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

I pulled out my art journal the other day while it were were watching the first snowstorm of the year and I was inspired by the start of the Halloween season. This, as you know, is my most favorite time of the year.  When I start a new journal page I try not to start a painting on a white background so when i finish a different piece I will clean my palette by scraping and smearing the left over paints on other pages throughout my journals. This page started with a smeared purple background then I went a little wild added some gesso, stamps, stickers, dictionary page, acrylic paints, heavy body gel medium, gel pens, oil pen and pencil, decoupage, ink and sgraffito, pretty much everything AND the kitchen sink from my art box to create this fun little mixed media piece.  If you like this journal page feel free to search out a some of my other Halloween inspired props, decor and art projects here: Halloween projects   Wishing everyone a HAPPY HALLOWEEN! If yo...

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...

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 am so excited to have put together this Halloween Paper doll costume this year. It will be completed with anime doll makeup and a big red buffon wig.   This is an easy no-sew, last-minute easy Halloween costume idea.  Here is how mine came together. Supplies needed:  2 pieces of poster board. This color choice will all depend on your outfit. I chose white as I knew I would be painting it.                  pencil                   scissors                  a formfitting outfit you already own                  sharpie or another permanent marker           ...

Here is one of the techniques I use to attain the rotting flesh look on cheap plastic dollar store Halloween props.  Supplies you will need: plastic body parts or skeletons cheap plastic wrap - it doesn't matter what brand  heat gun or high-temperature hairdryer wood stain ( I used oak because that is what I had laying around) spray paint ( red and black) craft paint (red, black, dark brown, white, grey and green)   First, wrap your cheap skulls or bones in a few layers of plastic food wrap. It doesn't matter what brand. Then take your heat gun and melt areas away until you get your desired look. Some hairdryers may not be able to get hot enough to do this. Then take your wood stain and start adding a little colour.  Color choices are completely up to you but i used red, flesh, dark brown, black, white, grey. On the skull, I added some black spray paint in the hallows of the eyes to add a little more dimension.  Hope this in...

Well this is a combination Halloween/ Christmas project for our home. I came across this pattern on raverly http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/erishkigal-skully-snowflake and because my husband loves anything with skulls on it, I decided to give it a try. I would rate this as an intermediate pattern as it did get a little confusing in places, but defiantly worth a try. I am still trying to figure out what blocking method to use. On a few flakes I tried the Modge Podge and water method but it filled in the stiches to much, any suggestions?  

Warning some viewers may find this disturbing. I find it to be the perfect addition to my Halloween Haunt. Just be warned that if you are found taking these babies by the princess of the house full size Mandrake screams pale in comparison to howling you will hear, so best be weary. Step 1. Sneak baby doll into an area that cant be seen by the princess. Step 2. Grab some black, white and grey paint and start dry brushing the colors on. Step 3. Dirty up some baby clothes and dress zombie. Step 4. Place in yard. I used the princess's old doll cradle with a tray of bloody fingers for baby zombie to snack on.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and family.   “For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Only 2 weeks left until Halloween so here are a few more last minute ideas you can use in your Halloween haunt. Build your own Coffin:  I built this one using a half sheet of rigid insulation. I didn't really have any measurements to work from. I just took a piece of paper, scaled it to the size of insulation that I had, drew out a quick plan and cut it out. I used duct tape to stick everything together. Step 2: I had some leftover red velour fabric from a Freddy Mercury costume from a couple years ago so I cut it to size and used some carpet tape to attach it to the coffin. Carpet tape is a very strong double sided tape that is weather resistant, permanent and won't melt the foam. Then I used a hot solder pen to mel...

Its that time of year again and I thought I would stop in to share some of our new hauntingly awesome projects.  Super excited about our static guillotine. This project was made using scrap lumber we had laying around. The blade is from a scrap piece of wall panel that was given a quick burst of silver paint, added a couple eye hooks and some rope and of course evidence of its use. The Haunter: The armature is just 2 inch chicken wire that we wrapped around a tomato cage, added a bamboo stake to attach the skull to, the white cloth is a cheap dollar store sheet and the black cheese cloth comes from there as well. He does look a little shiny right now but we are expecting rain and fall weather, so that will cure that before Halloween night. Easy with Maximum impact: I hope you can find some inspiration from these. Happy Haunting!