Enchanted Revelries: April 2017

It’s quite an exciting moment when you find that mysterious, abandoned house you’ve been stalking on the internet over the years– never quite certain whether it even really, truly exists– finally appearing on a realtor’s listing, announcing its officially going up for sale. The Howey mansion in Florida is a bit of local legend, built by the 1920s citrus tycoon William Howey who once hired the entire New York Civic Opera Company to entertain 15,000 guests, who arrived in a parade of 4,000 automobiles at the mansion’s gates in 1927. For nearly two decades, the 20-room Mediterranean Revival style mansion has sat empty, deteriorating in central Florida just outside the town that Howey founded and named after himself.

Before we begin our tour, I thought it might be appropriate to set the mood with an excerpt from Charles Dicken’s magnificent novel Great Expectations, describing Pip’s entrance into the mysterious and decaying home of Miss Havisham…

“We came to Miss Havisham’s house, which was of old brick, and dismal, and had a great many iron bars to it. Some of the windows had been walled up; of those that remained, all the lower were rustily barred… we went across the courtyard. It was paved and clean, but grass was growing in every crevice… We went into the house by a side door, the great front entrance had two chains across it outside,—and the first thing I noticed was, that the passages were all dark, and that she had left a candle burning there… we went through more passages and up a staircase, and still it was all dark, and only the candle lighted us…. In an arm-chair, with an elbow resting on the table and her head leaning on that hand, sat the strangest lady I have ever seen, or shall ever see… I began to understand that everything in the room had stopped, like the watch and the clock, a long time ago.”

William John Howey was the developer of the largest citrus empire in the world at the time. He started buying land in New Haven. Florida as early as 1914 and by 1920, had amassed 60,000 acres.

He bought the land for $8 to $10 per acre and sold at $800 to $2000 per acre. He offered a no-risk guarantee to prospective buyers promising that he would buy back the land for the original cost plus interest if their citrus trees did not turn a profit within a set amount of time.

Buyers flocked to the area and Howey built accommodation, hotels and housing for his new investors, growing a thriving community he called “the town of Howey”, which later officially became Howey-in-the-Hills in 1925. He even served as Mayor until 1936.

Howey is buried in the mausoleum that can be found at the back of the house. He died young of a heart attack in 1938 at the age of 62, but his wife went on to live at the house for another 43 years until her death in 1981. The town’s most treasured house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but sold soon after to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Zona, who purchased the home for $400,000.

The fate of the house would turn when the mistress of the house was widowed in 2000. To pay for her husband’s failing health, Marvel Zona had taken out a reverse mortgage to pay her a fixed income for life. As her own health began to fail, she hoped to leave the property to the town as a museum, but county officials deemed it not eligible for state historic preservation grant funds due to the fact that it was privately owned.

In 2005, an ageing Mrs. Zona was approached by some real estate schemers who convinced her to take a bad loan. Within two years, the Howey mansion went into foreclosure and Mrs. Zona was living in a nursing home.

As the house fell into serious disrepair, the scheming parties who had the house tied up wouldn’t settle for less than $2 million (which didn’t include the estimated 1 million dollar renovation bill needed to bring the mansion into the 21st century).

Police were constantly called to the property over reports of trespassers– mostly curious locals and history buffs hoping to get a glimpse inside of the legendary Howey Mansion.

The house, now owned by the bank, was opened up in 2010 for an estate sale where locals could purchase one of Howey’s 1930s chandeliers for about $20, among other treasures. The Howey Mansion still remains a time capsule however, even with a vintage intercom system still installed and most of the home’s original historic features.

Some claim the property is haunted, but that hasn’t stopped a flurry of interested buyers coming forward since the dilapidated gem hit the market. After being stuck in financial limbo for the past couple of years, the Howey Mansion is now officially for sale with an asking price of $480,000. Let’s not forget about the million dollar renovation expenses, but could it be worth cutting a few corners on the gardening bills? You’ve gotta love that haunting Miss Havisham look of the wild, overgrown grass and the vines crawling over nearly every surface of the house. Actually, I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you'd enjoy living in this historic mansion, you can find the real estate listing here ... and be sure to invite me to the housewarming! And if you can’t afford a real-life Miss Havisham mansion, stay tuned for next week, you might settle for a miniature one that that we're going to tour some treasures from!

Special thanks to "Abandoned in Florida," Messy Nessa, and Realtor.com

Until then, go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´

(¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

Jon's latest book just arrived! It will be available in bookstores June1!

When Leslie from Alpha Stamps contacted me about doing a special project for the new Graphic 45 paper line "Midnight Masquerade," I jumped at the chance - I love the colors in this paper collection, and the nostalgic 1930's images appealed to my sense of nostalgia and romance. I also knew nothing could give me the permission to indulge my love of over-embellishment like a masquerade! I decided to make a series of photo/memory albums of different styles and sizes.

The first one, which ended up being the largest (9" x 11") I made from a basic chipboard base and covered with the beautiful Graphic 45 papers. I used a plain, inexpensive half mask from the dollar store and went to town decorating it. I also used lots of mulberry paper flowers, ribbon, Relics and Artifacts Rhinestone Chain, and Artchitectures Feathers from Alpha Stamps.

Like all the photos, if you would like to see a larger photo to see details, just click the photo and you'll get a larger image.

I loved the dangling chains and strands of elaborately decorated beads with charms and decorations that embellish the spine of the album. They all hang from the Alpha Stamps lion head door handle. (Just a tip, screws do not come with this door handle, but there is a threaded hole in the back. To ensure strength, I took my lion head door handle to the hardware shop and found the perfect screw to use to attach the piece to the spine. Even through the heavy weight chipboard, several layers of paper and the binding system, my Crop-O-Dile went through like it was warm butter!)

The first 'spread' utilizes a paper-lace embellished belly band which holds 5 or 6 photo mats that will accommodate 6" x 8" and small photos or mementos. It is embellished with Sun Large Metal Filigree ornament and a Simple Silver Mask Charm which I heat enameled with Iced Resin Enamels (I love the way the dark crystals make the charm look old and worn!) The other side is embellished with more paper flowers, a handmade butterfly of waxed paper, a vintage piece of jewelry from my stash and lots of carnival masquerade color beads, large and small! Alpha Stamps has over 200 wonderful choices of beads - shop to your heart's content!

I had to go light on the embellishment and decoration on this next spread. I knew I was going to be taking up valuable 'real estate' room when I chose to turn the right side page into hidden 'door' behind which were stored five photo/journaling/memory tags. I loved the surprised of finding new places to display mementos, which you can see in the photo below!

I owe a debt of thanks to Kathy Orta King from Paper Phenomenon for designing two fabulous ideas that I use all the time now that I've discovered them. The first is the 'faux' storage envelope. So many albums use envelopes to store loose photos and mementos, and I find they get just get forgotten about - and add bulky bulges to your album. Kathy created this terrific idea of making a page that looks like an envelope, but really isn't! As you can see in the photo below, when you open the flap, it's really another flip/fold, and hiding inside are more photo mats and a large mat that can be left as it or used for up to a 7"x9" photo! Such a clever and attractive idea! Again, I kept the embellishments to a minimum to save space. Though on the envelope flap, I did create a masquerade couple in a bezel layered under Ice Resin and finished with a gold tassel that I'm quite fond of ... also lots more paper flowers

While I'm thanking Kathy at Paper Phenomenon I also want to thank her for pointing out to me the way people have changed taking photos in the past couple of years. For quite awhile, everybody was taking photos with their digital cameras, so most of their photos were landscape orientation (wide and short) and we needed photo mats that would accommodate photos in that proportion. Now, however, more people are taking photos with their phones, which means their photos are portrait orientation (narrow and tall), so there are more photo mats required in that style. I use a combination of both - and, of course, photos can be cropped to any size you like anyway. But I thought it was a great piece of insight!

I really like this pocket. It's extra deep and, though I have five photo mats in it, it will handle more with ease and not cause the book to bulge. The pocket itself is a 'fussy cut' (I hate that term - I always feel like I should be wearing a lace granny cap and half spectacles) image from one of the paper collection signature images. Also!, notice that gorgeous piece of purple glimmer paper on the little photo pamphlet I made in the front - isn't that color so luscious you want to eat it!

The center spread is a double image of the same page. It's a paper lace decorated pocked, embellished with Arts and Relics Rhinestones Chain, Brass Mask with Scalloped Edge, more paper flowers, and silk screened feathers and some old jewelry from my stash.

A simple spread with a large silk flower from my stash which will enhance any photo placed on that page (it is only affixed in the upper left corner, so the photo will slide under the bottom right of the flower.) The other side has two portrait style photo mats, which are reversible, as seen below.

This large page will hold up to a 7" x 9" photo. The corners are trimmed in bronze filigree corner ornaments.

I love this left page with its vintage ornate faux jewels, sparkly paper and elaborate stunning imported embroidery trim. The jewelry is only adhered at the top, so a photo will easily slide under the bottom edge of the metal to embellish the photo. The right side page has an ornately die cut pocket which will hold a large photo mat, and there is a pocket which holds two (or more) photo mats behind it.

I decided it was time for another 'faux' envelope, and this time faced it with two landscape-style mats. The flap is, again, embellished with lots of papers flowers and some decorations that I created from some bits and bobs from my stash.

Inside the envelope, again, are hidden photo tags, this time larger, trimmed in Gold Stickles, and a bit more ornately shaped ... they make me smile because they remind me of the shape of the lady's hair!

This spread features a large space for a photo layout, one large photo, a memento, or favorite poem. The facing page has a three page portrait-style 'waterfall' page which will accommodate up to six photos. The ornamentation is a chipboard piece from the paper collection, more paper roses, Prills micro-mini-beads, and a vintage piece of jewelry from my stash.

Here are two landscape-style mats facing my favorite image from the portrait collection. I embellished the masquerade lovers with another waxed paper butterfly, some ribbon, lots of flowers, peacock feathers, feathers, miniature hyacinth and a crystal brooch from my stash. Tip: The orange roses at Alpha Stamps are the only ones I could find anywhere that came close to coordinating with this paper line!!! And, to beat that, they also have the most adorable teensy tiny orange rose buds that match them!

More space for photos - notice that stunning reproduction Antique Bronze Fan Charm on the left page - charming! All of the text images are from the paper collection sticker sheet.

The final page spread is another 'faux envelope, facing a back page with a belly band, decorated with a paper collection chipboard embellishment, feathers and flowers. It holds a red glittered festive photo mat - and there is room for lots more! The flap on the envelope is decorated with lots of flowers that have been 'glitzed' up using liquid gold leaf on the edges.

Inside the envelope are more 'hiding' photo tags - this time a page of six - and a facing page that will hold up to a 6" x 8" photo - or embellish your album just as it is - she is pretty spiffy, isn't she?!

Before I started my next project, I took a little tour of my album and took some shots of my favorite embellishments and decorations and mini-collages...

After that album, I made the decision that I needed a break and should make something a little smaller and not quite so time-consuming. I work for myself. I can make those decisions. 😊

I decided to create a small staggered wallet / brag book / pocket folio / something-or-other that would be cool. By staggered, I knew that I wanted the pages to be all different heights and widths. I gave myself a challenge - of course, only I would know if I actually followed it - but I did! I made the whole thing from one piece of paper! (Not including the decorative paper on top, of course.).

The one thing I hadn't planned on was the amount of space it was going to take up when I started stuffing this little booklet (it's only 4 1/2" x 7"!), so it required a beautiful piece of vintage wrinkly gold silk French ribbon to hold it closed. I think that was a happy mistake!

The front page is 3"x5" with a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" overlay. On the panel I added a 3"x5" panel with a paper collection image layered under Ice Resin and surrounded with assorted beads in the festive colors of the paper collection. I added a white feather to which I glued some silver glitter, some of the paper collection cut-apart 'stamps' and a rhinestone embellishment. I added the tiniest flowers from Alpha Stamps. And finally, I add an ATC mask from the ATC Mask Set which I outlined with 3D relief paint, painted with fantasy paints, embellished with seed beads and a few flat back rhinestones, and added a few paper streamers.

The second and third pages are 3"x5" and 3 1/2" x 6" respectively. The second page has a thin tie of silk ribbon which will hold several business card sized photos or cards (or a little larger). I have four in it now, and it could still take three or four more. The third page is a pocket, which could hold photos, mementos, tickets, poems - ata the moment, I have two 'fancy' envelopes with enclosures and a plain white tag in it. It is is embellished with a chipboard images from the paper collection, ribbon, small flowers, and a delightful teeny tiny masquerade mask!

The fourth page is 6"x3 1/2" and the last page is 5"x7". I put two pairs of waterfall sets on the fourth page. As you can see in the photo directly under it, there are bands to hold photos in place under each 'page' of the water fall. The front of each waterfall is decorated with a rhinestone embellishment. The final page is a pock which holds several postcards, a tag, and a photo mat. It is embellished with another chipboard image from the paper collection. More flowers, some ribbon, and another one of those teeny tiny masquerade masks finish off the pocket.

Here is the entire 'album' standing open on its own. As it's made from 1 piece of paper, it's obviously 12" wide, though measures shorter when 'zig zagged' to stand on its own.

This is the back of the album. I covered with various papers from the paper collection, and think they'll make a terrific spot to showcase another grouping of photos!

Well, I had a jolly good time with that one! So much fun, in fact, I decided to make another small and less elaborate album! Of course, 'less elaborate' from the Glitter King is not necessarily the same thing as 'less elaborate' from a more moderate artisan! 💫

This album is a simple 6"x6" album with no spine. The pages are created so that they actually act as a binding by themselves. Although, I personally prefer a spine and binding system, this is certainly a fast technique for a quick gift that won't take a week to make!

My front cover is one of the Midnight Masquerade papers and has been outlined with pearl and rhinestone rosary chain. An image from the paper collection has been inserted into a fanciful silver frame which I have embellished with clear rhinestones. I've also used white fabric flowers and various size beads. The finishing touch is the stunning Large Fancy Silver Mask Charm from Alpha Stamps. It's a beautifully detailed and almost 2" wide, not to mention, absurdly reasonably priced!

This album used one pieced of paper for each 'double' page spread - no cutting! Just fold, glue, and fill with your favorite photos, or mementos.

I have used some papers from my stash to coordinated with the Graphic 45 Midnight Masquerade paper collection. I wanted, of course, for the Masquerade papers to be the focal point - but I liked the idea of a few surprises here and there.

Each of these pages uses one of the chipboard images from the paper collection. There are also lots of paper flowers used that the links were given in the above album descriptions.

My final album for this series is a book which was designed based on the Graphic 45 Deep Rectangle Matchbox Book and the Graphic 45 Rectangle Tag and Pocket Album. I knew all the embellishment and decoration had to be on the outside of the rectangular box, and almost everything inside the box would have to be flat, as there was no extra "real estate" to allow expansion - if the album got much thicker than it already is, it simply wouldn't fit back into it's matchbox book. So, this was challenging - and a lot of fun!

I started the Matchbox by painting all the corners with Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint - True Gold - oh, I love this paint! I then covered the top with rhinestone mesh so that the entire surface was a sea of sparkle! Sweeper Fringe was then run around the window opening of the box. Check out the different color combinations available - gorgeous! I used some silver glitter on white feathers and filled a 2 Inch Glass Bottle with seed beads and specialty beads in the same colors as the paper collection. A lot of paper flowers were used and really help to give an extravagant vision. Finally, I used an ATC mask from the Mask Set - ATC Size, outlined the basic areas and free-handed a few decorative spots with gold Cerne Relief, painted with two colors of Fantasy and Moon paints and installed a metal filigree ball.

When the box is slid open, the bottom stores a 7"x9"x3 1/2" photo album

I used various elements from the different designs from the paper collection to create a small collage-like cover. As previously mentioned, everything had to be flat, so that no depth was created.

These are the photos of each of the pages. They are all constructed the same way (the album is already constructed. Every other page has a pocket and in one pocket there is a white tag. I chose not to add any paper to the tag, so that any additional depth would be made with photos installed in the album. I chose to use a black tag on the opposite side of the page, which had been left empty by the company,

I have used some flowers for decoration, but all very flat, and not adding depth.

Thanks for spending time with me and my Midnight Masquerade! If you'd like to create your own Midnight Masquerade album (or other of the fab crafty arts projects that have been presented by the design team this week!), here is my supply list. Hope you have a great artisan day!

Now go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´

(¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥

ALPHA STAMP SUPPLY LIST

Midnight Masquerade 12"x12" Pad

Midnight Masquerade Patterns and Solids 12"x12" Pad

Midnight Masquerade 8"x8" Pad

Midnight Masquerade Journaling Tags

Midnight Masquerade Cardstock Tags and Pockets

Midnight Masquerade Decorative Chipboard

Midnight Masquerade Ephemera Cards

Deep Rectangle Matchbox Box