As promised yesterday... a peek into my parlor! It's all about the mantle.
Chills ran down my spine when I was rummaging in the attic and came across this old portrait. I vaguely recall it is my great great (great?) grandmother and her sister, and it came from my grandmother's house. It was damaged in the move, and had been stashed away and long forgotten.
Now it holds the place of honor above the fireplace. The rips in the canvas are wonderfully creepy looking, and perfect for a Halloween mantle. The frame was too strong a gold, so I gave it quick coat of black glaze.
And I looked up Mary Howitt's little poem, here's the first verse...
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,
"Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the Fly, "to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
My favorite thing to work with is cheesecloth! Found it in the creepiest of places... the sewing section at Walmart! (cue scary music) Tulle is another big fave, now I wish I'd bought tons more. You can make anything seem sinister just by wrapping it in black tulle and tying with black satin ribbon.
Counting down... less than a week to go and still lots to do here. How are your preparations coming along? Are you "last minute" like me or have you been ready for weeks?
Jenny
LOVE both your mantles! Spooky perfection! I dream of a mantle all my own someday, but for now I have a trunk :)
Posted by: Jo James | October 26, 2009 at 12:33 AM
These last two posts are completely incredible! I've just stared and stared at them. I can't believe you found that amazing picture of your GGG and her sister. And the Tulle is such a great touch.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: M.L.@thehouseofwhimsy | October 26, 2009 at 05:26 AM
Jenny, my son and fiance are getting married in just a week... on Halloween!!! My goodness you are the mother-in-law they should be getting. My mantra has been, "Nothing scary!" Your stunning creative efforts have inspired me to rethink my mantle of fresh fall flowers! Happy Haunting to you! Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 26, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Oh Jenny! Your mantel is so wonderful ... and spooky! How great is that photo! I have a bunch of old portraits but nothing so grand. You've got me all inspired to go a-hunting! And to run out and snap up some cheesecloth and tulle!!
Posted by: Sally | October 26, 2009 at 10:05 AM
this decor is A.mazing!! Love it!!
Posted by: featherbed | October 26, 2009 at 12:47 PM
WOW! I am totally blown away. It looks AMAZING! You created some really fabulous ambiance here. I'll be linking to this.
Posted by: Rachel | October 26, 2009 at 02:35 PM
oh my gosh! this is amazing!!!
Posted by: kaitlin | October 28, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Jenny, you are a gal after my own heart! Yes! I will walk into your parlor! I can't imagine the face of trick or treaters that will ring your bell.
Posted by: Kaela | October 28, 2009 at 10:24 AM
You are easily the "Queen of Halloween" - your decorating is truly amazing. Halloween is my favorite holiday (my b'day - so except for that getting older part...) I've loved looking at your photos. I decorate a little bit, but nothing like you. Your's is wonderful!!!
Posted by: Barb | October 29, 2009 at 07:06 AM
Spooky mantel! Very very nice. Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Williams | October 29, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Your mantels are spooktacular!!!
Seriously--I'm impressed!
And the tulle thing; you are so right--I was just at the Goodwill today and noticed they took some ball shaped paper lanterns and wrapped them in tulle and they looked very creepy indeed.
Posted by: Theresa | October 30, 2009 at 01:39 AM
What a great site. You left a comment at http://www.happyholidays-blog.blogspot.com/ and thank-you for that. I thought that I would stop by and check your site out. You have such restraint in your displays!
Love those windmills from an earlier posting.
Did you know that when you press the button on the scroll bar to return to the top or bottom of the page that the sides do a wonderful optical illusion? The black and grey diamonds whiz by and the tiny punched zigzag edge moves everso slowly. Try it. I did quite a few times!
Posted by: Len Bentham | October 30, 2009 at 03:14 PM
I found your blog thru someone else..kittykill.. I have really enjoyed your decorations.. this is my first year decorating for halloween and I have so many ideas for next year! It was a real treat checking out your blog :-)
Posted by: Courtney Short-Prudhomme | October 30, 2009 at 11:02 PM