits and start fresh in the morning. Besides, I was getting no where and my husband said it was time to go or else. Smart man.

We were joined by Diane and husband Matt of Molly Mo's for dinner. We found a big-screen in the lounge so we could watch the Ducks football game in progress. We were watching the game and noticed it was raining on the field. Really raining. Then, it hit Diane and I that if it was raining on the football field, it was probably raining on our spaces at the antique faire! Oh noooooo! Diane and Matt graciously offered to go back to Coburg and make sure things were keeping dry. Thankfully, all was well.

After sort of sleeping, my hubby and I got to our space about 6 a.m. A little rest made all the difference in the world. It all seemed to come together. And the shoppers began shopping!

The hubbies were wonderful to stand in line a couple of times to bring us coffee and yummy breakfast burritos. What would we do without them? They carry and tote and move and put up with tired & grumpy (to put it mildly) wives time and time again. They are the best and our biggest supporters in so many ways. Special guys.

Then sometime mid-morning, Elf Patty came to lend a hand and get in some shopping. (Sorry, didn't get any pictures of Elf Patty. She is sneaky and avoids my camera.) This was her first experience at Coburg and was overwhelmed with how many vendors and the expanse of show. And - what a sweetie - she brought us home-baked oatmeal cookies to munch on! Patty makes the all-time, best oatmeal cookies. Yes, definitely all-time best, hands down. I would have gotten a picture of them, but they weren't around long enough. Oh, by the way, Elf Patty is the creator of the little framed sillouettes. She has the patience to cut out all those little images. I LOVE the Halloween ones. Crazy, huh? Go figure.

Over the past few years, I have made a large Halloween collage just for this show. This is the one for 2009! It was a blast to make and it went home with a happy gal that said she wants to have it out all year long. I get attached to these pieces. Kind of like sending your kid off to college for the first year. A little sad and teary to see it go. At least I didn't go out and adopt a dog (Miss Zoe) like I did when our son moved out for college! Ha! But I will be starting on another piece - a little different - for the Tarte Boutique Flea Market on September 26th in Oregon City. Check out her blog for more details.

I managed to get a few pictures of some of the spaces around me... Molly Mo's

Tarte ....

Auntie Joy!

Thank you to everyone that stopped by and made all the hard work worthwhile. It really warmed my heart to hear someone squeel and giggle while looking at the altered, vintage pictures for Halloween. One young man picked one up and started laughing. Layed it down, then started laughing again ... and again. That made my day! Hugs all around, M. PS, Next show: the Tarte Boutique Flea Market, 9/26. I'm bringing out all the Halloween,

so get your BOO on!

Halloween Sneak-Peak

As you can well imagine, my workroom has taken a little twist from all the sweet eggs and nests you saw earlier this year.

I've jumped into Halloween -- and yes, it is at the top of my list of favorite things to make! I seem to have a side to me that is a little "twisted". Nothing really, odd or uncomfortable - but in an unexpected way. Little things, that cause you to make a double-take. Like, did I really see that?!?

These are the little pieces that keep my spirits singing! I have more fun dressing-up little, old pictures for the spooky season. Their alter egos just seem to magically appear to me and I just can't help myself!

A little whimsy is good for everyone! You can see these and more of their friends at the Coburg Antique Show on Sunday, September 13th (the 13th - EEK!) in Coburg, Oregon. The entire town converts into a HUGE antique mecca for all types of shoppers.

Check back for more peeks. I've been busy making more than just Halloween! M.