All hallows, hail...

It is getting very close to that scary, skittish day ~ and no, I am not talking about the election. Soon, ghosts and goblins will wander our street in good numbers. The old houses and tall jacarandas that line the street seem to invite more than the ordinary number of trick-or-treaters, and so we entertain hundreds and hundreds of them each year. I remember one banner year after we had moved here, when we gave out 700 pieces of candy, and then had to close the door.

I recently went through tubs in the attic and found some of the costumes I had sewn for Nathalie when she was small. It was a labor of love, and something I looked forward to doing each year. Now she hands out the candy, taking turns with her dad and I, exclaiming over this costume or that, or the tiny babies that are carried to the door to claim their prize.

I couldn't resist sharing this little gem with you all...I found it through a stock photography resource that we subscribe to through our business. Usually I am searching for images for brochures or collateral we are working on, but I noticed they had a "vintage" category and decided to check it out. Imagine my delight when I found this little prankster....

An Artful Update....

Not surprisingly, Dede's class has sold out already, but I will see if we can get another date nailed down right away. I already have two on standby for the next available seating, so let me know as soon as possible when I list the upcoming class...

The Artful Journal

Art Journal Construction Start to Finish Level: All
November 1, 2008 11:00a-4:00p $45 teacher fee (includes kit for every student)

Dede will be teaching this wonderful class on the actual construction of an art journal, from start to finish. You will learn about stripping out your book cover to cover, cutting a niche, binding in your pages in signatures, and other techniques as well, such as encaustic wax, mixed media embellishment, page painting and decoration.
Allow at least three hours for this class, and come prepared to have fun...after all, this is Dede!
She'll be bringing almost everything you need for this project, including the books themselves and lots and lots and lots of papers!

Here is what you need to bring:
paper trimmer
scissors
paper adhesive: can use glue stick, tape runner, "Perfect Paper Adhesive"available at Michael's, etc...
exacto knife
metal edge ruler
awl
inexpensive paint brush
tapestry needle

Dede will supply everything needed to complete your personalized artjournal. You will have access to all of her supplies, but please try andbring as many of the items on the supply list you can. She will bring boxes andbushels of all her vintage paper, and you are more than welcome torummage through it, and choose what you want to work with to create aone of a kind book. No two books will be the same.

Please feel free tobring any special bits and pieces you'd like to add as well. Class will be held onSaturday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the morning at the store. I'll bringsomething for you all to nosh on at break time and something to sip as well. I think this class is going to fill up fast, so call and reserve your place and your kit. Please pay in advance with a check made payable to Dede. Workshop fee: only $45!

The simple things in life...

I had an opportunity the other day to be absolutely simple over one of my favorite things. I love these little old forget-me-not flowers that you find from time to time, although not as often as we used to. I did have the good fortune to come upon a few bunches of them recently, and after handing a couple off to a friend who is more foolish for them than I am, I dawdled around with them and this is the result.

I made a big mess, but it was worth it! This involved pinking scissors, vintage crepe paper printed with little flowers, old tulle, and lots and lots of pleating (the only tedious part). Once assembled, they are the cutest darn things around...very spunky if I do say so myself!

What's your latest-greatest-favorite thing you've done lately?

The Random Number Generator Has Spoken!

Thank you, ladies for writing in and telling me about your favorite blogs to visit. I had so much fun exploring new ones I was tipped off about, and see what was happening on some of my favorites, too.

The lucky winner of the heap of antique bling is Annette, who will be receiving all this and a few more things in the mail this week. Annette and I share a favorite blog, that of Heather Bullard, a very sweet and talented lady.

Along with Annette, readers sent in tips to check out these favorite blogs:

ullabenulla • sweetpeasandsnapshots • simplymeart • cindyforrester • sallyjean • pamgarrison • gildingthelily (blush!) • colorfuladventures • carolwingert • donnadowney • carmenmazzarrasa • drlaura • hollydoodledesigns • rebeccasower • urbanpaperarts • heatherbullard • sandraevertson • smittenkitchen • mycountryroads • rosylittlethings • postsecret • myhalfofthebrain

Have fun, and congratulations to Annette!

Fall Blog Giveaway!

I think it really is fall now, and I am feeling rather celebratory about it. After a false start (such a tease), and the subsequent heat wave, I started to think I might never see the weather cool down. But yesterday was such a joy; a little gloomy and blustery, so much so I shut the doors to the shop more than once, and scattered candles all around for the ambiance. Best of all, when I got home, there was a fire lit and the smell of wonderful food emanating from our little kitchen, and a glass of red wine waiting for me. Heaven!

Anyway, enough waxing eloquent about that, and on to the giveaway below. It's a tidy little heap of fun things to work with, hand-picked by me, of course. There is a real vintage filigree ring shank from my hoard, a piece of copper Haskell chain with etched links, a whole hank of 5mm Haskell baroques, old silvery book chain, twisted brass hoops, one of my key of devotions charms, more pearls, some rubies and emeralds, buttons, antique brass rings, Eiffel Tower charms from a vintage souvenir bracelet, Haskell baroque and hand-cut crystal drops, more pearls, a lock, religious medals, antique french book chain with flower-shaped links, a hand-cut quartz crystal, more pearls, more chains, some bronzey vintage chain tassels and a little brass plaque to put on the door of your atelier.


Is it enough? Is it ever enough? I have to be honest and say no, so I shall keep tossing little treasures in from my drawers in the back room. All you have to do is tell me what you'd do with all of this loveliness and share the name of your favorite blog with my readers, and I will enter you in the giveaway (winner to be determined, of course, by the ever popular random-number-generator). Let the games begin!

N (and Lily)