Waiting On It To Dry

    I finally got enough layers of a base on the tombstone that I felt comfortable to try the "bark".  Mind you that this was the first time that I have ever used pulp paper mache.  The directions were a little ambiguous so I was plenty nervous. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with this pulp mache but it didn't want to do what I had in mind. Which actually turned out for the better because I really like how it looked after I got started.  Now I just have to wait for it to dry. Which can take 1-2 days according to the bag. I am thinking more like 3-5 because of how thick it is. In the mean time I need to make the plaque for the front of the base, pick out the colors to use for the stone (looks like another trip to the cemetery for some close up pics of the stones) and find another box so that I can start on the next tombstone. Gee, I might have a revamped graveyard this year after all.

UGH!!!! Weather

      I started to get things piled together to take outside so that I can put a few more layers of paper mache on my tombstone, then I looked outside.  Well there goes that idea. Some pretty nasty looking storm clouds are rolling in and I can smell the rain. Oh well, I guess I can try to do some tonight inside, it just takes so long for it to dry. 
      It is hard to believe that in just 36 short days I will start putting the graveyard up as well as some of the other props.  Tick-tock.

Hockey Day

     I took today off of prop building to have a hockey day. It was the annual Preds Day At The Zoo. So me and the youngest went. Got our usual free tickets for preseason game and other swag but didn't bother getting in line to do the player autographs. I had already gotten my picture taken with Kevin Klien at the Skate of the Union and wasn't really interested in getting Mason's autograph. Besides by the time we got there the line was already way to long. Not worrying about it though. I go to enough practices that I can get their autographs anytime.  Besides I really didn't have anything that I wanted them to autograph. So Monday it is back at it.

Finally Started

Boo insist on being in all photos

     Yes! I finally got started on the tombstone. In fact I got 3 layers of mache' done today. I probably would have gotten more done but between the humidity rising with the incoming storm clouds and it being real close to dinner time I had to stop. Not to mention I had to remove the stones at the bottom.  They were a little disagreeable with the whole mache process. Looking at it now I think I am going to leave them off or just turn the base into one big stone.  Not sure yet. I seriously doubt I will get anything done on it tomorrow because it is going to be Preds day at the zoo.  And you know I love my hockey as much as I do Halloween. Besides I have 36 more days until I start setting up the yard.
     I think 3 to 5 more layers should be enough then I can use the paper clay to make the bark. I think just one vine will be all I use on this one and just a small plaque on the base with a name and dates. Simple and understated.

Nothing Done Today

     Soooo, I sort of took another day off today.  Went shopping instead.  Looked through Goodwill, Tuesday Morning and a few other stores to see what goodies I could find.  Came out pretty empty handed.  I mean I did get some sculpting tools and a small witch, but other than that, the pickings were pretty slim.  I guess Sept. 1st is gonna be the day that the rest of the places start putting out their Halloween stuff.  I do need to hit up the Goodwill across town though.  I heard that is where the wedding dresses are sold.  See a prop that I so want to recreate.  Actually there are two that I want to do but I think that the one I seen the other day would be easier to do right now.  All it is is a wedding dress with lights under it and hands and arms coming up from the ground underneath it.  I know that description doesn't really help you get an idea of what I am talking about but once I get it done you will understand.  Simple yet creepy.  I think that is gonna be the motto this year. Simple yet creepy.  Now I just have to find more arms.

Taking a Day Off

     So I am taking a day off from prop building today. I have a good reason, it is my baby boy's 21st birthday today. It is so hard to believe that he is now a legal adult.

Now the Frame is Done

     So I got some newspapers today (the free ones that nobody ever picks up) and started making the strips for the paper mache.  Then of course I remembered that I hadn't made the stones that I wanted for the bottom of the tombstone.  So got started on those and as my luck would have it, I ran out of newspaper.  Made a quick dash out again and completely cleaned out 2 bins of newspapers. BUT, I can happily say that I now have the framework completely finished. So tomorrow starts the mache process, in between celebrating my youngest's 21st birthday. (Really I am not that old, He is just catching up to me.) Oh boy what fun!!!!

Getting Things Done Yay!!!

Burning Embers

     Sorry it has been two weeks since the last post. (Why does that sound like I am in confession?) BUT I have got the burning embers for the large cauldron done, went to the cemetery for an inspirational photo shoot (got some really cool tombstones) and now have the framework completed for my very own tree stump tombstone. So its not like I was completely slacking off. Besides I had two hockey related events to go to. I still need to fine tune the burning embers though. Not liking how the cauldron is sitting on it.

The inspiration

Frame for the tombstone

      I say that I have the framework done but then I just realized that I wanted it to look like the tombstones that I seen in the cemetery. Now I have to frame out some rocks for the bottom of the stump. Well at least the stump part is complete. Rocks are easy to make so it won't take me more than an hour or so to make them and position them around the bottom. The only foreseeable problem is the plaque for the inscription. I am thinking about using foam board but I am not quite sure yet. Like my Mom says "We'll see when we get there." I do know that I don't plan on putting as many vines on my version. More pictures to come as I make progress.

New Friend for Norville

      So just got finished making a new prop to go with Norville. Going to work on it's twin tomorrow. Both the hubby and youngest were kind of surprised when I told them I was leaving it like it is. To me it kinda has that old Indian burial ground/warning totem vibe going on. Would love to give credit to who's design they are but I can't for the life of me remember where I seen them at. So who ever you are Thank you and I hope I did them justice. He stands over 7 feet tall and was super easy to make. If the mosquitoes hadn't been trying to bleed me dry I would have made his twin tonight. Oh well.

Shopping

     So I have done a little shopping trying to get stuff to help build some new props. Pickings are pretty slim right now but Halloween Express has their big Pumpkin building/tent/dome/whatever you want to call it up so things should start getting better. Finally found a bird cage that looks old at a decent price so that will be a nice addition to the either the Witch's brew table or the Gypsy table. Haven't decided yet. I thought I would add a bit more tulle to the hat to make it a little more my style and I just couldn't pass up the figurines.

     Dollar Tree had some plastic "door knockers" that I thought would be good to use for tombstones since I have NO artistic ability when it comes to drawing/carving. I missed out on getting the little shelf sitters last year and was so happy when I seen them again this year. 
     It feels good to get back into the swing of Halloween. Now if the weather would just start cooling off I will really be one happy camper.

So it has once again been forever and a day since my last post. I really got to get better at this. Lots has gone on since the last post, so rather than try to get you caught up just know that the Halloween party was a success, and Halloween was a little better than last year.

Decided to try my hand at selling some of my Halloween crafts next year. We have an open air market downtown from May to October on Saturdays that is specially for homemade/homegrown items. I have gone there many times over the last two years to purchase jellies and veggies and have yet to see anything truly Halloween related. Figured that it was about time to show this town what homemade Halloween looks like. Hopefully they won't want me to sell from May to July and just let me do from August thru the end of the market. We shall see.

Getting Closer

So only 87 more days to Halloween. Okay, not so bad. I have completed my burning embers for my smaller cauldron. I will start work on some skeleton looking props tomorrow as well as the base for the corn stalks. Still have to find some vines for Norville. The youngest has stressed that he needs some "beefing" up. Silly boy was talking making pants for poor Norville. Norville doesn't need pants, he's a scarecrow. But I do agree, he does need some "beefing" up. Also need to rework Tim while I am at it. So I guess this year won't bring out any new props, but maybe some refining of current ones.  Gee, getting lazy lately.
I have been lurking about in the stores lately looking for Halloween stuff. Dollar Tree has started putting out their stuff. Not much to choose from but I did get some Creepy Cloth from there. Michael's in Nashville has a pitiful amount out right now. Hobby Lobby on the other had has a whole bunch of Fall stuff, just not so much in the Halloween portion. But then again it is only August. Only 87 more days. But who is counting?