Random Acts of Halloween!

 Random Acts...New Creepy Crafties!

One of my all-time favorite postcards!

I have been so lax at blogging, I am embarrassed to say.  More and more it seems like Facebook and Instagram are taking the place of posting for many of my blogging friends. I like the immediacy of sharing a new craft on Instagram...but nothing beats the magazine-style format of a good blog post.  I enjoy writing about my life and odd-ball things I find on Vintage Vacations.  The world is full of things that make you scratch your head and say "Huh?"  I just love finding those things.  So I will continue on.  

This time of year, blog posts are mainly holiday craft oriented.  The long winter days of January are a good time for story telling.  This isn't the fanciest blog, with professionally designed elements...but it's mine and I love it!  I hope you will hang in there when I am lazy and don't blog as often...I will try to do better.

 New Creepy Crafties...

Shadow Box Jack.

He was an Art-Group project.

Boxes from Trina, Kim, Margo...and Me!

"Cat Scratch Fever"

Made from an old scratch remover container and a vintage British tart tin.

Side View.  I just love his scraggly tail!

This little kitty is "Ditt-mark."

He's from a typewriting ribbon box.

"Tin Man Jack"

His tin is an oil can for a fuel-powered iron.

Of course he needs this little funnel for a hat.

Grim Grinning Gourds...come out to socialize!

I saw Kim K's wreath on Instagram and had to make one too!

This was so cheap to make...$10 worth of Walmart pumpkins

and an old wreath I already had.

Fun Fall Arrangement.

We made the mushrooms at Art Group from tart tins and old chair spindles.

I still love making "Fairy Gardens!"

This one was for my friend Kathy's Birthday!

I love using small porcelain figures and salts and peppers.

And Finally...

My DIL Lori painted this Halloween chair for me.

She is so talented!

This will be a Halloween heirloom for years to come.

This creepy clown needed a place to sit!

Thanks for letting me share my "Ghoulish Delights!"

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!

Last of the Red, White and Blue...White King Uncle Sam!

Uncle Sam inspires our latest craft group project.

The Uncle Sam Project

My local crafting group met a few weeks ago to work on our Uncle Sam projects.  The challenge was to create an Uncle Sam figure from an old tin and a paper clay head.  We meet in Alpine, Utah at the home of Jann Olson of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson.  She is the half-way lady...half way between southern Utah County and the Salt Lake City area.  It's always so much fun at Jann's house!  She is an amazing person with so much creative talent...as her home and garden will attest.  You never know what her "Theme" will be from month to month...bees and old plaid thermoses come to mind...lol!

This is my finished Uncle Sam.  

He's created from a can of White King Cleanser.

I used measuring spoons for his arms.

"Heads of State!"

Making the air-dry clay heads took up most of the time.

My fellow crafters chose some really fun tins.

It's harder than you think to find something red, white, and blue!

What a crazy variety of expressions, don't you think?

Paula's Sam, in the middle, is amazing!  

Closer view of Sam's hat.

Made from a toilet tissue roll.

I sat Sam's drum on a pedestal for a bit of height.

It's an empty ribbon spool.

I love using rosettes...they make things so fancy!

It looks a bit out of balance...but that's just the angle.

Wooden Patriotic Banner.

I finished this banner yesterday...better late than never.

Bit closer view.

Wooden Bingo pieces are fun!

This is just a quick post to catch up.  Today I am getting out my fall and Halloween craft boxes.  I am starting to see creepy little crafties in my dreams.  I just thought of a Carousel of Creepiness...so stayed tuned.  I think my visit to Nederland, Colorado to ride on the Carousel of Happiness may have something to do with it...lol!

My Dream Tin.

This would be the basis for the perfect Uncle Sam Project...if only one would come my way!

Happy Summer Crafting!

Summer Is A Circus...Up-cycled Stuffed Animals!

A Circus Without Animals...Inconceivable!

And a circus without an elephant is just tragic!

I have only attended a Ringling Brothers Circus once in my life.  It was magical!  The elephants were by far my favorite part.  Their dignity and majesty were awe-inspiring.  It makes me sad that they will no longer be a part of the circus.  To me they are the "Big Top."  I have collected more images of elephants than of any other circus symbol. They will always be a part of everything I love about a circus.  I recently redecorated my grandchildren's play room into a Dumbo Circus theme.  It's still a work-in-progress, but I plan to share pictures sometime soon.

Sweet Ellie...Circus Elephant!

I found Ellie at a cute little shop in Salt Lake City called "Retro Betty."

There was a basket of pre-loved vintage stuffed animals that day.

I bought an Easter bunny as well.

I always intended for Ellie to be a Valentine circus animal...so I chose red and aqua for her colors.  I love those colors for Valentine projects.  But she will fit in with all my circus creations. It was fun making her a cute clown collar and a party hat.  I can't help myself when it comes to party hats.  So many of my characters seem to have one.  It's the fastest way to feel festive!  I also made her a fancy box for her matinee performances.

Hat Close-up.

Ellie's Fancy Box!

Ellie's Clown Parade Baton.

Made from odds and ends and bits and bobs.

She's ready for the 1:00 p.m. show!

Circus Bear!

"Wheeler"

I love old stuffed animals on wheels.  I would love a collection of Steiff animals, but they are so expensive...especially the vintage ones.  I saw this funny old wheeled bear at Flea-o-logy in my friend Paula's booth.  I was in love!  I had to chase George down and beg for some extra cash...I had already exceeded my flea market allowance...lol!

He needed a little work.  I used some painted beads to replace the missing hubcaps and hold the wheels on.  I'm not sure I like these...I may change them later.  I made Wheeler a collar from a scrap of vintage fabric I have had forever.  The aqua polka dot matches the beads.  I didn't want to glue on his party hat, so it ties under his chin.  He is so stinkin' cute!

Party Hat!

Thanks for letting me share my new Circus Friends!