Halloween Works in Progress

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a few of my most recent creations with y'all before I forget, which I'm known to do since I strongly believe there's a direct correlation between art and insanity!

This is my first attempt designing/stitching and painting my version of a monster doll. I know, I know, you've probably seen a lot of these already, but I wanted to give it a try cause they're so darn cute. Mine isn't done yet so this really is a WIP (work in progress). Once I have him complete, I'll put up a new pic. I've got a couple more appendages to add...

Not using a pattern, I sort of winged it. Just stitching and shaping as I went along. Being a fabric hoarder (and darn proud of it!), I had lots of Halloween scraps and quarters available to choose from. It was more difficult than I thought to put all the fabric selections together, and even now it's too "perfect", so next time I'm just going to randomly pick and choose.

For the face, I did some stitching but then had to add in my handpainting as well. His "crazy" eye and teeth are painted and trimmed with stitching instead of ink.

Once I stitched all the parts and pieces together, I laughed out loud how he turned out! I liked him!

Here's my Halloween version of my favorite snowman holding a pumpkin under the night sky while a spooky tree watches from behind. I still have to add some finishing touches, but he's on the way to chubby cuteness!

Next is a Halloween "Trick or Treat" Wish box. This is a petite wooden box, embellished with a special surprise inside; a tiny envelope to hide a wish underneath the lid. The top is painted with witch boots(say that 3 times fast!) and whirls, stars and dots, along with lots of witch hats all the way around the sides. It's held up by 4 ball feet, each painted a different Halloween color with added polka dots. Inside is lined with black and white polka dot paper.

 

You can see all of these and more in my Etsy store. Just click here and it will take you right to it. Happy Halloween! 

A Bit of Progress

Remember the painting I was working on with the dancing skeleton? Finally I have a bit of progress on it. I forgot how much work it takes, at least for me!

I'm liking how it's all working so far. Each color block will be a different Halloween scene, yet tie in together. I'm also adding other elements besides painting. I've got some "altered" art ideas that I'm going to incorporate which should add some visual interest as well.

Hope you enjoy the preview! A lot left to do, so back to painting I go!

The Ol' Tennessee Bag

Ellen, me dear sis and resident Tennessee "Hag o' the Hills", is on a bit of a leave from her "blog duties", whilst her and her beloved hubby prepare for the Halloween Spook-tacular of the Century! Oh I wish I could partake in the festivities myself, but there will be pics forthcoming no doubt. In the meantime, props are being built, potions are being concocted, and mad decorating is happening as we speak!

Aren't these potion bottles totally creepy! Another fine job, me Baggie! Save me some of them Pickled Spiders too!

Another Sweet One

Hello Dahlings! Have you seen my Frightened Frosty? Didn't think so. He's been on my website since its' inception, but the blog was created after, so I don't believe he had his "15 minutes" of fame. Can't have that!

He's a sweetie, but still retains the Halloween element with spiders and a pumpkin pal. Frosty's sculpted of paperclay, as is the pumpkin, and his spider is mounted on a wire dangling from the birds' nest on the top of his hat. I love making snowmen of any sort; painting on wood, for cards, sculpting them, or on quilts, and this little guy is one of my favorites!

Delvis is in the Building!

(Sing to the tune of Tom Jones' "She's a Lady")

He’s a swinger, he’s a lisper,
Man, he'll charm you with his kisser,
What a scorcher!

With a swagger and a sneer,
You'll be trembling when he's near,
Oh it's torture!

This is Delvis, oooooohhooooohhoooooooh

This is Delvis.....
Talking about that sizzling Delvis,

And the man is all mine.....

May I introduce: Delvis VonUberWanken - a swingin' ladies man!

Delvis is sculpted of paperclay, painted with acrylics, varnished with a clear sealer, and mounted on a wood base. His hair is alpaca wool. He's dressed to thrill in a skull embossed undershirt, flaming boxer shorts, and orange crocs. So the shirts a wee bit short. Whose looking at the potbelly with biceps like that! D. is sure to warm every fair maidens heart as he shares his bottle of, what else but Love Potion No.9. (...it smelled like turpentine, it looked like India ink, I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink...). (I am a singin' fool tonite!)

RED HOT!

SSSSSSSSSSSsssssssizzle, spark and snap!!! Quite the dashing red devil is due to show up anytime now. Be on the lookout ladies - he's sure to steal your heart!

Come to Bag's Corner!

The Bag Sisters here.....We wanted to invite you all to visit the newest addition to By Way of Salem; "Bag's Corner", our fun and frivolous eZine. Here, we offer a glimpse into our zany life; past, present, and future goings-on, share stories, provide some interesting articles, ideas, inspirations, and amusements. A bit silly, a bit serious. We've just begun, so hang on for a wild ride!

WIP's in the works....

And an oh-so happy Monday to all! Since it was a bit cooler up here in the Pacific Northwest this weekend, I was able to get some work done on four new pieces. I'm especially excited about one since it's a bit different than my usual funny characters I've been creating lately, though I have one of those in the works too! This one is a special little pumpkin fairy - very dainty and ladylike.

The next, well he's a devil-ish fellow for sure! I'm taking extra time with him, because he needs to be just right.

My other 2 are too early in the process yet to tell what they'll morph into. I do have visions of one being a lovely shade of bluish-lavender, with a definite "Keane" influence that I love. Remember the lady who painted the huge eyes and the waif like characters? I was lucky enough to get one of her paintings as a child that I still have to this day.

More to come very shortly!

MORDRED VonFRANKENMACHER

As promised, Mordred finally makes her appearance! She likens herself to a Divine Sorceress, but she's really an old country, out-of-practice witch who bumbles spells so often, she had to write one on her heart shaped base to remember it.

Mordred is sculpted from paperclay, painted with acrylics, washes, and antiqued in a fine deep green. Her apparel is by Omar; a smock of stars on blue to match her hat. Her apron is embroidered on tea dyed Osnaberg and is well stocked with divining rods, spices, berries, and a rusty star wand. She carries her illuminatory in one hand, while the other clutches her broom. She's got knobby knees and bumpkin boots, and stands on a rustic black heart with her favorite spell: "Eye of newt, toe of frog, tail of rat, hair of dog, skin of snake, and lizard tongue, with this spell make me young!"

She's a hoot of a hag! I hope she gives you a giggle too!