Monday, October 29, 2012

Last minute Halloween decorating ideas

Baris

and

Irini

Two ways to say 'peace' in Cyprus

Baris is Turkish - spoken in the northern part of Cyprus

and Irini is Greek - spoken in the southern part of Cyprus

bottlecap magnet using all recycled junk mail


Let's have some Halloween-y Autumn Fun today!


c.1911, courtesy of Indiana Music Library

Here are some last minute ways to decorate for Fall Festivities:

I subscribe to several magazines, so I don't remember which one I saw this following idea in. The decorating note was to display your jewelry, and the accompanying photo was of a large marble bust of someone like Caesar, or some other Roman - type famous person. They had draped around the neck this incredibly fantastic necklace.

Well, marble busts are not part of my home decor.
Go figure....

What I do have is a fairly plain teapot.
I took this photo out in my garden,
but having it in the display case would still work.
So here is my adaptation:

netted butterfly necklace by inkspired


Here's another idea:

Kind of fun, isn't it?

I also like the idea of having my handmade jewelry on display.

Here's another super-easy Halloween decorating idea -
black silk leaves.

silk leaves by inkspired

I went to JoAnn Fabrics (or any crafts type store would do) and found these bamboo-type reeds. They were red, with black stripes randomly placed.
You could use any reed probably. I found mine in the flower dept.

I also found some black silk leaves with glitter sprinkled on them in the discount bargain shelves.

I cut my reeds into workable flower arranging sizes, but not all the same size.
Then I took off the black silk leaves from their stems.
Ok, here comes the hard part....

I stuck the leaves onto the end of the reed!
Really!
If it looked like it might fall off, I added a dab of Aleene's Tacky Glue (in the goldish bottle) to the end of the reed, before pushing the leaf onto it.
It was super simple.
I finished them off with an arrangement of Halloween/Fall type ribbons that I cut into different lengths and tied around the base. You can see them better in this photo:


For my leafy arrangement, I took some red mesh netting that had held some Baby Bell Cheese minis (produce/dairy dept. of my grocery store)
and added some clear marbles for weight to a simple glass vase.

Easy.  Quick.  Super cheap.
Just makes a gal happy, you know?

c.1916, courtesy of Indiana Music Library

courtesy Dover Books


I'm thinking I better close for now.
I keep getting weird messages from blogspot saying
'an error has occurred while saving'.
Doesn't sound very good....
so let's save it all now, and have more tomorrow!

inkspired

Twyna, Twitch Sister original Collage Art Doll
made from all recycled junk mail by inkspired


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Halloween goodies and vintage graphics

Alaafia

"peace" in the Yoruba language, spoken in Nigeria

Nigerian children www.ngonewsafrica.org
no photo creds

Peace and welcome to you!

Are things getting a bit
frightening
for you lately?

Are you hearing things that go
bump
in the night?

c.1893 song sheet cover courtesy of Indiana Music Library

Well then, it must be close to
Halloween!!

Let's have some Halloweenie fun today!


vintage clip art, probably from Dover publications


Have you made up a batch of safety pin pins?
Here's a great 'skelly':

note the copyright info and internet address above

Why not make up a batch for your Halloween party at school?

or co-workers

or....??

You can find my tutorial in earlier blogs.
Just enter in "safety pin tutorial" in the search box, and it should come up.

Twyla Twitch sister
original Collage Art Doll using all recycled junk mail
by inkspired


We have a Fall Festival at our church every year.
It's a great, safe place to bring the kids,
get loads (and I do mean gobs) of candy and cake
and play some really cool games.


We also have a cake walk.
I have been trying to decide which one I'm going to make this year.
In the past I made a treasure chest cake...
the lady that won it was sooooo excited
because her son's birthday was the next day!
That made me really happy.

insert pic here....

only I couldn't find one!
So here is a substitute picture for you:

This super treasure chest cake is from

For mine, I used a purchased pound cake and cut the top 1/3 off.
Then I frosted it all with chocolate frosting (canned)
and piped on the 'parts' like the straps.
I also used yellow and brown colored M&Ms for the tacks/rivets, etc. and 
the pre-packaged frosting-in-a-tube I get at my grocery store.
It comes with 4 different tips, and is super easy to use.
Then I added the 'treasure'.
There were gold chocolate coins, yellow M&Ms shaped into a 'gold' necklace with gumdrop jewels, asst. candy jewelry; things like that.
Next,
place the top (frosted) 1/3 of the pound cake on top.
I propped mine up with gold coins to make it stay open.
I wanted everything edible.
I placed it on a sturdy (recycled) cardboard 'tray', covered with foil.
Add various 'jewels', candy jewelry, gold coins spilling out of the chest and onto the tray base.
Voila!


Here are a couple of ideas from
Better Homes & Gardens.
They have a great web site with LOTS of ideas and recipes.
If you need more detailed instructions, just go to their site!

Black Cat Cupckakes

Dotty Halloween cupcakes
 
or why not use the same idea and make it a big two layer cake?

Fall Cake with Lollipops

Now, why not take the above idea, and add some Halloween pizazz?
Instead of clear lollies, why not use some of those pre-made lollipops that have jack o' lantern faces on them?
Quick.
Easy.
Really cool Halloween fun!

c.1904 song sheet cover graphics

Here are some really cute placemats to color,
courtesy of Jan Brett.
If you don't get her newsletter, it is easy to sign up and you get
FREE
things every month!

courtesy Jan Brett

Here is another fun coloring project from Jan:


courtesy Jan Brett

Well, that's it for today!
Hope you got some great last-minute ideas for
a Fun End of October!!

vintage postcard, courtesy Dover Books

inkspired


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Halloween paper dolls and costume ideas

Pase

'Peace' in the Venetian language,
spoken in Italy

Twaura, a Twitch Sister Collage Art Doll by inkspired
using all recycled junk mail

My time is limited today on the computer, so I'd like to share some fun Halloween things.
Enjoy!
courtesy Dover Books


door mat I think, origin unknown

A Halloween card to print and send.
Personal use only!




courtesy Dover clip-art

Vintage Child's Play magazine centerfold
courtesy OrigamiBears

paper doll and costumes by Liana:




I'm sorry, but that's all I can do today.
My back has done a huge nasty to me, and I'm living on pain meds.
Ick.
So, no sitting at the computer and typing.
Hope your Fall Festival Plans are coming along just great!
I've tried to inspire you with some costume ideas above.
:0)

inkspired

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween Paper Doll Cards to send

Hoooo.....hoo!

How to say 'peace to you' in owl-speak

Guatemalan Pygmy Owl
photo cred: Knut Eisermann found at www.owlpages.com

Welcome!
I am sorry I haven't been able to post for a bit.
The mind was willing, the body was not.
Oh well, I'm here today to share with you some
Halloween cards that feature paper dolls.
As usual, these are for your personal use to print and use.

For a Special Granddaughter




For a Dear Girl


by American Greetings


For a Sweet Girl





A Halloween Girl with Masks



Why not use these masks as ideas for costumes?
Growing up, we NEVER had pre-made store bought costumes.
Either my mom made them, or we made them ourselves.
Oh, and NO BLOOD either!!


For a Niece



For a Granddaughter



You can print these out on glossy cardstock, or plain white cardstock.
Some are a three fold, and some are a regular mountain fold card.
Add glitter!
Add stickers!
    or better yet, include stickers for your little sweetie to use herself!

a vintage postcard

This last one is for your grown-up friends!!
While it is not meant to be a card, I would make it into one anyway!


A lovely-in-a-witchy-way paper doll- Miss Gulch from 'The Wizard of Oz'
 by Frey, c.1995
Isn't she just great!?!

Here is one of my Collage Art Dolls I made especially for Halloween:

Twyna Twitch sister original Collage Art Doll
made from all recycled junk mail
with a warped sense of imagination by inkspired

8.5"x11" fine art print for sale, $10.00 (USA) + shipping

Let's finish up today with a funny:

c. 1965 cartoon by T.K.
courtesy of OrigamiBears

See you soon!
inkspired