Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Grande Owl Cookies

As usual, I made large gingerbread cookies...eighteen of them. These were not baby owlets as the cookies were 8 inches. The first day consisted of making the dough and baking the cookies. Day two, I decorated them and on the third day, they were packaged. Of course, edible 24 carat gold flakes were used. In all, about sixteen hours were spent from start to finish.

The gift boxes were a deep navy and while most were heavy duty magnetic closure gift boxes, I was able to source a few navy velvet ones. Midnight blue velvet ribbons were used and a snowy owl was attached. The ingredients were printed on a card and included within. 



Card with ingredients printed on the back






xo


Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Fresh Evergreen Christmas Ballgown

 


Over the years, I have created several of these life-size fresh greenery gown. They are a joy to make, albeit time consuming.

The antique dress form that I used in the past became so decrepit that I had to get rid of her. Twas a sad moment. My attempt to locate another that I really liked failed, so I settled for a new one. Not what I desired, but she will suffice for now. 

Chicken wire was purchased along with an 8 ft. Christmas tree from Home Depot. I requested that the gentleman cut off her branches. It was impressive that he did not blink an eye and the picture I showed him of another one that I created, helped.  

He opted to use a handheld PVC type cutter. It took almost an hour and he was a patient and polite young man. He received a handsome tip and thanked me profusely.

Her bodice consists of a four inch wide heavily embellished ribbon that I pinned in place. Fresh eucalyptus and cedar were added for additional texture.

She resides in the foyer with her parliament, aka group of snowy owls. 

I call her Anastasia...

Blessings,

xo sequestered and serene


Monday, December 16, 2024

Gnomes Galore

For Christmas one year, I decided to create gnomes using some of my precious daughter's clothes. I then invited some of her girlfriends over for Christmas sweets and they were gifted a gnome. I had cards printed with each gnomes name and a bit about their history.

They were so enjoyable to make that I created quite a few additional ones using purchased sweaters and felt. Most averaged around twelve to fifteen inches tall but there was one grande one measuring approximately four feet in height.  They were assembled in the foyer, nestled in faux snow and fairy lights. The end result was adorable. 



xo


Monday, December 2, 2024

Marie Antoinette Dreams of a Land of Candy - Art Piece


 

Several years ago son's realtor's office asked people to decorate their office doors 
for Christmas and it was immensely enjoyable for me to create his. 
 
The canvas was 4 ft. tall. I embellished it massively with all manner of faux sweets and
Marie Antoinette's hair was dyed fiberfill. 
 
Extra heavy duty Command strips kept it firmly in place for several weeks 
through many openings and closings.  

Perhaps I will create something similar next Christmas...

xo

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Gumdrop Topiary

 

Indeed, I am enamored with topiaries. This one was approximately seventeen inches tall and it lasted for about five years.  It ceased to exist when it was dropped.

I miss my gumdrop topiary.  

xo

Monday, November 18, 2024

Nut Trees

 

 

These are my stately nut trees that stand almost 29 inches tall. Four were created and one has been presented to our neighbor who invited us to a dinner party. The others will probably be Christmas gifts for as yet undetermined recipients. I will be wrapping them in clear cellophane and tying the top with a wide,  brown velvet ribbon.

While time consuming to create, they are stunning and can be displayed year-round, but look especially lovely during Autumn and Winter. I placed rocks inside the vessel for extra weight as these girls are top heavy. 

Moss was added between almost all of the nuts to fill in the gaps between them and hide the Styrofoam base that the nuts are attached to.

I made one for us about twenty-five years ago and painted it gold. It still looks fabulous, so they do last. Since nuts in the shell are only available in my grocery stores around Thanksgiving, with the exception of pistachios, I had to order mine from Amazon. My preference is to purchase them in the store as I am able to choose the most perfect ones, especially almonds. 

There are a few other items that I will be creating and will share them soon.

Blessings to you and yours...

xo


Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Bewitching - Halloween

 Creating these gals was a hoot. They began life as apples and ended up as shrunken witches heads.

Hair was added, hats and spectacles were also made and then came the process of naming them and what fun that was.









They were mailed to my Witches Coven Soiree guests who cackled with glee upon opening their boxes.

xo


Monday, October 28, 2024

People Pot Pie - Halloween

I give you, Percy.

I created him.

At each Halloween party, guests are given an opportunity to create something to take home. At the Mischief and Mayhem Soiree, the thought was that creating a gory pie with a nod to Sweeney Todd might be entertaining. 

And entertaining it was.

Weeks ahead, I purchased masks and metal pie tins. Great Stuff was sprayed into the tins and after a day, I carved it into a smoother mound. The mask was trimmed until it fit over the mound and was then glued into place. If you look closely, you will see that even though I used the same mask for each pie, each face had a slightly differently look to it, especially in the mouth area.  Some were trimmed a bit differently and glued down tighter.

I added air dry clay around the edges and pressed marks into it with a disposable fork to create a pie-like crust. This was not done with my personal Percy People Pot Pie, by the way.


 This what the table looked like when we descended to the lower level. There were bloody severed ears, severed tongues, porcelain teeth, red and brownish paint to simulate fresh and dried blood, paint brushes and quick-dry glue. I came up with names for each "face" and they were on wee canvasses/easels at each setting. People could choose their "person" to complete. 

The mound in the middle revealed to guests what was under their mask before I smoothed it. The bowl to the left held some of the shavings that they could add, if they so desired. And some desired.

It was a riot and everyone became very invested into their people pot pie. They proudly took them home to show off to I know not who.

More to come...

xo

 



Thursday, October 24, 2024

Rose Red Costume - Halloween

 

 


 For the second year in a row, we attended our historical society's Halloween Ball. The theme was Grimms' Fairy Tales and I decided to dress as Rose Red. The costume was elaborate and gorgeous. 

I purchased the various components separately. The jeweled pannier with long fringes and matching collar were bought on Etsy. The red velvet gown, red velvet boots and 7' long red tulle cape were purchased from Amazon. I added the brooches and created the red rose bouquet with silk flowers from I believe, Hobby Lobby. My vintage red bugle beaded wristlet was carried. Even though I created an enormous red rose to attach to the top of the trailing tulle in the back, I decided against it.

More Halloween to come...

xo



The Frumpy Witch - Halloween

 

She also looks grumpy.

I made her a day or two before Halloween maybe ten years ago, to put out for the trick-or-treaters.  Seeing this photograph, still makes me laugh.

On the other hand, her chapeau is fabulous.

More to come...

xo

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

My Creature Survival Kit Invitation - Halloween

 


 As mentioned before, I send quite a few invitations to guests for each party that I host.  This was one of maybe eight unique ones sent last year. If my memory serves me correctly, 8 guests were invited so I created 8 boxes. 

The boxes were painted, fabric was arranged just so and glued down. All of the items inside were made, purchased or a combination of both. You cannot see the silver bullet as it is nestled down into the fabric, but rest assured, it is there. I would never leave out such an important component!

One side of the accompanying card that I had printed detailed what the each item was to be used for and the other side had the phrase, "Non Timebo Mala" which is Latin for "fear no evil". 

The wood boxes with their contents were mailed inside a glossy black box. Twas yet another labor of love.

More to come...

xo






Monday, October 21, 2024

Spooky, Ethereal Halloween Decor


 

 

When I saw these life-sized (except for the petite one on the right) figures, I had to have them. Their wraith-like appearance was most appealing to me. These days, the colors most often found in my Halloween decorations are white and black with some purple sprinkled about at times. Sometimes, in the past some orange was used, but never in abundance. 

These photos were taken at Greystone, my home in Florida. 

More to come...

xo sequestered and serene

Friday, October 18, 2024

Bottled Heads - Halloween

 

 After receiving head-shots from my guests, I enlarged them to life-size and cut them out. 

It was then that the fun commenced. I added hair, slid each into a gallon glass jar and stuffed moss behind them.  A wee skull was glued to the lid. They were awesome in a most creepy way and served as one of their gifts. It was hilarious to watch each person clutch their bottled heads and ponder their new hair styles. 

More to come...

xo sequestered and serene


Wednesday, October 16, 2024

My Version of Audrey II - Halloween

 


This was fun to create. The heads were made from small foam footballs and the teeth acrylic fingernails. 
I created the lips with air dry clay. 
 
This reminds me that I have never watched the movie, Little Shop of Horrors.

Do you see the diaphanous draping in the background? That my darling, is a wraith.

More to come...
xo


Monday, October 14, 2024

My 12' Foot Skeleton - Halloween Decor

 

How excited I was to acquire one of the 12' skeletons three years ago. The day it was due to be available, I stayed up until about 4 am, refreshing the Home Depot page but it was not listed until later that morning. By the time I woke up, it was sold out. 

Fiddlesticks.

The next year, I called Home Depot numerous times, until I was told that they had received a shipment. I immediately drove to the store and was able to purchase one. The enormous box just fit in my SUV. Yes, I would have rented a van if it had not. The dude was coming home with me, one way or another. 

My super son named him Barnaby Bones. I adore him. Allow me to clarify that statement. I love my son. I adore Barnaby.

He is a pretty simple to assemble and stand up, and while it is easier if two people work in tandem to accomplish this, one person can also put him together. 

Barnaby weighs 85 pounds. No lightweight is he.

He blinks his eyes and they move from side to side and up and down. At times, they appear to follow you. 

When Barnaby is disassembled, he tucked inside a huge, canvas Christmas tree bag for storage.

He was placed outside in the front yard one year and was king of the property. My preference is for him to be inside the house, in the great room, as shown in the photograph above. He fancies that location as well.

More to come...

sequestered and serene xo



Monday, October 7, 2024

My Circus Themed Halloween Gala Costume

 

A lot of thought is always given when deciding on a Halloween costume and there is an attempt to have something unique. My preference is almost always something feminine, so I generally begin with a gown. Once that is acquired, the fun commences when I embellish it.

On this occasion, the event we were attending was the Halloween gala, hosted by the historical society. The theme was cirque, as in circus. 

I decided to be "cotton candy". The custom gown was ordered from Etsy and it was very, as in VERY voluminous. Much more so than it appears in the photograph. 

I added pink velvet ribbon for straps since it was strapless and had a good amount of weight to it because of the many layers of ruffled tulle.

The cotton candy was made using pink wool roving along with pink and white striped straws. They were dangled from various areas of the gown. Pink stiletto boots and a pink handbag completed the ensemble.

I had to ride in the back seat of the SUV, so poofy was the gown. 

One of the historical society curators calls me "cotton candy" to this day. Too funny.

xo

Friday, October 4, 2024

I Rented a Haunted House - Halloween


A picture of Jessie Mae Saxon in death is displayed on the wall of the May-Stringer House. Staff at the museum said the spirit of the child haunts the museum to this day.


 

 I hosted a number of Halloween parties at Greystone, the Florida house that sugar daddy, aka my husband purchased for me. There is definitely a story there, that I will probably share in the future.

One year, I invited a couple from Virginia to spend the week-end. Saturday night was the Halloween Soiree and on Friday night, we took them to dinner and then to a haunted house that I rented for several hours. I also invited another couple along with the chef, bartender and his wife, my party server. 

It was the May Stringer House in Brooksville, Florida. It was built in the mid 1800's, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is known as one of, if not THE most haunted place in Florida. I came to know it when my heavenly angel daughter, Miel and I toured it. Yes, I did experience something. The docent, Bonnie LeTourneau that gave both tours provided us with her other-worldly experiences at the initial one that was mind-blowing. Thus, I knew that I wanted to share it with others. 

After the tour with the docent, my guests, sugar daddy and I were literally allowed  were able to meander throughout the entire house by ourselves for an hour. It was amazing and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you have an opportunity to visit it, I HIGHLY recommend that you do so. 

Below are some links that you may wish to peruse:

https://www.suncoastnews.com/news/is-florida-s-most-haunted-house-in-brooksville/article_106aea4e-342f-11ec-badd-67599ce1eb57.html 

https://tampahistorical.org/items/show/225

https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2021/10/21/in-brooksville-may-stringer-house-owns-its-floridas-most-haunted-title/ 

 https://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/may-stringer-house/#

More to come...

xo


 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Edgar Allan Poe Soiree Dessert Table - Halloween

Ravens were everywhere. On the buffet...



 
They hung from the ceiling and perched on the floor lamp, framed art, and mirror. Two of them clutched an antique Edwardian gown as if they were flying away with it. They have great taste, no?
 

There was a very tall, feathery tree purchased from Terrain that I added extra tendrils and such to. It reached the ceiling.


Black butterflies at the dining room entrance.

 
 A 6' tall metal tree with ravens and candy boxes.

 
Cornelius and the widow were in attendance. 
 
 

Just before we came upstairs, I had my assistant tap each hanging raven with a stick so they looked as if they were flying. In the background was the sound of cawing ravens and two strobe lights provided an eerie effect.  I have a video that shows everything, but could not get it to load. C'est la vie.

At some point I will share the outdoor decorations from several parties and the art projects (usually life-size) that my guests and I create. I will also tell you all about the amazing entertainer that I have hired on three different occasions...she is that good! 

Oh, and by the way, Happy October!

More to come...

sequestered and serene xo

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Edgar Allan Poe Soiree Decorations and My Costume - Halloween

 My Annabel Lee costume


 While searching, I explained to one sales girl that I wanted something that would provide a look for  a dead bride. The poor gal was almost speechless. She recovered quite well when I shared that it was for a costume.

The gown is from Anthropologie and was accompanied by lace ankle boots, a hair wreath of silk flowers with a very long ivory tulle veil that I put together. This is what I imagined Annabel Lee would have worn as she haunted the cliffs above the sea, waiting for her beloved to come for her. 

 

The top of my built-in candle storage cabinets was used for some decor. There was the ever-present black feather. A tongue-in-cheek wood block that I created and renamed, "writers block". A black, vintage typewriter with part of Poe's poem holding a paper with part of "The Raven" typed onto it. A raven's mask. A book of Poe's works. Brass candelabras with white tapers. A black velvet skull is not shown in the photograph.

I decided to show the dining room decorations tomorrow. 

More to come...

sequestered and serene xo

Monday, September 30, 2024

Edgar Allan Poe Soiree Guests Gifts and The Raven Society - Halloween

 


I presented each guest with brick dust from the building in New York that Poe used to live in while he wrote “The Cask of Amontillado”.  The girl I purchased the brick dust from, acquired the brick from an auction. She scrapes dust from it and attaches it to a card to sell. Clever. My guests received a print out with details about the building and their response was one of surprise and intrigue. Another gift was a candle named after Poe.


 

I spent some time sharing quite a bit of information about things related both directly and loosely to Poe with the ladies:

~Darling daughter’s first word was, Edgar! How cool is that?!

~Poe attended the University of Virginia for a short time. Sugar daddy aka husband attended the University of Virginia Law School and was inducted into the Raven Society. I passed around his framed certificate.  The honor society recruits members when they are juniors, seniors, or first or second-year graduate students. Potential members must demonstrate academic distinction. Fewer than thirty students are initiated each year and the initiation occurs at midnight. Since its founding in 1904, the Society has been steadfast in its commitment both to the University and to academic excellence.  The Raven Society has sought over the years to honor and promote superior academic and extra-curricular achievement. One of its primary aims, as laid forth in the Constitution, was “to bring together the best men in the various departments of the University for mutual acquaintance and for cooperation in their efforts to protect the honor and dignity of the University.” Its membership, concomitantly, was to include men from every phase of college enterprise. Besides fostering all lines of scholarship, the Society was meant to encourage concerted action by cultivating a broad community of interest and emphasizing leadership and idealistic determination.

 ~One week-end, a friend of his who lived in one of the rooms on the UVA campus “Range” was going out of town and allowed us to stay there overnight. The Range is where coveted single rooms are for students attending UVA. 

 ~A few doors down from his friend's room was the room where Edgar Allan Poe stayed as a student. 13 West Range. The Raven Society uses the room for its annual initiation ceremonies, during which there is a reading from Poe’s work and new members sign with a quill pen in a book of names. They also take an oath of selfless service.

 Poe's room at UVA

 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUO9XZecffr89LFc-JzGjkdXjFPFmPYaLpf1XOlLCO2wzJUWODY6BonXvogGkfpLX4W-YPK99kEtOyvlnX1lD3EWeynKePtDc3kKppASbOfStUEhCV_trOKgZPZ08-azC2NkW7EqsB38/s400/PoeDormRoom1.jpg

Husband purchased a bottle of Amontillado, a sherry that Poe enjoyed consuming and is also the name of a quite disturbing story of his. After dessert, we toasted Poe with it.

Tomorrow, there will be numerous photographs of the highly decorated dining room and my costume.

xo

 


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