Haunting Haute Couture

Yes, I have been playing with felt...glorious felt. I love how easy it is to cut, how easy it is to sew, and how easy it is to love. Here are some festive fall fashion accessories any girl should not be without. I created these pieces to sell on my Etsy store. Opening and Etsy store is harder than I thought it would be...I should have it up and running tonight. I have been struggling with everything from the header to Pay Pal. My mind is mush. The only scarf I have more than one of is the skeleton black and white one. All of the rest are unique, one of a kinds...Lovin' this cool Fall weather in the Midwest. I must go and put on my scarf....wink, wink.

Kara

A Conspiracy to Create...

You can become a Deputy Crafter for a Crop Scene Investigation. Visit this website : http://cropscene.com/learn-more and register for some crafting fun! Until November 10Th, the site will host daily giveaways and give you clues to help solve a crafting mystery. Celebrate on November 15Th at participating local stores for even more fun. Join EK Success, Martha Stewart Crafts, K and Company, Inkadinkado, and Prism for the some crafting excitement.

I am a true crafter thru and thru. I feel in love with this bracelet in California at the Heller Estate Organic Vineyard.http://www.hellerestate.com/This is a very unique winery located in the Carmel Valley. The winery is completely organic. It uses small wasps...not the mean kind to help control the pests on the grapes. They planted French Prune Trees to attract this type of wasp to the vineyard resulting in no pesticides being used. Their tractor runs on ethanol. They are very conscientious of the environment and what they produce. Heller Estates describe the winery as a marriage of art, sculptures, and wine. The place is just full of all kinds of art and has it's own sculpture garden. On another cool note, it is part of the Free Trade program http://www.friendshipbridge.org/ and supports women crafters in other countries. This bracelet was made by a women in Guatemala. It is so beautiful. The beading is just extraordinary. It cost $20 and can be purchased at Heller Estate 1-800-625-8466. I love the idea of globally empowering women.

Heller Estates:

Here is a little sneak peek for tomorrow's post. I have been playing with felt and hope to have an online store up shortly....thanks for all the well-wishes for my dad. The crafting community is full of support and knowledge. I am so grateful.

Fall is as Sweet as Candy...

The last few days have kept me busy...as many of you know my dad has been in the hospital. He is home now. Let's just say it is tough getting old. I am not ready to dive into details. My mom says it best..."Let's just take one day at a time". So true. I have been trying to keep my mind busy. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love decorating and I am usually all finished by now. Here are some of the Ward's Fall Decor...and other tidbits.

Tidbits:

Eliza Doolittle has spent each day with us. She is seen here chasing Coco. Notice the green squeaky in Coco's mouth. Eliza doesn't want it...she just loves the thrill of the chase.

Miss "H" got a new doo! She loves the super straight, sleek look. Miss Sarah took off a good 2 inches of very dead hair. You can tell why Miss "H" loves Sarah so much. Just look at her fun hat. She has such a genuine way of making everyone feel beautiful.

Fall Decor:

It isn't October without candy corn!

Here is my front door. This poor wreath has to make it through another season and then I will replace it. I love the colors but it is looking kind of raggedy and unbalanced. That darn wind just tugs on all the flowers and leaves.

I did do a little planting. I really love Mums. All colors and kinds. They just say "Fall" to me. I found the Mums by the garage doors and the ones in front of my entry way door at Wal-Mart. Then, when I was at Lowe's yesterday....I bought 6 small ones for only $2.49 each. I quickly planted the Mums because the forecast was rain. They will make a nice border in front of my Spring Phlox. Next year, I plan to plant small Mums in my containers and use 3 different colors. I am also looking for a pedestal for my large pots. I want to spray paint them black. I just can't find any pedestals at this time of year.

My mom and I found metal pumpkins at Gordman's a few years ago. I still love mine. It folds up flat for storage.

Here is the entry way....I had to move my little tree. Too many nose prints on the side windows. I found the metal sign last year on clearance at Michael's Craft Store. The little BOO candle holders I have had for years. I think they came from a Hallmark store promotion. The metal pumpkin is difficult to see but he sits high upon a candle stick holder.

The pig is adorn with fall foliage.

Here is the stove top. Yes, it is an unusual place for decor. I found this metal pumpkin bell on a field trip with Mr. S. Such a nice kindergarten memory.

I purchased these bottles last year on clearance at Michael's Craft Store. The beakers are from Hallmark. I bought a mirror at Hobby Lobby for them to set upon. The mirrors are 50% off this week.

In my little wicker chair sits a felt pumpkin pillow. So easy to stitch. Last year a bought this crazy tree with the dancing owls from Hallmark. It plays the Adams Family.

This is the first haunted house I made...it is still my favorite. The papers are Reminisce. Martha Stewart glitter on the roof and K and Company Tim Coffey embellishments.



My kiddos made a haunted gingerbread house from a Wilton kit we purchased at Wal-Mart. Mr. "S" always has his own mind. He made me cut open the back side of the house, so he could decorate the inside. When, I wasn't looking...he added a second story to the home. The entire time he worked on the project he drove his poor big sister nuts. He had a vision and she wasn't cooperating. Finally, she just gave up. He was thrilled!

Misty turned me on to this Halloween book. It is by Matthew Mead decorator extraordinaire. So many clever ideas and good recipes too. I found my copy at Target. Enjoy!

What is spooky, retro, and enchanting?

Jen Yanok http://pixipaint.com/ a nationally known illustrator, designed this enchanting scrapbooking line for K and Company called Halloween Whimsy. http://www.kandcompany.com/shop/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=1. One of my favorite pieces of the line is this Haunted Tree. The kit contains: the foam tree base and 8 treat boxes. I made the tree to hold my treat boxes for my "special" trick or treaters. You know, the neighbor kids that live at my home. wink, wink...or my children that live at the neighbor's. I have it setting on the little table right by our front door. Mr. "M" had his nose pressed against the side window panes, yelling through the glass-"Mrs. Ward, what is that for"? I said, "Oh, Mr. "M" one of these little boxes is for you on Halloween night." Mr. "M" said, "Can I have mine now"! I think I may be torturing the neighborhood kids with my "too cute" tree. Here is how to put one together.

Step one:

Slide the 2 pieces of the foam tree together using the slot on the truck of the tree as the connector.

Step two: Assemble the treat boxes.

Layout treat box and score on fold lines.

Adhere the sides together first. You can see a side flap. I tucked it into the inside of the box.

Secure the bottom of the box closed. Use a sturdy glue because candy can be heavy!
Pinch the sides together. There are score lines to show you where to squeeze.

Step three: Cut your ribbon and tie a knot in it. I keep the knot on the inside of the box when I hang my treat boxes. Fill box with candy and close. Isn't it cute!

Here are all the boxes included in the kit! I just love Jen Yanok's artwork. Don't you?

The Halloween Whimsy Haunted tree and Decoration kit is available at Michael's Craft Stores.

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=sb0821

On a terribly sad note, Jen Yanok passed away of cancer at only 38 years old this July. Her family made a lovely tribute to her on You Tube. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7u9RMuBoTU&feature=related

Also, here is a link to another fellow blogger. Her words said it so well about how Jen will be missed in the art community. http://hatu.blogs.com/hugsacrosstheuniverse/2008/08/i-took-the-tip-from-the-sweet-and-sinister-halloween-blog-and-hopped-in-the-car-and-drove-to-michaels-to-check-out-the-new-st.html