Park your Broom and Sit for a Spell....

Oh, I just adore Halloween parties, don't you!?

Even Halloween parties for one, which is of course what is happening in the studio this beautiful October morning, as I join the annual Fanciful Twist Halloween Blog Party festivities....

Would you like to join me and make it tea for two?

I would have baked, but we Halloween artsy types are in such a tizzy with our work this time of year, there are times we need to improvise - thus the biscotti. ;)

Sooooooooo good though. Do try a bite...

Chocolate for breakfast. Wicked, hehe. ;)

I must share, the wonderful little teacup and saucer were a gift from a collector - so sweet of her! And the Halloween tea cozie was a find from a local shop. Love my tea cozies, and they really do keep the witch's brew nice and warm.

Not to eat and run, but as soon as this yummy little repast is finished, I'm off to make the party rounds in bloglandia...But before I do, I'll offer up this 8" x 10" print from my Etsy shop for a giveaway...

Some people say it makes them feel dizzy, but in a magical sort of way. ;)

If you'd like a chance to win a copy, just leave your name (and contact info if you don't have a blog where I can reach you!) and I'll throw it in the magic cauldron on All Hallows Eve, when I'll draw a name.

Wishing you a magical day, a Happy Halloween, and a Blessed Samhain!

¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

*Bewitching* Brew....

...Magical Potion...Enchanting Elixir...Intoxicating Infusion...Liquid Wisdom; that restorative wonder and general cure-all, liquid bliss and inspiration; a cup of TeA.

Loving tea as I do (and collecting teapots!), it's become a frequent subject in the studio, painting as I sip whatever brew strikes my fancy that day, perfectly content with every moment of the process. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something very Zen about the combination of tea and art, a sort of calm that washes over you, kind of like what happens when you sit down with a cup of tea and a good book. ;)

C.S. Lewis famously said "You can never have a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me."

I ♥ that.

But I'm getting off track here...Aside from extolling the virtues and wonders of tea, I want to share what I've been up to all week. Well, half of it anyway.

This is a hand made, birch wood tea chest in it's original state, straight from the woodworker. So many possibilities, but of course, the one that leaps to mind is something illustrating the *magic* it contains. A black cat, a witchy little mouse, a *magical* Halloween tea set, and cupcakes that make you want to steal a bite or two...

And inside, room for boxes and boxes of your favorite brew. I'm running a tad low on teabags myself, or I would have added more for the photograph. Guess it's time to restock.

I'll be listing this one on Etsy tonight, where it can be directly purchased (I'm really loving that people don't have to jump through eBay hoops to get my pieces any more) and I was also thinking it would be fun to offer personalization on the inside of the lid - a name, a date, a quote - whatever makes it special. ♥

I think it would be perfect for a Witch's Tea Party - or even a tea party for one...

This was my very own solo party last October.

Which reminds me - veering off topic a bit here, but I have to tell you, there's a Practical Magic blog party coming soon! If you scroll down on the right sidebar, you'll see the banner, which will lead you to the hostess' blog, details, etc. As soon as I heard about it, I was IN! Can never have enough Practical Magic. ;)

Are you still with me? I know I ramble sometimes. At least, that's what John says ("Does this story have a POINT?")

Sometimes, hehe. ;)

Anyway, I'll be back soon with more new work. Things can get a little crazy this time of year as I divide my time between work for sale, work for the Ghoultide Gathering, and commissions. (Sleep is soooooo overrated, ha!)

Wishing you days of magic and bliss as summer draws to a close, and the first traces of autumn appear. I'll leave you with this video of one of my favorite folky autumn songs...



Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Come In, Dearies....

I've been waiting for you....

I'm offering a wicked sweet giveaway to share in honor of Miss Vanessa's *fAbULoUs* and oh-so-magical annual Halloween party...

But first, would you like a treat?

I baked these myself - they're devil's food, of course (what else for a Halloween party?)

How about joining me for tea? There's plenty to go around, especially in cyberspace, hehe...

Do you love the mug? It's one of my favorites, a gift from a collector last year, and I love how it magically depicts the Owens sisters from "Practical Magic" when the mug is heated.....Which reminds me, it's almost time to put that one in the Netflix queue again. Much to John's chagrin, there are some movies I really need to watch during the Halloween season, and this is one of them. ;)

I think the Owens house is probably the best house-porn I've ever seen (with the cottage from "The Holiday" a close second)...I mean, how great is this kitchen???

*Drool*....

That's the fantasy. Here's the reality - complete with retro (read "old") range, and steaming kettle of soup...

Now, where was I? Oh yes - tea....But maybe you'd prefer a stronger sort of brew with your cupcake?

TeeHee....

Are you quite enjoying this Halloween blog-hop?

I must you the truth - as you read this, I'm actually out of town, so will have to do my visiting when I return. But I want to leave you with a little token of appreciation for your visit; this original, hand painted, Halloween trinket box...


No hoops to jump through, just leave a comment and you'll be entered to win. (If you don't have a blog, you need to leave your email so I can contact you!) The magical sorting hat (a.k.a. the random number generator) will pick a name next Saturday, October 23rd.

In the meantime, I'll be back very soon with new photos and new work to share...

Happy Halloween!!
♥ Carolee