It's almost too late to show off my little bits of Halloween, and tomorrow it will be gone. I am really not too much about decorating for Thanksgiving. I'll turn the pumpkins around so the jack-o-lantern faces don't show, and pack away the ghoulies and ghosties. Leaves and acorns can stay. I do like the mysterious apothecary, but it will probably have to be packed away.
I made this Halloween book from an antique ledger several years ago, and it is always fun to page through. I have made quite a few altered Halloween books as gifts, but have no pictures. I never learn! There is also a Practical Magic spellbook that I received in a swap quite a few years ago.
My mom used to have a business with a friend called "The Trunkyard". They beautifully refinished antique wooden trunks and made ornaments out of the tin coverings. The tin cat was once part of a trunk. The three little witches print is from Paulina Cassidy. Her work is delicate, whimsical, and just a bit on the scary side. She is an artist, a writer, and a songwriter.
I have several of these little tombstones. I used to decorate them with tiny flower arrangements and ribbons, and I think they were pretty darn cute. The black casket is a Victorian paperweight. I bought it in an antique store in a little English village. It is quite detailed, and also very heavy.
The velvet pumpkin has several old brooches pinned on as ornaments, and some little leaves. It could use a little more work before next year. I think I will make more of them.
The top shelf of my favorite bookcase is filled with children's Halloween books. I am partial to friendly witches and ghosts. I'm really not sure about pumpkin faced people and skeletons. My favorites are probably banners, buntings, and garlands. This year I made quite a few from fabric yo-yos. (They are also known as Suffolk puffs in my favorite adopted country.) They are easy to make from gathered fabric circles and can always have buttons and twine or ribbon to perk them up a bit.
From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long Leggity Beasties
And things that go bump in the night
Good Lord, Deliver Us
Happy Halloween
