I woke up like this

Monsters, Gobblins,Ghosts... Halloween!!!

Okay it's finally here! Halloween! Get on your favorite costume and head on out for some treats! I cannot wait to see all of the kids dressed up. I just wish this year they end up taking all of my candy so I do not eat it! I think my boys are screaming with excitement for tonight and who could blame them, all those goodies and fun walking around in the dark with friends. I remember Halloween to be the best night and I got to go out with all my friends in the neighborhood. We just had soo much fun trying to get as much candy as possible , so much so we used pillow cases instead of those plastic pumpkin heads. Well I am off to carve some pumpkins...

Trick or Treat smell my feet give me something good to eat!!

Ellen

The Halloween Party and Red Sox Rule!!!

Here are some shots of our annual Halloween Party! These are some of the lucky crazy party goers! I love the
Captian America costume! Very funny. I forgot to take allot of the kids photos but you can some here. Lots of super heros abound.

Classic bobbing for apples and what a fun time that was. The kids also enjoyed playing wrap the mummy, the Monster ball, pop the balloons and a few other crazy ones I forgot about. We had less kids this year since some of my friends could not make it, but for what we did have it was a good time.

Yummy treats for everyone of all ages. My boys decorated the cupcakes which came out great here is a better photo!

Well that is it for the party but how about those Red Sox!what a way to end the weekend not to mention the Patriots!! Boston is on fire and it's great. Horary for the players a job well done!!

Now did someone say superbowl?...

Ellen

Monster Buddies

This little monster guy had me up until 12:30 am last night along with the Sox game!! What a game! fantastic. Anyway I had promised my oldest boy Hayden that I would make a replica of his little imaginary guy for him while he was asleep. I am not the best sewer, which is why I switched my major in college from fashion to illustration, but I can do the basics. He of course loved it and took it to school today.

This fun guy belongs to my youngest Colby who did a very good job with his drawing considering he is only 4! I had to use a more vibrant color since I did not have one to match the crayon. I think it came out cute and he loves it! I will be taking a rest from blogging until Monday since we have to get ready for our annual Halloween party!! I will of course show some highlights of all the fun!! Take care and have a great weekend!

Ellen

GO SOX!!

Okay folks it's that time again where all of us in New England start to get excited and get ready for the roller coaster that is the Boston Red Sox!Let's not forget though how tough it is to be a Sox fan. We are the most loyal of all fans and dispite the hardships we go through with this team time and time again, they are never dull to watch. Last weekend when Drew got that grand slam I thought that the house we were in was going to crack from all the screaming! I myself have a love hate relationship with the Sox. It all goes back way back from when I was little and my dad took me to see the games at Fenway when Yaz was on the team. It was soo exciting to be there and what a place to see a game, nothing like it except maybe Rigley Field. I was in love, but it all went south for me when I was in college. In 86' I was a sophmore at Pratt Institute and was working at the computer lab that night, when I watched in horror as the ball went through Buckner's legs and the game was over!! I knew going back to the dorm was going to be a horror show and it was. People were throwing stuff off the balconies and went nuts. I had to hang my head down low and I did not enjoy that one bit!! Then I was in love again back in 04' when the magical team beat those Yanks!! to get to the World Series and show us all what true teamanship is all about!! Well so here we are again and let's bring it on Sox!! Oh by the way I have been taged by Lori but will have to get back with you tomorrow about that!! and I have been featured in Todays Creative Blog I am humbled from all of Kim's kind words!!

Go Sox!

Ellen

The Wonder Ball

Look at the fabulous wonder balls I received in the mail yesterday! It almost looks like the Pumpkin is telling the Spider a secret! These fun treats are from one of my clients< who make my designs into all sorts of goodies.

I wonder what the Pumpkin is saying to the Spider. Maybe its a spooky story for Halloween! Whatever it is I am sure it's a good one.

Ellen

Juggling Mom

Did you ever feel like your one big juggling act? On most days I do! Every Monday and Wednesday I get to work only for a couple of hours before I have to pick up my little guy at pre-school then bring him to daycare, and then come back to work. Then I get my other big guy at the bus around 2:45 p.m. and try to work again for another couple of hours. It's always hard to maintain momentum when you are cut off so many times during the day. It seems once I get started on a project I have to stop. Yesterday the whole family went on a walk to help raise money for one of my close friends nephew who has this disease. It was soo beautiful in Roger Willams Park yesterday it made everything more special. Although I wish we brought our wagon because my oldest was getting tired and I had to carry him about a half mile,which would be fine except for the fact he is about 50 lbs! Nonetheless an amazing day an well worth it.
I feel for any mother who juggles way more than me and Julie!! my hats off to you for all what you do for Ben! Here is to all the mother juggling acts around the globe you are all amazing.

Ellen

Easter in October

It is October but for me its Easter time. Today I am finishing up some new Easter designs for a client and it's always funny when my friends ask what are you working on, " well Easter", I say and they just laugh. In my business you have create designs well before the season and so right now its Easter 08'. Some companies I work with even go another year out so I will be creating for 09' as well. Sometimes its very hard to come up
with designs when you are in a totally different season, but that is the challenge. So for today it's Easter.

Ellen

Falling leaves

The leaves are falling all over the place today! However it feels like May with the 70 degree temp.
I wonder if mother nature knows its Fall yet.

Reds and yellows everywhere I look and will be so sad to see them go. These series of paintings I did a couple of years ago are now finding their way onto floor mats and other products. I really enjoyed these when I did them.

This painting is on a door mat from Toland Home and Garden. I had it on the floor under the sink area but decided to move it, but I just love the pattern. I was hoping that they could have been in fabric.They seem like such a perfect fit for that or linens and such. Then again I am sure I will create something else I like better for that. Here is to all you beautiful Fall leaves.

Ellen

A couple of cards

I have been playing around lately with some new card ideas that have embelishments along with art. Here are a couple of baby cards. I love the fine glitter its a new fun thing I like to play around with. Then there is the gingham fabric which is a staple in every fabric drawer. You could just go crazy on the amount of ideas to play with.

Here are some seahorses from a print I designed. I just printed it out on heavy card stock and then glittered the areas I thought needed it. I then put it on those foam sticky squares and then onto the card. I think this would be cute as an anniversary card or love card who knows not sure yet.

Here is a flower that has glitter and fabric. I was just playing around with the combination and not sure what I would use it for I just like the color combination.
Just a little fun in the studio! Well now I am off to create some Easter designs clients are asking for as well as Christmas and Halloween and Birthday, whew! my head is spinning!!

Ellen

Halloween Phase 1!

Here it is a promised the finished Halloween mantel! This is a view of it from the day and here is the view of it at night!

The kids just love to see it all lit up with the glow of orange. This can easily be created on any mantel and I have taken some photos on how to assemble.

Here is the before I got started!

Here are the tools you will need: 5 to 6 branches about 30inches high or depending on your mantel size larger or smaller
1 piece of black foam core about 24x36 or if smaller 2 pieces
( you can find at an art supply store)
1 ruler
1 exacto knife
1 pencil
3 containers white or a color to match your mantel
sand or floral foam
clear tape
1-2 cans of black spray paint
6-10 small pumpkins in different sizes

Step 1: cut about 28 2in x 8 in posts in black foam core, and 6 ,2in x 20in strips for fence

Step 2: place the posts flat on floor or table and then place 2 of the strips on top and then tape.
You do this in 4 sections.

Here is a photos for examples.

Mantel assembly: spray paint your branches black, then place your containers filled with sand or floral foam
on the mantel. Take painted branches and place in containers.

After you have the brances in place you can then put up the fence and if you want a nighttime look place a 100 orange mini light set in front of the containers and behind the fence. After the fence is in place then you can decorate with little pumpkins about 6 in ones and other sizes to make a variety. I have place some of my plates that were made by Boston Warehouse next to pumpkins. Get creative and add bats etc. maybe even some owls on the branches!

Well then there you are, a fun decorative mantel to celebrate Halloween. I will be posting soon some other fun images of decorations around the house. My husband and 2 boys are working on a spooky town they created on their train table,and when this is done I will post photos! I hope you get creative with your mantels! On with Halloween!!

Ellen