Day 13: Happy Halloween !

Thirteen signs of Halloween ... one each day to be seen.

On All Hallows Eve when the spirits are near ...

a secret image to you will appear !

Oh my gosh ... I'm scared to look.

EEEKKKKKK!

BOO !

It's ME - with morning hair and no make-up!

Doesn't get much scarier than that!

Happy, happy Halloween to all!

I hope you've enjoyed my 13 Days as much as I

have. It was fun to reveal something new to you each day and

try to do it in a clever way. (I guess I can stop trying to rhyme now.)

I'm not sure I was completely successful with

my "cleverness", but I gave it a good effort!

Today, I'm off to work where we are hosting a party for children.

Have a safe celebration and don't forget to set your clocks back

one hour for daylight savings tonight! Can you believe it -

tomorrow is November 1st ! I'll start posting some pictures

of this year's holiday decorations that I will be taking to our

Holiday Treasures Show that begins next Friday! M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 12

Here we are on Halloween Eve ...

Day 12 of our Countdown and we are fast approaching ....

the Witching Hour!

Do you have your costumes ready?

Have you bought candy?

Are your pumpkins carved?

I've got two out of three done. We don't carve a pumpkin anymore. I gave in and bought one of the ones that shed an electric glow. After trying to keep them lit during a particularly wet and stormy Halloween night, I bought one that I place in the bay window, inside. Problem solved. Makes me a little sad, as carving the pumpkin was only second to decorating the Christmas tree. Don't worry I'm not giving up the tree !!!

I will be dressing up for the annual Halloween party at Historic Deepwood Estate, where I work. We host a non-scary event for small children: story-telling, leaf pile frolicking, cookies and hot cider, face painting, pumpkin decorating and so forth. We had as many as 300 parents and children attend in the past. So this year I am going to pull out my grandmothers sun hat, which is kinda scary in itself. It's scarier to adults than children, just because people can't believe I will really wear it out in public (not that I ever wear it in private - just wanted to clarify that). So if all goes well I'll post a picture of my costume and maybe the ones from past years. I love costumes - making them as well as wearing them.

Yesterday evening and again tonight, Deepwood is the venue for two, private Murder-Mystery dinners. It was quite entertaining last night and I'm sure it will be a repeat performance tonight. The house looked beautiful and spooky with candles lit casting shadows on the walls.

This is a picture of the dining room before the candles were lit and the lights lowered. It is something else -- really beautiful. Party-goers sipped champagne, nibbled warm brie and were served a delicious dinner on Limoges china. Doesn't get much better than that!

Well, tomorrow is the big day and the BIG reveal! Remember, go get some extra candy because you know that those Snickers are gonna mysteriously disappear! M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 11

It's the day before the day before and it wouldn't be Halloween ....

without a beautiful, silvery moon!

I don't think we will be trick-or-treating by moonlight this Halloween !

It is rainy and stormy here in the Pacific Northwest. Lucky for us, we just need raingear -

not snow shovels and skis! The little, white ghosts and goblins in Colorado will

be camoflaged in the snow. I hope it melts for them before Saturday night.

Just one more day before the secret reveal on Saturday. So stay tuned! M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 10

Another day, a new door. I wonder what's a'comin'?

It's some of the gals from the coven!

I know, I know - how corny. But aren't they interesting?

This is a segment of an old picture I found last year. All are dressed in the same attire, only the motifs on the dress and their shoes differ. In the original picture, you can see that they are standing outside a brick building, like a school. Wish I knew the story behind this one, don't you?


Yesterday, I had some help from my mother-in-law, Barb, who along with my father-in-law are visiting from Maui! I finally got busy making more Christmas projects and Barb iced some little trees for me! Things really sparkled! We had a fun afternoon and a good visit, too!

Tomorrow ... another surprise! M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 9

Day 9 and only four more to go before the big reveal on Halloween!

Behind today's door is a little vial containing a mysterious potion. Actually, it looks like something forgotten in back of the frig. EEEKKK! M.

Halloween Countdown : Day 8

It is a dark and stormy day. Very Halloweeny. The wind is blowing and the leaves are swirling.

I would just like to hibernate in my workroom and make lots of stuff - but not quite yet.

There is a door that needs to be opened! You never know what might come flying out!

I will open it very slooowly... oh, what the heck. Let's just get it over with - like taking off a bandaid!

OOhhhh, it's just a little ol' bat. Hope he stays a little ol' bat and doesn't transform into "The Count"! I'll wear some garlic just to play it safe. That should keep vampires and everybody else at a safe distance!

Tomorrow: another day, another door! Have a wonderful fall day whether it is stormy or sunny. M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 7

Today is mystical Number 7. It represents a variety of traits, one off them is luck.

So, I hope that this little witch sends luck and good fortune your way today!

Just so you know, I am not an expert on numerology or anything. I actually had to consult with Madame Zadora. As promised yesterday, here are the pictures of the Tarte Halloween Spectacular featuring Madame Zadora!


Madame had great insite to share with those that visited her little reading room. She read many palms and in between visitors, she joined the fun.

Madame "Z" with me ....

and with Diana of Annie, Fannie & Abigail.

Annnddd ... also as promised, The Queen of Tarte doin' her best pouty pose!

Then - there were all the wonderful things to tempt and delight.

So tomorrow is another day and I can't wait to see what is behind the next little door! Hope your weekend has been a good one. M.

Halloween Countdown: Day 6

Halloween is only one week away and it will soon be time to howl!

Today's surprise -- a frightening, black owl !

I know you guys must think that I'm kidding when I say that I don't remember what I placed inside each box. I really don't remember. I made this in April and quite frankly, sometimes I can't remember what I did yesterday - much less last April. So I'm having just as much fun rediscovering the little surprises each day.

I think the inability to remember is directly correlated to the crazy-busy fall I have had. For example, I just got home from spending the day at the Tarte Halloween Spectacular in Oregon City. I accompanied Madame Zadora, Palm Reader, to the event. Madame "Z" entertained everyone with her palm reading expertise and what fun it was! Tomorrow, I will post some pictures of the divine Madame and the many and assorted lovelies that were for sale at the Land of Tarte today. I even got a picture of the Queen of Tarte herself sporting

that famous pink, fluffy wig!

And for those of you that would like to learn the secrets of some of the artists that you follow in blogland, you can sign-up for the Artist Class that is an online project classroom with a variety of projects and a variety of artists. It will take place over 4 weeks, on a members-only blog. Daily posts will include instructions for one dozen individual projects

plus additional, bonus down loads, tips and techniques.
Students receive quality in quantity: beautiful projects and great information designed to get creative juices flowing, introduce new skills, and resolve last minute gift quandaries.

I was asked to submit one of the projects! So check it out by clicking on the black box above this post. The link will take you to the Artist Class site and you can read more. AND the best part is ... if you enter my code, "vintagetrifles", you will receive $10.00 off the class fee!!!

My project is this "Celebration Cake"! You too can make this unique piece and many others by enrolling today!

I think it is time to visit with my sweetie and give both he and Miss Zoe a little attention.

Tomorrow: Halloween Countdown, Day 7 and pics of Madame Zadora,

the Queen of Tarte and merriment in the Land of Tarte!

I promise you will be amazed and amused! M.
P.S. Don't forget the upcoming Holiday Treasures Show, November 6 & 7 at Molly Mo's in Sublimity. Diane and I have been putting together something wonderful to get you ready for the holidays. Check my sidebar for more info!

Halloween Countdown: Day 5

Okay, this is kinda weird. I was getting ready to open door #5 and looked down at floor. There had been a little "spidey" making its home in the corner. The little guy was no where to be seen so, I removed the web and thought, hmmm, I wonder where it went if it's not in its web?!?

Hope it didn't decide to hide behind my "Halloween Countdown"

hanging on the wall above!

Can you imagine how surprised I was to open door #5 !!!!!

EEKKK! I know, it's just a glittered image, but that was just too weird!

Wonder what will be in store tomorrow?!? Stay tuned. Eight days to go! M.

Countdown: Day 4

Another door, another surprise! You won't believe your eyes.

It's the fourth day....

... and a black cat has come our way! Nice kitty. M.

Thirteen Days - Day 3 !

The count continues! Day Three. This is fun because I can't remember what I hid in these little boxes. I made this piece in April and just received it back from Somerset Studio.

So, it's almost like I've never seen it before -- just like you!

BOO!

More tomorrow. Another day - another door! M.

13 Days of Halloween !

Back in March, I wanted to submit something to Somerset Studio for their Vintage Halloween theme. I remembered when I was a child, I had a hard time waiting for special events or holidays - Halloween being one of them. I would constantly ask my mom - "how much longer?". At Christmas she solved the problem by giving me an Advent calendar. That method of counting down days was my inspiration to create "The 13 Days of Halloween"!


I picked the #13 since it is associated with mysterious things and created 13 symbols or images that you associate with Halloween. Each one is hidden inside a box with a door. Beginning on October 19 (13 days before the big spooky day) each day you open a door revealing another sign of Halloween. I intended to begin yesterday and obviously I am late beginning, but I intend to reveal what is behind each door, everyday, until it is October 31st ! So here goes ...

Thirteen signs of Halloween ...

One each day to be seen.


On All Hallows Eve when the spirits are near ...

a surprise image to you will appear!

Spooky, huh?!? So check back tomorrow (and the days following) to see what is behind each door until October 31st - when the 13th door will open and reveal a surprise image! Happy Halloween ! M.

Special Project

Every so often I like to make something just because it is FUN . After seeing the movie "Practical Magic" several years ago, I wanted to make a witch's apothecary -- or at least my version of it. Nothing weird or scary, just entertaining and whimsical.

I gathered all my favorite bits and pieces: feathers, a nest and egg, a babydoll shoe, old medicine bottles and so on.

I found a discarded spice cabinet that was perfect after adding a few personal touches to hold all the little bottles and collected treasures. Then, I made a list of things that I imagined would be in a witch's apothecary: bat wings, raven feathers, warts, moon beams, and cat whiskers to name a few.

With a few spice bottles, corks and homemade labels, it all came together!

Okay, so this might be a little weird, but this naughty, little child is just my warped sense of humor. He has given me fits in other projects, so I added him to the mix. Just temporary, I'll let him out in time for Christmas. He might be one of Santa's elves checking up on me!

No need for panic, the cat whiskers are broom straw. No sweet kitties were harmed while creating this project!

I was actually going to add this to my stack of stuff to sell this year, but I just couldn't let it go. Once in a while that happens. But there is this special someone that has been such a huge help to me. A special Elf that helps me kick it into gear and get stuff done...

A special Elf that LOVES Halloween! I thought ... what a perfect way to show her my appreciation for all her help, moral support and friendship ...

Yup - I gave it to Elf Patty. Boy, oh boy was she surprised! She had no idea that I had completed the project, much less that I was going to give it to her! She liked it so much that it made her cry. Happy tears - that's when you know you found the right way to say "thank you"! I knew I had given it the perfect home. Part of doing all of this is getting to make something that you know will make someone happy. That is the rewarding part of creating -- making something that someone will enjoy and makes their heart sing. A smile and sometimes happy tears makes all the work worthwhile!

Later ... another project that was in Somerset Studio! M.