Monday, October 24, 2011

Folktoberfest!

Home again-exhausted but with a smile on my face!
Folktoberfest, a gathering of Wee Forest Folk collectors, was last weekend in Clare, MI. I went early to do my part, shipping out boxes of special mice which were ordered by collectors who couldn't attend. I also used my shopping skills to help the planners of the event find things used in our fun and games. Of course, eating and fun shopping figured in, along with visiting friends from far and near. I did manage to buy a few mice which had been on my wish list for a long time, at great prices (hurray for me-boo for the sinking prices of these adorable collectibles).
Once again, I didn't take enough pictures-here are a few. The first is my display made special for one of the event pieces.
Next is of the pumpkin I carved, 'Mouse Zombie'.
Third is of some attendees signing a special song. The theme was 'Four Seasons', and you can see we covered winter/Christmas.
The two man band played music Saturday evening and I worked off all the great food I ate. ('Cops and Donuts' sells terrific donuts and pastries and is right across the street from the hotel.)
The last picture shows my centerpiece...after our meal when I remembered to take the picture.
I am so fortunate to have a hobby which has made my life richer in friends from across the United States.
Now to find a place for my new mice!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Clean/Cleaner/Cleanest!!!

Wowie-have I been cleaning and decorating!
Mouser friends begin arriving tomorrow for the Wee Forest Folk event called 'Folktoberfest' here in Michigan. Two friends from WA and UT are flying into Grand Rapids to stay before we drive up to begin work on the event, so I had to (finally) clean house.
Best part of my cleaning frenzy was dusting my mice-I use a cosmetic brush on each one and really enjoy spending time looking at all the beautiful hand painted details. I only clean my cabinets occasionally so I had to show off the sparkling results!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Ghoultide Gathering


Ghoultide Gathering was this past weekend-and it was a terrific time with my wonderful sisters!
We spent two nights and two days together which is a rare occurrence. One day was spent shopping in Ann Arbor.
Then there was Ghoultide! Wow! The artists selling their original works were wonderful. I came home with a bat who is now residing in my brass birdcage; a small box and mouse print which my sisters bought me (early Christmas gift-luckily they knew I should enjoy their gifts now!); and a cement white pumpkin and squirrel, both of which won't ever die!
We are already planning next year's trip. I need to start saving my money!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Haunted Mantle

I LOVE Halloween so I tend to get carried away....as you can see by see by the look of my mantle.
I added the moss recently to make it a bit more spooky.
I have quite a collection of gourds with features cut out. I found the lamp last year at a decent price and did not wait for it to go on sale, just grabbed it! Love that it adds height to my mantle. The small owl perched in the wreath is part of a Winnie the Pooh set made by R John Wright. he tempers the spooky with his sweetness. The clock was purchased from QVC. I added the scene inside-a haunted house with full moon and jack o'lantern, all lit by tiny grain of wheat lights. The Trick or Treaters are Wee Forest Folk (which I am crazy for!). I bought the huge owl cutout (under the mantle) on sale several years ago at 90% off! Love to find those great sales!
HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!

I am joining
* Layla at The Lettered Cottage for a mantle kinky party!
The Lettered Cottage

* Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday
Photobucket


Sunday, September 25, 2011

New HaLLoWeN Finds!



I got the feather arrangement at Hobby Lobby for 50% off plus another 10% off since there are chips in the base (which I can touch up with paint). Total cost-$12.00

I paid too much for the lighted Japanese lanterns...but the extra twirlie branches I added to the vase were cheap at HL (half price so the total for three was less than five dollars) and add a sinister touch to the arrangement.

I had this old paper cutting (bought on eBay several years ago) and finally had a new matt and frame made at Hobby Lobby. It looks much better now. I was impressed with the job they did with this and the cost was so much lower than my favorite frame shop....sorry Frames Unlimited-but these days we have to save where we can!

Last but not least is Mr. Owl. I found him in Traverse City at a favorite shop (The Red Dresser). He is a one of a kind guy who was a prototype which was not picked for a final project. Lucky me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Puppy Love

Really grand puppy love....
We are just home from visiting our youngest son. He moved to CA and he and his girlfriend have a new pup, named Harley.
I must admit that I am a cat lover....but this puppy was much fun. Even DH enjoyed him!


He is part of the family!

Monday, September 19, 2011

HaLLoWeEn Ribbon Topiary



I hope the pictures show the steps in making the ribbon topiary.
I bought fourteen different ribbons, at half price (1/2 or 5/8" wide). I cut the ribbon in @ 2 3/4" long (@13 pieces of each ribbon).
I used a hot glue gun to glue the ribbon ends together ( @1/2" from the end).
Before pinning each loop of ribbon on the 4" styrofoam ball, I attached a piece of fabric on the spot where the ball would rest on the candle
stick (cut the fabric a bit larger than the size you want and use a table knife to push the edges in the styrofoam).
Separate the ends of each loop to pin the two ends of ribbon on the ball.
This takes time but it turns out adorable!
Email me with any questions (LS1295@aol.com). I hope I explained all the steps!
Good luck-have fun! Lee

I am linking with;
* http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/09/wickedly-creative-halloween-ideas-linky.html
* Jen at http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/09/weekend-wrap-up-party-75-pick-your-plum.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
* Beth at A2Z http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/09/tutorials-tips-tuesday-link-party-28-2.html
* A Bowl Full of Lemon http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-project-at-time-tuesday-link-party_20.html
*The Project Queen http://projectqueen.org/category/link-parties
* Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-and-tell-friday_22.html