The Busy Season Begins!

There has been so much going on in the last few weeks, I've hardly had a chance to keep up! Of course, my blog writing suffers too, but I've finally been able to catch my breath enough to post about my trip to Southern California on this blog. Forgive me if it's a repeat of what you read on my Halloween Alchemy blog.

The last weekend in September,  Colleen Moody and I headed to Gilding the Lily in Fullerton, California, to teach two workshops each over a two-day period. We left plenty of time though to visit some amazing places including Roger's Garden in Corona Del Mar and Paris to the Moon in Costa Mesa.

Oh my goodness!! My heart went pitter pat when we first arrived at Roger's Garden. I love nurseries, since I consider myself a gardener - at least of containers for the time being. The entrance was beautiful with fall colors and pumpkins every where. Little did I know what delights were inside the many buildings!

Being a lover of everything Halloween, our first stop had to be the Holiday Shop at the Garden. We were told they have the best Christmas displays, but they were still working on them and wouldn't be ready for another two weeks. I did peek in and see all sorts of glittered trees and ornaments. It will be a spectacle when done!


So in we walk to the Holiday Shop, which has been dubbed the basement of Mad Madeline's Manor. The banner above said it all about the look! There were many themed rooms that just took my breath away. They cleverly tucked their products amongst the amazing displays. As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are just a few of the many I took.


The entrance to the Holiday Shop.


The talking dummy, who informed us that it had "been a long time, been a long time" (in his quirky dummy voice) since he was on stage.



The walls and ceilings were dripping with old, "dusty" chains, cobwebs and everything you might find in an old basement, including furry rats, huge spiders and a mean ol' cat.


Okay, I want to know who had been collecting these wheels? I mean what a grand idea!!



Painting these dolls all white gave them the best ghostly affect. Oh Chucky...where are you?


Bird cages will always seem somehow different after this display. This was a huge cage, about 6 ft tall! How would you like that spider in your house? Or better yet....



this one clinging to your ceiling?? This is a shot looking up. Can you say "Creepy?"



The lighting throughout the display was phenomenal! The mad scientist was still at work!


I have never really like clowns. But after this photo collection, I like them even less! One of those pictured had fangs!! Yikes!

If have a chance to see Roger's Garden, I highly recommend it. Not only did they have a wondrous Halloween extravaganza, they also had a huge selection of seasonal plants, gift items and more! We spent over an hour wandering the property, soaking in all the eye candy, and of course, picking up a purchase or two along the way.


Next on our day of stops was Paris to the Moon. What a delightful little shop, nestled in Costa Mesa.


Although I didn' t get any photos inside, I can tell you that it is full of the neatest kitschy findings, sweet wedding and baby gift items and gift makings, odd doll parts for your Halloween displays, lots of Edward Gorey books (which I wish I would have gotten!!) and a large array of fun art and this and that to make your own. They also have a great selection of FG&Co cards, tags and calendars. It was just too much fun!

When we asked about a suggestion for lunch, without hesitation the shop keeper handed us a menu from Taste Buds. It was bar none the best salad I've ever tasted! Grilled vegetables topped with grilled chicken and a vinagrette that still makes my mouth water when I think of it. We added an order of pomme frites with truffle oil and our morning was perfect!

For photos from my classes, head over to my Facebook Photo page, where I've posted them. (While you're there, join my Iva's Creations Fan Page for the latest news.) There were so many wonderful people I met over the few days we were there! Thank you Dede Warren for your invitation and to Shopkeeper Nancy for having us, and to all my students for making it so special!!

Comments

[susanna]

Very cool stores! It's always a treat to see how a good, creative designer can put things together to create a feeling, a mood. In this case: creepy and scary and fun!