Eclectic Studio - Tammy Morrison-Koenig

You still have plenty of time to whip up these incredibly easy Halloween props for your outdoor display. I added 3 new gravestones to the yard this year. We are out in the country so decorating is mainly for us and any straggler that happens to come down our road while out for their Sunday drives, but it is my favorite time of year and I can't let that go to waste. It is also the first time in 3 years that we have even seen our Halloween stuff because it has been in storage so it is just like Christmas morning around here.  All of my grave markers are attached to 2*6 scraps to give them weight and stability. Super easy to put together using basic dollar store items (the plastic 1/2 skull, the plastic spider, and the face-changing pictures) a little paint and glue to bring it all together, and there you have some one-of-a-kind spooktacular props. www.eclecticstudio.ca

Date night! Halloween is our most favorite time of the year. It's where we adults can dip into the tickle trunk without judgement. Lol ;) As a family we look forward to participating in our communities zombie walk and this year was no exception. If I had more time our outfits would have had a little more thought put in but with only 30 minutes and 4 people, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.   This little man rocked it this year with the gunshot through his eye ball. I created this effect with a paper cupcake liner, cut to size, and adhered it to his face using liquid latex. I built up the edges using latex, single ply tissue and a little fake skin to blend the edges. The inside was painted black and the outside was layers of bruising (yellow, green, red, blue) then the fake blood was dropped on and allowed to drip down his face. Fake blood was also splashed on his face. This gives the illusion of a very realistic freshly fed zombie.    We also grab...

I  found this pattern for these hex slippers on ravlery last year and love the pattern so much I have now made 3 pairs. They are an extra warm cabin slipper.    These are not for beginners because of the adjustments you have to make when making and attaching the soles, but overall these slippers are fairly easy to stitch up and a great way to stash bust your yarn. http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Wearables/Hexagon%20Boot%20Slippers.pdf This hexagon slipper has a double thick sole and is made up of 3 motifs per slipper but if you wanted to make them into slipper boots just add 2 more motifs at the top of each slipper attaching in the front and back V and sides.  I did take into consideration some of the other peoples reviews that have worked up these slippers and rounded off the toes on the last 2 rows by sc2tog at each end. Also the instructions were not that clear on the hook sizes for the different shoe sizes, I used a 5 for these pairs r...

This plant only eats once a year and is fed by the children that didn't use their manners from last Halloween. As you can see this plant does not go hungry. I don't know if it a man eater anymore than an ill mannered child eater. I created this man eater out of a balloon and paper mache (see my recipe for paper mache paste here) http://tampster1.blogspot.ca/2015/10/haunted-paper-mache-pumpkins.html#.VhKOI_lViko . So to start this project,  I first covered the base in a few layers of stripping and then took fuller sheets that have been soaked in the paste and folded and manipulated it to form the ridge.   The tongue is just the mouth cut out, turned 90 degrees and reattached. The mouth was built up using tinfoil that was rolled into a snake and taped on. Then it was all mached together. I cut some thin corrugated cardboard in the shape of the leaf and paper mached it into place. Then I added some veins using pasted paper towels that i laid down to add ...

People are always asking questions about these wonderfully frighting pumpkins so I thought I would share some trade secrets so that you can construct your own. These pumpkins have been to h*ll and back and have the scars to show for it. I was inspired by the pumpkin ideas from the Stolloween site. If you have never checked this site out, go now! He has the most AMAZING pumpkins and Halloween props around. This site also has recipes for paper mache and paper clay. This is the recipe I use for my paper mache. 1/3 cup flour 2 tbsp rice flour 2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 2 cups boiling water 1 cup cool water 1. Mix the dry ingredients. 2. Mix in the cool water with a fork or whisk, adding the water a little at a time to keep it as smooth as possible. 3. Stir the flour mixture into the boiling water. 4. Allow it to boil for two or three minutes. This can be stored in the fridge for a few days, just stir it up and you are ready to use it again.  I find this to be the mos...

Aren't these soap molds just gorgeous? My wonderful husband made them for me.  There is a total of 3- 3.5 lb loaf molds and a 2 lb for more of my specialty soap loafs. 3 sides are attached with heavy duty pressure hinges and the one end is static. The hinges are so strong that I don't have to reinforce the sides from expansion, or at least I haven't had to clean up a soap explosion yet from over expansion. Yeah! These molds are so easy to use that when my soap is ready for pouring all i have to do is make parchment paper liners to fit and depending on the recipe I will add a wood topper for heat retention.  Once the soap is set the sides of these molds just fold down allowing you to slide the loaf out. This is our Eucalyptus and Sage 2lb loaf that has now set and is ready for cutting and curing. With any craft sometimes you have successes and sometimes you have failures, this project encompasses both. This is a bubblegum scented loaf and a personal favori...

When you lack a "front door" you have to draw the crowds in some how. So our show stopper this year will be the Mausoleum for the from of the garage. A very quick and effective Halloween project that is sure to be a conversation piece among the neighbors. You will notice that there are 2 empty spots these will be saved for a dead body and an empty spot.  These super easy faux stone markers are made from 1 inch foil backed insulation sheets. I purposefully used these because they can take spray paint, hot glue and writing.  From 1 sheet I managed to get 22  9*21 inch blocks which fits perfectly into the "framed" spaces.  Then I lightly sprayed the foil side with black spray paint, this allows a little of the silver to show through, which add dimension. Then I took my oil pencil and added the wording, nothing fancy and not all the same. I did use some stencils for some and free handed others. Using the wax pencil also makes it weather proof alleviating the step...

I t's that time of year again when we start our Halloween decorations and planning. This year we needed to add some new grave markers and this is what we came up with. Supplies needed: *plaster of Paris                             *water, bowl, and stir stick                              *molds                              *pink or blue polystyrene insulation sheets. I used 1 inch and 1/2 inch sheets                              *Exacto knife, box cutter, solder gun                              *black, white and brown exterior paint and paintbrush                    ...

Isn't this crocheted "Spiderman" inspired hat the cutest? If my little man could wear this hat day and night he would, he loves it that much. :D I found the pattern here spiderweb hat (free pattern)  made some adjustments to the size and edging, added some eyes and instantly I gain super hero status in my kids' eyes.  This is a really nice thick hat, with a raised stitch. Leave the eyes off and it is still a very nice hat for older boys or girls too.