My Halloween Mantel 2012

For some reason, I’m totally obsessed with owls this year.I couldn’t wait to start hunting and gathering the items for my mantel!

So, I went with owls and a black, white and silver color scheme.

I found this guy at TJ Maxx ($14.99).

I’d been thinking about buying this vase (black silhouettes of trees and crows on it) for 2 years!  I finally broke down and got it this year ($14.99 at TJ Maxx).  The silver candelabra was found at Savers ($3.99).

This amazing specimen was discovered at Ross ($9.99).
He was exactly what I had been looking for!  I picked up several old books (orange or black bindings) at Savers ($.99—$5.99) and the perfect candlestick on the left was the thrifted item I got from Christine in the Sweet & Sinister Swap! 

 

Oh, the frame hanging over the mantel was from Michael's ($25 on sale), and the subway art inside was from TJ Maxx ($7.99).  Aside from a few new candles and pumpkins, that was pretty much it.  Now it's time to start on the rest of the house!

 

Up next, the Sweet & Sinister Swap reveal!!!

 



 

Check out the Sweet and Sinister treasury on Etsy!

 

Something Sinister

Something sinister is going on at Roger's Gardens (aka, “Blackstone Manor")!

 

 

 

How cool is that?!! I can't wait to see it all in person!

Fieldtrip anyone?

"Sweet" Inspiration

Now that our Sweet & Sinister swap partners have been assigned, I

thought we should start off with some "SWEET" inspiration:

 

"Sweet" treat bags from Family Circle.

 

Sweet pumpkins from a•muse studio.

 

 

Labels via @Jen on Pinterest.

 

Something to hold your sweets eighteen25.

 

Up next:  "Sinister" Inspiration!

 

 

 

Swap CLOSED!

Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for this swap!
It would be a fright to be left out!
- This swap is now closed. -

 

Sweet and Sinister Swap

I don’t know about you, but I REALLY miss ArtsyMama's Sweet and Sinister Halloween Swap!  Being that Kari is not longer hosting this swap, I decided to throw one together—TOTALLY last minute!

So, here are the details (I’m pretty much borrowing them straight from the original swap—thanks Kari!):

Basically, the sweet and sinister theme is about vintage style black and white—a splash of orange, green, purple, or red would be fine too.  Swap items can be Halloween oriented, but they don't need to be.  However, almost everything should be black or white (any shade of white/cream/antique white, etc.) or both , unless you and your partner have decided otherwise.

The swap will require sending to your partner:

something sweet

something sinister

a handmade item

something thrifted

and a home decor item.

The mail out date for the swap is October 5th!

 

 

If you would like to commit to participating in this swap, leave a comment below to let me know.  Be SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO i CAN SEND YOU THE SWAP GROUP INVITE.  you CAN SIGN UP UNTIL August 30.  i WILL "RANDOMLY" ASSIGN PARTNERS AND NOTIFY YOU ON September 1.  You and your partner can then discuss your likes & dislikes, color palates, and any other particulars.

 

 

Please take the swap pledge and make a promise to yourself and your partner that you will:

Create a package that is one that you would enjoy receiving.
the items are in good condition or handmade with care.

 

respect one another. If problems arise, try to work things out.
If necessary email me as soon as possible.

 

Commit to mailing out on time so that your partner will receive
their items in plenty of time for Halloween.

 

 

I will try to post some inspiration and possible giveaways on my blog from time to time.  If you need more ideas, you can check out previous swaps here and here.  Also, if you'd like to contribute a giveaway, have a tutorial, or just a really great idea, let me know!

 

I can't wait to get started!

 

xoxo, Julie

 

 

Affaire at Tiffany's

I know!  I know!  My blog has been terribly neglected!  It has been replaced by then short “one-liners” on Facebook.  Why share twice, right?  Who really cares what I have to say?  Maybe no one, but that’s ok.  When the Spirit moves me, I’ll share – even if it’s just for myself.

So anyway, this next weekend, I am attending an AMAZING event hosted by event planner extraordinaire, Kim Caldwell of Artistic Bliss Designs.  The theme is, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and I just can’t wait!

It will be a weekend FULL of friends, laughter, creativity, swaps, bling, and of course, Tiffany blue!  Stay tuned for pictures...

Julie ♥

♥

I’m always emotional this time of year, more than any other time.  Maybe it’s because I miss being with my folks and extended family.  Maybe it’s the joy of seeing Christmas through my boys.  Maybe it’s the magnitude of what Christmas really means.  The fact that God loved us so much that He would send His son here to Earth as a baby.  That God would pick a young woman to be a mom to His son.  That she would watch him grow, knowing that one day she would lose him.  That her son would be the Savior of the world.  Love, real, unconditional, undeserved, supernatural, love. ♥

Yup, that’s why I get so emotional.

Wishing you the warmth of His LOVE this Christmas!

♥ Julie