Move Towards The Light.

There you are, in a sea of darkness, you can't even see your hand in front of you. You're sure you felt something breathing down your neck. What are you going to do? Reach for a super cute Halloween lantern of course! It is yet another week of our Halloween collection. This time we are focusing on lanterns.  There are so many styles to choose from, it's hard to decide which is my favorite.

These were mainly 1960's,

manufactured in Japan for the US market, and are metal with either

glass or plastic light covers. Flip the switch and kids carried them

so they could be seen at night.

Newer 1970's or so versions of the earlier Metal/Glass ones.

Circa 1950s/60s. A candle was put inside and either
carried or used as a decoration.The cat has original tissue paper
eyes and mouth. Other side is a ticked off cat.

Pulp Jack-o-Lantern is a MINT condition Lantern with the

original tissue face insert (eyes/mouth) and label. It was either used as

a lantern with a candle or carried by kids to gather candy. Circa 1950's

These are from the same era as the

first one. No inserts in either one of these. The little one on the right

is called a Choir Boy because he looks like he is singing.

These are basically the same function as a Lantern

but are a generation or two apart. The one on the right is older and  made of

metal and used a candle to illuminate it. the one on the left is made of

plastic and is battery operated - from the 60s/70s.

Now you have a cute lantern in your hand so you can see that scary monster staring back at you under your bed. Don't  you feel much better? Until next time kiddies........

That's Mistress T. to you!

A lot of you in the internet world know about my friend Tara-keep your minds out of the gutter! You don't know her THAT way. You know her for her amazing crafting skills and quick wit. She's a pretty rad chick but I'll let you find out for yourselves.

You ARE the Mistress T. but who is this woman of mystery?
TheMistressT is about as unmysterious as they come; if not for the nom de plume I'd have no mystery at all.  Essentially, Tara is a nice lady who 's been known to cuss.  I have big hair and big feet.  I'm both obvious and shy... you know, a dork.  I own a small decorative painting business and a small house in a small-to-mid-sized city that I love.   With my other time, I co-parent my 2 octogenaricats (Dave, 20 and Pearl, 17), spend time with my man, try to maintain and expand my socializing, read and craft, craft, craft!   I spend too much time on the internet and almost no time watching TV.

 You do so many different crafts, which is your favorite?
I'm HORRIBLE at favorites!  Terrible!  Awful!  I always have multiple favorites, which should be an oxymoron if it isn't already.  For the last year or two I've done more sewing and embroidery than other projects, but I'm fascinated by paper crafts like decoupage and assemblage.  I've dabbled in those, but don't feel like I really "get it" quite yet.  One of my favorite projects in the last year was one I made last xmas for my man (known as The ManFlesh in my craftster posts): "pimp chalice" which was a gold leafed, decoupaged and resin coated glass goblet. It was my first attempt at doing these things on glass and working with resin.   Another was the altered journal-type scrapbook I made while traveling to Argentina earlier this year - but that's more about the sentimental stuff than the aesthetic qualities of the finished project.  Oh!  I made a friend of mine who had to have part of his colon removed some underpants with semicolons ( ; ) on the butts and that was really fun.  I guess it's things that make me smile or laugh while making them that are my favorites and probably what I'm best at.

 Do you have a shop/site?
Indeed, I do!  Thank you for asking!  My business site is bubbleoffplumb.com, I sell some of my crafty creations at bubbleoffplumb.etsy.com and am a monthly contributor to the MrXStitch.com blog with "Domestitchery With The Mistress T" where I show off people's needlework creations for interiors (second Friday of every month) and the occasional other entry.

What does the future hold for you?
Hoo boy.  One thing I have come to understand in my early middle age is that you never know what the future holds, you only know about the past and present and those aren't even always what you think you know.  That said, one of my next crafty endeavors is to learn some zombie FX for zombie-fying my and The ManFlesh's last year's Halloween costumes!  I'm pretty excited about that.  I'm going to start working on holiday gifties for the kiddos in my life (as soon as that dang UPS delivers my supplies).  Also, I love carrot cake and since it's been a good long while since I had some I hope to partake of some really good stuff before the month is out.

 What advice would you give to the masses?
I don't know that I feel qualified to give general advice. In fact, I've sat here in front of the monitor with a flashing cursor for several minutes trying to think of something either valuable or funny and all I've come up with are misquotes of famous people or trite-sounding affirmation BS.  Maybe a few phases I like to try to live by that may get others thinking about what phrases/rule they like to live by? I'd love to hear what other people have like this!

The first two are some I've had on my list since my teens/early adulthood and the last two are ones I've embraced as I've come into my own as an full-fledged adult. These are both literal AND metaphorical for me:
The Golden Rule goes both ways; if you act like a prick expect to be treated like a prick, even if only behind your back.
A good person isn't the one who's nice to YOU at dinner, it's the one who's nice to the person who busses your table.
Any excuse for a costume.
There's no such thing as too much carpincho.

Bonus Question:
Favorite word/least favorite word.
I used to really hate "tepid."  I've gotten over it for the most part, but sometimes it still irks me.  Also not a fan of "unique" used with modifiers and "do do" as in "I don't do windows, but I do do floors."  So yeah, I'm kind of a crank about some word stuff now that I think about it and I don't want to end this wearing my crankypants, so... favorites include "circumnavigate," "Winnemucca," "pants," "colophon," and a couple of secret rhyme-y phrases involving animals that always make me laugh when I say them. 

See! I told you she was RAD! Make sure you check out her website and etsy shop. She has also entered two amazing pieces in the Craftster Needlework Challenge and they are pretty awesome. Yeah, she's a keeper!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Fall is here and in the Pacific Northwest that means time to enjoy the rain by hunkering down with your favorite person and  your favorite ale. I'm not sure if a lot of you know but we like to partake in a beverage or two in this neck of the woods and beer is our specialty.  While not all of these are local, they do fit the bill for wonderful seasonal beers.

The first beer isn't a taste for everyone but I really like the spicy hint along with a strong hops. Buffalo Bill Pumpkin Ale is a great seasonal beer that is available nationwide. The beer is brewed with real pumpkin, cinnamon and cloves. I haven't tried it but I've heard that if you put a little whipped cream on top it taste like a pumpkin pie.

A local favorite is Dead Guy Rogue Ale. The beer is slightly spicy, a little fruity and very hoppy. It's a wonderful take on a hearty lager. It can be a little thick to some but is still very smooth. Oh yeah, and the cool part-the little skeleton on the bottle glows in the dark.

Moorhouse's Brewery puts out several Halloween and Fall beers. My favorite being the Pendle Witches Brew. It has a nice citrus aftertaste and isn't too heavy. It has a full  malty taste without being overbearing.

Finally, to warm you up on those chilly nights, Centurions Ghost Ale is sure to please. A nice warm dark bitter ale that has a pleasant malt taste. I think if you drank too many of these, it can certainly sneak up and scare the hell out of you.

These are just a few October seasonal beers to get you started. I would suggest finding a type of beer you like, whether is be a pale ale, a dark stout or a Pabst Blue Ribbon and expand on that taste with different breweries. So, pop a cold one, pull the blanket up and stoke the fire, it's gonna be a long rainy season.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot-for those of you in the Southern states. If you want to make OMP happy, first try some Cat Daddy Moonshine-it will take the fall nip out of the air with a cinnamon, allspice flavored brew with a kick . Perfect for those pumpkin hayrides and then if you get the sudden urge, you  can always send him some. The best thing about this moonshine-it won't make you go blind or melt the paint off your house. It's OMP's new favorite.

Ha Ha Halloween!

So I hope that last week's movies didn't scare the pants off of you and if they did-PUT SOME PANTS ON! You're scaring the children, not to mention-it's chilly outside. You'll freeze your bits off!

Now that I have you giggling, it's time to have some Halloween fun with these silly scary movies. Trust me, I know there are a ton of scary movies out there that are hysterical and they don't even try. We're not focusing on those. We are focusing on the rib tickling funny horror movies that give you a little jolt but still make you smile.

The first one is The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. This has to be on the top 10 list for OMP. How can you go wrong with Don Knotts? I don't think you can! Don plays an aspiring reporter who gets a chance to write an article about a haunted house. The catch is, he has to stay in the house overnight. The story makes him a hero in the small town's eyes until the new owner of the house sues Don Knotts for Libel. Not only is the movie very funny, great for kids but also has an amazing soundtrack by Vic Mizzy who was the composer for The Adams Family.

One of my all time favorites is The Ghost of Drag Strip Hollow. This 1959 flick has everything a girl like me loves, hot rods, rockabilly and silly ghost. A hot rod club decides to throw a Halloween party at an old mansion. The theme, come as your favorite monster! The majority of the movie has to do with rival hot rod clubs, pajama party and a creepy dad-the last 15 minutes are the best with silly teens in monsters costumes. Such a great movie! For all you old horror movie buffs, see if you can spot a certain monster that has been seen in other wonderful "B" movies.

I love this next movie. It is perfect in every way. Zombies, great music, humor-that's right-Shaun of the Dead. This movie has become a cult classic in such a short amount of time. Granted, it can be a little bloody, but the one liners and fast pace make up for any severed arms or brain eating you will see. The incorporation of The Smith's Kill The DJ and the news of zombies is priceless-not to mention, White Lines with zombie moans. Awesome! Shaun (Simon Pegg) at first, seems to have things somewhat going for him then his girlfriend dumps him. He realizes that he needs to get her back on the same day the zombies decide to eat more brains. Thus begins the wild ride of getting his girlfriend back, saving his mom and getting a pint at the Winchester while finding zombies at every turn. 

Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! I love Tim Burton and he is in prime form with Beetlejuice. It was a time when Winona Rider was so cute and dark and not someone I felt a little sorry for.  Oh my! Did I mention Catherine O' Hara as the mom-priceless! The story takes place in an old house that a quirky couple and their daughter move into. The original owners, who have long since passed away, want the house back the way it was and decide to enlist the help of the ghost with the most , Beetlejuice. Classic Burton set design makes this movie visually stunning to look at. I almost forgot, a young Alec Baldwin before he got a little too angry.

I hope these tasty little treasures have tickled your funny bone and got you into the Halloween spirit. I know I like a little scare and a giggle every once and awhile. Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna pop some corn, kick back with the family and enjoy a scary good time.

Feel Good Friday!

Ahhh! Fall is going into full swing. Crisp cool air fills my lungs, those wonderful autumn smells are just starting-can it get any better? Here are a few things that make me happy on this cool Friday. I hope they make you happy too.

Can I tell you how much I love Shannon's blog. Pictures of her family and her crafts make me so happy. Not to mention-HELLO!-she is beautiful! Oh yeah, did I mention Pee Wee Herman embroidery. Yep, you heard me. PEE WEE HERMAN! Stop by and say hello. She is the type of person who will invite you right in, fix you a cup of tea, and make you feel like you are long lost family. Her blog is Giggly Times. Tell her Pam sent ya!

So, if you are looking for something to be for Halloween, Why not be a cute flapper or someone that looks a lot like me with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. Flapperdashery has the most beautiful hand painted mask and other wonderful treasures. I can't decide what I love best-her hats, her mask or her vintage treasures.

I love cute little monsters and when I saw this piece by AlwaysInspired, I knew I had to show you guys. I love the sign!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE dog's in Halloween costumes! They just crack me up! Every year, they keep getting better and better.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna fix me a cup of warm cider, close my eyes for a few minutes and enjoy Fall.

Let's Make Some Noise!

Noise makers are for the most part super annoying to me but these guys are way too Halloween cool to do that.
You don't see them as much anymore. They were very popular during the 1930-1940's before Trick or Treating really got into full swing. It use to be that all the kids would dress up and basically cause small riots in the neighborhoods, tricking who they could. Hence, the noise makers came in handy for giving parents and neighbors a full size headache. They were still produced all the way up to the 1960's where Trick or Treating evolved as we know it today, more about getting the treats and less about playing  tricks.

And now for a glimpse into our collection. These are just a few of my favorites. 

German Noise makers circa 1930's. Loving the cigarette.

Noise maker set with checker pattern circa 1960's

Multiple noise makers, clickers, rattles.

 A great way to date your noise maker is to look at the handle. If the handle is wood, it is obviously older and if the handle is plastic you are looking at something from the 1960's or later.

I hope you enjoy a little bit of our collection. Now I am off shake and rattle some bones and beg my neighbor for some candy. I better not get a rock again this year. Happy Haunting!

A Few Minutes with bee listy or Holy Mother of Pearl-It's Steve McQueen!

When I first saw bee listy's work on Craftster, I was blown away. Who was this woman and wait-did I just see a Steve McQueen cross stitch? Holy mother of pearl! I knew I had to see what she is all about!

Who is the real Beelisty/Becca?
The real bee listy is a thirtysomething, single radical queer in minneapolis who spends her time bitching and moaning about political shitfuckery and insanity.

How did you get started stitching?
i saw the Irony is not Dead piece from subversive cross-stitch several years ago and was like "ooh, fun!" my grandpa and mom were both needleworkers... and i have OCD (or CDO if you will)-- i'm a counter! this is a great outlet for that.

You do such amazing portraits-which one is your favorite and why?
Thank you-- my favorite portraits ever are my grandparents. It's my favorite because i love them so much and it was the last gift I gave my grandpa (the stitcher) before he passed away... he loved it and was so moved and proud of it...

What kind of advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Well, be careful that you're not stitching copyrighted images or slogans... i've had a few people contact me in really rude ways about accidentally using their words or images. Ugh. Be patient-- it gets easier. Do what you want, but don't copy other stitchers-- i don't find it flattering.

Do you have a website or a shop?
I have an Etsy shop and a website. etsy seller name is epeolatry and website is www.beelisty.com

 What does the future hold for you? What's the next chapter?
I have SO MANY IDEAS but i keep accepting custom commissions, so i haven't been making time to sew for myself. My next life chapter is going back to school for my PhD so i may have less time to stitch for the next few years...we'll see. :)

Are you dying yet? I told you! I love her work and she is an amazing person. Her passion for activism is equal to her kind heart . She can whip out some quick wit and educate you about the trials in the world all in one breath-and that is why I like her so! Keep up the fight and keep up the stitching!