It's a Halloween Summer!

Have you ever heard of Campground Halloween?  I hadn't either till I read about this great vacation tradition that happens every summer around various campgrounds around the U.S.

Around the country, campgrounds celebrate Halloween for one weekend every summer. There's trick-or-treating, haunted houses, decorations put up around each campsite or trailer, costumes, and of course scary stories around the campfire. Gee, I sure hope they're serving S'mores too!

So...if you're a fan of Halloween, and who isn't for corn sakes, then by all means consider checking this out for a way ghoul, I mean, cool summer vacation!

Haunted House - The Unveiling

I know, I know - I promised Mordred, but she's still getting her gown altered. You know these high maintenance diva's. Never satisfied!

I'm hoping you will enjoy my haunted house in the interim. The top as you can see, has the haunted house with it's creepy front walkway and pumpkins standing watch. Each side (there are 10 sides to this box) has a semi-different silhouette. I say semi, because I used one or two of the designs twice as I loved them so much. For a whimsical touch, I added white, yellow, and orange polka dots. The inside is a decoupaged ensemble of assorted Halloween designed papers surrounding a non-too-happy skeleton attempting to make his escape. It is glazed inside and out with a waterbase varnish.

This little gem measures just shy of 12" across and 5" tall. Perfect for your other-worldly treasures! Finally listed for sale at http://www.bywayofsalem.etsy.com

Haunted House - Revamped

And top o' the evenin' to you! Wanted to show you all my re-do. I wasn't quite happy with the colors on my haunted house I showed you in a previous post, something just wasn't right but I couldn't quite tell what. It was calling "repaint me, repaint me." So with a few splashes, dots, and dashes of orange and some ink work, I think it's a bit more lively. Now to go to work on the lower half.... P.S. This is a really neat star shaped papier mache box that's about 10" across that will hold all other-worldly treasures.

Jeannine's WIP - Papier Mache Star Box

This is a really fun piece for me cause the shape is already done. No worries of smoothing the lumps and bumps, or shaping of clay, I just get to paint. And I love to just paint. Don't get me wrong - I adore creating my funny little characters, but it's the paint that brings them to life. Hmmm...kind of like me without make-up.

I've got a lot of work left yet, but at least I have the clouds, moon, and the all-important polka dot trim on. I'm thinking in the middle, a haunted house or graveyard, or, D.) all of the above. The box is rather large, so it should be an impressive piece with room for lots of spookiness. Not sure yet how I'll line it - I'll conjure up something appropriate...maybe decoupage or a crushed velvet.