GOTHIC GIRLS and Other Fun with ZoMbIeS!

Well, it's that time of year again!

Time to get crafty with Halloween (and year round) decor.

This year, it's all about ZOMBIES and GOTHIC GIRLS!

So far...I've only partially finished two! So I've really got to get to work!

At first I was going with just a bit of hair that had escaped from her hat.

I ended up giving her more hair and no bangs.

But then I decided to go all out and give her more hair and no bangs.

I do have eyelashes I want to add.

A shot of all her hair! This is Tibetan Lambs Wool Pelt. It really makes the best hair!

I didn't have good lighting when I finished her. I'll have to do a better photoshoot when she's complete.

Her coat was originally off white. The fabric took the dye differently giving the "fur" collar a purple hue.

Countdown to Christmas: Christmas Eve!

Well, I'd like to say I'm ready, but I'd be kidding myself.

However...the table is set ready for breakfast and dinner tomorrow.

The tree is decorated. Goodies have been made to give to friends and family.

But the living room and kitchen are a mess and I still have some wrapping to do!

I guess I'll be counting down hours then minutes!

Countdown to Christmas: 53 Days So Much To Do

Wow!

There is nothing like trying to start a new blog goal and waking up to the busiest day you can imagine. Today was both Louisiana Tech's and Ruston High's homecoming and I had company all day. So here it is, way past my bedtime, and I am just now getting to my post.

I have a rather large to do list between now and Christmas Day, but don't we all.

The first thing I need to do is figure out how to add a countdown to my blog.  Technology can get a bit overwhelming this late at night.

Usually this time of year I am well into learning a new Christmas musical program or trying to recall all the words (and notes) to Handel's Messiah. Unfortunately, I've had to give up singing. One to many bouts with bronchitis has really affected those high, long notes. This still leaves a big empty place in my heart when I realize the "daze" between Halloween and New Years can really fly by without significant events like your elementary school age child's holiday recital or the annual visit to see Santa and have a photo taken with him. 

But I digress...

So, tomorrow, not only do I have to dust the Santas that I keep up all year long, but I have to put away all the Halloween and non-Santas and prepare for my holiday decorating which includes a short stint on the mantle, buffet, and dining table for the turkeys and pilgrims.

Steph McCrombie, Photographer

HOLIDAY POINTER: One trick I like to do while decorating my home for the holidays is as I unpack a box of Santas or other holiday decor, I repack that box with my regular decorations and attach a note of what is inside.

Now, I use the term "regular" loosely. I love to change out my decor. There was a time when I would change out my decorations monthly.

My Santa crafting challenge of the day was to find vintage or vintage style brooches to add to all the Santas I either make or remake.

eBay proved more fruitful than my local thrift stores today, but I'll be keeping my eye out for the perfect bling for each of my Santas to give them my own little signature.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 30 I'm not always a SHOPAHOLIC...but October is a great chance for Christmas Bargains...if you are willing to hunt for them.

I have a lot of small trees that I bought several years ago at a 90% off Christmas sale. I haven't used them like I hoped I would because I think they are just lacking something. So last night I got this idea that I would take pretty glass beads and fashion my own mini ornaments.

Today, I needed some "therapy" to help me deal with the failing health and decline of my nearly fourteen year old LabraWeimer, Hero. She was at the vet for two days and I missed her so very much even with knowing she should be coming home soon. So, I went shopping at my all time favorite store, Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift store.

So, getting back to my idea to fashioning ornaments from beads, the volunteers had recently put out several sun catchers with unusually crafted beads.

I bought all they had because the many of the beads on each strand would make great ornaments.

Even though I started this post late last night, I had to do most of the work on it this morning because I was too exhausted to type.

Over my past couple of visits to Rolling Hills and another church run thrift shop, First West, in West Monroe, LA, I found several small toys that work great with my Santas and some fabric in the form of remnants, placemats, two pillow shams, and a table runner that will make wonderful Santa attire.

To give you an idea of size, the tallest doll in the background is only a8-9" tall. I'll keep updates on either these blog posts or others under my creativedazewithgeri.blogspot.com to keep you updated on how I modified the toys or used them as is to enhance my holiday decorations.

The winter holiday, whether it be Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or however we choose to snuggle in during the long winter nights, is a celebration of abundance. It is definitely the time of year where our homes are filled with colorful, collectible, and festive decorations, our hearth with the warmth of glowing embers, and as fragrant delectables from the kitchen, we anticipate the time of year where generosity flows from our hearts.

I decorate my Santas the way some people decorate their trees.

Photo from eBay auction

I couple of days ago, I received these two Santas from an eBay seller. I must say, he is very inspiration. I love to make the faces, but when you start getting into costumes, I get a bit frustrated. If you recall, I hate my temperamental sewing machine, but I do love being the assistant to a fabulous theatrical costumer so I know I can make just about anything I put my mind and patience to.

I have a "collecting" disorder, and two of my MANY collections happen to be candlesticks and industrial textile spools, so I think you see where I am going with this.

Anyway...I took one and gave him a few accessories.

Face it, Santa, if you have arms...I'm putting you to work!

As you can see, I kept to his bright red and more contemporary color scheme.

This is really more fun than you can imagine. Because ornaments are usually affordable and easy to find, I hope you have a great time decorating your Santa figures.  It is yours, do whatever you want with it

photo from eBay auction

I purchased this lot a while back with the intention of giving the tallest Santa a face lift. I did not think I would like his felt costume, but when I received him, I think that his coat may be a wool felt versus polyester or at least it looks that way.

So, later I found this wonderful auction of felt ornaments just minutes from ending with no bids.

Photo from eBay auction

They are the perfect accoutrements to this handsome Santa Claus. I also replaced his sisal wreath with a larger jingle bell wreath from another auction.

The lamb at this feet and the carousel horse due for a repaint, is still under consideration.

Photo from eBay auction

This cutie pie received a nutcracker, a barn, and a sheep pull toy.

He still has his basket, it just isn't showing the photo. I am looking for small things to fill it.

sorry, a bit out of focus

Yesterday, I found a very simple tree topper Santa for $1.99 at Goodwill.

I added two porcelain dolls that I found on shopgoodwill.com. I just thought it seemed befitting to add Goodwill dolls to a Goodwill Santa.

Now it appears this Santa is either delivering dolls or abducting children.  I'm going to have to work on this.







































And finally, my beautiful Dee Gann (replica) Santa arrived in the mail. I have added nothing to him but that glittered Silent Night sign he's holding might have to go in a box.