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  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
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Maps and Legends

Winter Holiday Swaps 2024 - Krampusnacht + Tacky Ornaments + Solstice

Rather than doing separate posts this year, I've decided to combine all of the Yule/Christmas/DecemberHolidayMadness swaps into a single post.    Updated 11/12/24)   Would you like something embroidered my elf? Absolutely! I would definitely be interested in embroidered ornaments or wearables. I don't have a whole lot of wall/shelf space for display, though.    Would you, dearest elf, be interested in some handmade hair falls? I am not not interested, if that makes sense. My hair is dyed dark red and super short and I don't necessarily have a lot of places I would wear them. I do, however, have a teen who is into anime, manga, Hatsune Miku, and Genshin Impact, with related cosplay, who would inevitably appropriate anything of the kind that entered the house, especially if it were Miku aqua and more light weight than the long-ass wig we bought for Awesome Con last spring or rainbow or non-binary or aero/ace themed. They would probably prefer two, but one can't be picky when "borrowing" from other people.    Would you be interested in homemade cocktail bitters?  Absolutely - I want to try all of your infusions and syrups and bitters, etc.    Would you be interested in infusing kits for your alcohol of choice? Could be for different liquors or wine, depending on your preferences.   Sure! I love the ones from InBooze on etsy, which inspired this question and I would love to try others as well. I tend to grab gin and bourbon the most these days, but I have a well stocked liquor cabinet and any could work. I also tend to like mulled wine this time of year, so that's also an option.    Is there anything that you would like to stock your liquor cabinet? I could use Compari and other things for interesting negronis. I have the gin and sweet vermouth...although I should check the latter as it's been around for a while. I am always happy to get candied citrus peel, fancy cherries, and other cocktail garnishes as well.      Soooo I love the tea towels from Spoonflower AND they have a ton of Krampus type graphics.   Would you be interested in a tea towel from there?   (Bonus if you go look and give some links to your fav Krampus fabric.)  I am always up for tea towels! I like a lot of the fabric, but the following especially jump out at me: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/13853869-krampus-creep-night-by-brittany_sherman https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/10370178-merry-krampus-large-scale-blue-white-red-yellow-gray-brown-by-amy_g https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/17802844-8-merry-christmas-krampus-demons-horns-monsters-snow-pitchfork-moon-night-w-by-raveneve https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/18076610-16-merry-christmas-standing-krampus-demons-horns-monsters-pitchfork-snowfla-by-raveneve https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/14684702-krampus-jolly-devil-by-brittany_sherman https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/12420276-gingerdead-men-mini-scale-by-flowers_n_fiends https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/18052282-14-merry-christmas-white-cats-bite-krampus-demons-horns-monsters-cute-folkl-by-raveneve https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/13853866-krampus-merry-fright-on-green-by-brittany_sherman https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/11084052-krampus-damask-gray-by-xoxotique   Or I can order a fat quarter and make a bowl holder for you (works for hot OR cold, on the table, in your hands, microwavable) if you're interested.   I use them a lot for hot bowls. That would also be very cool.    Would you be interested in an Advent Calendar? Always.   Anything from Haus of Gloi's site that you want? https://www.hausofgloi.com/blogs/haus-herald/yule-2024-info  (yule collection part 1 should be up on Sunday.) Love love love their pumpkin butter and bubbling scrub - Mama's Porridge, Spruce Tip Shortbread, Winter Divinity. Ye Olde Cake of Fruit also sounds right up my alley, should it become available in the aforementioned products. I don't need any of the oils, though.    Anything from Paintbox Soapworks? I love their hot process soap and scrubs - Black Twig, Comfort & Joy, Figlet, Winter Stories (in that order of preference)   Do you want any goodies for your pets?   (catnip, dog cookies, etc) The kittens, especially, love toys. If you grow your own catnip, that would be cool, but don't go buying them.    For NAUGHTY things, what do you think about ... ummm... kinky toys or adult toys? No thank you.    If you like coffee, do you prefer whole bean or ground? If ground, what fineness? For unflavored, whole bean. For flavors, ground please. I don't have any grind preference.    If we’re discussing tea, how much of a purist are you? Not at all. I am set up for either loose leaf or bags and both are totally fine.    Would you be interested in a small yule wreath if so what colors and theme would you fancy?   Sure! Happy for a Krampusy theme or a more general Yule theme.    Anything from Sock Dreams? I love seasonal socks. I may have a wishlist going there already.    Anything from Moonalisa I'd happily try the shower gel or avocado butter. Lots of the wintery scents fit my gourmand desires.    Anything you might like from my favorite little tea shop? https://www.fridaytea.com/ I see a lot that appeals to my fruity/spicy/chocolately side.    It would be great to know what sizes my hibernator wears for socks, clothes, and jewelry. I am kind of between sizes now, but can do XL in fitted tees, probably an L or XL in more generous cuts. Socks are standard US adult (shoe size is 8 in womens/6 in mens). I'm currently a size 14 in pants. Jewelry, I like most lengths of necklaces, other than chokers. Message me if you need specific measurements for necklaces or bracelets.    And do you have favorite types of jewelry/stones? I wear earrings - everything from fun studs to very dangly these days. Anything that is intended to be more professional, I prefer hooks or hoops in case I get dragged onto calls without earbuds, but realistically, unless something changes dramatically, I'm self employed these days, so professionalism is relative. Otherwise, I like bracelets - I prefer flexible chain/bead sort of bands to solid bangles and necklaces of various lengths. I have a small collection of fun pins and buttons, but they hang in my room, I don't really wear them.    In terms of stones, I love anything sparkly, especially darker jewel tones - blues, reds, greens, and dark shimmery stones like marcacite or dark opals.    Wishlists you want to share? My wishlists are in my meta swap post (also linked in my sig):    How do you feel about boozy fruitcake?  I love it and am happy to try any and all individual varieties. That said, don't go buy me a Collins Street one or anything.    Shower steamers? Sure! I would mist like something citrusy and refreshing, eucalyptus,  or alternatively, sweet vanilla lavender, as I have started showering more at night lately.    Simmer pots? Definitely not opposed. In terms of intent, general wellness would be cool.    Homemade jam? Yes, please! As long as it's not made with low calorie sweetener.  I'm not familiar with coconut sugar, but some googling suggests it should be fine. Just no stevia or monk fruit, as both of those aggravate my migraines.   I have a set of runes, never used, made from hand-carved (shed) antler. Would you like such an item? No thank you.   If I were to knit for you, what colors would you like?  Washcloths, scarves, hat, shawl……no promises but I have some knitting time!!  Washcloths, mits, shawl, arm warmers would all be wonderful.    talk to me about your drinkware preference; mugs, glasses, etc.  colors, shapes, sizes…….seasonal?  Fall or winter??  I like big ole bowl size mugs with large handles, the cuter, more seasonal the better. I also love vintage/vintage-style cocktail glasses.
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!                                                           Today’s text is “It’s Halloween” from The Philadelphia Inquirer on 10/31/1898. Read the article here. Quote: “Goblins and fairies, good and evil, will be running amuck to-night, if the old Halloween traditions do not fail…. Every one may be both superstitious and sentimental to-night.” ALT It’s Halloween headline: “Goblins and Fairies Will Be Roaming Abroad Tonight”
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 30

Today’s text is “The Goblins" from Asbury Park Press on 10/31/1913. Read the article here. Quote: Who said that elves were banished? That goblins were no more? That sprites and fays had vanished From all their haunts of yore? Not so. They surely flourish As in their golden prime, And Hallowe’en they cherish As their most joyous time. ALT The Goblins artwork depicting trick-or-treaters on Halloween
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 29

Today’s text is “Hallowe’en – A Holiday of Traditions” from The Stoughton Courier on 11/1/1907. Read the article here. Quote: “From time out of mind this has been heralded as a night when witches, devils and other mischief-making beings go abroad on their baneful midnight errands…. The traditions of Hallowe’en also teach that on no other night in the twelve-month do such supernatural influences prevail as after dark on the final day of October.” ALT Hallowe'en - A Holiday of Traditions
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 28

Today’s text is “Halloween Lore Told” from The Butte Daily Post on 10/31/1931. Read the article here. Quote: “Halloween, the night of black hours, ‘when churchyards yawn and graves give up their dead.’ will be celebrated in traditional style when the sun goes down… legend has it, the lake of hades freezes, and friends skate across to stalk the world unchallenged. Evil will possess the shadows until cock-crow.” ALT Halloween Lore Told
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 27

Today’s text is “Spook and Goblin Atmosphere of Halloween Today Tame Compared with Horror Motif Expressed in Gothic Tales” from Indianapolis Star on 10/31/1937. Read the article here. Quote: “… the Halloween tradition in its various aspects runs through a surprising amount of highly respectable adult literature. Shakespeare’s frequent ghosts, the so-called Gothic novels or novels of terror which came to a climax in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein,’ Irving’s ‘Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and Poe’s ‘Ligeia’ are certainly all in line with the Halloween tradition…”  ALT Goblin Atmosphere at Halloween
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 26

Today’s text is “Hallowe’en Activities” from The News-Pilot on 10/29/1928. Read the article here. Quote: Goblins gobble and werewolves howl; Banshees shriek and cry and scream Ululations, while the mournful owl Makes many fitful mortals dream. Hallowe'en Activities (With an Owl and Witch)
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 25

Today’s text is “Twinkling Feet’s Hallowe’en” from The Topaz Story Book: Stories and Legends of Autumn, Hallowe’en, and Thanksgiving (5th ed. 1928) compiled by Ada M. and Eleanor L. Skinner. Read it here. Quote: The pixie looked at her for a moment. Then he asked, “Do the children laugh a good deal on Hallowe’en?” “Why, my little man, it’s the time in all the year when they laugh most. To-night there is to be a witch’s party. I shall secretly join the children, and play all sorts of tricks for their amusement.“  ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 24

Today’s text is Helps and Hints for Hallowe’en (1920) by Laura Rountree Smith. Read it here. Quote: Hist! be still! ’tis Hallowe’en, When fairies troop across the green! On Hallowe’en when elves and witches are abroad, we find it the custom over all the world to build bonfires, to keep off evil spirits; and this is the night of all nights to entertain friends with stunts similar to those performed two hundred years ago. On this night fortunes are told, games are played, and if it so happens that your birthday falls on this night, you may even be able to hold converse with fairies—so goes the ancient superstition! ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 23

Today’s text is The Book of Hallowe’en (1919) by Ruth Edna Kelley. Read it here. Quote: All superstitions, everyday ones, and those pertaining to Christmas and New Year’s, have special value on Hallowe'en. It is a night of ghostly and merry revelry. ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 22

Today’s text is Games for Hallow-e’en (1912) by Mary F. Blain. Read it here. Quote: The dining-room should also be in total darkness, except for the light given by the Jack-o’-lanterns, until the guests are seated, when they should unmask. The supper could be served in this dim light or the lights turned up and the room made brilliant. After the supper is over and while the guests are still seated a splendid idea would be to extinguish all the lights and to have one or more of the party tell ghost stories…. Another suggestion is to have the hall totally dark with the door ajar and no one in sight to welcome the guests. As they step in they are surprised to be greeted by some one dressed as a ghost who extends his hand which is covered with wet salt. ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 21

Today’s text is Myra’s Well: A Tale of All-Hallow-E’en (1883) by George Francis Dawson. Read it here. Quote: It is the night of all nights of the year, When ghosts and warlocks haunt the troubled earth, And disembodied spirits visit us— Spirits of good and evil from the dead, Fresh from the angel hosts and from the damned, And from the vast profound betwixt the two… ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 20

Today we begin the final part of our countdown this year with texts (that are available online) about Halloween itself! Today’s work is Halloween, A Romaunt, with Lays, Meditative and Devotional (1845) by H.S. Parsons. Read it here. Quote: If souls, once more, to these their haunts on earth, Can come, dear Lady, from the Spirit-land, I ask’d thee,—would it spoil thine hour of mirth, To see some sudden shape before thee stand! And a cold shudder told me, and thine hand Press’d dearer to mine own. But then said I, Oh! if thy friend were dead, and could command Some midnight hour to visit thee; reply, Say, would it grieve thee, Love, if love could never die! ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 19

Let’s wrap up the Gothic portion of this year’s countdown with a classic that was published the same year as the now-better-known Dracula: The Beetle (1897) by Richard Marsh. Read it here. Quote: So far, in the room itself there had not been a sound. When the clock had struck ten, as it seemed to me, years ago, there came a rustling noise, from the direction of the bed. Feet stepped upon the floor,— moving towards where I was lying. It was, of course, now broad day, and I, presently, perceived that a figure, clad in some queer coloured garment, was standing at my side, looking down at me. It stooped, then knelt. My only covering was unceremoniously thrown from off me, so that I lay there in my nakedness. Fingers prodded me then and there, as if I had been some beast ready for the butcher’s stall. A face looked into mine, and, in front of me, were those dreadful eyes. Then, whether I was dead or living, I said to myself that this could be nothing human,— nothing fashioned in God’s image could wear such a shape as that. ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 18

Today’s text is “A Night in Monk-Hall,” an excerpt from The Quaker City; or, The Monks of Monk Hall (1845) by George Lippard. Read it here. Quote: I was sitting upright in bed, chilled to the very heart, afraid to move an inch, almost afraid to breathe, when, far, far down through the chambers of the old mansion, I heard a faint hushed sound, like a man endeavouring to cry out when attacked by night mare, and then great God how distinct! I heard the cry of `Murder, murder, murder!’ far, far, far below me. ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 17

Today’s text is the short story “The Invisible Girl” (1833) by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Read it here. Quote: “What beacon is it that helps us at our need?” asked Vernon, as the men, now able to manage their oars with greater ease, found breath to answer his question. “A fairy one, I believe,” replied the elder sailor, “yet no less a true: it burns in an old tumble-down tower, built on the top of a rock which looks over the sea. We never saw it before this summer; and now each night it is to be seen,—at least when it is looked for, for we cannot see it from our village;—and it is such an out-of-the-way place that no one has need to go near it, except through a chance like this. Some say it is burnt by witches, some say by smugglers; but this I know, two parties have been to search, and found nothing but the bare walls of the tower. All is deserted by day, and dark by night; for no light was to be seen while we were there, though it burned sprightly enough when we were out at sea.” “I have heard say,” observed the younger sailor, “it is burnt by the ghost of a maiden who lost her sweetheart in these parts; he being wrecked, and his body found at the foot of the tower: she goes by the name among us of the ‘Invisible Girl.’” ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 16

Today’s text is The Black Vampyre; A Legend of St. Domingo (1819) by Uriah Derek D’Arcy. Read it here. Quote: When reason and sense returned, she [The Lady] found herself in the same place; and it was also the midnight hour. She was laying by the grave of Mr. PERSONNE, and her breast was stained with blood. A wide wound appeared to have been inflicted there, but was now cicatrized. Imagine if you can, her surprise; when, by a certain carniverous craving in her maw, and by putting this and that together, she found she was a—VAMPYRE!!! and gathered from her indistinct reminiscences, of the preceding night, that she had been then sucked; and that it was now her turn to eject the peaceful tenants of the grave!  With this delightful prospect of immortality before her, she began to examine the graves, for subject to satisfy her furious appetite. When she had selected one to her mind, a new marvel arrested her attention. Her first husband got up out his coffin, and with all the grace so natural to his countrymen, made her a low bow in the last fashion, and opened his arms to receive her!  ALT
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Dark Academia Works Inspired by True Crime Cases?

Hello, all! I am looking for recommendations of Dark Academia works (novels, short stories, films, television series) based on true crime. I would be grateful for any suggestions for my list. Thank you! I am intentionally casting my net widely, defining the Dark Academic genre (as opposed to the aesthetic) as one that focuses on an academic setting and educational experience, employs Gothic modes of storytelling, cultivates a dark mood by contemplating the subject of death, and offers critique for interrogating imbalances and abuses of power.* ALT Below the cut is my current list of Dark Academia Works Inspired by True Crime Cases. All suggestions are welcome! Dark Academia Works Inspired/Informed by True Crime Cases Note 1: “True crime” is defined here as a specific case (for example, a murder or missing person’s case), not as a larger historical event (for example, the Salem Witch Trials or the Opium Wars) or an amalgam of cases (for example, general hazing in fraternities).
Note 2: This list is in chronological order based on the true crime case.
Note 3: Some works that aren’t fully DA but incorporate DA sections are included. TRUE CRIME: 1897 disappearance of student Bertha Mellish from Mount Holyoke College
DA novels: The Button Field by Gail Husch (2014)
Killingly by Katharine Beutner (2023) TRUE CRIME: 1924 killing of Bobby Franks by University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb
DA Novels: Compulsion by Meyer Levin (1956)
Nothing but the Night by James Yaffe (1957)
Little Brother Fate by Mary-Carter Roberts (1957)
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever (2020)
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed (2022)
Jazzed by Jill Dearman (2022)
DA films: Rope (1948), Compulsion (1959), and Murder by Numbers (2002) TRUE CRIME: 1932 kidnapping and killing of Charles Lindbergh, Jr.; 1933 kidnapping and killing of Brooke Hart; and 1932-1934 crime spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow
DA novels: Truly Devious books by Maureen Johnson (especially the first trilogy, 2018-2020) TRUE CRIME: 1944 killing of David Kammerer by Columbia University student Lucien Carr
DA film:
Kill Your Darlings (2013) TRUE CRIME: 1946 disappearance of student Paula Jean Welden from Bennington College
DA novels:
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson (1951)
Last Seen Wearing by Hillary Waugh (1952)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992)
Shirley by Susan Scarf Merrell (2014)
Quantum Girl Theory by Erin Kate Ryan (2022) TRUE CRIME: 1973 killing of student Cynthia Hellman at Randolph-Macon Women’s College
DA novel:
Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison (2019) TRUE CRIME: 1978 killing of students Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy and attack of students Kathy Kleiner and Karen Chandler by Ted Bundy at Florida State University
DA novel:
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) TRUE CRIME: 1985 killing of Derek and Nancy Haysom by University of Virginia students Elizabeth Haysom and Jens Söring
DA novel:
With a Kiss We Die by L.R. Dorn (2023) TRUE CRIME: 1999 killing of student Hae Min Lee from Woodlawn High School (by Adnan Syed? debated)
DA novel:
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (2023) TRUE CRIME: 2022 killing of students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin from the University of Idaho (by Washington State University student Bryan Kohberger? currently awaiting trial)
DA novel:
This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (2025) *(I go into this definition in further detail in my segment here on the StarShipSofa podcast, my graduate course on Dark Academia, and my 2023 academic essay “Dark Arts and Secret Histories: Investigating Dark Academia.”)
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 15

Let’s keep this Gothic Halloween-fest going! Today’s text is Wieland; or, The Transformation (1798) by Charles Brockden Brown. Read it here. Quote: The tales of apparitions and enchantments did not possess that power over my belief which could even render them interesting. I saw nothing in them but ignorance and folly, and was a stranger even to that terror which is pleasing. But this incident was different from any that I had ever before known. Here were proofs of a sensible and intelligent existence, which could not be denied. Here was information obtained and imparted by means unquestionably super-human. ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 14

Before we leave the subject of Northanger Abbey completely, let’s include one more work that inspired the novel (and left a lasting mark on the Gothic tradition), The Monk (1796) by Matthew Gregory Lewis. Read it here. Quote: “Be cautious not to utter a syllable!” whispered the Stranger; “Step not out of the circle, and as you love yourself, dare not to look upon my face!” ALT
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Halloween Countdown 2024, Day 13

One more of the so-called “horrid novels” referenced in Northanger Abbey is The Orphan of the Rhine (1798) by Eleanor Sleath. Read it here. Quote: “Here Silence has fixed her abode, disturbed only at intervals by the howling of the wolf, or the cry of the vulture. In such a situation actions have no witnesses; these woods are no spies.” ALT
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