31 Days of Samhain: A Memorable Samhain Experience

Relaying a memorable Samhain experience has been a difficult challenge for me, as I have never really thought of Halloween in the Samhain light, as it were.  This is the first year that I've even put an altar together for the season.  So, in a way, I'm creating my first memorable Samhain experience as I go this year.  I'm really enjoying the creation and maintenance of my altar, which is my fireplace and mantel.  You wouldn't look at it and notice necessarily, it just looks like seasonal decorations: pumpkins, apples, candles, some flowers, and a small glass bottle of salt with a crystal prism on top.  We have a large gilt mirror hanging above the mantel as well, which I think makes a nice focus.  With a fire blazing away in the fireplace, it really is a magical sight.

31 Days of Samhain

By way of Salem's Creations, I will attempt the 31 Days of Samhain (even though I'm way over my head with the 44 Days of Witchery).  Stand by for doubling up!

1. What is a memorable experience during Samhain?
2. What do I remember as most exciting about Samhain/Halloween as a child?
3. What do I wish to teach people about Samahin?
4. A favorite picture that represents Samhain.
5. Give us a short Autobiography of an Ancestor (Living or Dead) of yours. 
6. If your a parent, how do you involve your children in Samhain? 
7. What is your favorite design for your Jack - o - lanterns?
8. What things do you put on your alter for Samhain?
9. Share a Pagan/Wiccan story about Halloween/Samhain.
10. Suggest a website or book about Samahin.
11. Share your favorite recipe for Samhain dinner.
12. How do you celebrate Samhain/Halloween? 
13. Favorite Halloween movie.
14. Favorite Halloween costumes for adults and/or children.
15. Share a picture of a pet in costume.
16. What is your favorite Halloween Project(s) for the kids? 
17. Favorite scary monster.
18. What God(dess) do you involve in your Samhain rites?
19. A Samhain Resolution.
20. Tell us a tale about an ancestor of yours that has passed.
21. A picture of your Samhain alter.
22. Samhain divination: Draw one Tarot card and tell us how its message relates to your life. 
23. Share a poem (Either written by you or someone else with credit) that relates to Samhain/Halloween.
24. What are you doing to prepare for winter?
25. Talk about Halloween colors. Orange
26. Talk about Halloween colors. Black
27. What are you doing to prepare for winter?
28. Have you ever had an experience with Spirits? 
29. Ever lived or stayed in a Haunted houses?
30. Share or write a guided Samhain meditation.
31. Witches Choice! Happy Samhain Everyone. 

In Which I Try to Get My Life in Order, and Make Time to Design

I've upgraded my design software to PCStitch Pro 9 after I designed a beautiful Halloween sampler, and losing it with the old software.  PP9 is so much easier to use, especially for designing text and importing pictures.  Getting time to use it has been the real trick.  

Iain's just started nursery last Thursday (and the other two boys are back to school as well).  Hubby is back to work teaching.  And, I'm trying to get myself into a routine of housework and design work.  I've spent most of today just doing laundry and tidying up.  Soon, I'll be off to pick up the two older boys from school and then homework and dinner prep will start.  Mondays may just end up being a write-off.  Also, I bought about 300 flower bulbs last week that will have to find their way into the ground soon.  

I'm also struggling with what to design.  My plan for year one is to design ornaments and small pictures following the seasons.  Originally I had hoped to start with Halloween/Samhain and be able to design enough small items quickly enough to get them on Etsy in time.  Now I'm thinking that I'll either spend a year just in design and release them next year, or just jump on ahead and start with Christmas/Yule, or maybe even Imbolc.  

Now, the research has really been the fun part for me.  I've been buying up books and magazines on cross stitch, embroidery, and samplers.  And trawling the internet for quotes, poems, and visuals.  My poor  brain is absolutely packed with ideas, materials, possible designs, and plans.  This may be why I've had so much trouble with insomnia this week.  Last night was my first good nights sleep in weeks.  

Tonight, if I can get the boys off to bed at a good time, I hope to recreate my Halloween sampler in the new software.  Then I'll decide how to plan out my year.  I'll let you know how it comes out.