We couldn't let Halloween go by without warm wishes from these two characters. Doughboy and Remy had a tough time choosing their spooky attire for this year, so they would like you to pick your favourite(s). Don't forget to click on the Halloween music link at right to get the full October fashion effect. They are starting with their Pastry Chef & Cupcake costumes... ...

We do get excited around here when it's time to set up our apothecary cubby! I keep an eye peeled throughout the year at thrift stores for interesting jars to add. I'd better quit looking as there are quite a few potions that didn't even make it onto this display this year. But a witch has to have some selection, right?  We painted small rocks with chalkboard paint for Macy's party this year. Macy wrote all the girls' names on them and they were used for place markers. The girls each took them home as part of their loot bag. No... no one was named Eeeeek. My 25 year old IKEA mortar and pestle fit right in and the glass jar holds lavatera seeds handpicked by my neighbour friend Louise. The black lacquer pot belonged to my great grandparents. I emptied out the little baggies in my bulk spice leftover bin to fill new jars. Old peppercorns, celery seed and poppy seed make great bottle fillers. Hydrangea blossoms are perfect as well. This li......

New, and maybe improved for 2012, here is my paranormal portrait mantle. I added two new pictures and therefore needed a bit more elbow room. Set up was a bit tricky on our wafer thin mantle, but we haven't lost anyone over the edge yet. A near miss on installation, but that disaster was averted by a quick moving 10 year old. We had the pictures up and ready for the annual party on the 19th. Eight giggly girls kept me busy Friday (said girls AFTER some major fun on PicMonkey -- the moustaches and fangs weren't added in). If that wasn't enough Mr. CF and I installed hardwood in the master bedroom on the weekend.  Source Well.... this isn't really our bedroom, but I assure you it looks darn good. This was our third -- and smallest job ever but somehow my body feels like I just laid hardwood in an arena. Ouch! I did manage to get my legs moving and set up the tripod and take some photos of the 2012 mantle. My favourite new addition is this cut......

2nd Annual Lunch & Crafty Halloween Party 2011 NOTE: This blog will be temporarily ignored while I do the three million things I have yet to do for Macy's party tomorrow afternoon. I don't want to disappoint these sweet goblins. I will be recovering about 5pm tomorrow afternoon with my feet up, an ice cold Diet Coke (this is when I really wish I liked wine) and a bag of Halloween treats. :) ...

By now you may know that I love decor with a personal touch. Especially for Halloween. With Macy staying overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's, all I needed this morning was a photo of relatives, my Mac, and an ice cold Diet Coke with Lime... heee heee heeee..... Mamie Jane's I was inspired by Jane's spooky vintage cabinet card. BUT, since the only item I had to work with was the pant hanger that I got free at a garage sale a few weeks ago... I had to improvise.   This is what it really looks like with out the PicMonkey Macabre Tarnish and darkened edges. Seated is my great-grandmother Mary Emma, and behind her, (which is where you'll see I got my love of BIG HAIR) are my great aunts Eva, Emma, Carrie and Sophronia.  I found some lovely Salem style millinery on the web and gave them a little Halloween twist.  They lived in Oak Gulch, South Dakota in the early 1890's before moving to Wisconsin -- thus the inspiration for the title. I was ho......

Last Friday I came home from my parent's place with a few new-to-me treasures. My favourite is my mother's doll. The carriage belonged to Mom and her sister Shirley (the watercolour artist) and I drug it down from the attic on a hot day in August. The two, circa early 1940's, are together again... albeit like they've never been before. Dolly is sporting a Build-a-Bear witch outfit, nicely concealing a little secret. Mom and Shirley, spring 1942, with another carriage. Where that one is no one knows. The blue buggy above was repainted, probably in the 60's, but it was originally a dark teal colour. My sister and I played with this carriage when we were kids; it's got lots of miles on it! Mom and Shirley; doll sweaters knitted by Grandma or Great-Grandma and Mom in summer. I'm sure my mother was gentle with the few toys she had, but note how she's holding Dolly in the photo at right. That may partially explain Dolly's secret: she has ......

It's been a busy week here at the Crow's Nest. We celebrated our Canadian Thanksgiving over the weekend with not one, but two delicious dinners (and lots of laughs) with family. I finished my big family photo wall(s) for my mom on Friday. Now it is on to thinking about Miss M's annual Halloween Party. I've also been thinking about a friend I have made through blogging who is busy too. She's working, watching grandkids, and helping her Mom who is having some health issues right now. It's a joy to connect with people over the internet. I have made some good friends in the last few years. People I may never get to meet in person, but whom I think of every day. And care about. So these little Owl Mug Wraps are for She. And her Mom. Perfect for keeping your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate toasty warm and your fingers just the right temperature. They will be in the mail today and will fly across the continent to arrive with get well wishes for Gra......