Mr. Copperpot

There is a chill in the air! 

I have to slip on socks first thing out of bed to warm my froze toes.   We open our windows on friday nights to listen to the high school kids cheering at the football games.  (We know if they are winning or not just by how loud they get).  The kids are back in school, wearing sweaters and jackets that are clearly not needed yet… but they like to layer as much as their mommy does. Night is creeping up earlier and earlier.  And I get all giddy.  

Fall is here!

I debate it every year… how early is too early to set up halloween?  I seriously can't help myself.  

This post is a halloween decoration I've had for a couple years now.  Don't worry, these photo's are from last year…. I have not set him up yet.  

Soon though… very soon.

In the two times I've been to Disneyland in the last decade I've made sure that we go when the Nightmare Before Christmas is set up at The Haunted Mansion.  If you know me, you know I'm a fan of Mr. Burton and his crazy dark artsy-ness.  I wish I could just magically decorate my house like the mansion for halloween.  Alas I have not the funds or enough waking hours to attempt it. :)

On the outside of the mansion it's decorated with all of these fabulous cartoony skulls.  They are both a tad creepy and a bit comical & dopy at the same time.  I know, it sounds weird, but it works.

I wanted to add my own.  Instead of making several small skulls (as they have on the Haunted Mansion) I made one very large skull.  

Here is Momo next to him.  He's not small, he measures about 4.5 x 3 feet. My husband often states that my motto is "Go big or go home".  As much as I'd like to say it's not true, 

I think he might be very very correct. 

I painted him on masonite.  My neighbor who is always coming to my… "help me I need to build something" rescue cut him out with his jigsaw.  

(For the love, I need to finally just purchase a jigsaw). 

After the skull was painted and dry I added a coat of matte varnish (just from a spray can).  I think this will be the third year (maybe forth) we've put him up.  

He has made it through wind, rain & snow.  

He still looks good as new.

I love putting him up every year.  He makes me smile every time I pull into the driveway.

Perhaps I should name him.  

Any thoughts on a good name????

Maybe I'll call him Chester Copperpot.

K, before the skull was drawn and painted onto the masonite, I first sketched him out on paper.  Here is the drawing… you're welcome to use it if you'd like.  If you have a projector you could shine him up on your own board and make your own. :)  I can't give painting lessons though… that would be a bit too intense of a tutorial. 

Again… it's just the rough sketch, not a masterpiece or anything.  Be forgiving, at least I cut off the grocery list I had written on the bottom of the paper. 

Although, I believe it still carries the creases from where I sat on this grocery list because I left it on the front seat of the car.  Ooops.

And yes… I'm listening to my Halloween soundtrack while I write this post.  

Here is what's on  my soundtrack (incase your looking for some music to add to your own)…

✭Corpse Bride Soundtrack✭

✭Coraline Soundtrack✭

(End Credits & The Supper)

✭Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack✭

✭A few Harry Potter Favorites✭

 Dementors in the Underpass (Order of the Phoenix), Double Trouble (Azkaban), 

Story Continues (Goblet of Fire) & Finale (Azkaban)

✭Beetlejuice Soundtrack✭ 

(a few select songs)

✭Edward Scissorhands✭

(Ice Dance, The Cookie Factory & The End)

✭Tales from the Crypt✭ 

Danny Elfman is 90% of my soundtrack.  

Sure beats listening to The Monster Mash… (although it was a graveyard smash).  

Just thinking about that song gives me a headache.  

Happy Fall All!

Add a smidge of WOW!

I've been slaving away.

I wish I could say it was on something fun and creative.  But I've been out in the yard removing weeds that are the size of my toddler.  Speaking of "the boy"  I've had to use his nap time, which I consider sacred "me" time, for yard drudgery.  I attempted my outdoor chores with him by my side, however after chasing him as he ran down the street multiple times, a near car verses Momo incident and his decision to jump from the porch ledge in order to grab the window box and proceed to swing from it... I gave up.    Today it's raining.... and I'm thrilled.  Both because I love rain thunder and hail...Mmmmm...and also because it's given me a breather from weed extraction.  

I started to spring clean the girls room instead. As I cleaned I realized I could do a little post about it.  I love their room.  I put it all together a couple years back.  I've got a few inexpensive tricks I learned in the process.  And I'll happily pass them along...

I made the bedspread out of a curtain from target.  I loved damask but couldn't find fabric for it anywhere (mind you this was 3 years ago) target saved the day!  I made a matching window treatment out of a table runner made out of the same print, (it was on sale).  Love that!

Anyway... the wall behind the bed seemed bare.  So with a little black paint it went from plain pink, to...

Swirly Heaven!

I had the paint, so it didn't cost me a thing.

I measured out the window and the wall.

Then I made a mini version of it on PS.

I played with Rhonna Farrers swirl brushes until I got the look I wanted.

Here is what it looked like on paper....

Then onto the wall it went.

(I've done a few murals on walls.  My paint of choice is Liquitex soft body acrylics.

They are vivid colors that go on like butta.  And a little goes a long way).  

I took an old window.

Painted on the words. 

Print off the lettering, lay it under the glass, trace it on with a sharpie and fill it in with paint.  

(I've never paid for vinyl lettering).

I read somewhere that this say's... 

The Polka 

Dot Cafe

Make yourself at home

In french.  I don't speak french (I took a couple years of it in Jr. High, I remember the french name my teacher gave me, Vicky, and... well that's really about it). So if that isn't what it says, at least it looks cute.

I added half circles cut with pinking sheers out of scrapbook paper on the inside edge.  The leftover paper became the little paper chain behind the window.  And did you notice the coffee filter pom poms? They were from Valentines.  I tossed them up there, 'cause hey why not?

I added lamp shades to the chandelier in their room.

I bought cheap lamp shades (you may get lucky and find some at good will) I believe these were from Lowes.  Then I added ribbon to the top, trim around the middle (I get my trims on sale from home fabrics) and the thin black ribbon with a bow to tie it all together.  

Easy. Peasy. Done. Beautiful!

And off I go... to continue the spring cleanse!

Linked up to 

Sundae Scoop

Tatertots & Jello