I Miss You Guys....

I miss you guys. I miss the little on line, blogger community that I found last year. I love reading your stories, reviews, insights and have always appreciated your honesty and feedback when I asked for it. In the last 6 months we've moved twice, I've lived in 4 different places, changed jobs and careers, bought a house, had to do all the relocating stuff associated with moving (new car registration, finding new doctors, etc).

Even though it was all so we could buy a beautiful new home it's been stressful. I'm grateful we now have a home to call our own but, I with so many changes I don't have much time for the crafts I enjoy doing or for reading and writing blogs. I'm off for the next week or so and I hope to do some catching up. I do want to take this time to say Happy Holidays to everyone. I wish you much health and happiness in the coming new year. Take care of yourselves.

Blessings,
Joane

Cyber Sale at Moonlight Journey

Moonlight Journey is having a great cyber sale starting on Monday! Check out the website for great stuff.

http://www.moonlightjourney.com/

New Jewelry Designs from Moonlight Journey

Hello!

Here's a couple of photos of the first few pieces of jewelry I've created for Moonlight Journey. Their designs really are so creative and whimsical. All of the items below are for sale at my etsy shop, Ivory Pumpkin.

They are all rings, set in a copper base with an adjustable band. More will be on the way soon! I hope you like them!

Meet the New Member of the Moonlight Journey Design Team

It's me! I'm so honored that Moonlight Journey chose me to be part of their jewelry design team! For the past year or so I've used their gorgeous digital images to create jewelry for my etsy shop. Thanks Becky and Lynne! I can't wait to start creating. Here are their links to check out their blogs and the Moonlight Journey shop.

http://www.whymsicalmusings.blogspot.com/
http://www.moonlightjourney.com/

The Winner of the Practical Magic Giveaway is....

Dragonfly at An English Witchery! Congratulations! Can you contact me at joaneduranatgmaildotcom and let me know your address? You were the lucky person chosen at random by random number generator.

Thank  you to everyone that stopped by my blog for the giveaway. Unfortunately, I was unable to go to many of your party blogs as my computer has been very slow and it seems to be prone to getting viruses lately so I need to stay off as much as possible. I did manage to go to a few and the posts were wonderful and so much fun.

I'm so excited that the Halloween season is upon us. I'm looking forward to finding my perfect Halloween and hope that will come visit me again soon.

Love,
Joane

A Practical Magic Giveaway

One of my favorite parts of the movie Practical Magic is the Aunts. I love their eccentricity and their style. I would love to wear vintage hats and clothes but, I don't have the wardrobe or the courage!

To celebrate Fran, Jet and Practical Magic I'm giving away this pretty victorian witch pendant. Fran and Jet's style seem to be more Edwardian but, this witch reminds me of them none the less. If you look closely, I think you can see the Owen's house in the background.

 The pendant will come on a organza ribbon necklace (length up to your specification) the pendant measures 1x2 inches and is set in a copper tray with a glass overlay. If you'd like to be entered into the drawing become a follower on my blog and leave a post or if you are already following just let me know in a post as well. Be sure to leave me your contact info.

I'll draw a name at random one week from Saturday and announce the winner here. I'm so glad you've flown over to visit. Enjoy the party and good luck!

Blessings,
Joane

In Search of My Perfect Halloween...It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

It's not Halloween without the Peanuts gang. I've watched this every year since I can remember. It's classic Halloween. Charlie Brown warms my heart with his optimism and who doesn't love Linus who is wise beyond his years. Even crabby Lucy has a tender spot in her heart - remember when she gets up in the middle of the night to bring Linus home from the pumpkin patch? And Snoopy as the WWI Flying Ace! I don't need to say much about the creative genius of Charles Schultz, his work speaks for itself.

It's that time of year to welcome the Great Pumpkin into our hearts.

Autumn Leaves and Victorian Witches

I have some new items up for sale at my Etsy shop, Ivory Pumpkin,  if anyone would care to stop by. Here is a sample of what I have AND I'll have something similar to one of these items as a giveaway for the Practical Magic Blog Party! Click on the link on my side bar to find out more info.

In Search of My Perfect Halloween - Creepy Dolls

I've mentioned before that I love the vintage Halloween of the past, the whimsies of a bygone era. But, for me, Halloween has to have an element of scary. The deserted house on the hill that mysteriously has a window lit at night or long dark hallways (think abandoned asylums), the old cemetary at night, mannequins in a department store after its closed. These things are not really scary in and of themselves but, it's the thought of what could happen in the environment or where our minds take us if we let it go there.

This brings me to creepy dolls. Dolls can't harm us. Many of us love them and collect them and have had a favorite one when we were children. They are inanimate objects. But, as we've seen in many scary movies, what if the dolls we know and love have a soul? Or are possessed by something dark? Or what if they are crying out to us in their silent stare that they still want to be loved?




What if?

In Search of My Perfect Halloween...The Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House

I got this record when I was a kid, I don't think I was even 10 years old yet.

I still have it. It's at my mom's house. She has a turn table and I listened to it with my son a few months ago. He thought the "Chinese Water Torture" was sooo politically incorrect and, it probably is but, remember I got this record decades ago. This record means Halloween to me. When I got a little older I would darken the house and play the record when kids came for trick or treating. It would scare the crap out of them! I love the noises of the creaking house and howls and screams....AAHHHHH! What memories! When I listened to this record it meant Halloween was just around the corner and I had better start thinking of a costume. Hmmm, what to be this year?

The Joy of......

Nutella!

I've recently re-discovered this delicious treat. I used to eat it when I was a kid. I was the only kid in school that got a chocolate sandwich for lunch! I didn't eat it for a long time, I'm not sure why but, I was at the store a my hand grabbed a jar. I've been eating on toast and with bananas for desert. How do you eat your Nutella? Would love to hear your recipes.

The Search for My Perfect Halloween Begins...

In my previous post I talked about the kind of Halloween I do and don't like. I'm going to search the web, blogland and the outside world to find the prefect Halloween and share what I find here on my blog. I'm not sure what I'll find or come up with but, I'm excited! I for sure will not be heading to the commercial Halloween stores as that's what started this search. To my joy, last week, there was one open already near my house. I got sooo excited and then I was very disappointed with overload the "sexy" costumes - sexy witch, sexy vampire, sexy Alice in Wonderland - geez when did Halloween get sexy? There was a lot of gore stuff too. I like a little blood during Halloween but, some of it just seemed gross.

Of course Hallween means different things to different people so when I say perfect, it's what perfect is to me. So let's begin with one of my favorite artists that caputures the spirit of the perfect little witch....

This is Darcie by Paulina Cassidy. She is for sale on her website, the link is on my side bar. Paulina has also created these...

It's a lovely little 1x1 inch brooch. And, it's only $7 on her site. Sooo cute!

Thank you to all that have shared your suggestions for shops to check out. I can't wait to see what awaits there!

I love Halloween but, I don't like that kind of Halloween....

I was tickled the other day when to my surprise I see a Halloween Express store at the local strip mall! And, at another mall was a Spirit Halloween store. It seems Halloween comes early to the Las Vegas area. So, of course I meandered in to soak up some trick or treat goodness.

 I was kind of disappointed. Not because the store didn't have a good supply of costumes, zombies and gore items but, I think it was because I was looking for a different type of Halloween. The gore and sexy costumes have their place but, not in my Halloween world.

I'm still trying to define what exactly what it is I'm looking for in Halloween. I guess I'm a vintage type of gal. I like jack o' lanterns with sneaky grins and black cats like the image below.....

 And witches riding broomsticks across the night sky......

And caramel apples.....

Whether you like gore, sexy costumes, monsters or cute little goblins and fairy princesses knocking on your door for candy, Halloween is a state of mind. Everyone has a different idea of what it should be. Unfortunately, I can't go to these commercial Halloween stores to get my fix. For me to get a true Halloween fix I'd need to go to Salem, MA but, that's not in the cards right now. I guess I'll have to create my own Halloween state of mind, I'm not sure what I'll come up with but, I promise to share whatever discoveries I may find.

What kind of Halloween do you like?

It's Practical Magic Party Time Again!

Get your hats, brooms and mix up the midnight margarita's because it's time for the Practical Magic Blog Party!

I participated last year and it was so much fun. It's the perfect way to kick off fall the Halloween season. The link is posted at my side bar. Please join us.

Ready for Halloween? Visit this Fun and Spooky Halloween Etsy Treasury....

I was featured in a really great Etsy Treasury. Sigh.....I'm sooooo ready for Halloween.
Spooky Spectacles

I've Re-Opened my Etsy Shop!

Instead of sitting around and feeling lonely and sorry for myself, I've re-opened my Etsy shop! I've re-newed some items and hop to have more soon. I even have a "trick or treat" section for Halloween items (I hope to have more of these real soon.)

I'll be having a giveaway soon to kick-off the Halloween/ autumn season, so come by here again soon. Thanks for stopping by the shop!

Ivory Pumpkin

A New Life

Made my final trip to Henderson, Nevada on Thursday night. My sister came with me and the dog. We made it in 9 hours, not bad as we only stopped 3 times. I am feeling a little lonely. A new place to live, a new town, a new job, finding new friends. It's a little overwhelming even though we've been planning this move for the last 2 years. The emotion of everything hit me when we arrived on Friday morning and I had a bit of a meltdown. Couldn't help thinking, "oh my god, what did I do? I've moved away from everything I know and love. Maybe this was a mistake." I had a few tears (well,more than a few)  but, I'm thinking and hoping all will be ok once we settle into a routine. I hope.

The Joy of....TV!



Yes I will finally admit it. I LOVE TV! I find tv very comforting and entertaining. I watch everything from PBS (Mystery and Masterpiece Theater are my favorites) to what my husband calls "brain rot" (you know stuff like "Flavor of Love" or "Celebrity Rehab") to the Food Network to cartoons. I have no prejudice, if I like it, I watch it.

I will also be the first to admit there is a lot of crap on TV (and some of it I do watch, some I just can't watch - I had a hard time watching Nip/Tuck for some reason). But, there is a lot of good stuff out there too. Especially, vintage TV. I don't know if that's actually a term or not but, I love the old tv shows like I Love Lucy, Leave It To Beaver, Andy Griffith. I grew up in the late 60's and 70's so I also watched The Brady Bunch, Star Trek, Partidge Family and too many cartoons to name.

I'm a bit of an introvert and was very shy as a child so, TV brought the world to me without me having to venture out into the scary world. Sure, I played outside and had friends but, when my friends were not being so friendly or I had no one to play with I would watch TV. TV was my friend. It's kind of sad but, it's true. TV is still my friend. If I'm in an unfamiliar place or feeling uncomfortable I can turn on the TV and find a friend. It's weird, I know.

For example, I've just moved out of my house and am living with my parents for awhile. Not a bad situation but, with all the changes happening I was in need of something familiar. I switched on the tv and lo and behold one of my new favorite kids shows is on - iCarly! I settled back and enjoyed. After the half hour I felt better.

I think I'm going to try to dedicated some blogs to certain TV shows. Maybe a "TV Tuesday". There are some that bring back so many wonderful memories. I hope you'll join me on this journey into TV nostalgia. I would love to hear what your favorite shows are. So...sit back, grab the remote and let's watch some TV!



What the...!?

I try to keep politics and most of real world out of my blog because I find it too damned depressing. But, HOW can Casey Anthony be totally innocent? HOW can she not even be charged with child abuse, endangerment or neglect for not reporting her daughter missing for a month? HOW? I don't get it? Someone explain to me please.....before I lose all faith in our justice system.

Happy Fairy Day!

I'm posting a little early, Fairy Day is Friday June 24th but, I'm afraid I won't have time in the morning to post.

To Celebrate the Fairy Day Party at Todas Somas Reinas (translated to We Are All Queens) I've decided to have a showing of  Fairy Queens by various artists.  Most of them are by Paulina Cassidy, whose site you can find on my side bar. I found out about this party a little late so I'm sorry not to have a giveaway like I usually do when I participate in blog parties. Once the "fairy dust" has cleared from our move maybe I can have a little fairy giveaway. In the mean time I hope you enjoy these magical pieces of art!

The Fairy Queen Takes an Airy Drive by Richard Doyle

Crystalline by Paulina Cassidy

The Moth Queen by Paulina Cassidy

Titania, Queen of the Fairies by Arthur Rackham

Rare Orchids for the Faerie Queen by Paulina Cassidy

The Joy of Being Taken Care of.....

The big move is finished. Furniture gone, old house cleaned, my husband is now living in our new place in Nevada and I'll be joining him later next month. In the mean time I'm back living with my parents...again! I lived with them, of course when I was a kid until I got married the first time when I was 22. I moved, got divorced and moved back in with them with my son and lived with them for about 8 years until I was able to move out on my own.I wanted to move out earlier but, I was going to school part time and working part time. It just wasn't financially do-able.

So I'm back home temporarily. I wasn't initally looking forward to it, you know, living with mom and dad again, kind of gave me the idea I was taking a step backwards.

But, it's totally different this time. It's quite enjoyable. It was never bad living with my parents. They never bothered me about what I was doing with my life or my son's life and they have ALWAYS been there when I needed them. I guess this time, because it is temporary, because I'm older and wiser and because don't take for granted the things they do for me, it's very nice to spend these last few weeks with my parents before I leave.

My mom is being mom - she does my laundry, dinner is made when I get home, she makes me coffee in the morning. My dad is being Dad - taking care of my car when it needs caring for and, spoiling my dog. He makes me laugh because he is, at times, totally oblivious to what goes on in the house which frustrates my mother to no end!

I totally took advantage of these things when I was younger and living with them as a child and teenager. I think when I was living there with my son after my divorce, I appreciated everything they did for me and my son but, I was so busy with work and school and trying to make something of myself I just didn't appreciate it like I should have.

It's soooooo nice not to have to worry about cleaning the house or making dinner after working all day or doing this or that. I clean up after myself (why was this so hard when I was a teenager and, why did I give my mom grief about it?). I enjoy their company and am relishing in being taken care of for these few short weeks that I have here before I move and have to start being the caretaker once again.

Thanks Mom and Dad.....for everything.

Fairy Friday - an illustration by Virginia Frances Sterret

This is a castle that I would love to live in!

They walked side by side

This illustration is by Virginia Frances Sterret. It is from the book Old French Fairy Tales and the story is Princess Rossette. Here is the link to wikipdia for a synopsis of the story Princess Rosette. Kind of a weird tale a bit morbid but, this illustration is beautiful.

Here is another link to find out more about Virgina Frances Sterret. Art Passions

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

The Mists of Avalon - Can anyone recommend follow up books?

This is one of my all time favorite books.

I haven't read anything else yet by Marion Zimmer Bradley and, I have a Barnes & Noble gift card burning a hole in my wallet. I know there's a lot out there by Ms. Bradley and, I can certainly peruse the bookstore but, does anyone out there have a recommendation for her other books? It doesn't have to be by M. Bradley either but, something along the same lines.

Also, has anyone seen the movie/mini series of the Mists of Avalon? I haven't and I want to but, I don't want ot be totally disappointed. If you saw it, did you like it? Is it worth watching?

Thanks for the recommendations!

The Six Swans by Warwick Goble

Isn't this a pretty illustration? I usually post fairy pictures on Friday but, it's been so hectic with our move lately I needed a little fairy tale art to relax my tired brain. To be a beautiful swan and fly away or glide in a serene lake for a bit would be heaven.

The queen threw one of the shirts over each of them,
and when the shirts touched their bodies, they were changed
into swans, and flew away over the wood.
- Illustration by Warwick Goble to The Six Swans

A Bit of Scripture.....

I do not consider myself a religious person but, more of a spiritual one. I feel that whatever your faith is doesn't matter. Whoever your God/Godess is doesn't matter. The point is, is to have faith in your God or Godess, not condemn anyone elses's and for pity's sake, let's love each other just a little bit more and take care of this beautiful planet we've been given.

That being said, someone left this piece of scripture on my desk today,


"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

I'm smack in the middle of a move to another state, starting a new job that may or may not work out and leaving family and friends that I love dearly. These words could not have come at a better time. It doesn't matter who said these words, they bring comfort and peace to my heart, soul and mind. I hope that whatever your faith, if you are facing a challege, turmoil, discomfort or whatever, these words will bring you a little peace of mind too. They are too beautiful not to share.

Many Blessings to all of my friends out there.
Love,
Joane

http://flic.kr/p/WGtL

Fairy Friday and......

My Birthday!

It was my birthday yesterday. I'm not really fazed about getting older (just turned 46). Sometimes I get kind of freaked out about it but, I figure there's nothing I can do but, take care of myself the best I can and appreciate the time I've had and the time to come.

I didn't do anything spectacular but, I had a wonderful day. I had lunch with my mom and my son, we went antiquing. I made dinner for my son and his girlfriend and they surpised me with this...

A lovely Black Forest Cake! (It's a terrible picture of me, this is what you look like when you lay around all day!) I thought it was very thoughtful of them to get me a cake. We had the cake and hung out and watched movies. I got a few presents and lots of chocolate. But, I think what made me the happiest was the fact that my son wanted to hang out with me. He's grown to be a very thoughtful, kind and independent person. He is wonderful with his girlfriend, very considerate and responsible. I couldn't have asked for my kid to turn out any better. I thought to myself at the end of the day, "Wow, I did good. I raised a wonderful human being!". If I may say so myself, what a friggin accomplishment!

If I can do that, raise a well adjusted human being, what can't I do? It puts things in perspective. Why should this upcoming move to a different state and starting a new career frighten me? It shouldn't so, I won't let it!

Here is a little Paulina fairy for you....


Noelle by Paulina Cassidy

5x7 limited-edition of 50 signed/numbered print on fine art watercolour paper: $12

She is the fairy that represents the month of June on my Paulina calendar. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Joy of......

The Archies!

The Archies are one of my all time favorite comics. One of my favorite things to do when I was a kid was, after getting my allowance, going to the store to buy candy and Archie comics and spend the afternoon reading them. I loved the Betty and Veronica issues, especially when they had special fashion pages. I still love going to the comic book store and every once in a while I'll buy an Archie comic (along with a few X-men comics!). Every so often I'll buy a vintage Archie if I'm at a comic convention (yes, I am a geek and quite proud of it). I love the comics but, I still don't get the attraction Betty and Veronica had for Archie. I thought he was kind of a dork but, I do love this song which was a number one hit back in 1969. This song is on my list of all time favorites. Enjoy!

My Mother's Day Gift.....

This is what I got for Mother's Day.....

and this is what was inside!!!! I have such a great kid! He knows his mother well. Happy Mother's Day!

Fairy Friday

New Original Art by Paulina Cassidy



'Twilight Earth'

8x10.5 inches

watercolour & ink on watercolor paper

(image goes to edges of paper)

$250



Have a great weekend everyone!

New York Street Games

Has anyone seen this documentary? It was on last night as part of the pledge drive for one of the local affiliates. It was great. I talked about all the games the kids used to play in the urban areas of New York - stickball, war, kick the can, hopscotch, etc. I’m not from New York but, had the same experiences playing in the streets with my friends. There were guest commentaries from Regis Philbin, C. Everett Coop and several others that grew up in the area.

It brought back memories of playing hide and seek in the neighborhood for hours in the summer, even after it got dark. Too bad kids these days (at least most of them) don’t have that same experience of the freedom of playing in the street. I think the last few generations are truly missing out on a great experience.

What was your favorite childhood game?

New York Street Games

I'm Feelin' a little Aloha today.....

How about some IZ  for a Wednesday pick me up. I love this song, his voice brings so much to it.

Over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole OFFICIAL VIDEO from Mountain Apple Company on Vimeo.

Aloha my friends,
Joane

Happy Birthday John James Audubon!

Happy Birthday!

National Audubon Society

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubon

Happy Easter Everyone!

I love Easter. It's a nice holiday that does not bombard you with commercialism (except maybe for Cadbury Cream Eggs and, since it has to do with chocolate it's totally forgiveable!).

When I was little, every Easter my sister and I would wake up to find a big basket of candy with the traditional chocolate bunny inside. I would always get a new dress too. To this day I still like to have something new to wear on Easter. We usually have a nice lunch at mom's house and "the Bunny" hides eggs for the kids. We then make deviled eggs and eat them until we are in a food coma.I have only one unpleasant memory of Easter. One time, we were at some park and every time I went to grab an egg someone else would take it. I cried that I didn't get any eggs that year.

But, all in all, Easter always brings the family together and that's what matters. Have a Happy Easter everyone!

I'm getting that "Salem Itch" again.....

For the past few years my husband and I have been going to Boston/Salem for vacations. We didn't go last year and we won't be going this year or even next year due to our move and the possibility that we might be buying a house. Boo Hoo!!! Both my husband and I get an "itch" to go to Massachussetts right around this time of year. It sucks not be able to go so I have to consol myself with looking at old pictures and going online to see what's going on over there. Not sure if this helps to ease the "itch" but, I can't help it.

Ever since I set foot in Salem several years ago I felt like I came home. I've never lived anywhere in New England but, everything felt familiar. Not just in Salem but, other places in Massachussetts that we visited too. Cape Cod was everthing I thought it would be, Plymouth was quaint and, I think Newburyport is on our list of places to retire. Why don't we move to Massachussetts if we love it so much? Well, it's a pretty big move (we're coming from California) and, as far as buying a house goes, it's not much less expensive than California. Plus, we have no family out there.

So for now, Massachussetts will have to do as our vacation spot. I'd like to share one of my favorite shops in Salem. It was the first witch shop I had ever been into and it was truly magical! I didn't end up buying a lot there but, I love to meander and look and smell all of the witchy goodness.

The shop is called The Broom Closet. I know Salem does not lack in it's selection of witch shops but, I guess because this was the first one I went to, it's one of my favorites.

Here is their link The Broom Closet.

Do you have any favorite "haunts" (pun intended!) in Salem? I would love to see pics if anyone is willing to share.

Also, does anyone know of any good books that take place in Salem/New England? I read "The Lace Reader" a couple of years ago. I like mysteries, historical fiction, fiction, I even like children's books. Can you tell how desperate I am for a Salem fix?

Anyway, thanks for sharing any info you might have.

xo,

Joane