Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Inspiration:

Martha Stewart Halloween 2011 – Pg 11 (Brown Bag Brooms)

 

 

Supplies:

2 brown paper bags

Scissors

Stick

Twine

 

1.  Unfold one bag and push out the base while folding in the sides.

 

2.  Cut the bag into thin strips, stopping short of the base.

 

3.  Cut thin strips into the top inch of the second bag.

 

4.  Open both bags and place the intact bag inside the shredded one.  If you like, fill with candy.

 

5.  Insert a small stick inside the bag.  Cinch the tops of both bags and secure with twine.

 

6.  You have a cute decoration and a fun gift for that extra special trick-or-treater.

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My husband and I just returned from a wonderful vacation with the houndies in Dewey Beach, Delaware.  I totally “unplugged” and enjoyed this very special time.  Here are a few pictures, and I’ll tell you all about our adventures on Sunday.

These beautiful pictures were taken by Nathaniel of Balance Photography.

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CLR

I keep CLR on-hand for dissolving tough calcium and lime deposits and surface rust stains.  It’s effective, and CLR has earned the EPA’s DfE (Design for the Environment) designation which means that it contains only those ingredients that pose the least concern to human health and environmental affects.  Keep in mind though, CLR is corrosive, so make sure you read the instructions and use it only as directed.

Rubit! Clip

I wanted a fun and functional way to move Freedom, Casper and Nikki’s dog tags from collar to collar (Greyhounds have a thing about fabulously fashionable collars).  The Rubit! Clip filled the bill for me.  It comes in a variety of sizes (my houndies sport the medium size) and colors.  You can even get them with a little bling (rhinestones).

Crocs

I found these on vacation when I needed a pair of shoes for walking on the beach.  I picked up a pair of Crocs and fell in love.  They’re cute, super lightweight, comfortable and easy to clean.  I’ll be checking out the Crocs brand a little more closely in the future.

Thin Styling Iron

Yet another vacation find!  My styling iron was on its last leg, and I was tired of getting burned using a regular-size styling iron on my short hair.  The thinner plates are perfect.  This one is from Zoë.  Aren’t the polka dots adorable…that’s a bonus.

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Last week, I completed the 8-week e-course, Make Art a Part (of Your Life).  This was a fun departure from the book studies I did previously for my weekly exploration of creativity. 

I love e-courses for a few reasons:  (1) They allow you to meet teachers that you’d never meet if it weren’t for the internet; (2) They allow you to support a fellow artist’s “dream.”  I think of all the hard work, thought and love that goes into creating an e-course program and it makes me happy to share that on the “learning” end; (3)  They are convenient.  Most are self-paced and you can do them as fast or slow as your life dictates; (4)  Variety.  If you’re interested in it, chances are there’s an e-course for it; (5)  Community.  Many e-courses allow you to share and communicate with others through Flickr, Facebook or some other group meeting place.  E-course creators are available to answer questions and give you feedback too. 

Some drawbacks of e-courses are: (1) You often don’t know what you’re getting until you purchase it.  Most course creators give you a thorough description of the e-course, but you can’t flip through it like a book; (2)  You have to be disciplined and make time to do the course.  Honestly, this is a drawback that in the past has kept me away from e-courses since I’m a master procrastinator.  This problem was solved for me because of my blog…I post my progress each week; (3)  They can lack “community.”  E-courses are more solitary than taking a class locally.  You’ll make connections, but they’re more the “virtual” variety.

Kaitlyn, the creator of Make Art a Part (of Your Life), loves art and she loves SHARING art.  This e-course beautifully showcases her love and talents for teaching and bringing people together.  She covers a variety of topics including art history and appreciation, where to find inspiration and how to bring art into your life.  She really made me think about how important and enriching art is to our lives.  For myself, it made me realize on a very deep level, what a treasure and blessing art is and how I need to make time and space for it.

Another facet of Make Art a Part (of Your Life) are the “creative” projects.  Each week, Kaitlyn gathered together three artists who presented three different projects in a particular medium.  This was fun!  I tried my hand at some new things, and I learned and stretched myself every week.  All the pictures in this post are of projects I completed during this e-course.

My verdict on Make Art a Part (of Your Life) – It was wonderful, A+.  Thank you, Kaitlyn, for all the work and love you put into this e-course along with all the contributors you gathered together to share their gifts and insights.

My next creative “study” is, Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art by Rice Freeman-Zachery.  This is my final book for 2011.  I also “owe” everyone one more creative project from Make Art a Part (of Your Life)…my painting project.  As soon as it’s finished, I’ll post it.

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I’ve added a new feature on my sidebar called “What I’m Doing.”  As I read and explore other blogs, I’ve noticed some fun activities that I’d like to participate in.  These are often “challenges” or just opportunities to share.  Whenever I find an activity I’d like to participate in, I’ll add a button and link to my sidebar.  I’ll also include a short paragraph in one of my posts, describing what it is.  What am I doing now?  Let me tell you:

Blogtober Fest 2011

Blogtober Fest is a challenge by Cathy {tinniegirl} to post daily to your blog in October.  It’s also a chance to check out some new blogs and see what they’re up to.

October Spooktacular

Every month the Creative {Collective} offers a new project.  This month’s theme is all things Halloween and autumn.  The Creative {Collective} offers the opportunity to share your projects on their blog, Flickr and Facebook.  I’ll be sharing some of my fall projects.

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I love a re-imagined telling of a well-loved story.  When it’s done well, it is magical.  Wicked tells the story of Oz before Dorothy came on the scene.  Elphaba, who eventually becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West, is a free-spirited, inquisitive girl who is often rejected because of her unusual looks.  Born in a fantastical land, she finds a sense of purpose when she seeks to stop the politically corrupt Wizard of Oz and restore harmony and prosperity to Oz.  Gregory Maguire has created a complex and imaginative world and story.  I came away from this book reminded that every story has two sides, and that history is written by the victor.  This is the other side of the story of Oz.

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This is a classic horror film that takes you right to the beginning of all horror, the battle between Good and Evil.  Regan is a 12-year-old girl and when all medical and scientific reasons fail to explain what is wrong with her, her mother desperately turns to the Catholic church for help.  The Exorcist is not fast paced, and that helps build the foundation and tension that finally explodes in the full possession and exorcism.  This is an adult film and not for anyone who is “bothered” by scary subjects because this is the most frightening subject of all.

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Inspiration:

Family Fun Halloween 2011 – Pg 36 (Yummy Mummies)

 

 

Supplies:

Toilet paper roll

Cardboard (I used a piece of cardboard from a necklace box)

Rolled gauze

Wiggle eyes

White garbage bag

Ribbon (I also used jute)

Pencil

Scissors

Box cutter (not shown)

Tape

Glue (not shown)

 

1.  Cut the toilet paper roll in half.

 

2.  Trace the end of the empty roll on to a piece of cardboard.  Cut out the circle.  I made two mummies, so I cut out two circles.

3.  Tape the circle to the bottom of the toilet paper roll.

4.  Tape the end of the strip of gauze to the toilet paper roll.  Then, wrap it around the roll, gently stretching and twisting the gauze to give it some dimension.  It takes approximately 2-1/2 feet of gauze to wrap the roll.

5.  Tuck the end of the gauze under a nearby layer.  I applied a dot of glue to make sure it was secure.

6.  Glue on the wiggle eyes.

7.  Cut a piece of white garbage bag and tuck it in the roll.  Fill with candy, then tie the top with ribbon or jute.

8.  This is one sweet mummy.  All ready for a special trick-or-treater.

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Freedom, Casper and Nikki LOVE ice cream.  Unfortunately, Casper has “issues” with dairy (even yogurt), but here’s a recipe everyone can enjoy:

Casper’s Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Houndie Ice Cream

2 cups rice milk

1 can pumpkin

1/2 cup peanut butter

Stir together pumpkin and peanut butter.  Stir in rice milk (1/2 cup at a time) until smooth.  Pour into individual containers.  I re-use shallow yogurt cups.  Freeze.

Fun Fact:  Doggie ice cream is how I found the first blog I ever read faithfully and that’s still my favorite…Tales and Tails.  Our Greyhound group linked to this post, and life hasn’t been the same since.

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Travel Cup With Silicone Lid

Travel mugs often make me nuts because I feel like I never get the lid thoroughly clean.  My friend, Amy told me about this type of travel cup.  It’s sturdy, beautiful and the best feature…easy to clean.

Cordless Screwdriver

I know that no one will be able to relate to this, but whenever my husband and I do any “home improvement” project, it generally dissolves into a marriage threatening fight to the death…and that’s usually within the first five minutes.  I know, it’s just us.  This makes me an independent woman with skills.

 DiVOGA Pens

These pens have a nice weight, they’re beautiful and they write smoothly.  I decided to make them a “favorite” because EVERYONE who borrowed one from me commented on what a nice pen it was…even my husband.  I purchased this set at Office Max.

Elk Antlers

I wanted to give Freedom, Casper and Nikki something to chew on that was long-lasting, but I worried about giving them a bone to chew on.  Then, I found elk antlers.  Elk antlers are naturally shed, they don’t splinter, chip or crack, and they’re odorless and don’t stain.  Perfect!