Design Inspiration: Vintage Halloween Doilies

Vintage Halloween Doily Sometimes happy discoveries occur when I’m searching for one thing but come away with an unexpected treasure.  That’s what happened when I was looking for vintage Halloween graphics online.

Set of Vintage Paper Doilies –

Orange, yellow & green
1920s-1930s, 5.5″ diameter
Made in the USA

Vintage Halloween Doily I found this image of a colorful paper doily and soon discovered that there were two other matching designs.

Halloween Collectibles author Mark Ledenbach notes that the set of doilies were printed in these three colors: orange, yellow, green.

Inspiration Quilt And, imagine my surprise when I discovered this version on Martha Dellasega Gray’s Q is for Quilter web site.

An avid quilter, Gray designed this 38″ diameter table topper based upon the green version of the 5.5″ paper Halloween doily. Follow her instructions and progress as the vintage doily inspired a modern interpretation. Please CLICK here.

Imagine my further surprised when I attended Mark Craven’s annual Vintage Holiday show Memorial Day weekend in Columbus, Ohio.  I found the orange version at the top of this page.  Of course, I just had to have it!

Martha’s project proves that good design is timeless.  Further, good design can transcend genres and mediums.  I shared my happy discovery with several artists who also found the designs inspiring.

See the Halloween 2010 issue of Celebrate365 to view the full Design Inspiration article. Folk artists Vergie Lightfoot, Susie Pastor and Lori Rudolph each created works inspired by these vintage paper doiles.  Each designed in a different medium.

To purchase a single copy of this issue and discover their creations, please CLICK here.

Halloween Prizes, Oh Yeah!

Take a Stroll Down Trick or Treat Street … You could win!

Trick or Treat Street

Visit these three folk artist sites for a change to win! These three folk artists are hosting a blog prize give-away to kick off the Halloween season.

Worth a visit? You bet! So, take a look!

Sept 16th: Visit
one last time and leave each of us a comment to
qualify for yet another prize from each artist.

Sept 17th: One
lucky trick or treater will have their name drawn (at
random) from all of the comments and will receive the GRAND PRIZE – An original art piece from each artist.

(Randomly selected winners will be announced on each blog, each day!

Lori Rudolph, Retro Rudolph’s

Amelia Schaefer, SweetB Folk Art

Len Bentham, Happy Holidays

Halloween is on the way!

Halloween 2010 Front CoverThe Halloween issue of Celebrate365 is off to the printer tomorrow morning.  This is was created electronically in its entirety.  No proofs printer or sent, all digital images, pdf proofs … There’s definitely a learning curve but we survived the new experience and I think we can continue.

The Halloween issue continues to outsell all the other seasons.  This year, Celebrate365 received submissions from 71 different artists, designers and manufacturers.  Talking about record-setting participation!  This just might be the best issue in our history … well you can tell us!

We anticipate shipping this issue during the last week of September.

Want to order a single copy?  No problem.  Please CLICK here!  You’ll find a quick preview of what you’ll read about in this upcoming issue!

Celebrate365, Spring Issue Arriving Soon

Celebrate365, Spring 2010 Front Cover Celebrate365, Spring 2010 Back Cover
Coming soon to a mailbox near you …
Celebrate365’s Spring 2010 issue!

Cover design:  Sheryl Parsons – Mother’s Dream Artworks

Celebrate365 is beginning its second decade of reporting holiday, ornament and folk art news. I can hardly believe that it has been 10 years since this little “retirement” pastime began. How technology has changed in those 10 years! Back in October 1999, I used my brand new, top of the line 1.5 megapixel Sony digital camera to take photos for the the Halloween test issue. I must say that my camera and editing skills have improved significantly over that first black and white issue.

I’ll be announcing 10th Anniversary celebrations and surprises in the coming days and weeks. Stop back often for updates!

To purchase a single copy of this issue, CLICK here.

Inside this Issue:
Spring 2010 Table of Contents Spring 2010 Tenth Anniversary
Illustrated in this Issue:

On the Cover

Designers:

Bethany Lowe Designs

Allen Cunningham for BLD

Debra Schoch for BLD

Johanna Parker (BLD)

Bruce Elsass

Christina’s World

Christopher Radko

David Strand Designs

Debbee Thibault

Elaine Roesle

Eric Cortina

JingleNog

Joy to the World Collectibles

Maggie’s Memories

Ornaments to Remember

Soffieria De Carlini

Teena Flanner

Thomas Glenn

Vaillaincourt

Folk Art:

Carrie Murtha

Elizabeth Howard

David Everett

Flora Thompson

Lori Rudolph

Inside the Issue (Easter):

Bethany Lowe Designs

Greg Guedel

Carrie Murtha

Christina’s World

Christopher Radko

David Everett

David Strand Designs

Debbee Thibault

Elizabeth Howard

Flora Thompson

Folk Art from the Heart

Ginny Diezel

Greg Guedel

JingleNog

Laurie Hardin

Lori Rudolph

Mary Lesniak

Nancy Malay

Patricia Breen Design

Sheryl Parsons

Soffieria De Carlini

Inside the Issue (Atlanta 2010):

Bethany Lowe

Allen Cunningham

Debra Schoch

Dee Foust

Johanna Parker

Maggie’s Memories

Vergie Lightfoot

Bruce Elass

David Strand

Debbee Thibault

Christina’s World

Christopher Radko

Elaine Roesle

Eric Cortina

Inge-glas

JingleNog

Joy to the World

Klassics by Kurtis

Old World Christmas

Ornaments to Remember

Teena Flanner

Soffieria De Carlini

Thomas Glenn

Vaillancourt Folk Art

Shop for Items Illustrated in this Issue:

Eric Cortina Collection

Chicken Lips

The Christmas Tree

David Strand Designs

Elaine Roesle’s Snow Children

The Heart Cottage

The Historical Christmas Barn

Kitty’s Ltd

Williams Nursery

Willow Springs Family Farm