Halloween Crafts...Part Two!

Whooo said you could do it again?
Halloween ideas are running around inside my head like a kid who just ate every piece of candy in his Trick-or-Treat bag.  It happens to me every year.  By the first of August I am counting down the days until September...as if fall gets its own Advent calendar.  I am looking forward to Labor Day weekend and Swiss Days...the official kick-off to my favorite time of year.  Swiss Days is a yearly celebration in Midway, Utah...home to many people of Swiss descent.  It is also 2 days of the biggest, funnest, most fantabulous craft fair in the state!  I can hardly wait!  Fire up the stoves for those Swiss Navajo Tacos!

Pinteresting Projects...

Party Crow with Gumball Machine Clock Charm...

The fancy crow I saw on Pinterest had real feathers and was perched on a fantastic handmade box.  I dug out my feathered crows and found they were too faded and weather-beaten.  I may try this again with a newly purchased crow.  I painted the polka dots on the base for even more whimsy. 

Detail of his cute, funny face!

Charlie the Party Moon...

The Pinterest moon was wearing a witch's hat and mounted to a candlestick.  I bought some old rusty bedsprings a few years back and thought Charlie needed to bobble a bit.  Since he will be joining the party crow as part of my late summer decor, I thought he needed a party hat as well

What a Party Animal!

Pumpkin Face Shadow Box...

Small...just 5" square!

Pinterest box was painted white and green.

Cute Cone Ornies...

I'm kind of tired of the solemn-faced photo children with witches hats...so I printed a couple of favorite images.  I had the cones in my stash already...trimmed them with tinsel and pompoms.  They are quite small...about 6'' high.  I've made three sets so far.

Small Halloween Book...

This completes my set of three.

I found the graphics on Pinterest.

Fall Garland... 

Pennants spell out F.A.L.L.

Detail...I love acorns and sunflowers this time of year!

I've made two of these...one with autumn leaves and realistic acorns.

Well, this has been keeping me busy this week...

...that and bottling never-ending green beans!

Happy Fall Crafting!

(It'll be here before you know it.)



Vintage Vacations...Golden Spike National Historic Site!

May 10, 1869...
"What was it the Engines said,
Pilots touching, head to head
Facing on the single track,
Half a world behind each back?"
...Bret Harte, What the Engines Said

Being a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the date of May 10, 1869 has special significance.  It is the duty of each Daughter to research and submit the histories of her pioneer ancestors.  We define "pioneer" as one who traveled to Utah, died on the trail or were born in the Territory before May 10, 1869...the date the final spike was driven uniting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads at Promontory Summit in Utah.  1,776 miles of desert, rivers and mountains had been crossed to bind together East and West.

"THE LAST RAIL IS LAID! THE LAST SPIKE IS DRIVEN! THE PACIFIC RAILROAD IS COMPLETED! THE POINT OF JUNCTION IS 1086 MILES WEST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER, AND 690 EAST OF SACRAMENTO CITY"   So read the the telegram to President Ulysses S. Grant.  The Jupiter and No. 119 touch pilots at Promontory Summit, Utah.  Photo by A.J. Russell.

The Big Trestle and the No. 119.

Photographer A.J. Russell left his wagon below to capture this moment.

I don't intend to do the whole story of the Golden Spike event.  Here are two places you can visit for more information:  Day 18 , a traveler's blog and the official NPS site,  Golden Spike National Historic Site.  I don't think there is any thing prettier than an old steam train!

Road Trip...

Amber and No. 119

A few years ago our sweet daughter worked as a Ranger and Interpreter at the Historic Site.

This No.119 is a working replica.

There is also a replica of Jupiter.

Volunteers re-enact the driving of the Golden Spike.

The original spike is at Stanford University.

George and I took a drive out to the Golden Spike NHS yesterday to take a look at a small water tank at the Vistor's Center.  Our company will be putting in a bid to paint and refurbish it.  I love taking mini-road trips in the middle of the week.  I took a few pictures, but I already had the ones I posted above.  On the drive home we stopped at...

Maddox Steak House

Located on old Highway 89 in Perry, a small town in northern Utah.  Maddox is one of those places that are a "must visit" and I was excited to go there and sample one of their famous bison burgers. 

Maddox parking lot was packed even back then!

The restaurant has been expanded over the years...it seems the owner would just sketch out the new addition himself.  So you will find odd levels and little stairways linking everything together.  It's pretty pricy...but the tourists don't seem to mind.  I know my lunch was delicious!

Thank you for coming along with me on this Vintage Vacation!

  

It's Halloween in July!

Whooooo's Crafting Halloween?
That feisty little owl sure has an attitude!  I know it's early for Halloween projects...but I blame it all on Pinterest.  There has been such an abundance of wonderful ideas that I have been greedily stuffing them in my pin collections like a manic squirrel with too many acorns.  I feel so antsy...like if I don't get started now I might miss out on something.  It might be the fault of this endlessly long hot summer...but my neighbors know I tend to jump the gun when it comes to holiday decorating.  I finally finished a few projects that I want to share...I promise I won't put any out on display until at least September 1. =D

Halloween Projects 2012...Part One

Shadow Box...

12" by 12"

This is my third holiday shadow box.  I was inspired by the wonderful Christmas version made by Elizabeth of Creative Breathing. It's fun to have one for different seasons hanging over my desk.

Detail...fun charms for Cinderella.

Detail...

Miniature versions of vintage Halloween cut-outs make a spooky little garland.

More charms and favorite postcard art.

Spooky Centerpiece...

My version of a fun arrangement I found on Pinterest.

The specific link on Li'l Luna wasn't working,

so check out Pinterest to see her adorable pic.

Detail...

I finally learned how to make those folded paper rosettes...

Detail...

The cat and owl were applied to painted wooden disks.

Books and Candy Box...

Halloween Books and Cat Candy Box

After pricing the books on Traditions, I found paper mache books

at Hobby Lobby 40% off.  The cover graphics were found on Pinterest.

Not a great closeup...

Small paper mache boxes are my favorite medium...I love playing with them.

If I do this cat face again, I will mount it on a wooden disk and stand it on the lid. The cat and owl faces I used were a free printable from Johanna Parker Design.  I chuckled when I saw her blog post "Halloween in January"...now I don't feel so bad about July!

I just realized I could have waited until tomorrow...

Halloween in August!





Vintage Vacations...Radiator Springs!

Get your kicks on Route 66...
Somewhere down Route 66 lies a sleepy little town called Radiator Springs.  During the heyday of American road trips it thrived...with plenty to offer hungry, thirsty and sleepy travelers.  The locals...a hardy bunch of eccentrics...managed to eke out a living in the middle of the desert.  Then the unthinkable happened...the interstate came, bypassing the little town.  Its formerly bustling main street lay baking in the hot desert sun with only tumble weeds for traffic.  And thus it would have died a long slow death, but for the arrival of an exciting stranger, whose lively personality brought life...and tourists...back to Radiator Springs.  I think we need a closer look...did someone say Road Trip?

Life is a Highway...

Where it all began...

Beautiful Desert Scenery...

Famous Landmarks...

Welcome to Town... 

"No Vacancy" when night falls...

The Cozy Cone is bustling...

Ye Olde Curio Shoppe...

Hey! Mater's in Town... 

Fillmore's for everything "organic"...

Sarge's Surplus Hut...

Night Life...

When the sun goes down...the night life heats up...

Everybody heads for Flo's V8 Cafe...the most happenin' place in town...

At night it's a Neon World...

Signs of the Times...

For you neon lovers...

Entry to Radiator Springs Racers...

Lots of fun if you don't mind the wait...2+ hours without a fastpass!

Sparky's Spark Plugs

Oil Pan...good to the last drop...

Flo's V8 Cafe...

Luigi's Tires...

Cozy Cone Motel...No Vacancy!

Sarge's Surplus Hut...

Mr. Curb Feeler...

Lube-O-Rama...

Ramone's House of Body Art...

Time to head home...

I sure hope you enjoyed your trip to Radiator Springs.  This is part three in my series of Vintage Vacations.  I have more in store as time goes by.  In my opinion the two most beautiful words in the English language are....Road Trip!