Happy Halloween

About a month ago I found this amazing site, http://stolloween.com/. On it were paper mache jack o lanterns of every size and shape, and they were fascinating to me. I wanted to make one, and the best thing was that all the directions were there. It took me a month to make this scary fellow because of the drying time, and he is a first attempt, but I love him. There are some rough edges and things I would change in the future, but all in all I like the way he turned out. If you like Halloween and paper mache, visit this site for some great inspiration and a very creative soul.

Since I am a crazy art teacher, I wanted to wear something that the kids would love to school on Friday. This is the spider hat I finished at midnight Thursday night, but it was a hit with my students. They are so excited when you wear something a little out of the ordinary and they ask so many question about how you created it. I think that it sparks a little creativity in them. I'm going trick or treating with my grandson tonight. We live in a small community and Halloween is a special time. We go on a hayride with all of our friends. The streets are filled with children in their costumes and the city has a haunted house and games. I trick or treated on these same streets as did my children and now their children.

Happy Halloween to you and yours and as the Raggedy Man would say, "the goblins will get you if you don't watch out"!

Miss Witch

All dressed up and no place to go. Miss Witch is ready for her special night. Now if she could only find her broom. She's here to wish you a Spooktacular Halloween. Get ready, only five more days to go. Happy Haunting!

Halloween Queens GiveAway

If you love Halloween you need to hurry on over to the Halloween Queens give a way. http://artisticthalloweenqueens.blogspot.com/2010/09/queen-for-day-giveaway.html
They are giving 31 days of wonderful Halloween art. Everyday until that magical day you can win a spooktacular prize. You won't be disapointed when you see all the ghoulish offerings!

Thirty Days and Counting

I am in the holiday spirit. I can't stop making those crazy thing for Halloween, my favorite holiday. I have always loved to dress up and to make costumes. Today I made two Halloween paintings. Jack and Jill O Lantern and Mr. Skelly. I have a friend who works for a palette company and she brought me a stack of end pieces from the wood they use to make the palettes so I am recycling also. Both of the paintings measure 12 x 16. I added a little glitter and some rhinestones to give them a little sparkle when the light hits them. I think that first nip of cool air this morning really got me in the spirit. I can't wait for the weekend when all the creepy little critters and wonderful witches invade my house for the Halloween season.

Little Jacks

I felt the first nip of fall in the air last night. It was wonderful. I love winter clothes even though I don't like the cold that much. That nip in the air makes me start thinking of my favorite time of year and of course Halloween. I have loved Halloween since I was a child and it is still my favorite holiday. I can't wait to start pulling out the decorations and burning spicy candles. I have already sent the Halloween costumes to my girls in Kentucky. I have made their costumes since they were babies. My grandson hasn't told me what he wants to be yet. He always finds something he wants me to buy, like Star Wars, so he is not as hard to please, and not half as much fun, when it comes to creating the costumes. I love witches and my house is full of them from the first October weekend until that spooky time of year is over. I am working on two Halloween dolls at the present time. One for the ADO quarterly challenge and one for Zan Asha's swap. My clown is just about finished, but in the mean time I made these crazy little pins. I call them "Little Jacks". They are made from polymer clay, paint, shells, beads, and Swarovski Crystals. They were fun to make. Which personality are you....crazy, jolly, or grumpy. I fit all of those catagories from time to time. I'm still working on my house. I decided to plaster the walls in my family room. I'm using a technique I saw on "Color Splash". They are really looking good but it has been a long time consuming process. I know I will love the end result, but right now I want to just finish. Maybe I'll go light one of those candle tonight and forget about walls until tomorrow.

Meet Mesmeria

This spooky little mermaid has traveled to Virginia to live with her new family. She is really excited because she knows other mystical creatures reside there. Mesmeria was created for the "Under the Sea "hosted by Zan at Wild at Heart Art. Zan chose Caroline of" Caroline's Craft's as my swap partner. After several emails to Caroline and a look at her husband, Phil's blog, Halloween Tinkerings, I knew that I had to make something "Halloweenie", for her, so Mesemeria appeared. I really enjoyed this swap. It was my first and was so much fun.
I enjoyed creating my art doll, but the best thing about the swap is that I made new friends by participating in it. Caroline had been wonderful with the advice and help she has given me with my blog. When you are just beginning there are so many things you don't know how to do. Yes, you can look them up, but sometimes you really don't know what you are looking for or what to call it. She has sent me simple, complete directions I can understand. Thanks, Caroline, you have been a big help. Now....I am waiting for a creature to crawl up on the bank in my backyard. I know he is swimming here from Virginia....I have a towel ready to dry him off.

Johanna Parker Designs Give A Way

Is Lady Luck on your side today? If you're feeling lucky of if you just want to look at some great Halloween art travel on over to http://www.johannaparkerdesign.blogspot.com/ for her "Lucky Lumina" Give A Way. Johanna is an incredible Halloween artist whose creations always bring a smile to your face. Follow the direction on her blog, and you might be the winner of this great little guy. Don't be too disappointed if you don't win because I really think the winner will be me!

I found out about this great give a way on http://www.tumbleweedtrails.blogspot.com/ so give her blog a look, too.

Penelope Pumpkin Sprite

After so many distractions I finally got back to work on my art dolls and completed Penelope Pumpkin Sprite. She is the newest addition to my Halloween collection. Penelope has been dancing in the pumpkin field picking pumpkins to make pumpkin pie. Not only does Penelope love the taste of pumkin pie, she knows the tantalizing aroma of pumpkin pie baking will bring many a suitors to her door.

Penelope is the first art doll that I have dressed in real clothes rather than clothes made from clay. It was quite and experience trying to sew them on her. I am happy with the outcome but hope to make improvements with experience.