Catching Up and Catching Fire

Hello world!

My blog has been pretty quiet for the past few months, I'm sorry to say. I had every good intention of blogging (at least) monthly, but life caught up with me. There was always something else that needed to be done :P Like dreadful housework! It's never ending. I need to learn how to juggle things better or at least set a time or day to do this and that.

But, here I am now! I'll just fill you in on a few things that happened these past few months....

The Halloween party was a success! I'll try to post pictures soon, even though it's December already! Yikes! Where does time go?
I was able to throw a costume together for myself and Robert. I was very pleased with the result. I mostly used things I already had for both of our costumes. Robert's Phantom costume consisted of his black wedding suit w/ a black dress shirt, a black cloak I had made him several years ago, black gloves, a black tie that I tied to look like a cravat ( I wanted to make one, but ran out of time), his black dress shoes, and a phantom mask I made out of plaster cloth to fit his face. That was a bit of a challenge, but it turned out all right for my first one :)

For my costume I used my white lace cami from Maurices, a medium length, white slip, my white nylon stockings, a lacey sleeveless, V-neck shirt that I found at a garage sale for 25 cents (SCORE!), a 2 yds. length of lacey white material my Dad brought home for me, which I used for the skirt ( I just pinned it where I wanted it) and finally, a dressing gown made from leftover lace from my wedding and my nieces baptism. I made my own pattern out of newspaper for that. I LOVE it!!! It came together so perfectly AND I didn't have to spend much on it!

So yes, pictures. SOON!

Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing. We went to my Mom and Dad's on the day, ate far too much, and watched behind the scenes on "The Hobbit - The Extended Edition". We also played games.
The Saturday after we went to Robert's family's Thanksgiving and did about the same thing except for watching Hobbit stuff :D

We also saw two movies in theaters over the weekend.

Number 1: Frozen

I LOVED it! Lots of singing and I especially liked that it was roughly based off of Hans Christen Anderson's "Snow Queen", which is one of my favorite fairy tales :)

Guess who my favorite character was?






Did you guess yet?






How 'bout now?








If you guessed right, then yes, it was Olaf!

                                                                  He is hilarious!



Number 2: Catching Fire

I liked it and I THINK it stuck to the book pretty well. I read it over a year ago so it's hard to remember.
I loved the costumes! There could have been a bit more coverage on some of Katniss' outfits but that's Hollywood for ya. I didn't really like the wedding dress they picked for her though, it looked really uncomfortable.

         I loved their entrance costumes in both 1 and 2. The hair and make-up were awesome.


So after a fun weekend I'm back to the grind. I'll be working on Christmas presents for the next few weeks and other decorations. I need to finish decorating tonight. This year we are doing a combination of themes: Snow Queen/Polar Bear King/Narnia.

 It shall be epic.


~Mary

Autumn Loveliness

Hello September!

I have been so looking forward to autumn. This is the time of year when my love of creativity is renewed and I feel like I can do anything! I have already started three crochet projects :) And if I remember to take pictures of them I'll share them with you, but for now I'll just tell you what they are.

1. A Gryffindor Scarf - Which I actually started last October but never finished. I was Hermione for Halloween and my fiancé (now husband) was Sirius Black. I ended up not needing the scarf so since I had no deadline anymore, I didn't finish it :P I always work better with deadlines.

2. A Civil War Handbag - I also had already begun this, a few years back actually, but that aside I am determined to finish it by the time our local Civil War re-enactment comes around, which is at the end of this month. See? Deadline. (In my defense, I have already completed three of these lovely handbags. This one is for my sister.)

3. Fingerless Gloves - This I started in August, but felt guilty about the scarf and handbag soooo this is being put on hold at the moment. The yarn is scrumptious though! Lion brand Amazing yarn in the  "Glacier Bay" color.

I love being busy with crafty things :)

So as I've been dreaming of autumn and all the loveliness that comes with it I decided that I am going to have a Halloween/Phantom of the Opera party! I'm so psyched :) I haven't had a family get together at my house yet and I've just been itching to have something. *Squeals* And I love throwing parties :) I also have no limits to decorations ( now that I have my own house) so this is going to be so much fun!

Here's a list of my favorite things about Autumn:

1. The colors - Burgundy, Sage, Burnt Orange, Brown, and Yellow, and Black. Ah, me! They set my heart a-flutter.  

2. Leaves -  I happen to like raking leaves and they are so full of color. Especially the red ones :)

3. Long walks on a brisk fall day with someone you love. And a scarf. Don't forget the scarf.

4. Creative-ness -  I feel so much more inspired and inclined to make things during the fall season.

5. Tea and Cider -  I don't like drinking hot things during the summer, so now I have an excuse :) I'm not a big fan of tea, but I'm a bigger fan in the fall and winter months.

6. Pumpkins and mums - The smells, the colors, the look, what's not to like?

7. Halloween - I LOVE to dress up. This year I think I'm going to be Christine from the Phantom of the Opera and have my husband be the phantom. He doesn't mind :) I don't think he would dress up if he didn't have me to give him a nudge, but he draws the line where he
wants it. And hey, at least my costume ideas are cool :D

I'll stop there for now. I could go on and on and on but then we'd be here forever.

What are your favorite things about autumn? Planning a Halloween costume yet? I'd love to know!

As for me, I will be planning away :) BYE!

~Mary~

Disney Tag/Blog Party!

'ello everyone!

This tag was started by Amy, whose blog I just started following :) Really fun idea Amy! I'm excited :)
I found Amy's blog through Treskie who I believe is her sister? (Correct me if I'm wrong!) Check their blogs out people, they are pretty cool :)

Anyways. I decided I would do this. Because it's AWESOME!

Feel free to join in! All you have to do is answer the same questions and/or do an extra blog post of something Disney-related. I'm not sure if I will do the Disney post yet....keep checking though! I plan to do a lot more posting than I have in the past. A LOT more.

Amy drew this. Isn't it wonderful? Okay, on we go. Here is the first question:

 

 

1.) What is your favorite Disney Movie?

     

Snow white and the Seven Dwarves! I've loved that movie for a long time. The video at our local library practically lived at my house while I was growing up :D I wonder why we never bought it...:) I have my own copy now though!

 

 

2.) Favorite Princess?

    

 This is a hard one. Ummmmm....Sleeping Beauty/Princess Aurora/Briar Rose. Whatever you want to call her. I loved that movie too :) She was just so pretty and she liked to sing. And I like to sing. So yeah, she's probably my fave. I also like Giselle, Rapunzel, Merida, and Snow White a lot.

 

 

 

3.) Least Favorite Princess?

 

    It's a love/hate relationship really. I liked her more when I was child, but not so much now. It is none other than: Ariel. I'm sorry! I love mermaids (well, certain mermaids) but this one... *grimace*. I didn't like how she was dressed, how she was really disobedient, and how desperate she was to become human that she would give up her own VOICE! And that hair. Let's just not get into shall we?

4.) Do you like drawn animation or the computer animated movies better?

 I like both. But if I had to choose I would say drawn. I mean, can YOU imagine drawing all that out? I can't. So there.

5.) Favorite Male Character?
    
     TARZANNNNNN! No questions asked.
     I mean, who doesn't want a good looking, muscular man to sweep them off their feet? Just me? Oh. Okay. *embarrassed face*

6.) In your opinion, who was your favorite villain?
 
 Maleficent.
 She was just so EVIL. I mean, c'mon, look at that face!



 



7.) What is your favorite Disney hairstyle? ( I just had to ask that one!)

     

      Uh, Rapunzel's lovely flower-y hairstyle. DUH. It's beautiful.

 

      

                                       Although I also like several of Giselle's in Enchanted.

 

Pretty :)

 

8.) What is your favorite story?

     

Probably Beauty and the Beast. Whether reading it or seeing it, I've always loved the story. My second favorite would probably be Snow White.

 

9.) Which one has the best romance?
 
 I really liked the romance between Tarzan and Jane. It was just cute :)

 

10.) What is your favorite Disney song? *Mrhrhrhr* (Yeah, narrow it down to one!)

       

        Okay, make it even harder why don't ya ;)

        I like a lot of Disney songs but for now I will leave you with these lovely numbers.

 

 

                                 

                                    "Once Upon A December" from "Anastasia".

 

                               

                              "Can you feel the love tonight" from "The Lion King"

 

                              

                                    "I'll make a man out of you" from "Mulan".

 

11.) What is your favorite costume?

        

        Again, only ONE?!?!

        Okay, I really liked the blue dress Giselle wore in Enchanted. I might have to make one.

                             
                                    AAAAND of course, Rapunzel's purple dress in Tangled.

     

12.) Would you rather go to a ball with a midnight curfew or get lost in the forest and keep house for a bunch of dwarfs?

       I'm not very good at dancing ( I don't like the attention :P It's a bit hard to dance when people are watching me.) And I'd probably be late for my curfew.
       Organizing, cleaning, and keeping house is my thing. It's what I'm good at. So yeah, I'd say I would rather keep house for a bunch of dwarfs instead of having everybody stare at me at a ball. I  like balls, but not that much.

13.) Who is your favorite non-human character?
    
        Abu or Timon would be my first picks.
          

Ooooooh, and don't forget Maximus!

14.) Do you want adventure in the great wide somewhere or would you rather just be on an island of your own?
  
       I would take both. first the adventure(s) then the island :)

15.) What Disney movie is most likely to make you cry?

16.) What character do you most relate to?
    
        Definitely Rapunzel. This would be me if somebody broke into my house.

17.) What scene used to scare you the most?
    
        The part where Pocahontas saves John Smith. That was really scary to me as a child.

18.) Do you like Aurora's dress better in pink or blue?
      
       BLUE! For goodness sakes, anyone can see it looked better on her when it was blue. I thought it was dumb when Disney chose to advertise her in the pink version for everything. It was probably because Cinderella's dress was blue and they needed more variety :P

19.) Have you seen The Great Mouse Detective?
   
       Yes. A long time ago, but I remember liking it. I should see that again sometime soon.

                                           The girl was so cute in her tammy hat and scarf!

20.) What Disney movie, in your opinion, is the prettiest? Story aside, characters aside, what movie is just the most fun to look at?
   
         I always thought Mulan had some pretty scenery. Especially the scenes that involved cherry blossoms. Oh yes :)

Wow. I'm done?

                                          My sentiments exactly.



So there you have it! Please join, spread the word and have some fun! I did :)

Bye!

For the Love of Tea

For the Love of Tea by fairymary95 featuring wedding earrings

 

Wear to Work Style

Wear to Work Style by fairymary95 featuring a yellow gold necklace

My Favorite (Irish) Things

My Favorite (Irish) Things by fairymary95 featuring pointed-toe pumps

12th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

Last but not least, Shealynn's sister, "Rosie", is contributing to the contest by sharing some of her own jewelry! She is a very talented girl :) A lot of her jewelry is fairy-themed, and she even has a "hobbit hole necklace"! That one is my favorite :) Rosie decided to join in the Christmas festivities and give away one of her favorite necklaces! The winner will receive this gorgeous Fairytale Flower Necklace in Summer Greens! Check out Rosie's other jewelry at Shealynn's shop!
Enter to win here:

The 12th Day of Christmas -- Introducing Rosie's Shop! --and Giveaway

Good luck to all of you! I hope you win an awesome prize :)

 

~Mary

11th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

Chava makes absolutely stunning jewelry out of paper. She uses a quilling technique, which consists of spiraling tiny strips of paper around a special needle, bending it into shape, and gluing everything together. Chava will create a jewelry set for the winner of this giveaway!
Quilling is a very beautiful technique, go check out Chava's jewelry and enter to win here: 11th Day of Christmas -- Quilled Jewelry by Chava

~Mary

10th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

The Goat Milk Soap Shop is giving away a 3 pack of soap in these lovely scents: Creme Brulee, Cherry Almond, and Biscotti!
This is the 10th giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe! The Goat Milk soap shop has many other awesome flavors of soap so don't forget to check out their store :) Here's the link to enter: 10th Day of Christmas -- The Goat Milk Soap Shop -- 3 Handmade Soaps

~Mary

9th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

Bookish Charm just might be one of the most remarkably perfect shops for a bibliophile. They sell jewelry with quotes from dozens of books and poems (along with other assorted sayings).
This is the 9th giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe! This giveaway is in my list of top favs. I love the book quotes and bookmarks! I'm a major bookworm so I appreciate all things to do with books :) Here is the linky to enter: 9th Day of Christmas -- Bookish Charm Giveaway.
Have fun!

~Mary

8th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

Glass wonders fill The Untamed Rose, a beautiful Etsy shop run by Breana, an "artist, student, wife, and mother" who somehow takes glass and turns it into these beautiful works of art. This is the 8th giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe! Breana is givig away a custom color glass rose to the lucky winner! I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for the blue rose :) Here's the linky: 8th Day of Christmas-- The Untamed Rose .

~Mary

7th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

UnkamenGifts is giving away a kit to make three bracelets in the beautiful chainmaille weave "twist of fate" This is the 7th giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shop! Check out UnkamenGifts store to check out their other awesome jewelry! Here is the link to enter the contest: 7th Day of Christmas -- Unkamen Gifts' Three Chainmaille Bracelet Sets .

I really hope I win something from all these giveaways! Unfortunately I'm not very lucky :/
The only thing I've really won is a fishing pole...I hope you have better luck then I've  had!

~Mary

6th Day of Christmas giveaway!

The 6th giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe is from Sarah who runs her online shop called "the little schremlin". Sarah makes jewelry, figures, homemade notebooks, etc. mostly out of polymer clay (except for the notebooks). They all have "nerdy" themes too, such as LOTR, Star Trek, Harry Potter, and more! She'll be giving away one of her handmade notebooks to one winner. It's LOTR themed and she will even personalize it with your name written on the front in Elvish ( the tengwar alphabet).
 Go to this link to enter: http://shealynns-faerie-shoppe.blogspot.com/2012/12/6th-day-of-christmas-little-schremlins.html

Good Luck!

~Mary

5th Day of Christmas Giveaway!

This giveaway through Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe is from Erika Heins. She designs her own note cards/stationary, etc. She is giving away 4 of her Hobbit themed note cards to one lucky winner! They are absolutely beautiful! Here is the link to enter: http://shealynns-faerie-shoppe.blogspot.com/2012/12/5th-day-of-christmas-erika-heins-hobbit.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ShealynnsFaerieShoppe+%28Shealynn%27s+Faerie+Shoppe%29

Good Luck and Happy New Year!
~Mary