Thank you to everyone whom participated in A Slight Sinister Giveaway!  I LOVED reading all about your costumes and scary stories; I now have a little spooky list of books I’ll need to check out, so thank you for that too.  If you haven’t read them, check out the comments in the giveaway post and maybe you’ll find a creepy story that might interest you.

Ok, without further ado, the winner is: Lucky #5, Modern Crush!

Thank you again, peeps.  Oh, and happy fall my Northern Hemisphere friends!

(Random number-generating goodness brought to you by random.org.)

Forget the 3-Hour Sweater, how about the 2-HOUR SWEATER?! This lovely 1930s model (seriously, isn’t she adorable?) is wearing a little pullover that the pattern claims will only take you a mere two hours; visit hardrockzombie for the pattern (via Ravelry).  You know I’m going to have to try this out (and it looks like it’s going to cut in line in front of most of my knitting projects).

Also, via Ravelry, I found this wonderful doll shop: Little Black Crow Studio.

I’m truly inspired by all of her deliciously spooky, vintage-looking handmade dolls - they have so much personality.   You can see the love and attention Blackcrow has put into them and I really appreciate that.  They are seriously making me want to revisit my bag of forlorn patterned doll parts (a.k.a. “graveyard of souls”) and try my hand at doll-making again.   I mean, I’ve collected more than enough fabric for them!

Greetings, dears!  October is only a few weeks away and Halloween, for me, always marks the start of the holiday season.  So, I thought I’d celebrate a little early and give away 1 copy of AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister.  Not only does this book contain the original publication of my Brier Rose Scarflette pattern, but a TON of other cool and creepy projects.

Here’s what you do: from now through Monday, September 21st midnight PT, leave a comment in this post describing 1 of the following:

• Your favorite Halloween costume that you have ever worn (and if you made it!)
• Your Halloween costume for this year (And, of course, if you plan to make it)
• Your favorite spooky story or book.  (Ok, you don’t have to tell me the whole story, just the name and general plotline!)

A winner will be randomly picked and announced Tuesday, September 22nd.

Update:

You know, it just occurred to me that I should have posted a photo of one of my favorite Halloween costumes when I originally wrote this - ha!  I just so happen to have one:

That’s me in the angel costume.  My dad made the halo and wings (you can’t really see it but both are sparkly with gold glitter) and my mom made the dress. My parents did not like putting me in store bought costumes and made ours (mine and my brother’s) whenever they got the chance.   I’m not sure I knew then how lucky I was to get such nice, homemade things but I certainly am now. (Next to me is a friend as a Barbie bride; I think I was jealous of her costume.)

Good luck!

I know I’ve talked a lot about “non-planning” a “non-reception” (at least it seems like a lot!) but that’s not to say I’m not absolutely looking forward to celebrating our marriage with our dear ones.   I only want to keep stress at bay and although there is a part of me that would love to go over every detail and make things “perfect,” it probably better if I take a more casual approach to things.  I even considered not sending out paper invitations but I figured, when would I get an opportunity to do this?  And I do love paper goods so…

We are having at least two parties.  The first one will be with our friends; it might seem a little disjointed to do it this way but it seems like the most convenient thing for everyone and convenience is a good thing, in my opinion.  The festivities are to be held in October; something low key but fun…wine, cheese and plenty of finger foods, a cake (not a fancy wedding cake but perhaps it still will be tiered, just for fun), and even some Halloween-inspired goodies and decoration.

I made these silhouettes based off some wedding photos that had our profiles in them.  I like the old-fashioned look and color theme.  These scalloped cards are great, aren’t they?  I got them at Staples of all places!

I had to make matching address labels, of course.  And don’t you love these stamps?  They may be my favorite, next to the Edgar Allan Poe ones.

The invitations that I’ll make for the November’s Texas BBQ and Country Western Dancing Reception (!!!) will be similar but perhaps with a few difference like the colors, for example.  And then perhaps we’ll have a family gathering around Christmas, like a post-holiday brunch.

I’m really trying to be productive this weekend but I can’t help but feel fried by the heat.  Hmm,  it doesn’t seem like something I ever tire of complaining about! Well, I think I’m more of a cool weather person anyway.  It is supposed to be only in the 80s this weekend so hopefully we’re getting a break from the hot temps.

I hope you all have a magnificent unofficial last days of summer!  Any fun plans this weekend?