Ghosts Among Us, Due October 6, 2017

Vicki Z

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Ghosts Among Us, Due October 6, 2017
Swap Due Date: October 6, 2017
Signup/Withdraw Date: October 6, 2017
Number of ATCs: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited
Medium: Any and all media and techniques are welcome



RETURNS MAILED 10/08



As days get shorter and night comes sooner, shadows appear earlier and are more noticeable. We may think of Helpers, Guardians, Protectors, or dearly departed relatives, that we may "see" or only "feel", but who may often council us, protect us, or in general, help us.

Do you believe in ghosts?
Have you ever seen a ghost, heard or felt a ghost, been helped by one, been frightened by one?

My Maternal Grandmother is my Guardian Ghost, and I cannot tell you how may times she has helped me, as well as created a Miracle on my behalf. I see her passing through the kitchen. I smell her backing Banana nut loaf or date bread. I smell her distinctive "White Roses" cologne when she comes to help, or when she is just "passing through". I am comforted by her presence and her continued interest and care.
I have been told by others that they can smell their late father's aftershave, so we can "smell" ghosts as well as sense them and see them.

Ghosts may be tied to a physical object or to a particular location.
Ghosts may arrive with one of their personal possessions or with a piece of furniture (of theirs) you may have acquired.
You may be surprised to know that even a "New" House can harbor "Old Spirits" if built on the footprint of an "Old Site". An "Old" House may still house the earlier inhabitants - living as ghosts, even if the "Old" house has been removed or destroyed. Have you seen the 1935 movie "The Ghost Goes West", a comedy in which a Scottish castle and its ghost are moved to Florida, a perfect example of ghosts tied to a location.

Ghosts can often be seen or sensed by pets, and some young children, even when their owner is unaware of their presence.
Spirits often gather around the hospital bed of a dying person, perhaps to guide them beyond death's door.
Spirits may remain on this plane, rather than moving on, particularly if they have unfinished business, or if they died violently or unexpectedly.

Ghosts may be naughty children, for children are the most numerous of all ghost sightings.
.....It is theorized that perhaps they do not know they are dead, and continue to "live" and play
They may be playful pirates, or serious battle hardened soldiers, who died in battle, or died violently
They may be screaming Banshees, who, according to Scottish tradition, can foretell an impending death

Call them spirits, or call them ghosts, be they helpful, frightening, quiet
Whatever form spirits or ghosts arrive in, 1 in 3 Americans believe in them. Do you?

MIRRORS
In the 19th Century, Victorian funeral customs demanded that mirrors be covered with crepe or veiling to prevent the deceased spirit from getting trapped in the mirror and becoming a resident ghost in that house, consequently not being able to move on to the afterlife.
It is said that viewing a mirror by candlelight will not only show you your own reflection, but will also show you all the ghosts (and any other entities) that inhabit the place where the mirror is hung.
Sometimes family photos would be placed face down to avoid the ghost of the dead possessing the living.

OUIJA BOARD, SEANCES
It is thought that ghosts and spirits may be summoned and/or communicated with through the Ouija board or during a Seance. Create ATCs of Ouija boards or Seances in session.

AUTOMATIC WRITING
Sometimes when a loved one passes on, they may have information they want to/need to share with those left behind.
They may wish to grant assistance in finding lost or misplaced objects.
For those who cannot, or don't wish to, SEE ghosts, many people have had good results with "Automatic Writing", also called "The Moving Hand".
One takes in hand a writing instrument, poises the pen over blank paper, asks a question, clears their mind, closes their eyes, and lets their hand do the work.
One doesn't have to believe in ghosts, or see anything spooky, one just needs to be seeking an answer.
Of course, if the (correct) answer shows up in (dead) Mom's distinctive handwriting, it can be very spooky.

SHE STILL WATCHES
Do you smell her lilac cologne on a cool fall day when all the lilacs have stopped blooming? Do you see her in the morning mist, doing those things she used to do to please you, perhaps making you breakfast? Do you feel her presence at momentous events? Does she comfort you when you need her most? Can you sense she is with you?
You should know, she loves you still.
(This also applies to men, and the smell of Dad's aftershave.)

CLOTHING
Ghosts, when seen, are often wearing the same clothes worn then last alive.
This means they may be wearing the clothing of the time period in which they lived and died, which may be much different from today’s clothing. Or they may be wearing the same clothes worn the last time you saw him/her.

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF GHOSTS
Photographs have been taken of ghosts, looking like a double exposure with the outlines of trees and buildings fully visible through the body of the apparition. Make a card depicting this, use a real photograph if you have one.

Urban Legends
Some ghosts are seen so often they have become Urban Legends.
There is the Phantom Hitchhiker, known as Lydia, the White Lady, found on Lydia's Bridge.
There is the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow stories.
There is Anne Boleyn, the be-headed wife of King Henry VIII of Tudor Legend and who still walks the Tower of London with "her head tucked underneath her arm" as described in the song by the Kingston Trio.

Try to explore other aspects of ghosts than just the "standard" Halloween ghost.
Make ATCs that depict ghosts in their many forms and appearances.
Do NOT make cards, about movies, about ghosts, but if you want to get into the "spirit" of ghosts, here are some
movies to watch:
“Ghost” with Patrick Swayze; or check out the 1937 movie “Topper”, or follow the TV series of the same name; or watch “High Spirits”, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" or "Blithe Spirit" with Rex Harrison, which has a very surprising ending. Or "The Spirit of Christmas", which is a light, lovely movie, or "Kiss Me Goodbye" with Sally Field, James Caan and Jeff Bridges.



* This is a 3 for 3 or 6 for 6 card trade. Make 3 or 6 cards and receive the same number back.

* ALL mediums and techniques are welcome. Please make sure you add some depth to your cards, whatever style you choose. Your mediums can include, but are not limited to: paper, tissue paper, crayon, acrylic, watercolor, gel pens, colored pencil, rubber stamping, ink, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, etc. Please do not take an image, cut it out, glue it to a card, and call it done. Color the background. Add some texture. Add more than one image. Make the ATC YOUR CREATION! I do ask that you send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.

*Please sign up by posting to this thread.
* ONLY ATCs allowed. No APCs accepted.
* All cards need to be sent each in their own plastic sleeve.
* All cards need to be standard atc size: 2.5” x 3.5”
* Please put the Swap name and your Username on the back of all cards. And please write clearly on everything! We can't give you itrades and/or You Rock! points if we don't know who you are.
* All cards need to be sturdy enough to earn the name “card” (no floppy or flimsy paper). If it is created on a single sheet of paper, and "flimsy", please back your ATC with something stiffer, or more firm, such as a cereal box. Just as important, check for cards that are too thick. Each card must still be capable of fitting into the standard ATC sleeve. If your ATC will not fit into an ATC sleeve, it is too bulky.
* Please confirm there is enough postage on both the envelope you send to me, and the envelope I need to send back to you.
* If you are unsure about mailing ATCs, or just may want to pick up some good tips for shipping, here is a great link.
http://atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=909

* If you are inside the U.S., please include a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches, with 49 cents postage, or one "Forever" stamp if trading 3 cards; or one forever and one 21 cent stamp if trading 6 cards, OR if your cards are extra heavy or extra bulky (or 2 forever stamps if that is easier).

* International participants, if you have U.S. funds, or U.S. postage, it is greatly appreciated. However, since many of you do not have access to U.S. stamps, I will cover your postage. Please include a self addressed envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches (10 x 28 cm), or if you do not have the correct size envelope, please include a large mailing label with your address and I will provide the envelope.

* I apologize for being so demanding about the envelope size, but the postal rates in the US charge extra for thickness. When cards are stacked, or overlapped, in (a smaller) envelope, it almost always costs more to mail. If you send me a small envy, the cards get stacked. When I use the 4 inch by 9 1/2 inch business size envelopes, I can spread the cards over the area, making a THIN package, and only pay for basic (minimum) postage.

* Cards are due IN MY HANDS by October 6, 2017. Returns will be mailed promptly. Late cards will be returned, as it is unfair to those participants who always have their cards in early, or on time.

* A hostie card in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!

* Thank you for considering this swap! If you have my address from previous swaps, it hasn't changed.

* Above all ~Have fun!!!


Please see post #3 for list of participants.
I apparently have used all my allowed space in this post. :0(
 
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HELPFUL HINTS FOR CREATING ATCs WITH GHOSTS:

It is easiest to create ghosts by using
the packing tape transfer method
to get a (semi-recognizable) image of a person, and still have the person look transparent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayi8LdHyosA

Another great technique is to use
the liquid gel matte medium transfer method,
but with that, you are transferring straight onto the card stock.

Alternatively, you can use
the liquid white glue transfer method,
but with that, you are transferring straight onto the card stock.
The directions recommend PVC glue (book glue), but I am going to try "Elmer's" glue next, since it is on sale with all the school supplies.

I also like to create a sort of see-through ghostly image
by printing on vellum.
Laser printer or ink jet printer?
The ink jet printer has a tendency to smear when I print on vellum, so I try to print on vellum (or glossy card stock) only when the ink is getting low so I get less ink smear.
One can also buy vellum that says it's for printing on.





Current Participants
Ghosts Among Us: Due October 6, 2017

1. xela7072 - it - Cards Received 8/16
*2. SpottedCrow - it - Cards Received 8/07
*/. Rina - WITHDREW
*3. Boots - it - Cards Received 8/07
*4. josiesuelupin - it - Cards Received 10/06
*5. Ancient Planter - it - Cards Received 8/07
*/. Collagaint Ashley - WITHDREW
*6. OldsLady1992 - it - Cards Received 9/26
*/. Fierce Armadillo - WITHDREW
*/. RhonaPaints - NO CARDS, NO COMMUNICATION * CANADA
*/. Mel-made - WITHDREW * AUSTRALIA
*/. Bibliobibuli - NO CARDS, NO COMMUNICATION
*7. BluSkyHare - it - Cards Received 8/22
*//. acalla - WITHDREW * AUSTRALIA
*//. Onaki - WITHDREW
*//. Mrs.Alderman - WITHDREW
8. PinkJellyFish - it - Cards Received 9/06
*//. MeanderingMaiden - WITHDREW
*9. TrinaLD - it - Cards Received 10/06
*//. tfelix - WITHDREW
*10. Vicki Z - Cards Received 8/13
11. Nightvamp - it - Cards Received


INTERNATIONAL *
 
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Welcome xela7072, SpottedCrow, and Rina.
You are all signed up via AUTOMATIC WRITING.

Ever received a ghostly message via "automatic writing"?
It is creepy cool.......
 
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Well of course I must participate -- I live with a ghost in our house (elderly woman who died here of breast cancer shortly before we bought the house. She just does little things to make sure we know she's here, even tho' we never knew her). I also love to go ghost "hunting"!
 
Well of course I must participate -- I live with a ghost in our house (elderly woman who died here of breast cancer shortly before we bought the house. She just does little things to make sure we know she's here, even tho' we never knew her). I also love to go ghost "hunting"!


How cool that you live with a ghost, and how WONDERFUL that you get along with each other.
My house has so many ghosts, I have lost count, but it was built over 100 years ago, so has had time to collect a "few".
 
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Ancient Planter and Vicki thanks for sharing your stories. Having gone thru breast cancer treatment back in 2015, the elderly lady one was sad to hear but my quick story is when my oldest daughter was about 3 or 4, we believe a spirit of a young girl she called Jenny followed us home after a visit to a cemetery. She hung around fir a few weeks. My daughters playmate. She eventually left and never heard from her again. Im definetly doing a card on her.

Love to hear more on your ghosts Vicki. I felt them, smell them, have dreams of loved ones who pass on but never seen a ghost....not yet anyway. I'm okay with that...lol
 
Ancient Planter and Vicki thanks for sharing your stories. Having gone thru breast cancer treatment back in 2015, the elderly lady one was sad to hear but my quick story is when my oldest daughter was about 3 or 4, we believe a spirit of a young girl she called Jenny followed us home after a visit to a cemetery. She hung around fir a few weeks. My daughters playmate. She eventually left and never heard from her again. Im definetly doing a card on her.

Love to hear more on your ghosts Vicki. I felt them, smell them, have dreams of loved ones who pass on but never seen a ghost....not yet anyway. I'm okay with that...lol


Your potential card on your daughter's playmate sounds FAB.
Cannot wait to see how you do your ATC.
 
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One year for Christmas, back when I was in high school, Dad built me a rocking chair.
I loved that rocking chair!!
That rocker followed me through high school, graduate school, college, 4 "close" male friends, 5 "serious" boyfriends, 9 apartments, a hubby and a house. (Sounds like a "Liberty Insurance" commercial.)
I love that rocker, but someone in the house loved it as much as I did, and used it more than I did.

It rocked on its own.
A gentle rock, like someone slowly falling asleep.
An excited rock, like someone hearing a dandy story, or reading a good book.
An nervous rock, like danger was eminent.

Turns out it was the (ghost of) the original builder of the house, (built in the 1800's), not only watching the improvements we made to his original dream, but disagreeing (in some not so nice ways) about "improvements" we wanted to make to his home. We called him "Gramps", because he was over 100 years old.

Our first ghost!!!
I really learned how to compromise that first year!
 
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Our lady ghost (I need to look up her name) was the wife of the fellow who built our house and from whom we bought it. It was built in 2000 and the land wasn't sacred or anything -- it used to be next to a river that got filled in so houses could be built on the land (our neighbors still have their yards flood a bit in winter, but our house is on a slight hill). Anyway, Bob, who built the house, moved just a street over after she died so I like to think his wife spends most of the time with him, but when we do improvements to the house, she does little things to let us know that she's watching. I like to think she approves because when Bob built the house, he went with the cheapest everything (she was dying at the time and he was more concerned with his photography studio built off our garage and his boat and 2 RVs). Didn't even care enough to put in a ramp for her wheelchair at the entrances, and each entrance has 3 stairs! But at least he did put in the taller toilets and the doorways are wider for a wheelchair. When we were having our kitchen remodeled, I was standing at the counter and heard a bang in the pantry. I opened the door and a bottle of wine was on the floor, balanced on it's cork. It had been lying in a wine rack and had to move up, against gravity, and then fall over six feet to get to the floor. I think she was suggesting I have a glass or two of wine a day in order to get through the remodel ;) Now we're having the bathrooms done (Saturday starts the master bath) and yesterday I discovered my 2-week pill container lids open for just the 3 days that still had pills in them. If the cats had walked across it, then other lids would be open, but even then, the lids don't open as far as those lids were open yesterday. I'm sure she's telling me to remember to take my meds 'cause things are about to get really stressful here! :D

I was reading a true ghost story book once and a young man told the story of his former apartment in which a ghost would do his dishes for him every night that he left dirty dishes in the sink. Now THAT'S the ghost I want in my house!

But on the scary side, our contractor was telling me yesterday that his wife goes ghost hunting and he's afraid she brought "something" home with her because his young daughter (4 years old and knows nothing about ghosts and ghost hunting because they keep it from her) has begun complaining that someone's in her room, talking to her and watching her. She was so afraid Monday night that she refused to sleep in her room and had to sleep with her parents.

Love your stories, Vicki and Rina!
 
Oh, I forgot to mention - while reading your bit about movies with ghosts, one of my favorites is the rather romantic The Ghost and Mrs. Muir with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney, or the TV series based on the movie with Hope Lang and Edward Mulhare. Or Oscar Wilde's story The Canterville Ghost and the movie made from that with Sir Patrick Stewart.
 
I believe! Although I have no idea what I'll depict, please add me.

Here are my ghost stories--I would have given anything for a clear sighting after my mom died.

I was on a ship called the USS Hornet for a New Year's Eve party, one of the most haunted places in the area. I slipped through a barrier and went downstairs. I just stood there in the dark, absorbing. I definitely felt SOMETHING. I'd creeped myself out and quickly went back to the party!

When I was 16, I was in Denmark with my mom and we went to 'Hamlet's castle.' We were standing about 1/2 mile away and I took a picture. No digital cameras then, so after we developed the roll, there was a white swoosh running through the center of the photo. The rest of the pics on that roll were fine. We were thrilled that a ghost had paid us a visit!
 
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