Seems Like Yesterday

Hello my friends!

I hope today finds you healthy, wealthy and wise.

Do you remember that saying.

It as part of Early To Bed, Early To Rise.

Makes A Man Healthy, Wealthy And Wise.

The other day working the store

our doggie sitter came in to look

at my Halloween room one last time.

He was so amazed at my talent for putting

together this room for all of the holidays.

He made me feel really good,

saying it takes great talent to do this.

He knows I was an art major,

who changed my degree into a business one. 

It got me thinking at the past three years

of my Halloween mantel displays,

and how each year turned out.

Behind the scenes mistakes will be told here now too.

Yes there were mistakes. LOL

Year 2020

We had opened our gift shop in March.

Two weeks later we ended up closing

for a few months due to the pandemic.

We were wondering then, what were we thinking

starting another business.

For these bats I had cut each one using cardstock.

I purchased this so called double sided tape

from Amazon to hang the bats.

Little did I know when removing them,

it also removed the paint from the walls.

Thankful for Bob for the touch up.

If not for him, we would have polka dot walls. LOL

2021

Last year I decided to do a

witch and witchcraft themed mantel.

I created the fire by adding real logs

like I was building a bonfire.

Then I added gold lights with a white

netting on top.

Skeleton heads were in the kettle.

In person it looked pretty realistic.

I did so well on the fire, that I had no idea

what to place on the mantel,

not to mention on the wall.

Bob had this wood frame at the other store

and brought it over.

He suggested adding the black silhouette 

witch on top. 

However then the galvanized witches

 got lost against the gray walls.

Adding the green lights above added the perfect touch.

The black netting was also an after thought.

Along with the wood star I put together on the fly.

2022

Well this year I went all out.

The man in the middle was very terrifying.

So much so I never turned him on.

Figured it would scare our customers too much.

As part of my Haunted Hotel theme.

I purchased skeleton lace from Joann's

to mimic wallpaper.

The velvet drape was supposed to go above

the man, however dufuss me cut the fabric

in the wrong direction...

I was not going to go out and buy more velvet fabric.

I decided to hand sew the 2 pieces back together,

and re-cut the correct way...

which caused a redo in my plan.

 I had to hide my seam behind the man.

No one other Bob and I knew of my mistake.

Bob also helped me with this scene with his

concierge desk...which he built before his stroke.

There you have it.

My blunders...bloopers revealed.

Which mantel display is your favorite?

Pretty sure Robin will say she liked the Salem blocks.

 I created those and and were sold already.

I have no clue yet what my theme will be for next year.

Unfortunately I need to decide pretty quick

if I want the inventory to come in on time.

In other news,

look what finally bloomed.

Well just one flower.

I planted these sky blue Morning Glory seeds

early this Spring.

They grew like a weeds with no flowers,

even though I did plant in full sun.

Bob's MRI report came back.

He still has blood in his brain

which has not fully dissipated yet.

The neurologist is now saying 3 to 6 more months.

He now has to take a baby aspirin per day.

Also he now has his glasses.

These are suppose to help with his 

peripheral vision loss. He now has to wear them

while watching tv and reading so as not to

strain his eyes. We also hope this helps.

Yesterday was the first day I worked after

setting up the back room for my Nordic Christmas.

I have already had many compliments,

and things are already selling.

Will set up the remaining Christmas starting

after I close today.

Am sure it will take me days and I am on

vacation now so that will help.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of your weekend.

Seems Like Yesterday Blessings To All!

Janice