Count von Count with Halloween quotes, free paperdolls and Christopher Lee

'Batty, batty bat bat -

one, two bats!'

Count von Count, Sesame Street

Count von Count, Sesame Street

The Count has always been one of my favorite characters.

I was introduced to him when my son started watching Sesame Street as a child.

The Count quickly became a favorite,

and we still quote him today!!!

:>)

(With a Transylvania Dracula type accent)

'That's One!

One Bat!

eh, eh, eh.

Batty-batty-bat-bat

One!

One Bat!'

The Count has a great sense of humor, and likes to play tricks on the others,

but only if it involves counting!

tee hee...

beading pattern

How many can you make?

We must COUNT...

"Tender lumplings everywhere

Life's no fun without a good scare.

That's our job, but we're not mean

In our town of Halloween!"

- from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

Dracula has continued through the years to be a fascinating figure.

Real or legend?

I believe he is based on legends of real people,

most likely Count Vlad, the Impaler.

The thing with Vlad is, he wasn't that much different than many aggressors of the day.  Let's not forget how ancient Roman Emperors lined the streets leading to Rome and Jerusalem with cross after cross of dead/dying Christians.

Nero liked to have impaled Christians set on fire as the torches that lit his 'parties'.

So was Count Vlad wicked, even evil?

You bet.

Could he do all the things attributed to Dracula?

Nope, not a chance.

But then, you know a good story is repeated and repeated and embellished on through the story tellers.

Why should Dracula be any different?

a portrait attributed to be that of Vlad

For me, if I do Dracula I want it poking fun at him (the legend),

like the Day of the Dead celebrants poking fun at death!

Can you make a funny title for this cartoon?

I will post all entries!!!

vintage Happy Halloween paper doll card

"Tis the night -

the night of the grave's delight,

And the warlocks are at their play;

Ye think that without

The wild winds shout,

But no, it is they -

it is they."

- Arthur Cleveland Coxe

vintage movie poster, 'The Mummy'

You should see the movie!

Christopher Lee portrayed 'Dracula' in many many movies.

Christopher Lee became the definitive Dracula,

and played the part over and over

and quite well!!

'Dracula Has Risen From the Grave', c.1968

Sir Christopher Lee

'Tis now the very witching time of night,

When churchyards yawn

and hell itself breathes out

Contagion to this world.'

- William Shakespeare

vintage paper doll greeting card

Well, I can't do justice to any 'movie Dracula' without mentioning one of the master of disguises and horror megastars of all time,

Bela Lugosi:

Bela Lugosi, 1931

Check out his movies!

Don't forget to see a few of Christopher Lee's,

and Lon Chaney's!!!

It's a fright night fest...

of fun!

Time to go whip up some fun here -

maybe a batch of brownies with stenciled powdered sugar bats on top,

or a pitcher of orange-something to drink,

or maybe some spider cupcakes!

:>)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/

Fall musings

Boooo - Hoooo

Twitch Sister 'Twaura', original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

On sale through October 31, 2011 for only $15!

Boo Hoooo

It' been a rough few days.

Ick.

It is definitely  Fall here with cooler weather, everything changing colors,

and all outside going to seed (achOO!!).

If I didn't have eyes (which I am SO grateful that I do!)

my nose would tell me it is fall.

My allergies would tell me it is fall.

My fibromyalgia would tell me it is fall.

My migraine-y head would tell me it is fall.

Boo Hoo

AchOO!

oh, ouch!

some fall/Halloween images from turkeyfeathers' blog

Use these for embroidery, woodburning,

painting, costume decorations, coloring pages, transfers...

what else can you think of?

"October's poplars are

flaming torches

lighting the way

to winter."

- Nova Bair

all images - RubberStampAvenue

Betsy McCall, 1973

"Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves!"

- Humbert Walfe

and FALL is somewhere in-between!

or, if you live in Colorado,

we get both!

This illustration is a great idea for a Halloween costume!

With all the layers, it should be good for many different temperatures during

Trick or Treat!

Make giant cutlery with recycled cardboard from a big box,

and spray with silver paint.

Smudge edges with black paint.

Voila!

OR

Draw a set of utensils, or just two, crossed like an 'X'.

Cut from shiny silver fabric, and use iron on webbing

to attach to the front of a fabric goodie bag.

Whenever the goodie bag is presented for 'treats',

the silverware will shine!

You can also iron onto a natural/brown color paper bag with smooth sides.

http://www.theartofhandmades.etsy.com/

Do you have a little charmer that wants to be a ballerina?

Again?

and Again?

Check out this vintage pic for some different ballerina ideas:

Why not make an orange ballerina outfit, with fall leaves and fall flowers to decorate as shown?

For a simple ballerina skirt:

First, read all directions.

Then gather your materials together in one place.

Cut out big circles of netting from different colored netting fabric:

try layering orange, pink, peach, beige, light tan,

and even a layer of sparkle netting! 

Fold each circle in half. (This is also a great way to make an even circle).

Then in half again. You now have the center of the circle up at the point.

Cut off a LITTLE to mark where the waist will go.

Unfold. Cut one slit from side up to small circle cut out in the middle.***

***

If your ballerina is small enough, you can skip cutting a slit, and just cut out the inner circle, making sure it can go over her head or hips. Remember, you want enough room for many pretty gathers.

***

Check fit. Make hole larger as needed. You want a hole that is able to circle your ballerina's waist, and then have room for LOTS of gathers.

Match all colors of netting circles, and repeat, so you end up with several layers.

Pin or masking tape together - netting is a booger to pin.

Run a 'gathering' stitch around the inner circle.

You don't have to have a sewing machine, but it sure makes it easier!

Adjust fit.

Cut a piece of wide ribbon (like satin ribbon) and fold in half over top of waist circle+. Stitch in place, catching both sides of the ribbon in your stitches.

Pin first if you want.

Be sure and leave LONG ribbon tails, as this is what you tie the skirt on with.

+This keeps the scratchy netting from bothering your little ballerina.

It also makes the ties super simple, as they are just extensions of the ribbon; and keeps all the layers of netting together more firmly.

You don't need to do anything to the cut edges of the netting, it won't fray.

Can't make sense of these directions?

Try putting it all together with long gathering stitches.

If it is right, you can then go back and do a regular stitch.

If it's wrong, it will be MUCH EASIER to rip out!

**Send me some photos you guys. Still afraid to leave a comment?**

You can send photos (smaller files please) to my e-mail:

dominoes@myinkspired.com

For a Halloween Ballerina, buy some silk flower/leaves/berries garlands.

Really, one should be all you need.

Cut apart the garland and you can hot glue them on your costume

 where you wish. NOT with ballerina inside, please!

If you want to use this costume again, you can safety pin on the foliage.

Add a pair of thicker tights, some matching ribbon to twist up from the shoes to the knee, or just below knee.  Safety pin to secure, if needed.

Put on a little sleeveless undershirt, then layer:

t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, ruffled short sleeve blouse, etc.

until your ballerina will be warm enough for night air.

On top of all this under-gear, you will need

1 pretty sleeveless undershirt

or

1 pretty vest

You can decorate the top layer only with berries, foliage etc. left over from your ballerina skirt endeavor. Use hot glue (with no ballerina inside, please) or again just safety pin embellishments on, to be removed later.

Oh! Oh!

I want to see your ballerinas!!

:0)

paper dolls from a Circus Ballet set

There comes a time when

autumn asks,

"What have you been doing

all summer?" 

Enjoy all the colors!
Count how many different colors you can see, in a walk.
Listen for the scruffling sound of dry leaves, on a sidewalk.
Gather pretty leaves to dry with your MicroFleur in your microwave,
     or press between the pages of a big heavy book.
Bake up some cupcakes, and decorate with fall colors in edible sugars.
Buy a new scent for your home - something that reminds you of apple pie.

See you tomorrow!

inkspired
http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/
dominoes@myinkspired.com
http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/

Budget Costume Ideas with Halloween quotes and paperdolls

Let's party!

movie still from "Enchanted"

(and one of my favoritest!)

I want to explore some more costume ideas

and of course,

free Halloween paperdolls!

Betsy McCall vintage paperdoll

Why don't you draw some more costume masks for Betsy?

fancy fancy from a carnival

"The best the good world has to give,

The best that ever has been

I wish for you

dear little friends

On merry Halloween."

- vintage verse

c.1916

Here - another idea for a Hawaiian dancer,

or a South Pacific dancer.

Let's be Hawaiian Tourists!!!

That should give you tons of ideas for the Hawaiian themes!

Remember, you don't have to copy exactly one idea for a costume.

Take bits and pieces, see what you have in your closet,

what you can borrow....

Make your costume YOURS!!!

Tarzan and Jane

Tarzan, Jane, Boy and Cheeta

Let's see if we can't come up with some great

GROUP COSTUMES!

Group costumes look absolutely FAB when you enter all together!

Elmo Lincoln (Tarzan) and Enid Markey (Jane)

 silent, black and white Tarzan movie...

notice the others in the group shot!

World War II era

late 1950's era western wear

Some hints:

Take a jean skirt and masking tape, or use a running stitch to attach ball fringe from an old tablecloth or curtains.

You can use the same type fringe or just plain fringe to sew down the sides of a pair of jeans or sweat pants for the cowboy.

The more exaggerated, the funnier.

Try to find a BIG belt buckle, or make one from fun foam that will fit over an existing belt buckle. Add those steer horns!

A bandanna tied around the neck is a must - why not make them matching?

Duo Costumes are always fun!

Alien Heads from Star Trek, the original!

Girls, don't expect your Guy is going to be ecstatic about wearing tights.

Try sweat pants instead!!!

Another good duo:

c.1912

Of course, if she wants to be a princess instead, that's cool!

Don't forget the page boys, the standard bearer (holds the 'flag'),

the ladies in waiting with the king's/prince's men,

the ROYAL milk maid, butcher, baker, candlestick maker...

the evil king

or the evil queen,

the jester.....

Now, really look at the sheet music cover...

:0)

Romeo and Juliet Barbie, c. 1998

Here is a wonderful vintage (1889) illustration of the Queen of Hearts.

An accompanying Knave would be fun....

"There are nights

when the wolves are silent

and only the moon

howls."

- George Carlin

New England, USA fall foliage

Thank you for the new comments!

I LOVE THEM!!

Remember....it is so easy to leave a comment now.

You just write one- with no signing up, no personal questions,

no hassle, no repeat mailings...

does it sound easy yet?

Because it IS!!

Time for me to close now.

I think (h0pe) that my migraines and headaches are giving me a rest for the day.

I've had my permanent caps put on my teeth,

except one is cracked.

So, hopefully only one more, or two dentist appts. still.

3 week countdown to my Craft Fair

at the Brighton Seniour Center,

November 5, 2011

8am - 2pm

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/