Halloween Swap Update

Wouldn't you love to have this table of goodies?! Dept. 56 Glitterville..

Yep, playing again.....love my picture program!

Here's a red witch postcard for you to alter, print or whatever!

My new tag back for paper ornaments..

Hmmmm... Think the artist was feeling the pressures of 'deadlines' when he did this!

Isn't this a cool table decoration.. chip & dipping bowls, Its Dept. 56 ..
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Anyone remember this old book? A cute little story book..and yes I'm in the Storybook Swap that http://www.polkadotpixie.blogspot.com/ is having..

Ok ladies.. we have 37 sign-ups so far and Saturday Sept. 1st is the last day to sign up! You have til midnight. Sunday, Sept.2nd, I will email out partners..[ and I will do extra partners if needed ] Had alot of questions of what to do from some newbies.. So here we go again..

The theme is 'Halloween Black Cats and Pumpkins' you can make or buy, or do alittle of both... A paper or fabric project is easiest to mail.

Some ideas as examples: a charm bracelet, a paper cone filled with Halloween treats, a cat doll with pumpkin fabric, a bunch of paper cat collage tags in a paper pumpkin, a Halloween tiara/crown, a painting, Halloween ornaments or garland...and a value of at least $20. as many do much more than that ,but that's up to you & your partner.. and you must have a blog, post your swap items on your blog..Its best to discuss with your partner about preferances of what to swap and make, etc.. Send you name, email and blog address to me [ my email address is at top of page] I will send you the banner to post on your blog and deadline date is Sept. 20th to have items sent and posted on you blog.

She makes a cute looking good-witch type..

Yes ,a repeat picture... as a inspiration for the Swap..

Halloween Cupcakes

Got Halloween on the brain, so I made cupcakes! I just love my pumpkin cuppy cake!!

The trio of 'Halloween Cupcakes' all dressed up for tricks & treats..will be for sale Sept. 1st on 'Glitter & Grunge' http://www.glitterandgrunge.com/

These are samples of the free 'Halloween Ornaments' that you get with purchases , I have over 200 Halloween postcard images to pick from, so no repeats.. been working on all my 'Halloween Swaps' and digging out decorations for the house plus a couple of Halloween projects, yet to be shared..well back to the basement..work,work,work..

Mini Swap Show & Tell

Received my ' Waxed Crow ' today in the mail from Jennifer and she added some cute extra paper treats too! http://www.jenniferconway.blogspot.com/ I am very happy with my crow.. took a photo, then altered in in my pictures program..

Here is the ' Mini Swap' that grew... we did tags and a paper doll dress plus a assortment of papers. . this is for Beth: http://www.bethleintz.typepad.com/ . I was in a Halloween mood..
Surprised?!

Oops! Not Halloween, not even fall colors .. just did it..I was on a gluing frenzy!!

Halloweenie tags..

A Halloweenie dress and papers for Karla..

Halloween tags and misc. papers for Karla: http://www.karlascottage.typepad.com/ .

My favorite dress ..it goes to Betty: http://www.shessewpretty.typepad.com/

Samples from Bethany Lowe & Halloween

Had a surprise from the UPS man last week! Boxes and BIG too! OMG! 4 giant boxes ..One of the perks as a Artist ,working for a company is you 'receive samples' of all the pieces the company reproduces .. Very pleased with everything!! Happy! Happy!

Got so inspired Started to unpack my Halloween decorations and started decorating..My favorite faux poppies..

My kitchen Halloween repros on the window sill.

Unwrapping the goodies, Wow! impressively wrapped! Everything is like a fat mummy! Since everything has traveled a long way wrapped up ..you need to fluffy up their crepe paper collars to look nice..no big deal, but a nice little thing to do..

Made a vingette of some of my work, and Calamity Kim's Art Dolls from the 'Art Doll Hat Swap' 'http://wwwcalamitykim.typepad.com/ just love them!

A closer look..The winking moon is a original piece , the 'Cat on the Ball' and the 'Cat & the Pumpkin' are from 'Acorn Cottage'.. Again I have to say, the repro pieces look great! I am very happy with.. I fluffed up their paper collars and made a paper hat for veggie rider.!

Another picture of the grouping.. Now I need to get my Halloween tree up..I feel cooler weather coming and in the mood to decorate!

A little decorating has stated..A 'Paul Gordon Crazy Quilt Horn', and a wool bunny made by me.. old Purple transferware plate..

My fat cats relaxing in the sunny kitchen.. Baby Girl is so silly and full of mischief, Rufus is a big ol' loveball..

Working in the Dungeon..

Whoa! been a really long day ..been working to get ready for the Halloween Show "Ghoultide Gathering" in Oct. http://www.ghoultidegathering.com so quit at midnight.. checking my messages and off to bed!! I am pooped!

Halloween Inspirations..

Hello, added some Halloween Pumpkin & Kitty images to get everyone in the Halloween mood and thinking about the Swap..

Time to Sign up for Halloween Cat & Pumpkin Swap!

Wow! many have emailed and had some blog comments.. Sooo guess.. we better get this Swap going!!

Sign up starts today Aug.20th and will end Sept. 1st. Send your name, e-mail & mail address, and blog link, to me: mailto:dschoch@jamadots.com . Do not sign up thru blog link as want to keep everyone in one spot, so no one get left out or lost.

Plenty of time to get your stuff ready. Will e-mail you the 'Halloween Swap Banner' to post on your blog when you sign up. The theme is 'Black Cats & Halloween Pumpkins' in any way you want to do, and discuss with your partner.I will e-mail you your partners on Sept. 2nd . . You must mail out your swaps by Sept. 10th ! Post your swaps on your blog by Sept. 20th.. Now Get to work!!

A digital collage using a rubber stamp image from 100 Proof Press http://www.100proofpress.com/[ Iwill be transfering all my rubber stamp images to my computer to use in the coming weeks] the frame was from a kit: Memorabilia ..I used before in a past post, the papers are from http://www.shabbyprincess.com/ holiday samples..plus the witch stamp & Trick or Treat brush..The old photo, jol, hat cut out and jol on cat are mine..

One of my all favorite Halloween postcards..Twin cats, and witches..like the twin theme as Iam a Gemini...like the moon, bat and owl elements too..I use this card as a business card..

Halloween Swap: Black Cats & Pumpkins, Ideas..

The Halloween Swap poster/ banner...

A Rabbit doll and painting by Mud-cakes , Laura Meseroll http://www.mud-cakes.com [a lovely lady and awesome paintings!], some of last year's Halloween decorations..

Last year's Halloween table/wall decorations in my kitchen/ dining room..Old and new pieces..

A 8x10 collage made of art papers, seed catalogs, stamps, a old paper doll, German embossed scraps etc. Heavily antiqued and crackled.

A Bethany Lowe licensed piece from my Halloween Collection . Go here for more info: http://www.bayberrycove.com/.

Another Bethany Lowe Piece from my Licensed Halloween Collection.

A original papier mache 'Halloween Cat' that will be for sale on: Glitter & Grunge: http://www.glitterandgrunge.com/ Sept. 1st.

A old German Halloween embossed cardboard decoration.

Been thinking about the up coming Halloween Swap..So many have emailed and sent comments about it!

Here's some info and ideas...First you must have a 'Blog' and 'Post your swap items you made & received on your blog'..The Swap is a 'Pumpkin and/or a Black Cat'..

Was thinking about how much Everyone enjoyed doing Jenny's 'Bit & Pieces Collage' Wouldn't a Halloween picture/collage be cool?! In a 3 squares across and 3 squares down, sort of 666, but only 333..heehee..Sign up ends Sept. 10th' Items will be due Sept. 20th ..so this give's everyone plenty of time to think about it..

So what do you think?? Would a 'open anything goes' as long as its a cat or pumpkin, be prefered? Swap partners will be paired in the order I receive their email. You must send me your email, blog link and mailing address and will be forwarded to your partner.and I will take the last email as my partner. Sign-up will be thru my email only.

MAD ABOUT YOU / MAD ABOUT GB

Here he is Gerard Butler, my favorite hunk of all..what can I say?! Its my blg and he's so darn de-lish.. enjoy..

Meteors and the Cabin

Our little cosy cabin, I love it ...but we still have lots of work to do to finish it..and hopefully many years of family together time will be spent here....

A view going down the river,eagles and geese were around us.. really! but no luck photographing them.. Looks even prettier when the fall colors are here ..so will take pictures then..

My crocs taking in the view..

My dear husband on his air boat..you have to wear glasses and ear phones/earplugs as that is a airplane engine on the back! Wow! it is so fun to ride! I sit in the front ,a wind break for my husband, but the views are wonderful..

A romantic picture of a imagined Indian maiden, I think they now use her for a beer label..and faux flowers in a wall cone..

Screened porch on the cabin..I took this while sitting in my favorite swing chair, my brother Stu gave as a gift, Thank you Stu!!

A corner in the cabin.. we still need to do the ceilings and trim ,have lighting from Home Depot but still in boxes.. lots of stuff to do before the cabin is done..time and money..

Our bathroom project.. my husband is making a vanity of wild 'grapevine and birchbark' ,then the top will have a sink and 'faux deer antler and iron scones' as the lighting, the vintage chalkware heads were from a friend and the start of the theme for the bathroom, on the opposite walls I have a variety of old Indian ads and prints..hopefully next year the shower will go in!

Our bedroom, a pair of chalkware owls, on top of the jelly cupboard [storage for bed linens]. Will change out the vase, recently found a owl planter on ebay, so will redo next time we are there..

A peek of another corner,a big chalkware owl lamp and more cabin type collectibles, Pottery Barn denim bedding /curtains and added the red roses bedding..as didn't want it too guyish! ha! Yes, another theme ,'owls and acorns' in our room even found a garland of acorns and beads, a Martha Stewart Christmas decoration, added as a swag over the curtains, wish I had bought more....I recently saw a giant owl print on canvas on ebay,think it was for oranges.. may have to get it would look cool over the bed..

The guest bedroom.. The corner cabinet is made of thick heavy barn boards to display squirrels, pinecones and deer, a vintage squirrel lamp and a awesome reproduced sign from Northwoods Trading Co. we have alot of their signs through out the cabin and in our home!! I totally love their signs and boxes ...

Well ,we went to the cabin to watch the metors on Sunday night..ho hum..seen a few but didn't stay up all night as was already cranking my neck as it was.. cleaning and rearranging the cabin while my husband went fishing.. then we went for a air boat ride...5 eagles dipped and swirled above us and even rode along for awhile but darn I just could not get a good picture of them..

More Halloween Decorations..

My kitchen Halloween tree from last year..glass ornaments, artist pieces,old collectibles..and a photo of me with my mom in my Peter Rabbit Halloween costume..more about this coming next month..

Last year Halloween corner[ top of Christmas tree cabinet]..A mix of old & new ,mass produced and artist pieces and even some of my own figures..

Halloween Digi Collage

A silly collage I just did as too hot to move anywhere else..Tomorrow we go to the cabin and watch the meteor showers..

Halloween banner in August..

Playing with my pictures.. took a picture of last year's Halloween tree and did some altering..

The days are starting to feel like fall [wishful thinking,perhaps]and even looks like fall with everything turning yellow and evenings are cooler..thank god for that! So with that said I went to http://www.shabbyprincess.com/ and bought a Fall digi kit 'Organics' downloaded and played... this was one version and the other is ..well now' my header'.. for awhile till I'm in the mood to change again..

Saturday Art Hat Treat!

Well ,the day started out with the hope of Rain, but came and went... the mail lady [sometimes we have a mail man] brought me two Boxes and a check..yeah! A treat on this muggy day,no rain but the day isn't over yet... oooh the hats were even prettier than the pictures[she has much better photos than me , so go look at her inspiring blog] http://www.calamitykim.typepad.com I was amazed at all the 'extras' old hankies, pages of books, a Halloween scarf and tiny black kitty, piece of a old quilt.rubber stamps a really cool tag with her biz card on the back ,pinned that to my computer bulletin board.. Big Hug.. thank you Kim! I will take good care of your pieces!

Nice Matters Award & picks..

What a Nice surprise.. I missed out on the Artful Blog Party..pooh-pooh.. so was so amazed that Jeannene of http://www.loveconquersall.typepad.com/ ..had me on her Nice list.. Thank you that was very Nice of you..there are so many Nice art blogs with Nice pictures and thoughts/comments,opinions.. how to pick.. well I'm just going to list the top 5.. I keep my eye on with frequent visits. but these are not in any special order.. all are very Nice so take a look.. they are all on my eye candy list..Nice Ladies with Nice Sites... 1. Art Tea Life 2. The Feathered Nest. 3. Karlas Cottage 4. Calamity Kim 5. Cream Puffs in Venice and Pam Garrison are at a tie..

Views in the House..

Wall opposite of my tiny kitchen> toile wallpaper, bunnies, tins,transferware plates, my faux rusted chandelier..

My Hickory cabinets, love them..but still waiting for dh to add the trim & under cabinet lights......

The Collage painting was done by' Irene Gates' of Sparrow Reed a Michigan artist and sweet lady, my daughter bought it then changed her decor.. so I got it then did some altering to it . Added a starry crown, curly hair, arm band to match her apron hem, eyes to the crows and green eyes for her..if you look in the small mirror you can see the computer screen our mini office in the corner..heehee..

This will be the last picture of this cabinet.. as my DH will be building a 'new wall cabinet' to fit more of my stuff in to match the giant wall to wall cabinet that the tv and rabbits are in..This little tree has old and new glass ornaments and is up year round.. just because I like it..pretty sparkly things..

A new rabbit postcard I enlarged on my computer and framed and just love his face..

Bunnies on top of the Christmas tree cabinet.. rabbit painting is another Michigan artist . Margaret Shaw, painted on a 24x24 ceiling tin..Bunny in the blue bow I made from a 1917 pattern..

Here is a peek at my wonderful wall to wall pine cabinet that my husband made for me while I was gone visiting our daughter in Jan/Feb..love it.. hmmm think i need another trip so he can make more cabinets!

More views of my semi new kitchen, was one year old in May. Majolica, pottery, chalkware ,rabbits..stuff....I love colorful pottery...then little cabinet with the cream & sugars is a old drawer..

Dear husband is getting the boat ready as we are off on a fishing date this afternoon..my swap partners.. wanted pictures of my house to help out on their swaps so here are a few peeks..

The No Swap Swap - Paper Doll Project!

Hmmm.. been cleaning and creating in my over stuffed workroom last night & today.. then found a hat box full of my Paper Dolls.. so feeling generous .. then had a brainstorm, since a few of you ladies had fun with my angel card!! What if we have a 'No Swap Swap'.. Are you a Paper Girl or Digi Gal?? I have scanned a few 'Paper Doll Parts' for you to Play with.. made up a 'Banner' to post on your blog , just 'Click & Save' the Banner and the Doll Parts..then get creative and Show us what you did...that easy..

Art Doll Hat Swap..

Late last night got ready to do pictures, so combed Rosies hair and she modeled the Art Doll Hat. Now its boxed up and out in the mail for Calamity Kim..http://www.calamitykim.typepad.com

Here's a close up , used some pretty digi papers and theres the packet info ..go to http://www.scrapartist.com for awesome and artsy digi kits, alphabets, papers, brushes, etc.. ...

Sept.1st Swap~ Black Cats & Pumpkins..

Did some trading at my recent Art Show with the sweet talented Eydie http://www.shebrews.typepad.com/Her handwork blends so beautifully with the vintage postcards..She has postcards in just about any theme you can think of and all the Holidays.. I will post more about Eydie and her work and a swap we are going to try to do....in my next post..

The 'Winking Moon Head' is mine also 'Miss Spider' who will be for sale at http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/ Aug.10th..

Now a teaser for you... Coming Sept. 1st. a new Swap for 'Black Cats & Pumpkins'..

Back again at the computer.. just put dinner in the oven so time to play again on the computer..Been in a Halloween mood lately.. leaves on some of the trees are turning.. as so dry out..our grass is a yellow green..but still green at the cabin..

This N' That

Seven foot tall stack of old suitcases with some of my Halloween & Christmas collections all tucked inside, with tags..betcha would like to see it all the goodies?! maybe later..

Yummy, Yummy .. I just bought my copy of '300' I could dine on that man any day! ha! Oops! that sounded naughty.. oh well..with or on whatever... he's my favorite eye candy!!

Here's 'Calamity Kim's' Art Doll Hat, modeled by my goofy gourd doll. I still have a few more things to add. I distorted the picture, so in case she sees this , will still be a surprise..and more treats to go with, all in a seaside theme since she is a Florida gal!!

Ooh, finally figured where to hang my past swaps..can you spot them?? Still need to hang up Jennie's & Mica's pictures from the Bunny Swap..

Some old dolls, bought separately..years in fact.. but is the same doll, no marks 16''tall. I had them for ages! From my work room 'To Do Shelf'' [ there are 18 more dolls piled on that shelf..all need fixing!!].. I will be repairing these ..to get me started on moving those Dolls 'off ' that shelf....so here is the 'Before Picture' . I will pick off all the old paint, sand, glue and patch with paperclay, prime in gesso ..so will update that as I go..

A bunny postcard I did with my new HP paper and in a new old frame, just bought at the local St. Vinnies, was lucky and got 2 bags of goodies for my projects and even a few items for the cabin!

Yesterday I went to town and was at our local office supply store http://www.ontonagonherald.com/ and found out they had ink for printers ..yeah! Also tranparencies sold by the page, so bought a few to try ..they were out of matt photo paper, but had this glossy packet...hmmm...thought I will try it.. WOW! Totally love it!! Great weight to it and soo professional looking.. I have a HP PhotoSmart 1000 and was Super pleased with all the printing!! I am going to buy more of this.. and it cut out beautifully..usually I just use cardstock white.. [and will keep using that for my biz cards etc].. but this paper was a dream..

Tussie Mussie from Marie and other stuff..

Trilliums at the cabin in May..

Someone asked about pictures of the cabin, well here is a view from the cabin deck in May, I didn't bring the Camera to take any pictures as who wants pictures of cleaning and dead mice ?! Not me! But will bring camera with next time.. which will be Thursday.. so Cabin pictures are coming..

Snowballs from the garden..

Yesterday a nice surprise from Surprise, Arizona! My Tussie Mussie Swap, a neat Halloween cone filled with stickers, assorted papers,ribbons,even some bunny cards a cool old Halloween picture ,that I want to frame even a little charm bracelet ,so now I will go look on ebay and get some more charms to add too.. Thanks Marie love it! Tomorrow I will post pictures of 'Your Cone', and I made 2 extras , if anyone wants to swap for..come back on Wednesday to look..

At the Cabin..

Will my 'Tussie Mussie' partner email me , her info and wants as ready to do here..

Downloaded these cute doodle buttons and trims from http://www.peppermintcreative.com/ the Freebie kit for August. This little girl looks how I felt by the end of the week! [minus the million bug bites I got!] argh! itch itch..

Hello, we got home last night been at the cabin since last Sunday July 29th.. the day after my show.. was my husband's vacation and he was eager to get to the cabin! I cleaned , changed all bedding, washed walls, floors everything thing with Murphy's oil soap... and rearranged furniture all the while getting bite by every insect in the and out of the cabin!! Replanted my perennials and a couple of shrubs by the deck.. and my dear husband edged the hosta and new beds with birch logs.. so cute and rustic..I could not figure out why some the plants were doing poorly... then I dug around found that the 'chipmunks' were tunneling under the rootballs of the plants! So crossed my fingers and hope new locations of plantings will be okay! Only went one night for a pontoon ride..and picked berries on Saturday...but been so dry.. the pickings were not so good but still we managed a big bowl of blackberries..so home now and will try to catch up on my emails and blog messages and get my Swaps mailed out this coming week!!