Happy Halloween!

Thank you all for a most magical & enchanting season!

Tea Anyone?

Welcome to Dragonfly Manor and my Halloween Tea.

The butler would be happy
to hang your hat

Please make yourself comfortable. Park your broom if you like and feel free to kick off your shoes. Those pointy toes are killer, aren't they?

Did I mention it's a pumpkin themed tea this year?

Fae brought a darling baby boo...

But don't worry if you don't have one! Many of the guests arrived without.

Charlotte is a sweet little witch but quite forgetful

and the Skellington's always come empty-handed.


I'm not even certain who this masked character is but he must be an invited guest. That's a charming pumpkin made of seeds that he's touting!

But as I said, don't worry if you've come without. There are plenty to go around,

in all styles

and colors

and sizes

and settings

why, at Dragonfly Manor, they even grow on trees!


So sit back and enjoy the ambience,
for there are treats,
enough for all.

And where are my manners? Would you care for a spot of tea?



Many thanks to Anna for the inspiration, challenge and invitation to be part of this magical Halloween event.
I never would have shared pictures of my holiday home in such a creative way. It was an interesting process as I had no story in mind whatsoever. After taking pictures around my house, I built the tea around them.
So thank you Anna! It was a fun journey!

I Love My Mailman!

No, I'm not confessing some illicit affair but lately he's been pretty darn good to me!

It all began with Speckled Egg's Curiosities Matchbox Swap and this fabulous box full of goodies from
Laurie.

Followed by an equally wonderful box from
Cassie.

I then had the good fortune to win a giveaway and receive this heaven-"scent"
Cinna-Bun potpourri from Amy Jo.
( A little side note here. See those Italian-made outrageous vintage amber salt and pepper shakers? So perfect for a Halloween tablescape & a $1 estate sale score!)

Followed by another giveaway win and this absolutely adorable
Halloween cake from Natalea.

Another giveaway win?!?! Yes, this hauntingly beautiful ATC
from Laura.

To complete this whirlwind extravaganza I received the most gorgeous array of Halloween finery from my extremely talented and most generous friend, Debi.






Thank you all for these glorious October treasures! I love my blog friends!

A Gothic Tale

A few of us from my flickr swap group collaborated to create a book of gothic arches in celebration of the Halloween season.
CassieMercedesKimWendyJenMyself

And for the cover I chose this lovely arch created by
Karla.
Bound with black binding rings covered in shades of gray seam binding and black fibers, we have ourselves a gothic tale.
Thank you ladies for a wonderful swap!

Welcome To The Party

A very special Halloween PartyHosted by the wickedly wonderful Vanessa of
A Fanciful Twist.
Won't you come in?I'd like to introduce you to some special friends.

Meet the Queen of HalloweenKris Dickinson, of A Nostalgic Halloween.

The enchanting April Dudko


The talented Lynn Stevens, of Trash to Treasure Art.

And the amazing Laura Carson, ofArtfully Musing.

These were all cards swapped in our Vintage Photo Images Yahoo Group. But this is only the beginning of the Halloween Party! If you've never visited before, I invite you to stay awhile and scroll through the last several posts, all featuring Halloween art and swaps.
And don't forget to stop by A Fancilful Twist for Vanessa's most engaging party and links for all the other party participants.

Trick or Treat Sorority Style

When I learned my Bloggerette Sorority secret swap sister was Karen, of Karen's Monday Musings, I was thrilled. I've recently come to know Karen through my flickr altered matchbox group and she is a sweetheart!
I wanted to make a treat bag that was quirky and fun but also had "some pretty" to it. So I started where I always start (etsy!) and found this lovely lady skeleton image at Antique Graphique.
A little lace, a touch of bling, some well-placed flowers and you have a special trick or treat bag for a special sorority sister.
I filled it with a mix of store bought and handmade items,
including this altered bingo card and little vintage Halloween tussie mussie.
I love how the witches hat turned out thanks to my favorite new black trim and feathered friend.
Fall cookie cutters,
some vintage trim, an altered carte de visite,
and a mini accordion book using images from Lisa's Altered Art.
Then I tucked in a little bit of this & a little bit of that for what I hope is a perfect treat bag!
My secret sister is fashionably late but I'll be sure to share when it arrives.