Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Arsenic and Old Lace

          Compendium of Curiosities 3 - challenge # 2

The second Compendium of Curiosities run by Linda Ledbetter is all about glitter - not any old glitter but TH distress glitter.  So quickly, turn to page 56 in your A COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES -  Volume III book and give this technique a go.  I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely use this technique again.

 
I used the TH distress glitter technique on the ivy and the cat.

I have a confession to make. When  A Vintage Journey had their last challenge -the theme was memories.  My fondest memories growing up all revolve around my grandparents.  I all but lived with them and at a couple of points in history, I did live with them.  One Halloween I could not go out trick or treating so my Nanny brought trick or treating to me.  She dressed up as a witch and each and every child that came to the door had to shake her hand.  She had stuffed a rubber glove with ice and tied it to a stick which she held and her actual hand was covered with her witch garb.  Then she propped up 3 brooms in the  hall and in order to get your treat, you had to get a broom and ride it around the dining room table 3 times to get a popcorn ball and a small paper sack of candy corn.  She also had a big tub full of water and apples where if one wished, one could bob away.  One important fact is that my grandparents did not have a lot of money.  They lived in the old part of Asheville full of gracious old homes slowly going into disrepair.  Most of the people had left for better and newer parts of town.
My grandparents rented the down stairs and someone else rented the top floor.  They did not own a television or a car.  Their phone was a party line.  So this Halloween party was a big deal to all of us.  Especially all the children in the neighborhood who were just as poor as we were if not more so.

Unfortunately life got in the way and I ran out of time to enter this into A Vintage Journey.  So I am sharing this memory with you now.


I am entering this make into Linda's COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES 3- challenge #2

Thank you so much for visiting my blog - I hope your time with me was a pleasant one and if you stuck with me to the end of my story - thanks!!!!!!!  All comments put a huge smile on my face.
Sandy xx

42 comments:

jinxxxygirl said...

Aah... simpler times.... I love the old movie Arsenic and Old Lace... thats what caught me to read your post. :)

Valerie-Jael said...

A beautiful tag, and the story with those lovely memories is even better! Your grandmother sounds like a lady with a big sense of humour!
The distress glitter on the tag looks great! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

sam21ski said...

Fabulous xx

Anonymous said...

Sandy, Love all that glitter. I love all things Halloween.

Annie said...

Oh, love the mix of the vintage image with your other pieces! Halloween is a favorite decor of mine. Really enjoyed your memories with your grandparents!

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous glittery creation Sandy love your mix of Halloween and Vintage

Anne x

Meggymay said...

A beautiful tag and a wonderful memory you shared.
Yvonne

Redanne said...

Oh my dear Sandy, I now understand where you got your love of all things Halloween (like me!). It is a wonderful and heartwarming story. This creation absolutely gorgeous, I love everything about it! Hugs, Anne xx

Christina C. said...

What a lovely story you shared with us, Sandy! My fondest memories from my childhood in Germany revolved around Christmas!
Totally love your glittery Halloween creation....outstanding job!!!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Brilliant Halloween creation Sandy and a fab story! Great use of the glitter too, fabulous make!!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a great card and a wonderful story behind.

Julie Lee said...

A lovely tag and a terrific story! What a wonderful Grandma to have! She sounds so imaginative and such fun: now who might you take after? Thank you for stopping by my blog this evening and leaving such sweet comments! I've been feeling a bit low with a blocked salivary gland and you have cheered me up so much, lovely Sandy - not just with the comments but also with your memories of childhood and that fun tag. xxx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

The bottle, leaves, and cat all look glittery fantastic! Fun Halloween make! Thank you so much for playing along with us at CC3Challenge!!!

Nancy said...

I don't have that book, so I'll have to investigate that technique. Your page looks great!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story! Grandparents are a blessing! :o)

Danielle Champagne said...

Hello Sandy, I hope I am going to be a fun grandmother like yours. Love your story,and you know how much I love Halloween and witches. gorgeous page, love the dark background. and this cute image! cat and ivy lovely with this technique.Hugs.

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

A fabulous project Sandy. I loved reading the tale of your grandmother and Halloween. I think things were a lot simpler in those days, I certainly remember party lines and being told to hurry up I had been on to long by somebody on the other end! No X Boxes, mobile phones and designer clothes then just playing out all day from dawn to dusk! I think we were very lucky to have grown up in those times and I always look back so fondly on my childhood. Susan xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A great make and a great story...that's Sandy!!!
Thanks for sharing...
Alie :-)

Sylvia said...

Hi sweet Sandy, I loved to read your story, the good old memories. Your page is gorgeous and fun to watch and I love the technique you have used.
XOXO Sylvia

cathylynn said...

This totally explains your love for Halloween. It was your very special and creative Grandmother who gave you these wonderful memories. I enjoyed your story and your glittery project is fabulous! Love it all!
Hugs, Cathy

Sarn said...

What a brilliant Halloween tale Sandy.

Very witchy and scary project you're sharing today and we're nowhere near October!!!

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Unknown said...

The card is exceptional! Colours, content, distress glitter --- super duper! LOVE it. What a wonderful memory of that Halloween with your Granny - she must have been 'some lady'. As we grow older those are the memories we carry in our hearts and cherish, are they not? Hope you are well and enjoying life. Give your goats a hug for me. hugs, Donna

Myrna said...

What wonderful memories you have of your grandmother. It sounded like your grandma's house was the place to be on Halloween! I bet IRL your project is awesome with all that beautiful distress glitter. Love that stuff. Always look forward to your projects Sandy!

Lau W said...

Oh i think your grandmother was a fun woman, like you ! Thanks for sharing this story with us ! I imagine the scene...
Your project is fab, oh when there's a cat, it's always fab hihi ! Oh and love glitter !
Big bisous my Sandyyyy !
xxx

Anne Temple said...

Love your Halloween tag with all the glitter. What a great memory of your grandparents too! Thanks for sharing it.

Annette G said...

Thank you for sharing your brilliant story Sandy.....I love your terrific project, can see you are having a great deal of fun, Hugs Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Hels Sheridan said...

Your Grandma sounds like a wonderful woman... what lovely memories... thanks for sharing them... Thanks for playing along with the CC3 Challenge x

Jean said...

Sandy love your card and your vintage glittering. You did great as always. Your story is so wonderful and am glad you told it, makes one remember the "good" old days and our remarkable grannies. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Jean

Marilyn said...

Amazing... who would have thought you could make Halloween artsy? You did it again... Love the background and the glittery ivy and cat.
And I love the story about your Gran... so funny about the witch hand and riding for your treat. She must have been a great gal!

Sue from Oregon said...

No wonder you are such a character Sandy-you inherited it! It is so wonderful to have such loving memories of our grandparents isn't it? I loved reading your story and looking at your creation of memories!

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Sandy
Fabulous creation, just screams Halloween!
Loved your story about your Grandparents. I only met one of mine so you were rich in love if not in possessions.
Best Wishes.
Ang x

PS I have answered your Harvester question today. x

Terry said...

Lovely tag, Sandy! Your use of glitter is gorgeous and I just loved the story you shared. Enjoy the weekend!

Shelann said...

Very cool card, love it.

Jenny Marples said...

Sorry to hear you missed out on the AVJ challenge but wow your Halloween piece works perfectly with this glitter. Jenny x

Sandra said...

Oh wow Sandy! So cool! Love the Halloween/witchy theme and the story about your nanny is wonderful! Hugs, Sandra

Marjie Kemper said...

Sandy, I love your project, but I love your story about your Nanny even more. Sorry to be so late coming by... really glad you joined in at CC3C!

Lisa Minckler said...

Oh Sandy, you nearly brought me to tears. As I was reading your story, it felt like I was right there in the room with you all. I giggled at having to ride a broom, but seriously, I'd do just about anything for candy corns! The relationship that you share with your grandparents is so much like mine and it's wonderful that we share this bond with our grandparents. It really makes you grateful for all you have when you remember where we come from. I absolutely LOVED this post. I have no idea about these challenges as I have not one of his books (GASP) but I am LOVING seeing all the projects that are coming out of the challenges. Your creation is FABULOUS. I love the swirl of the cats tail that follows the background circular contour and that witch...awesome!!!
Biggest of hugs to you Sandy.
Lisa x

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story Sandy! It goes to show you that money isn't what buys happiness and you have osme awesome memories! , A great Halloween card!!!

coldwaters2 said...

What a fab card Sandy love the vintage style image also that cat, lovely papers and lace.
hugs
lorraine x

Words and Pictures said...

What a wonderful memory - and I can completely see how your fabulous card connects into it... what a shame it didn't make the VJ deadline, but how lovely to hear it now.

And very cool to be able to add it to the CCIII challenge. Didn't manage to play this one, as the Distress Glitters didn't make the cut for my travelling stash!
Alison xx

Paula said...

Love the card (and the technique - very cute cat) but your halloween story is so heartwarming! Your Grandmother sounds so awesome. And just think, you are creating those same memories with your grandchildren (and they'll blog about it one day!) Love ya my southern gal!

Mrs.B said...

Great card Sandy, and an even better story. Your Gran sound fun, love the idea of the rubber glove stuffed with ice - spine chilling no doubt.
Avril xx

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Sandy I am just popping by to thank you so much for leaving me such lovely comments on my blog it means so much to me especially when you are not active in blogland, so taking time out to come visit is wonderful, thank you.
hugs
lorraine x