Target Prop Makeover

These lovely spider statues originally came from Target.  They are the property of the Son of Nell.  However after two years in a Minnesota Haunt, the paint began to peel.  So much for the factory finish.

Being the kind of future Mother-in-Law I am, I volunteered to doll them up a bit.

First they received a sanding and a coat of mat dark, dark gray paint.

Then dry brushed with dark dark gray mixed with a lighter gray.

Then stippled with the lighter gray.

Two top coats of a moisture resistant acrylic and I think they are ready to handle the elements

Gifts from my Daughter

Who has the best child?  I do.  Look at these amazing gifts she brought us from D23 Expo.

 A Puzzle and a 50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion T-shirt.  Hopefully she will gift us a blog about her adventures out west.  And yes, that's velvet on that frame.

More WOW

Another of the fine creation from the World of Wearable Art.

This is Ornitho-Maia, the bird mother.  She is the ethereal protector of the beautiful feathered creatures of our world.  I can totally relate to her mission as I am a little bird obsessed myself.

She was created by Nadine Jaggi from leather that has been wet moulded, embossed, carved, hand dyed, copper foiled & hand sewn; adorned with bronze buckles and steel rings.

One does need some abs to wear this - abs that are not covered in fat.  That rules me out.

Halloween at the ARC

Tis the season when all the blogs I follow start to highlight the new offerings in stores for Halloween.  The stock is very tempting but  I have pledged not to buy anything new this year.  Bring on the ARC Thrift Store and what they have  on the shelves. 

This little fellow was interesting - squishy too.  He might look good in a jar in the apothecary.

Someone has donated their whole doll collection.  I have been inspired by Roxanne Rhoads at A Bewitching Guide to All Things Halloween to do a doll makeover.

Wrong on so many levels

Could have sworn these were in Michaels last year

I like candle holders but I have enough

This skull is fun - looks Homemade

These were really tall - but I'm not sure Pochondriac sounds like a last name and they don't look pre-owned.

I found leggings.  Perfect for yoga!

I acquired this doll- I think her face is suitably glum.  Pull off that Laura Ingalls apron and I am left with a dark blue velvet dress.  I think that will make over nicely.

World of Wearable Art

Baby M and I attended the World of Wearable Art  at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. What a stunning exhibit from New Zealand. The art must all be wearable.

I took some photos of the darker designs. To share them in one go would make a lengthy blog. So I'll do it one at a time. 

Here is Lady Curiosity. She was designed by Fifi Colston and created from Eva foam, laminate, paint, velvet and acrylic mirrors.

She has a cabinet of curiosities in her bustle.

 These pierced nipples make a statement.

The artist had this to say about the piece "Her tattooing is of itself a beautiful dress & her collection full of wonders."

I would love to wear this for Halloween.  Sitting down might be a bit of an issue though.

Dragon Skull

This past July, my lovely Daughter and her consort, the Son of Nell, moved to Colorado Springs.  They are within a 20 minute drive of the Haunted Parlor.  We are over the moon (a spooky full moon). A whole new yard haunt to create!  

While antiquing  for them (yeh - a likely story) , I came across this.  Since I have pledged not to buy anything new this Halloween, I felt I deserved such a fab second hand item.  It originally came from the Crystal Wizard in Manitou so I feel as if it has come home.

Bless its pointed little head.

Pumpkins are Almost Ready

Unlike last year, 2019 has been a year without hail here in Manitou Springs.  So I have a few pumpkins coming ripe that have not suffered damage.  

Unfortunately, they don't seem pleased with the new bed we built for them. I planted three varieties - a sugar pumpkin  (for pies), a cinderella pumpkin, and a green sweet meat winter squash.   

The last one is really under performing as each one should be between 10 and 15 pounds.

All three varieties are good eating.  I will have to buy carving pumpkins.

A Gift from a Fellow Blogger

I would like to send a big thanks and warm wishes to Tom over at Garage Sale Finds for sending me this awesome puzzle.

His Lordship and I are big puzzle people - especially during the long, cold dark evenings of winter.  

This puzzle is special as my siblings and I went crazy for Wacky Packages back in the early 1970's.  It brings back such memories.

If you have not been to the Garage Sale Finds Blog, check it out.  Tom finds some real treasures from yesteryear and presents them with a dose of humor.

Zombies

Cool happenings in Colorado Springs.  This is a sign alerting drivers to upcoming construction.  But some prankster changed it.  Hee Hee.