And it’ll probably stay that way for a little while longer–there’s just so much going on!
At the beginning of the month, the first of my two Helmar projects went up: a trio of fabric-covered tombstones.
And then today, book-ending the month, my second Halloween project is live on Helmar, this time a quick pedestal project.
Also at the beginning of the month, the FACES exhibit for the local Artist Collective opened at Grassroots Coffee here in Thomasville. We attended the opening night reception on First Friday and then went out to supper with friends who came up from Tallahassee. It may seem like a little thing, but it felt pretty big as it was the first Collective show I’ve had a piece in.
The Clock Has Many Faces by Jennifer “Scraps” Vanderbeek | mixed media on canvas 10″x10″
The exhibit runs through the beginning of January. The next theme is still life… not sure how I’ll approach that one, but it’ll be a fun challenge.
Of course there was the whole process of getting the house ready for Halloween, but I’ve also been a bit preoccupied getting the new Creative Mischief Kits ready to go. We had a slight delay from one of the paper manufacturers, but everything’s in and the two card kits are now ready to ship!
CPR Holidays Winter Whimsy Kit
CPR Holidays Classic Christmas Kit
The CPR in the titles stands for “Cards Prepared & Ready,” an idea I had many years ago about simplifying the process of sending handmade cards by batching them up together. These are holiday kits, of course, with enough supplies to make 20 cards in each. You can find more about them and place your order at TheCraftyBranch.com
Finally, I’ve been working on my Halloween costume for this year. I can’t remember if I mentioned it before or not, but we decided to go as Wreck It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz this year.
Finding a pullover with both pocket and hood (when I would otherwise want neither) in the right color and size was a bit like searching for a teal unicorn. But I think my semi-DIY will do nicely!
I had to convert a long-sleeved hooded t-shirt into Vanellope’s hoodie by trimming off the bottom 6″ or so, adding elastic along the new hem to get it into shape, and then using the cut-off area to create the kangaroo pocket in the front. I finished it off with some hot-pink paracord to match the details on her hoodie.
Just needs the small “double stripe” on the one leg and I can call these done.
I’ve almost finished painting the white tights I purchased to match the character design–I took a tip from a costume Instructable about cutting out leg-ish shapes from cardboard to act as forms for the tights while they’re being painted. So far it seems to be working just fine.
The one thing I haven’t started on, yet, is the candy scatter for my hair. I have everything I need for it, I just haven’t had a chance to put them together. I’ll definitely have it done by Halloween, but the scatter might be a bit sparse for the party tomorrow night–depends on how much I get done on my lunch break today!
Those slippers are super creepy to me. Anyone else?
For Todd’s part he’s been letting his hair get shaggy and even extending his sideburns to look more like Ralph. He bought a pair of brown overalls, a red v-neck tee, and a pair of really creepy barefoot “slippers” since Ralph doesn’t wear shoes. For the larger-than-life hands, he found a pair of Hulk hands on eBay for a good price and painted them a flesh tone. He’s planning to wrap his forearms with ace bandages over some sort of padding to bulk up a bit. We also have a heart-shaped cookie medal in the works for him.
I’ll be sure to have someone take our picture tomorrow night to show you how it all turned out!
Those tombstones are adorable. I love how creative you are! The Halloween costume duo idea is adorable and I can’t wait to see what it turns out to look like! 🙂
Thank you, Kiersten! Hopefully we’ll be able to pull all the pieces together in time for the party tomorrow night!
You are so creative! I wish I could come up with things like this, but I am so not crafty. I love all of your decor!
Aww, thank you! Being crafty is a skill, not a secret–and skills can totally be learned and practiced!
What a great couples costume! It’s a great movie.
I also really like the looks for the craft kits!
Thank you, Nicole! We’re looking forward to the sequel that’s in the works 🙂
awesome ideas for Halloween costumes. Love them
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Thank you, Angie 🙂
Those tombstones are adorable! And I’m sure the costumes will be adorable!
Thank you! There was a slight costume malfunction (story on Monday) but it all turned out well overall.
Love the tombstones! So fun!
Thank you, Michelle!
Great ideas and costumes!!
Thanks, Roxanne!
That is so awesome that you are in an art show! So so cool!
Thanks, Jen–I was pretty stoked when I got the approval email 🙂
Love the tombstones and the pedestal. So much creativity. Great ideas all around!
Thanks, Kristen!
You’re one busy lady!!! I LOVE the costume ideas you’re putting together! <3
I like to stay busy, Susannah–I don’t do well with downtime, lol.
I wish I am as creative. I love all your ideas.
Thank you! I firmly believe everyone has creative potential, it’s just a matter of finding the thing that opens you up to it 🙂
I love those cloth covered tombstones! You’re definitely craftier than ME!!!
Thank you, Jaclyn. Sometimes the simple projects are the ones that have the most impact 🙂
Omg those slippers lol!!!!! They really are pretty creepy lol….
And I don’t think they were very comfortable–he switched back to normal slippers before the end of the night!
Your tombstones are awesome and those card kits look amazing! I’m pretty sure those slippers are going to give me nightmares though.
Those slippers are going to go hide in the corner of a closet, I’m sure, lol.