Augustus and Edgar Prepare for Halloween, now with better photos

Halloween is the one time of the year that Augustus feels he can spread his glorious bat wings and be himself. Here he poses with his pet raven, Edgar, in eager anticipation of the big day.

This is made from another style of atc hutch from Alpha Stamps. It's similar to the one I used in Melancholy Circus, but this Halloween hutch has a spooky spiderweb header, and comes with three decorative skulls (I used the two smaller skulls) and a masonite bat (not used).

To get the glittery effect on the web, I painted the header black and then gave it a good spray of copper colored Glimmer Mist. I used tracing paper to determine how to cut the black and white paper around the web.

The sides are covered with orange cardstock with a lovely black web-like ribbon layered on top to give it texture and added spookiness.

Augustus and the raven stand out from the background with the help of adhesive foam. Happy Halloween!

Melancholy Circus

Alpha Stamps has started carrying great little masonite ATC sized hutches. With one of those and lots of other Alpha Stamps supplies and collage sheets, I created a Melancholy Circus. I was inspired by the thought of kids running away to join the circus, and then discovering that circus life is really not all it's cracked up to be. Turns out it's a Melancholy Circus: even the trick dogs are sad. Sorry, kids!

The clown on the top was formerly a brightly colored cupcake pick. I painted it with gesso and then aged it with acrylic paints and ink. Here's a list of what I used, with the supplies from Alpha Stamps linked.

SUPPLIES USED

Clown Cupcake Pick

ATC Hutch Shrine Kit
Valance Curtain Die-Cut Chipboard

Patterned Paper from Graphic 45
Circus Arabian Collage Sheet
Little Imps Collage Sheet
Little Darlings Collage Sheet
Circus Horse Stickers

Red Rhinestones
3D Metal Stars

Star Ribbon

1/8" Red Ribbon
Thin Border Stickers (Black)

All the kids have been given a red clown nose and a circus hat, plus a stripey pennant and a clown horn. Even one of the dogs has been decked out in a party hat. They're still not happy.

 

Is it wrong that I love how morose all those kids look, now that they've been properly dressed and forced to perform? Even the depressed looking dogs delight me, poor things.

If you're following along at home, you may have noticed that lately I've done several circus pieces with not-so-enthusiastic kids attending. I'm working on a series. I have more sad circuses in the mix.

Happy Birthday, Craftster.org!

This month, Craftster.org is turning 10! To celebrate this momentous occasion, they're holding a "Tin for Ten" craft contest. Of course my tin had to be an altered Altoids tin.

I wanted it to be festive and fun and full of Craftster-y goodness. Here's what I came up with: a sweet little girl who's not afraid to be a little silly every now and then, along with her little dog, who never dreamed that anyone who is a fan of Craftster may just be inspired to dress up a pup in some crazy costume, just for the fun of it.

Stars for all the wonderful, inspirational people I've met through the site, and a balloon celebrating the 10 years of fun Craftster has provided. It was not easy tying that tiny bow around the neck of the balloon!

And last but not least, some bright bulbs to represent all the wonderful and creative ideas that Craftster members have shared.

If you're crafty, or want to be, go check check out Craftster. You'll be amazed at all the wonderful projects you'll find, many with tutorials.

Happy birthday, Craftster, and many more!