An Explanation about Halloween

That's Right! - Halloween in June - Such a Wonderful Idea. Wait till you see what I will be listing.....

In the meantime, a little explanation as to where my fascination and LOVE of Halloween originates from...

For those of you who don't know, I was born in America - but spend the majority of my childhood in New Zealand. First off - New Zealand, being an English colony, does not celebrate Halloween.

Sooooo, although my I knew about Halloween (my parents had thrilled me and my brother with their own childhood memories), I only had two opportunities to go trick or treating as a child.




Once, when I was five, we traveled back to California to visit my grandmother - IN OCTOBER no less. Needless to say my brother and I were so excited about being able to pick out our first "drug store" costumes at Longs. You know the ones - weird plastic outfits that tied in the back - some had really strange plastic masks that went with them. I choose a butterfly costume (See photo). We had a fantastic time going from house to house and filling up our bags with all of the fantastic candy and visiting a haunted house at a local school. I WAS HOOKED!

The next October my brother and I were back in New Zealand and we decided to go trick or treating by ourselves.

1.Despite the fact that no other kids were going,

2. the seasons were opposite (spring time),

3.And no one even KNEW what Halloween was.

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I think I dressed up as a cat, and I distinctly remember my brother in some kind of pirate costume. We made the rounds in and around our neighborhood - knocking on doors and yelling - "Trick or Treat", most people gave us the spare change from their pockets one lady gave us biscuits - but really I don't think we got even one piece of candy. (we probably used the money to buy candy afterward)

Well, that should have been the end of it - but .... as I mentioned before - I WAS HOOKED............... I HAD to find a way to have Halloween.

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Even though my Birthday is in January, I started requesting costume parties, and always asked to have bags of candy to give to all of the kids as they came to the door. WEIRD - I know - but if you look through our family photo albums you can tell which birthdays are mine - all of the kids are dressed up in costume! (I am the ballerina with the coffee bean necklace and buster brown sandals) This was my little way of having Halloween, and it worked out pretty well. Costumes, Candy and Candles - sort of Halloween right?


We eventually moved back to the U.S when I was thirteen, and I have been celebrating REAL Halloweens ever since. I guess growing up without Halloween, while still knowing all about it fostered a sort of fascination/fixation that still lingers today. Not to mention that Halloween is the BIGGEST candy holiday ever - and as you all know... Sweet B has got to have her candy!!!

So this is why I get all worked up over things like "Halloween in June", why I make Halloween pieces all year round, and why I start thinking of costume ideas November 1st of every year!

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Cut me some slack people! - While the rest of you were out on October 31st raking in the candy - I was stuck counting out my "small change".

Sweet B

Glitter and Grunge Listing for June

Firstly, let me say that May turned out to be the "celebration" month in our family. We have just run the gauntlet - three Birthdays, Mothers day and a Bon Voyage. Needless to say I have neglected my blog and my work!

Soooooo, in an attempt to catch up I have spent the last three days running around like crazy, working my little fingers to the bone and trying to organize all of my projects.

Firstly, the Glitter and Grunge listing....

....These canvas coasters can be found on the Glitter and Grunge starting on the first of June. I will be making a series of these this summer; Halloween, Fall and Christmas are planned. I sew and prime the canvas, paint them and antique them, and then give them three coats of a polyurethane (sanding between coats) to make them waterproof and really durable.

It's quite an undertaking so I will be making several sets at a time, although no two will be alike.

You may also note that I have added vintage button to the corners of each coaster, my husband thinks this is "too much!" - but I just love old buttons and I think they make each coaster special.

Glitter and Grunge is a really fun website with tons of talented artists, it is a great place to spend some time (REALLY spend some time!)

-Sweet B

Circus Theme Nursery

I was recently discussing nursery themes with someone and decided to show a few images of my circus themed nursery, inspired by a quilt my grandmother had made when I was a little girl.

Since I have spent the last 13 years designing and decorating theme events and parties I have a "built-in" affinity for themeing. Everything HAS to have a theme, it's totally neurotic and usually completely unnecessary but there you have it. Needless to say, being pregnant upped the ante, and I ended up spending hours on e-bay to find the "perfect" elephant planters (I swear it was the hormones), painting the crib to look like a circus cart, and generally driving everyone around me crazy!.... Everyone except one of my very best friends, who like me, is totally into the theme thang! She (can't name names - swore I never would) threw the best circus themed shower a circus obsessed preggo could ever want - complete with cotton candy machine and three ring dinner tables. Oh - and just in case you were wondering... yes... that is a tiger under the crib! I am already thinking of what to do with the baby's room next! (there isn't anything wrong with THAT is there?)

Mothers Day Gifts to ME!

Since I deserve it - I bought my self a little 'sumthing 'sumthing for mothers day. The candy necklace is from Stoopid Gerl - totally darling and unfortunately NOT edible - I will be saving my pennies to buy more - her jewelry is SCRUMPTIOUS! I also bought a really cute collage featuring a donut (see a pattern yet?) from Michelle Lanter from Dadadreames. Michelle's descriptions of her pieces are hilarious! I highly recommend checking out both of these Etsy stores.

Cheers -

Sweet B

Pfatt Listing Preview

Yay! It's
"Pfatt time again"!




As I mentioned in my G&G post - May marks the point I start breaking out the Halloween - Up for sale: a cute group of four ornaments and a tall Zombie Skeleton candy jar - see both of these items at the Pfatt Marketplace on the 10th.
I will be listing the other Zombie Skeleton on e-bay later this week.

Sweet B

May Glitter and Grunge Listing

Halloween! - we are almost half-way through the year - so it's time to break out the Halloween Goodies! Visit Glitter and Grunge to see this mean witch candy container and a cute trio of spookie ghosts. - Make sure and visit all of the other artists, there are some truly wonderful pieces of original art for sale!

Sweet B

Candy of the Month - MAY

May's candy of the month - SWEDISH FISH -

First produced in 1957 by Malaco, a Swedish Confectionery, Swedish Fish come in assorted or "red" flavors. Imported to North America in the early 1970's, Swedish Fish are still produced in Sweden, although most Swedish Fish found in North America are from Canada.

Obviously the Red ones are the best, that is why you can buy entire bags of the red ones, which reduces the wasteful practice of throwing all of the other colors away.

Since I prefer my gummies slightly stale I usually open the bag and let them "harden up " for a few days before enjoying them. I have seen several photos of Swedish Fish "Sushi" on the web - usually combined with marshmallow, and fruit roll ups. - Yum or Yuck?

Anyway, if you haven't sampled a Swedish Fish in a while - I highly recommend it - their distinctive flavor will remind you of childhood.

Eat your Swedish Fish!

- Sweet B

Back from Vacation

Finally - I'm back from Vacation!, playing catch-up as usual!!!

What a wonderful surprise I had waiting for me in the mail - my "Celebrate" banner from Janae, I left on Vacation before it arrived. As you can see, she has incorporated loads of detail and color into this adorable piece. I especially love the layered paint in the background - the photo does not do it justice, the turquoise is really scrumptious.

Thanks Janae - I love it!!!!

- Sweet B