*Winter Nonsense*

A santa, an annie dolly, and 2 talking 

mushrooms walk into a light box.....

what nonsense!!

We at the *Merry Ghost* cannot seem to determine if it is Christmas or if we've fallen down the rabbit hole into Wonderland...  Hopefully we'll check "D", none of the above, and remember to thaw the turkey for thursday!

*First Snow!*

We at *The Merry Ghost* were ever so excited at the chance for snow to be skittering about this morning; what a lovely way to finish up our first few Christmas listings! With a bit of twinkle sifting down from the early winter skies....

There is no snow. None. Everything is still browny-grey-green. It's just cold and bleh, no winter wonderland.... But guess what's magical about being an artist? You can create your own snowy winter wonderland!! And thus, we trooped off to the craft shop early this morning to find thee perfect snowy glitter....we found just the perfect thing and excitedly doused "First Snow's" little arms in the snowy wonderment....

It was purple. Seriously neon purple. No glimmer of white. It looked as if this poor little snowboy was being abducted by aliens...their toxic beams reaching down to entwine his wee arms and swoosh him up into a sinister aircraft in outer space.... But still, we kept on....determined to find Christmas this morning. (Yes, we're pitching this to our L.A. connections later today.)

"First Snow" (7" high) is created from painted, aged, muslin, his features drawn with artist's grade color-fast pencils. Fine tinsel, vintage style sequins, and a merry jingle bell seemed a better choice than coal or carrots. 

We will keep you apprised on the chance of snow in our merry part of the world... 

Every day's a holiday?

Of course not! But it should be. At least that's what we think here at "The Merry Ghost"...  We firmly believe that hot cocoa with candy cane sprinkles is acceptable in June and Christmas trees look lovely all year 'round.  Jack o' Lanterns have a depressingly brief life-span and it's outrageous that trick-or-treating only happens once a year!  Tinsel is pretty no matter what, and pumpkin orange is *always* a smashing color.  

As well, Megan is the designer and usually can't think of a blessed thing she'd like to make unless it involves a pumpkin or a snowman.  Anthropomorphic is good too.  Should you be of like mind, stop clicking your heels. You're home--and quite welcome.

At "The Merry Ghost" Megan does all the sewing; stuffing is often a family affair. Megan paints each doll and draws each little face by hand...finishing is sometimes collaborative, if only due to Ryan's immense spirit of long-suffering and ability to cook and do up the dishes.  Ryan and Megan both photograph, Megan lists, Ryan ships, and, and....viola!  The dog does absolutely nothing. He's worse than a cat.

(We're making the gross assumption you might want to know about the people behind the ghost....  But in today's world of mass-produced, machine-made, absolutely everything it's a little nice to know, yes?)

*Persnickety Hilda*

Persnickety Hilda 

age 119

*Persnickety Hilda* is the second in a new line of poppets at "The Merry Ghost"...our "Small Folk"; sweet, button-jointed dolls in lilliputian sizes... 

We at *The Merry Ghost* respectfully acknowledge and thoughtfully defer to Hilda's 119 years of wisdom.  We are more than willing to admit that if you live that long you're probably doing something right--maybe even a couple of "things"....

After out-fitting and trimming Hilda, we believe she has lived so long through an astounding amount of cantankerous opposition to....everything.  Her lace was changed out twice.  Three different prints for her skirt were cut, sewn, and considered (only 3 were acceptable...from hundreds of choices!!!).  Her star button was 3 boxes deep in storage--and her hanging loop covered in a mulberry paper flower (not shown) took a solid 45 minutes, 5 attempts and 7 swear words.  (There's also a broken needle incident which still, literally, pains us.)  

So. In short--you have been warned.  We've no idea what sort of requirements Hilda might have in regards to her new residence but we expect they will be substantial and consume a great deal of your time, all in all. 

Regards,

The Merry Ghost

Octavia wishes you...

*Cecily's New Home*

We've received some lovely news!  

Cecily has safely arrived at her new home 

and seems to be quite content....

Lucky girl, Cecily gets to reside with the amazing creations of etsy seller "Forever Fall".  We are *completely* smitten with their new series of sculptures, "HooHas" and we cannot wait to see more!!  (As well, this seller is an absolute sweetheart and ever so courteous and encouraging!)

We'd love to start doing some reviews here and there...books, movies, fellow artists--our "favorite things".  What are some of your favorites? Who do you adore?

Awaiting your reply,

The Merry Ghost

*Pendergast the Pumpkin Goblin*

We understand there have been rumors here at *The Merry Ghost* in regards to a Goblin's pumpkin patch....we acknowledge a full disclosure of events and those individuals involved is now required. And we're delighted to disclose and present:

*Pendergast the Pumpkin Goblin*

The curious Pendergast, is a Pumpkin Goblin (And is no relation to Aloysius, thank you very much). Pendergast takes great pride in his patch-he challenges any and all to find a greater example of these fine autumn fruits! Pendergast takes full responsibility for his lovely gathering and denies all rumors of Lieselotte Henceforth, the Lumina Witch. (He maintains there's a trick in her name if you say it quickly............) 

From September through October, Pendergast finds himself quite busy quelling pie rumors and swearing he has nothing to do with the local (short-lived) jack-o-lantern population, though his charges are a bit blue, what with gradually missing many of their friends over the span of a few short weeks.

What do *you* think? Is Pendergast shifty....or no? Are these wee pumpkins predestined to pie slaughter or may their fate be changed? 

Eagerly awaiting your thoughts

and conclusions,

The Merry Ghost

The Path

I feel a bit like Red Riding Hood stumbling along the path...  Lucky for me, I believe I'm on the return journey and not rushing headlong to grandmother's where the wolf awaits.  Emerging from the woods that were quite dark and gloomy--pushing through the twisted vines and brambles, seeing a warm light that promises "home" (almost aloud!) with it's glow that flickers now and then through the branches...  That's me on that path. With the scuffed red shoes and the paint under my nails (instead of over them). That's me and I remember.

I have concluded that when i set aside my pencils and brushes and paints--my snippets of lace and simple swaths of blank muslin, I also set aside my heart.  

When I don't doodle small creatures upon *very important papers* or when I don't consider exactly what pumpkins in a moonlit patch might discuss or reflect upon towards the end of October, I'm as hollow and useless as a broken seashell.  Silliness and whimsy are, for me, as essential as water. 

When I refuse to reflect upon the possibilities of "Gamboge" or the mystery of "Cobalt Blue+Payne's Grey" (you're welcome!),  it's my very own fault that my world is drab and lacking color...

But what lesson did I learn in those woods? There was definitely more than one--and not all of them had to do with my work or nurturing my creativity, and really there are only two that I'm going to share right here, right now...and the first one is kind of brambly* and long-winded so it might be more than one "lesson", but here goes:

1. My work is what it is. There's not much planning and I've no idea how to be fancy and "defend" my work or what have you...  I hope you find something meaningful within the little figures, forms, and creatures --of course that's my hope! But if you don't, that's alright. The work is just fine, I'm alright too, and I'm certain you're lovely. It all remains--you, me, the work--and all of it "is what it is". 
2. There will be more lessons. Always.

(What do you think "Cecily" is thinking about???)

*"rambly" was firmly denied via spellcheck; however, "brambly" was suggested...and I kind of dig it.