If Only It Snowed in Georgia

I would be making "Snowhouse of Horrors" creations like you would not even believe! Check it out; NPR found and posted a really fantastic slideshow collection:

In my whole life I've ever gotten to make a snowman maybe a handful of times. And they were mucky with twigs and Georgia Red Clay because there wasn't really enough of the white-stuff to be making snow-critters. So those of you fortunate enough to know what snow really looks like, maybe make a creepy snow sculpture for me this year? And send pictures?

It's almost Christmas and I'm still wearing light jackets outside.

Tis the Season to be Jolly

Hanging the Christmas Cards Up With Care...

I'm a little late to the Christmas party - my apologies. We've had family emergencies and what-have-you that have kept me from the internet.

Being married and all, we now seem to get lots of family Christmas cards from our peers; not all of them are cool and worthy of display (the Frog Queen, fyi, sends marvelous seasonal cards!), but it would be rather rude of me to put out some and not all.

Since the cards aren't that exciting, I'm experimenting with new display options for next year. I have decided to hang them by nooses from the mantel. Here's a test-run:

I needed a few more wraps around the cord to make the neck of the knot look really good, but a little twine and a few minutes on the internet and you too could have a row of little hanging Christmas cards for next year. They'd probably look horridly pretty hanging in a group from the ceiling, too.



This should really go without saying, but be careful with knots. Especially hangman's knots -- they are not to be worn around the neck.

Fauxmen

My mother loves Christmas as much as I love Halloween; it's weird, but true. She had a tradition when her father was alive of giving him a snowman ornament every year for Christmas, and when he passed on my grandmother gave them all back to my mom.

Being the morbid little child that I am, I decided to continue the tradition by giving her a snowman every year. Up until this year, that plan has worked out great!

But this season I'm a big BAH HUMBUG about Christmas. I have not personally purchased a single present for anyone but the Husband, and that I did with a big *sigh.* -- So last night brought on a small panicked feeling when I realized I've been so busy and so actively un-festive that I forgot to get a snowman and we start out Christmas rounds tonight - no rest for the wicked, I won't be having free time again until the 26th.

So I made a cute little crochet fauxman for my mom out of yarn I just happened to have stashed, using the Bo the Snowman pattern. I bring him to you because: a) I made it. and b) Wow, sans hat this guy would make an absolutely adorable little skull ornament.

With a little bit of black instead of orange for that triangle-nose, wouldn't he just be the skulliest? He's just too cute.

I found the image, left, while looking at other adaptations of the Snowman pattern. This girl just used the hat to make herself a mini-tophat, and added a spider-web looking veil. Very cute!

See more of the tophat.

And so it begins...

25 days of merriment, a festival of the heart.
A time when there are no limitations on
intangible gifts. Take a deep breath and let
the warmth of the holiday spirit wrap itself
around you on your countdown journey
to the most magical day of the year.

A Jolly Happy Soul

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Having a jolly good time with the Ho Ho
happenings in my studio this week.
I'll be posting new items daily in my ETSY
shop all week long. You better watch out...

Taking one final moment to bask in the lingering
mirth from the hallowed night of mischief.
Lucky for me there is no end in sight of holiday
celebrations as I prepare for a magical winter
wonderland immersion. Though the orange and
black willingly give way to the cream and gold,
they will be back out front before dust rings
mark their absence. I have great plans to bring
several sketches to life of Halloween/Christmas
cross over pieces but first I must pay heed to the
restless chubby cherubs that have been dancing
in my head for the past few months.

Click on Cherub photo for purchasing information.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

As promised, a brief moment in the spotlight
for the Chubby Cherubs. A not so happy cluster
of conspiring Halloween Hooligans lurks near
by. This menagerie of mischief makers will
be traveling with me to the
Tinsel and Treasure Show.

Unruly Halloween Hooligans

You'd never know by just looking at this gang of
mischief makers but these little characters are very
territorial. They are taking over my work space
making it very difficult for me to finish painting
my Chubby Christmas Cherubs. I don't think they
like the fact that I'm moving on to the "other"
holiday. It's not like I'm done with Halloween,
I'm just taking a momentary break from all things
orange and black... just to spice it up a bit.

Moonstitch - Zakka Style Owl Pennant

This is a very sweet pennant design, from Moonstitch.

Rather than using the blue, beige and reds I think it would be nice in blacks, and grays, and oranges for a vintage-looking Halloween design. But you know -- Christmas cheer is nice too.

Enjoy!

[EDIT] Check out this adorable BAT VERSION over at Shadow Manor!!

Okay, Hear Me Out...

Pingpong balls. With little Jack faces drawn on them. And then:


How To: Ping Pong Ball Lights - More DIY How To Projects

Wow that would be cute Halloween lighting.

Here we go again!

The pillows have lost their fluff from many a guest who have
sat and exchanged gifts, thoughts and love these past few weeks.
The sentiments from conversations still linger and I am energized.
Once again, everything seems possible. A new year, a new life,
a new world awaits as I head back to the studio, the paint
smudged smock and the half painted grinning heads that patiently
await their turn to come to life. If you'd like to be among the first to
be notified of upcoming events, sales and giveaways that I have
planned in the new year, click on the "FOLLOW THIS BLOG" link
in the left column.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Seven days of Christmas.

Seven days of Christmas. Seven days of an inbox full
of messages. What a treat to come home to find your
kind words. It felt like Christmas every day and I thank
you for that. I now know how the Grinch felt when
his small heart grew 3 sizes in one day.

The winner of the ornament GIVEAWAY is:
Laura of Decor to Adore

Festive NY Giants Fan Kicked Out of Game

Sondra Fortunato, the New York Giants' most iconic fan, was kicked out of the Giants' December 7th game versus Philadelphia. She was asked to leave because she brought signs and a bag to the game. 

However, her skimpy wardrobe may also have played a role in her ejection from the game.  She showed up in a santa costume, complete with fishnet stockings, a bathing suit bottom and high heeled boots! 

Whether Sondra was asked to leave the game because of her costume choice or what she brought to the game, out-do her this Christmas with your own Sexy Santa Costume from Annie's Costumes.

It's a Giveaway!

It's hard to believe that we are just a few weeks away from
the beginning of a new year and with it hopes of new direction,
a chance to establish new traditions and the promise of
endless possibilities. I wish you a joyful present and a
well remembered past. Best wishes for happy holidays
and a magnificent new year.
• • • • • •
Now, on to the GIVEAWAY!
Simply leave me a comment and your contact information for
a chance to win this Winter Ornament. I will be drawing
the winning name on December 19th. Best of luck to all who enter!

Holiday Ornaments

The uber talented Dani from Ambitions Design has graciously

asked me to be the featured guest artist on her SpookyTime Jingles
site for the December 13th post. Stop by and check out the many
talented artist and finish up your Christmas shopping while
supporting our local economy and the Handmade Industry.
These Holiday Ornaments are now available on SpookyTime Jingles,
click on the Halloween Page and the Christmas page to see them
all or email me a line at: valeriotedesign@comcast.net.
Be sure to indicate which ornament(s) you'd like to purchase.

Extreme Makeover

An ugly duckling tale of sorts. What began as a
recycling makeover project of a old, chipped egg cup
turned out to be a lovely holiday decoration.
Available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

Vintage Mica Snow

I just love Vintage Mica Snow! I just can't seem to get
enough of the sparkling stuff. To see more of these glittery
delights hop on over to my Etsy shop.

Christmas time is here...

December 1st has arrived and the count
down to Christmas has begun!
I am surrounded by sparkles and glitter,
grins and giggles, ribbons and fluff and
all the magical things this season brings.
Lots of fun, new ornaments will be
available for purchase by the week's end
in my Etsy shop. Happy Holiday shopping!