Practical Magic in all of us

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Do you ever read Alice Hoffman?  Its been too long since I've picked up one of her books.  They always have a thread of magic woven through them,.  Some of her stories are pure magic, some just have hints of it. But the most mystical of them all is Practical Magic. 

That book was an all nighter for me. And when the movie came out,  I didn't see how it could possibly measure up, but man. I'd watch that movie over and over just to get another glimpse of the house. But the whole thing is worth watching again and again even without the eye candy.

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So, when I heard that Justina and Anna were having a Practical Magic party, I had to join in!

(right now, I'm out of town, and pre-posted this- but I will be party hopping and checking out all the garden spells and pointy hats when I get home)

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I've always loved the witchy side of life.  The hint of magic in all of us.  Having Sugarwings around and seeing the world through her eyes has brought out the magic and fun in my life even more.

 

 
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I've also discovered as I get older that playing dress up is just as much fun as it was when I was little like Sugarwings.(This picture is not doctored!  I'm standing in front of a "light birdie" that the sun coming through a prism on the window has made)

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At my Sissy's 60th birthday party, we all dressed up as fairies and witches and one of the highlights of the night was to dance  around the house to "Put the Lime in the Coconut" like the sisters did in Practical Magic.


 

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Maybe what I love about the book and movie so much is the sisters.  Mine are my best friends, and I miss them every day.  There is power in the love of  sisters.

Magic is all around you, just waiting for you to find it.


 
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Life is too short to not be hunting the magic that is waiting for you.


  

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No matter how silly you might look while doing it.  



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You don't need a crystal ball to find the kind of magic I'm talking about.


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All you need to do is pay attention, open your eyes to the beauty around you.


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Be light hearted.  Let yourself fly.


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Show love, give love, be loved. That is the greatest magic.


 

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Being creative is a way to find the magic inside yourself too.  Lose yourself in making something.


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Create something to decorate your own home, as a gift, or just for the pure sparkling joy of making it.


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These crowns, that I made are all from images and some techniques we provided in Romantic Gothic Ghosts. (although the crowns themselves were not taught in the classes)

I've enjoyed doing the class so much.  To me, Halloween isn't about the scary stuff, its the mysterious that I find intriguing. Practical Magic probably should have been on our list of Gothic Romances in the review Beth did in our tutorial.  That luscious house, the gorgeous gardens, the teaser of the unknown, all  evoke the feeling we wanted to purvey, and what the class is about!

Yet another reason why this blog party drew me in.  I've been knee deep in Gothic witchiness for the last few weeks!Its not too late to join us if you'd like to create some moody Halloween decor for your home too.

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And please remember, that for my September giveaway, I'll be drawing a name to win one of the projects that I made for the class. All comments count.

Thanks again to Justina and Anna for coming up with a great theme and for hosting the party.

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I
will be away from my desk and unable to answer comments or mail
packages until Wed.  But please do leave a comment if you'd like to be
entered in the September giveaway of one of my completed projects for Romantic Gothic Ghosts.


PS- I know I'll be spending  too much in Texas, so I'm having a sale in the Boutique to replenish my funds.  Type in this code:


Roundtop

and you'll get 20% off of every purchase!

56 thoughts on “Practical Magic in all of us”

  1. I do so agree about magic. It’s in all of us as long as we can be childlike and innocent enough to let it out. Sugar wings is an inspiration. She just sums it all up. Much as I love my grandchildren they are all very practical and down to earth. BUT, I’ve just become a great grandmother, (a week ago) so I have great hopes for this new babe, (Zane)

  2. Karla, This is such a beautiful and thought-provoking post – lovely images and ideas! You are truly a creative wonder woman! I love your blog!
    Jane-Jacksonville

  3. Alice Hoffman. Yes. I met her last year and she is amazing! I’ve read every one of her books and I own most of them. Love Practical Magic. Loved the words you had to say, today! They are all so true. Time doesn’t stand still, create a little magic in your life! Have a wonderful weekend! – Kathy

  4. We have to be kindred spirits… I find myself just laughing and nodding and sending you the very best of thanks for all the magic you bring to my life… I LOVE Practical Magic AND Chocolat… They are favorites of mine in any weather, but something about this cooler temperature that sends me scampering to the Lime in the Coconut song, too…

  5. It is so nice seeing people find magic in there everyday lives, which you so obviously have, enjoy the part but really enjoy the magic.
    My link has not been added yet but feel free to stop by at
    faeriesagekitchen.blogspot.com

  6. Hey Karla,
    What a Magical post. YOu are so right, magic surrounds us everyday. I love Sugarwings walking with her feet above the ground. Beautiful.
    She has learned how to use the wings looks like.
    Have a wonderfully enchanting and magical day.
    thank you for the wonderful class and the great party.
    The crowns are positively gorgeous.
    Spells and Wishes,
    Wendy from Wonderland

  7. Your post really touched my heart!! So very true, magic and love is around us everyday if we only open our eyes and hearts to it! The name Sugarwings in wonderful, definitely adopting that for a member of my kitty family!!! The picture of your sissy with her eyes closed and that wonderful wreath truly brought tears to my eyes. That is one very special woman, you can see it in the way she holds herself. I am so glad I have discovered your blog through the Practical Magic blog party. I am now a follower and look forward to checking in regularly! When you come home check out my party post please… I hope you like it My blog site is correspondence with the muses (on the blog role) or click the blog button in my home page at http://www.triciafountainedesign.com. Thank you so much for your lovely work and PLEASE enter me for your give away, anything you make I would love to call my own!

  8. It was “magic” when I discovered your blog today! I plan to spend the rest of the afternoon looking at all the beautiful things you have created. Thanks for showing so many gorgeous treasures.

  9. Lovely post for the PM party. Love and Magic are all around us every day if only we choose to open our eye, minds and hearts.
    Brightest Blessings,
    Penny

  10. As usual…you have written and photographed another amazing post…hope you are having a great time in Texas. Patty in Kansas

  11. Your are so right. I was a typical responsible first born and I never learned how to play.
    I need to learn to do that now.
    ~elaine~

  12. Thank you for participating in the Practical Magic Party. So happy to have found you, thus.
    I’m a ‘Nana,’ who really needs to find more magic in her life… Not just at certain times of year. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Gentle hugs,
    ‘Auntie,’ being “Aunt Bridget” for the weekend

  13. i hope you’re having a wonderful weekend get-away with the girls! Your post is magical… I especially love the crowns. Wondering if you’re putting them in your shoppe? You should think about a crown tutorial class; there are several out there but your crowns are sooo beautiful, and you do such a great job of breaking it down so we can follow… 🙂 mercedes

  14. Morning Karla….what a great post…your right,some times we just miss the magic…too caught up in our lives….but we have women like you ,who remind us…thanx…Lorraine

  15. Karla, I love all the pictures but your little one is so sweet! I too enjoy the mystery/magic and not the gory of Halloween. I’ve been doing some sweet Halloween with my 3yr old in mind plus my favorite combo of black/white with some pop which I’ve posted on my blog.
    Kris

  16. You are absolutely right, Karla! Life is too short not to enjoy all these things. It is unfortunate that somewhere between childhood and menopause we lose that! I am starting a new part of my life as I come up to my 47th birthday {which is on Halloween}. I’m a new grandmother, I think I started (in recent months) peri-menopause, quitting smoking in May (I think) triggered a thyroid issue ~ some interesting, a little confusing, but happy days ahead.

  17. You hardly look silly. You look joyful! … and the word PRACTICAL is in the title for a reason. All of the magic and wonder and creativity is actually PRACTICAL, because it fills your cup so you overflow and share with others…it gives you the motivation to live life to the fullest! Yeah for spontanaity too…. kudos to you for blasting to Roundtop! – Amy Bauer

  18. The magic of life lives in the child that resides within us. Many times I feel foolish scavenging the neighbourhood garbage for treasures,or looking for fossils in the wood, picking up rusty old things on the street , gathering shells and sea-glass on the beach, or spotting a sparkly find hidden in a seam, like a crow, I dart in to retrieve ,an old fuddy duddy who finds the simplest things are the best treat of the day; especially when they become part of my artwork and suddenly magic begins.
    ~^..^~ *Annabelle.
    Loved your post.

  19. You and your precious Sugar Wings are absolutely adorable! Looks like fun fun fun at your house.
    All I ever go seems to be cleaning and such.
    And, of course, some fun swaps which you just hosted.
    Got my Wizard of Oz tags off this weekend.
    You are just having way too much fun and what a lift to watch all the gorgeous pics you take!

  20. OMGoodness! I love the Shadows in the Night crown/tiara.
    I’ve always been interested in the practical magic of women (especially sisters) and the wavelength that transcends our thoughts from one to another… Enjoy your trip. Can’t wait to see what you bring back.

  21. Love your post! Many times I have told you how I love your light hearted way of living and the joy you possess. Magic is always found here. Have a safe trip to and from Round Top and have fun!!!

  22. Karla, you are a most sweet and beautifull witch, soo love your hat, and that you are wearing it with witch-pride.
    The photoes of you and Sugarwings, are wonderfull,-and your crowns -fantastic—–
    You are the dearest fairy, and the round photo of you two, is just pure love- makes me miss my little one sooooo much,:)
    Hugs, from Dorthe

  23. Welcome to Texas. 🙂
    I just love the crowns you made. Those are wonderful. I also love the way the prisms in your front door cause all those tiny rainbows. I love and have prisms, but not like that one! NIIIICCEEEE!!!
    I hope you are enjoying your time down here. It must have known you were coming because it’s cooled off sooooo much!
    Faith, trust, and faerie dust!
    http://fortheloveofcreativity.blogspot.com

  24. What a MAGICALLY delightful post!!! I love it:) you all look so happy and full of life. I am envious, my kids are grown and basically out!(no grandkids–yet) my sister is a cold, bitchy, bossy woman.
    My connection to other women is through the wonder and magic that is the internet!
    Please visit:
    http://piecesoffatesusan.blogspot.com/
    peace n love,
    Susan
    I’m a new joiner 🙂

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