Finished Project - PVC skeletons

And another project crossed off my list - this was one of the big ones.  Another brilliant project from the H'ween Forum! 

Last year, my bluckies were pretty boring.  I did have the intention of making them dance, but never got around to it.  So they just hung out (LOL, snort!)

Yawn!

First of all - this handle / trigger thing is the greatest invention ever!  It just clipped on the top of the spray can and it came right off when I was done.  I only got paint on my hands when I was holding the skulls from spinning and my fingers never got tired while spraying!

I didn't take pics of the actual cutting & assembly, since it's pretty much like the link to the thread.  I had my share of cussing and fighting with the PVC and trying to put screws into the PVC (which is quite brilliant!  I've always glued the PVC in the past - now I can take them apart if need be!)but it was tough, since you know, PVC is round. 

 Jack, approving my work.

 Here is everything drying.  I slipped the lower arm sections over tines of the rake to hold them out and I could spray all around them without touching them.  The skulls are hanging by clothespins on Jack's dog run.

 I forgot to take a naked pic of Walter. Here he's styling in his Dockers.

I got their clothes from the Salvation Army 

in the kids' department on a 5/$5 day.  

 Eeek!

Matilda is naked!

 I was happy that a girls' dress fit over the PVC hips.  

And I'm just loaning her the tiara!

 I had to laugh when I was zipping up her dress and 

realized she was standing on her own. 

 YAY!!

They obviously have a few details that need to be addressed.  

They are the best-dressed skeletons ever, 

so I need to cut / dirty them up some.  

And they need eyes.  And teeth. 

That's something I can do at the kitchen table one night.

Friday night after work, we stopped at Garden Ridge and got the "Pumpkin Pooping Ghost".  I couldn't remember the other ghost blowmold I had, but I knew I didn't have this one.  He's so cute!

I got the Victorian skeleton lady from Michael's.  I was mildly disappointed that there is just a plastic cone under her skirt, sort of like would go on top of a tree.  No actual legs. But I love the detail in her dress and the purple feather, etc.

And the silver studded skull is awesome!  It's nice & solid and the nubbies won't come off.  I used my 50% coupon Friday on the skelly above, so when I went today with a 40% coupon the very nice cashier suggested signing up for email updates and she could give me 50% off.  I told her I already got them.  She said I could do it again - after all....50% is better than 40%!  Don't have to tell me twice!

I got these metal maple leaves at JoAnn's.  

I couldn't pass up a 30% sale and another 20% off my purchase coupon!

So I feel quite accomplished this weekend.  Picked up some wanted items and got some things done.

Quick update on Miss Maddie - she is quite the trouble-finder!  I woke up to a crash last night and went to investigate.  I half-heartedly wondered who left the cabinet door open (that had been closed when I went to bed!) while I was picking up some kabob skewers off the floor.  As I went to put them away - a face was looking back at me!  I have absolutely no idea HOW she knew where to find the only shelf that had room for her - in the upper cabinets!!

 

Finished Project - Bracelet

I am proud to have finished a project today! 

Someone had posted this on the halloween Forum - and it's stunning.  I decided I was going to make my own.

Here are all the bits & pieces spread out.  This is when I realized the Dark Side Designs sends their charms with the little loop necessary to attach the charm to the bracelet.  Goody beads did not.  And the loops I already had, I didn't think were sturdy enough to hold the charms.  This meant a trip to Michael's and JoAnn Fabrics!

I ended up getting black aluminum rings to attach the charms.  I also was looking for some beads for that splash of color.  I swear I walked the aisle at JoAnn's for 15 minutes, looking for colors that grabbed my attention.  I was on the phone, too - so my attention may have strayed a bit.

Here's a good look at the charms.  I settled on sparkly faceted red beads and black seed beads. It really didn't take that long to put it all together. Maybe 15 minutes?  I was sitting in the living room, pretending to watch a movie with the family while doing this. 

And the finished product!  The 8" chain is actually long enough that I can carefully slide it off over my totally un-femininely large hand.  In my case is a good thing since it's a pain in the backside to find the end of the chain for the clasp!

I'm very happy with it and I love the sound it makes jingling on my wrist!

Welcome to Miss Maddie!!

Things didn't work out the way I hoped when we visited the Humane Society Wednesday.  We weren't even in the cat room for 30 seconds when Angel was gushing over this little one.  I did get a quick glimpse of Sabrina (the black one I wanted to look at) but she was hiding in a cave & barely acknowledged us. 

Madison was going crazy, rubbing against her cage and rubbing her head on Angel's fingers, etc.  So we asked if we could see her.  I had to fill out a page & a half questionnaire, show my drivers license and everything, just to even visit with her!!  We went in the little room and the HS volunteer brought her in and set her on the floor.  I reached my hand down and Maddie came right over to me.  I picked her up and she snuggled right against me.  SOLD.

I am such a sucker.

I mean, look at that face!!!! 

She's in the process of getting over a minor eye infection, which accounts for the winky face. I have to put drops in her eye thru the weekend and she should be better.

Since she's spayed, declawed, (mostly) healthy and even microchipped, we could bring her right home.  I love that stubby tail!  She carries it straight and angled up over her back.  And the one orange toe on her back foot is hilarious!

Wasssup?

She was very busy when we let her out of the carrier.  Explored the entire house, even Jack's crate.  She completely ignored Chester (who is NOT happy about this turn of events!!) and she is not particularly thrilled with Jack, either.  I don't think she's ever been around dogs.  The plan tonight is to hold her (risking life & limb) and call him over so he can sniff his fill, since that's all he wants to do.  Once he gets to "meet" her, he'll be fine and leave her alone. 

Yesterday when we got up we couldn't find her.  We were going to put her in our bedroom and keep the boys out.  No idea where she was!  It took me 45 minutes after I got home from work yesterday to find her hiding spot under the kitchen table, behind a tote and some paper towel rolls.

Last night she was out exploring. Angel said she woke up to whiskers on her face at 4 am. And when I got up, she was peeking around the corner into our room, but didn't come in thanks to Chester hissing at her.

I'm hoping she comes out to visit when we're in the living room watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics tonight!

100 days!

We are almost to double digits in the countdown to the big day!

I was recently perusing the H'ween Forum when someone posted this bracelet that they got off Etsy. 

STUNNING! 

I realized that I couple probably make it for a lot less than buying it.  I already have the chain, clasp, beads and little loopy things for the charms, so I just needed to order the charms.  I got half the charms from here and the rest from here.  I just ordered them yesterday & already received emails from both places that my orders have shipped!  Awesome!  I can't wait to get started!  That'll be another post. 

I found a couple neat things while out shopping in the near past.  

metal maple leaf wreath!

ceramic pumpkins with metal leaves

nutcrackers

they entertained me, OK?

Randy and I have been talking about adopting another cat, since it's been almost 6 months since we lost Miss Maggie and 10 since we lost Skeeter.  The first & only place I checked was the Michigan Humane Society where we adopted Chester from (9 years ago!!!) We wanted an adult cat and one that was hopefully already declawed, since Chester is.  Look at this pretty girl who matched our search!!

She's 6 years old, spayed, declawed and around 10 lbs.  I figured out that the "M" means medium size. Anyway - so Angel and I are going Wednesday when they're open late to check her out.  Hopefully she will suit and we will have a new sister for Chester!  I prefer the MHS, since I know anybody we choose will be fixed & up to date on all their shots & healthy.  They call them "Certified Pre-Owned Cats" - LOL!

So if we get her - expect lots of pics!

I haven't run away!

There just hasn't been much going on around the Maple Grove Manor lately, Halloween-wise.

I still have a pile of bones with PVC in them out in the garage, since I haven't gotten back out there to assemble the dancing skeletons. It's been too hot!!  And well today - cooler, but I had stuff inside to do.  Laundry, cleaning the disastrous kitchen, etc. Taking advantage of the girl being back at dance class and hubby not home from work yet.

I did recently get quite a wonderful gift from one of Randy's friends....

a real Crystal skull bottle!  

Sadly, he didn't leave any vodka in there for me, but that's OK - this time!

We invaded my sister's house Monday night, since the dork has gone 2 years without putting her air conditioner in the window!  She asks for help with all sorts of random chores around her house, but not for something NECESSARY like this? When it's been 90+ degrees?   So I told her we were coming to install it.  On the way home, I caught a glimpse of Angel in the back seat of the car, thru the side mirror.

 SPOOKY !!!

 This one is over my shoulder, lit by my cellphone. 

Other than that, it's just been regular, boring life.  However, on July 7, Randy got us tickets to see Lite Ford / Poison / Def Leppard in concert.   Best 6th anniversary gift EVER!

~swoon~  

I've been a DL fan since high school, probably 9th grade!  And I'd never seen them live.  I didn't realize there was such a void in my life!!

Anyway, that's all for now! 

Oooh, I signed up for the Secret Reaper on the H'ween Forum.....can't wait!  And also the Secret Santa on the ChristmasFanClub !!!  Let the shopping / creating commence!!

  

Happy Independence Day!

Everyone have a Safe & Happy 4th of July!!