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!

Summer Crafting...Spice Tin Uncle Sam!

Spice Tin Uncle Sam!

My crafting group is getting together later this month to create quirky Uncle Sams using vintage tins and whatnot for one-of-a-kind patriotic decor.  I am still working on gathering together the elements I will need for the group project.  We plan to make the heads out of paper clay or oven-dry clay.  I have my head almost ready...which is the big thing to cross off the list.  In the meantime I found a cute bobble-head Uncle Sam at Hobby Lobby.  The head was just the right size to use with an old spice tin I had in my stash.  Yay!  Something fun to make to get in the spirit for Craft Day.

Sam is about 8 inches tall, not including the stand.

I aged the head with watered down brown paint.

His legs are wooden spools with pop bottle caps for feet.

I don't know what those electrical thingies are for, but

they work just right for hands.

I got a whole bag of different sizes and colors for $1 at a fleamarket.

Sam's little drum is a wooden Christmas ornament.

I found a couple of great Bingo cards in my stash that were perfect

for a patriotic wall hanger.

First Creepy Crafty of 2016...

This is Mothra.

She is created from an Avon Mothicide tin.

She is a little over 7 inches tall.

Fun use for my rusty calipers I found last spring.

The wings are rusty hearts.

Side view of Mothra's green tongue.

She was a lot of fun to create.

It's always Halloween in my head.

This was just a quick post before we leave for our Granddaughter Madison's graduation.  I can't believe our little girl is almost 18!  Tomorrow we'll head for Yellowstone for a couple of days...I can't wait.  It's one of my favorite Vintage Vacations!