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Halloween Preview

Last year was a bloody zombiefest.

We had no shame in our ripped jeans, popped collars and douchy attitudes - as long as they were doused in mockery and fake blood.

It's fun to be scary... gross... creepy... weird...

But I want to swing the pendulum the other way this year for Halloween.

Sugary sweet.  Sickeningly cute.  But - still a little on the demented side, of course.  Most of that will come into play with the make-up and the attitude.

I can't wait to show you the entire look!!

Yay, Swappers Day

Swappers Day.

A 15-20 minute drive out into the farmlands of Johnstown, Ohio - a long line to park in a big field filled with cars that got there hours before you - hiking from the back of the field to the entrance - and a four dollar fee at the gate... provides you with access to a redneck shopping extravaganza!  

Oh!  No offense at all, though!  I mean that in the best possible way.  

It reminded me almost exactly of Brimfield, which I've written about before here.  I'm in total love with Brimfield and this was like Brimfields little backwoods baby.  

The focus of the day is really and truly... guns.  There are booths with guns for sale everywhere you look.  And knives.  And swords.  And tools.  But there are also puppies and turtles!  

And I even happened to find a few treasures of interest, myself - neither guns NOR puppies.

These tractors for example.  Notice anything special about them?

UM YEAH.  THEY ARE WERE SEWING MACHINES.

A few treasures even made their way home with me!

I've been longing for a bright red purse, preferably vintage.  Found it!

I'm not sure what this was supposed to be.  A scarf?  A sheet?  Neither?
It's a darn cute print is what it is and so it came home with me as well.

Some beautiful vintage trims!

I stared at this necklace for a long time, trying to decide what the heck it was made out of and whether or not it was really awesome or totally not.  I decided on awesome.  I can make it work.

And by the way, I think it's made of carved and painted wood pieces.  I gave it a good washing when I got it home.

OH!  AND!  I didn't take photos of this, but inside the purse were a few things.  The first thing I pulled out was one of those little plastic granny rain caps freshly folded in a packet.  That went in the trash, stat.  The next thing was a teeny tiny little pope-looking metallic gold plastic figurine in a container.  Yeah.  What to DO with such a thing??  

Finally, a stack of about 15 little religious cards that look like trading cards.  I thought they were (I'll trade you two Marys for your Jesus!) but on the backs there were "In loving memory of So-And-So, July 29th 1972".  Oh.  So she kept all of these... remembrance cards of everyone she knew, in her purse!  Aww.  So, now what to do with them?  The art on them is cool.  Maybe someone wants them for that?  Or for the fact that they're all almost 40 years old?  Holler if you want them.

Lesson of the day: I love buying treasures in fields.

Respect The Quilters

I have got LOVE for quilters.

I didn't even know that I did!  I mean... I did... but... now I truly know in my heart that I 100% admire them!  I have never been to a Quilt Show before.  Coming from a background in fashion design... I guess I sort of made the assumption that it was a "granny" thing?  I don't know what was wrong with me and I'm sorry.

We went to a Fabric Expo/Quilt Show down near Cincinnati a while ago and although we went for the fabric - we were taken aback by the absolutely amazing quilts that hung before our eyes.  I'll share with you a few favorites (although I regrettably don't have the artists names for each of the quilts - they were on such small cards so could not be incorporated into the photos easily).

A girl getting a tattoo...QUILT!  See??  Seeee??  Freakin' awesome.

And look at that detail.  I love the use of that print for the skin... a nice comic book reference there.

And this??  I can't be sure that it is not actually a painting...

We sort of got the name on this one!... And SEEEERIOUSLY???  I'm positive that this took three lifetimes to complete.  My mouth dropped to the ground and I left it right there in the Expo Center.

Thank you - quilting Gods - for allowing us to bask in the glow of your beautiful fabric art.  And thanks for making me feel like a completely talentless fool!!

A Mad Hatter Tea Party Stylist

This morning when you woke up - things were different.  

The air was fresh because the window by your bedside was open and a cool breeze was coming in.  You could smell something sweet... like little frosted cakes.

You stepped out of bed and onto a cold wooden floor, slipped on your robe and slowly approached the curious oak wardrobe over in the corner of the room.  The hinges creaked as you pulled the doors open.  Like I said - things were different - and the things inside looked so unfamiliar.

Such curious things....

LunarraStar on Etsy left this sweet little teapot necklace dangling from a hook on the inside of the door.  It was sparkling in the light that came through the window.  You slipped it around your neck - excited to see what else lie before you within the curious wardrobe.

Luckily for your cold feet, a beautiful pair of ballet slippers were left on the bottom of the wardrobe...

HydraHeart lined them in pink satin - perfect for a spring morning, exploring the contents of an old oak wardrobe... (and wow!  they fit perfectly!).

Hanging from the three hooks within the wardrobe were three different dresses just begging to be tried on... so... you did.  What girl could resist??

The first one was a delicate little babydoll dress, partially constructed from a vintage slip.

It was left in the wardrobe by imyourpresent, with love.

Hanging from the second hook was an intricately detailed and futuristic jumper, handmade by emilyryan.

You tried it on and felt otherworldly.

On the third hook was an incredibly special ruffly party dress.

It was placed into the wardrobe by katetowers.

You don't know how these treasures appeared in your wardrobe - or what is so unreal about the day - but you know that you never want it to end.  A gust of wind swirls into the room and pushes one of the doors to the wardrobe shut.  On the floor, you see another treasure.

FIAZCO has left a silk-lined clutch!  You knew this had completed your outfit for the day and you should make your way down for morning tea.  It is, after all, your un-birthday!

Today will be a little different... as you had sensed... it will be full of crazy mad tea parties from coast to coast to coast.  Stories and photos and inspiration will be shared between friends and strangers alike.

Be sure to enjoy the tea party, as mad as it may be.

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Twenty Five

Today... I turn 25!!

I won't consider myself old.  I won't consider myself young.  I will consider myself on the journey.  

Twenty years ago I was about to start Kindergarten.

Ten years ago I was acting a fool as a crazy teenager.

Five years ago I was running around trying to figure out what I wanted to BE when I grew up.

And today?  

I'm twenty five.

Zombie Walk Columbus 2009

On Saturday, June 6th 2009 - a hoard of hundreds of flesh eating Zombies walked the streets of Columbus, Ohio.  They gathered at the south east end of Goodale Park - bringing with them blood, brains and... non-perishable food items??  

Zombies of all ages congregated in the park and as a group they walked through the city causing a dramatic yet peaceful spectacle.  

They were on a mission.

They caught the attention of photographers, reporters and even innocent onlookers just going about their day.

This annual event grows larger each year as it catches the attention of people who see it unexpectedly as they are having dinner at their favorite restaurant or just driving down the street.  The zombies were mostly welcomed with laughter and smiles and photography.  A few were shocked and confused.

A squadron was sent out to try and shoot them down - but the zombies were relentless in their mission to walk the city.

To see all of my photos from the Zombie Walk - 

go to my Flickr.

To see more photos taken by others during the walk - 

check out the Zombie Walk photo pool on Flickr.