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

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...

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...

My favorite time of the year. Halloween is probably more busy around here then Christmas. 8 bins of Halloween vs. 3 of Christmas. ;) Decorating starts the first weekend in Oct and really doesnt stop. I keep telling my husband that it is a good thing I am not allowed to touch anything electrical or our yard would be animated all year long. HAHAHAHA This year we have moved to a much bigger space so that involves "mom" getting a little more creative. :) These are a few grave markers that i made up a few years ago and the life sized "snot rag" mache devil that I am in the process of finishing up. My husband and neighbout have been busy building my mini fences and everyone has been involved in decorating. Still have to put up the lighting, set up the sound effects, web and spiderize, finish the devils arms, carve the pumpkins .. oh my!!!! Id better get on it. LOL In addition I laso managed to fit in teaching an acrylic one stroke class last weekend. My first one i...