Boo!

My spoolie doll

swapped in the

Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group.

 

In celebration of another

Haunted Humpday

here's a few fun vintage images for you!

 



A Little Something Even the Non Halloween Lovers Can Appreciate

I realize not all of you are into

the creepy and ghoulie Halloween stuff....

so I'm sharing a coffin, lol!

 

Created for Melanie

in the

Coffin of Goodies Swap

in the

Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group.

 

(it really is a pretty coffin, honest.)

 

And of course it was packed with goodies!

 

 



No Tricks, All Treats

When I started blogging it wasn't with the intention of administering a swap group. It sort of happily evolved into that. This journey has introduced me to some very talented and kind bloggers, many of whom I now consider friends.
One of our recent projects was an altered carte de visite Halloween book. We each altered 5 cdv's (small antique photographs) and I bound them into books for each of us. The spectacular spider ribbon charms were made by Karla, one of the contributing artists.

Aren't they wonderfully spooky?

 

A couple of my artist friends involved in this project gifted me with pieces of their artwork...the best kind of gift one can receive! 

Thank you Karla! These are such amazing treats!

I'm absolutely in love with my altered Halloween book!

 

Inside of book...

 

Back of book

 

As a lover of all things vintage and especially vintage Halloween, I was thrilled upon opening this gorgeous wall hanging from Kimberly.

Thank you Kimberly! It's already found a treasured place on my living room wall!

 

And this is just the beginning.

Lots more Halloween creations coming. If you'd like a sneak peek, check out our group photo gallery HERE.

The last two swaps for 2012, both holiday themed, are also posted and open to signups!

Beautiful Witch

My page for our Beautiful Witches Book in my flickr group....

Wishing you all a beautiful Sunday!

The Rest of The Family

Ophelia, Maker of Owl Wands

Boris, Believed he was haunted but his family said he was batty

Arach, aka Spider Boy

Haunted Ancestors

Here's a couple of the clan for the upcoming Altered Ancestors, Halloween Edition CDV collaborative in my flickr group....

Jack O'Lantern, Pumpkin Wizard

Hilda, consumed by the Hands of Doom

More family members coming soon!

It's a Black & Orange Thing

In our Itty Bitty Book Club the current theme is black & orange...perfect for those of us in Halloween mode though the subject can be anything. I of course opted to make my 17 pages a bit Halloweenish.

Using some absolutely perfect Johanna Parker owl and cat designs, I gave the cats orange mini pom pom noses and the owls got blinged eyes. And black and orange checkered bowties for all!

Bewitching Tags

Kimberly, of artJOYstuff is hosting a Halloween tag swap...

HAD to join this one!

Each magnificent witch has a feather and flower in her hat and a flurry of embossed, sparkly black bats to her right. The bottom of the card is trimmed in tulle, lace and fabric bats.

The back of the tags have my all time favorite vintage Halloween moon. I'll be sure to share my swapped tags with you!

Boo! It's A Spoolie!

I adore vintage images for Halloween...and it's so much fun making mini assemblages with them.The problem always WAS, what do you do with the backside for a finished look?

Another visit to Inka at Altered Artifacts and problem solved!
The collage sheet I used has fronts and backs for all the little witches, warlocks, black cats, crows,

And yes,
even jack-o-lanterns!

Happy Halloween!

Yes, like the retailers, seems like I'm rushing the season but I know there are lots of fabulous venues to swap Halloween creations and all you swappers need time to choose and plan.
Last year my flickr group members created some of the most fantastic Halloween art I've seen anywhere! This year I decided to offer 3 swaps with staggered due dates (so the true Halloweenphiles can partake of all)!



Play in 1, 2 or all 3, just please come out and howl a little!
Details and sign-ups for all three swaps can be found HERE, in my flickr swap group.

An Early Holiday Gift

Just in time for the holidays, artist & instructor, Lesley Venable is offering some amazing and very affordable online classes.
For someone on a tight budget like myself, this is a true holiday gift!

BUNDLE OF CREATIVITY #1 - $5.00
1. Collage Backgrounds - Layering, Textures, Composition and More
2. Embellished Tags - Using fabric, images, ephemera, found objects. Use your sewing machine or your glue.
3. Composition Journals - We will take a cheap notebook and create a beautiful journal for you to keep or give as gifts.

BUNDLE OF CREATIVITY #2 - $10.00
All of the above classes plus.....
4) Mail Art - Creating unusual envelopes and mailers to send to your friends and family.
5) Fabric Flowers - Easy way to create fabric flowers to adorn your gifts, jewelry or other art projects.

I gave myself an early Christmas gift! Maybe you will too? Click HERE if you think you might like to join me. Classes begin November 15th.

Yes, it is time to start thinking Christmas. I've been working on holiday swaps this morning but please indulge me in one last Halloween post...
This beautiful gothic arch and all the ephemera goodies are from my creative and sweet friend, Martina. She hosted a giveaway and I was one of the lucky winners.

Martina was also a lucky lady in October, when she was drawn in the monthly Winner Takes All in our Vintage Photo Images Yahoo Group. Everyone who entered created an ATC for Martina. I hope you stop by and see all the amazing cards she received. This is the card I sent.

My name was also pulled from wonderful Wendy's cauldron of ATC's
and I can now include Batty as a favorite in my Halloween ATC collection.

Back to the holiday work table.....

I Love My Mailman!

No, I'm not confessing some illicit affair but lately he's been pretty darn good to me!

It all began with Speckled Egg's Curiosities Matchbox Swap and this fabulous box full of goodies from
Laurie.

Followed by an equally wonderful box from
Cassie.

I then had the good fortune to win a giveaway and receive this heaven-"scent"
Cinna-Bun potpourri from Amy Jo.
( A little side note here. See those Italian-made outrageous vintage amber salt and pepper shakers? So perfect for a Halloween tablescape & a $1 estate sale score!)

Followed by another giveaway win and this absolutely adorable
Halloween cake from Natalea.

Another giveaway win?!?! Yes, this hauntingly beautiful ATC
from Laura.

To complete this whirlwind extravaganza I received the most gorgeous array of Halloween finery from my extremely talented and most generous friend, Debi.






Thank you all for these glorious October treasures! I love my blog friends!

Welcome To The Party

A very special Halloween PartyHosted by the wickedly wonderful Vanessa of
A Fanciful Twist.
Won't you come in?I'd like to introduce you to some special friends.

Meet the Queen of HalloweenKris Dickinson, of A Nostalgic Halloween.

The enchanting April Dudko


The talented Lynn Stevens, of Trash to Treasure Art.

And the amazing Laura Carson, ofArtfully Musing.

These were all cards swapped in our Vintage Photo Images Yahoo Group. But this is only the beginning of the Halloween Party! If you've never visited before, I invite you to stay awhile and scroll through the last several posts, all featuring Halloween art and swaps.
And don't forget to stop by A Fancilful Twist for Vanessa's most engaging party and links for all the other party participants.