Mysterious Companions

My last post showcased postcards of children

and their beloved dogs.  Read Puppy Dog Tails.

To give equal attention, the postcards in this post feature cats.

Specifically, BLACK CATS, because this week is Halloween.

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock

they demonstrated devout faith and were deeply suspicious

of anything deemed from the devil.

Black cats were considered companions of witches

and anyone caught with a black cat

would be severely punished or even killed.

Images of witches are often depicted

with a black cat as a companion.

This postcard is photographed with a prop

of a witch's handbook of spells.

Thanks to Chickabug blog

 for creating this enchanting Halloween book cover.

You can get a free download here.

Is a black cat your friend or foe?

Not certain who is more frightened -- 

the little boy or the black cat 

-- as they encounter each other in the darkness of bedtime.

These not-so-frightening kitties get in formation

to extend greetings of the season.

Happy Halloween!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in sharing Halloween greetings this week at:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Adventures of Veggie People on Hallow'en

One of the most well-respected postcard publishers

was Raphael Tuck & Sons.

In 1893, the company was awarded

a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.

The backs of their postcards reflect this designation

with the statement 

"ART PUBLISHERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES

THE KING & QUEEN".

Today, I would like to share some unique

Halloween postcards published by

Raphael Tuck & Sons.

This twosome skipped through the moonlit night

 and the black cat and witch took chase.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Hallowe'en" Post Cards Series No. 150
Postally Unused

The black cat cornered these three characters

 in the vegetable patch.

The one on the right truly seems frightened

while the other two laugh off their fears.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Hallowe'en" Post Cards Series No. 150
Postmarked New York, New York October 30, 1908

After all that running,

the witch and black cat are ready for a ride to rest a spell.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Hallowe'en" Post Cards Series No. 150
Postmarked from Los Angeles, California October 21, 1909

And it's time for the veggie people 

 to serve themselves a treat of cake filled with jam.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Hallowe'en" Post Cards Series No. 150
Postmarked from New Haven, Connecticut (Date Illegible)

And this poor pumpkin became overheated 

as witches and demons erupt from the steam.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Hallowe'en" Post Cards Series No. 150

Last Halloween I told how our ancestors

 believed Halloween was a romantic holiday

and had a superstition that a young man or woman

would be able to identify their future mate

 by following certain rituals on Halloween.

You can read this earlier post here.

The message on the back of this Halloween postcard

 reinforces Halloween as "the season of love".  

Wishing you a romantic Halloween!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining Weekly Link Ups:
You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E
Welcome Home Wednesday at Vintage on a Dime
Cottage Style Linky at Lavender Garden Cottage
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Sorceress' Apothecary

Typical Halloween decorations around our home include

pumpkins, scarecrows and good witches.

Inspired by all of the creative blogs I have been reading,

this year's decor includes some some items on the darker side.

A corner of my kitchen has been devoted to an apothecary of items

to be used by only the master sorceress.

You may have seen these labels on other blogs.

Seasonal potion bottles seem to be a popular topic.

Thanks to the creative minds at Love Manor and KarenCookieJar

 you can download their free labels from the links provided

and make your own display.

Here are close-up photos of some of my favorite ingredients.

A scrap of green fabric repeated the color in the Zombie Virus label.

I like the effect of tying a few knots into gold elastic cord.

The black cat button looks like he could be a Zombie kitty!

After my clematis blossoms dropped their petals, the remaining flower centers seemed to resemble something that could be a filling for my Zombie Virus jar.

While exploring the scrapbook section of the craft store, I spied this paper with a scene of tree branches under a full moon.  A few rectangle cuts of the paper covered a powered seasoning mix packet.

Colorful ribbons secure a label to document the contents.

A small box features a wrapper of heavy paper stock.

A coordinating border and some ribbon make these 

earthy contents look like something that is almost good enough to eat.

Empty Pistachio shells appeared to resemble vampire fangs.

A bit pointy and a bit yellowed -- PERFECT!

The empty pepper tin looked a bit plain with only a label.  A couple decorative buttons glued to the top added more interest to this container.

This label was the right size to convert an empty baking cocoa container into a seasonal delicacy.

The Life Renewal bottle started as a maple syrup bottle.

It's small curved handle was perfect for threading a decorative tassel.

Some dried seed pods and a small piece of pleated fabric top

a trio of individual-sized jelly jars that now contain more deadly ingredients.

I didn't purchase any special products for this project.

A glue stick worked fine for adhering the labels to the glass bottles.

I just wrapped a few strong rubber bands around the bottles overnight

to help the labels conform to the curve of the bottle as the glue dried.
My labels were printed on photo paper which gives
them a crisp professional look but they do need to be coaxed
to curve around the shape of the bottles.

A crystal drawer pull and some black and gold cord transform a plain wine bottle

into a more elegant container for pouring Vampire Blood.

The lovely bottle earmarked for this charming spider wine label isn't quite empty yet.

This tassel to pair with the spider wine label
was a great bargain at only 50 cents from the dollar store.

A small cloth-edged journal was transformed into a reference for the sorceress

to document her successful potions, spells, brews and curses.  

Of course, the back cover needs to provide a warning

in the event this guide falls into inexperienced hands.

Hope you enjoyed a sampling of my not-so-scary apothecary.  

You will find my version of Halloween potion jars include

a dash of sweet and a pinch of elegance.

What else could you expect from a witch with sparkles in her hair?

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining Weekly Link Ups:
Be Inspired at Elizabeth & Co.
Cottage Style Linky at Lavender Garden Cottage
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Moonlight Flight

An antique postcard that features the fantasy of a witch in flight.

The witch and trees are vividly silhouetted against the bright yellow full moon.

If you look closely, spider webs can be seen in the tree tops.

Even though it is nighttime,

the deep blue of the sky is evident

as well as the green field beneath the witch’s flight path.

 

The gold, orange and black block border

adds an additional level of interest to this antique postcard.

Postcard from my personal collection

Marked Whitney Made, Worcester, Massachusetts, Made in U.S.A.

Although this postcard does not bear a stamp or postmark,

it is addressed to Mrs. Sims

and includes a simple greeting penned on the back:

Watch out!!!

 HALLOWEEN 

By Harry Behn

Tonight is the night

When dead leaves fly

Like witches on switches

Across the sky,

When elf and sprite

Flit through the night

On a moony sheen.

Tonight is the night

When leaves make a sound

Like a gnome in his home

Under the ground,

When spooks and trolls

Creep out of holes

Mossy and green.

Tonight is the night

When pumpkins stare

Through sheaves and leaves

Everywhere,

When ghouls and ghost

And goblin host

Dance round their queen.

It's Halloween.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Linking with Potpourri Friday at 2805

Trick-or-Treaters Path

There is a fairly long walk (especially for a child in a hurry to claim their Halloween treat) from the sidewalk to our front porch.  The trick-or-treaters are focused on the treat they will soon receive and don't notice any of the outside plants or decorations.  The adult chaperones for the youngsters may take notice.




The walk leading to the front porch is shades of purple, pink and white thanks to the planting of Ornamental Kale.

These plants are interesting all season but take on their vibrant color when the temperature begin to drop.

















Most of the trees in our yard have dropped their leaves.  But the Japanese Maples still bear their crimson foliage.

A sweet witch, crafted by a local artist, greets visitors at the front door.  She has added spirit to my porch for a number of Halloweens.

The ornamental gourds on her hat have been replaced since the birds keep sampling the fruit.  I'm sure they are surprised when they don't get a tasty morsel after all of their work!

A simple greeting . . .

punctuated by a black cat and a ghost.













The treat!

Which would you choose?















This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.


Linking this week with 
Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Jack O'Lantern Ghost

This little fellow has been reading too many ghost stories.  Just look at the little boy's astonished face as he is surprised by the jack-o-lantern spirit.

Antique postcard from my personal collection.

MAKING JACK O' LANTERNS

Just take a golden pumpkin
 Of quite the largest size,
Cut all 'round the stem, just so,
 Scrape out the inside below,
And cut two holes for eyes.
 And now fix a nose beneath,
 And such a great big mouth with teeth,
 And you've a jack-o'-lantern!


Then fix a tallow candle,
Just big enough to light,
 And when it flickers, see him blink,
 And when it flares up, see him wink
 And smile so broad and bright.
 This is the jolliest sort of a fellow,
With cheery face so round and yellow,
 This funny jack-o'-lantern.


-Anonymous

With thanks to Richard Anderson

 who posted this poem to his vintage Halloween poetry website.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Pumpkins and So Much More

My Halloween decorating style is more sweet than scary.

You will be greeted by a jack-o-lantern -- 

or I should say one of my favorite dolls disguised as a pumpkin.

Her trick-or-treat bag is already full of goodies.

And unlike Little Miss Muffet, she hasn't been frightened away

by the great spider who landed on her pumpkin-top hat.

Harvest angels grace the mantle.

An antique postcard has been framed and shares a prominent spot.

In the kitchen, a Debbie Mumm designed plate features a haunted house.

Seasonal cupcake candles complete the display.

Going outside, the angel theme is repeated
near a decorative fence by the back patio.

And a metal pumpkin welcomes visitors to the pumpkin patch.

These real pumpkins belong to a neighbor.

Their garden is on the other side of the fence.

The pumpkin vines meandered under the fence and the effect looks intentional.

Mother Nature certainly knows how to show off!

I hope you enjoyed the short tour.  Please visit again!

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.


Linking this week with 
Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jeans Decor and More
Show and Tell Friday! at My Romantic Home

Halloween Fantasy - The Witches Dance

This week’s antique postcard is titled “The Witch’s Dance” on the face of the card.   Unlike the romantic postcard highlighted in an earlier post, this artwork features more traditional images of a witch and pumpkins.  However, our ancestors had a more lighthearted view of the holiday. 

You will notice the witch is young, pretty and dressed in stylish red gown.  The pumpkins are given human attributes --frolicking under the bright yellow crescent moon.  And even the black cat joins in the merrymaking in celebration of the magical Halloween holiday.

Vivid autumn colors of orange, green, red and yellow are prominent making the card desirable for collectors of both yesterday and today.

Antique postcard is from my personal collection.
Marked "Halloween" Series Number 980; Postally Unused.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.   Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations. 


Today I am linking with My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday.  Stop over and explore a wealth of interesting articles.

Halloween Lore - Romantic Reflections

During the weeks approaching Halloween, I thought you would enjoy a bit of folklore and Halloween images drawn from a combination of classic mythology and superstition.  One of the most common customs shown on antique postcards depicts a maiden following rituals for a glimpse into the future to identify her future true love.   Unlike today's Halloween traditions, our ancestors viewed Halloween as a romantic holiday.  It is a little known fact that St. Matrimony is the patron saint of Halloween!

Antique Halloween Postcard Marked 876/6.
Postally unused.

Now to see your lover tried and true,
I advise you this to do:
Take a mirror new and bright
In your left hand at Twelve to night
and a lighted candle in your right.



Postcard image from my personal collection


Rhyme from old Halloween postcard as printed in book "Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear" by Diane C. Arkins, copyright 2000.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.   Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.