Halloween Skull from Dollar Store

Well, I am back on track after last week's road trip.  All unpacked, laundry caught up, grocery shopping done, and rested from all the cleaning up and putting away.  Sometimes I feel it is more work too go away to get rested because of all the work to catch up when I get home.

Time to get started making a few Halloween items.

I purchased this plain skull with stand from the dollar store with the idea to alter it a bit. I mean, he was alright, but I wanted to give him a little more personality.

I started by adding black glitter to the eyes and nose.

Then I added black glitter to parts pit the base. I used Mod Podge to adhere the glitter.

When the glitter was dry I painted the gold section of the base with gold leaf paint to give it a richer appearance.

I also painted one of the teeth gold with the same paint.

Then I gathered a small square piece of black netting with a sparkly piece of orange ribbon tied into a bow.  And used a piece of twine to tie the whole piece to the base.

I think he looks much better now.  Ready to give a little Halloween fright.

Happy crafting!

Week in Review

Monday

There's Doggies in the Window

Thursday 

On a Road Trip

Friday 

Wonderful Trip

Happy Weekend!

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Wonderful Trip

Last weekend began with a high school class picnic.  We schedule a picnic for September of each year.  It is always good to catch up on the news from all my classmates. I remember when the news was about new spouses and babies but nowadays we talk about retirement and Grandkids.  Hard to believe how fast time flies.

Growing up in a small town we where always close and I think that is why we still get together, we are almost like a big family.  And in many cases we are related, many are cousins or family  by marriage.  Lots of us still meet for lunch during the year, too.  We have all gone our separate ways and live in different towns now.  But give us a reason to get toget her and we show up and have a great time.

After the picnic hubby and I set off on our Anniversary gateway to one of the least populated spots in California.

We rented a cabin at Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley for a little R&R.  And I guess we really needed the break.  The first night there we both slept for 13 hours.  We couldn't believe our eyes the next morning when we looked at the time.

It is so peaceful and quiet and disconnected from the world we just relaxed during our stay.  We ventured into the Carson Valley in Nevada one day and took a drive into the back country another day.

Then there was my day to visit Genoa, NV. with all it's antique stores and interesting shops.

I must say though, it is always good to get back home to our own bed.


Now it is time to unpack, do laundry and buy groceries.  Relaxing time is over!

Happy Travels!

On a Road Trip

We are off on a road trip to the end of the world, well almost.  Drove 30 miles into town to make this post.

Staying in a valley with no TV, internet or phone well off the beaten path.

Pictures of our adventure will follow tomorrow.

Happy Travels!

There's Doggies in the Window

Well, I have been very busy unpacking and washing my dishware and glassware.  I think I have just about everything placed in my new cabinets.

  I made a lace curtain for each of the glass doors on the side cabinets. I bought one  56" by 63" white lace panel and cut it to size for each door.  I even had enough leftover to sew a lace curtain for my kitchen window.

I attached one curtain to the inside of each cabinet door using 2 cafe curtain rods,  1 top and 1 bottom.

inside door

outside door

I tied the centers of each curtain with a white sheer ribbon.

So why did I say "Doggies in the Window"?  Well, many years ago my Mother gave me 2 small antique German porcelain dog figurines.  They are about 4 inches tall and each is lit from within.

I have never had a really nice place to show them off.  But I now have the perfect spot for them.

They are peeking through the the glass doors were the lace is pulled back.

My dental moulding arrived.  I added it to the side cabinets and painted each with the same white paint I used on the cabinets.

The addition of the dental moulding really helps the three cabinets look like they belong together.

Cabinets are done and the doggies are in the windows and I have a few Fall leaves scattered about.

Happy Decorating!

Week in Review

Monday

Water Can Redo

Tuesday

Anniversary Dinner at Poor Red's

Wednesday

Handmade Bead Earrings

Thursday

Fall Arrangement

Friday

Mini Pallet Fall Sign

Happy Weekend!

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Mini Pallet Fall Sign

I decided this year to do something other than a wreath for the front door for Fall.

I ordered a mini pallet for the door.

I began with an 11" x 11" mini unpainted mini pallet.

First thing I did was to roughly paint the entire piece with a brown acrylic paint.

Next I quickly painted each board with white acrylic paint and immediately wiped it off with a paper towel.  My plan was to give the wood an aged barn wood look.

Oops, forgot to take a p picture of that step but you will see the final look in the pictures below.

Next, after the paint was dry I printed out the wording from my computer I wanted to apply to my pallet.

Then I turned the paper over and rubbed the back with a soft lead pencil over the words.

Then I turned the words over placed them on the pallet where I wanted my wording to be and  went over the outline of the lettering with a pen to transfer the image to my board.  My pencil lines didn't really show on the dark brown color but the pen made enough of an indentation I was able to paint the wording with white acrylic paint.

I decided not to print the words onto the wood, instead I painted the letters to give them a hand painted appearance.  I simply painted within the lines.  Here you can see the first coat of paint being applied.  I ended up using two coats to make the letters bright white.

You can also the results of the white paint I rubbed off the boards giving them an aged barn wood appearance.

After the letters where dry I started in the lower right hand corner to hot glue an assortment of fall foliage to my sign.

Next I added a burlap bow on the top left corner.

In order to hang my pallet I added 2 brass eye hooks and ran a piece of twine through them to hang the finished piece.

Now if the weather will just cooperate a little I will hang this on my front door.  Today we reached 96 degrees.  Just too hot, still feels like summer.  This weather won't last much longer.  Each year we usually drop about 30 degrees in just a week when the Fall weather begins and I know that time is just around the corner.

Happy Decorating!