Take a word challenge

 Pink is the theme for the Take A Word challenge this week.

A sweet cupcake 

(made of paper and wood)

And a pink wig I felted,  

this little rabbit is the perfect model.

Thanks for visiting:)

Halloween Inspiration

It all started with a cake decoration I saved from last Halloween.

I lost/misplaced it for about eight months...you know how that is right?

It turned up recently...on Wednesday to be exact.

 I think it looks a bit like the Addams family house. 

 Anyhow, I was inspired to make something Halloween-ish.
(or Addams Family-ish)

I recently got an amazing package of goodies in the mail

from the lovely Lisa Kettell. 

Included in this package was baby Bailey:

and Lil Brownie:

I gave them make-overs to look like Wednesday and Pugsley.
 They're glued onto a cardboard house that I added
the sign and stickers to.

Before I painted them,  I looked at a few sites
that had information and photos of the Addams family...
 this was a portrait on the wall in their house:
Someone said he might be an family ancestor.

Well I just happened to have a plastic giraffe on my desk:)
 I wonder what his name is?

Isn't it funny?
Those little things that will inspire someone...

Well, It's six in the morning and I haven't slept yet, so I'm off to bed now.
I hope you find some spooky inspiration for yourself today....
  
Only 95 days until Halloween!!!!

Goodnight/good-morning!

Three Muses Challenge

I usually try to remove the ants when they appear at picnics,

but this little guy showed up prepared.

This is my submission for this week's challenge at

Three Muses

where the theme is Fun with insects.

Thanks for taking a look!

Take a word challenge

The theme this week is HAT at 

Take a word challenge

This challenge was especially fun.
When I heard the word, hat, I immediately thought of a witch hat.
What kind of hat does a witch wear in the summer?

A purple flower hat of course!!!

Well. it's what I'd wear:)

hope you like it.

Have a great Saturday.

This & That

Hello!!!

 I went thrifting on Saturday and found some things I'd like to show you.

First, I found this cute cardigan, $3

I thought this was a book when I saw it

but it turned out to be a jewelry box, $2

And OMG this!!!

It's twin size with no fading or loose yarn on it at all!!!

 

It was only $7!!!!!!!!!

I may use it in my Gypsy wagon, which I'm still working on by the way:)

This weekend, along with thrifting, I cleaned up my itty bitty studio

and found I have a few yard sale & thrift store finds.

This is a fruit basket, which I use for many many things,

 I just started hanging random treasures on it,

 like butterflies, fairies, cages, even necklaces and earrings.   

It was 99 cents.

The shelf directly behind it,

 holding the houses was purchased at the same time for two dollars.

 

This little cabinet is for CD's I think, but it's perfect for my paints, 

I got the idea from Anna at Frosted Petunia's

It cost $3. 

I should get going for now, my studio assistant is getting impatient for his dinner....

Have a great day, and I'll see you very soon!

Take a word challenge

I'm participating in the Take a word challenge.

The word this week is 'Fish'.

It's a bit late, but I'm off to check out the all the awesome entries.

Have a great weekend!!

A year of Kane

A year has passed since I said goodbye to this amazing creature.

                                                                                 Kane

The time passed with much difficulty and not one day went by without tears.

Pain doesn't go away, but now his silly antics can be discussed with more

laughter than sorrow.

Sometimes I swear I can hear his contented sigh in the hallway:)

 The days that felt like a bad dream are gone. 

I loved him with all my heart and at first I swore I'd never do that again,

No more dogs, the hurt is too immense.

Then I read this quote:

"Unlike some people who have experienced the loss of an animal, I did not believe, even for a moment, that I would never get another. I did know full well that there were just too many animals out there in need of homes for me to take what I have always regarded as the self-indulgent road of saying the heartbreak of the loss of an animal was too much ever to want to go through with it again.

To me, such an admission brought up the far more powerful admission that all the wonderful times you had with your animal were not worth the unhappiness at the end."

(Cleveland Amory)

Then I thought,  well maybe in a few years, like four or five,  maybe then I'll get another.

 Six weeks ago our neighbor told me his dog had a litter of 10 puppies that he wasn't sure 

he'd be able to find homes for, he only wanted to keep the darker colored ones

 since they look like the mother.

I told him I'd think it over. 

Ha! I didn't stand a chance!

 I made the decision as soon as I held him.

SO.... now I'd like to introduce

Magnus Kane 

He still drinks from a bottle..

 And he's an awesome lump with amazing puppy breath!

My heart is full & I'm grateful for another chance 

to love and be loved by another furry friend.

I miss my big pup, I always will.

He'll never be forgotten.

The following song reminds me of him.

"The Party"

You’re like a party somebody threw me
You taste like birthday
You look like New Years
You’re like a big parade through town
You leave such a mess but you’re so fun

Tell all the neighbors to start knocking down walls
To grab their guitars and run out to the hall
And we’re coming out right along to sing them my new song

For every place there is a bus
That’ll take you where you must
Start counting all your money and friends before you come back again

For every road we can retrace
For every memory we can’t face
For every name that’s been erased
Let’s have another round
May I propose a little toast?
For all the ones who hurt the most
For all the friends that we have lost

Let’s give them one more round of applause
But you’re like a party somebody threw me
You taste like birthday
You look like New Year
You’re like a big parade through town
That leaves such a mess but you’re so fun

The Empress

Happy fourth of July!

Because we're in the very thick of summer, and because I have a pumpkin heart,

 I long for Halloween!

 For windy nights, candied apples, haunted houses

and scary stories.

 The shops are just now adding Fall to their shelves:)

Which makes me very happy.

One Halloween night, many years ago

 I had my fortune read to me with tarot cards.

I was told I was going to get married within seven years

 (which I doubted VERY much since I had recently divorced)

 and I'd be moderately happy.

Two children were also predicted.

One more thing,  I was going to live till the age of 83.

Well,  it all came to be, except for that last part, haha, I'll let you know!

Anyhow...

 I've created a new project using Lisa Kettell designs reflecting a bit of the

fortune telling aspect.

This is my version of 'The Empress' tarot card.

Supplies 

flat back unfinished china doll head

small blank canvas

bees wax: plain and assorted colors

decorative scrapbook paper in contrasting designs and colors

 sheet music

plain white card stock

paper flowers in different sizes

star shaped glitter

fine glitter

jeweled brooch

doll dress

glittered alphabet/number stickers

glitter moon sticker

butterfly

dowel

glass bead

white glue 

glue sticks

glue gun

heat gun

 acrylic paint in assorted colors

Directions

prepare your canvas by covering it in one sheet of scrapbook paper

add contrasting paper in clumps and chunks:) how ever you like.

melt beeswax over canvas using heat gun

add paper flowers and butterfly to hot melted wax (be careful!)

paint china doll head as desired, add paper flowers and jeweled brooch, set aside

cover doll dress in white glue, arrange onto the canvas, molding it to the shape you like most.

I found this old dress at a garage sale, 

but I think you could probably find something at 

thrift or dollar stores.

sprinkle star glitter and fine glitter on dress while it's still wet

cut out simple hand shapes from the cardstock

glue to end of sleeves

paint dowel brown and gold

hot glue glass bead to tip

glue to canvas

add glitter moon

hot glue china doll head to canvas

cut out banner shape from sheet music

use glitter alphabet to label card

add the number three to top corner.

Tips:

beeswax can be found at craft stores

you can use beeswax sheets that are naturally dyed

check out Lisa Kettell's blog and artfire store for more inspiration.

Let me know if you created your own tarot card, I'd like to have a challenge sometime this month, 

(with a chance to win some goodies from Lisa Kettell) 

It wont be long now till the shadows get longer and the days get shorter!

For now, lets try to enjoy this holiday.

I'm headed outdoors to have cold sherbert-y drinks and watch the fireworks:)

Be safe...

See you soon!