Happy Haunting Halloween...

 Last of the ATCs...well maybe.  I made these two folders for Roni and her Mom.  They hosted an ATC swap and the results of that will be posted next week.  If you have never participated in a swap I highly recommend it.  Lots of fun!

 Inside the ATC folder.  I kept this pretty simple and flat as I think my post office service is not fond of me or my artwork I pay extra to hand cancel and send safely. 
Here are the ATCs I included inside the folder. 

 Here is a piece of artwork I won from Lindsay.  Her work is unique and she has been published so many times I have lost count.  Please go see what Lindsay is up to in the creative realm. 

This is made on a Mahjong tile and I adore it.  Mr. C always says I ride a broom.

 Thank you Lindsay. 

 Here I am wearing my Halloween casual clothes.  Glittered pumpkin socks, a soft orange jacket my dear sister gave me that I get so many compliments each year when I wear it and my new Mahjong Witch pendant.

 Yes, another ATC that is in the mail.  By-the-way this is some of Lindsay's artwork that she got printed by Pinecone Press into 12" x 12" scrapbook papers.  Super cute drawings all over the entire sheet.  I only wish I had purchased many more pages. 

And you asked me to post my costume I wore at the local Chamber of Commerce Saturday as I hosted the Visitor Center.  Here I am in all my Witch glory...complete with Trick or Treat bag I made years ago. While I was at the CofC I had lots of people take a second look.  Several asked if they could take my photo and I said with a smile, "If you must".  :o)  It was a great day and I was definitely channeling my Grandma and Mother.  Grandma's birthday was October 30th and she finally gave in and always dressed up as a witch each year...of course creating her very own costumes and always out-doing herself every year.   So...
In the tradition of Halloween and my lineage I am continuing this Witch costume theme and enjoying it very much. 
Happy Haunting and Safe Trick or Treating to you all...

More ATCs and Lollypops...

 This Halloween Lollypop is made using a sports bar round coaster as the backing which I colored using a lovely purple Distress Stain.  A layer of gold tulle with gold glitter to the edges.  A cardstock pleated center with a fun ribbon bat.  This one is utilizing a drinking straw for the handle.  Off in the mail it went...

 This is a Fall ATC that I made for a friend's mother.  It is off to Texas.

 My friend Joy made me this ATC after I sent her one of mine.  The detail and colors are spectacular in person.  Thank you Joy.  It is truly beautiful.  Can you believe this is her very first ever attempt at an ATC?

 Lunch with some friends and these Lollypops are what I gave along with chocolates inside the cute purchased pumpkin bags.  Ladies can never have too much chocolate!

For the base of these I used a CD and covered it with some Halloween Tissue paper I received as part of a gift.  Again with the cardstock pleated centerpiece.  Finished with a button tied with the same purple yarn I used to tie the bag closed.  The handle this time is one of those plastic stir sticks.  Quick and easy and fun to make.  I think they would be a cute bouquet displaying several in a vase, pumpkin or gourd. 
Hmmm...I am thinking of lots of possibilities with these Lollypops for holidays and birthdays and anniversarys and celebrations of any kind.  They are also lightweight and easy to mail in a bubble pack envelope. 
Getting my costume ready for Saturday.  I will be hosting the local Chamber Visitor Center so it will be simple and easy to still function.  In the past I have been a mime while working as it is work friendly...and if you know me and my love of talking (and I have been told zillions of times that I am too loud!) then you can appreciate my ability to act like a mime and not speak...for an entire day!
Happy Haunting...

Autumn ATCs...

Autumn is that time of year that brings out the warm colors on the color wheel...yellows, browns, oranges, rusts.  The colors that I don't usually prefer.  However when it is Autumn and the leaves on the trees begin to change I find I am really liking these warm colors.  So I made some ATCs.  Silk leaves glittered is focal here.

These are incorporating some local scenes from Gold Country magazine.  I added just a touch of dimension with the rhinestones and silk leaves. 

Some Halloween themed ATCs that were fun to put together. 

 Nothing more than scrapbook papers, fancy smokey tape, ribbon pumpkins and bats and some bling.

Then I packaged each one in an organic waxed baggie and wrapped it with really fun fibers in the Autumn colors.  Now that was a few days spent in my ever so happy studio.  Then the best part was mailing them to some of my faithful followers...just as a thank you for being part of my blogging journey.  Some of you I have no mailing address for so I am carefully collecting those.  You never know when I might want to send you a smile in the mail. 
Happy Haunting and creating...

Autumn Inspirations...

 Our Autumn weather has been glorious.  Several weeks ago we had the cold snap that is required for trees to miraculously change their colors from greens to vibrant yellows, golds, oranges, burgundy and crimson.   Now it is sunny and warm with just the cooler temps at night.  This is a table I decorated with my favorite Fall pieces.  Pumpkins and gourds and silk leaves.  Nothing real or organic inside the house as my furchild will eat it and then give it back to me so generously. 

 See the little felt heart with pumpkins blanket stitched on?  This is very simple to make as it is felt.  Great project to make and give as little gifts.  Do you see the seed pit encrusted pumpkin?  Hmmm...

 Here you can see my decor incorporates my love of mice which I collect.  The large pumpkin gourd was created by a local artisan and gifted to my by my bestest friend.  See the little mouse peeking out the side faux hole?  So precious...the mouse pumpkin and my friend.

 The fabric pumpkin in the background I purchased at a local bazaar.  I always try to support fellow crafters.

Here are some pieces I bought at the local elementary school boutique to help the kids earn money for their school activities.  The little happy gourd, clay leaf tray and the framed dried leaves.  Nothing was more than $5 a piece and it really helps the kids.
So with lots of Autumn inspiration indoors and outdoors I shall fix a cup of tea and relax reflecting on how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy such amazing beauty.
If this is Monday I will be doing laundry...washing, drying and ironing...all of which I enjoy doing. 
Do each of you have your Halloween costumes ready?  This is the final week before all the parties and Trick or Treating.  I shall be getting my costume ready for certain.  Each year I end up hosting the Chamber Visitor Center on Saturday just before Halloween so I always wear a costume and greet visitors and locals with a basket of Treats.  It is fun to see their reactions. You do know by now that I am merely a grown up child!  I love to have fun and be in the spirit.
Wonderful week to all...

LOG 31 Las Vegas or Bust...

 Mr. C and I have just returned from a road trip.  I was without computer access the entire trip and I missed my blogging friends very much.  Here are some photos of the trip highlights.  We actually never went into Las Vegas as the conference was in Summerlin at the Red Rock Resort which was very nice.  LOG 31 stands for Lotus Owners Group and this is the 31st annual gathering.  This is the closest West Coast venue and that is why we attended.  Mr. C can now check this off his list.  :o)  The top photo is of his beloved Lotus.  I think it is the prettiest Lotus ever built.  Mr. C loves it for the technical supercar that it is.  He is an engineer and extremely hands on!  He has made improvements to this car that no one can believe he did so amazingly well and efficiently.

 Here we are all packed and ready for the +/-600 mile drive to LV.  As you can see I have tons of room.  My family and friends tease me that I have to wear lots of layers in order to have any change of clothes for the trip.  There really was plenty of room this time in the trunk for some clothes.  As for shoes I pack them carefully in the tiny side windows next to the engine which is right behind our heads. 

 I got a tickle out of this little sign one of the cars had displayed.  Cars and owners came from all over the United States and some people came from Europe but without their cars.  Lotus is British afterall.

An overview photo.  There were approximately 200 cars in attendance and that is a lot!  All colors and models and years.  It really was awesome to see so many in one place. 

 Mr. C looking very dapper and ready for the awards banquet. 

 This was the dessert and it was not only clever but very delicious.  My photo is blurry but the cheesecake on shortbread cookie with the glazed fruit complete with real gold on the tip of the strawberry was quite yummy.  I wanted to save the clever little white chocolate welcome sign but knew it wouldn't make the trip home so I ate it!

 This is us and another Lotus on our way home.  We stopped near Mammoth in the high country and the view was gorgeous.  The weather was crisp as we were over 8000 ft elevation here.  The Fall colors along Highway 395 were gorgeous.  We met this couple and ran in tandem to and from the conference.  Very charming husband and wife that I feel certain we will see again and again as we truly enjoyed their company.  For me that was the best part of this trip...meeting some wonderful people and exchanging contact info so we can stay in touch.  We really did have fun and lots of great stories and laughter were shared.

An overnight stay in Bridgeport before completing the trip home.  We always stay and eat at the Bridgeport Inn as it is charming and historic.  As you can see the car is covered in ice and this was later in the morning about 9 AM.  Brrrrrr...  I had flip flops on and told Mr. C that if he found any toes please gather them so they could be reattached.  LOL  It was COLD!!!  Thank goodness the car has a great heater and warmed us up.  On to Reno and them home.  It is always so good to get home after being gone.
Now for completing my household and pet chores, errands, grocery shopping, bill paying and what nots. I am looking forward to catching up on emails and blogging.  I hated missing so many days being offline.  Addicted?  Yes and proud of it.  Where else can you be part of such a wonderful community of caring and cleverly talented people? 
I do hear my studio calling me however it will have to wait...if I go in there I may never come out and take care of my responsibilities...hmmm...
Our Fall weather is just right and the colors are spectacular.  It is time for Mr. C and I to take our annual tour around town and just enjoy it all.  Maybe in the next few days.