Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

 Long ago are the days of when

our young sons wore costumes and went Trick or Treating.

Miss those days!
 

So, today I'm sharing some pics of Autumn & Halloween decor around our home

Happy Halloween from our home to yours!

 

Girlfriends Gathering - Our Autumn Art & Craft Day

When Girlfriends Gather it is always a wonderful day! 
Here's a peek of our recent day together - 

friendship, good food, arts & crafts.

My young friend Corinne worked on painting her sugar skull before

she was off to a birthday party.

 

 Marj worked on her crocheted baby blanket gift.

 

While Gail, Lee, Nora and I created other projects.

 

We started on Autumn/Halloween canvas art although no one finished theirs in class.
I completed mine later that evening.

My elegant witch canvas art

 Sparkly poofs of silver tulle enhanced her sleeves while strands
of black lace, pumpkin seam binding and black mesh became her skirt.

A bit of silver rick-rack along with a black bat for her belt. 

Most of our day was spent on creating our necklaces from vintage coin purses.

Who knows how long I have been accumulating these sweet purses, but I had acquired about 20 of them.  Along with bits & pieces of vintage beads, jewelry and trims,
we created our beautiful necklaces. 

    Gail's stunning Victorian-style necklace

  Lee's lovely button-trimmed necklace - very fitting as Lee is a button collector

Nora's first necklace - a real beauty in teal, silver & pearls

(work in progress)  

(finished beauty)
 

Nora's second necklace - another real beauty in muted tones.

 And finally, my necklace also done in muted tones including
mother of pearl beads, pearls and of course some rhinestone bling

It was a beautiful day!

 

August 12th Deadline...Halloween Altered Matchbox Swap

Feeling artsy-crafty...how about joining an Altered Matchbox Swap?

It was a tough decision for me not to choose a theme that was soft tones, flowery,

blingy and totally froufrou. 

But, with the suggestion of others, time to change it up and go with a holiday theme...Halloween!

Here are the Swap details and guidelines if you are interested in joining this swap:

Vintage Connections 2016 Halloween Altered Matchbox Swap

Sign Up Date:  

• Email me directly at shankful@kc.rr.com by August 12, 2016.
• In your email subject line please include 2016 Halloween Altered Matchbox Swap.
• In your email please include your full name, your mailing address and if you have a blog address or website address.

 Theme: Halloween

• Please NO designs that are gorey or bloody. 
• Suggested Design styles: Nostalgic, Traditional, Steampunk, Whimsical, Elegant.
• I will notify your assigned partner of your email address for correspondence. You may want to converse with your partner on design style and color preferences.

Supplies: 

• Use a large matchbox (250 match count size)
• Your choice of papers, fabrics, decorations, etc. to create your theme as long as all items are secured safely to the matchbox.
• Please enclosed goodies (examples: trinkets, lace, trim, buttons, flowers, artsy craft items, jewelry, etc.) in your matchbox drawer to share with your swap partner. 
• Your goodies can be Halloween-themed, other or a combination of both.

Rules:  

I apologize if these rules seem strict & stuffy, but want to be fair to everyone involved.

Thanks for your understanding.

• This swap is only available to residents of the contiguous USA states.  
• This is a one-on-one swap.  You will be creating one altered matchbox.
• Please sign your artwork.
• Please only sign up if you can commit to mailing your completed altered matchbox by the mail date of Saturday September 24, 2016 (that's a six week window) to your assigned swap partner!
• Every swap participant is responsible for the purchase of their own materials to create their altered matchbox swap and their shared goodies.
• Every participant is responsible for all shipping, packaging and handling charges to mail your altered matchbox to your assigned swap partner. 
• Please carefully wrap your package for mailing.  It is your decision to mail it insured or not.
• Following the Sign Up due date of August 12, 2016, I will randomly draw entry names and pair swap partners. 
• Saturday August 13, 2016, I will send you a private email sharing your swap partner's name, mailing information and email address.

Thanks so much for joining this swap...enjoy and have fun creating!

Examples of Halloween altered matchboxes:

My 2014 Halloween Altered Matchbox (front)

 (back)

 (inside box filled with goodies)

(side view)

Lorraine's 2014 Halloween Altered Matchbox

If you need inspiration, check out Halloween Altered Matchbox images
on Pinterest or other search sites.

You Are Invited - Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by, you are invited to scroll down and share in our Halloween fun.

Karla's Cottage Romantic Gothic Ghost event was held in early October.  Click on the link to view Karla's posting of her beautifully SPOOKY house and our days events.  

 (photo courtesy of Karla's Cottage)

  (photo courtesy of Karla's Cottage)

  (photo courtesy of Karla's Cottage)

  Karla was telling me it was OK to rip & tear silk & lace from a vintage wedding gown

for our projects.

  

 Karla stirring up a mossy & glitter concoction

Our class projects -

My Gothic Ghost Jar

My not so Spooky Witch Banner

 Thanks Karla for another GREAT day filled with fun classes, incredible food

and amazing friendships!

Everyone, be safe and enjoy a fun and Happy Halloween!