This is a rare Halloween Candy container, circa 1940s.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
one month away
The Countdown to Halloween is one month away!
I will be participating for the fourth consecutive year and attempting to post every day throughout the month of October. Even if it kills me. If this sounds like fun to you, follow this link for more details.
I will be participating for the fourth consecutive year and attempting to post every day throughout the month of October. Even if it kills me. If this sounds like fun to you, follow this link for more details.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
pumpkin renaissance
Back in July, the situation was bleak.
A cold, rainy June and a July of less than average amounts of sunshine meant crops were a couple of weeks behind schedule. At best. Including my pumpkins. When they finally emerged from the soil, they were immediately set upon by a still-unidentified predator. Only three plants survived. Even the seedlings I had purchased at a garden centre as my back-up were not immune. In fact, they were the first to go. I was devastated.
I felt I might never plant another pumpkin seed.
Then, in August, everything changed. The weather didn't appear to improve dramatically. But my pumpkin plants did. Those last survivors, which had been limping along for weeks, suddenly sprung to life. Extending their stems and vines across my front garden and amongst the shrubs and perennials.
Even climbing the sides of my veranda as I had envisioned months ago.
Producing strong healthy leaves that seemed less susceptible to whatever creature had been feasting upon them.
And best of all, despite the numerous fledgling pumpkins that had withered and died before their lives had truly begun, four pumpkins thrived and grew larger. Leaving me hopeful about their carving potential. All four are already larger than the biggest of last year's crop. They just need to survive for a few more weeks.
I'm not sure if I can take the credit for the stunning turnaround in the pumpkin patch. Perhaps it was my diligence in watering and fertilizing and checking on their progress each day. Making sure they were comfortable. Perhaps it was the mid-summer weather. The alternating weeks of rain. And sunshine. And more rain. Whatever the reason, my faith has been restored. I'm not ready to throw in the pumpkin-planting towel quite yet.
A cold, rainy June and a July of less than average amounts of sunshine meant crops were a couple of weeks behind schedule. At best. Including my pumpkins. When they finally emerged from the soil, they were immediately set upon by a still-unidentified predator. Only three plants survived. Even the seedlings I had purchased at a garden centre as my back-up were not immune. In fact, they were the first to go. I was devastated.
I felt I might never plant another pumpkin seed.
Then, in August, everything changed. The weather didn't appear to improve dramatically. But my pumpkin plants did. Those last survivors, which had been limping along for weeks, suddenly sprung to life. Extending their stems and vines across my front garden and amongst the shrubs and perennials.
Even climbing the sides of my veranda as I had envisioned months ago.
Producing strong healthy leaves that seemed less susceptible to whatever creature had been feasting upon them.
And best of all, despite the numerous fledgling pumpkins that had withered and died before their lives had truly begun, four pumpkins thrived and grew larger. Leaving me hopeful about their carving potential. All four are already larger than the biggest of last year's crop. They just need to survive for a few more weeks.
I'm not sure if I can take the credit for the stunning turnaround in the pumpkin patch. Perhaps it was my diligence in watering and fertilizing and checking on their progress each day. Making sure they were comfortable. Perhaps it was the mid-summer weather. The alternating weeks of rain. And sunshine. And more rain. Whatever the reason, my faith has been restored. I'm not ready to throw in the pumpkin-planting towel quite yet.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
A Nostalgic Halloween, Featured Blog of the Month at Artfully Musing by Laura Carson
I'm thrilled to have the featured blog of the month at my friend, Laura Carson's blog: http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-of-month-nostalgic-halloween.html
I hope you will check it out!
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Motha
So yesterday evening, I sat down and leisurely explored the pages of Martha's new Halloween magazine. Ideally, I would have done this at home with my feet up, with autumn scented candles burning and with a mug of pumpkin spice latte in one hand. But real life intervened. So instead, I found myself at my daughter's softball game. Where hordes of angry mosquitoes forced me off the bleachers and back to the safety of my car. Fortunately, I had thought to bring Martha along for company. I did have my feet up however. Up on the passenger seat beside me.
But now back to Martha . . .
I was moderately pleased with my purchase. Even if the "Martha as Mothra" cover creeped me out a little. I have issues with moths' wings. But that's another story.
This year's Halloween offering is not an entirely new one.
But it is mostly new. And while not up to the level of past years (which makes me wonder about staff changes amongst her minions) there are a few ideas that caught my eye . . .
. . . including the section on classic B-movie-inspired costumes. Which I'm sure hasn't influenced my opinion of the magazine in the least. My personal favourite is "The Vanishing Man". Clearly a relative of "The Invisible Man", who must have been too busy for the photo shoot.
Yes, this year, Martha is all about classic images and B-movies. And pistachio cupcakes.
I will most definitely be trying the pistachio cupcakes.
But now back to Martha . . .
I was moderately pleased with my purchase. Even if the "Martha as Mothra" cover creeped me out a little. I have issues with moths' wings. But that's another story.
This year's Halloween offering is not an entirely new one.
But it is mostly new. And while not up to the level of past years (which makes me wonder about staff changes amongst her minions) there are a few ideas that caught my eye . . .
. . . including the section on classic B-movie-inspired costumes. Which I'm sure hasn't influenced my opinion of the magazine in the least. My personal favourite is "The Vanishing Man". Clearly a relative of "The Invisible Man", who must have been too busy for the photo shoot.
Yes, this year, Martha is all about classic images and B-movies. And pistachio cupcakes.
I will most definitely be trying the pistachio cupcakes.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Free Vintage Images - Harry Houdini
I love all things Houdini. Here are some vintage images for you to save and use as you wish. Enjoy!~
Thursday, 25 August 2011
It's Magic ATC Swap - VPI Yahoo Group
From Left: Alice Hyde, Jan Larson, Laura Carson.
My ATC for the swap.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
she's back
There she was. Right in front of me as I waited in line at the grocery store. Staring at me from the cover of her new Halloween issue.
And I have every reason to believe it is a new issue this year. I didn't notice the words "best of " or "highlights" anywhere on the cover. But I haven't gotten past the cover yet. I'm waiting for a break in my day so I can sit down and savour it. Perhaps with the accompaniment of a hard apple cider.
And I have every reason to believe it is a new issue this year. I didn't notice the words "best of " or "highlights" anywhere on the cover. But I haven't gotten past the cover yet. I'm waiting for a break in my day so I can sit down and savour it. Perhaps with the accompaniment of a hard apple cider.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
New Hobby: Sewing?
Let's list my hobbies:
* Crocheting
* Baking
* Cake decorating
* Paper Mache
* Halloween (wait, move that to the top)
* Writing
* Blogging
* Tatting
* Cooking
* Knitting
* Drinking
* Photoshop
* Planting things
* Quilling
* Home renovation (is that a hobby?)
* Watching Horror movies
That isn't all of them, I'm pretty sure. AND I'M ADDING ANOTHER ONE:
Sewing.
That's right; I've been learning to sew at work. I have made... *drum roll* a skirt! Which isn't pictured yet; I'll post it for you soon. I actually didn't murder the pattern, but then again I had a ridiculous amount of help.
I've also made 4 very misshapen Halloween napkins. I'll post those too, if everyone promises not to laugh too hard. They are made from a cotton witchy-print fabric that I've had so long I don't even remember buying it.
Barely a month in, and already I'm getting ahead of myself. I've spent half my down-time looking at Halloween quilts! (let's not add 'quilting' to the list just yet, shall well?). Still, look how pretty:
* Crocheting
* Baking
* Cake decorating
* Paper Mache
* Halloween (wait, move that to the top)
* Writing
* Blogging
* Tatting
* Cooking
* Knitting
* Drinking
* Photoshop
* Planting things
* Quilling
* Home renovation (is that a hobby?)
* Watching Horror movies
That isn't all of them, I'm pretty sure. AND I'M ADDING ANOTHER ONE:
Sewing.
That's right; I've been learning to sew at work. I have made... *drum roll* a skirt! Which isn't pictured yet; I'll post it for you soon. I actually didn't murder the pattern, but then again I had a ridiculous amount of help.
I've also made 4 very misshapen Halloween napkins. I'll post those too, if everyone promises not to laugh too hard. They are made from a cotton witchy-print fabric that I've had so long I don't even remember buying it.
Barely a month in, and already I'm getting ahead of myself. I've spent half my down-time looking at Halloween quilts! (let's not add 'quilting' to the list just yet, shall well?). Still, look how pretty:
 |
| Nostalgic Halloween |
 |
| Coffin Quilt |
 |
| I feel strongly that someone should make the Sleepy Hollow quilt for me |
Someone save me, or at least my husband, from my all my expensive hobby-acquiring habits!
Pottery Barn Crow Luminaries
I love this crow luminaries. Perfect for Halloween!: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/crow-luminary-string-lights/?pkey=challoween-accessories
Monday, 22 August 2011
Happy Halloween 31 - Digital Card
I created this card with Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio. All images by Stampin' Up!
Sunday, 21 August 2011
the usual suspects
My three remaining pumpkin plants appear to have overcome the monster that threatened to devour them earlier in the season. The creature that consumed the majority of their comrades. That promised to eradicate every last pumpkin plant in my front yard. While it's still too early to tell if any pumpkins will survive, with such tough survivors around them, I remain cautiously optimistic. But I am disappointed that I was never able to positively identify the culprit.
I've had my suspicions.
At first, I thought it might have been the ubiquitous ants, which seem to crawl over every inch of the soil in my garden.
There is indeed "No menace like it". But while the ants are clearly in control of my yard, and while I can testify to the fact that killing one means that two take its place, they have not posed a problem to my garden plants in the past. No, a more likely suspect might be . . . the slugs. Having undoubtedly enjoyed my hostas, they may have been looking to add variety to their diet.
But while slugs are stealthy creatures, their numbers have been few this season. From outer space or not, they would have needed to pick up the pace to wreak the havoc that had been bestowed upon my young plants in the spring. The slugs were cleared.
Then, visiting my struggling pumpkin plants one day, I was startled by a grey fluttering amongst the leaves. Leading me to suspect . . . moths. Until now, they've been primarily concerned with destroying my front yard grass in a larval form (that's another story) but they may have moved on in search of new adventure.
Whether motivated by love or by the desire for pumpkin leaves and stems, the moths were a real possibility. My prime suspects. Until I was ambushed by . . . grasshoppers. Everywhere. Jumping with wild abandon throughout my front garden. But in particular, amongst the pumpkins . . . One was even resting comfortably within a pumpkin leaf.
Yes, it could have been the grasshoppers. In Horrorscope. The beginning of the end indeed for most of my plants. But I can only speculate about their guilt.
And I still have my suspicions about my neighbours' cats.
I've had my suspicions.
At first, I thought it might have been the ubiquitous ants, which seem to crawl over every inch of the soil in my garden.
There is indeed "No menace like it". But while the ants are clearly in control of my yard, and while I can testify to the fact that killing one means that two take its place, they have not posed a problem to my garden plants in the past. No, a more likely suspect might be . . . the slugs. Having undoubtedly enjoyed my hostas, they may have been looking to add variety to their diet.
But while slugs are stealthy creatures, their numbers have been few this season. From outer space or not, they would have needed to pick up the pace to wreak the havoc that had been bestowed upon my young plants in the spring. The slugs were cleared.
Then, visiting my struggling pumpkin plants one day, I was startled by a grey fluttering amongst the leaves. Leading me to suspect . . . moths. Until now, they've been primarily concerned with destroying my front yard grass in a larval form (that's another story) but they may have moved on in search of new adventure.
Whether motivated by love or by the desire for pumpkin leaves and stems, the moths were a real possibility. My prime suspects. Until I was ambushed by . . . grasshoppers. Everywhere. Jumping with wild abandon throughout my front garden. But in particular, amongst the pumpkins . . . One was even resting comfortably within a pumpkin leaf.
Yes, it could have been the grasshoppers. In Horrorscope. The beginning of the end indeed for most of my plants. But I can only speculate about their guilt.
And I still have my suspicions about my neighbours' cats.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
500
I recently noticed on my Blogger dashboard that this post would be my 500th. It seems a significant milestone, so I've been trying to come up with a suitably significant post. Something that encapsulates the past three years since I sat at a desk at my former job. With less and less to do each day. Becoming painfully aware that the end was nigh. Trying to come up with new and creative ways to fill the hours. And since it was August and my mind was of course on Halloween and since I had been discovering and reading several Halloween blogs and since there were only so many hours in a day I that I could spend on Facebook, I thought, why not begin my own Halloween blog? It was meant to be seasonal, active throughout September and October, shutting down in November. But I had enjoyed it too much and I missed it. So since then, I've tried to find a little bit of Halloween in every season. And now here I sit, three years later, trying to create a post worthy of being Number 500.
I got nothin'.
So I'll simply share one of my favourite Halloween photographs and move on to post number 501.
From the Mahone Bay Pumpkin Path. Where there are always so many interesting faces to encounter.
I got nothin'.
So I'll simply share one of my favourite Halloween photographs and move on to post number 501.
From the Mahone Bay Pumpkin Path. Where there are always so many interesting faces to encounter.
Friday, 19 August 2011
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Vintage Illustration, Lady with Black Cat
I think she would make a lovely witch. Please feel free to save and use.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Monday, 15 August 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
doubt
I'm trying not to panic. Trying not to lose faith. But I know that by this time of year, professional pumpkin growers are preparing for their harvests. And I know that by this time last year, my seven healthy pumpkins, while not huge, were the size of grapefruits. This year, thanks to a very wet and cold summer and a still-unidentified creature devouring the majority of my plants, I am left with only three plants and twice as many fledgling pumpkins. The largest of which currently looks like this . . .
. . . and measures two whole inches in length.
I'm putting on a brave face in front of the pumpkins. But I'm also secretly planning an autumn visit to a favourite local pumpkin patch. Don't hate me, Great Pumpkin.
. . . and measures two whole inches in length.
I'm putting on a brave face in front of the pumpkins. But I'm also secretly planning an autumn visit to a favourite local pumpkin patch. Don't hate me, Great Pumpkin.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Owl ATC by Laura Carson
I rec'd this darling Owl ATC from Laura Carson. I adore owls and was just blown away by this amazing creation. Thank you so much Laura! You can check out more of Laura's work at her blog: http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
something old, something new
It's that time of year again. When I begin to scan the magazine shelves regularly, looking for that first smiling jack-o-lantern staring back at me. So far, there have been only a couple of autumn offerings to tempt me. And then, as anticipated, the first true sign of Halloween.
I greet the appearance of this magazine each year with mixed emotions. I know it's filled with cutesy crafts and recipes recycled and modified only slightly from year to year. I couldn't begin to count how many versions of the Rice Krispie jack-o-lantern I've encountered in my lifetime. But as I stand there in the grocery aisle, it is unfailingly the first glimpse of a Halloween magazine that I receive every summer. And I can't resist it.
So maybe it's just me. Maybe this summer's incessant rain is making my brain soggy. Or maybe it's simply a result of my diminished expectations. But this year's offering seems to be a modest improvement over recent years. Particularly in the beverage section.
This cider is at the top of my list if the Valley's apple crop survives the summer.
And if September's weather turns out to be warmer than August's (as it sometimes does) I may opt for a cold smoothie instead of hot cider.
Yes, as I eagerly turned the pages, I was impressed with several of this year's recipes. Maybe there has been a conscious effort on the part of the magazine's producers to add some variety and freshness to their standard repertoire. Or maybe I'm still giddy from that first glimpse of orange.
I greet the appearance of this magazine each year with mixed emotions. I know it's filled with cutesy crafts and recipes recycled and modified only slightly from year to year. I couldn't begin to count how many versions of the Rice Krispie jack-o-lantern I've encountered in my lifetime. But as I stand there in the grocery aisle, it is unfailingly the first glimpse of a Halloween magazine that I receive every summer. And I can't resist it.
So maybe it's just me. Maybe this summer's incessant rain is making my brain soggy. Or maybe it's simply a result of my diminished expectations. But this year's offering seems to be a modest improvement over recent years. Particularly in the beverage section.
This cider is at the top of my list if the Valley's apple crop survives the summer.
And if September's weather turns out to be warmer than August's (as it sometimes does) I may opt for a cold smoothie instead of hot cider.
Yes, as I eagerly turned the pages, I was impressed with several of this year's recipes. Maybe there has been a conscious effort on the part of the magazine's producers to add some variety and freshness to their standard repertoire. Or maybe I'm still giddy from that first glimpse of orange.
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