Gingerbread Skeleton

Last Christmas, while the little girls were icing high heels on their gingerbread men women I couldn't just stand by and watch the catastrophe.  So, I made this cute little man.  Maybe not too appropriate for Christmas, but I can't think of a better Halloween cookie. 

Altered Art Fairy Jar

Here is another project "inspired" by a booth at the Country Living Fair last week.

The images were purchased from http://alteredartifacts.blogspot.com/ and are so cool because each image includes a front and back view.  And the colors are so vivid!   

The hardest part of the project was cutting out the front and back view of each image.  Also, finding a mason jar that had at least one smooth side!  Ok, this is how I did it.  I used florist clay mashed onto the bottom of the jar.  This was covered with sheet moss cut to fit.  Each image was cut out and sandwiched together front and back, with a strong wire in between that stuck out the bottom about one inch.  I used craft glue so the edges are really glued together and show no gaps.  After the fairy and mushrooms dried, I cut the wire off so it had about 1/2 inch lenght extending.  Now I could stick it through the moss into the clay.  You might notice a bee on a wire attached to the jar lid.  That was just two bee stickers stuck back to back.  I spray painted the jar lid a color to match the fairy and that's it.  Just a bit of whimsy for a little girl to gaze at and dream of tiny creatures dancing in the moon light.  Diana

What's in Your Wardrobe?

I am so obsessed with the shadow box collage!  So when I saw this doll house wardrobe I knew I had to have it.

I did a Dracula scene complete with his bride and coffin.   There are even a few bats flying around.

The whole thing is so small which made cutting difficult but I am so pleased with the overall look.  It does make me a little nervous about that wardrobe so close to my bed.........  Diana

Browned Butter Icing

Where have you been all my life??? How is it that I have never had the pleasure of meeting you in my 33 years of living??? This Pillsbury recipe for Apple Sauce Cupcakes couldn't be a more perfect match for you.  Is it wrong of me to use all of my recently canned apple sauce on this recipe alone?  I think because of the apple sauce this cupcake is the close cousin of the muffin, which makes it a perfect fall breakfast...

Altered Art Halloween Scene

Remember when I said we went to the Country Living Fair last weekend?  And remember how I said we saw things we could craftlift?  Well this is the first of those craft projects.

One of the booths was huge and had sooo many cute things.  Only one problem.....super expensive.  So I decided I would make one of the items myself.  I didn't take a picture of the shadow box I fell in love with.  I only wanted to use the idea, not totally copy it.  (Saying that makes me feel better.....like saying borrowing instead of stealing.....)  Hours later (now I understand the high price) I have my own version of an altered art shadow box for Halloween. 

I picked up the shadow box at the craft store.  Then the entire thing was spray painted in a flat black. 

I lined the back with a piece of scrap book paper cut to size.  I downloaded the Witches Ball paper from the Graphic's Fairy which I wrinkled up and distressed with black ink.

Much of the clipart was purchased from Altered Artifacts on Etsy.  Check out her blog here for free clipart and a link to her shop.  The jack a lantern was cut from one of her sheets and I attached the dimensional witches hat and pipe cleaner limbs.

This creepy beetle was one I had in my stash.  He is served on a small favor tray I had left over from another project. 

A small bottle of Arsenic hides in the corner,  Maybe it was the cause of some of the deaths in the graveyard. 

A small little witch leans against one of the tombstones while her black cat stares at you.  A bit of moss is tucked among the tombstones.  I also brought more attention to the witch with a frame of spiders.   

This view shows better the many layers involved.  I used layers of foam tape and small blocks of wood to support the paper items and bring them forward.  

While this did take a lot of time, it was so enjoyable!  Everything had to be hand cut once it was printed but it wasn't difficult or expensive.  Now I am going to try my hand at another copied inspired project I have in mind.  Diana

Chunky Tomato Sauce

So many tomatoes, so little time.  But I will always find time to make this new recipe for tomato sauce that my daughter told me about!  Chunky and full of vegetables, this sauce doesn't even require you to peel the tomatoes.

 

Check out Thy Hand Hath Provided for this recipe and other great ways to preserve your gardens bounty.  I especially like the stewed tomato recipe though I do water bath them instead of the open kettle method she uses.  Delicious!  Diana

Country Living Fair 2012

Sept. 14th the annual Country Living Fair, sponsored by Country Living Magazine, came to town!  Yipee!  Three generations of our family got up early and got busy shopping!

I can't even begin to describe the fun that we had and the wonderful handmade items we saw.  The first thing bought was this adorable vintage suitcase with both sides covered in chalkboard paint. 

We bought a bit of handcrafted jewelry too.  We all got a beautiful bracelet made from beads and reclaimed charms. http://belmonili.blogspot.com/

This lovely piece and the cuff links below are Laurie Leonard Designs.  She is out of Jeannette PA. 

The cuff links are very steampunkish and I love them.

Laurie_Leonard@msn.com 

Our FAVORITE booth is Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce.  Unbelievably good chocolate.

www.sundaesbest.com 

We had to pick up the best roma tomato seeds at the next booth!  These tomatoes grow huge! 

We also got a purse made from a Harry Potter book and some giant cookies for the boys left at home.  Don't worry, we ate well too.  Wolfed down huge pulled pork sandwiches for lunch.  Once we had a little more room in our tummies we had peach and cherry cobbler with fresh ice cream on top.  Loaded with our new treasures and lots of ideas for things we knew would be fun to make ourselves.......we headed back home.  Can't wait for next year!