A Masked Ball Swap & Fete

Join me in delightful revelry for a magical Halloween fete! For this swap, choose items for your partner that are relevant to a masked Halloween ball. For instance, crowns, jewelry, masks, party favors, fancy shoes, game pieces and parts, clock items (for when those clocks start turning 12, the witching hour begins!)... Discuss with your partner if you'd like to have all your items Halloween toned or perhaps something a little lighter - Whatever you choose, be sure to have fun with it!

I wanted to start sign-ups early so everyone would have a chance to make at least one of the items. In addition to this handmade gift, please include other goodies that fit the style and character of your partner (so be sure to ask them lots of "getting to know you" questions).

The last day to sign up is September 7th. I'll send out assignments the second week in September. Be sure to ask what their style is as well as something they would like included in their package. Please make sure your partner receives their gifts no later than Friday, October 2nd -- That way we can enjoy all of our goodies for the entire month. We'll have our official "Masked Ball" on October 30th to show off our surprises --Celebrate by having a little party of your own or perhaps wear a feathered mask! Happy Haunting, ladies and gents...

Be sure to give me your address when you sign up - That way I can pass it along to your partner.

Feel free to grab the swap button I've done. It's not perfect yet but I plan on having my wonderfully computer savvy husband to help -- I have to learn how to put the words on the picture -- Any help regarding how to do that would be greatly appreciated!

Lovely Little Gifts

Well, the unpacking is finished and everything is (almost) in place. We're really starting to feel like the DC area is home. My office is fairly neat and tidy... I'll have to take a few shots of my room soon to show off my (not so neat) storage system (meaning stuffing everything in the closet!).
Some dear friends sent welcome packages and I wanted to share my gifts with you. Up first is a wonderful orange cinnamon potpourri made with citrus fruits, leaves, and cloves. To die for! Erica also sent me a handmade vintage style tea towel - Just look at the embroidered Mr. Orange.
Speaking of cute, this little matchbox is from the lovely LiLi. All the way across an ocean traveled this little parcel. And what a diminutive sight this gnome and mushroom are! An enchanting little creation this is!

Well, I promise to keep in touch more now that we've settled into our new home. I can't wait to explore new places and visit old PA for some great antiquing!

Happy Junking!

Big Dreams, Small Space

From This...

To This...

Thought I'd take a break from unpacking to do a little post on the "joys" of moving to a smaller house... Which means, a smaller work and craft space. Now don't get me wrong - I know I'm lucky to have a room dedicated to my office and play area. But it is certainly going to be a challenge fitting all my big dreams into my new smaller purple room (I went a little bold with the color).

What is your craft space like?... And how do you decorate it? (And have you checked out the wildly fabulous mag Where Women Create - which is based on the wonderful Where Women Create book?)

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

Well, the big move happened - Now comes the real work! Unloading boxes and boxes of all our stuff. Such is the life of a pack rat and antique dealer.

Stay tuned for fun blog entries on the trials and tribulations of moving as well as posts on the fabulousness of the Washington, DC area.

A Little Late Getting on the Bandwagon...

Hello friends- Well, I'm still trying to get out of the blogging funk I've been in recently; sometimes figuring out what to say is really the hardest part. So, I finally found something!

The inspiration for this post is to admit my new fixation on the Twilight series. I was vehemently opposed to it until last week - Mostly due to the fact that it's on an 8th grade reading level with an occasional SAT word thrown in for sport (I was an English major with a penchant for classics). But since I've had to pack up my booths and haven't found much to list online, I've felt restless and a little down. So, I decided to at least give them a try. Believe it or not, reading this series has sparked my everpresent (but dormant) infatuation with mysterious topics.

I'm an Anne Rice fan & Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the first couple of seasons- it went downhill after Angel left) is my all time favorite T.V. program. So, naturally, anything with vampires peaks my interest. Let's just say, I read 500 pages of the second Twilight book in less than two days. Can we say obsessed?

So, now that the cat's out of the bag, who else admits they are a fan? Come on- I promise I won't tell!

On a side note, Ben and I are really moving to the DC area (Silver Spring, MD to be exact). Everything is in place and the ball starts rolling on the 9th (meaning the moving company comes to haul our stuff out).

Due to moving, I've had to close my booths here in Raleigh - I didn't realize how hard it would be. I feel so lost and restless. I'm not sure if I'll be able to have a booth in MD because I haven't found a Mall that is close enough yet. So, I'm thinking shows and online may be my main venues at this point. My first big show will be the DC Big Flea on September 19-20th. I've had smaller trunk shows with Panopolie/Ornamentea here in Raleigh but never anything as big as the Chantilly show. So, wish me luck!

Hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly soon. Maybe inspiration will be revived once we are in our new home...

Our (Soon to Be) New Home - LOVE the red door!

Victorian Magic

Paul and Virginia, 1864

We are exposed to thousands of images a day; some are beautiful, others raw and harsh. A talented photographer can capture all of these emotions and give us a small glimpse of the world in which we live...

'So Like a Shatter'd Column Lay the King', 1875


Ellen Terry at Age 16 1864/75

Julia Margaret Cameron was one such artist. Her images are filled with Pre Raphaelite symbolism and magic. Much like falling down the rabbit hole, when one views a Cameron photograph, they are reminded of childhood and dreams long forgotten.

Cingalese Girl, 1875/78

In 1863, Cameron was given a camera by her daughter for a birthday present. Over the next 11 years she became one of the most influential artists of her time. Her talent and work gives hope to those of us who are always searching, always learning.