Saturday, December 12, 2009

Collectibles


Page from 2000 Auction
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Brian Moran sold off his holiday collectibles in multiple auctions over several years. This page has some nice celluloid Christmas decorations. The composition devil/skull lantern in the top left hand corner sold for $880.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Bee Girl Sums up My Last 2 weeks

My step-father passed suddenly on Friday the 13th. The same day my father in law was admitted to OHSU to remove an intestinal blockage. They discovered he had cancer in several places. He passed away on Wednesday. We were at the funeral home making arrangements the day before Thanksgiving for a funeral 3 days away on Saturday. This may lead to some life changes for us including a move. Good news is that means I am selling more of my vintage Halloween image collection including Bee Girl on ebay.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Vintage Photos for Sale on ebay












There are only so many vintage photographs I can keep moving around in boxes to clean! To make room vintage images will be listed on ebay. Holiday images including Halloween! Most of these images are not in perfect shape so this is your chance for some great buys. Happy Bidding!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Alternate Tree Decor


BlackBird Tree
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

I would love to dress my crows in Santa hats and put name tags around their little necks. Each crow would have the name of one of Santa's reindeer.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Halloween Christmas Ideas


Martha By Mail Fall 2002
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

For some of us Halloween is our Christmas. Over the next 2 months I'm going to post some ideas on how to Halloween-ify that other holiday. The bat treat cone kit was an item offered in the old Martha by Mail catalog. The idea however is simple to replicate. String, construction paper, and glue.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

1928 Kirchhof Halloween Noisemakers


1928 Kirchhof Halloween Noisemakers
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The advertisement from my collection was in the trade magazine Playthings. The Crickets are my favorites.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

Halloween Costume 2009


Steampunk Seamstress
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

I'll try to get photo's up before the end of the week of my night at the haunted attraction. It was so much fun watching people go through the haunt Saturday night. My bandolier slipped a bit in this shot. It had rusty safety pins, thimble, pinking shears, thread, measuring tape, and a tiny brass spyglass on it. My hat has buttons sewn on rick rack trim.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween Towels at Macy's


Set of three kitchen towels for the Martha Stewart line at Macy's. The towels are adorable and no longer available online at Macy's. My local store had already moved the Halloween inventory to the clearance table last week. The graphics are beautiful.

Happy Halloween


Masquerade Costumes
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The day has arrived. I will be spending the evening at the haunted attraction my talented spouse designed. First time in years we won't be home to hand out candy! Please have a magical and safe Halloween!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Last Minute Costumes

This Bubble wrap JellyFish costume is one of my favorites along with the trash bag witch costume. You can find courtesy of Martha Stewart's site 8 No Sew Costumes here.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Monday, October 26, 2009

Replacement Paper Face Inserts

If you have vintage lanterns with missing or damaged inserts. Go here for incredible reproductions for only $2.50 each. Richard's site Spookshows.com has great resources and eye candy.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Pumpkin Patch


Gourds
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

We have been so busy this season the annual trip to the pumpkin patch is still on the to do list. Gourds in the photo above are from last years road trip. The weather doesn't look promising but we hope to take in the road side farm stands on the way to the pumpkin patch on Sunday. Fresh apple cider, bins full of gourds, and boxes of apples make me happy!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Clever Candelabra

Found this lovely project here. Scroll through her blog to see the rest of her amazing Halloween home decor ideas.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Halloween Star Canopy

Pottery Barn Kids always has something that appeals to the child in me each Halloween. This year its the Star Canopy.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Spooky Spinner

One of the best do it yourself crafts found while browsing.
This adorable craft project can be found at this blog. She has the template for making 4 different designs.

Pretty Picture


Great review of my shop at Sheri's World Blog. Love to see what people do with the decorations. The lamp shade topper looks fabulous on her beautiful lamp. 

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Chocolate


Pumpkin Candy Mold
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Trying to dig out some photos of molds in my collection. This one is for chocolate. Right now I could really use a dark chocolate pumpkin snack!

Monday, October 5, 2009

My Halloween Skirt









Not my best side! You CAN see the skirt I made for the bazaar. Thank you Gothic Beagle for this photo! 

Halloween Bazaar


Catrina-Best Costume of the Day!
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The gal in this photo was my favorite costume of the day. My friend the mask maker had the booth next to me so we got to visit. My niece who is about to finish her last treatment for breast cancer came to help watch my booth. It was wonderful to see her. The Voodoo Doughnut truck parked out front and a handmade chocolate booth was close by. It was a dangerous weekend! It was wonderful to meet customers from the web site! Thank you for stopping by!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Its almost time...


Tin Noisemaker
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

for the Hallowe'en Bazaar. On the road tomorrow to set up and spend the night in Portland. Looking forward to meeting Halloween fans and getting to see all the goodies.
Love the owl on this noisemaker.

Martha's Halloween Party Workshop












If you are not participating in the Martha Stewart Halloween Party Workshop now is the time to join. Craft projects, decorating ideas, and spooky themes added each week until Halloween. 

Happy October 1st!









Working on 3 different sewing projects right now. One is a Halloween theme skirt to wear at the Bazaar on Saturday. Its time to start working on what to wear for Halloween night. What will you be wearing?

Monday, September 28, 2009

Treat Bags and Boxes


I love hearing about all of the exciting parties customers are throwing this year. This weekend I restocked and added new vintage Halloween treat bags and boxes to the Container section

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Paper Lanterns By Martha Stewart












Set of 3 paper lanterns are now available from the Martha Stewart holiday line. Treat bags and Honeycomb decorations can be found in the What's New section. Coming later this week the  finger invitation kit, Witch invitations, Mad Scientist treat bags and boxes. 

Monday, September 14, 2009

That first fall like weather


Front Walkway Halloween 2006
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

After a very long summer of higher than usual temperatures fall made a brief appearance yesterday. Overcast, cool, and windy. Leaves were swirling about falling from our front yard trees. This is our yard from 2006. Tall shepherd hooks found on clearance at Lowes line our front walk. The paper lanterns are from the light section of the web site. The glowing lanterns on the ground are the cheap plastic $1.00 candy pails found at chain discount stores. Weighted with river stones and lit with battery candles. I reuse the plastic pails as flower holders with bright fall color mums on the porch during October.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Updates












Labor Day is apparently Halloween shopping day. Thank you to all the customers who have kept me busy and out of trouble this week! Trying to update all the sold out stock items this weekend. Back in stock is the lovely art card line that was so popular last year that includes Fairy and Frog. A quick reminder that Dept. 56 is no longer making Halloween decor. The napkins, plates, and tablecloths from last year are almost gone. 

Monday, September 7, 2009

Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate Halloween

Found this magazine at Target. Very enjoyable party planning section. The entire menu with recipes for a specific theme party. A buffet style party, Masquerade dessert party, and a murder mystery dinner party. Nice decor ideas including lovely table centerpieces. If someone makes that cake on the cover...please invite me to your party! Its five layers of chocolate, pistachio filling, and topped with a chocolate ganache icing. 

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Country Living Magazine October 2009











Good article on Vintage Halloween collectibles with current pricing. We carry a set of reproduction Trifold Jack-O-Lantern invitations. The original invitation on this page was made by Beistle.

2009 Portland Hallowe'en Bazaar


Our Booth 2008 Bazaar
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

A quick reminder for locals to save the date:
The 2009 Bazaar will happen on Saturday, October 3rd, 11am till 7pm at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Exhibit Hall, nestled neatly between Lloyd Center Mall and the Lloyd Center Max stop, and facing the lovely Holladay park. Admittance is only $5 for those 10yrs+ and kids 10 and under are FREE! Hallowe'en Costumes for all are greatly encouraged.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Little works of art


2 Bridge Tally Cards
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

One of the more affordable vintage Halloween collectibles is the bridge tally card. Colorful with beautiful art work you can still find the tallies for less than $20.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Costume Ideas


Merry Revellers
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

In the rush to decorate what to wear sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Flipping through old costume catalogs I had to share this page from a UK costume company. The chick, the beautiful butterfly wings, and the little candlestick boy. So cute! Now, what to wear to the Portland Hallowe'en Bazaar this year?

Sunday, August 30, 2009

1926 Dennison Bogie Book


1926 Dennison Bogie Book
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

On my quest for more cat decoration ideas I had to share the Kitty-Kart. There is a rip through this entire book so please excuse the damage at the top of the page.

Halloween Bat Whoopie Pies













Williams-Sonoma brings some decadent Halloween Treats to the Halloween table. Yum! 

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Halloween Celebrations








This is the Woman's Day Halloween special edition magazine. It has the cheery pumpkins bottom page right on the cover. My favorite idea is the milk carton latterns with coat hanger handles. A neighborhood Halloween block party and how to stage a carnival are the 2 big party articles. The carnival article is adorable with cute costumes and game ideas.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Martha Stewart Halloween Spirited Celebrations












Decided to focus on the costume section since everyone else will probably be posting images of glitter skulls. Fear not if you love the glitter skulls they are back along with a lot of older Martha craft ideas. This Madame Butterfly concept is lovely. I would probably do the same concept only with paper bats! Several nice costume ideas including costumes for your dog. Big section with the line for sale at Grandinroad. Important if you like to date decorations. I keep several of the old Martha Catalogs for this reason. Nice old fashion clip art for making treat boxes and invitations. Old fashion black cat and owl mask to print to wear or wrap around a pumpkin. Can't hide the fact I am a big old Martha Halloween fan so there was no doubt about purchasing this magazine.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Better Homes and Gardens Halloween Tricks & Treats 2009


Highlights include Include Know Vintage Like a Pro by Mark Ledenbach and 2 darker decor features. Gothic Gala and Black & Bling. There are cutesy articles as well only I was pleasantly surprised to find a macabre twist to more grown up party ideas.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Lanterns

Many of the old styles of paper lanterns we have carried for years are being discontinued so the hunt is on for new lanterns. This little bat lantern is one of my favorites. See the new lanterns here.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Vintage Halloween Style FirePlace Screen

I was asked about the source of the fireplace screen in the image at the top of this blog. It was made by Bruce over at HalloweenLanterns.com click here to go to the fireplace screen page. His work is worth every penny. He cuts everything by hand! I own 2 screens and 4 lanterns that hold a place of honor in my displays each year. He also has a full scan of the entire page of the Ladies Home Journal images I have been sharing with you in sections. Its under Treats.

Monday, August 17, 2009

A Black Cat Party


A Black Cat Party
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio
Working with a cat theme this year. The cat basket from a Bogie Book caught my eye. The black felt cat coasters would make a great basket face. Dust the tops of their heads with black glitter and make a crepe paper bow.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Shop Closed through August 9


Closing for our anniversary get away. Orders placed during this time will ship on August 10 and 11. We are celebrating 20 spooky years of wedded bliss today.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Umbrella as Fireplace Screen


Umbrella as Fireplace Screen
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Clever idea from the same magazine as yesterdays entry. Black umbrella with paper ears, nose, mouth, and whiskers. Flickering LED lights behind the eyes would look very dramatic! Thinking about using orange and black felt attached with velcro for a longer lasting Halloween prop and easy storage.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Ladies Home Journal October, 1919


The Ladies Home Journal October, 1919
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

This dining room decor photo is used on our web site. Every year customers write to ask how to get this amazing crepe paper tablecloth. Sadly, only with a time machine! Pieces of this Jack-O-Lantern pattern do show up on ebay.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Martha Stewart new Halloween Line


It looks like Grandinroad has paired with Martha Stewart on an entire line of Halloween decor. One of the things that caught my eye are these lovely Mad Scientist Invitations.

Plans and Radio Show

Taking photos of the faux pumpkins that haven't been carved. Picking them up at post Halloween sales, Goodwill, and garage sales. Ge...