Blinged-out Halloween House

Getting ready for Halloween yet?  

It's the holiday I've always decorated for the least.  Mostly because of the black and orange plastic decor, but also because I had little ones who didn't want anything remotely scary/spooky.

So....why not ELEGANT Halloween??

Yes, indeed!  Elegant Halloween!  Even my wee ghostie is decked out in silk and beads and pearls!  I made her with a wooden spool, styrofoam ball and a wooden dowel stick.  I weighed the spool down with a metal bolt to keep the ghost from falling over.   Must be a girl ghost; she's way too pretty to be a boy ghost!  Ha!

This house was a Putz House, or paper mache house from Hobby Lobby.  I spray painted it gold, then covered it in pieces of several different vintage evening gowns.  Silk beaded evening gowns.  Black on the sides of the house...

And silver and gold on the roof....

And yes -- those are shingles made of FEATHERS on the roof!  As my daughter said, "they almost look like a leopard print feather, Mom."  Well, actually they are pheasant feathers.  I used black feather trim on the back.

The Gold trim is from the bottom of a dress.  And check out my little sparkly froggy!!

Since I couldn't put a candle inside, I went for battery operated lights inside to make the house glow.

I even made matching pumpkins from the same fabric that's in the middle of the roof....

 See the little moon dangling from the roof?  Since the roof was covered in fabric, I was able to sew on the little moon and have it hang down -- same for the black jewel underneath the cameo.

So there you have it!  A crazy outrageous Halloween House that won't scare any kiddos, and would still be great for a festive Halloween party!  As Magnolia Pearl says, "Don't be afraid to layer beauty on top of beauty."    Mission Accomplished!! :)

Hope this inspires you to create something unique today!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

The Friday Flea

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Boutique Tuesday at Prodigal Pieces

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson BlogSpot

Saturday Sparks Linky Party at Pieced Pastimes

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Monday Party at Chateau Des Fleurs

Share it One More Time Sunday at One More Time Events

 

Outrageously Elegant White Autumn Pumpkins

Even though it's summer, I'm getting ready for Fall!  Pretty Fall, that is... not much spookiness here...what can I say?  I just like to make pretty things.

Gorgeous vintage gowns are my favorite supplies!  I use them to make these lovely elegant pumpkins.  I collected the pumpkin stems  last October.  Cloroxed and dried them; most stay intact.  Some don't...I toss those out.  Most dry quite nicely, much like a gourd dries and becomes quite sturdy.  Last year, I got lots of requests for white, so I gathered as many white beaded gowns as I could find this year.  But I had one more crazy idea.....hmmmm....

  

Ready for my crazy idea?  Fur pumpkins!  Yep!  Fur!  My husband and kids gave me some crazy looks when I announced the idea.  I REPURPOSED two fur coats to make pumpkins!  I didn't quite know what to expect, but listed them for sale in the Spring, just slowly getting ready for fall.  Well, they sold within a few days ---- and that was in the Spring, when I thought no one would be shopping for fall stuff.  I was just listing things slowly so I wouldn't be rushed in the early fall...Hmmmm, I said....crazy imaginations have their uses! 

 

 Here's the original set.  Rhinestones and Crystals and Fur, OH MY!!

Yes, indeed...rhinestones!  And the roses -- I made with smaller pieces of the beaded gowns.

Here is the faux fur set.  For this one, I made silk chiffon roses for embellishments.  

Such a delicate look.

Since the fur sets sold, though, I had to make some more fur pumpkins!

 Must have BLING.....

Lots of silk chiffon roses on these.  I sit and make them on long car trips, while I watch my son play long baseball tournaments, while I wait for my daughter's dance classes.  Always bring a project bag wherever I go!

When I  got to the turquoise fabrics....I went a little bonkers....

What's life without a little imagination and creativity?  Make something imaginative today - it's fun!

Happy creating, everyone!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

The Friday Flea

Fridays Unfolded at Nancharrow

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Boutique Tuesday at Prodigal Pieces

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson BlogSpot

Saturday Sparks Linky Party at Pieced Pastimes

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

  Share it one more time Sunday at One More Time Events

Outlander Watching Party

Do you have a favorite book series?  My own personal favorite is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  The premier of the series was last Saturday, so I hosted a viewing party for a few friends.

It's a series based in Scotland, so some Gaelic wording and some kilts were in order!

Some scones, short bread cookies, and Scottish jam....

Yep, that's a kilt around that chip bowl!  (sort of...it's really a my hubby's shirt!!) 

 Real men wear kilts, aye?

 

 A few mantle decorations...

Some wine charms in the outlander theme....one of the friends in attendance had given these to me as a gift.  They were from Etsy.

The party printables were dowloaded from Professional Fangirls.

The season premier was well done, stayed true to the book,

 and we're looking forward to this Saturday!  Tulach Ard!!

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

To Grandma's House We Go at Abbots At Home

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 

Book Spine Flag USA

So, I was inspired by the book spine Christmas trees that I've seen on Pinterest and in bloggie land.  My imagination meandered about with book spines as a creative muse.....how about a flag?

The background is foam board decoupaged with antique book pages from a bible dated in the 1840's!

This bible was filled with family records of baptisms, births, weddings....it was so sad to see it at a flea market with no one to honor its history.  I bought it, and have created a few projects from it including this cross.

The edges of the cross are decoupaged with pages from the 1840's bible.

But back to the book spine flag.....

I had no idea that white/beige book spines were so difficult to find!  I ended up using tan/kaki book spines for some of the white stripes....check out some of the titles on the blue part...."Fathers of the Constitution," ...."American Government,".....quite appropriate!   The "stars" are rhinestone buttons -- so fun!!

Then, of course, I had to bling it up a bit!  The silver beading between the stripes and around the flag are from a vintage beaded gown....Then I added rhinestones on the sides!  Aaahhh!  I LOVE IT!!!  The rhinestones are from vintage necklaces.....so pretty!

Well.....then what?  Crystals and chains and keys, OH MY!!  I added three swags of chandelier crystals, chains, and a vintage key at the bottom.  How cool is that?  Not your every day kind of flag, but it's so very interesting to look at.....(oh, my, I just ended a sentence in a preposition...)

Next post I'll share some patriotic banners I've made with vintage patriotic book covers!

Thanks for visiting this little corner of bloggieland!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 



Is it Spring yet?

How early do you start decorating for Easter and Spring?  Are we ready yet?  Personally, I'm looking forward to sunshine, warmer spring weather, and blooming flowers!  Since I was in a spring like mood, my latest project is an Easter banner/garland.

Lately I'm fascinated with antique book covers...I've made several banners from them for Christmas, but these lighter more pastel colors seemed more suited to Easter.

First I found book covers similar in size and color.

Then I sewed laces and crochet pieces together and gathered them to fit the books. 

Added glittered letters...

Then...no project is complete without a little jewelry!!

Pretty butterflies for Spring happiness!

And Voila!

A pretty pastel Easter Garland!

I've also done a bit of embroidery work while recuperating from a minor surgery...here's what I've been working on...

Not sure what I'll do with these pieces yet...maybe put them on a purse or tote bag...

Hugs, Catherine

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode