Signs of Autumn....

As September approaches, and signs of autumn begin to appear here in Lancaster County, I find my work taking on a bit of a cooler feel....


This piece is the latest eBay offering - the last large sign I have in stock which is not set aside for the Ghoultide Gathering. I love the shape of these, and really must paint one for myself one of these days - they're perfect for either wall, door crown or mounted on a post outside, welcoming trick-or-treaters and Halloween party goers. :)

('Cause, you know, ONE of these days I'm sure I'll have time for a Halloween party, hehe!)

So yes.....the faintest hint of autumn is in the air here, and much as I try to enjoy the blessings of each season as I'm IN it, I have to admit a sense of anticipation always hits this time of year.

There are just so many things to love about autumn....

The hills on fire with color

Fresh picked local apples for pies and applesauce

Big comfy sweaters and Timberland boots

Crock pot dinners

Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes (I know, I know, they're taking over the world, and I should go out of my way to support small, independent coffee houses instead, but maaaaaaaan these things are good!)

The smell of woodsmoke coming from nearby farms

Neighborhood children BACK IN SCHOOL (yay!)

Local pumpkin butter

Knitting (which I actually do all year, but I'm more into it as the temps cool down)

And last but not least, the Ghoultide Gathering!


What are some of YOUR favorite things about autumn?

♥ Carolee

An Informal Poll of Sorts :)

Lot's of magic afoot in the studio these days, and all of it original, one of a kind art....

I adore working like this - completely immersing myself in one piece at a time, pouring all that energy into a single creation. It allows me to almost become lost in a piece....absolute bliss as an artist!

I know some artists prefer to work on pieces en masse, and I do admire that. It certainly seems more productive....But alas, I've never been much good at multi-tasking. Can't even drive and talk on the phone at the same time, hehe!

The reason I mention this is I've been receiving emails lately asking for prints, postcards and patterns. I've always been sooooooooo reluctant to go down that road - like it goes against the grain of the way I usually work....

But working this way also has it's limitations, and there's the nagging thought that offering just a few of these might make my work more accessible. Might make it possible in these challenging economic times for more people to have little bit of Halloween whimsy ala King of Mice.

So here's my question. Questions, actually.

Do you think a few packages of cards would fly on Etsy?

Do you think a couple of simple painting patterns would be appealing?

And if so, what would you like to see?

Inquiring minds want to know. ;)

♥ Carolee

A Winner :)

First, thanks sooooooooo much for all the kind comments you left on my little blog giveaway! I'm overwhelmed by the response, and wish I had a trinket box to send to each and every one of you!!

But there's just the one, and it goes to Tonya, of Back Porch Pickins. Congrats, Tonya! Shoot me an email with your mailing address, and I'll get this out asap. :)

(And look for another giveaway very soon!)

♥ Carolee

Mood Music :)

Just a quick post today, as I'm painting madly on two different commissions, and am FINALLY off to see the Harry Potter movie this evening (yay!)

The annual autumn-wishies hit full force this week, so I was feeling the need for a little mood music, and updated the playlist yet again...

If you're into autumn and Halloween (and really, who ISN'T?!) just scroll down to the purple playlist on the right, where you'll find some inspiring mystical tunes, followed by some Halloween stuff, ending with Christopher Walken's rendition of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven".

What kind of music puts YOU in the *spirit* of things?!

~ Carolee

Show and Tell

Remember those days in school? I remember Show and Tell was always on a Tuesday, and I also remember just being sooooooooo excited to share....well, I can't exactly remember WHAT, but do I remember the excitement. ;)

That's a bit how I'm feeling - so much to share I hardly know where to start!

The week began with a knock at the front door, which I admit I tried very hard to ignore. I do that sometimes if I'm working - ignore knocks at the door. It's usually either magazine salespeople or young men in ties trying to convert me, so I'm in no hurry to check it out. But Cadie and Cosmo (a.k.a. the crazy Aussies) were not having any of that, and when the barking finally reached a level that went straight for my spinal cord, I decided to see what the fuss was about.....

Sooooooo glad I did!

It was a priority mail delivery from one of my collectors and friends - this beautiful bunny teapot, a gift for my 50th! Can you believe it!? Not that I'm 50 I mean, but that one of my collectors would be so sweet? I'm overwhelmed. It's in the china cabinet with a few of the other teapots (I have a smallish collection), where it will stay until I change the teapots around for Christmas. :)

Thank you again, Barbara!! I'll treasure it always....

The next amazingly wonderful surprise came last night in the form of two emails congratulating me on my work appearing in Early American Life magazine's "Events" section, representing the Ghoultide Gathering. Here's the little blurb, with a photo of last year's "Carnivale de Mystique" chest....

I'm thinking of bringing something similar to the show this year, we'll see. Just two of these chests left and one is already in progress for a commission. ;)

The next bit of excitement is that I was able to lay my hands on one more very large platter, which I've spent the last couple of days working wicked and whimsical magic on...

It lists tonight on eBay, at 9PM eastern. :)

Finally, I have to share the fabulous Miss Vanessa Valencia's annual Halloween Party! SUCH fun, these blog events, and I'll be there with pointy shoes and bells on. :)

That's about it for now. I'm about to have a glass of red wine with my very late supper, put my feet up and catch up on a bit of reading.

Oh! And if you haven't already, please scroll down to the previous post and sign up for my little giveaway. I'll draw the winner's name on Monday. :)

Wishing everyone a magical weekend!

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

A Little Blog Love Back Atcha...

It occurred to me the other day as I was blog hopping....

It's been the longest time since I've had a giveaway. :)

Sometimes life just gets in the way...the painting and sculpting, the commissions and shows and auctions, the email and errands, the cooking and cleaning. Craziness around here on a daily basis...

So I'm here to remedy that with this humble little trinket box. It's just 3" x 3" x 3", but perfect for a few teabags or maybe some catnip....or rings, or paperclips, or whatever tiny treasures you may want to keep in it.

I love the tiny mice running around the edge, and the little message inside. They make me smile. :)

All you have to do is leave a comment here about something that makes you smile, and you'll be entered in the drawing. If you follow my blog, you'll be entered twice. And if you have a blog and give this little giveaway a mention, I'll make it three times. :)

And if you don't have a blog which links to your post, be sure to leave me your email so I have a way to get in touch with you.:)

Names will be tossed in the hat one week from today (Monday, August 24th) at 9PM eastern, and I'll announce the winner. (Oh, and I'm fine with international entries!)

Thanks for playing!
♥ Carolee

Wicked Good Tea and Other Goodies....

It's not often I'm tempted to keep a piece of my work instead of selling it - if I did that, I'd eventually have to get a "real" job, and I love this artsy life too much! But I must admit it's sometimes hard to part with the tea pieces....

Like dog and cat people, and journey and destination people, I think there are also coffee and tea people. And while I do love my vanilla lattes, for the most part I fall into the latter category.

There's something truly magical about a good cup of tea - it warms, it soothes, it relaxes - just a few sips can change your whole perspective....Which is exactly the feeling I was trying to convey with the latest eBay offering, a witchy tea box. I hope I've succeeded. ;)

I've also been busy these past few days with creative pursuits of the culinary variety...

Friday's project was a fresh peach pound cake with apricot brandy glaze....


And last night found me staying up 'til all hours blanching, cooling, cutting and freezing a large batch of summer sweet corn. This is an annual project, and I admit I grumble about the time involved, but come January, I'm always soooooooo glad I froze so much of the stuff. :)

I'd like to say the latest domestic kick extended itself to houscleaning and organizing, but I'm afraid the place still looks like the art explosion. ;)

Ah well, one thing at a time.....

It's approaching midnight as I type this, and if I'm not careful, I'll turn into a pumpkin, so off I go. But not before wishing everyone a happy and creative week ahead!

I'll be back very soon with photos of works in progress....

♥ Carolee