Saturday

Welcome to The Spider's Ball!

Join us for a Celebration of Halloween. After your visit with Arabella and the others, please follow the link at the end of this Party for more Hauntingly Good Fun!

Come One! Come All! Welcome, welcome to the Annual Spider's Ball.
Everyone is here, even you! Come join us as we play the day into the night.

Arabella's been working all night to bring you all the delights of the season.
Her friends came early to help prepare Special Treats to Share


The passages are dark! The woods alive with fear!
Arabella's friends will lead you safely through here.



Out in the clearing you see your destination. You turn to thank your guide

but he is not there! You don't want to tarry the moon is full, so you knock at the door. But who's this?



"Come in, Come in. We've been expecting you." Your Guide through the night woods steps aside to allow you to enter the Annual Spider's Ball. What kinds of magic await? What manner of beings will you encounter? A Chill runs through you. Is is fear or delicious anticipation?



The Count appears. He welcomes you warmly. "Follow me my dear," he says in a satiny tone. You follow him slowly through the dimly lit hallways toward rooms filled with music, laughter and mirth.
This place IS magical.



As you pass the drawing room the lady of the manor is arranging fresh lilies and lighting candles. She smiles as you pass and softly says, "Welcome to our Ball. We've been expecting you."

As you turn to continue you notice the Count is gone. You hear a piano being played somewhere in the distance so you decide to seek it out.




Again you encounter your Guide! Or is it? Could it be a trick of the imagination? The music is lilting and hypnotic. You find yourself swaying back and forth. How many minutes pass you don't know. You can barely make out other shadowy figures enjoying the Guide's deft playing. You shake off the spell of his music and decide to explore some more.


You discover the Library just a few steps away. In a very Curious box you find a small jeweled volume. Strange symbols cover the interior of the box's lid. You can't make them out, but You are sure they are Alchemy!


You gently take the book out of its silk lined box. Trembling you open it very carefully. Should you be looking? Will you turn into a newt? What type of spells are written here?



You start to read it. It seems to speak of Relics and Alchemical Symbols. You hear something move behind you. Quickly you put the book back into its Curious Box. Safe! No one is there. Or are they? Maybe you should seek out others.



You discover the dining room. Lots of others are milling about the Banquet Table. Large cauldrons waft aromas of delicious concoctions. You spy some Faerie cakes and tea, but as you make you way toward them a Masqued Harlequin moves between you and the Delicious Desserts. Maybe you'll try again later. Onward to more fun!




The Artist's Studio is next. You begin looking at the paintings there - until a Ghostly Painter peeks around the canvas you are admiring. This is almost too much excitement for you. But you do make note that the art you liked is
available in the Village.



Other rooms offer more fun. There is bobbing for apples and a make you own candied apples stand. A Skeleton is making S'mores over a flame in the yard. You watch from the conservatory for a while before hearing someone calling you...



You follow the lyrical voice out the door to the back garden. A Gypsy has set-up her Tarot and Crystal ball. "Please come dahling, she motions. Let's see your Future."



After the Gypsy tells you of Great Things to Come, you again hear the strains of Hauntingly Beautiful music. You thank the Gypsy and give her your last Coin. She takes it and smiles. "Good follows good, my dear." You hear her say as you run to find the violinist who is making your heart break. What?! Can it be? Yes...



Your Guide is playing the violin just as beautifully as the piano. Guests are dancing in the candlelight. Soft laughter can be heard throughout the party. Soon the sun will be coming up and the Ball will be at an end.



Across the room The Countess laughs at one of the Faerie Jesters, but the Count is not amused. Some people just don't know how to have a good time. But you do. You have danced and eaten...no wait YOU didn't get to eat! That Harlequin! She is always hogging the sweets. Well here you go Dearie...








And so ends our Annual Spider's Ball here. But you can partake of other Parties and Balls by going to
"
A Fanciful Twist" They are anxiously awaiting your arrival.



Arabella is so glad you Came to the Ball. It wouldn't have been the same without you. Please come again. We enjoy Magic and Mirth... here all the time.




Happy Halloween! Here's Wishing you Fun, Frolic and Creative Bliss Always!














50 comments:

laterg8r said...

those are incredible pics - love your party post :D

that book is very cool!

Cassandra said...

What a Spooktacular party! Love the haunting photos. Thanks for sharing!

Happy Halloween
Cassandra

Sandra Van Winkle said...

Thank you 'laterg8r'. It is one of my altered books. I really enjoy making them.

Sandra Van Winkle said...

Thanks Debbie. I love the Gypsies too. Check out my Artist's Hideaway sketch.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh oh oh delightful party - loved the photos - wonderful!!! How fun is this!! Thank you for flying by my party! Off to look at your artwork!! Happy Halloween, Sarah

Rainey J. Dillon said...

Greetings Deary from ancient Ireland ..land of Banshees & weird little green guys!
So glad you dropped in for some party cake as you do your rounds!
You've conjured up a fantabulous Party Post here & those pics are so atmosperic
Wugs (Witchy Hugs) and a wish...'May Magic Forever Soar within your Little Heart'

Rainey
Drop by again soon won't you?

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures! Those cupcakes look irresistible!

Megan~

Julie Ranae said...

So glad you stopped by my party and I love the story told in yours....very spooky. Lovely blog!

SpiritMama said...

What a spooktacular event! Thanks for visiting my party, and have a ball today!

julietk said...

Doing the party rounds so many great posts loved yours ,Happy Halloween :-)

ginger@bearbits said...

What a wonderful party with such mysterious guests! Thanks for inviting me! Happy Haunting!

Twyla and Lindsey said...

This was such a spooky, fun post! I loved the altered book. Have a magical weekend! Twyla

Deborah said...

LoVe your photos and your models! Very, very delightful. Sorry if I ate too much...Do stop by my party and join Alice and Dead Bob. If you dare! **kisskiss** Deborah

mendytexas said...

Thank you for inviting me over! I am having such a great time at your Halloween SPPPOOOOKY party! Your photos are incredible and FUN! So glad you could drop by my party too. What a fun day! :)mendy

SewPaperPaint said...

Love, love, love your post! Costumerie is amazing! Thanks for playing!
http://autumnsantics.blogspot.com/2009/10/frightful-soiree.html
~Autumn Clark

Kristen Beason said...

Great ball and thanks for the invite!

Party on!
Kristen
http://kristenbeasondesigns.blogspot.com

That Crazy Ajumma said...

Great party!
Lots of spooky fun!
Loved the photos.
Happy Haunting!

Bloomin'Chick Jo said...

Such fantastic photo's! Thanks so much for stopping by earlier, I've since updated the post! Good meeting you!

http://justdigginaround.blogspot.com/2009/10/2009-halloween-fete-saturday-october-17.html

MJ Ornaments said...

What a great spider's ball! I enjoyed the party. Take care, Martha

Linda said...

What a Party. Linda :)
do drop by
http://pyewacketts.blogspot.com/

Maggi said...

Muwahahahahahaha!

How magical and beautiful! Thank you for a hauntingly good party!

I'm visiting from Beyond to celebrate the spookiest Halloween blog party ever! I hope you are having a fang-tastic time today! You are cordially invited to share in the celebration at my party HERE. I do hope you'll stop by!

Have a spook-tacular day!

Lisa @ Perfectly Peculiar said...

awesome, awesome photos, sandi!

AwtemNymf said...

Spooktackular photos!
I enjoyed my visit! <{:O)
Be Enchanted!
Opal Moon Enchantments

Malisa said...

I am so glad you got me to the sweets table before I had to move on to the next party! I so enjoyed your beautiful pictures!Thanks for visiting my party and I hope you return to visit sometime!

Malisa
www.moonlighthollow.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Halloween Party to you! :)
http://carolinescrafts-carolinejones.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Halloween post!!! Loved you're pictures!
Pattee

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

What an asbolutely fabulous Halloween Party you have going on. I have really enjoyed visiting you and I would love to see more of that amazing spooky library of yours. I truly had a wonderful time and now I'm full from eating all of those delightful sweets you had. Yummies! Enjoy the Halloween Blog Party...Happy Halloween!
Cheers

queen-of-nostalgia said...

Awesome party! I loved every minute :) Great costumes!

Cheers!
Kristen

yyam said...

I love your post - those are some awesome pictures...Have a bootiful day!

Anonymous said...

quite a spider party you've held! so glad i was able to visit and enjoy the treats, especially the visuals!
have a happy haunting halloween!

Rhonda Roo & Milo too said...

Oh this was creepy in a good way! The spine tingly thrilly kinda way-that one pic of the artist peeking back was good especially! Excellent effects! Love this party!
Have a Spooktacular Halloween~

JUNKER JANE said...

Super fun post! happy Halloween :)

Anonymous said...

That spider gave me the chills!

Lynn Stevens said...

I had a hauntly good time at your party, wonderfully creative, thanks for coming by mine as well!

Erica said...

please thank Miss Arabella for inviting me to the ball, it was a wonderful experience, I would have like to spend more time in the library, perhaps next time.
and thank you for stopping by at my party

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

spoooooky!
and such a deliciously handsome ghost musician!

inge said...

Hello,

it seems halloween is not just an annual party at your house...:)

I like your pictures : they really create a special atmosphere .

greetings from belgium
Inge

PS : thanks for your comment on web.me.com/pinkepinke and the meet with my "buttonpeople"

Sylvia said...

I had a great time at your party, loved all the spooky decorations, especially the spider. Come by for a visit and say hello...

Alicia said...

your pictures are great! happy halloween!

Sarah said...

What a hauntingly beautiful party!

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Ooooooooooooooo, that is one ball I wouldnever want to misssss!! And that book and the fellahs, what fun!!

Bwuahahahaaaaaaaa ~ thank you for being a delightful part of the festivities!!

Julie Ranae said...

FINALLY fell asleep at someone's party last night...so back to make rounds again today...

Thank you for the invitation...so glad you left the decorations up for me!

Please stop by and see my creative offerings for the party...they're still up, too!

http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com

Amisha said...

Haunting pictures!

JEWELGIRL said...

What a wonderful super spooky Halloween Ball! Delightfully Good
and Frightfully Fun!
Happy Halloween! Jewelgirl

Laume said...

Oh, I wish I could really hear that gypsy music - I almost can!

Sueann said...

Sorry to be late!! The trade winds blew me off course. Thanks for keeping the candles lit for me. Wonderful party and your photos are fantastic!
Stop by mine
Hugs
SueAnn

Annabelle said...

A Secret Alchemy Book…what a lovely Spider’s Ball!
Little magical books,spiders and twinkling webs,a crystal sphere and a Grand Halloween Ball... all dear to my heart!

Had a lovely time here! Thanks!
Happy Haunting and a Happy Halloween Too!
A Witch Called Annabelle>^..^<

Chickenbells said...

What an amazing and wonderful ball...thank you so much for the invite (although I'm a little late!) Happy Halloween...

http://foolsewoode.blogspot.com/2009/10/historically-halloween-has-been-time.html

Stella Dora von Swineburg said...

Thank you Arabella for a wonderful time! and thanks for visiting with me and Zelda!

Iva's Creations said...

My what a wonderful tale!! Thank you for stopping by my masquerade blog party and entering my giveaway! Your tour is quite spookilicious!! Happy Halloween!
Cheers...Iva