Weather roller coaster

Ivy's first snowfall
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Sun or snow today with little in between. Fern didn't seem to care much about seeing her first snow. Ivy at least indulged my excitement at recording the event.

Its the eve

Stockings for the kids
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

We have more stocking stuffers for the kittens than I care to admit. The 4 year old great nephew is going to be here tonight. Started to fill the kitty stockings but that would indicate santa had already made a stop. Will have to wait until the kid goes home.

The count down....

Roasted Balsamic Vegetables
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

My house smells so good! Veggies roasted along with a batch of stuffing. Some cleaning and cooking to do tomorrow. I think we are ready for a crowd. If you are gathering on the eve with friends or family safe journey and full tummies tomorrow. If you don't have anywhere to go...we should have plenty!

Doctor Who Christmas

The Christmas Invasion
Originally uploaded by MykReeve

I am growing more excited as we get closer to the Doctor Who Christmas special.

Vet Visit

Ivy-You want to put that thermometer..where?
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Both girls are doing fabulous. Shots today and for the most part it all went smoothly. Ivy is now 5 pounds and Fern 4.75.

This is Fern

Fa la la!
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Its really a yawn but she had a bad kitty dream and started to go off like an alarm today. Scared me and her sister Ivy. Both girls will finish up the antibiotics tomorrow and return to the vet for a check up Monday. They can play for solid 30 minutes now with no sneezing. Yay!

Christmas in the neighborhood

Star
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Rainy night. Out on a walk tonight we come across this beauty. Its a mesh frame star. Stuck to it are several small light up stars and tree toppers.

Still some snot but...

Fern exploring new cat tree
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The kids are feeling better so we brought home a new cat tree for them. Post spay surgery they were not aloud to jump. Now its time to party. They are not used to carpet so it took some convincing it was OK.

New Kittens!

Everyone loves the ipad
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

We brought home 2 girls last Friday from the Humane Society. 4 month old sisters. They both had upper respiratory infections. Cats full of snot! The little one she was really sick. We had to give her Sub-Q fluids and syringe feed her. They are both looking much better today. My life revolves around giving meds and food right now. Still working on names.

Ministry of Stories & Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Full story here.

Long time no post

Steamcon 2 Saturday Night
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Since Halloween I was in a mad dash to finish costumes for Steamcon 2 in Seattle. A steampunk convention with 1800 people dressed to the nines! Got out just before the big snow dump last Sunday. It was so much fun we plan to go to Steamcon 3 in Bellevue next year. Then the rush was on for Thanksgiving. Vegetarian tofurkey meal for 6 of us and it was delightful.

Brought all the magic back inside

Kitteh with Lanterns
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Windstorm and driving rain was in the forecast so I took down all the yard decor today. That was a major project so its not stored yet but its dry. After swearing at dead battery tea lights I sat and changed all the batteries for next year. Watching TV it went pretty fast. Might get the Halloween tree down tonight. The hubby hasn't seen all the new swag I picked up a Target. Gave him a small skeleton to distract him while I hid all the bags. LOL

The day after

Walkway
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Only 4 trick or treaters and one was related. We sit too far off a busy road.
Will either do something with the lot next door to draw them in or go to Disneyland! See that is my excuse...we don't get any tots at our door so we need to go see the haunted mansion. :0 ) Not sure anyone else will be on board with this plan.

Hit target early this morning and had to restrain myself. The shelves were still full. Bought some of the solar orange LED lights to try next year.

Parties Magazine 1929
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

My spouse has been sick so we are staying in tonight. Lots of spooky TV and movie watching. Our new house sits far back from the road so we might have candy all to ourselves. A cup of hot cider and watching The Legend of Sleepy Hollow makes me happy. My great nephew is going to come trick or treat at our house he is only 4 and really scared of Halloween this year.

Plastic Pumpkins

Plastic Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Happy Halloween!

Last minute costume ideas

Leach's Fancy Dress for Children
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Scary Hallowe'en Games

1912 Games for Halloween
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Back when games had a danger element. Flaming brandy and sharp hat pins what could possibly go wrong?

Does this make my thighs look big?

1930 Dennison Crepe Costumes
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

This costume is probably rare considering the pumpkins orbiting her hips.

Decisions

Carved Pumpkin 1
Originally uploaded by facefirst_ltd

I have some lovely pumpkins and gourds this year. Torn between carving or leaving intact so they last longer.

Weather For Halloween Night...

doesn't look good. Bad for the trick or treaters and bad for my paper lanterns. Holding off on putting all the big hooks up for the lanterns until Saturday.

Beautiful Costumes

1920s Costume Group
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The devil costume and the Rudolph Valentino look with friends make this photo a gem. Sadly I don't have information on this one it came as a set of 2 images. It might be Halloween or a masquerade party.

Recycling

Child Life magazine October 1929
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

In case the new readers didn't see this one.

Come to my Window

Front Window
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

One of the large skull fans that matches the paper lanterns.

Sugar High

Trick or Treat
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The little girl on the left looks like she has already been eating a few treats.

They used grandpa's glasses....

Harry Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

not sure I want to know where the eyes came from!

Living Room

Halloween Tree
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

My camera went toes up so I tried the sunset setting on my camera phone for this shot. Not bad. Looking through the Halloween tree to the mantel. The camera is now feeling better with a new memory card.

Jack-O-Lantern Flower Pots

Driveway
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The cheap plastic candy buckets filled with rocks for weight and then inexpensive garden center mums. On Halloween night I pull the flowers and put in battery operated candles. Big storm with high winds coming in tonight. We took the giant Kitteh inside tonight and I miss him protecting the lawn.

Hearse Rides

Friends have a haunted house in Medford, Oregon.

The gangs all here

2 Pirates, a Rooster, a Cat....
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

The homemade cat costume with oversize head is scary. Love the frowning pirate on the end. Arrrrrrr

Paper Lanterns

Floor Lanterns
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

They didn't end up on the ceiling after all. Piled on the floor in front of the gas fireplace. Orange LED light string runs through the stack.

Spooky Hideaway

Almost forgot to plug one of my favorite children's catalogs. This little gem just went on sale at MagicCabin.com.

Mice Beware!

Giant Kitteh!
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Grabbed a quick photo before the rain moves in. Kitteh has been a big hit in the neighborhood with kids.

Sea Creatures

Love this lamp idea found here.

Halloween At Work

Something a little different today. The Strout Farm Agency October 1923. Halloween party at the office. The office was located in New York and its rare to find good images in the work place. The cubby holes make for a great background.

Color Photo

1956-61
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

As much as I love black and white this color photo is pretty. The vivid colors and the kids against the background of the car.

The murals on the pre-school are wonderful.

Party in the Basement

Group of Masked Folks
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Its the duck in the back row that scares me.

Disney Masks in Crowd

1940s masked group
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Love the Jiminy Cricket kid. My eye though is always drawn to the clown.

Black Cat Andirons

They have glass eyes like the old andirons so firelight shines through! Wish we still had a fireplace. Found here.

Setniker Farms Pumpkin Patch

Setniker Farms Pumpkin Patch
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Beautiful day at the Pumpkin patch.Family farm that does a lovely job of making families feel welcome. Gal who cashed me out helped shove 2 bundles of corn stalks in the Honda CRV. They were on the dashboard! Bought all gourds for my porch and decorated my SIL's front porch too. We still need to visit the other big family farm and the cider stand next week!

More images here.

Let the right one in.....

1940s Boy and Girl in Masks
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Not sure I'd open the door for these scary characters!

How did they get that black cat to pose?

Witch with Ghost and Cats
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Smart kitty knew he wouldn't show up against the black witch costume. The ghost on the other hand was just right!

Off the Highway

Martha's Pumpkin Patch
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

One side Christmas trees on the other Martha's pumpkin patch. Totally missed the trees and wondered why they offered flocking! Family run gig with some of the scariest looking old carnival rides. Hope to hit a real pumpkin patch this weekend.

Early 1900s Photo

The Club from Moose heart
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Great cotton dress with jack-O-Lanterns, a creepy doll, and gal with braids holding a carved Jack-O-Lantern.

Vintage Halloween Party

Vintage Halloween Party
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

So, how long do you suppose they stayed tidy after this shot?

Please Scary Godmother...bring me this....

Found on etsy here.
A matched set is available.

1940s Beistle Decorating Party

1940s Beistle Decorating Party
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

Loaned this image for an episode of Antique Roadshow FYI back in 2005. Nice crisp clear details can be seen on the Beistle Decorations.
Marked -Gordon San Jose

Country Living 2007-Bruce Elsass Collection

After spending a pretty penny this year on Fall/Halloween magazines I am not crazy about any of them. There were a few great artists pieces but not any large layouts of vintage Halloween. Looking back through some old issues I think this article featuring a party and decorations from the collection of Bruce Elsass is one of my all time favorites.

Halloween Bazaar -Update

1970s My that is a big pumpkin!
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

OK gang I will NOT be vending at the Halloween Bazaar on Sunday. Filled a van with my store stock and gave it a new home. Many one of a kind goodies. The new owners area fabulous people so please help support them and the bazaar.

Now what i didn't realize until tonight is the amusement park is closed on Sunday. So..you know that what that means don't you? Spooky abandoned amusement park! Wandering through a closed park with other Halloween fans...priceless!

1948 The Beistle Company Catalog

1948 The Beistle Company Catalog
Originally uploaded by dragonflydesignstudio

If we could only buy the decorations now at that price! Catalog on ebay.

Holding Pattern for The Halloween Bazaar

It might turn out my stuff will be at the Halloween Bazaar this Sunday but not me or the business. Someone is coming to look at the entire lot to buy me out. I'd miss doing the show but have multiple projects that need attention as well. What is left of the major retail portion of the business is an amazing collection so do come see it.