It's time to let the celebration begin!
Magic is abrewin', and we're just waiting for you to join in...
Tales and gypsy wagons, ghosts from old photographs, cottages in the woods and witches casting spells are all part of what make up this year's magically haunted festivities... (click on images for detail)
Characters from the past greet us, and lead us down dark winding paths, urging the telling of secrets.
You see, the night I shared the gypsy theater wagon with its potions and spells (right here) I invented a wee tale, in order to avoid revealing a vast and spellbinding secret...
I was told by the old woman at the gypsy wagon, who was selling spells and incantations, that I would find the answer to my wildest dreams-
If I followed a dark path into the woods, to an old cottage.
It was very dark, and I walked alone down a path in chilly darkness, until I could see a glowing light in the distance.
I was certain that I was unexpected, and had a feeling I should run, but I seemed entranced by the light...
I can not describe what I saw. And, the only way for you to believe me, is for me to take you down the path with me.
Will you come with me to prove that I wasn't dreaming?
Down the dark path we go. You can almost feel the spells and magic fluttering in the wind, while gentle cold whispers of ghost's secrets dance around your ears.
We are here. Go ahead, take a peek through the window...
Oh goodness me, the witches are busy this evening. I see a girl from 1893, trapped in the crystal ball.
Can you see the witches?
I can.
I am told they are invisible to those who don't believe. Let's be brave and sneak in as soon as the witches leave to tend to their giant cauldron in the forest clearing.
I think they are gone now.
Shhh, quietly, come with me...
The candles flicker as spirits dance, while in the distance the witches chant...
Gather around, shall we try our own spell?
Please don't forget, not a soul we should tell...
You look at me wide eyed as can be, and start to notice, I don't quite look entirely like myself. My eyes grow dark as night, as my hair changes shades. I look at you out of the corner of my eye and raise my left eyebrow so high, it sends chills down your spine.
I snap my fingers, and orbs of magic fill the air. Can you feel me standing, right behind your chair?
Yes, you guessed right, this cottage is mine ~ and I will cast a spell for you for a mere Transylvanian dime...
Wait, are you sure I am me? Or am I a 300 year old witch, pretending to be V?
You'll never know my pretty. But I will tell you this, the last man who crossed me, was turned into...
A dancing puppet ;)
Alas, that is another tale for another night. (my sister brought me the puppet man from London, which I cut out and put together. But, there was no credit to the artist on the package - however I have since found out that the artist is Lindsey Carr, whose work I was already familiar with on Etsy, funny little world!)
On this night, we shall twirl and play, because truth be told, you can't fool me, I can see those shoes you're wearing are extra pointy ~
Come on, don't be shy, we know you are wearing your exquisite striped stockings ;)
So, light a skull and make wish, then set it free into the night sky. For tonight is the night that wishes really do come true...
Who shall play us a tune as we mingle? Come now, let's dance around the room...
And twirl in our spooky layered frocks!
Let's welcome the ghosts of all those faces in photographs on the wall...
But, be warned...
It's nights like these, where anything can happen...
Do share your spell, for that other-worldly brew. The one that makes us 15 years younger with each sip, won't you?
Come with me, and I shall teach you how to turn into a bird.
You can't imagine how handy that can be, for over hearing conversations and such.
Let's consult the great book...
Oh, what do we have here?
A lock of hair from the man someone loves. Beware of love spells, I say...
Oh me, oh my! What is that, that I hear? Is it the real witches, getting near? (They won't like to know that we have been snooping around their spells)
Or have the faces in the photographs come to life?
I think we must hurry up, and try to hide. I do think that when the witches are not around, the photograph faces serve as the witches eyes...
We have got to get out of here, can you hear them cackle?? Quick, take a pinch of this, and a pinch of that, and put it in your satchel. We stayed too long engulfed in dance and play!
Just touching these magic ingredients is making me feel strange. I feel quite sleeeeeeepy, don't you?
We sneak out just in time, but I can only get as far as a tree, and find myself in the deepest sleep...
The next morning, I awake and find myself in a mossy little cove with a beautiful cherry blossom tree hovering above.
Why, I knew it was just a dream.
There is no such place, as where we dreamed we had been. Witches and ghosts, hogwash, silly tales...
Come with me. I will take you back to the cottage.
Go ahead. Look through the window and tell me what you see...
Oh my goodness, it was not a dream at all!
The spells are alive, the cottage is real! In fact...
Spells and magic await your fancy ~
Although, there is one thing the old gypsy woman said, through a bit of a scary giggle...
I must try to remember her words...
I think she said that, once you enter this hauntingly magical world...
You might never be able to leave...
Even if you want to...
So, of spells and incantations~
You must beware...
Or you might find yourself...
Entranced, beyond compare...
But for now, we cast a spell to be incandescently merry...
As we take flight, to other hauntingly magical party destinations...
My friends, it has been my honor and pleasure to host this year's magically haunted event (in my transformed gallery). How I wish you were really here to frolic and play under the starry Arizona sky, and see the gallery in person.
Thank you ever so much for your participation and moral support ;) Here is a link to last year's event in the garden, and Shroom Nog toasts to hopes for another haunted celebration in 2010 ;)
Pointy hats and pointy shoes, blackened feathers and witches brew, Bwahahahahaaaaa! It's time to PLAY!!! Midnight Margaritas!!!
You can visit my on-line shop for many spooky goodies and images seen in this post ;)
♥,V
ps: Everyone is invited to this party, whether they hosted an event or not ;) But, if you did host an event, do leave your party link with your comment, because it will stay here for blog eternity, and the sidebar list will disappear in a week or so. Love, V
pss: Hi friends!! It is Saturday, 11:35 a.m. and I am finally here! I went to bed at 4 a.m., so my broom is now just getting dusted off.... Let's Party!! I am off to start my visits with those who have commented, see you sooooon ;)
psss: UPDATE ~ Hi there! I have updated this post with more spooky photos. Last night as I was working on photos the power went off for a mere split second and I lost much work for the festivities. However, I spent the better part of today recovering them, so you could truly enjoy the celebration (I might add more as the weekend unravels). I need a cocktail now ;)
pssss: Happy Sunday!!! As far as I am concerned, the party is still on today!! I am armed with coffee and orange juice and making visits!
