DIY Halloween Costumes - Ventriloquist Doll

Now that it's October, I am 100% in the Halloween spirit!

Last month I showed you how to make a Fall Wreath, but tonight I'm going to share my Halloween costumes (yes, multiple) from last year. If I can find some good pictures from previous years, I may share those at a later date as well... I love me some costumes

Costume 1: Ventriloquist Doll 
Last year I was completely obsessed with Pinterest (okay who am I kidding, I still am... you can follow me here) and that is where I found the Ventriloquist doll idea... I wanted something potentially slightly creepy. Here's the final product (in Instagram fashion and normal camera view):

Being blonde starting to grow on me

I won't lie... makeup took awhile.

Things I needed/used:
- Blond wig (I brushed it through quite a bit to flatten it some)
- Halloween makeup (a lot of white face paint, some black, and some red)
- Fake eyelashes 
- Paintbrush
- Small toy-looking jacket (purchased from Goodwill)
- Thigh-high black stockings with black bows on the top (purchased from Party City)
- Small black top hat clip (purchased from Party City)
- Black tank top (I already owned)
- Black skirt (I already owned)
- Black heels (I already owned)

I started off by putting my hair up so it would fit in the wig, and then I started on my makeup... as seen below.  I layered the white face paint on all over my face, neck, and chest. I then did the fake eyelashes and used the red paint to give myself small doll lips.

I could have stopped here and been just a normal doll, but I decided to go ahead and try out the rest of the ventriloquist makeup.

After adding the black definition lines, thick eyeliner, and my wig, I was ready.

Blondes really do have more fun

I know that's a lot of selfies (too many... I know I know) BUT I can't find the other pictures from our Halloween party where there are actual photos of me with people, instead of just a bunch of selfies.

Costume 2: She-Devil 
Per my normal mindset, I like to reuse part and pieces of my wardrobe for Halloween - I don't like browsing for those "sexy adult costumes" and spend $100+ on a costume. I was also a she-devil last year.

By reusing most of my ventriloquist doll costume (black stockings, skirt, shoes, and tank top), a red blazer I already owned, and a borrowed headband with sequined devil horns... this was one of the easiest costumes I've ever had to throw together.

Aww check out my little French artist friend :)

I can't wait to make my 2014 costume! I already have my ideas... it will require a trip or two to Hobby Lobby to collect my supplies. Be on the look-out! Or check my Pinterest boards to see if you can guess which of my pinned costume ideas I'll be going for this year. 

Enjoy the Halloween season! 

I can't wait to get some pumpkin carving and baked pumpkin seeds in the works this year.

My flirty 2013 pumpkin

DIY: Fall Wreath Tutorial

It has been far too long since I've posted a tutorial, or even just posted anything! Anywho... I'll try not to slack off for so long this time!

It's that time of year again, where pumpkin everything is coming back into our lives. Stores are starting to put out Halloween and Christmas (what???) items. It's just about time for the leaves to change colors and the weather to cool off.

To celebrate, I've made myself a Fall wreath to liven up my apartment door.

Here's the finished product

Unfortunately, I did not take photos while I was building this beauty, so here are the materials needed, and then I will walk you through the steps taken (there's not too many, don't worry).

Materials Needed:
- Wire Wreath Frame (I used a 10" frame)
- Twine (I used a heavy duty jute twine)
- Burlap Ribbon (I used a natural color, burlap mesh ribbon with wire in it)
- Fake Leaves
- Fake Flowers
- Hot Glue/Glue Gun
- Over the Door Wreath Hook

I found all of my materials at Hobby Lobby, but I've also found them at Michael's and JoAnn's.

Once you have all of your materials, you're ready to start!

Using your hot glue, twine, and the wire wreath frame, start glueing and wrapping the twine around the frame. I used a little glue, would wrap about 10 times, and then use another dob of glue.
This part was the most time consuming simply because of the thickness of twine (there are thicker twines out there, in hindsight I should have used larger twine). 

Once the frame is completely wrapped, you'll start to work with the leaves and flowers. Using scissors and some creative bending, twisting, and pulling of the fake leaves off of their stems, I placed a small dob of glue on each leaf stem, and slid the stem in between the twine (this will ensure that the leaves are glued underneath a layer of twine so the stems do not show)

After the leaves were in a formation that I liked (all of mine are heavily on the right-hand side of the frame), I placed small dobs of glue behind the leaves themselves so they would lay flat (some of them were sticking out strange, and I didn't like that - so I made sure they all laid mostly flat).

Next are the flowers, these were pretty easy to just pop off the top of their stems. I then did the same thing with the glue, and placed a small amount on the tiny part of stem that was left, and stuck it into the twine, partially covering the bottom of the leaves.

I only used a handful of flowers until I was satisfied with how it looked. As you can see in the photo above, my flowers are mainly at the bottom of the frame.

To balance out the brightly colored leaves and flowers, I used a small amount of the burlap ribbon to make a bow on the left-hand side of the frame. With the wired ribbon, this made it easier to tie and shape into the perfect bow - I was also able to twist it so it was tilted in a way I liked.

That's it! This was a fairly simple project to complete, and it motivates me to make seasonal wreaths to decorate my door with :)

Enjoy and please ask me questions if you have any!

Happy crafting!



 

 

Insights

Woah Woah Woah... where does the time go? I've been at my new job for a year (and 4 days but who's counting) and I haven't posted in a very long time.

Now that Halloween (my favorite holiday) is over I figured I should start doing things that I love again - mainly crafting and writing tutorials on some of my favorite crafts :)

My 2013 Costumes:
- Ventriloquist Doll (kind of creepy but I loved it - thank you, Pinterest, for the idea)
- Devil (easy, I know - but fun nonetheless)

Sit back and enjoy. If you have any questions or would like to see any specific tutorials please let me know and I will see what I can do!

Tutorials Upcoming:
- Fall/Thanksgiving Wreath (I know it's getting a little late but hey, Fall is still around for awhile)
- Upcycled Tile Coasters
- Push Pin Canvas Art 

Severe Slacker

Yowza! I haven't posted on here in over a year! Let's hop on the fast track and let me break down anything of importance that has happened...

• Last summer after backpacking through Europe for 5 weeks I found out I had a severely deviated septum (from breaking it of course) and needed surgery. That was a fun 3 week recovery.. 
• I quit my serving job in the Chicagoland area and started looking for jobs out of state.
• Visited a friend in the Denver metro area, and started applying for jobs in December. 
• Came back out to Denver for 2 interviews, and was hired 2 days later. 
• I MOVED TO COLORADO! 

I love it here and couldn't be happier :)
I haven't been keeping up with my Etsy much lately, but plan to start again now that I'm completely settled into a routine.

With the addition of Pinterest in my life I plan on posting pictures and projects that I was inspired to do via Pinterest! Get excited! It's going to be a wild ride! 

New Etsy Listings and a Factoidz Article!

All right, everyone! I finally listed 6 new items on Etsy! After vacation I had hopes of crafting a lot and making a ton of jewelry and hair pieces, but then I got sucked back into my old, boring routine of waitressing and sleeping when I had the chance. I've also been thrown back onto the horse of job hunting for a "real" job, AKA one that I would enjoy and uses my Bachelor's degree... we'll see how that works out. Good thing I already have a few things that I love... such as my Etsy, my Factoidz article, and this (when I actually update!)

So here goes nothin'... and these, my friends, are new to my shop

 

The Autumn Owl (Click Here)

The Big Blue Bracelet

 

Word Nerd Bookmark

Pretty In Pink Bow Necklace

Gunmetal Irish Necklace

Love The Earth Necklace

Those are my newest listings! I'm hoping to get some more up today or tomorrow, so we'll see how the weather is (I need to take more pictures first!) I hope you enjoy them :) 

I also still have a SALE section with about 11 items in it, so get those before they run out! I am going to start a promotion tomorrow, August 10, for a free gift with purchase again... you're hearing it here first! 

I made a new treasury list last night as well.... called Little Woodland Creations  which I think is very fun and cute, so get check it out if you're interested! 

New on Factoidz: I published an article titled "Healthy (and Delicious) 'Banana Split' Breakfast" which is basically a recipe for a deliciously healthy breakfast involving bananas, yogurt, peanut butter, granola or grape nuts, and a few other ideas :)

I know there's a lot of links in here, and I'm sorry about that... but this is my promotion page today I guess! If you have any questions, comments, ideas, etc... please feel free to send a comment my way! 

Have an amazing Tuesday!

"If You Don't Give Back, No One Will Like You"

For anyone who knows where the title of this post is from, good for you! :) I recently discovered Crowdrise, an online fundraising website. You can sign up, create your own pages to raise money for charities of your choosing, or join a team already in progress of reaching a charity goal.

I joined the movement for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA). I've known about TWLOHA for a few years now, and fully support what they are striving to achieve. They're raising awareness for people suffering from depression, self-injury, addiction, and suicide. They're campaign slogan is "Love is the Movement"... which is the best way to describe what needs to happen. So many people feel that they are alone in this world, and what they need is to know that they are loved.

My own mantra (adapted from the TWLOHA movement) is "Love and be Loved" which is pretty strong. We all know people suffering, and we're all in this together. I've joined the movement, and would love to help raise awareness with anyone and everyone's help.

If you are able, and if this moved you, or at least intrigued you, I urge you to visit my fundraising page here:

http://www.crowdrise.com/LisaBland#projects

There are tons of projects, charities, and groups raising money for any and every cause on this site! Do what moves you... 

The more we know, the better we are. We can make a difference, we just need to do it together.

Mercy Me! It's Been Far Too Long!

I feel like it's becoming a trend... not posting very often! Shame on me! This time, I promise I have a good excuse!
June 21st I left to backpack through Europe for a little over a month with my best friend!
We started in Ireland, headed to Scotland, England, Netherlands, France, Italy. It was amazing :)
Needless to say, I saw plenty of phenomenal sites, and met a ton of great people from all over the world! It was the experience of a lifetime and I'm very happy that I did it.
That being said... my Etsy shop is back up and running, as well as my bookswap on Goodreads.

I can promise you that I have many new ideas in my mind for crafts, and will be posting ideas shortly! I have recycled picture frame ideas, new jewelry and hair ideas as well! So be on the look out for a tutorial for picture frames, and new items popping up on Etsy! I start back serving at the bar this weekend, too, so I hope I can start posting more often again!

Enjoy the night, and I shall entertain you all yet again quite soon :)

I've Been Gone Awhile, Again...

Agh! I've done it again! I haven't updated in an extremely long time! I've been planning out some craziness that's about to happen in my life. Starting next Tuesday, June 21st... I will be backpacking through Europe with my best friend :) Ireland, Scotland, England, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy. In lieu of my departure... I have a coupon code for my Etsy shop.

Use ACCESSORIZE10 during checkout for 10% off your purchase... I also have a free gift with purchase this week, so help yourself and tell your friends! In case you've forgotten some of my spring/summertime accessories, here's a little reminder :)

There's many more items to check out, as well as a SALE section. This may seem like a fast way to get a little extra spending cash for Europe, or a way to clean out my room so new items can come in once I'm back... and that's exactly what it is! :) I'm hoping to get new inspiration for jewelry and hair accessories while I'm gone, so I have some great things to show everyone upon my return to the United States!

Enjoy the day, it's going to be a good one!

It's Been So Long...

Sorry it's been so long on an update! I've been making spring accessories (as promised) and also planning a backpacking trip through Europe! My best friend and I booked our flights last night, so I've been in a frenzy trying to pin down some other reservations :) Very exciting...

We'll be flying in and out of Dublin, and the tentative plan is to get to Scotland, England, Amsterdam, France, Germany, Italy. We have 28 full days, with 2 days for flying. If anyone reading this is from one of those countries, any insight into what we really should see would be phenomenal! :)

All right, enough about those summer plans, and onto what's new in my Etsy. Click on captions to see more pictures of each!

Aztec Pendant

Romantic Goldenrod Ring

Romantic Goldenrod Filigree Headband

Love Drop Earrings

Pink Owl Cocktail Ring

Raspberry Filigree Hair Comb

Lavender Filigree Hair Comb

 

 

Antique Bronze Rose Pendant

So, those are some of my newly listed items :) It's been great fun making them and even seeing them around right now is fun! I do have a May promotion going on in my shop, and I'm thinking about having a promo in June as well, before I leave for my backpacking trip.
Hopefully my next post will be more exciting :) Love you all.... Happy Hump Day!

Mas Spring Cleaning, Por Favor!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO! In lieu of an exciting day (complete with sunshine) I decided to be a little productive on Etsy. I've added a promotion to my Etsy shop for the month of May. Any purchase made from my shop in May will come with a free handmade gift (also made by me!) It can be just about anything! I'll make sure that it fits in with the theme/color palette of what was purchased, but it will be fabulous, I promise.


I've also added a SALE section to my shop. I've been making so many things (that I haven't added yet) for spring, so I decided to try to move some of my other items by lowering the prices of 16 things! Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc!! Here's some of what is on sale:

Shabby Chic Flower Pin

Antique Bronze Rose Necklace

Black/Pink Double Chain Earrings

Teal Drop Necklace

Black/Red Chandelier Earrings

"Diamond" Drop Chain Necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seafoam Green Hair Accessory

Feel free to check out my SALE section here! I'll be adding new items soon! I just need to take some pictures, but I did make some rings, hair combs, and headbands today! Just in time for spring! Warm weather, cute warm-weather clothes, colorful accessories... I really can't wait! Happy Happy Thursday to all!

Make Way For New Crafts!

It's that time of year! Spring is (sort of) here, at least, it's trying to be here. I'm in the process of cleaning out my closet/the rest of my bedroom to make room for new items! I made it to a few thrift stores awhile ago, and picked up some skirts/dresses that I want to remake.
I also needed more storage drawers/containers for all of my arts and crafts supplies. Organization is necessary with the amount of supplies I have!

5 drawers, all full.

 

So there's some of my storage! So many supplies! I also snagged myself a wooden wine rack from a thrift store not too long ago for $2, and since I found one I liked more, I decided to change the wooden one into a makeshift bookshelf... 

 

Neat, huh?

Goodreads has once again been taking up a lot of my time. I've read 22 books so far since January, my goal is 80. I recently listed 7 books on the bookswap feature (which is awesome, by the way!) and I fulfilled my very first request today! 

I know, I know, I'm a nerd that gets excited at the smallest things :) 

Well, my friends, that's all I have for you for now! Once I get all organized and back into my summer sewing projects, I shall post more pictures and ideas! My goal is to organize/spring clean my room, then paint and decorate (meaning I need more handmade decor!) Be on the look out and enjoy your Tuesday! :)

Ah, slackerism!

I realize that I haven't posted anything in 10 days! Sorry about that, I've been working, reading, and doing a bit of spring cleaning.
I've finished reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, which by the way, were much better books than I anticipated. I also am on the third book in the Hunger Games series, which is fantastic as well!

Taking a bit of a break from all things crafty, I did list one new necklace on Etsy

I also bought myself some new acrylic paint and paintbrushes so I can get back into my canvas :) I hopefully will have some new things to show you the next time I post something! 

I've also started working on a new tutorial for my Factoidz profile... recycling empty cd cases into different types of picture frames! I'll be sure to let you all know when it's finished and published, but in the mean time, you can take a look at my recipes and other tutorials here. 

Enjoy, and happy Monday!! 

New Etsy Listings!

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope everyone's had a great week, I know I have! I'm heading up to far-north Wisconsin tonight to go camping, and as a little send off, I figured I'd leave you with my 2 newest Etsy listings.

I posted these cute chandelier earrings today, Cinderella-inspired, clearly!

And last week I added this Lovely Charm Bracelet, perfect for spring, don't ya think??

Ok, ok, I can't hold it in any longer! Since my first peace dove necklace has been a hit so far, being "favorited" by other users, and being featured in treasuries... I've made another one! Slightly different, let's compare. 

Dove Necklace number 1 (already on Etsy.... go check it out!) 

Dove Necklace number 2 (not yet on Etsy, but will be up there soon!) 

That's about all I have for now... I hope you enjoy! I promise to post more once I get back from camping, I've been working on some really great pieces :) Have a lovely weekend! 

My Summer Inspiration

So, a little over a year ago there was this really fantastic blog started by a woman who decided to make a new article of clothing every day for a year on a budget of $1 per day. Her "New Dress A Day" blog can be found right here and is absolutely fantastic.
Last summer, my friend and I found this blog, and got inspired to go thrift store hunting for dresses that have amazing fabric, but awful style. We each created 2 dresses, and it was loads of fun :)
It's almost summer again, and I've begun thinking I need to start this up again, since it was so much fun last year. I went thrifting today, and found a bunch of things I want to fix up! I cannot wait!! I'll start posting pictures and whatnot, but, I will admit that this is nothing as extensive or fantastic as what the mastermind to this idea does. This is me, being my dorky self and sharing it with whoever is listening.

I also bought a ridiculous amount of books, since one thrift store had a deal of 5 hardcover books for $1 and 8 paperback for $1... ridiculous! Had to splurge, so now my goodreads account will go a little crazy soon, too :) hooray!

Happy Monday, everyone!

You Are Entering Mountain Time Zone

So... last Sunday, March 20, I began my road trip with my friend Kathy. I took the Amtrak from Chicago to Macomb, IL, then sat at a diner reading "All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris while waiting for Kath to show up. We ate, filled up on coffee and gas, and started towards Iowa. We made it through Illinois, Iowa, and part of Nebraska the first day. Stayed in Lincoln, then woke up on Monday and got through the rest of Nebraska, and a lot of Colorado. Of course we stopped in Denver (who wouldn't??)

We slept in Grand Junction, and then woke up on Tuesday and continued through Utah, a small bit of Arizona, Nevada (stopping at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop... aka the Pawn Stars pawn shop) then made it through California to LA by Tuesday night. It was quite a drive and I took 222 pictures before my camera died.

It was a ridiculously gorgeous drive, and I'm so happy that I went :) I've never seen anything like it, and I clearly had a great time bumpin' along to music with one of my best friends. 

You can view Kathy's blog here, she'll be seeing greatness all summer!