HaPpY Halloween!

Well it's almost that time of year again when the little witches and goblins will be haunting my door.
That also means it's time to visit Apple Charlie's Orchard in New Boston, Michigan. Each year my hubby and I make the 40 minute trip to load up on fresh fruit pies, apples (carmeled one's too!), pumpkins, cider, honey, jams and jellies. We normally go the first or second weekend in October. It was nearly 80 degrees outside both weekends and I just can't get into the fall and Halloween spirit when wearing shorts. I enjoy fall so much - the leaves changing colors, the brisk fall breeze... and shopping at Apple Charlie's!

Hubby will be home on Halloween night this year and he loves to dress in his medieval wizard costume and hand out candy.

I put together a few Halloween art cards this year. The first is titled "Going Batty" and the other, my first attempt at a free standing art card, is titled "Haunted House." Both cards are 3D.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

... and happy crafting!

Michelangleo painted while lying on his back

...and I may be forced to do the same very soon.

It's been quite a while since I've been able to blog - or type, or do much of anything that requires using my hands or upper limbs. After my last blog entry I began having having some health issues with pain, numbness and weakness in my neck, hands and arms. Relief comes from lying down, unfortunately, it is difficult to create artwork while on your back, unless, of course, you're Michelangelo and are painting the Sistine Chapel. I don't think this method would work while trying to create a collage, mixed media, or altered art piece, but, if forced in the future, I'll give it a try. The good news is that I've learned some ways to relieve the pain and numbness and am back to creating artwork, and blogging/typing!

I've always wanted to try my hand at creating pendants using domino game pieces. A friend found a couple of boxes of new, black wooden dominoes at a thrift store for .50 a box! I had a few ivory dominoes and some bamboo tiles with pre-drilled holes. Instead of drilling the wooden dominoes I decided to use a small bead as a bail, so I could string the pendant. The beads were attached to the dominoes with E6000 industrial strength glue. Since the bamboo tiles were pre-drilled, I simple threaded a length of cord through, and secured them with a bead before tying a small knot.

For the photos on the pendants, I measured the dominoes and bamboo tiles then printed a sheet of various scaled down graphics from my collection. These were attached on the plain side of the domino with craft glue, and once dry, were given a coat of varnish for protection. Glitter, charms and seashells were added last, attached with E6000. Finally, I cut lengths of cord found in the "jewelry findings" department of Michael's Craft Store.