Brewing Up Some Mischief~

I'm praying that everyone on the East Coast is safe and made it through the storm with no damage. It is times like these when simple pleasures such as carving a pumpkin and being able to turn on the lamps become so meaningful. Hope all is well as you clean up after the storm.

Lomonosov teacup with gold flowers

 Our days are still quite warm but the temperatures cool off nicely after dark - perfect time for a malty cup of Assam with a touch of milk and turbinado sugar. Today I was using a cobalt beauty! See the crisp white center of the saucer?

I could not resist using my favorite Halloween teapot too! It's a colorful witch's boot.

I used a spiderweb place mat with an orange and purple spider on it.

After tea and a few Indian Corn for my sweet tooth, I got to work on some cards using my new Stampabilities stamp called Up, Up and Away.  One of my sweetest friends sent this charming stamp my way and I love it! Muzzy, Amanda and Mudpie look like they are having a wonderful time flying kites.

I fussy cut (hand trimmed with precision scissors) the entire scene after stamping it onto white card stock. I embossed the background with my Cuttlebug and a swirl pattern folder. I colored the scene with Distress Ink and a Zig H2O pen, then adhered the mice in the grass on foam to give it dimension and lift.

Here is the second card I made, but this time I only stamped and fussy cut the 'flying' mouse - I altered the kite to make it a Halloween greeting card. I imagine the surprised mouse let out a little squeal when he went airborne! Ha Ha~ so, I added his exclamation using label maker tape. The clouds have white enamel on them and the tree is glittered. Still in the mood to create, I masked and inked a plain tag.

 This little vampire has a full moon to light his way as he trick-or-treats! I blended Distress Ink on the tag then gave it a little spritz of Tsukineko Walnut Ink. The last few days flew by and I realized we had not carved our jack o lantern yet. College Girl will be too busy later today to help with the task, so I grabbed our tools, a pattern, some aprons and cranked up the stereo with Monster Mash and Ghostbusters and she happily took a break from her laptop. While she did the initial designing and carving, I got out some black paint, a Sharpie and a small white pumpkin so we could also make Jack Skellington. 

Here is Mr. Grim with the lights turned off and the candle aglow inside~

College Girl done good! Her jack o lanterns are always amazing...this one gives me the shivers!

  
We thought Jack would enjoy a snowman for company. Now, time to cook the pumpkin seeds; I'm soaking them and will roast them in the oven later. Do you have a favorite way to prepare pumpkin seeds after carving your jack o lantern?

 I can't wait to see all the children's costumes when they stop by for candy. Have a safe and happy Halloween.


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You're Going To Love It~ Kathe with an 'e'

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

The Raven by E.A. Poe

Alice and Adora~

The Chestnuts came in yellow,

The Oaks in crimson dressed;

The lovely Misses maple

In scarlet looked their best.

All balanced to their partners,

And gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow

New fallen from the sky

 Then, in the rustic hollow,
At hide-and-seek they played,
The party closed at sundown,
And everybody stayed.
Professor Wind played louder;
They flew along the ground;
And then the party ended
In jolly "hands around."

George Cooper

I have been awol for days! I've missed you, charming ladies, while I go round and round with sketchy internet service. Handyman and I spent an hour on the phone this evening with AT&T. I am writing this post as fast as possible, lest I lose my connection again. Don't give up on me - I am thinking of you. I have a cup, card and doll to share for our teatime Tuesday. OK, more photo sharing, less words!

I bought this cup while on vacation in Santa Barbara at the Anthropologie store. I cannot abide drinking from styrofoam or plastic cups in the hotel room, so I picked up this sweet monogram cup for my evening cups of tea. I like it's graceful handle and pedestal foot~

Nothing fancy, but it is microwave and dishwasher safe. I admit I am guilty of popping my half-full cup of tea into the microwave for a quick reheat :)

Here is a card I made with my new Halloween Magic Alice stamp by Stampendous~

The clock on her dress and gear on her hat are raised on foam dots. Her mask is glittered and her collar is covered in faux fur. I put flocking on her hat so it looks like velour. I stamped the background tree and fence, then blended Distress Ink for the sky. I also used Stickles on the tree, grass and fence. The lamp post was made with an Inkadinkadoo stamp.

And last, but not least, is one of College Girl's Marie Osmond seasonal dolls.

This spunky curly-head is all ready for Halloween. She is wearing the hat her mom decorated to go with her costume. Did you notice the beaded dangling spider hanging from the brim? She feels so grown up because she is wearing her first pair of heels - haha! This is from Marie Osmond's Adora Belle line of dolls.

I have several other cards to share with you and some more Halloween decorating from around the house. Can't wait to receive the new computer modum so I can stay online for longer than 10 minutes - it took me several tries to get this post completed!

 

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October Gave a Party~

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

George Cooper

A whirlwind of activities occupy us as the leaves begin to exchange their glossy green coats for those of scarlet. We enjoyed Homecoming and Parent's Weekend at College Girl's campus the weekend before last, and Handyman was happy to get a free university baseball cap (I got one too). College Girl had her sorority initiation this past weekend, so now she is a full-fledged Kappa Alpha Theta! I can't wait to make a scrapbook page about it and already have a title in mind. Meanwhile, I am putting out the Fall decorations little by little...some will be displayed until Halloween while other things stay out until Thanksgiving.

I bought the Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe last year on clearance after October 31, and I think it looks great next to the typewriter. The spiffy velour hat with the orange ribbon was a gift from one of my dearest friends. I was wearing it around the house the other day to elicit a laugh from hubby and daughter and it made me want to play Monster Mash or Thriller and get my groove on! Or bust a move, or whatever the current term is - haha!

the living room clock

our Spring wreath dressed for Autumn

The front porch

Since it is Tuesday I'm going to share one of my pretty teacups. It has Hydrangeas on it which are a favorite of mine.

The Hydrangea bushes in our backyard only have one blossom each on them. It is time for me to trim them back for the coming winter. I will miss the enormous deep pink pom-poms they display all summer, but can reminisce while sipping from this charming cup.

Royal Patrician

Just inside, below the rim, is a Hydrangea branch all abloom

The handle, base and rim are lined with gold

It is mid term week, so I think College Girl is going to need a few extra cups of Chamomile tea to steady her nerves and help her get a full night's rest. Tis the season where our kettle will be busier than ever. :)

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 Make It Pretty
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Lil' Pumpkin~

The sweet calm sunshine of October, now
    Warms the low spot; upon its grassy mold
The purple oak-leaf falls; the birchen bough
    drops its bright spoil like arrow-heads of gold.
   William Cullen Bryant

Ah! We woke to soft rain and a crisp Fall breeze. The sky was filled with billowy kohl-rimmed clouds and I would have loved to have breakfast in bed, but the schedule did not allow for it. College Girl headed to class, while I did a bit of Christmas shopping. By eleven the rain was gone. I did errands, laundry and worked on some Halloween tags. In the afternoon Handyman and I filled our new bird feeder with sunflower seeds and hung it in the Myrtle Tree. Here is one of the tags I finished~

 I used;

• Inkadinkadoo stamps
• Distress Ink
• Zig H20 pen
• Martha Stewart fence punch
• Ranger Rock Candy Crackle paint
• micro beads along the bottom
• Stickles, Inkssentials black enamel and Liquid Pearls 

I used a paper circle to mask the moon, then blended several inks on a plain tag. I put a coat of Rock Candy on the tag and when it was dry I rubbed ink into the cracks. The 3-D star is actually a tiny ornament but I liked it hanging near the moon! 
I think this Lil' Pumpkin is so cute! One of the best parts about October 31 is seeing adorable Trick Or Treaters on our doorstep :)


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Made You Look
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Time Travel Thursday

The Crows and Ravens Call

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
To-morrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.

Robert Frost

I feel like I blinked and September was gone. With College Girl going back to school our days not only gained structure but picked up speed!  And now that the last wave of Indian Summer heat seems to have departed (fingers crossed!), a steaming pot of tea is more welcome than ever. Time to unpack my favorite Fall bone china beakers, pull out my quilted tea cozies and deck the house with pumpkins, scarecrows and my favorite inky-black feathered friends. There is something about ravens I find so fascinating. They are much larger than crows and have a different beak and tail shape. They can mimic spoken words like parrots, and they rarely squack while flying as crows are wont to do. Can you imagine how happy I was to find an October calendar in the shape of a raven? At Christmastime I display a collection of Advent calendars but I had never seen one for Autumn in the shape of a bird!

I found this wonderful fellow at TJMaxx, one of my favorite stores. Cool, eh? There were only two of them on the shelf and the minute I spotted them I put one in my basket. Score! Each day at breakfast College Girl moves the key to the next key hole with a little reminder from me. I'm happy she indulges her crazy mom! (I actually think she likes her crazy mom and how much fun I have with each season -haha- I am such a kid at heart) My teacup this week is a cherished Brambly Hedge beaker which holds more tea than a teacup. On the front of the beaker is sweet little Primrose. Are you familiar with Jill Barklem  and her stories about the mice of Brambley Hedge? Run, don't walk, to your nearest library or book store to see her charming illustrations and whimsical stories if you are unfamiliar with this wonderful children's author!

Is it just me or do you notice that tea tastes better from a lovely cup? :)

     Berries and brambles and home made pies!

Primrose has quite an adventure in the Fall Story, but I won't spoil it for you~ You'll have to pick up a copy and share it with your niece or grandchildren. Or maybe, like me, you will curl up on the corner of the sofa and enjoy it by yourself with a hot cuppa.

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 Mosaic Monday
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You're Going To Love It 

Treasured Times Rubber Stamps

                                                                                       


We are in the middle of our annual October heat wave here in southern California. It never fails! Every year as the summer temps begin to cool down I am not fooled - I know to expect one last remnant of summer before we settle into Fall's crisp days. With the a.c. on I started making holiday cards this week. I really enjoy creating cards for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I like switching it up and making a Thanksgiving card one day and a Christmas card the next. It keeps my mojo flowing! So, what have I been up to? Well, I have an announcement to go with my latest card. I was asked to be a Design Team member for Treasured Times Rubber Stamps.  Jody would love for you to stop by and see all that she offers for stamping. 

The first stamp I had the pleasure to work with is one by artist Terrye French. It is #187-S. Isn't he charming? For more information visit HERE.

 The minute I saw this Santa I knew I would use Americana type colors and simple prints.

I used:
Paper= DCWV Haberdash Stack brown plaid, Recollections Naughty Or Nice, My Minds Eye Sunshine. 
Martha Stewart edge punch
Platinum Liquid Pearls on the lantern
Stickles on the pine greens
Inkssentials Black Enamel
Flocking powder on his cuffs, hat and beard
Distress Clear Rock Candy Crackle paint
Distress Ink to color image
grungeboard which I inked, punched and studded with brads
Zig H2O water pen to color image
Marvy corner punch

I had fun using my Distress Inks and Zig H2O pen together, and like the resulting watercolor look I got using them. Wonder what Santa would look like in a dark green coat? Burgundy? Royal blue? You know I am going to have to make a few more cards with this festive fellow!


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You're Going To Love It


 

October~ Days of Indian Corn

The sunlight is different - that's how I know. It's Autumn! For me it is the time of year that is filled with delicious scents and welcome sights, like fresh nutmeg and crimson leaves. I revel in the cooler weather, adore snuggly sweaters and enjoy pulling on classic equestrian boots or sassy high-heeled boots. I rarely go a day without wearing a scarf, one of my favorite accessories, even if I'm just wearing jeans while running errands. The kitchen smells of warm cider and there is woodsmoke in the air outside. We have so many Fall-related traditions that we continue to do even though College Girl is not a child anymore: carving jack-o-lanterns, going to Oak Glen for apples and baking pies afterwards, watching our favorite spooky movies, listening to Monster Mash and Thriller and dancing around the room, looking forward to a visit from The Great Pumpkin (he stops by our house on Oct. 31 and leaves a surprise), sewing a home-made costume (Avenger theme this year), watching the birds enjoy the seeds from our sunflowers planted last Spring, and decorating. I must admit I am a nut when it comes to seasonal decor. I change the hand towels, put up festive pictures, set out my Fall dolls, write seasonal messages on the kitchen chalk board - oh, I have fun! When I come downstairs each morning it makes me happy to see old and new decorations that get me in the mood for the days ahead. 

 
The "Pumpkins" sign is new. I placed it on small blocks of wood to lift it up. The mantle is a work in progress - I think I need to add some varying height to the center but don't know quite how to do it without blocking the sign. I'll work on it! Handyman got out the Autumn boxes and I have yet to place the mice silhouettes scampering up the stairs, but did fill the glass pumpkin jar with Indian Corn. Brach's Indian Corn is the chocolate version of Candy Corn...I can't resist it with a cup of tea.

 

Meanwhile, sorority initiation is just around the corner for College Girl. She has been busy with Kappa Alpha Theta activities the last couple of weeks, and this week is one of the most exciting! It's Big-Little Week! The current members -Bigs - are paired up with new pledges -Littles - and do fun things like leave little surprises for them, but the pledges do not know who their "Big" is until the end of the week. I have been making a few sussies, or fun gifts, for College Girl to give to her Big once the reveal happens. 

 

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Mosaic Monday