Halloween & Autumn in the Country

Are you one of those people who thinks you can do things twice as fast as it actually takes you to "Get'r Done"?  Well, I am and it's a chronic condition with me.  Earlier this summer I made a commitment to send Halloween art to FolkWorks Gallery in Evanston, IL.  This will be my sixth year; my how time flies! 

I also made a commitment to participate in a new event called Autumn in the Country. 

My booth will feature antiques and collectibles, and I'll sprinkle in some folkart and crafts (mostly made by my mom since it took me so long to finish my pieces for the gallery.)  This past few weeks I've been busier than a bee in a clover patch.

Artwork has finally been shipped to the gallery for the opening of the Halloween show and so now it's time to get organized for the Autumn in the Country show on Sunday.  Thank goodness it's new and therefore relatively small.  I'll be sure to take lots of pics to share with you.  But in the meantime, here are a few pieces that will be at FolkWorks this year.

I used several types of papier mache and paper to create these

Halloween characters.  And incorporated old springs & hardware,

vintage tins and my current favorite -- antique boxes.  

 This guy is one one of my favorites.

Would you go to see his ghost show on all hallows eve? 

His hat is embellished with an antique bone button.

One of the performers is giving you a preview through

the ring of an old skeleton key.

The banner is made from reproducing and resizing an old poster.

I backed it with paper fabric and cut some fringe

from a piece of vintage crepe paper.

Such a jolly little guy on Halloween!

He is "tricked" out in vintage crepe paper and pipe cleaners.

I was trying to decide what colors to outfit this little guy in,

when I realized I actually had antique crepe paper and pipe cleaners

in the exact same shade of old gold.  How lucky is that?  So black and gold it is!

The letters to spell out "EEK" are from an old anagram game.  It's my last "K", oh no!

Finally, a trio of "rocking" crows.  I almost couldn't part with the little

one on the onion seed tin.

I hope you've enjoyed meeting my Halloween crew.  I'll be back on Monday with

photos of the Autumn in the Country show.



Not Much to Report

Just hanging out in the studio mixing up a new batch of Halloween.

I'll post some pictures of some of my finished pieces in a day or so.

Until then, if you have great fall weather like we do...ENJOY!

Hats Off to Julia!

Hey everybody, have you seen the October issue of Romantic Homes magazine?  I just picked up my copy and who should I see... none other than our sweet and very talented friend Julia of Vintage with Laces.  Her blog is featured in we love/site seeing, pg. 13, and I'm pretty sure that one of the photos is a close-up of the embellishment she made for the black velvet purse she created for Jodie over at Everything Vintage.

Congratulations Julia!

A New Season and A New Start

I've never been a sun worshipper.  Which is odd since I was born in August, making me a Leo ruled by the sun and fire.  If you follow astrology you'd think that I would be basking in the heat of the dog days of summer.  But no, I start counting the days until the first frost along about the end of June. 

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I love just about everything about it... the cool air carrying the smell of burning leaves; smoke rising from chimnies; wet ground covered in red, yellow and orange leaves; hay rolls and grain corn left in the fields to dry; pumpkins on doorsteps and in pies in my oven; acorns falling from old oak trees and squirrels scurring to stash them away. 

Autumn ushers in a sense of nostalgia with its celebrations of Halloween and Thanksgiving; then we're quickly onto Christmas.  Its the season for long walks in frosty air, comfort food shared with family and friends, and remembering holidays gone bye as we pull on sweaters and thick socks.

So thanks, but "No Thanks."  You can keep the long, hot and humid days of summer with its scortching white-hot sun.  I'll take the crisp, cool days of autumn and a bright orange harvest moon. 

A Forested Fairy Land

Iargo Springs is an historic Native American site.  The waters that flow from the river embankment were believed to have healing powers, and so, the area became the site of important pow-wows for the regions earliest inhabitants.  I can personally attest to the sense of calm and serenity of this place, and yes, I do believe in its power to heal.

Iargo means "many waters."

Water, and moss, and ferns, oh my!

The air is so wet it feels difficult to take a deep breath,

and you almost feel like you're in a temperate rain forest.

It feels ancient, and I suppose it is.

Then you arrive at the river.

Can you see those two white dots out there on the water?

Those are either Mute Swans or Trumpeters.  I hope they are

are Mute Swans, they are rare and endangered. 

If there is any place they could survive,

I have to believe it would be Iargo.

Now, to give you a little perspective about how far you descend into this

otherworldly place,  you can climb back out with me...

here we go!

First rest stop...

Second rest stop...

 

One more to go...

Nearly 200 steps in all, whew!

Notice this last photo is a little blurry, 200 steps will do that to you.

Ha Ha!  But I made it out, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I hope you've enjoyed your tour, dear friends.  If you are ever in the area,

be sure to stop and explore Iagro for yourself.  I promise you won't be disappointed.