Friday, September 24, 2010

No More - AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All is well!

Firefox caused the images to disappear. You could see them but I couldn't. The same thing happened when I went to other blogs. When I went to mail the parcels at the post office the fellow there mentioned that he had to reload Firefox. I stopped using Firefox before because of issues and I have stopped using it again. I am now using Google Chrome and hopefully all will be well. I can now do some posts again.

Whoopee!

I am have problems with my images disappearing!

I am trying to get help with it so please be patient.

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Grand Prize Winner is...


  Mandy from Halloween 247  

Mandy, email EACH of us with your address and we will get your goodies off to you.

Thank-you everyone for taking part in Trick or Treat Street. I know everyone had a lot of fun. The comments were so positive and everyone was enjoying themselves. I had a blast!

I have to get back to work. My studio is a mess!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Welcome to Trick or Treat Street!


Hurry up, everyone is here. I'll introduce you to them and then we can go trick or treating.

Meet Artemus. He is a little annoyed because he forgot his treat bucket. We have that all taken care of because we stopped by his house on the way, his mum gave us the treat bucket to give to him.

The dull sheen and the deep colouration to the apple skin has been achieved with about 6 or 7 layers of glaze and paint. He has a vintage apple leaf on top of his head. His arms are vintage chenille and his torso is created from vintage ball fringe pompoms.  Artemas is wearing a handmade paper mask and is carrying a handmade party horn.  The ornament is 7 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the hand cut tissue paper fringe and 4 1/2" wide at the widest point of the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Artemas has Attitude" - $45.00 US one only.

************

Black Cat decided to come as a bush. He is very pleased with himself because the Byrd brothers got quite a shock when they decided to check out the nest. They have taunted him quite a lot lately.

Black Cat's crown is made of vintage millinery leaves and wire. A handwoven bird's nest of wire and corn husk silk is securely attached into the branch crown. A tiny jack-o-lantern is glued into the nest. He is wearing a handmade paper mask. His arms are vintage chenille and his torso is created from vintage ball fringe pompoms. The ornament is 7 1/4" from the top of the wire ring to the base of his torso and 5 1/2" wide at the widest point of the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Black Cat came as a Bush" - $55.00 US one only

************

Cynthia decided to come as the notorious spy, Mata Hari. She has been enjoying walking around looking suspicious and rubbing her hands together as if she is contemplating "doing someone in".

Cynthia is a purple topped turnip. Her colouration was achieved with deep purple and white overlapping washes. The leaves used for her top are vintage millinery leaves. Her arms are vintage chenille. On her bodice is an early vintage glass button surrounded by burgundy chenille. Her black vintage veil wraps her head swathing her in mystery. The ornament is 6 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the base of her arms and 4 1/4" wide at the widest point of the wire ring. She is a candy container ornament.

"Cynthia came as Mata Hari" - SOLD.

************

Doris is dressed as Carmen Miranda. Doris loves all things Latin, so she decided to make a Carmen Miranda inspired head dress. She is one hot pepper!

Her subtle colouration is achieved with 4 or 5 layers of yellow, orange, and red glazes. On top of her head are early vintage millinery fruit and leaves. Her shoulders are created from vintage ball fringe pompoms. Her arms are vintage chenille. The ornament is 7" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of her torso and 4" wide at the widest point of the wire ring. She is a candy container ornament.

"Doris came as Carmen Miranda" - SOLD.

************

Edna loves Haute Couture and decided to come as a Paris runway model. Her pale complexion is definitely enhanced by her hat of blackberries, blackberry leaves and one very fine curved black plume.

Her lovely pale colouration is painted over a bright grey green base coat. It is built up with 4 or 5 layers of yellow, lemon yellow, and soft brown glazes. There are areas where the green shows through very softly. Her haute couture hat is created from vintage millinery blackberries and leaves. The early vintage plume sets of her dramatic hat. Her arms are vintage chenille. The ornament is 9 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of her elbows and 6 1/4" wide at the widest point of the wire ring. She is a candy container ornament.

"Edna came as a Parisian runway model" - $55.00 US one only.

************

Julian decided to come as "King of the Forest" this year. He is feeling and acting quite regal, much to Black Cats annoyance.

The rich colouration of Julian's head was achieved by using 7 or 8 layers of paint in yellows, oranges, and warm browns. It was painted on and patted off revealing the layers beneath. It has a leather like look and sheen to the surface. The crown on his head is made from a piece of vintage metal from a glass lampshade collar. A row of green cotton chenille yarn was sewn into the base for contrast. It is accented with green feather down and one brown feather. A brown vintage button finishes the crown. Vintage berries, leaves and floral pips accent the paper covered wire  sceptre in his hand. He wears a handmade paper mask. His arms are vintage chenille. His torso is created from vintage fabric fern fronds and erica moss. The ornament is 11" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of the sceptre and 7" wide. He is a candy container ornament.

"Julian came as king of the forest" - $65.00 US one only.

************

Lester is ready to go trick or treating. His party horn will scare the pants off any unsuspecting people that he meets.

Lester's grey green colouring was built up up from a yellow green base coat. 5 or 6 layers of paint have been added and then patted of to give his shell a lovely mottled appearance. He is wearing a handmade paper mask. His arms are vintage chenille. His torso is created from vintage fabric fern fronds and erica moss. In his hands are a handmade party horn and treat bucket. The ornament is 9 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of his treat bucket and 5" wide across the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Lester" - $50.00 US one only.

************

Everyone so far has mentioned that Ron's treat bucket is as large as he is. He laughs and just mentions that he needs a LOT of sustenance to grow into a mighty oak.

Five layers of soft browns and ochres have built up the subtle colouration on his face. His cap has had three layers added and patted off to give the cap a natural look.  He has a vintage millinery leaf on his cap. His arms are vintage chenille. Pompoms from vintage ball fringe create his torso. Ron and his treat bucket are wearing handmade paper masks. The ornament is 8 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of his treat bucket and 5" wide across the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Ron brought a particularly large treat bucket" - SOLD.

************

Larry has brought fireworks for later when we all gather at the bonfire. He loves noise so all of the fireworks he chooses end with an explosion. To further add to the racket he has his party horn at the ready.

Approximately  12 layers of yellows, orange, reds, greens, browns and ochres have built up the lush colouration on his head. The white stripes were then painted on. He has a hand painted vintage millinery leaf on the turban part of his head. He is wearing a handmade paper mask. His arms are vintage chenille.  His torso is created from vintage fabric fern fronds and erica moss. In his hands are a handmade party horn and a handmade firework. The ornament is 7 1/2" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of the hand cut paper fringe of his party horn and 4 3/4" wide across the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Fireworks for the Bonfire" - $55.00 US one only.

************

Nigel has brought apples for roasting by the bonfire. We'll drop those off, get his mask on, and then go trick or treating.

The complex and beautiful colouration on Nigel's head was built up from bright yellow to oranges and then to various layers of light greens, dark greens, and grey greens. All of the colours were either scrubbed on with a brush or patted off by hand. He was then finished with a spatter of grey green paint. The complexity of the colouration is truly beautiful. He has a vintage green velvet millinery leaf at the base of the stem on his head. He is carrying a handmade paper mask and a vintage basket. The basket is trimmed with vintage millinery leaves on the handle and filled with painted apples on a bed of wood shavings. His arms are vintage chenille.  His torso is created from vintage fabric fern fronds and erica moss. The ornament is 10" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of the basket and 5 1/4" wide across the wire ring. He is a candy container ornament.

"Nigel Brought Apples for Roasting" - $65.00 US one only.

************

Prentice tried on this party hat at Marty's Mercantile and liked it so much he decided this is what he would wear for trick or treating. When I asked him why he liked it so much his response was, " My face doesn't look so skinny!"

Prentice started out a light green and the colour was built up with grey greens, then glazes of deep rich greens finished the colouration. In the deep pickle green are some beautiful colour variations. Hand painted papers make up his party hat. The 3/4" head from a early vintage brass paper fastener ornaments the centre of the hand painted orange and black burst of hand cut paper frills. His arms are vintage chenille and his torso is created from two hand painted vintage millinery leaves glued back to back. The ornament is 8 1/4" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of his torso and 5" wide. He is a candy container ornament.

"The Grand Party Hat" - $55.00 US One only.

************

Xerxes left his costume to the last moment because he was so busy doing last minute preparations for The-Man-in-the-Moon's magic show. He is a stage hand in charge of props. He grabbed an old black curtain and quickly made a cape and then used black tape for eyebrows and fangs. He looks scary even for a quick costume like this.

Xerxes started out yellow and then layers of orange glazes were painted around the circumference to give an interesting variation to the orange. It looks very carrotish! His carrot fronds are made from vintage fabric fern fronds. The eyebrows and fangs are cut from hand painted paper. The cape was cut from an old piece of blouse fabric that originally had beads sewn to it. It is filled with lovely holes and the edge is left raw. The ornament is 11" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of his cape and 5 1/2" wide. He is a candy container ornament.

"Xerxes came as a Vampire Carrot" - $50.00 US one only.

************

Walter Melon is ready to go. He was with Prentice when he bought this party hat. Walter loved all of those orange and black strings hanging down from the top of the hat.

The colour was built up with layers of green paint patted off to reveal the light green base coat. His handmade party hat is made from a section from a cardboard cone and vintage fringes. He is wearing a handmade paper mask. His arms are vintage chenille and his torso is created from vintage fabric fern fronds and erica moss. The ornament is 7" from the top of the wire ring to the bottom of his torso and 5 1/2" wide. He is a candy container ornament.

"Walter Melon" - $50.00 US one only.

************

Owen loves going trick or treating with his dad. Luke came home with these big nose glasses for them to wear trick or treating. Owen wore his to bed that night.

Each base for Owen and Luke is a composition candy container covered with hand painted papers. The papers have been hand crimped and then repainted to look like cabbage leaves. The big nose glasses are made from metal rings, wire, black fur, and a composition nose. They have been securely attached to each face. Their arms are vintage chenille. Owen is 5 1/4" from the top of his metal ring to the base of his arms and 4 1/4" across the widest part of the metal ring. Luke is 6 3/4" from the top of his metal ring to the base of his arms and 5 1/4" across the widest part of the metal ring. Both Owen and Luke are candy container ornaments.

"Trick or Treating with Dad" - set of two ornaments, Owen and Luke, $95.00 US. one set only.

************

Could Jack look any sillier? He doesn't think so and thoroughly enjoys his new look.

The paint finish was achieved with a base coat of brilliant yellow with layers of oranges and yellows layered on to give him a rich orange colouring. The big nose glasses are made from metal rings, wire, black fur, and a composition nose. They have been securely attached to Jack's face. His arms are vintage chenille. Jack is 6 1/2" from the top of his metal ring to the base of his torso and 4 1/2" across the widest part of the metal ring. Jack is a candy container ornament.

"Jack and His Big Nose Glasses" - $50.00 US one only.

************

Since Max has put on his big nose glasses he has been walking with a swagger in his step. He says he looks rather distinguished, that is until he bursts out laughing!

The paint finish for Max was achieved with a coats of medium and dark oranges painted on, patted of, and scrubbed on with an old brush. He has a rich orange colouring. The big nose glasses are made from metal rings, wire, black fur, and a composition nose. They have been securely attached to Max's face. His arms are vintage chenille. Max is 6 1/2" from the top of his metal ring to the base of his elbows and 4 1/2" across the widest part of the metal ring. Max is a candy container ornament.

"Max felt he looked rather distinguished" - SOLD

************

Can you believe it, Carter, the wise old owl or so he says, started all of this silliness with the big nose glasses. He was right though, they have been the most silly and most popular disguise this year.

Carter's colouration has been built up on a base coat of medium brown with several layers of a warm dark brown dry brushed on top. The big nose glasses are made from metal rings, wire, black fur, and a composition nose. They have been securely attached to Carter's face. The limb that he is sitting on is decorated with three early vintage velvet millinery leaves. Carter is 7 3/4" from the top of his metal ring to the bottom leaf and 4 3/4" across the widest part of the metal ring. Carter is a candy container ornament.

"The Ring Leader" - SOLD.

************

Bentley, the crow and Carl are the best of friends.Bentley has a nest on the ground that they intend to fill with their swag, at least that is what Carl called it. They are going to fill the basket several times and intend to empty it into the nest. They're not greedy, there were several young children that were ill and didn't have a chance to go out tonight.

Bentley is cast composition with wire legs. Carl is a cotton wrapped wire frame dressed in vintage textiles with a vintage tassel hanging from his hat. His head is composition. Both of them are wearing handmade paper masks. Carl has a painted vintage basket resting in front of him. The nest is a handmade basket of paper covered wire. There are two hand painted vintage millinery leaves decorating it. They are standing on a papier mache base.


Treats can be placed in the nest, in the basket in front of Carl and inside Bentley. Bentley is a candy container. Gently lift Carl to reveal the interior.

"Bentley the Crow and Carl" - $195.00 US one only.

************
Everyone finishes their trick or treating, has a little to eat and then it is off to see The-Man-in-the-Moon's Hallowe'en magic show.

This year's show  is "Princess Rosamund and the Attack of the Pie Zombies".

Reginald plays "A Dignitary - from a Very Foreign Land". He is in disguise, he is actually "The Evil Conjuror". He enchants the pies of the kingdom , turning them into pie zombies in hopes of taking over the Kingdom.

Reginald has a cotton wrapped body over a wire armature. His head is composition painted in multiple layers to give it a rich orange colour. He is dressed in vintage and antique textiles and trims. His hat is vintage leatherette with antique trim and a peacock feather plume on the front of hat. He carries a scroll wrapped with antique metallic braid in one hand and a twisted root in the other hand. He is 12 1/2" tall to the top of his staff. He is standing on a papier mache base.

Lift off the top of his hat to reveal that he is a candy container.

"Reginald was The Evil Conjuror" - $250.00 US one only.

************

Wally was one of the Pie Zombies. The smaller children were a little frightened when "The Evil Conjuror" passed in front of a pie waving his staff, then to reveal Wally as a life size "Pie Zombie".

Wally went out earlier to trick or treat in his stage costume and frighted several young children. They were later heard yelling at the magic show, "It's only Wally!"

Wally stands 9 1/2" tall. He is made of composition over a wire frame. There is a vintage millinery leaf on top his apple head. The arms and legs of his suit made from vintage striped fabric. He is carrying a small jack-o-lantern treat bucket. His pie crust is dusted with crushed glass glitter. The back of the pie is painted with multiple washes to look like an old tin pie plate. He is standing on a papier mache base.

"Wally was a Pie Zombie" - SOLD.

************

Princess Rosamund was trapped by the Pie Zombies and placed into a large cage above the stage. It fell open, she disappeared and a bird flew away. The-Man-in-the-Moon finally defeats The Evil Conjuror, but where is Princess Rosamund? The-Man-in-the-Moon drapes a large scarf over an ornate footstool,lifts it up to reveal the lovely Princess Rosamund.

The-Man-in-the-Moon is dressed in vintage and antique textiles and trims. His head is composition painted with several coats of light yellow over a dark yellow base coat. It was patted off to give an interesting yellow glow. In his right hand is a vintage silk scarf while his left hand holds a black staff and a long ribbon of vintage rayon. His shoes are papier mache. He stands 14 1/2" tall.

Princess Rosamund is dressed in vintage and antique textiles, trims, and jewelry. An antique button closes the neck of her robe. Her head is composition painted with several coats of orange over a dark yellow base coat. It was patted off giving her head a rich subtle colouration. She is holding a jack-o-lantern in each hand. She stands on a vintage metal glass holder that has been transformed into an exotic footstool. She is 11 3/4" tall standing on the footstool.

The stage is created from a 12" piece of oak molding painted an orange red. Gold paint was then put on very thickly direct from the tube to give the effect of old woodwork. It was then rubbed with a deep warm brown for an aged look. The stage floor is 11 1/2" wide and 7" deep. Individual "planks" were glued down to simulate a wooden stage floor. It was then rubbed with the same warm brown that was rubbed on the gold molding.

This sculpture is 16 1/2" tall, 12" wide and 9" deep.

"Princess Rosamund appears from under the scarf" - $650.00 US one only.

************

Thanks for stopping by, we're off to the bonfire for some treats and fireworks.

************
To purchase any of the ornaments contact me here.

************
Good Trick or Treaters are given surprises
Follow the instructions to qualify for prizes

Sept 14th - Leave a comment on each blog to qualify for a prize from each artist and while you're at it why not become a follower of my blog to stay updated on the goings on at Happy Holidays.

*For those not familiar with blogging: Comments can be left at the bottom of this post.*

If you do not have a blogger acct. Please leave your name & email address with your comment. Thank you!

This puzzle is my first prize. You have to get the cord off of the card and then back on again. The graphic is from a vintage bridge tally.

 ************
Sept 15th - Mention Trick or Treat Street on YOUR blog, with a link back to me, leave me a comment about it and you qualify for the days prizes.

This thaumatrope is my second days prize. Hold onto the cord in each hand twist the cord causing the oval to rotate. The different images on each side merge to show the jack-o-lantern glowing. It is really a neat effect. The jack-o-lantern is from a vintage bridge tally.

************
Sept 16th - Visit one last time and leave each of us a comment to qualify for yet another prize from each artist.

This puzzle is my for the third day. You have to move one bead from one loop over to join the other bead. It can be done! The black owl and jack-o-lanterns are from an antique silhouette decoration.

************
Sept 17th - One lucky Trick or Treater will have their name drawn (at random) from all of the comments and will receive the GRAND PRIZE - An original art piece from each artist.

This my GRAND PRIZE offering to one lucky Trick or Treater - "The-Man-in-the-Moon is ready to go"

(Randomly selected Winners will be announced on Each blog, Each day! - check to see if your name is a winner and email us to collect your prize)

You've come all this way, it's a shame you can't stay...
but there's two other artists who want you to play.
They have prizes too and treats galore,
click on a link to see what's in store!
Now you get over to
and then on to
and have fun with their goings on.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Trick or Treat Street starts tonight.


Tonight is the night.

Join Lori Rudolph of RetroRudolph's, Amelia Schaeffer of Sweet B FolkArt, and myself for Trick or Treat Street. At the stroke of midnight, Pacific time, our three day blog hopping event will begin. I have seen a few of the pieces from Amelia aka B and Lori, you are in for a delightful treat.

See you tonight at midnight, Pacific time.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Join us Monday at midnight for a trip down Trick or Treat Street.

Join us Monday at midnight as September 14th begins, for "Trick or Treat Street". We're having an online three day Halloween blog hopping event that ends at midnight September 16th. The WE are -

Amelia Schaeffer of Sweet B FolkArt
Lori Rudolph of RetroRudolph's
 and me, Len Bentham of Happy Holidays.

We have 3 days filled with Halloween Tricks, Treats and Tomfoolery planned!
There are so many prizes being given away, 10 prizes a day from each blog and the grand prize to one lucky winner - an original piece from each of us! That makes a total of 93 prizes to be won in three days! I've used a lot of exclamation marks because this is amazing!

All you have to do is visit our blogs daily and leave a comment on each of our "TRICK or TREAT STREET" blog posts.

The winners will be drawn at random and announced daily. Check the sidebar on each of our blogs to see if your name is there.

We will announce the GRAND PRIZE WINNER on September 17th. Remember that GRAND PRIZE? One person will receive an original art piece from each of us.

Amelia Schaefer of Sweet B Folk Art
Lori Rudolph of RetroRudolph's

and of course me, Len Bentham, of Happy Holidays.

We will see you there.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

"TRICK OR TREAT STREET" - sneak peek

"Happy Holidays", "RetroRudolph's", and "Sweet B Folk Art" are proud to present...... A POEM to tickle your fancy and entice your curiosity.

Join us for a stroll down TRICK OR TREAT STREET
Who knows who you might chance to meet.
Three lanterns are lit, the doors opened wide
Visit each blog to see what's inside.

A trio of artists offer scary surprises
and plenty of treats, with three days of prizes.
Stay on the third night and watch the moon rise
and you will be eligible for our special GRAND PRIZE!

So mark the date
the fun can't be beat
It's all yours for the taking on TRICK OR TREAT STREET

You've seen my sneak peeks now check out "RetroRudolph's" and "Sweet B Folk Art" to see what wonderous items that they are going to let you have a peek at.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Table Top Pictures and a Studio Update

Several years ago I purchased a wire vase shaped form that originally had lily rush woven into it. It was a decor item that had been damaged and I got it for next to nothing. I had a lot of vintage and antique beads on hand so I decided to make a lampshade to go over the dining room table. All of the beads are strung on copper wire - I also have a lot of that on hand as well! The beads were strung on the wire about 5 or 6 inches at a time and then I wrapped the wire around each vertical wire on the frame travelling around the circumference of the form. It took a while but it is so worth it. The amount of light coming from the shade is less than before - I have to eventually bring in other light sources - but the shadows that are cast on the walls, table, and ceiling are so interesting I don't mind.

One night as I was going to bed I noticed the light being cast on the table display was very interesting so I grabbed the camera and took about 15 or 20 pictures from different angles. I had no idea as to what I was doing but I didn't care I just had fun. Over about a month or so I did new arrangements and took pictures at night. I like the darkness and mystery of the pictures.

 There is a pool of light cast onto the table that highlights what ever is directly below the lamp shade.

This set of pictures are of a patty pan squash, a dahlia and geranium in a milk glass vase and some African trade beads on a lily rush mat.

I like texture, no in all truthfulness I love texture.

This last picture was taken in the late afternoon. The autumn light is so interesting.

I have more table top pictures that I will post at a later date.

I am nearing completion date on all of the items that are in the studio. Very soon you will start hearing from us, yes I said us, about the online sale. Three artists, one wonderful sale and that is all that I am saying for now. There are some terrific items that will be available for you to add to your collections.