Something Spooky

Welcome to the historic town of Spookville. I kid you not, it's a little place where the families have lived for generations. The community takes pride in their ancestors homes, and even more importantly to the forever places where their loved ones are laid to rest. The Spookville Cemetery, established in 1797. The tombs are massive and the gravestones are carefully cleaned and preserved solid. 

It all started with this sinister Tombstone Tray. A place to add all sorts of creepy, Halloween fun and creativeness. What could possibly be better? 

Using black paint and black glass glitter always brings me Halloween joy. Plus it's easy to do and looks great!

Imagine if these Chubby Bronze Cone Bead Caps could start walking on their own. I added a bit of black acrylic paint, just to blend it in with the rest of the darkness and add some character. 

You don't have to add anything to the tray. It will lay flat on any surface and still look fabulous. 

For some reason, all of the black cats not only in Spookville, but the surrounding area, come to gather and purr on this huge old tree just outside of the cemetery walls. Some say that all the cats take pride in their ancestry too and are all related. Meow, hiss!

I used a lot of designs from the above Halloween Mini Cookies - Polymer Clay Slice Mix and the  Black & Orange Halloween Polymer Clay Slice Mix. There are so many others polymer sets to choose from at Alpha Stamps. 

This poor little skeleton got all tied up with tree roots. You just never know what could be lurking in the dirt below you. 

Here is an example of the love the community shares for their cats. The top of Spookville City Hall has an ancient carved Black & Ivory Cat Cameo displayed and they have festivals twice a year to celebrate the nine lives of the cat. 

This house belonged to the original founder of Spookville. You might think those large cats are just statues, but they are real, and if you aren't a citizen, you better stay back. There are other critters as well where these came from with this set of Halloween Bottle Toppers. 

I was a bit nervous using these lighter weight papers, but they are surprisingly strong and easy to work with. Plus the designs are especially good for tombstones. 

If you are ever in Spookyville and you see either of these two guys, run the other way. They wander around all night drunk, singing the songs of their ancestors and keep going till the sun comes up. 

This little dude is my favorite both in his original form, (Little Darlings Collage Sheet), and his spooky form, (Halloween Darlings Collage Sheet). And how bout his little ghosty friends, too cute! 

Forever, and ever, and ever.

This neat little Mausoleum Pocket Card is special, because it can carry a secret message inside. The house arrives flat, but a couple trails of ghostly glue and it is solid. 

There is also a new Folded Haunted House Card which is my favorite because there are so many cool surfaces to create on. I used some Polymer Clay Pumpkins to give some festive character and an acrylic Raven.

What a great party! Look at all of the spooks having a fun time. I think it is time for me to join them! 

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Here's to all Halloween parties being successful ones! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my recent work. Happy Halloween!

xoxo

Rhonda...

Odd that my first blog post without my dad discusses loved ones and cemeteries. I used to copy him on my emails to Alpha Stamps own Leslie, showing my recent completed, photographed, edited, written and aligned post, ready to go live for my readers. He would always tell me, "I just don't understand how you can do all of that work and be so focused". He was always proud of my work, which meant the world to me seeing how he was a Scientist. So I dedicate this post to my daddy, my best friend, my rock. I knew it would hurt when you were no longer with me, but this pain is excruciating and unimaginable. Every day gets harder as I spend it missing our daily chats and seeing you. Thank you for waiting on Abigail and I so that we could say goodbye and that we love you one last time. I know you were excited to be with mom again, but it meant so much to us to be there as you left this life. I love you daddy and will always be your little girl. Chirp! 

Welcome To The Warehouse Antiques

What could be better then a treasure hunting day at The Warehouse Antiques? You know, that big red warehouse goin' up I-75? Reminds me of a country drive with G-ma Betty, windows open, cool afternoon breeze. Seein' all the big bales of hay, and beautiful barns in the distance.  

They say the place is haunted, and I believe them. Once I was there with my Mom and as we went into the back area, I suddenly heard someone with heavy shoes walkin' up behind me. I let out a yelp and ran past my Mom. The owner came running in, "Are you alright"? I said, "I just heard someone walking up behind me. You know this place is haunted"? (I have a sixth sense) Man says, "Oh my gosh! Thank God someone believes me now". The building was once a movie theatre with residual hauntings of former patrons walking to their seats. But that back part, nope. That "man" was sadly murdered in the back alley. My daughter told him, "You just need to go into the light". I was one proud Mama. True story! 

Now this shop, it is right in the middle of downtown and resides on the first floor of a building built in the 1700s. I love the stone and brick walls, so aged and covered in mossy areas.

The second I go through that door, the owner is right there with a huge smile and always gives me a hug and asks how I am. Then she points me in the direction of the good stuff. And it's always at my three favorite booths. 

As I walk around I get excited as that wonderful vintage smell rushes up into my nostrils and I just know it's something calling out for me to take it home. 

Oh, and look there! A sale at the Oddities booth, my favorite! Maybe I'll find some more Victorian Mourning Jewelry to add to my collection. 

I would love to hang this Cashier sign in my house, but of course it's marked "NFS". Makes me so sad when I see that. For those of you that aren't big antique shoppers, NFS means "Not For Sale". Grrrrrr!

Half Scale Signs and Sign Hangers

Someone please hold the owners eyes closed while I sneak off with their amazing vintage storage spots. The wood filing cabinet would be a dream come true.

The  Cubby Faux Fronts Collage Sheet is a dream for those who create miniature scenes. Some areas, I simply cut the image out and glued it to the front of my cubby. You can find the cubbies in a variety of compartments including 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9. Best part, they are easy to assemble. 

After cutting out the cubby front, I glued it to a thin piece of cardboard that I had painted a shade of green to match. It's important to remember when you are trimming, to leave a section of excess board to the left of the image. This will be used to attach the image to the cubby. 

I scored the image along the seam of the image and the cardboard to make it easier to fold, as seen in the photo below.

The important thing about this particular cut, is that it continues down the serrated line. Below, you can see the blue lines, which you cut to allow the "drawers" to insert more easily into the cubby when glued into place. 

Now I have a "door" for the cubby that can hold a treasure inside. You can also place a small piece of Velcro on the "door" and cubby edge to hold it closed.

Back to those three favorite booths. I always go in order, the first being the French County Booth.

 Look at all of those unique finds.

I love the hanging lantern. I used a simple plant hanger, a touch of gold acrylic paint and strong glue. Make sure to let the glue dry for a few hours so that the hanger is secure. 

I have found so many gorgeous items for my kitchen from this booth. Old tins and salt and pepper shakers are a fav. I also have a collection of roosters on top of my fridge, so that baby will be coming home with me. 

A giddy yelp came out of me when I found the vintage watercolor paint box full of so many worn paint brushes. I wonder what the former owner painted with them. And even better, it's from France! It's a perfect treasure hunter day when I find something from France. 

Chopin Bust

Mini Cobalt Blue Vase Set

On to booth number two, the Oddities booth. I have found some really cool finds in here. I have a collection of those crawling babies and religious statues. 

One of my favorite collage sheets because the images are all dolls from my real life collection. Remember that TV series Oddities? That show inspired many of my crazy collections including several of the crawling babies. 

Creepy Dolls Collage Sheet

Miniature Black Typewriter

For a minute, I was excited about those trophies. From a distance they look very detailed, but I was wrong. They were still pretty cool though and I factored in that the booth had a 30% off sale. They're mine, hold them on the counter please! 

That Fancy Mini Footstool is covered with the softest leather, the color is stunning, and I MUST have it for my studio!

Silly Bunny Rabbits

The Enfant de Prague  and Mary statues above are painted cast metal as well as the white horse below. I used several cast metal pieces and painting them was a cinch. I just used my standard acrylic paint and enjoyed the process. I did not stress about making it perfect because antiques are not perfect. They have character.

And this brings me to the third and final booth. I call it, "The Tradition Antique Booth". Why? Because, you can always find fabulous, quality, high end items. But there, on the very bottom row, do you see it? Well it's MINE! I love antique wooden cabinets. 

I had a gumball machine just like that when I was seven years old. We got it for Christmas, the whole family, and I was mezmorized. Probably not a good decision on my parent's part because I was a gum hog. I would chew it all up every time they filled it and then one day, it wasn't there anymore. It's a little out of my price range so I had to leave it for another lucky buyer. 

Very important note here. Each booth was created using the 4x4 Corner Room Box With Window along with a Wrought Iron Window Grate. 

Getting a layered texture onto a flat, vertical surface would scare many artists. But no my praying mantis, you too can acheive this feat.  First, add a layer of white acrylic paint, lightly so as not to make the Corner Room Box warp. 

Using the Small Stone Wall Stencil, add a thin layer of molding paste and you have now completed the first step. 

I like to use a heat gun to warm the molding paste. Yes, I realize that is a hair dryer. I could not find my heat gun so I had to improvise with a hair dryer.

I literally heat those little clumps until they bubble up. As they cool, they fall back in and I tap them down with my finger and it is the perfect distressed stone. 

Small ink pads come in great for this next step. It is so easy to just run one along the "stone" and it just adds so much depth. I also keep some acrylic colors ready, to paint onto individual stones.

And lastly, some dabs from a green stamp pad and some acrylic paints, and the moss is complete. 

 

I hope you liked your visit to The Warehouse Antiques. Feel free to go onto Google and leave a positive review for the shop. It will be easy because you will have such an amazing search while you're there.

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And for the record, the owner's will not "keep the light on for ya". But the GHOSTS will! Don't let em scare you. Just send em into the light like my daughter did! 

xoxo

Rhonda...

Remember, as hard as it can be, try to let go of the things that don't bring you happiness, so you can enjoy the remaining chapters that you have.

R+C

November 1987 - August 2023