Shivers of Delight

It was over in a blink of an eye - sort of. Today's post will be a little longer than usual as I tell you of my adventure to get to one of the finest Halloween art shows in the country: Bewitching Peddler's of Halloween  in Marshall, MI.  I wasn't planning on going to this year's show because it costs a lot of money to get there and then there are so many wonderful things to buy, but a ticket sale on Southwest Airlines pushed me into a snap decision to fly into Grand Rapids- almost a two hour drive to the show. With my electronic ticket on my phone, a car reservation from Alamo, and a hotel room secured, my husband dropped me off at the airport on Friday at 5AM with the words "Be Careful." My excited, flippant response of "A Girl in Trouble is a Temporary Thing" (remember that song from the 80's?) caused him to grimace. My flight to Grand Rapids was pretty smooth despite a 3-hour layover in Chicago where I crossed timezones too many times to...

Why don't we have a more glamorous word for the thing that witches wear on the top of their heads? "Witch Hat" just doesn't do the elegant hats made by Jamie and Frederick Addington justice. Les chapeaux de sorcières sounds better, but it's still the same thing. Really, let's get to work on that. I've seen les chapeaux de sorcières made by the millineries Addington up close and personal and can attest to their beauty and craftsmanship. If you attend an art show where they are exhibiting, you'll be stunned by their shop display- it actually looks like a millinery's shop. Their hats are something you'll want to wear and keep forever. The online shop is Evercrumbly And Witch . Enchanted Evening Witch Hat Wicked Cutie Goldie Lavender Leaves Pretty As A Pumpkin Wicked Woods Black and Blue Voodoo They're stunning, right? There are lots of different colors and patterns in the shop and wizard hats, too. I want a dif...

After seeing the work of Sarah Dott, I realize I need a shrine to Halloween! Her shop, The Story Box Studio , has a collection of gleeful shrines to honor the spirit of Halloween. I love the vintage style of Dott's boxes and the way each box is curated with tiny details. You're going to want one too. Edgar Allan Poe Themed Altered Lamp Vintage Inspired Halloween Lantern Apothecary Cabinet Halloween Assemblage Halloween Skeleton with Spider Tonique Box Halloween Zombie Decor Spooky Ghost Box I'd love to have all of these on my wall as a collection. I just have to clear some space...

I don't have a Halloween tree - yet. I keep thinking about it, but I'd rather have one made of bare branches than one that looks like a black pine tree. You know what I mean? I haven't found the perfect one yet, but that doesn't mean I'm not planning ahead and purchasing some ornaments. Kelly Smith has some whimspookal Halloween ornaments that I like. They're made from redware, earthenware pottery with a red hue. Smith's designs are primitive style and warm my cold heart. Her shop is Smith Redware . Primitive Ghost & Pumpkin Ornament Black Cat Ornament Skull Ornament Pumpkins for Sale Small Plate Spooky Witch Ornament Pumpkin Ornament These ornaments are quite large so you could also hang them on the wall and they wouldn't be out of place.

Can you believe it's Monday already? Good thing I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Welcome to the Macabre Mix. Dracula's Tabletop Hearse from PaperMoonPalace Pumpkin Garland from RosiePlustheBoys Weirwood, Heart Tree Pendant from Forge of Wonders Spider and Lace T-shirt from Zoeslollipop Overcast Skull T-shirt from Rollus1 Anatomical Heart Patch from Embroiderylab Wicked Halloween Banner from kathyjacabson Olde Salem Broom Company Wine Glass from BrightSpiritsDesigns Halloween is quickly approaching and there is still so much to prepare! Thank goodness I can buy my way out of some of the panic.