On the 12th Day of Christmas Crafting...

 A tisket, a tasket, a gold and lace basket, to paraphrase an old nursery rhyme, I upcycled a thrift find for Christmas today, I sanded the rusted basket and cleaned it before applying gold acrylic paint. After shuffling around for the foliage and knick knacks to put in the basket (top part only), I add two rows of faux pearl and a leftover piece of lace. 

It needed a little something extra, so I pulled out this set of gold bells, and attached it with a star (or flower) for that finishing touch. I had all my craft items in my decluttered basement, so we can call it a "freebie". LOL (I love freebies, don't you?) 

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:  

On the 16th Day of Christmas Crafting...

 

Welcome back, crafters! Today I have a Christmas wreath for you. The wreath base is made of faux tree branches on which I adhered several stars, snowflakes and white pinecones. I added some colorful mini gifts as well as a reindeer. To fill in the center I "parked" my trailer between two snow-covered trees, with the brightest star shining above it.

I sold this at the last craft fair, as well as a few other wreaths and holiday decor items. I didn't sell out my table, but I did leave with two empty storage bins and some cash, so I'm happy!

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 28

 Definitely was in a dark place when I thought this one up. I think I might just do a creepy cute 31 days of Halloween next year. I hope it doesn't give me nightmares!

The wreath is made from branches of a weeping willow (I had to look it up). Around this I wove wired ribbon with a Halloween print. Next I used up ALL my plastic skulls. I had three different kinds! After I adhered them with hot glue and E6000, I left a small space for my Skull King. Actually it's a diffuser that was broken that I had bought from Bath & Body. Looking sad and plain, so I added a small bow made from orange and black netting (tulle). 

I finished off my newest Halloween decoration by attaching a spooky black floral deco that I had bought after last year's Halloween. I think you have to zoom in to see it. A single spider on a skull nearest the king finishes my project for today. And it is on my front door now (do you think I'll get any  solicitors?)...  

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 2

 

Last year I found a bundle of dream catchers for a steal at a thrift store. This year I put one of them to good use. I first sprayed it with black spray paint, including the outer rim. I pulled out three large black flowers and covered the middle of each with a plastic skull. Before adhering the flowers to the catcher, I slipped a Fall leaf behind each black bloom. After gluing on the sparkly orange bow, I decided it needed something extra. I rummaged around my button jar and pulled out several stars and ghosts and glued each onto the "web" part of the dream catcher. I added a tiny skull to the bow and now I have a Nightmare Catcher for Halloween this year! 

Do you dream in color or black & white? The first time I realized I dreamt in color was when I woke up remembering my dream of bright billowing purple smoke coming out of the fireplace (which I don't have, by the way). Ever since then, I've tried to pay more attention, but most mornings I forget my dreams very quickly.

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Unicorn Challenges - Autumn or Halloween

Halloween & Other Occasions Craft all year 'round - themed card or craft

24 Days of Christmas - Day 20 - Ornament Wreath

 

I finally gave in and created an ornament wreath. It only took me a few years to decide to make one (slow and steady wins the race LOL). I dug inti my stash and pulled out a small grape vine wreath I had purchased at the thrift store in years gone past. It wasn't the most beautiful one; in fact, I bought it solely for the wreath shape!

I pulled out my leftover bag o' ornaments, which also held jingle bells and holy berries. Grabbing my hot glue gun, II adhered almost all of them onto the wreath. I missed a few times, and now have a lovely burn blister on the top knuckle of my ring hand. I'm glad you didn't hear the obscenities I screamed as I tried to get the glue off my fingers as quickly as possible! 

I tried to fill in all the little holes in my ornament-covered wreath, mainly with small leaf sequins and tiny lightbulbs that go to my ceramic Christmas tree. A leftover piece of ribbon(?) and a small silver bow was almost my final act. I finished off the day by running cold water on my poor crispy finger...

31 Days of All Hallow's Eve - Day 3 - Spooky Door Decor

 Hello, witches! My project today is a welcome wreath, Halloween-style. I unearthed a wire wreath form I had bought from Dollar Store last year and tried to weave black tulle around it. That lasted 20 minutes! So then I pulled out some leftover orange canvas and wound it around most of the form. 

Continuing to pull from my Halloween craft supplies gather over the years, I found a bare wooden haunted house sign that I just painted black...

and a wood and wire fence I painted grey...

and some foam flowers...

and foam ghosts that used to be part of a banner...

and a few miscellaneous pumpkins/jack o' lanterns.

My hot glue gun saw some serious action. I want to be able to show this off for the next several years.

Do you decorate for Halloween? Is it just outside, or do you do the inside of your house, too? My neighborhood goes crazy at Halloween. There are some neighbors' houses that my kids (when they were younger) would not go up to their doors for candy! Coffins and gigantic spiders and zombies, etc. I just like to put my artwork in the windows and on the doors, and a large vase or two of altered flowers/plants.  

Challenges I am Entering:

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes, no cards

Crafting Happiness - Halloween

Get Creative - #126 Purple, Black, Green and Orange!!!

 Mirtillamente Challenge #25 - All about Halloween

 Two Old Bats - Halloween Mood Board

The Four Seasons - Anything Fall Goes Mood Board