The Last Rose of Summer ...

Before I begin, can I please ask all my lovely blogger friends who have the drop down i.d. menu on their blogs to adjust their settings, so that those of us who are on certain macs can leave comments! All you have to do is go into your settings and switch from "registered users" to "anyone" who can leave a post. Those of us who love your work and your blogs and can't comment because of the "registered users" drop down i.d. menu will appreciate it! If I was always a regular poster on your blog, and you've noticed I've stopped, that is more than likely the reason! There are lots of us out here!

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This morning, as I was taking Dusty for his morning constitutional (don't you just love that expression?!), I was feeling rather melancholy that autumn seems to be flying by so quickly and that the temperatures and precipitation exhibit a rapidly approaching winter. Then, I discovered an incredibly brave and determined rose bud, intent on making his appearance before the snow flurries begin. The rose bush has been pruned and mulched and 'strung' to withstand the avalanche of snows on their way - but this little bud wasn't having any of it. It looks as if frost has nipped a bit of it - but it's still going, and I'm rooting for him to make his appearance before the guillotine of winter strikes him down! I'll keep my eye on him each morning on my walk. If he succeeds, I'll post a photo of the industrious lad in full bloom!

I finished the third (and last) of the large circus commissions. I really liked the colors used in this one - they seemed very rich and elegant and olde world. In person, it's much more sparkling and shimmery. My photography skills seem to get worse as the days go on, not better! Hmmm. Maybe I'm regressing to - never mind, I don't want to go there.
I was the lucky lucky winner of this fab Halloween decoration by The Gourd Queen, Linda Kennon, at the Spooky Time Jingles blog giveaway. Isn't she fantastic?! I just love her. You should always check out Spooky Time Jingles...fabulous artists - and they do so many giveaways of really lovely things! Of course, you can buy things there as well. I've been known to do so. And, I hope to continue to do so! My special Gourd Queen witch ornament is going to be out for Hallowe'en, but I'm fairly certainly she's going to hang on a Christmas tree as well!
How about these beauties?! One of my readers sent them to me (the photos, not the chairs!); her boss has asked her to sell them for him. I don't have space for them. And they live quite far away from me. But, if anybody is interested, especially if you're near Bel Air, California! please contact Cassandra at cassandra@dragonbooks.com . I can see with new upholstery, gimp, a little buillion fringe maybe?, that these would be knockouts! I would love to seem them flanking a regency fireplace!
I have been the humble recipient of three awards this week. Wow. Three! Now, I'm not going to pull a Sally Fields, but I do want to thank Christine Rose Elle, Anne, and Lenna. Your thoughtfulness is very appreciated ... you made my day - all three of them! Thank you!



Frankly, I'm not sure if this is a rendition of Marie Antoinette after a rough night at the gaming tables, or a vision of Titania after her rough night with Bottom. Either way, it's a pretty remarkable wig, isn't it?
I was feeling a little art deco-y this week, and found some swell pieces at some of my favorite auction sites. I always ooh and aah and save these images, as the expected prices are more than my car cost. But I enjoy them nonetheless!

This South American vitrine/bar is exquisite! Such wonderful style - elegant and yet still simple and almost whimsical. I think my collection of art glass paper weights would look so much better in this piece than in the Bombay Company showcase where they presently reside!

Swim gracefully and carry a large lamp. I thought these French deco mermaids were just delightful - until I read about them and realized they were almost 6 feet tall!!! That surpasses delightful - that heads straight into bizarre-o town! And I love it! Just how large would your hallway have to be to accommodate six feet tall sconces?!

Oh, those Swedes! They were making fab stuff long before IKEA made its way around the world! These stained beechwood burl and carved wool upholstered chairs are terrific. I can see them being incorporated in the Blakeman abode with no problem whatsoever! And best of all, they actually look comfortable! Don't get me wrong. I'm certainly willing to sacrifice comfort for style - yes, Mother, I'm just that shallow - but it's especially nice when one can be stylish and comfortable!Another French art deco lighting fixture. This chandelier is designed after a splashing water fountain. I love the stark stylized art deco rendering of water spilling and splashing out of the fountain! This one is actually an understandable size! But I have to admit, as much as I like this piece, I like my crystal chandeliers to have danglies sparkling.
This Czech asymmetrical crystal art deco vase is magnificent. I want to fill it with black Anthuriums! So, so, chíc!
And, before leaving the art deco world, want to take a short side trip to the bathroom of my dreams? Get a load of that mural! - or rather - those murals. Those murals that surround the fireplace in the bathroom of my dreams. sigh.

I just ran across this book and thought it was especially pretty. I am crazy for that Robin's Egg Blue color. I wish they would still make beautiful book covers. Now when you take off a dust cover (which isn't usually all that special anyway), the book itself looks like an old encyclopedia. Okay, Roz may say 'no thanks' to a Hallowe'en cocktail. But not me...

I want one of these luscious looking Black Devil Martinis. They are made with dark rum, black olive garnish, and orange sugar on the rim. Actually, that's not true. I don't want one. I want all three of them!Okay, a little drum roll, if you please ...
I announced a while back that when I hit 250 followers, I would have another giveaway ... and, I'm afraid I've been neglectful, as the member list now has over 260. So, as promised ...

An Enchanted Revelry Give-Away!

First prize for the giveaway, will be Holly Harrison's book Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and other Adventures in Bookmaking. I guess I really like it - I have two of them. So the new one is the first giveaway prize.
And the second prize (as in one of two, not second best LOL), is a calligraphy dip pen by the British purveyor of fine writing goods, Stuart Houghton.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on THIS post. If you snag this button and post it on your own blog sidebar, I will enter you a second time (you'll have to let me know you've done it!). And, if you mention the giveaway in a post on your blog, I'll enter you a third time! (again, you'll have to let me know you've done this!).

On November 4th, I'll use the Random Number Generator to pick two names. Thanks for helping me celebrate my 260 followers!

Well, this was a fun visit...but I really must get back to my real job. Sitting on sewer pipes in my terry cloth shower shorts. Those pipes can't do it alone!
I hope you've enjoyed our visit - and that something has inspired you. Now, go make something beautiful!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥