A couple photos I took recently. The first was at the local Little League field. I think originally it said "Use Trash can". But I liked the message it became even better. The second one was in a shop in.... Petaluma. Had to think there for a moment. Aren't those doors just amazing. Don't they look like they came off the back of a gypsy wagon?

I've spoken many times about my love affair with found art and ephemeral art and trash art, refashioning and reusing and recycling and so on and so on. Well, it turns out that there's a name for all that in a big ol' green pile - Eco ARt. Or Green Art. Or Environmental ARt. Take your pick of labels. But y'know, I never really looked at it that way before. I just like.... old stuff.

So last night I was flipping channels and there on the Sundance Channel was a show or special or series (I went to the website and couldn't quite figure out which it is, although there's all sorts of links to assorted artists and articles - so go there too, and click away) about Green Artists. It was completely fascinating. It made me want to race into my studio and start MAKING ART. Of course it was 3 am so instead I shut down the house, mosied slowly into my bedroom, and read a book instead. But still. I'm still feeling fired up today.

Some more photos, slightly sinister, I took on my walk.

a gust of ghosts




a creeping of creatures




a dying of dreams




a whisper of wasps




a spine of sorrow and stones

Been busy with family and football (that's the nature of the season), so just another quick post sharing some more of the goodies I brought back from my trip. I had to laugh when I did a quick scan of the photos because, although I'd chosen to share these particular things for their seasonal spooky quality, they're all things I plan to display or wear all year round. I'm just a spooky girl at heart.

I have a growing collection of crows, blackbirds, and ravens around the house. I seem to find one on most any trip. This one, with the uplifted wings, was quite unique. Here he is looking down from a high book shelf. He's standing near the last remaining tower from a paper castle William made in his childhood. I wonder if I have a photo of the entire castle tucked away somewhere.... hmmmm, I'll have to look for it.




Some crafting supplies I picked up while shopping for the yarn I shared already. Aren't those keys fantastic!? And the little Halloween charms. The other charms in the top left were actually purchased by Hubby. I'm sure he'd share one or two of them with me if I needed them. You can't really tell there's a package of silhouette confetti up there in the right hand corner. And where do you think the little sign would look best hanging?




Another collection we like to bring home from our trips, something "round and breakable". It all started with me buying art floats for Hubby. Sometimes the "round and breakable" thing isn't a glass float, but this time it was a lovely orange float we stumbled on in a charity shop in Sonoma.




Who expects to find a quality silk and rayon scarf at a Halloween store!? This is an Emily Strange scarf in a spooky cobwebs and cats motif. It was even half price. Some people might consider this only suitable for October but I will definitely wear it all year round.




And MORE scarves!!!! I dug a dozen out of a $2 each bin and whittled it down to these four. If I'd had more time, I'm sure I could have found more. One can never have too many scarves. Right?



That bin of scarves was inside an amazing shop we discovered in Sebastopol called the Aubergine Vintage Emporium and Cafe. You could wrap an entire vacation around this incredible shopping opportunity as the main destination. And when you're done with your day of shopping, they have a cafe and live entertainment at night. We didn't have a lot of time, so I had to choose between taking photos and shopping. Except for this photo of the fun "statue" outside the store, I chose to spend my time pawing through the merchandise and trying things on. (I do wish I'd managed to take a photo of their cool dressing rooms. I can't even explain them. You'll just have to go check'em out yourself.)

The first day of posting spooky was sort of a frustrating one for me I'm still having internet issues and couldn't get online to post this last night. I also couldn't check my mail, hubby couldn't contact a friend, I couldn't check my ebay page, buy some pants online, and William couldn't do his research for a paper. The cats and Rosie aren't big internet users, but the rest of us are and I'm fit to be tied at having such sporadic service. But, let's move on....

I've got lots to share, as I get photos uploaded. Here's just a peek at some random spookiness.

My big splurge at Halloween and Vine (which was wonderful, more about it in another post another time) was this gorgeous leather crown by Monique of Mythica Masks. I love masks but can't wear them because of my eyeglasses. So a crown is just the thing. This owl called to me (hooted?) the moment I saw it. Night owl to night owl, we bonded. I tried to buy a smaller, more practical leafy headdress with a crescent moon but heart won out and owl came home with me. This photo doesn't really give it justice. I'll have to to create an outfit especially to highlight it for next year's Faerieworlds and in the meantime it will be beautiful art just being on display (someplace high, owls like high, and it will be out of the cats reach).

The rest of what I have to share are goodies I bought to make things - fell in love with this retro looking paisley in deep, rich, autumn tones. I bought enough to make a skirt with the border along the bottom and extra for a scarf or two.

These shredded lovelies were in the Halloween fabrics. Ooooh, totally awesomely, bizarre. It also came in gray, very zombie. Not sure why I didn't grab that colorway too. It didn't call to me at the time like these two did. But now I wish I had. Dang. It was pricey though, even on sale. So, I have to be good and use this up before I can justify buying more. (LOL, that's so funny. Like I often actually do what I tell myself to do and not buy fabric for no reason - ha! Good one!)

What am I making with it, you ask? Ah, you'll have to wait and see!

The fabric on the left is a quilting cotton. It's the center fabric in the one and only quilt I ever made for myself. A quilt everyone seems to want for their own. I didn't have any more of the fabric left, so finding it (it's a rather old print), I picked it up so I could include a bit of it into any new Halloween quilts I make for friends or family.

The heavier cotton on the right has very blingy silver writing and I'm thinking BAG.

JoAnn Fabrics - $1 rack. Thought they'd come in handy for paper play.

I seriously have more ideas than time. But since I don't have much selection in town, I grab things when I get a chance when I'm traveling in areas with more shop density. The white and black skeins were what started it all, I need them for a specific project. Just need to make myself a pattern to use and get the project that's still on the needles I need finished and off.

The green/blue skeins in the back - they had a sample square knitted up and it made a very creepy, drippy, blendy Frankenstein sort of pattern. Maybe if my brain wasn't totally firing on scary right now, I would have used different adjectives - pretty, oceany, dreamy - but creepy sold it to me. I'm not sure - scarf? hat? wristwarmers?

Today was a thrift store score day extrordinaire. I even discovered a new thrift shop has opened in town. More to share later. But just this one bit - I found this black and orange shawl. They'd marked it down to $1 because there was a small hole near one end, which also had a bit of wear. I didn't mind as I thought it would make a great tablecloth or table display cover. But then I wore it around all last night and even brought it to bed with me to cover my shoulders while I read, so I guess I'll use it as a shawl after all, raggedy or not. It would look great with a black outfit. And a matching black and orange chihuahua.

Last but not least, here's Onyx. He's our cat that our daughter left with us years ago and we didn't know he was feral. It was almost a year before he came out into the same room as the rest of us, longer before we were allowed to touch him, and years more before I could safely pick him up. He's still a bit spooky. Here he wants in but his requirements are beyond ridiculous. The door has to be completely wide open. No chihuahua or other cats can be blocking the way within site of the door on either side. The person holding the door open must not be standing IN the door but flatten him or herself against the wall behind the door to the best of their ability. If possible it should be ME holding the door and not Hubby. And not looking at him. No cars can be distracting him by going by on either street. Yeah. Sometimes my patience wears out and I leave him out. Though he's a beautiful, if silly cat.

More post spooky over on Beach Treasure and don't forget to check out the links to the other Spooky participants. It's a small but select and growing crowd!

I'm late getting this up as I've been off having lovely holiday adventures - lots of photos for this month's spooky theme! But first, down to business. If you'd like to participate on your blog in my annual October's Post Spooky, it's easy. Just follow the simple steps below:



1. Pledge to Post Spooky all month long. This doesn't mean you have to post every day, just that every post you put up in the month of October has to have some sort of "spooky" element. It can be fun, silly, scary, interesting, real, fantasy, or just generally autumny. It's your call. If you have other, non-spooky news to share, just add a spooky twist to it or something spooky to the end of your post, a "P.S." (Post. Spooky.) Mwahahahahaha!

2. Add the fun button shown above to your sidebar linking back to this post so that other people can join in the fun and can find the other Post Spooky participants that will be listed and linked all October long in my sidebar under the button.

3. Once you've added the button, let me know so I can add your name to the participant list.

That's it!

I'll be Posting Spooky both here and over on Beach Treasure through October and into the first week of November to include Dia de Los Muertos celebrants.

For several years I've been trying to figure out how to attend this show. Every year family commitments, usually football, intercepted any plans. So imagine my excitement when I discovered the team had graciously scheduled a bye week on the date of the event this year! I'm finally going to Halloween and Vine!!! Be sure to click on the link and check out all the wonderful artists who will be attending.

Along with the show, I'll be visiting my old Sonoma County stomping grounds. I'm planning to do some serious dining, as only Sonoma County can provide. Sourdough bread, fresh catches from the shore, specially prepared vegetables, a glass or two of the fruit from the many Sonoma vines, perhaps a trip to one of the many Gravenstein apple farms.

Almost time to pack my suitcase! Note to self - leave room in the car for new art work, a few bottles of wine, and a box of apples.

I stumbled on this photo tonight, thought it was something I'd already posted but apparently I just slipped it into drafts and forgot about it. This giant fork and spoon was a thrift find this summer. The book is in the photo for size comparison. Aren't they awesomely over the top!? As soon as I get the rest of my kitchen painted, they're going up on the wall.

My mom sent me a package yesterday. There was a cute little Halloween tree inside, which I forgot to snap a photo of.... another day perhaps. But before I opened it up, I couldn't help but admire the artistic collage design made by the many stamps on the outside of the box. (click on the images to get a full screen view)






And before I forget - Enjoy the Autumn Equinox everyone! Have a very blessed Mabon.

Still Life with Basket of Apples - Paul Cézanne

A little refashioning going on. And my first gift making of the season as well.


I found this tee at the thrift store the other day when they were having a bag sale. It didn't fit anyone I knew, not to mention it had a really silly Bible verse on the back side of the shirt. (There are some lovely Bible verses, but this wasn't one of them). But this side was perfect for a certain princess in our family. So I cut the tee up.


And made this! I'm thinking it will be a great addition to a bower full of pillows in a princess' bedroom. I like how it's black and pink - a little frou frou but not over the top.

"I don't want any trouble. I just wanna be alone and quiet in a room with a chair and a fireplace and a tea cozy. I don't even know what a tea cozy is, but I want one." - Buffy Summers

I would have posted this last night but my cable internet server has decided to pull down the shades and turn off the lights every night. GRRRRR. Might be able to get it fixed finally today, knock on wood. But at least it's working right now. Knock again.

I finally got some studio time and finished the tea cozy I started last week.

It's a pattern I adapted from a tea cozy my mom bought me long ago at a craft sale. I like it because it doesn't have to be taken off the tea pot to pour like this type of cozy. I've never used that type but I also wonder if it keeps the tea hot as long as there's no bottom, and I wonder if there's a steam issue that requires airing or washing after use because the spout is covered.

It also doesn't have to be a perfect fit nor gathered and tied like this type of cozy. Although this type works well, they used them at the tea room, it seemed a bit fussy to get on and off.

There are other variations - quilted, sewn, felted, crocheted and knitted. All have their pluses and minuses I suppose. The main problem I've seen with many is that they have to be fitted to a specific size and shape. Still, I can see how one could become intrigued enough to try out different kinds. Me, I just like this one and since it works well, I'm sticking with it for my first efforts to make them myself.


Here's a peek at the inside fabric. Theoretically it could be used in reverse as well, just the seams would flare out around the bottom with the orange side out. This size fits a medium to large tea pot. I'm going to have to figure out how to scale it down if I want to make a cozy for my smaller tea pots. So far I don't have a cozy for them, I just drink the tea a bit faster.


I moved on to another project, sewing up some small rips along the seams in these lovely stretch velvet gloves I found at the thrift shop. Only took about fifteen minutes and now they're ready to use. I thought of embellishing them but they'll be useful with more outfits just the way they are.


If I was more organized, I woulda created a spooky little vignette and had a nice background. But I was all about getting things done, not getting distracted last night. But one more photo, 'cuz I thought myself clever and added a little spider to the elastic gather. EEEKK!

Autumn is in the air. I can feel it.




The ghosts are getting restless.




Wee mice and busy harvest gnomes are hard at work gathering seeds and nuts.




Jacks both silly and spooky are awakening in the heart of sleeping orange squash.




Witches and dark fae can be heard swooshing past in the windy night.

I had hoped to get a head start on autumn activities, but summer, she was a full one this year. I'm running, skipping, flying and pedaling to catch up.

I'd hoped to have an autumn holidays swap, similar to the winter holiday swap I hosted last year. It seems rather late for it, I think I've already missed most of the larger swaps. Honestly, I don't know, I've been too busy to even check.

BUT....

anyone up for something easy, something fast, something with 80% less saturated stress and 90% more fun!?

I'm proposing the FAST FALL FAERY SWAP!

You could add even more F words if you wanted. (F words - nope, not gonna go there) Words like FLAT, FLITTER, FLUTTER, FRIGHTENING, FRIENDLY, FRAMED, FORAGING, FLAPPING, FANGS, FOREST....

You get the idea.

Here's what I propose. Something that's both seasonal and magical. Autumn Faeries, Foraging Gnomes, Sparkly Skeletals.... anything that's small, easy to ship (hence the FLAT idea might be a good plan) and takes one relaxing stretch to create. One afternoon with a pot of tea in the studio. Or one evening on the couch while watching the new fall television shows. It can be something to display in our homes or perhaps wear. A little artist's trading card or a collaged faery, a tiny Fimo gnome, a beaded witch.

I know, I know. I've been gone. I doubt I have a handful of blog readers left, much left a handful of potential swappers. But I'm throwing the idea out there. It would be fun.

Any takers?

I had an unplanned blogging hiatus over the last of the summer and yet there was so much to blog about, not the least of it all our faery adventures. I've been posting about Faerieworlds over on Beach Treasure and hopefully you've popped over there to catch all the amazing photos of faeries of all personas and persuasions. All of the posts could just have easily been blogged about here, so filled with art, beauty and creativity. But I put them up there, am still putting them up (I still have another day and a half left to still post about), it seemed the way to go.

I've saved out a few pics to post here, so I can share the links to these lovely artist's websites. You might want to stop here, grab a snack and a beverage, so you can relax and visit at a leisurely pace.


This is my friend Patricia Hedegaard, a dollmaker extrordinaire from up in Washington state. Here she is cuddling a few of her "naked" creations. She had lots of faeries in her booth but she was working on these Halloween folk while vending and visiting and enjoying the festival. Now that's the way to multitask! Here is her website and here is her Etsy link.


Here is silly Ammie. I call her Apple, which fits her perfectly as she's refreshing, sweet, and just the perfect amount of tart. She makes beautiful wands, quills, handmade papers, books and journals. Visit here here. I bought a gorgeous wand from her this year that I've thought of ever since I saw it at last year's festival.


Beautiful Katie Lennon dancing, one of her many talents. She's also a wonderful artist. I bought a small woodcut print of a crow (one of our shared fascinations) from her last year and this year I bought a tank top with another of her wood cuts on it, a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe. (I've worn it several times already Katie and it's really soft and a nice fit - good choice of clothing companies!) Fly on over to her website.


I don't know these vendors but I have a feeling it would be easy to befriend them, I loved their dark romance style. Did you catch the photo I took of one of the vendors reading to Joli. So sweet. These are some fun and quirky souls. I didn't have time to choose anything from their booth at the festival but I'm planning to saunter on over to their website and purchase me something alluring some dreary evening when I need a pick me up.


This is, of course, our very own Victoria, posing here with my little skelly friend. He looks very cosy, doesn't he. What I might not have mentioned is that she's a budding fashion designer. Well, maybe I've mentioned it once or twice. But have I ever remembered to share a link to her design page with you?


Our friend Matt's pirate booth looked incredible. The flag was lit up at night as well. Well, when the electricity was working it was lit up. I love the crisp colorful FUN of his artwork. Definitely check it out here. Arrrrrgh!


For two years I've resisted being a silly fan but this year I finally broke down and asked if he'd mind posing for a photograph. Why deny it. I'm totally a silly fan of the amazing Brian Froud. I'm actually a fan of the entire Froud family. I hope soon to be able to participate in one of Wendy Froud's doll workshops. I just keep missing the opportunity. Brian and Wendy, and their son Toby, are all not only incredibly talented artists, they are also all very genuinely lovely people. You could get lost in their World of Froud website for hours, days... well, it is the faerie realm. And you know what happens to time when you wander there.

Remember, more Faerieworlds photos up on Beach Treasure.

I went to the local thrift store today. It's been a while since I've shared treasure hunting pics with you so I thought I'd share today's finds.

I found this hand sewn and embroidered orange cloth. It looks sorta peachy in this photo but it's really more of an autumn orange. The rocks atop it were in a box of goodies my mom sent to me recently. I also found the beautiful green hor d'oeuvres dish. It's a rather expensive European company but it has two small chips on the edge so I got it for 85 cents. Yes, I know, why 85 cents? Why not 75 cents? or maybe one dollar? LOL. I liked the unusual long length, it seems a nice way to display something delicious.


I paid $3 for this miniature dressmaker's form. I'm planning on embellishing it with different outfits - maybe a witch's dress this autumn, a snowy faery for the winter holidays, and so on. And it's pretty enough as it is for now.

I haven't spoken much about refashioning and wardrobe issues lately, but I'm still spending time with my clothes. Over the summer it was all about making outfits for Faerieworlds. And now, having lost several sizes, I'm trying to go through and fine tune my wardrobe both for fit and design. I'm all about making sure everything in my drawers and closets are about who I am NOW and not who I was last year or ten years ago.

Of course who I am now is not your run of the mill "mom wear" type of dresser. I'm a bit .... odder. And of course an important part of being odd is having lots of fantastically odd hats. I've found a number of great hats over the summer and today I found two more! Now I just need it to be cold enough to wear them.


Okay, let's face it, this is NOT a good photo of me OR of the hat. But trust me, it's a cute hat. It's black felted wool with a soft gold trim. It's much larger than it looks in the pic.


It's hard to take photos of yourself in hats. This one is a crinkly black velvet number. Crushable and bendable. I love it.


I won't force you to look at photos of the rest of my finds one at a time. Here's the whole pile of it, thirteen pieces. One of the nice things about shopping used is that it frees one up to buy unusual items that you might not be willing to buy new, and more expensive items you can't afford new. I also tend to buy more "basic pieces" when I buy used. So I found myself some nice tanks (a lot of my old tanks are now too big to wear underneath anything, where they belong). I bought one oversized shirt simply for the beautiful batik fabric - everything orange was half price and so I got somewhere between a half and a full yard of orange batik for $1. I also bought two dresses that were oversized because, for $3, I thought they'd be fun to go completely wild with them, cut them up, reduce them, turn them into tops or skirts or who know what. The appeal was they were gorgeous natural fabrics. Also two cute jackety wrap thingies, two pair of capris, a striped boys tee shirt (orange and black, can't resist), that pretty orange and black piece in the front is a nice dress and...... I think that's it.

More wardrobe news, I sorted my skirts today because I knew they didn't all fit anymore. I was hoping to get rid of more than I actually did, but I'm happy enough to have weeded out a decent sized stack. I'm going to offer a lot of the sorted out skirts to the mommy-to-be of my latest grandaughter-to-be. She could wear some of the floaty skirts with a nice long sleeved tee over her expanding belly - I think it would be really cute! I set a couple of my favorite skirts aside to attempt to resize them. A few more went into the costume supply box. And three are in a Maybe stack.

I also scored on a big bag of books - you can check out the titles over on Beach Treasure.