Monday, August 29, 2016

Steampunkin...and the Thief of Time!

Steampunk!

What is it about Steampunk style that is so appealing to me?  Sometimes I wish I were younger so I could get geeky and immerse myself in this whole other world.  It's kind of a fanciful Victorian-JulesVerne-Science Fiction-Fantastical Voyage into steam-powered technology, with a lot of rusty gears.  I have always been a nerdy kind of person.  I was into Star Trek from the time I was 12. I went through a Lord of the Rings fan phase...as the collection of Hobbit figurines in my office will attest. As I get older, I don't seem to feel the need to go to ComicCon...but I still feel the desire to dream fantastical dreams.  George likes the idea of Steampunk and has been collecting materials to build a few cool lamps. 

I love it when the creativity gods smile down on me...sending those Eureka! moments that strike at the oddest of times.  Mine happened while I was organizing my Halloween crafting materials and found a pad of scrapbook paper I forgot I had.  It's a Graphic 45 collection called "Steampunk Spells" and it's pretty cool.  I had an inspiration flash...Steampunkin!  What could be more fun?

Steampunkin...Jack-in-the-Box!

Steampunkin Jack!
Old bed springs are the perfect size for a Jack-in-the-Box.
Finished Jack is about 18 inches tall.


Jack's hat was a woman's fascinator.
Zurchers has a Steampunk section in their costume department.
They have a fun selection of accessories...jewelry, hats, goggles, you name it!
Even little bags of gears!


The medallion on the front of the box was a brooch from Zurchers.
I used the lid of the box for a platform for Jack's box to sit on.
I wrapped the edge in leather and added nail heads.
The legs are mini-candlesticks from Hobby Lobby.


Jack's box is wrapped and embellished with Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells papers.
Up next...Jack's companion!

Thief of Time...Altered Crow!

Thief of Time.
I've had this crow on a wooden platform for a few years.
I thought a clock theme would be fun for him.
Everyone knows that crows are thieves...so he became "Thief of Time."
Note...clocks on the wheels.


TOT wears a capelet made from the fingers of an old kid glove.
I found the glove in with some old lace that belonged to Grandma Patta.
I embellished it with clock hands, a clock and some gears.


TOT's hat is also embellished with little clocks and gears.
Tiny clock hands are the "feathers" in his cap.
He carries a stolen timepiece in his beak.

Little Steam-Punkins.
I saw these gold-veined pumpkins at Walmart and just knew they needed the Steampunk treatment.

More clocks and gears!

Temporary display...I start decorating this weekend!!

Hooray for September!
Are y'all as excited as I am for fall?


Thursday, August 11, 2016

Halloween Circus...New Additions!


Carousel of Creepiness!
Carousel of Creepiness!
Made from old lampshade frame.
Slit straws cover the frame ribs.

On the Fourth of July weekend George and I traveled to Nederland, Colorado...home of the Carousel of Happiness.  I was happy to finish that chapter of the history of Fairyland Park.  As I rode on the carousel, one crazy thought led to another...and I knew I had to make a Carousel of Creepiness.  I had been working on a blog post about the other carousel for Vintage Vacations...but I couldn't concentrate.  I had to stop and create!

Carousel Jack!

Come and Ride...Cats in Saddles.

My Favorite Vintage Cat!
I found one in Grandma Patta's attic when my kids were young.
It was my very first vintage Halloween piece, and is my most treasured.

Closer view of Cat.

Skelly's Ticket Booth!
Every circus needs a ticket booth with a dapper skinny salesman.
His customer is an old friend I made some years back.
The ticket booth is inspired by one I pinned on Pinterest...Vic's Creations

Ticket Booth Sign.

Skelly and Friend.


Scare-us Wheel!
I've used this black cupcake wheel for several years.
I finally decorated the sides.

Cat and Moon.

Witch and Moon.


Graveyard Drummers!
I want to find more of the band members.
Grateful Dead?

Old Friends!
The circus tent was the first piece I made a few years ago.
I was thinking of a Night Circus theme.
I use the same "want ads" paper on each of my pieces to tie them together.
I can't get anymore...only 3 sheets left!

Witch's Candy Stand.
Also a few years old.
She wasn't a circus piece...but fits in nicely.

Haunted Midway!
I wanted to see everything together.
I need a backdrop of some kind and a garland of black and white flags.

As usual I am not letting the calendar get in my way!
Happy Creepy Crafting!