Haunted Swamp Designs

GIVE AWAY WINNERS!

2011-07-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations go out to....
Drum roll Please ....

#1 Treaya / Spider Liliy
#2 Treaya / Peach Lily
#3 Annette / Red and yellow Lily
#4 Sherry Byrum / Red Lufiers tongue

I have sent a Email for your address so that I can mail them ASAP!

A GIVE AWAY

2011-07-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Search down in my postings for 4 seperate GIVEAWAYS going on NOW!

Just pretty pictures for your enjoyment

2011-07-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Come walk with me down the steps where I grow my gourds...near the haunted swamp....

Here is a small assortment of some of the Daylilies I grow... they are pretty hard to kill!
If you can grow nothing else and if you have a brown thumb give daylilies a try!... I have some in the 4 giveaways going on now, hurry !

Red and yellow next to each other...Awsome!

Haunted Evil Clown! Are you SCARED yet?

2011-07-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

Afraid of Clowns?

This is the type of Clown that comes from my Haunted Swamp!

You love him??? Hmmm

He's on Etsy now!

I have been listing a few new items a day...or trying to!

I have been moving away from Ebay... a place that use to be good. The fees are just eating us Artists alive! And it's just a click away from being yours...no waiting to see if you've been outbid... snag him up quick!
Hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com

#4 of 4 SUMMER GIVE AWAY

2011-07-08T12:39:00.001-07:00

Lucifer's Tongue / Crocosmia / Bright - Shocking Red!

Ok this is crazy! I am having four Give aways.... all at once!
It's summer, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing!
I would love to share a few of my many Daylilies with you!
Please share this blog with all your freinds and pass the word!

I do not remember the names of these Lilies. But you won't be disapointed. Some I had searched for years to add to my yard... and one can now be yours!

EASY directions! Please leave one comment for each Giveaway you wish!

1. Follow Me
2. Tell your friends
3. Comment on a item I have on Etsy.. http://www.hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com/
Leave comment on the lily you would like.... or leave a comment on all of them!
DRAWING DATE JULY 18
***sorry I can only send to the United States***

#3 of 4 SUMMER GIVE AWAY!

2011-07-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Deep red with solid bright yellow center.Spider Lily
Bloom is about 6 inches across!

EASY directions! Please leave one comment for each giveaway you'ld like!
1. Follow Me
2. Tell your friends
3. Comment on a item I have on Etsy.. http://www.hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com/
Leave comment on the lily you would like.... or leave a comment on all of them!
DRAWING DATE JULY 18
***sorry I can only send to the United States***

#2 of 4 SUMMER GIVE AWAY

2011-07-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

This one is a Beautiful Peach Colored Lily
Bloom is about 5 inches across!

Ok this is crazy! I am having four Give aways.... all at once!
It's summer, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing!
I would love to shae a few of my many Daylilies with you!
Please share this blog with all your freinds and pass the word!

I do not remember the names of these Lilies. But you won't be disapointed. Some I had searched for years to add to my yard... and one can now be yours!

EASY directions! Please leave one comment on each giveaway you'ld like!

1. Follow Me
2. Tell your friends
3. Comment on a item I have on Etsy.. http://www.hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com/
Leave comment on the lily you would like.... or leave a comment on all of them!
DRAWING DATE JULY 18
***sorry I can only send to the United States***

#1 of 4 - Summer Time GIVEAWAY

2011-07-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

NUMBER #1 GIVE AWAY

This is a Spider Lily
Bloom is about 6 inches across!

Easy directions... Please leave one comment about something I have listed on Etsy on each giveaway you wish to win!
1. Follow Me
2. Tell your friends
3. Comment on a item I have on Etsy.. http://www.hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com/
Leave comment on the lily you would like.... or leave a comment on all of them!
Drawing date Monday July 18
***sorry I can only send to the United States***

A Haunted work in progress WIP

2011-06-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Someone is always asking...how did you do that?
So here is a picture... or two of a WIP

I didn't think of taking a picture until his head was painted.
But I had another Cannon ball gourd that was clean that said it would stand in for a photo opp!

So two years ago I planted a gourd seed. Watered it, fed it, and let it soak up a summer of sunshine. As the season drew to a end a frost came... gourd growing season was over. It was picked and put on a drying rack to wait out the long winter. It was snowed on, rained on, frozen and thawed and snowed on again. The days got warmer.. and dryer. Then one day it was dry enough to get a bath, this probably was near June of the following year.
It was soaked, scrubbed and bleach bathed then left to dry again. Up on a high shelf it was placed and almost forgotten...............
Then one day after much gourd brain washing...pssst, pssssst hey, Lynda up here! Paint me! Paint me!

The wood was meant to be a candle holder... until I bought it! I glued it to a square of wood to give it a good 'foot'. Drill a hole in gourd head....Please make sure you drill BEFORE you paint!

Nothing worse then painting a gourd ad cracking it when you drill!

Glue the rod into the gourd hole. I also drill a hole down into the wood. Glue rod and head to your wood (body).

Looked alittle plain...We can't have that!
Add some ribbon or crepe paper or tinsel or..........
And that is how a Haunted Swamp Gourd is born!

We have a winner! Storm Chaser going to a new home!

2011-06-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Oh My I got home late.... but it's still the first of June! How can that be? 2011 is almost half over!!!

I had this real cool way of picking the winner out...the first folded paper one of the cats sniffed would be the winner.... they wouldn't go near them! I waited, and waited, and waited some more..... not one of those cats would even go near the folded papers. Now I know if I didn't want them to get near them they would had been rolling on them!

So I had my hubby pick a name...sure wasn't as stressful as waiting on a sniff from a cat!

And the winner is.....

Susie!

Please send me your address and I'll have this stormy guy off in the mail ASAP!

Thank you all for entering my Storm Chaser Give away!
Lynda

Hurry....one more day! Happy Weekend!

2011-05-29T11:41:00.001-07:00

So did you? Did you join in to the give away?

It's the week end and rains has caused high humidy! I'm not a real lover of high temps or humid weather. But I'm not the type to be just sitting around vegging out, I need to be doing something! Spent the morning running. Sears, friends, gas station (ugh), found two dwarf cherry trees, and stopped for a cold coke too! Way to hot to plant them right now, they will wait...

I need to get som cleaning done in the pond. Hmmm hot day - cool water - jump in?
Need to cut down a 15-20 dogwood that just died. Had flowers and croaked.

And being it's a holiday weekend... it will wait too!

I have burgers and hotdogs to grill and deserts to eat so I must run!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

STORM VOODOO GIVE AWAY!

2011-05-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Sitting here thinking...it's been a long time since I've had a GIVE AWAY!
So... here it is! This is my Storm Voodoo - Hoodoo Doll.

We were having so much rain.... and I'm sick of it! I made this little doll, poked needles in it, talked to it, and told those nasty dark rain filled clouds and lighting to GO AWAY!
And it worked!!!! Today the sun is shining!
So it's time for the Storm Chaser doll to travel on to a new home.... yours!
So jump in for a chance to have him as your own. Got rain? Scared of storms? Hate thunder and lightening? Hoping it will all go away?

Post a comment and follow me and on June 1st one name will be drawn to win this nasty little fellow... nasty? Yes, he's a Stormy doll... LOL! But he'll chase away those storms... I hope!

Please post on your Blog and spread the word!

GOOD LUCK!

Hello... This week....... Turkey!

2011-05-18T09:01:00.001-07:00

What a week...rain, rain.... and more rain. And it's just not any ol' rain, it COLD! I can go out and transplant in rain but not this stuff! But today the sun is peeking out... from between those clouds and I am going out to divide and transplant some Hostas!

I had to go out and tent some of my gourd plants. Between the cold and all this rain...... well they my catch cold!.... or rot!

But I think spring is here! Most trees are in full leaf, grass needs mowed again.

...And I am seeing some unexpected wildlife in my yard!
This morning a Wild Turkey was poking around!

If you are in need of some Haunted Swamp Egg gourds drop me a line or visit my EBay auctions!

Seller name.... Hauntedswampdesigns.

I am out of here...need to make more Hostas!

Bluebirds and Blueberries! Tiered Gardens too!

2011-05-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

I know this isn't a real good picture but, I have Bluebirds! After many years of watching and waiting... they are here! Either the Chick-a-dees or wrens nest in my Bluebird boxes, but a Bluebird found them this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited!

This is right where I am going to plant my five new Blueberry bushes too!

Happy Day!!!!!!

We got the frame work of this tiered raised garden done! Was not easy with all the rain! We had this slope in our yard and this is where I thought something like this would work the best, and easy to put in too!

Finally the dirt came! I dump truck full!!! Now that's a lot of dirt! And it was alot of shoveling too!

This is not where I will be planting my gourds, I have arbors for them. And some will be planted to climb the small arbor that you see here with the star on it....someday to be the chicken yard..... I am going to try that square foot gardening. Wish me luck!

MELLOW MOON STUDIO SALE 20% off!!!!

2011-04-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

Spring sale! Hop over to Mellowmoonstudio.etsy.com and use code
SPRINGFLING20
and save 20% at checkout!

More to come....stay tuned!

THE TOADS ARE HERE!

2011-04-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

He's got his eye on you!

He looking for his gal!

She's looking for her fellow!

They sing all night!

They croak all day!

They are making me crazy!

I may have to run away!

My pond is loaded with TOADS!!!!!

Just another day

2011-04-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

Listed this over on Etsy

www.etsy.com/listing/72496966

Between the rain and rumors of snow, running outside to bring my baby gourd seedlings in and everyday life, not much is getting done. Babies were in a cold frame and probably would have been OK...but.. better safe then sorry. I even had to bring a cold frame in! It was either that or the cats would have destroyed my babies.

You know I am getting things done, I have a little asembley line going painting gourds while dirty gourds soak in the tub.

Yes, I have been washing gourds! OH! How I hate washing gourds but, I can't get those lazy cats to wash them so it's up to me. As I said before...I am a gourd hoarder. I am trying to break this habit, really I am! I am painting more gourds, I sort of fell away from gourding and was hoarding! I have listed several batches of my egg gourds on eBay.... more gourds to come. Figured sell them and pay for this years seed, dirt and fertilizer. Gourds are heavy feeders. Have I bored you yet? OK! I will stop my rambling!

A Spring Fling Sale at Mellow Moon Studio

2011-04-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

Mellowmoonstudio on Etsy...my 'other' personality Spring Fling SALE code Springfling15 Use this at checkout and recieve 15% off you purchase! (Purchase only, does not discount shipping)

SEHA BooZaar - Coming soon!

2011-04-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Come follow us!
Starting on May 31, you will find many new and exciting Halloween creations.
The Artists of SEHA are brewing up some great things for your Halloween pleasure.
All items listed in the BooZaar will be offered for sale.
Come join in and see what they have in store for you!

http://sehaboozaar.blogspot.com/

It's time they left the nest!

2011-04-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

It's time they left the nest. Selling some of my babies! No not my kids....hmmm that's a thought..... OK! OK!......Gourds! Gourds! Gourds! I have listed some of my egg gourds on Ebay. I hoard gourds....Yep, I a gourd hoarder. I just seem to not want to let go! After I start them from those seed....fuss over them, water them...yes, I even talk to them...oh I am not normal. We won't even go into the 'sex in the gourd patch'! NO! Not me! I go down into the gourd patch....down near the swamp...at night! Spooky! And with a paintbrush I pollinate them. If they are not pollinated you get no gourd! Gourd only bloom at night. Sometimes I just grab that male flower and rip his little peddels off and..... scared yet? Search Hauntedswampdesigns on Ebay for these gourds!

The Day of a Dirty Gourd

2011-04-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

A day of the gourd bath..... One tub of dirty gourds.... need a scrubbing.

But first they need to soak to loosen up that grime! I wish I would had taken a picture of that dirty water that happened between the soaking and cleaned gourds! Icky!!!! So here they are all clean taking a quick bleach water bath before being dryed! When cleaning gourds work in small batchs. These took over two hours to scrub!

NEW! Spooky! Creepy! Hallowen Chenille Ornaments!

2011-04-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Soooo this is what I have been up to!

Printing, cutting, bending, gluing, creating!

These are creepy-cute!
Some are just more spooky then others, or is that creepy?!!

After days of...trying to figure it out. Reducing, moving, saving...
And a sick hubby I got some done! Had these spookies on the
table for a long time. Now they need new homes!

These are listed on Etsy!
Hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com

Did you miss me?

2011-03-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

I am brushing off the cobwebs and visiting some blogs for one hour.... I have to limit my time or I'll get comsumed, lose track and....... well you know. I'll sit here, and sit here and never get anything done. Soon I'll get side tracked and who knows where I'll land! I spent the weekend in Chicago and it was COLD! I am not a city girl! I was so happy to get back home to the more open spaces and fewer people!

What's new? This Ghouls for you!

2011-03-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Who is this peeking out at you?

He's reaching for you!

It's Little Boo Riding Hood.... the gourdy Ghost of Red Riding Hood?
Now on Ebay!

January and February...where have they gone!

2011-03-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hello!
Snowed again, just when it looked like spring had arrived. Well it arrived for a few days! I like snow, but I think I have had enough!
Here in Ohio we have had flood warnings and more flood warnings and floods!
I was going to take a little walk back into the 'Haunted Swamp' to gather a few willow branches. I am not walking in 4 inch deep freezing water to get anything!
I spent most of this 'cold' time saying I needed to clean out my art/computer room and get rid of some of this 'stuff'. 'Stuff" I bought with all the good intentions in the world.....
Did I....?
NO!
It's all sitting here looking at me! I really need to declutter...this room! The rest of my house is uncluttered, why do I have such problems with this room!
Another thing I have had all the time in the world to create and paint...did I....? NO!
Am I complaining..? YES!
January and February flew past like the days had wings and took flight! And March is flying by too! Oh My!
How's your time doing?
And don't you think February is spelt funny?

Trinket Boxes!!!!

2011-02-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

Painted some wonderful wood trinket boxes!
Had fun doing these....wow do they take a long time to do too!!!

Man in the Moon Trinket Box Just listed on Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330535857233

Blue Moon Landscape Trinket Box

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-Moon-Landscape-Wood-Trinket-Box-Mihaly-original-/330535853001

Dream Treasure Keeper!

2011-02-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

Listed on Ebay! A pretty place to keep your dreams... or candy!

This is so much prettier in person! Pictures doesn't pick up the holagraphic glitter!
And don't worry the glitter won't be all over your house...it's sealed in!
Stars inside.... Stars outside!

This took so much time to paint... but it was fun!

Is that Spring I hear?

2011-02-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

I do like winter...I know...but it's cold! But spring , summer and fall brings loads of outdor work for me! Winter I can 'veg' out... that means I gain weight!

Filled up the birdfeeders after a visit to the Hospital.... appointment and tests. Guess my heart is ok...? But back to the birdfeeder... heard some new birds tweeting away!

The Chick-a-dees flying around my head letting me know to hurry...they must be hungry!

Ice is melting making me slid and slip with every step! Spring can't be far away!

And since Ebay has listings free....I listed someore ACEOs!

If your on Facebook come visit my art page!
http://www.facebook.com/Haunted-Swamp-Designs/168123569900643

ACEO's on Ebay!

2011-02-12T20:08:00.001-08:00

Not a print! Winter landscape in blue!

Looks like winter there too!

For those lucky Irish...here's Tubby Cats with their four leaf clover

Black background... a very dark night with a fullmoon! Looks great wait till you see it in person!

Free Shipping!!!
http://shop.ebay.com/hauntedswampdesigns/m.html

New Listings!!!!!

2011-02-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

It's hard keeping up! List here, list there, blog, facebook, work, life... Oh My!
Sitting here eating frozen grapes thinking about all the snow in my driveway....
If you haven't tried frozen grapes, they're great! Yummy!!!
I wanted to share these Ebay and Etsy listings with all my Blogger friends!

LISTED ON EBAY (SOLD!!!)

Wood canister painted with acrylics. And my Witches of course! Dance ! Dance the night away! Dancing witches are on both sides.

I painted the top with the stars in the sky!
More pictures on Ebay.

LISTED ON ETSY

Haunted Birdhouse! Complete with bats, stars, cats and witches!

Many more pictures on Etsy!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2011-02-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well I guess the change is...I got the paints out!

I started a fan page on Face Book
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haunted-Swamp-Designs/168123569900643

My son is redoing my web page for collage credit!

So please come join my fan page and see the latest things I have gotten myself into!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy New Year

2010-12-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

This year's Holiday card is this painting with fine glitter added to the trees and snow. So if you didn't get a card from me ...here it is!

Wishing each and everyone one of you a Wonderful Holiday full of cheer!

Etsy 10% code....wowwweeeeee!

2010-11-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Etsy has come up with a great thing! Discount codes! Now this code dicounts the purchase price not the shipping...great! And it's not just for one item it's for the whole purchase...good or bad, I'm good with it!

Each shop has their own code, this is not for everyone's shop!

So next time you visit a Etsy shop check it out and see if they have a discount code.

The discount code for Mellowmoonstudio.etsy.com (mine) is Mellow201010 for 10% off! I will have this code in use untill at least Jan. 1, 2011.
Lynda

Winter ACEO Prints Winter is near!

2010-11-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

I've been updating my Haunted Swamp Designs Etsy store with some 'not so spooky' ACEO prints. Please come and visit me..... lots of 'eye candy'!

Winter is coming to the woods. The snow is falling and with the light from the full moon the snow is so bright!

Come walk along the shore of a the creek
nestled in the woods on a cold crisp day!

Wouldn't you love to be here! Winter in a warm house tucked into the woods while a beautiful full moon rises and shines on the snow!

I see you peeking out the window! LOL!

Interesting?

2010-11-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

Oh Heavey sigh.... I don't think I'm very interesting.. :-)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-29T18:14:00.001-07:00

I hope you have enjoyed my second year of Ghost Stories during the month of October!

Now I have a party to tend to! The tent is up and the lights are glowing. Creepy figures silhouette the landscape. We will be setting the graveyard up in the morning, it has been too windy to set it up any sooner.
This time tomorrow many ghosts, goblins and frightening creatures will be here roaming in my yard! A large bon fire and plenty to eat and drink! I hope everyone enjoys themselves and has a ton of fun!
Now to all my dear blooging friends
Have a wonderful Halloween and be safe!
Lynda

TWO FRISDAY NIGHT GHOST STORIES!

2010-10-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Army of the Dead
A South Carolina Ghost Story

retold by

S. E. Schlosser

A laundress, newly moved to Charleston following the Civil War, found herself awakened at the stroke of twelve each night by the rumble of heavy wheels passing in the street. But she lived on a dead end street, and had no explanation for the noise. Her husband would not allow her to look out the window when she heard the sounds, telling her to leave well enough alone. Finally, she asked the woman who washed at the tub next to hers. The woman said: "What you are hearing is the Army of the Dead. They are Confederate soldiers who died in hospital without knowing that the war was over. Each night, they rise from their graves and go to reinforce Lee in Virginia to strengthen the weakened Southern forces."
The next night, the laundress slipped out of bed to watch the Army of the Dead pass. She stood spell-bound by the window as a gray fog rolled passed. Within the fog, she could see the shapes of horses, and could hear gruff human voices and the rumble of canons being dragged through the street, followed by the sound of marching feet. Foot soldiers, horsemen, ambulances, wagons and canons passed before her eyes, all shrouded in gray. After what seemed like hours, she heard a far off bugle blast, and then silence.
When the laundress came out of her daze, she found one of her arms was paralyzed. She has never done a full days washing since.
***********************
Black Magic
Excerpt from Spooky Massachusetts

Retold by S.E. Schlosser

Mad Henry was a hermit who lived alone in a decrepit mansion at the edge of town. Rumors were rife about the wild-eyed man. Some folks said that he was a magician who called upon the powers of darkness to wreck havoc upon his neighbors. Others called him a mad doctor who could restore life to foul corpses from the local cemetery. No respectable citizen in town had anything to do with Mad Henry

Then one year a new family moved to town with a lovely daughter, Rachel, who caught Mad Henry’s eye. He showered the maiden with gifts—goblets of pure gold, necklaces of pearl, and a pot of daisies that never dropped a single petal. Despite the gifts, Rachael fell in love with another, Geoffrey, a handsome young man just home from university. A week after meeting they eloped, leaving behind a stunned Mad Henry.

When Rachael and Geoffrey returned from the elopement, they threw a big ball and invited everyone in town. While Rachel was waltzing with her father, she heard a clap of thunder. Lightning flashed again and again. Suddenly, the double doors blew open and a breeze whirled in, bringing with it the smell of dead, decaying things. Mad Henry loomed in the doorway, pupils gleaming red with anger. He was followed by the grotesque figures of the dead, who came marching two by two into the room. Their eye sockets glowed with blue fire as they surrounded the room.
Two of the corpses captured Geoffrey and threw him down at the feet of their lord. Red eyes gleaming, Mad Henry drew a silver-bladed knife and casually cut the bridegroom’s throat from ear to ear. Rachel screamed and ran forward, pushing through the foul, stinking corpses of the dead, and flung herself upon her dying husband.

“Kill us both,” she cried desperately.

But Mad Henry plucked the lass out of the pool of blood surrounding her dead husband and carried her out into the thundering night. Behind him, the army of the dead turned from the grizzly scene and followed their master. The sounds of thunder and lightning faded away as the alchemist and his dead companions disappeared into the dark night.

Geoffrey’s father and Rachael’s father gathered a small mob and followed the evil hermit, intent upon saving Rachel. When they searched Mad Henry’s house, they found it completely empty save for a light, which shone from a series of mysterious globes that bobbed near the ceiling of each room. Mad Henry had vanished.

Search parties scoured the countryside for days, but turned up nothing. Geoffrey was buried in the local cemetery, and the dance hall was torn down. No one in town spoke about what had happened, and no one dared imagine what had become of poor Rachel.

A year to the day after the ball, a timid knock sounded upon the door of Rachael’s parents’ home. When her father opened it, he saw a gaunt, gray figure on the stoop. Her eyes were dull with exhaustion and pain. It was Rachel! Her tongue had been cut out so she couldn’t speak. But when she produced a knife from her tattered garments—the knife with a silver blade that they had last seen in the hands of Mad Henry— the gleam of satisfaction in Rachel’s eyes told them that the streaks of blood that coated the knife were those of Mad Henry. That night, Rachel died in her sleep with a peaceful smile upon her ravaged face.

HAUNTED BRITAIN (p1) Real Ghost Stories

2010-10-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Something diferent for tonights GHOST STORY!

DRAWING...Ornies get a new home!

2010-10-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

I thinbk I better get this done...
Writing down the names on bits of paper....
Folding them up....
Putting them in a pot....
Stirring them up....
Calling Grand daughter to come pick....
She thinks I am pulling a trick on her!....
She's reaching in....
Here it comes.....
Unfolding the paper....
Opening it up....
And the winner is Jeanne!!!!!!!!

Now I need a address!

CONGRATULATIONS JEANNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A HAUNTED GIVE AWAY **** Oct 21 drawing

2010-10-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Would you like to have some spooky little gourd head ornaments?

Come closer....closer. Come down into the swamp and see what creeps around during the night!

These little guys would love to come live with you!
Now I can't guarantee that they will behave... you know their home was a Haunted Swamp!
Follow these simple instructions and get three times the chance to win!
#1 Leave a comment here!
#2 Spread the word... facebook, twitter... you get the idea (Let me know where)
#3 Post to your blog ( put your blog addy in with your comment!

Each comment #1,#2,#3 must be a separate comment!
1 post for comment
1 post for spreading the word (post on your blog, Facebook, etc.)
1 post for blog (follow me)
Name will be picked Thursday, October 21

BEST OF LUCK.....BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Skeleon Key * Friday Night Ghost Story

2010-10-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

From the members of SEHA!

THE SKELETON KEY

On this dreary day even the sun would not appear. As I walked to the car from the gravesite a chill ran up my spine. I heard, or I thought I heard... it was almost a voice calling me.
As I looked back to where I thought the voice was coming from I saw a light mist forming.

I turned around for a better look. And right there before my eyes, an image was materializing! It was a woman who appeared to be dressed in clothes from a bygone era. Her hand was outstretched, one slim finger seemed to be pointing. Filled with fright I took a step back. And when I blinked my eyes, I was standing in a fog-covered marsh. I could hear chanting and other voices coming nearer, nearer, nearer.....

I shook my head, hoping the vision would go away. But when I opened my eyes there in front of me was the same woman who had materialized in the cemetery. Only now she appeared very much alive. She seemed to be trying to say something to me.
Just as I was about ready to turn and run I heard her say "The key! The key! You must find the key!"
I staggered backwards and my foot hit a stone box that was hidden in the tall grasses. I bent over to look closer. Bending over I reached for the box. Picking it up it felt light in my hands.
I looked around. Surprised at seeing a large black cat walking towards me. Around it's neck was a glimmering collar.
Taking the key from around the cats neck it ran beckoning me to follow. Stopping at the base of and aged oak tree the cat started pawing at the damp earth. A corner of a box appeared, grey and cracked with age.
I opened the box I had in my hand, the first one I had discovered and found a small shovel. I dropped to my knees and using the shovel, began to did out the old, aged box by the Oak tree. With the help of the cat, the box was soon unearthed. I brushed away the dirt that clung to the box's sides and lid. I saw the box had a lock. I wondered if the key the cat gave me would work in the lock. It did! Slowly I opened the lid. Inside was an old piece of parchment. I lifted out the paper and very gingerly opened it up to find written in a very shaky hand....
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

All Souls Night - Loreena McKennitt - Lyrics

2010-10-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

FRIDAYS GHOST STORY

2010-10-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight's story comes to you from SEHA. Society of Eclectic Halloween Artists on Ebay.
This story begins as a group effort to create a story in 10 posts. One member will begin a story line, a sentence, a paragraph and another group member will add and build from that.
Sometimes a great story emerges!
I hope you enjoy tonight story!

The Old Barn
A very long time ago there was a old barn at the end of the lane. It is said to be haunted by a spirit of a young girl. Once when I was young we snuck off at night an went down to The Old Barn to see if we could see or speak to the Spirit. My older sister had borrowed her boyfriend's ghost hunting equipment, so we just knew we'd find out who the little girl was! The barn was creepy, with spiderwebs everywhere. But Sis didn't let that stop her. She pushed her way through the sticky webs to the large horse stall at the back of the barn. It was here that most of the sightings of a spirit were reported to have occurred. I helped my sis set up all the meters and gauges, and we got the video camera running. Suddenly, all the electronics went bonkers! There was squealing and chirping and lights flashing. I ask Sis if she had crossed some wires someplace, but she just shook her head no. We both stood there, staring at all that equipment, not knowing what to do next. When all of a sudden
a chill filled the air and the cobwebs began to flutter as a breeze blew past our cheeks. We were terrified so scared we couldn't move. Something was coming..something filmy and blue coming towards us down the old barn hallway. We could just see the blue haze floating towards us and feel the chilling cold running through our bones we started backing away as she kept coming closer...closer...closer...she held out her arm and pointed at us then she began to speak...she said...
"Come play with me. Please don't go."
As she drew closer she pointed up above our heads we all raised our eyes to look there way back in the shadows we could just make out the outline of a tiny skeleton hanging from a rope...I spoke in a whisper to my sister..."that must be her...why has no one ever seen that before..we must do something, you stay here and talk to her while I sneak over there to cut it down"...propped up on the far wall I spied a ladder...slowly I made my way to it...up I started to climb..I was almost to the top when this black form floated towards me the stench was unbearable I looked to the face and saw the glowing red eyes, it raised it's arm and knocked me from the ladder...down..down..down...
As I hit the floor with a thud I looked beside me and there in the dust layed the skeleton that just seconds ago we saw hanging!
The skeleton was small, and fragile and when it hit the ground, the bones scattered. A horrible howling filled the air, growing until we had to clamp our hands over our ears least we add our screams to the awful howling. The black shape grew until it seemed to fill the barn and the wind picked up, knocking over all our equipment. Suddenly, it stopped, and there was a pure bright light where the blue haze once was, and no sign of the black shadow. A sweet, young voice filled the crackling air as she said "thank-you for releasing me from the demon..you were both so brave" as she spoke the light grew stronger and stronger...she slowly faded away into the light the last thing we heard her say was "GOOD-BYE". My sister and I gathered our things together and off we went out the door to another adventure....

Halloween Queens GIVEAWAY!

2010-10-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Halloween Queens are up to it again! They are having a wonderful 31 days of Halloween GIVEAWAY...don't miss it... fly over now!
http://artisticthalloweenqueens.blogspot.com

A SKELLY GIVEAWAY! Cart BeforeThe Horse

2010-10-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Get on your broom and fly over to
http://thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot
For a great Skelly Giveaway! # chanches to win!!! WOW!!!!
Drawing on Friday October 15th

Hurry! Get going! What are yo waiting for!
Lynda

SALE * ETSY * SALE * ACEO PRINTS!

2010-10-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

I am having a Halloween ACEO PRINT SALE at my Etsy store!
All ACEO Prints are now $3.99 with FREE shipping until Halloween!
Just convo me with your selection and I'll invoice you!
That's $1 off per print and FREE shipping!!!!!

October Friday Night Story

2010-10-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

Last year I posted a Friday Night Ghost story every Friday in October.... Think I'll do it again!

(Arthur unknown)

HAUNTED DOLL
In 1797, a family named Otto lived in a nearby house in Key, Florida. They owned a plantation and had alot of servants working for them that they treated badly.One servant girl gave their son, Gene, a present of a doll.What the Otto's didn't realize was that this servant girl knew voodoo.
Gene's full name was Robert Eugene Otto. His parents called him "Gene", so he decided to give the doll his real name, "Robert".
Many strange things began to occur in the Otto household. Many neighbors claimed to see Robert move about from window to window, when the family was out. Gene began to claim Robert for the mishaps that would occur. The Otto's claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of the doll running around the house.
Gene began to have nightmares and scream out at night, when his parents would enter the room, they would find furniture over turned and their child in fright, Robert would be at the foot of the bed with a glaring gaze! "Robert did it"... The doll was eventually put up into the attic. Where he resided for many years.
But Robert had other plans. Visitors that entered the house could hear something walking back and forth in the attic, and strange giggling sounds. Guests no longer wanted to visit the Otto home.
Gene Otto died in 1772. The home was sold to a new family, and the tale of Robert had died too.....
But Robert waited patiently up in the attic to be discovered, once again. The 10 year old daughter was quick to find Robert in the attic. It was not long for Robert to unleash his displeasure for the child. The little girl claiming that the doll tortured her, and made her life hell. Even after 30 years later the girl steadfastly claims that "the doll was alive and wanted to kill her."
Robert, still dressed in his white sailors suit and clutching his stuffed lion, lives quite comfortably, though well gaurded, at the Key West Martello Museum. Employees at the museum continue to give accounts of Robert being up to his old tricks still today.....

Happy Fall!

2010-09-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

Well October is almost here..... I can hear it coming! We wait all year for this month and I think as fast as time seems to be turning... it will be gone in a flash!

I was almost not going to have my yearly Halloween party this year but so many are looking forward to it. How could I say no? This year I have asked for help decorating, Goddess knows I'll need it! About two trips to the basement wipes me out for the day! And I have about 17 crates of 'stuff' for Halloween down there!
With the weather being all wacky this year I am going to wait until about 2 days before the party to decorate... with help this can be done! I've always been skating on the lucky side with the party being outside with a bonfire. I just know someday it's going to have to be inside! Keeping fingers crossed!

Knee update...

I don't think I'll ever do this again! I had a total knee replacement about two months ago and it has been a rocky road! I've gone from a walker to a cane. Trying to get away from the cane..... makes me feel old!
What they don't tell you is how much it hurts! But I gues I gotta do what I gotta do! I have this lovley gawd-awful brace I am to wear at least 8 hours a day. Can't walk in it, just recline without the back of your leg laying on couch... can we say OUCHY!
Here I am standing....it's such a great fasion statement!

Blogging! Face Book Halloween Groups! Oh My!

2010-09-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

Oh My! Oh Meeee! I just can't keep up!
I heard Blogging is becoming obsolete! Could it be true....Noooo! I hope not!
With all the social networks I just can't seem to keep up....please forgive me!
I guess I have a Twitter page....? I guess I have forgotten the password....hmmmm.
I have a Facebook under my name. Thinking I should try to make one for Haunted Swamp....?
I have this Blog which suffers.
And Halloween art groups on Ebay ... and other places?

I think I am coming down with a case of brain farts....thats foggy head to anyone else!
I haven't even gotten back into the art room. Well except to list a few things that have been completed. To tell the truth I am always thinking I can pull it all together. Then something happens and I'm once again days lost, in a fog....
I can't sit for long, hurts the back of my knee....you see... I had a total Knee replacement and it has set me back.... way back!
But I promise...yes another promise! I will do something with my blog at least once a week.
But for now I would like to share my little gouldlings I found in the swamp!

These that are shown are on Ebay now. There are others on my Hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com store if you can't wait for bidding!

I'm back! I'm Back! Haunted Gourds!

2010-08-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming!!! The time is drawing near! With this heat and no rain the swamp is drying up! Creatures are coming up from the Haunted Swamp! And they are hungry! They need a new home.... yours will do!

I'm back! Cleaning cobwebs from my head, man some of those pain meds can make you loony-forgetful and blah!

I'm up and walking, even if it's a slow walk aided by a cane. I found one good thing about that cane... I can poke people and cats with it!!

This Bloody Eyed Creature is on Ebay now at a great price!

He's 12 inches tall and made from a Haunted Swamp grown gourd!

And you can only get these spooky wonders from the Haunted Swamp!

It's getting close! 19 more days!

2010-06-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

Holy-Moly where does the time fly? Stop and think...it's almost the 4th of July. What happened here, did I fall asleep beside the old dead tree?

Ahhh I gave up trying to catch up... I'll just try to keep up!
If I had a swing this would be me, swinging away time....
I think Me and my sisters may have to gather around the fire and dance!

My Count down...starts now!

2010-06-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is my count down........on July 13 I will disappear for a little while.

I just now, as in just today realised I will be down and out as Halloween listing time approaches!

Trying to get a few things lined up...and...oh girls this is the good part.... get hubby trained to list, wrap, and send items....? That is ship then if I have any sale!

I don't want to shut either of my Etsy stores, so what's a person to do!

Hubby is all worried I'll die! OMG! I am much to rotten to die!

Then he says...I know you are going to fall down and break something when you have to use that walker... Yes, ok I will admit I am a klutz.

I gave in and got a cane over the weekend, he insisted. Geeezzz men! But it is pretty...it's got a interesting blue design. I feel weird out in the public using it....blah!

SO now I must run and try to get some things done. Things that will bug the heck out of me if they are left..... undone!

I think I can....I think?

2010-06-09T12:40:00.001-07:00

Well what a month...June aready?! Holy Moly where does the time go?
Well I know my time is all messed up....I'm on drugs! What! You ask... she's a druggy!!? Oh No!
These are all perscription... don't worry! But they do have a way of putting me in "a fog".

I have been sorting gourds. Planting gourds. Thinking about painting gourds. Wondering what I am ever going to do with all these gourds.........

This year I have had some bad luck germinating those gourds! But, I found some little seedlings growing out near the edge of the swamp (like how I tossed that in!). This will be a surprise gourd crop this year! I have a feeling they are eggs and mini spinners. But, hey! Who knows!

Trying to get so much done before surgery! I think I'm just going to give that idea up!
I did get the little gourdies transplanted, a few tomatoes, yard long and pole beans planted. I also planted two grape vines in the gourd arbors. Catnip is now fenced completly in.... we had a bunce of very high, stagering, rolling cats in the yard. My poor plant was nothing but a stub!
Got some new fish for the pond. How can 40+ feeder goldfish dissapear? Figure I'ld start with a 'few' and see how many grow.

And everyone that has been asking.... (THANKS FOR ASKING) Yes, I am in Ohio. Yes, I am fine. Tornados have been sliding south and north of us. We are getting some high winds and lots of rain. Rain is good, because I don't have to drag my hose out to water. Draging that hose is a drag! But dear Hubby has to mow more.... man is that grass growing fast!
Lynda

Going to be a HOT one!

2010-05-24T07:16:00.001-07:00

Well it's Monday! Looks like temps are going to be in the 80's all week! Plenty of sunshine!
Well 80 is just too hot for me! I will either do the things that need done outside in the early morning or late evening. I have learned I don't like sunburns, that hurts! Oh and I don't like to sweat either! So I guess I will be in the house.... cleaning! I need to list some jewelry on esty / Mellowmoonstudio. And maybe, just maybe make a dent in this art room!
Sooooo.... wish me luck my friends I need it!

FRIDAY!!!

2010-05-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Times flies, it don't pause for me....
My sister went back home to MT Wed. morning after a two week visit.
My black cat Salem had surgery.... got his wee wee wacked and now pees like a girl. He has taken to chewing on my finger tips...that is weird, don't you think?

I have sorted out 5 bags of 30-dirty egg gourds ( all sizes small to large - mix)... coming soon to Ebay ( yeah if I don't get distracted). If you would like these before I list contact me. I'll give them to my blog buddies for $10 plus $7 shipping.

I am really going to try hard to get my act together and get my art room cleaned...toss, toss, toss. Get my tables cleaned off. Between jewelry and painting I think I need two or three of me.
I even gave in an cleaned some gourds this morning.... I truely do hate washing gourds. This room is so cluttered, even the shelves are looking cluttered...and the tables, floor, desk........

Have not yet decided if I am going to be in the Pond tour....empty pond, no one wants to look at that! But it's for a good cause - Childrens Hospital Burn Unit. I will have to give this some thought.

I have decided that July 27 I will have my knee replaced. Just can't put if off....hubby still has a job with insurance!

So everyone have fun this weekend!

MIA again!...... here's the story folks!

2010-05-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ok I am MIA again! Been busy and side tracked!
We know Daph won those gourds...and they arrived!
Hope Daph shows us what she is going to do with some of them...and no, silly me did not take a picture of them...thought about it after they were gone!
Let's all visit her blog... www.earthdancedaph.blogspot.com

Now on another note... My sister has been visiting from Montana.. keeping me busy!
And maybe some haven't heard but I think I have a evil person in my neighborhood. Three of my outdoor cats have been poisoned and one is still missing for 2 weeks now, presummed dead. R.I.P. Merlin, Ms Kitty, Little Bit, and Punky
Also a tragic event.... I would really-really-really hate to think this but I think someone poured amonia in my pond...42 goldfish and Koi dead. I had water tested..... high amonia level... hmmm nothing I did...then I found a empty amonia bottle in weeds. Why would someone do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then to add insult to injury... something (varment) chewed holes and busted a bunch of my dry gourds! But I was one up on that critter! The grandkids and I sorted out egg gourds yesterday afternoon and made 5 bags of 30-dirty gourds! Which will be going on Ebay soon I hope!
Oh and we sorted 2 dozen nice/same sized egg gourds too! They are beauties and dirty! LOL!
Lynda

Rainy and cold Sunshine

2010-04-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday I did a small showing at a Pagan Earth Day Fest. All went well except for it being cold and wet! I had to leave early, about 2:30 to attened to other day plans.
And now.....

Well it's Tuesday night...in one minute it will be Tomorrow morning!
Sunshining so bright today...looked warm. Then I went outside...no, not one bit warm!
Turned right around and went back inside! But later in the day..after I went a cleaned a house.... I got all inspired, knee didn't hurt much...and away I went. Since I had to redo the plumbing for my pond it is all in disawray. Moved stones and moved more stones! We put in a small Lotus pond...it holds seven bags of garden dirt and one wheelbarrel of garden dirt....then planted my new Georgia Pink Queen Lotus into the mud! And if that wasn't enough, I repotted 4 waterlilies too. I think I have 2 more to do...water was so muddy I couldn't see where they were.... so that will be for another day.
It feels so good to got something accomplished!!!
Now it's that time...time to go to bed and start a new day...in the morning!
Lynda

I'm Back GIVEAWAY!!!!!

2010-04-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Seems my interent was picking and choosing what I could get on...sometimes I could jump on Ebay and aways could get on Face Book and Etsy, never here!
So as a I am back party I am going to have a GIVEAWAY.
Oh this one will be a surprise I am sure...and no picture! That would give away the surprise to the winner!

GIVE*AWAY GIVE*AWAY GIVE*AWAY GIVE*AWAY
Have you ever wanted to try something with a gourd? Paint it? Shake it? Sculpt it?
Well now's your chance!!!

I am GIVING AWAY a 12x12x8 Priority Box of GOURDS!
Big ones, little ones, eggs, bananas... all kinds of gourds!
Whatever I can fit into that box!
......... Oh the other surprise....you get to clean them!!!! Yes that's right they will need cleaned!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!

SUNDAY MAY SECOND...in the evening I will pull a name!!!!I hope it's yours!!!

Add you name to the comments and tell a friend...lets see how many names we can get!
It would be so nice if you could follow me too if you haven't already!

BTW did I tell all of you I have a second store on Etsy? No? Well I will now! Check out .....
Mellowmoonstudio.etsy.com

Well what are you waiting for...get your name on the list!!!!!

Good luck....I going to start packing gourds in that box!
Lynda

Oh Dear Me!

2010-03-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

Oh Yippy! Yippy!
I'm Fifty Three
Oh Gee!
I have old Knees
Dear Me!
He (Tom) Says I can't climb Trees!
Sometimes it's hard to see,
Sometimes I get something Free!
And I always have to Pee!
Oh Gee...Dear Mee!
I'm 53!
( but feel much younger....I am trapped in this body!)

Have You Seen it!??

2010-02-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Have you seen it. Anywhere?
My Muse has run off and is hiding well, have you seen it?
I dare to ask, have you seen my Muse?
It ran off about September of 2009 and hasn't been seen anywhere!
If you see it please send it home!
I have looked everywhere!
Under rocks, in snow drifts.
Under the bed, only dust bunnies hiding there!
In the trees, the closet, even looked in my junk draw!
Have you seen it?
I have searched everywhere!
Please dear Muse come back to me!
Lynda

Let it SNOW!!!!

2010-02-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Just stopping in to wish everyone a wonderful winter!
We've gotten alot of snow...I think the weather man said we were to get 6-8 inches ,,,and we got more like 18 inches!!!!!! And it's snowing again! But I'm staying in....not going to hurt my knees any more then they are (for right now)!

Been having a hard time getting online...I am sort of off the main drag with OLD cable lines that are overloaded. Real slow moving internet....that is if yu can log on! It toom me 1 1/2 hours to enter three items on Etsy! Oh So Slow!!!

Which reminds me!!!!!! PLEASE go check out my NEW ETSY store!!!
Mello Moon Studio
http:/www.mellowmoonstudio.etsy.com

Please check it out and heart me!
As jewelry expires on Hauntedswamp's page I will be moving them over to Mellow Moon....and adding others that I have here waiting for listing!

But for now... I have really been enjoying watching the snow fall. Now this will let you guys know I am crazy...or bored...? But about 7am go look out at the BEAUTIFUL snow (if you have snow) at that time in the morning it all looks blue and glittery!

WOW! Where did it go!!!

2010-01-21T16:12:00.000-08:00

WOW! Where has the time gone??? I missed Wishcast Wednesday....I didn't even relize today was Thursday!
I haven't been listing on Ebay....sort of feel like it flogging a sleeping dog.
Face it, everyone is watching their money! Who can say I blame them.
I am happy everyday that when my husband goes to work he's not sent home layed off!

I have been taosting my brain, maybe one of you could help me?
I am going to open a second store on Etsy for my jewelry...it just don't fit into the Haunted Swamp Designs Etsy store.

I have come up with several names: WhisperingWind, WillowMoon, MoonWillow, WhisperingWillows, WillowMoonDreams... all have been taken. I am searching for a name that is calm and soothing and doesn't state that I am selling any one thing... like HauntedSwamp does.

So please if you have a idea please comment.

My brain is soooo cooked!

Wishcast Wednesday

2010-01-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Good morning...well OK, Good afternoon!
Sitting here thinking I need to get into this Wishcraft Wednesday thing!
I wish to be more fun and set aside my busy time, that seems to accomplish nothing as the day ends. I need to set down and take a long look at the big picture of life....this includes my art / crafting.
I wish for a clearer picture of what I need to do.
Keep struggling or re-aim at something new.
I wish to find my shinning silver cloud and start shinning!

I hope all your wishes come true for you, what ever they may be.
Bright Blessings,
Lynda

It's a cat thing!

2010-01-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

The day in the life of Salem - black cat, Toby Otis - one eyed tabby, Raskis - black and white and, O'Siris - orange tabby. Aww the life of a cat! These pictures were taken last year....O'Siris and Raskis where much smaller... oh so much bigger now. And they still all try to 'fit in'.

What do you do when there's not enought room and you try to 'fit in'.

This is alot like life....you just want to find a place to fit in.

Maybe someone will move and let you in?

Maybe...one leaves to let another in?

A new adventure in blogging

2010-01-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

A New Year... A New Time
I am starting another blog. I have come to the conclusion that I must separate my Haunted Swamp Designs Art Blog and my thoughts on issues into two places. I sure hope this works for me... I do have a time management problem!
So if you would like to join me on my journey... I have nothing posted there yet. But you can still come and follow me there!
waywardwitch.blogspot.com

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year!
With open hearts and a open mind we can all enjoy this new year! Happy 2010!
Lynda

The WALL .. My Forest!

2010-01-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

My dream, My Wall! I now have brought the outside into my basement making it a nice place to be! Come with me a view the journey of painting my 'wall'. I hope you enjoy it!

I started on a empty canvas, a 22 foot long concrete block wall. Had a take a grinder to it to knock off lumps. Still left it pretty rough! Oh and UGLY!

>

Painted! Starting to add the ground.
I used Bear Primer and Paint all in one. The background is a creamy beigh-yellow. There are lighter areas (white washed with white) which the camera does not pick up.
The earth paint colors are two different browns. I blended the earth into wet background. This made many different browns!

Placing the front trees. This is the challenge! Make sure it is off center....you don't want one of your focal points centered! Make this the darkest tree!

Now trump through the woods for three hours with your brother because you both have this crazy idea of a real (dead) tree in corner!
This is my hubby in picture not my brother!
Drag it (by pickup truck) home and... OMG will it fit though the door!!!??? With lots of twisting and turning it did... barely!

Cut to fit!

HalloweenSpirit01 WONDERFUL GIVEAWAY!

2009-12-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

http://halloweenspirit01.blogspot.com/2009/12/halloween-poetry-book-giveaway.html

I sure hope I am doing this right!
Ohhh a wonderful giveaway... A HALLOWEEN POETRY BOOK!!!

Happy Holidays to All!!!

2009-12-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Whatever the name you give this season.....
I hope we all can see things in a positive way! Why not? It makes the world better for everyone around you!
So Seasons Greetings to all my friends, regardless of religious preference, we all can hope for a world of peace! Hope for a world where we all get along!

Scarey Ghost Stories for Christmas!

2009-12-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

Ghost stories at Christmas, seems out of place or is it? We have enjoyed the classic, The Christmas Carol, and
Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas? Remember the song "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" made famous by singer Andy Williams? The song has a line, "There'll be scarey ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmas long ago." In Celtic times, there were spirits ghost, and mystical beings that were associated with the fire festival.

The Winter Soltice, Alban Arthuan, or better known as Yuletime Season is a time of death and rebirth of Nature and our souls. It is said the Old Sun dies at dusk of December 21st. and when the Sun of the New Year is born at the dawn of December 22. The New Sun is thought to rejuvenate the aura of the Earth. It is like a mystical cleansing to the spirits and the souls of the dead.
Samhain is considered the most haunted time of the year in the Celtic calendar; Yule is the second. Haunting starts on December 6th to December 20th. The spirits are more active as they wait for the rebirth of the Sun’s powers.
This haunting is not the same as during Samhain, where the veil is thinned so that the dead can walk among us. The spirits of Yule are connected with the mystical and the psychic logic of the Solstice Season. However, one can be visited from their ancestors, relatives, spirit guides or their soul friends (anamchara).
A Yuletide story called the Sluagh-Sídehe of Brug na Bóinne. It translates people of the mound or barrow where the dead have been buried. All sídehe in the Celtic mythology and traditions are haunted. It is said that they are the gateway for the souls and spirits of the dead. It is also a gateway for living mortals so that they can pass back and forth to each world. On the other side the sídehe is the Otherworld or the Land of the Youth, the Isle of the Blessed. This is where the living soul continues the quest for wisdom. The people of the Sídhe are the Faeryfolk. They live forever beyond the sídhe in the ráths, which are submerged roundhouses or Faery fortresses, which are their magical castles in the Otherworld.

Sqeaking Closet Door - Closing the door once again

2009-12-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Take a minute and read this....think about these words, these are not my words but they do speak for me. They ring so true that they are humbling.
I have many friends of many faiths... seems they all can except others religions but are all so wary of one....
I have been more 'open' the last year or so, not all of it has been welcomed. Not all has been negative, but..... I am tired. It was just so much easier when 'others' had no clue, or maybe they did but held a blind eye to it. Many people can lend a blind eye....don't ask, don't know, just keep wondering........

The open practice of paganism often invites criticism, ridicule, potential loss of job, social ostracization, and even bodily harm - while the open practice of Christianity more likely encourages a positive popular response.

As the saying goes, "it doesn't take a rocket scientist" to realize that, for many people, "passing" as Christian can significantly simplify their public life. And, although this deception may be offensive to the purist, it is generally not very difficult for the closet pagan to participate in most ostensibly Christian practices.

Windy!!!! I have been busy....Yippy!!!!

2009-12-09T13:23:00.001-08:00

Well all my little Bloggers...with dropping temps and wind....I feel like Todo in Kansas....I sure hope the house don't land on me!!! Oh No!!!!!

I have been busy with some remodeling in our basement...hubby tears it up - I clean it up! But in the end it's gong to be great!

I have been eyeing a large concrete block wall down there....hmmm I think I am going to paint trees on it! More on that as I go. First things first... get the remodeling done! Then that wall is mine! All mine! I will take pictures as I go...but for now I have to wait. Heavy sigh......

I have been listing-listing-listing necklaces on Etsy! All types, all colors and all with FREE EARRINGS!
So if you have a minute please visit my Etsy store hauntedswampdesigns.etsy.com and take a peek. Let me know what you think...be honest! Please!

And...drum roll please!!!! Drummmdrumm drumdrumdrum....
My website is up! Still need tinkering with but it up and running with buttons to PayPal!!!! Hauntedswampdesigns.com

YUMMY!!!

2009-11-30T06:21:00.000-08:00

I needed to pop in here and post something..... my life is pretty boring right now and I am in brain-fog land.
So I will post something yummy!

> This is really good eating for a cold winter day!
>
> 1 1/2 Tbl butter
> 1/2 onion
> 2 cloves of garlic
> 2 springs of fresh thyme
> 1/2 butternut squash, peeled, seed and cut into 1 inch cubes
> 4 cups of chick broth
> 1/2 cube of chicken bouillon
> 1 pinch of cumin
> 1 pinch of ground all spice
> salt and pepper to taste
>
> Melt butter in a large pot over med. heat; cook onion, garlic and thyme in the hot butter until onion has soften, about 5 minutes. Add the squash and chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, 10 - 15 minutes . Crumble the bouillion into the soup and season with cumin, allspice, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
> Pour the soup into a blender, no more than halfway in the pitcher. Puree the soup, do small batches or the blender will not puree. Use quick short pulses to get the soup to start pureeing. Pour into bowls and serve.
>
> Now to cut the time cooking, I precooked my squash in the oven until it was tender. Scoop it out of the skin and then puree it. I added some of the chicken broth to the blender to start the process. Then mix everything together, let simmer for 10 - 15 minutes to mix all the flavors. Serve in bowls with crackers or crusty french bread. This recipe will make 4 servings.

Grateful and Gratitudes

2009-11-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

It;s been a challenging year for most of us, some of us have been hit harder then others. The economy which has gotten to almost everyone one of us. Health issues...oh my!
But even with all these road blocks we all must be thankful for so many things.

If you are reading this, I guess you still have your internet! Be thankful!

I am thankful for my husband, which is feeling much better!
So much better that he's baking Pumpkin Pies! I am thankful he likes to make them!

I am thankful for my many internet, group and blogger friends! Yes, that's you!

I am thankful for those friends around me that have a open mind and have not judged me...to hard!

I am thankful for my four legged furry friend, they bring comfort and quite companionship to my life.

Thankful I can walk, see and hear...

I am thankful I live in America!

Thankful I have food to eat, a roof over my head....and so much more that I am thankful for!

Wishing each and everyone of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Bright Blessings,
Lynda

Off The Beaten Path! A Fork in the Road!

2009-11-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

I think I can....I know I can.... make a slight switch!

I have made a decided leap! More Jewlery!!!!
I am taking action!
I have decided that I am going to try to list 4-5 Necklaces on Etsy a day! If I get one item listed...well that's OK too!
And you know what I have also decided!?!?!?!? On most, but not all necklaces will come with FREE earrings!!!!!
OK! Now as my Blogger Friends you have to tell me if I am being CRAZY!

It's a lonely road... and change!

2009-11-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have noticed...or not...that I have been missing, just not as active here and in groups. If you have missed me...thanks for missing me!
Alot of little things have been happening. All the little things added up and became heavy...to heavey for me.
I have seemed to lost my ambition and started having a "I could give a crap' additude....this is all not good. I must pull myself out of this...winter is coming and it could get worse! Oh No!
One thing that has happened is I was beging to come out of the broom closet. With me peeking out here and there....well let's just say it hasn't gone well. So many are ignorent of any other ...let's call it.. religions, that they have no room for anything else other then what they beleive ( or seen on TV!). It is sad.... pepole have a closed mind to what others believe or think, and totaly the WRONG ideas! I am better inside my little world inside my little closet where it is safe, warm and welcoming. I am going to read more and learn more sitting in my closet as a world passes by with the door closed....I may crack it open just a little here and there. I am a Eclectic Solitary and that is the way I shall remain.

Something else is happening to the world around us, something is changing, something is coming. Alot of us are feeling it, but no one can pin point just what 'it' is. Some have even felt the impauls to store supplies. Foods with long shelf life, medical supplies, water and other emergency items. The overwhelming feeling of having to prepare. To prepare for what? Something is coming.... is it good or is it bad?

Also seems alot of people or cleaning out things, geting rid of things. I have no ambition to get any art done because I have a nagging voice telling me to simplify and organize. In 1/2 hour in my closet I have loaded the back of my minivan and carted it off to Goodwill. I have walked through my house with a box, tossing things in. I had that box filled in no time!

Seasons Changing

2009-11-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

I was searching in my photos and I found this! I always liked this one!

Halloween has come and gone...it will return! But I look around my little art room and Halloween is still with me!
I have managed to get all my Halloween Party decorations packed and stashed away for another year....heavy sigh.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and Christmas has already taken over the stores! I went into a store over the weekend and got Christmas overload! But I did spy a large black Christmas tree....ohhhh it was sooo prety, and so was the price tag! Yikes!!!!!
As I was putting 'Halloween' away I poked around in some Christmas Gourds that I had done in what almost feels another like a life time! LOL! Bright colors, happy smiles, cute! I brought some upstairs and I think I'll list a few on Ebay. They sold very well at shows....Christmas Season shows! ...hmmmmm
You see I have to dig around because I have no ambition!
The weather is holding out and the sun has been shining! Leaves need to be raked, grasses need cut down. The days go by so fast.....slow down!
I need to be thinking about next Halloween and what I may do.... wish there were Halloween shows around here! Seems so far away....353 days! Maybe Salam, MS????? I will be thinking very hard on this!
Now I am starting to ramble.... I will say good night to you all till next long in!

Halloween 2009!

2009-11-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

I survived!
I won't bore you with tons of pictures of people you don't know, so I only posted a few.
Was a great party....may have been the best one yet! We had over 60 ghosts, goblins, zombies, red hat ladies, Queens and Kings, a Nun, Uncle Fester, and Pop-eye came too! I could go on and on with this list! The weather was just right! Was worried because in the morning it was raining! I had to go out and talk to Mother Nature! Lot's of food, loads of fun. And the fun lasted well into the night. Parties are great, and the things that really make a party great are wonderful people who come together to celebrate and share their life with you!

Oh Great Pumpkin! Hail the Flaming Pumpkin Head!
This year was the best flaming pumpkin head ever!

Scary Monsters roam the swamp! Watch Out he bites!

Entrance to the swamp path....who knows what lurks beyond the gates.....

Dave the hunter grabbing my hubby Tom.... there were alot of Red Hat Ladies here that night!

S-I-L Zombie Mike and Me! The Swamp Queen!

Ghost that lights the night

I guess not everyone made it through the night!

Happy Happy Happy

2009-10-31T13:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!
Happy Samhaim!

Fridays Scary Story

2009-10-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Fireplace Girl

Long ago in the new Americas, when women and children were just starting to come to the colonies, a little girls about 8 years old named Norma moved to Vermont with her parents. They were better off then most people at the time.They moved to a large house with a fireplace in every room.

One night Nora woke up around midnight by sounds coming from downstairs. She thought it was one of her parents because they often stayed up late. She called out to them but she got no answer. As she was dozing back to slepp she heard a mans voice say "The girl. We forgot about her. We got the parents but not the girl." Nora was really scared because she understood enough about what the
voice had said to know that her parents were hurt.

She ran to her fireplace and crawled up the chimney to hide. She stayed there for at least 3 hours, all the while whimpering "oh my mama, oh my papa" Finally, after she felt it was safe to to come out, she slid out of the fireplace and ran to her parents' room. But when she got to their door, she found she was to frightened
to go in. So she searched the rest of the house for clues as to who the voice belonged to. But she found nothing. In fact, the only thing wrong with the house
was that several things were missing, but Nora didn't care. She knew that she had to go up to her parents' room now, and she did.

She ran into the room and over to the bed. Nora pulled the sheets back, screamed in terror and fell to the floor. When a family friend found the two adults and the child, all three were dead. The parents' bodies were horribly mangled but little Nora appeared to have nothing wrong with her, she was just dead.

The family was buried in the cemetery up the road. No one was ever convicted for murdering the family, and the case is still open, although they know that the murderers are long dead. But Nora doesn't seem to know that. Because every
night, from midnight till three, the time she spent in the fireplace, she walks from the cemetery to the place where her house used to be, looking for the
people who murdered her parents.

They should be arriving!

2009-10-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

I packaged and mailed all the gourd ornies...they should be arriving at their new homes soon!!!!!
I can't wait!!!!! Some of the boxes I had to get 'creative'!
Note to new owners/winners:
If you here strange noises coming from them, I'm sorry I tried to remove the spirits from them before shipping....it's just sometimes they do remain haunted!

It's almost time!

2009-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hello all ya Halloweenies!
It's almost time...that magickal time of the year! Halloween or Samhain!
Decorating is coming along more and more each day! Soon all the ghost, ghouls, monsters will come and enjoy the evening....then it will all be over...heavy sigh. I need to put out more cobwebs...more and more and more!

Halloween was orginally a pagan holiday, taken over by the church to celebrate All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day). Halloween a day when kids mooch candy from neighbors, the stores are full of goofy masks and fake cobwebs and the Great Pumpkin rises from the pumpkin patch. It's all very simple and innocent.

SOme schools and churches are replacing the word "Halloween" with "Fall Festival" because of negative connotations some see in the long-standing holiday name.

No! No. do not change the name I say!

Samhain Today
Today Pagans see Samhain as a time to honor the dead, not as the dead, but as the living spirits of loved ones and as guardians who hold the wisdom of mankind. It is a celebration of the afterlife where we do not die but rest and continue to learn and prepare for our next incarnation

Three Days!

2009-10-27T05:22:00.000-07:00

Halloween excitement is building here, I just can't wait for the big day, another part of me doesn't want it to end.... it's the whole season I enjoy, and the waiting for the party ....well hubby says I strees out! I'm off to the store this afternoon to pick pop and other odds and ends!Seems to be always something!
We don't get any trick or treaters in our neighborhood, houses are to far apart and it's a dead end loop.
I remember going Trick or Treatinig... we would get a pillow case for our candy and off we'ld go. Today just a little bucket will do. Anyone else remember the good 'ol days of Trick or Treat?!!

I don't have anything listed on eBay at the moment,there's just too much to do here!

But this morning I was thinking I should vamp up my jewlery on Etsy for the Christmas Holidays..... but until my party I won't be doing anything but 'party' stuff! But there's just sooo much outdoor fall stuff to do in my yard! Last night I looked at all those leaves...oh yes, they are pretty....I got the mower out and mowed them!LOL!

Three days!!!!
Oh My!!!!!!!!! We wait all year just for this day!!!!!!
I have been taking some pictures...yes, yes, I will share them soon!
I want to try to get pictures for everyone of a walk into the swamp, should be fun!

Searched and Found!

2009-10-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

5 Days till Halloween....time flies when good times are soon to come!
Halloween Parties and ohhhh the CANDY! Oh My!
I had these ornies hanging here beside me, and I knew I had taken a picture of them.....

But , I am not computer savoy....my dear hubby is....and I hate to ask him....but I broke down...... I called for help!

He puts some of my pictures everywhere...He works with graphic design. I need things SIMPLE.. like all in one place! After 2 hours of searching I did find their pictures (I did have help)! I don't know how or where but they were found!
OH JOY!
I placed these on Etsy last night...or was it this morning? Oh My I am so lost!
You get that way after 50!
Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at yourself!

Time to draw the WINNERS! HALLOWEEN GIVE-AWAY

2009-10-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here's 4 of the 9 I will be sending! What a amazing response I got for this give away! WOW!

I went through the many names in the Halloween Give-Away. Wrote down each and every name, double checked, triple checked....hmmm this person gets one chance, this person gets two! I cut out and folded each paper carefully, tossed them in a cauldron and stirred!

Called my kitties in to draw a name, they wanted nothing to do with that pot!Osiris did stick his nose in but, Salam ran off, Toby O twitched his ears and stood back, Raskis (white paws) stood far back and looked at me. Hmmm what shall I do?

I grabbed up my hat, sat down and stirred that pot some more! Guess I'll have to pull these names myself...... 9 winners I must have!

Please send me you mailing address ASAP!
Soulweaver@neo.rr.com
In Email subject please put 'BLOG GIVE-AWAY'
Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!

Merelyadream
Lavender Dreamer
Sydnii
Annette
Karen
Bridgett
Carlii
Brenda
Rabbit Hollow Prims

Friday Night's Scary Story

2009-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Something Black and Cold
From "The Little Giant Book of 'True' Ghost Stories"

It started with little things, strange incidents that were sometimes inconvenient, sometimes almost amusing. But then the heavy trouble began... and the terror.

In the early 1970s, two sisters, Lois Dean and Diantha Summer, moved their families into two old houses in the middle of Rawlins, Wyoming, a small city in the Rocky Mountains. Lois and her husband and their six children moved into the big house. Diantha and her two sons took the carriage house right behind the main house.

Very soon, strange things began to happen in the big house:

Lights kept turning on and off. At first the adults thought it was just the kids playing around. But they soon found that the lights seemed to be going on and off by themselves, even when no one else was around. Thinking it must be an electrical problem, Lois and her husband had the house rewired, but it kept happening.

When the children were playing games, they would leave the room for a minute and then come back to find game pieces missing.

An older daughter found the colors in her makeup kits often smeared together. At first she thought the younger children were doing it, so she banished them from her room. But it kept happening even after she padlocked the door.

The family dog wagged his tail as though at an invisible guest, and his eyes followed something across the room.

Sometimes, in the big house the bathroom cabinet would be found completely empty. Toothbrushes, combs and medicines would all be gone, to be found later in odd places. Again, Lois thought it was the children, but it even happened when they were all at school and she was alone in the house.

Then things began to get rough.

A boyfriend of one of the girls was playfully climbing through a window. Something unseen picked him up and threw him inside, against a wall. That was the end of that boyfriend. He never came back for another visit.

Not long afterward, one of the younger boys said he had seen something in the garage. Mike, Diantha's 14-year old, decided to take a look. He started out the back door of the big house and suddenly felt two hands grab him and throw him through the air, back into the kitchen, into the refrigerator. He had red marks on his chest as if something had scratched him.

Lois was infuriated. She began yelling, "I don't care who you are. I'm not putting up with you coming into my house and hurting kids!"

She was so angry that she was momentarily unafraid. She dashed out into the garage. There she saw a black shape.

"It was big and billowy," she says, "and it was dressed like a woman in something black and long."

It came toward her smoothly, as though it were on wheels...

"Something black and cold started coming out of it, like ribbons," she recalls. "It started wrapping me in those strands. I could feel their coldness. I couldn't move."

The she felt her sister, who saw the shape too, grab her from behind and jerk her away from the thing and back into the big house.

The sisters sat up all night, praying as hard as they could. The prayers may have had a good effect, for they never saw the thing again.

They took to calling that incident "the Main Event". Afterward, they felt the atmosphere to be a little less oppressive. However, everyone had a sense that the place was still not quite right, and before long, both families moved out.

In talking to the neighbors, only one event in the past seemed to hold a clue. Back in the early 1900s, a graveyard on the property was dug up and moved to another location. Rumor had it that two bodies were left behind. Were these two different restless spirits? We may never know.

EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

Oh My! I am soooo EXCITED and HONORED!!! I can hardley type!!!!!
This has made my whole day....my whole week....my whole month!
To my great surprise my art is on the cover of Ye Olde Witches Brew magizine!!!!! And it is one of my favorite paintings!
I am giddy with excitement!!!!!! Please check it out!!!!
Even if you arn't the 'witchy' type you'll find some wonderful reading there!
http://yeoldewitchesbrewmagazine.presspublisher.us/

Halloween Party Under Construction!

2009-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

It has begun!
Ghosts and Goblins, Skeletons, Flying Bats, Cemetery Stones....all things Creepy and Crawly!
I started just the other day preparing for our annual Halloween Party! I just didn't know where to begin...inside or outside! I figures if I don't get started now it will be too late and I'll go CRAZY! So I decided OUTSIDE!
This is the second day of decorating....no, I don't decorate all day! But it is quite surprising just how long it takes to do so little! Today I got several items in place. I piriot creepy out from behind a tree. This is in place where the guests first enter. A sign will be seen from here pointing to 'Blood Cafe' Where all the goodies are up on the deck...yummy. Bats fly from the rooftop hanging from dead tree branches...watch out don't let them get in your hair! I can't wait to get the tables up and decorated! But that has to wait till the day of the party!
I need to get about 7 bales of straw for sitting on the deck.....no nice comfy lawn chairs this year! Gwaaaaarrrrakle!
I put clear fishing strings hanging across the Swamps Cemetery path. This (I hope) will give the effect of walking through spider webs! I hate spider webs on my face!

Next I have to figure out where the huge Ghoul goes....someplace different from last year! I like to put him in a spot where I can put a strobe light on him.....ohhhh scary! I'm going to try to get a skeleton floating in the pond this year! I think I'll just place him on the pond netting...... now I wonder just how I am going to get him in the middle of a 15x15 pond without getting wet?

Until next update....Happy Haunting
And yes I'll get pictures!

I Got My Apple!!! Give Away!!!

2009-10-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

WHaaaHaaaa I received my Apple Give Away from nBecca at Magikal Seasons!
Oh what a Happy Apple it is! Going to put him right on top of the fruit bowl! My Grandson already tried to take him home! LOL!
Thank you Becca for your wonderful Give Away!
If I could remember how to get a picture from her page here...it would be here to see!!!!
Lynda

The Halloween Witch

2009-10-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

I was going to save this for my last Friday Night Scarey Story.....but it kept nagging me in my mind....hey let me out....hurry.
So instead of waiting for the night before Halloween 'All Hollows Eve' I am posting this now. But don't worry next Friday I will have a spooky tale to tell!

Something I would like to share for October.
I did not write this, someone had sent it to me a few years ago....but every year I post it in some of my groups.
Lynda

The Halloween Witch

Each year they parade her about ... the traditional Halloween witch.

Misshapen green face, stringy scraps of hair, and a toothless mouth beneath her disfigured nose. Gnarled, knobby fingers twisted into a claw, protracting from a bent and twisted torso that lurches about on wobbly legs.

Most think this abject image to be the creation of a prejudiced mind, or merely a Halloween caricature.

I disagree. I believe this to be how witches were really seen.

Consider that most witches: were women, were abducted in the night, and smuggled into dungeons or prisons under the secrecy of darkness, to be presented by the light of day as a confessed witch.

Few, if any, saw a frightened, normal looking woman being dragged into a secret room filled with instruments of torture. To be questioned until she confessed to anything that was suggested to her, and to give names or whatever would stop the questions. Crowds saw the aberration denounced to the world as a self-proclaimed witch.

As the witch was paraded through the town, en route to be burned, hanged, drowned, stoned, or disposed of in various other forms of Christian love ... all created to free and save her soul from her depraved body. The jeering crowds viewed the results of hours of torture. The face, bruised and broken by countless blows, bore a hue of sickly green. The once warm and loving smile gone.

Replaced by a grimace of broken teeth and torn gums that leers beneath a battered, disfigured nose. The disheveled hair conceals bleeding gaps of torn scalp from whence cruel hands had torn away the lovely tresses. Broken, twisted
hands clutched the wagon for support. Fractured fingers locked like groping claws to steady her broken body. All semblance of humanity gone. This was truly a demon, a bride of Satan, a witch.

I revere this Halloween crone and hold her sacred above all. I honor her courage and listen to her warnings of the dark side of humanity.

Each year I shed tears of respect.

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸Blog Sale¸.•'´¯ )¸.•'´¯)

2009-10-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have some art that is seeking a new home...they told me!
I hear them whispering...
"We're tired of sitting on this shelf, find me a new home."
Really! LOL! And I am running out of space!
If you see something below they you just have to have, shoot me a Email at Soulweaver@neo.rr.com (subject) Blog Sale
With not going thru the Ebay auction time I can get these out fast!
They will be on a first come, first serve.
(My website is still in the works, so I am selling them here!)
I will mark them sold ASAP. And ship with USPS Priority mail.
Payment can be made via Paypal, check or Money Order.
Paypal is next day shipping!

My first item is a 'The Flying NutCracker' Halloween gourd ornament.
Painted with acrylics on a Haunted Swamp, Home grown gourd!
He is aprox. 11 inches tall. His feet, arms and fingers are bendable. His ghostly attire is made from lightly tea stained cheescloth.
His hat is a container and will hold several candy kisses or other wrapped sweet treat....yum!
A protective varnish finish has been applied.
$25.00 plus $5.00 shipping

Next I have a Crazy Gourd Guy! I think he has been drinking the Swamp Water!
He is 13 inches tall and stands on a 4 x 4 square base.
Yes, another real Haunted Swamp grown gourd!!
Painted with acrylic paints with a matte varnish applied for protection. His stem is unpainted.
Around his neck is a collar of layered orange and black netting. Cheesecloth covers his arms. Fingers and arms are bendable!
$25.00 plus $6.00 shipping

This is my 'Dream' box! It's a papier mache pressed box that I have painted with acrylic paints in a beautiful blue and highlighted with deep purple. A real eye catcher! The entire piece, inside and out is covered with very fine Hologram Extreme Glitter and sealed with varnish. I have painted what I call twinkle stars on the inside bottom. The inside top is also painted with swirling dots.
You won't be disappointed! This took alot of time to paint!
It is about 10 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches deep.
There is one very small area where some grey paint got on
the side, it's about 1/4 inch and smudged. I never noticed this until just now!
$30.00 and $5.00 shipping

Thanks for taking the time to look!
Please Email me if you have any questions!

Look at my candles!!!!

2009-10-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

I have been having fun making some fake candles for my Halloween party! By fake I mean....no real candle, these are for the battery candles. Let me warn you making these is addictive! And you will need lots of the long hotglue sticks. One candle took 7-8 glue sticks and about 1 hour.
You will find how to make these PVC candles at howtohauntyourhouse.com
or just google
' haunt your house'
I think I am going to keep some of them out all year!!!!!

I can hardly wait until my Halloween party! This year it will be on Halloween Night!!!!!! Sure hope the weather is at least dry so a nice warming bon fire can be made!Got to keep all the ghosties and ghouls warm!

I have all my 'stuff' out and ready, 14 bins of decorations...I just don't know what the weather may be like! Hoping and praying that it can be help outside! If not, heavey sigh, it will be indoors. So I have to wait to see where to decorate!!!!! Oh my!
I have some of the graveyard in place. I will have a picture trail to show everyone when it done! All this stress for one day!!!!! LOL! But Halloween only come once a year!!!!!
Until next post have a wonderful and magical evening!
Lynda

A Haunted Halloween Give Away!!!!!!

2009-10-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ohhh it's almost here...what you ask?
The time of year all of us Halloweenies wait for! That one night of the year that is ours! It's gets here, then poof it's gone! Then we sit and wait another year.....oh the days drag by........
OK! OK! Enough of that!

I am going to have a GIVE AWAY! What am I giving?

One of these will be sent to a winner.
Ornaments are made from a Haunted Swamp Gourd! Noses, ears or hats are made from a over baked clay and painted by...me!
If there are more then 4 winners another Gourd ornie will be sent that's not pictured here... I have more! HAhahahahhhaaaaaa

Four winners will be needed! Maybe more!
For every 5 people who post 1 winner will be drawn!
15 people = 3 winners
20 people = 4 winners
25 people = 5 winners....and so on!

How do you get a chance.... or two?
All you have to do is post here for one chance....
Blog about this Give Away on your Blog and you will be put in for a second chance!
Names will be drawn on Oct 24....thirteen days from now!

Byrum Art is having a Give Away!

2009-10-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Byrum Art is having a Give Away to celebrate Halloween!

First Prize will be a Original Painting with a black frame with the corners washed in orange!

Second Prize will be a print from our most popular print "Autumn Dance", size 5" by 7" with the mirrored glass frame.

So hurry over and check it out at
http://byrumart.blogspot.com/

Please let her know you found her Give Away here!

OK Get going, get over there, fly away!
Lynda

A Haunted place to share

2009-10-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

My Friday night story wasn't scarey....it just touched me and I wanted to share.

Now I ask...did you grow up in a haunted house? I would love to hear your stories.
Here are some of mine.... just things that happened to me in my life....and what a life it is!

My great-grandmother,grandfather, uncle and , mother all died at home. My dad almost did too, but he's there still at 'home'....yes the house I grew up in. My son now lives in the very same house.
Not many people stayed the night, my house was too scary. Sometimes the water would come on all by itself, or the T.V. came on and blasted! We would hear footsteps upstairs when no one was there.

The upstairs living room was always the creepiest place to me. It just had a air about it. You know that odd feeling? There was this Cinderella clock in that room. It had stopped the minute my grandfather died and never ran again. I had to pass through that room to get to my bedroom upstairs. As soon as I stepped foot in that room that clock would chime! How I hated to go through that room. This didn't happen every night just 3-4 out of seven.

In that same room there was this shadowbox on the wall that held some nicknacks. I swear they would turn and look at you. Once I had some friends over....well let's say they saw it too. I never saw a pack of people run out the door so fast in my life!

I was only about 10-12 when my grandfather died. But almost every night I woulod hear footsteps coming up the steps....I new it was only grandpa coming to check on me, it was OK.
My grand daughter lives there now with my son. She stopped one day and pointed at a picture on my wall and said " That's Grand-Dad he talks to me sometimes at home." Now she had never met my dad, he had died before she was born....hmmmm makes you wonder.

After my dad died we rented the house out for a short time, this was before Tom, my son bought it, the tenet left about midnight one night. She did later return for her things, in the daylight. She said she kept seeing a woman in the house, just glimpses. On that last night that woman wouldn't let her alone. She was banging on the bedroom door. That's the night she left. She later discribed the 'women', she discribed my mom right down to her glasses! Guess mom didn't want her there!

This is just a tiny bit about my haunted house that I grew up in. I could tell you stories....so many stories!
Eveb to this day they are still there. Just ask my son and his family!

Come share your story!
Lynda

Last Ride .... Friday night story

2009-10-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

(this is a story I retelling that I heard sometime ago as well as I can remember it)
This story I have added some artwork of mine from past years.

The old women peered out her grimmy window into the bright sky lite by the full moon.
What a perfect background for Halloween!

Her blcak cat leaped onto her lap and purred loudly. Oh so pleasent to her ears.

The cat stared into her green eyes set in a wrinkly face.
She rose from the chair and walked to the old trunk filled with the tools of her trade.
Rummaging through the odds and ends she finds what she was searching for. This will do fine she says in a whisper.. She pours the dried contents into liquid and it begins to bubble. hmmmm.... she drinks deeply... a bitter tast.

(
She hobbles over to the fire, a liquid green mixture boils in her cauldron.
Stiring the mixture she says....... Double, bubble, toil and trouble!
The shadow of her cat grows in size, a howl is heard outside in the woods, she shouts in response.

A gust of wind slames again the old house. Saddnes crosses the old womans face. Rejoice in the night for when the sun comes up we must return.
The old woman opens the closet and reaches inside. She pulls out and old cloak as dark as night. Tears trickled down her worn face. She pulled it tightly around herself. Next she she reached up and removed a old pointed hat from the dusty shelf, she brushed away her silver hair as she placed it on her head.

She looked around her dim room thinking of fond memories with no regretes. Her eyes landing on her cat. 'Now my dear friend for all these years, we will answer the call of this night'

She spread her arms wide as the wind began to blow harder. Her broom seemed to float towards her. " It is our time! My sisters await!"
It was Halloween night and spirits were waiting.
She sat upon her broom and took flight. This was her last night as Coven leader, a new one would be sworn in this Hallow's eve.

For the last time on this magical night she would ride into the night sky. This was her last ride.

Ohhh Soooo Spooky!!!!! The life of a Haunted Swamp Gourd

2009-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

I listed this fellow last night!

I love using my gourds but, at the same time I hate seeing them leave my home!

This gourd has spent about 2 years in my loving care.

From seed to Halloween Ornament!

First year of life he went from seed to a little seedling.

The vine grew and grew , then one day a flower appeared!

A little baby gourdlet was being created!

As the spring and summer marched on, the little gourdlet got bigger and bigger!

August came and he was all grown up.... well almost!

September and October came, it got colder, then a frost!

Oh My!

All the vines looked dead! But there in the mess there he was.

The vine browned, it was time to be picked!

He layed out in the weather all that winter.

Spring came with rains and warmer weather,

awwww the feel of the sunshine drying him out more.

He was moved to a dryer spot to continue his journey.

As summer came he was almost dry....almost.

He got to see the new life of more gourds begin, just like he did.

Then he was checked again, shaken and looked at from top to bottom.

Yes!

He was dry! Off to a nice hot bath!

He got to linger for alittle while soaking the grime and dirt from his shell.

Awwww what a nice soak....then..... Lynda comes in with a copper scrubby!

Oh Nooooo!

She adds more soap and starts scrubbing, rinsing, scrubbing.

Look ! All nice and clean...... hmmmm what's that I smell?

Bleach!

Dunk, dunk, dunk. Swish, swish, swish.

A bleach bath!

Lynda takes me out and lays me on a nice dry towel..... I feel so clean!

Now a new life begins.... Lynda sets me on her art table and looks me over and applies some paint.

I whisper to her.... "I wanna' be a Halloween Ornament."

She looks me over again, awww she thinks "this would make a fine Halloween Ornament!"

She paints and designs and paints some more. Hours and days go by.

She adds beads and foo-foo to make me all pretty.....but I am still scary!

She holds me up and nods her head and gives me a twirl then I hear.

I think this one is done!

Getting ready....am I crazy!?

2009-10-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well....I started pulling all the Halloween party decorations out! Am I crazy??? I don't even know where to begin this year! The weather seems so unpredictable... is it going to be rainy, cold, wet, dry, too cold..... or just right for a outside party? Where do I begin!??!!
I have ..... 14 bins and three plies of Halloween stuff! That's not counting the 30+ tombstones!
I am hoping for dry weather, it can be chilly but dry!
Where, oh where do I begin?

A New Award *** Over The Top!

2009-10-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

What wonderful Award!

I recieved this award from Sherry at http://byrumart.blogspot.com

(wish I knew how to do those neat links...so suffer along with me)

I am to pass this Award along to six wonderful Artists!

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award.

Copy and change the answers and paste the it on your blog. One word answers! Once you have filled it out pass this award to 6 others. Alert then that they have been awarded! And have fun!

1 Where is your cell phone? Car

2 Your hair? Short

3 Your mother? Ashes

4 Your father? Ashes

5 Your Favorite food? Pizza

6 Your dream last night? Nothing

7 Your favorite drink? water

8 Your dream/goal? Sell

9 What room are you in? Artroom

10 Your hobby? Life

11 Your fear? Alone

12 Where do you want to be in six years? Alive

13 Where were you last night? Garden

14 Something that you aren't? Hungry

15 Muffins? Blueberry

16 Wish list item? Website

17 Where did you grow up? Ohio

18 Last thing you did? Catlitter

19 What are you wearing? Jeans

20 Your Tv? On

21 Your pets? Cats

22 Friends? Hmmmm

23 Your life? Boring

24 Your mood? Glum

25 Missing someone? No

26 Vehical? Mazda 5

27 Something your not wearing? Shoes

28 Your favorite store? PatCatins

29 Your favorite color? Purple

30 When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31 Last time you cried? Awhile

32 Your best friend? Hubby

33 One place that I go over and over? Pond

34 One personwho Emails you regularly? Sister

35 Favorite place to eat? Anywhere

OK that's it!

I am passing this award to

(This is the hard part)

http://theplayoflightandshadow.blogspot.com

http://lisanelsonart.blogspot.com

http://curnowart.blogspot.com

http://magicbrushstudio.blogspot.com

http://paintmisbehavin.blogspot.com

http://wimsyfolkartist.blogspot.com

Friday Night Ghost Story

2009-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Black Aggie
retold by
S. E. Schlosser

When Felix Agnus put up the life-sized shrouded bronze statue of a grieving angel, seated on a pedestal, in the Agnus family plot in the Druid Ridge Cemetery, he had no idea what he had started. The statue was a rather eerie figure by day, frozen in a moment of grief and terrible pain. At night, the figure was almost unbelievably creepy; the shroud over its head obscuring the face until you were up close to it. There was a living air about the grieving angel, as if its arms could really reach out and grab you if you weren't careful.

It didn't take long for rumors to sweep through the town and surrounding countryside. They said that the statue - nicknamed Black Aggie - was haunted by the spirit of a mistreated wife who lay beneath her feet. The statue's eyes would glow red at the stroke of midnight, and any living person who returned the statues gaze would instantly be struck blind. Any pregnant woman who passed through her shadow would miscarry. If you sat on her lap at night, the statue would come to life and crush you to death in her dark embrace. If you spoke Black Aggie's name three times at midnight in front of a dark mirror, the evil angel would appear and pull you down to hell. They also said that spirits of the dead would rise from their graves on dark nights to gather around the statue at night.

People began visiting the cemetery just to see the statue, and it was then that the local fraternity decided to make the statue of Grief part of their initiation rites. "Black Aggie" sitting, where candidates for membership had to spend the night crouched beneath the statue with their backs to the grave of General Agnus, became popular.

One dark night, two fraternity members accompanied new hopeful to the cemetery and watched while he took his place underneath the creepy statue. The clouds had obscured the moon that night, and the whole area surrounding the dark statue was filled with a sense of anger and malice. It felt as if a storm were brewing in that part of the cemetery, and to their chagrin, the two fraternity members noticed that gray shadows seemed to be clustering around the body of the frightened fraternity candidate crouching in front of the statue.

What had been a funny initiation rite suddenly took on an air of danger. One of the fraternity brothers stepped forward in alarm to call out to the initiate. As he did, the statue above the boy stirred ominously. The two fraternity brothers froze in shock as the shrouded head turned toward the new candidate. They saw the gleam of glowing red eyes beneath the concealing hood as the statue's arms reached out toward the cowering boy.

With shouts of alarm, the fraternity brothers leapt forward to rescue the new initiate. But it was too late. The initiate gave one horrified yell, and then his body disappeared into the embrace of the dark angel. The fraternity brothers skidded to a halt as the statue thoughtfully rested its glowing eyes upon them. With gasps of terror, the boys fled from the cemetery before the statue could grab them too.

Hearing the screams, a night watchman hurried to the Agnus plot. To his chagrin, he discovered the body of a young man lying at the foot of the statue. The young man had apparently died of fright.

The disruption caused by the statue grew so acute that the Agnus family finally donated it to the Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C.. The grieving angel sat for many years in storage there, never again to plague the citizens visiting the Druid Hill Park Cemetery.

A Magikal Seasons Give Away

2009-09-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Took some time and went blog cruising... and what did I find!
A Magikal Autumnal Apple Give Away!
SO get over there to Magikalseasons blog and ....well you know what to do! Leave a comment that what!