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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

This Is Halloween, This Is Halloween. . . .

This is Halloween, this is Halloween. . . .


Ever since meeting our daughter Anne for lunch on Saturday, and having her tell us that, while sewing costumes for a production of The Crucible, she kept quietly singing that song from The Nightmare Before Christmas . . . the tune has been running through my head. Over and over.

I am hoping to exorcise it by passing it on to all of you. Click on the YouTube video at the end of the post, if you dare! Boo!

But certainly click on the blog party links that are below, for plenty to read. Everyone seems inspired by this time of year. I have decided to stop mourning summer, and put my game face on.




It is Second Time Around Tuesday, at Dianne's blog, A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words.

I've got a vase from Goodwill to show you. I love it; hope you will, too!








I try and join Tam's Three Or More Tuesday meme each week, as I enjoy figuring out what I have three or more of!

Today I'm showing off three sets of autumn candles I put together to use in tablesettings and vignettes later this week.
Check back to spot them.


Go the The Gypsy's Corner and take a look at what others are doing and collecting, in threes or mores!



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What is it about Dollar Tree? I lose all perspective in there. A few days ago, I zoomed my cart around the store and grabbed some $1 items to use in Halloween and Autumn decorating and tablescaping.

I found this star-shaped glass piece at Dollar Tree, and had to do something with it.
It's heavy, lovely glass! Go get one, or six. They will be wonderful at Christmas.


These candle holders, below, look so much like bar glasses, like double old-fashioneds.
They would look wonderful on the buffet table at a cocktail hour.
They are heavy glass, stable, and I am looking forward to scattering them on a Fall table, using some plates I got the same day.


Ah, a fishbowl.
These can be found at Michaels and similar stores, but they are only a buck at DT!


I'm thinking that at Thanksgiving, cranberries or nuts
may take the place of the sand or candy corn in some of these candles.

Each candle or grouping is shown with Fall napkins I sewed (technically, serged) years ago when my girls were small. They loved having crazy napkins at dinner, and I enjoyed making them.


Not fine linen, not vintage (well, almost, I guess!), but great fun.

The decorative sand is also at DT. I broke my own rule of "nothing edible from Dollar Tree," and bought the candy corn there. But I'm not eating it. :-)

Do you know they sell pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree?
Can you imagine that conversation? "Honey, are you sure?"

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I don't only shop at Dollar Tree.
Sometimes I go to Goodwill.

On my last trip there, I found this vase:

It's a creamy white, in excellent condition except for a tiny crack on one side.
I am not sure if it is a manufacturing flaw. You really don't notice it unless you look for it.

Anyone familiar with this maker?


Now here's what I did with it.


Yesterday I used floral bushes bought at Dollar Tree. I am not always so cheap.
For this vase, I bought two floral bushes at A.C. Moore. Half price. Four bucks each.
Last of the big-time spenders, that's me.


Now, even I -- the world's biggest Dollar Tree fan -- have to admit that these flowers are nicer.
And if I'd spent more, they'd be nicer still. Some faux -- the hand made, silk ones -- are stunning.


How did I make this arrangement?
Well . . . I took the bushes out of the bag, and stuck them both in the vase.


Yeah. My moment of truth. I didn't even take off the price tags!


Well, now this is interesting. While I was waiting for my pics to upload, I checked out Haeger Potteries.
They've been in business for 134 years in Illinois, and do a big business
supplying vases to florists, in addition to retail products.

So, I wonder who took home roses to his sweetie in this vase?
Hope the vase didn't leak from the crack.

Here it is . . . the video of This Is Halloween. Beware; the tune may get stuck in your brain. And then it may EAT IT. -- Cass

33 comments:

  1. Loved your posting..the photos of the mosiacs..the candles..everything looks so pretty.

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  2. Your "new" candles look great. I've used sand, coffee beans, oatmeal, candy -you name it- as fillers. You did a great job filling your vase! Love the colors and the fullness of it all. No way I needed another song dancing in my head- thanks a lot, toots! tee hee
    cool mosaics, too...
    hugs, Sue

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  3. Thanks Cass for being another "me" leaving those darn price tags on the flowers, I can never find them.
    Loving all the great halloween candle ideas!!! Candy corn is always beautiful...saw a girl last year with her nails painted like candy corn!!!

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  4. Love Tim Burton! You are always such a joy to read!

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  5. I don't know if I understand all your technical details you used to make your flower arrangements - would you repeat them again. :-D
    It all looks great - you did good. I really like the way you did the candles. It is amazing what you can find at DT when you are not even looking for it. Nope - I won't listen to that song - no way! I hate it when I get a song in my head and can't stop thinking about it. I can't carry a tune in a tin bucket anyway.

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  6. Are you familiar with the song that doesn't end? It just goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it together for fun but they'll continue singing it forever just because it is the song that doesn't end. It just goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it together....HA! SEE IF YOU CAN GET THAT ONE OUT OF YOUR HEAD. TROUBLEMAKER.
    Is it a bad thing when you go to Dollar Tree but you spend $100?
    I didn't, I'm just asking.

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  7. small world...I picked up a big white haeger vase at my goodwill yesterday...we don't have AC Moore but I like the fake bloom idea for winter

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  8. I don't know if I could not eat the candy. But since it is not Choc. I might be able to stay away. Candy corn is one of very few candies I will eat that is not choc. LoL! every thing looks great. The Vase is so pretty and the flowers good job .

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  9. Oh, that Lori cracks me up!!

    Ahem...Cool post. You covered a lot of ground. Love, love, love the candle holder ideas. Sue added more ideas for fillers. I have to go to the Dollar Tree now, those glass stars are too much to pass up...Christmas, July 4th...

    Also love the vase and flowers. It is amazing how as you go up in price, the more real they look!! lol!! Who taught you how to make such elaborate displays??

    xoxo
    Janie

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  10. I just had my husband bring back some candy corn to decorate with and now you have given me a good idea. I love the dollar store too for finding some wonderful bargains.
    Joyce

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  11. Hi Cass, love all your votives, they are so versatile, and your white Haeger vase is gorgeous. I have a couple of pieces. Love it!
    I'd forgotten the cute Halloween song, yes, it could really get stuck in there!
    Have a great week!
    Debra

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  12. LOVED your post today. And you just GOTTA love Goodwill. What would my house be without it? Just a bunch of fluffy furballs wisping around corners, and yes, Cass, you are right!... in this season, more leaves INside than outside. Good idea about the leafblower. Honestly I would DO IT if not for the gasoline smell that would linger in the house!!!
    But, I DO LOVE MY DAWGS!
    Thanks for visiting. :-)

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  13. oh my gosh, this is going to be a long comment, sorry!
    First of all, every time I come here, I am in awe of your house!
    second, candle holders are just so darn cute! I was wondering as I was reading, how much of the candy corn you ate, cause I would have had to munch on some DT or not!
    thirdly, New Jersey friends are great! It's just that I get tons and tons of hits from TX. :)
    thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
    oh yeah, I love the vase too!
    gail

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  14. Happy Fall at your place. Cute scarecrow to showcase your post today. Great white vase with a bit of history...don't ya wish you knew.
    As for the fur collars, I think jeans with a sweater and a vintage beaded collar would work great. Let's do it!!!
    Happy Tuesday Blessings ;-)

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  15. Your Haeger vase is worth a nice price ... it is not the really old Haeger but it is lovely. Love your creative style & wonderful finds.

    Have a warm wonderful week. TTFN ~Marydon

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  16. Haegar Potteries not located about 5 minutes from my house. It's the oldest working pottery still in existence in the US. Love all their designs and I'm a regular customer and have been for years.

    They recently started making clay bareware and I love it!

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  17. Dollar Tree, Goodwill, and Habitat are some of my haunts..and any place that says "Thrift"!
    I am too scared to watch the video; maybe one day!
    Misha

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  18. Love your Dollar Tree purchases! The candy corn looks so festive as filler!!! :D Jewel

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  19. All your vignettes are very attractive. Your large home is a wonderful setting for your decor ideas!

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  20. Gee, I can't thank you enough :)I had never seen the video or heard that song. I have a very impressionable brain....This is Halloween..this is ...this is... :)

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  21. Hello Neighbor~ Thank you for your kind words about Mio Papa (My Daddy). No matter how old I am, I will always be Daddy's Little Girl. I can't believe you're living in my dream house. Are you on the South Shore around Jamesport by any chance? Love your candle displays.

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  22. Thanks for posting the video.. Halloween, for as long as I can remember has always been my favorite celebration of the year. It's so much fun to see the trick or treaters at the door all dressed up.

    Di

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  23. I collect Haeger pottery. I started years ago when I found my first piece in a thrift store. I couldn't afford McCoy but I could readily find Haeger. Now however, others have caught on and you can't find it as cheap.

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  24. Wow, everything looks great. I really need, or should I say want, to get to the new Dollar Tree store that opened on my courner a couple weeks ago. I have sort of been boycotting it because it took the place of my favorite Italian Market but your post is tempting me.

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  25. Very cool! I stopped at the Many Dollar Tree yesterday after I went to The Christmas Tree Shop...OY!
    I have bought hot sauce from $ Tree, it was fine, no one died!
    I like what you did with your purchases!

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  26. Ooh if I were at your house those candy corns would be so GONE - I love the candle arrangements you made! And your lipstick comment made me crack up. What is it with guys and lipstick? Ay yi yi. Have a good one Cass!

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  27. great post and blog. i like the candy corn with the candles!

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  28. what a fun post. So many things, I don't know where to start. I won't buy my kids toy's at the dollar stores because they fall apart quickly or never work....a pregnancy test that only costs a dollar...now that's scary!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  29. Such a great post! The pictures, your humor, your creativity (not to mention your bargain shopping) all came together to make a great post! (Are you being paid by $ Tree?!!) Good advertising! laurie

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  30. Hi Cass!

    Oh, I just love everything! It still amazes me how far Dollar Stores have come. They are really starting to pick up the pace and do some copycat things from larger retailers not too mention, much more expensive retailers. I love it!

    Have a great day!

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  31. First time visiting your site from Big Black Dog blog and I will return. I love the D T too! Ours has some awesome glass, hand painted Christmas ornaments that I have tons of now. I did not see any last year, I guess they figured I had enough!
    I see the pregnancy tests and wonder the same thing. haha.
    I do buy my reading glasses there. Great read and I love your house.

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  32. Thanks for that song worm, Cass - or at least I think I mean 'thanks'!
    Love your DT flair and wish we had one here. I may just copy your sand and candy corn though as it all looks great.

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  33. Hi Cass,
    Thanks for your encouraging words, times are going to be tough but our faith is tougher :)

    I love the dollar store, in fact I'm off there today. Great idea for the candle holders, the star shape one is lovely.

    Have a great week.

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