The Trunk or Treat photos and BUNCO girls!

Finally got the last of the Halloween Trunk or Treat night photos...our entry with no one in it! :)

The Trunk or Treat set up!

The BUNCO ladies...

Happy Thursday! :)
KrisTiki

Trunk Or Treat a HUGE SUCCESS!

I've only got a few photos of the event, the rest of the pics are on Cindy and Jon's camera--so I'll have to get them for a later post.

First, the building in the garage:

These are the photos of the set up in the garage the week BEFORE Trunk or treat--easier to get photos of it!

And this is how popular we were! --hence why i took so many pics in the garage!

And of course, i did set up the Moultrie Wildlife Camera--i need to set it higher next time, Jon and Anya seemed to block it alot--:)

(this is from setting up in the garage!)

( I tried to get Jon to strike a pose...this is his pose...)

Check out the kid in the middle--he's a beaver! with the teeth and everything! Fantastic costume!

I arrived at the school early, as we had alot to set up. I was not alone, one of the other participants was there--and I knew her! Best yet==they had a GENERATOR! So I parked closeby, and used their generator to power my set up, rather than running it on the car battery. Much healthier for the car!

Jenni and Jet provided our power, and Cindy came in with the bigger pieces of vulture-ism. Since she helped me set up and destroy in the garage, we worked really well together putting everything together. Jon came a bit later with Anya all decked out in light up wings :) (and hyped up in prep for all the sugar she was going to get!)

Cindy said we were the "Beacon of light" in the parking lot. We stayed busy all evening--but really--there were less than 15 cars participating and not as many kids out there. Maybe the weather was a factor--it rained really hard all day, then not a drop while we were outside!

Best hit was SYd the spider, again...we got TONS of compliments on the entire set up. And told several times that there should be a contest--we'd definitely win! We all enjoyed handing out candy.
And the funnest thing, was that I got smart and set up the Wildlife night camera--it took lots of pics of the kids trick or treating me. Although, next time I need to relocate it, because if Jon or Anya was standing beside me, they blocked the camera. And who knew, that camera took about 15 pics just of Jon--it must really like him! :)

Once I moved Anya to the outside of the "kristi" area..*giggle* we got some good pictures of her and her wings trying to give candy to people.
After a quick 'throw it all in the trunk/van' we all went to dinner downtown in GH.

Then home, wash (that's WARSH, for mom) the make up off my face and slept till SUNDAY. :D ahhh my muscles are finally recovering!

Now for the oddest thing...the Gothic Gazebo..I ordered online a couple weeks ago. Got it in the mail, the box had been destroyed and it was missing a pointy part for the top. Just 1 pc.
I called www.simplyarbors.com, and they credited me the entire purchase amount and told me to keep the thing, not to ship it back. All because they don't carry spare parts.
So, I called the manufacturer...they also don't carry spare parts, and decided to send me a brand new one for my trouble--no charge.

So in all this, I scored 2 gothic arches for free...wonder if I can find a new pointy thing? --Cindy and I figured out we could put a vulture on it! :)

Happy HALLOWEEN!

Trunk or Treat--Setting up in the garage on Wednesday

This has turned into quite the little neighborhood event! I have gotten help from Cindy & Anya & Haley & Matthew...the last 2 I refer to as "My little slaves *Evil laughter*"

Their mom and dad think it's great i'm getting them to Work! (I'm not telling them we play alot too!)

So I saw the kids out and said.."Hey, slaves...are you working today?" Funny thing is, at 11 and 12, they don't know how to say know to the weird neighbor yet! HUZZAH!

So we went to work. We're now setting up as much as we can in the garage, my list of items to do has moved from 40+ to just 18. (I told you, my little slaves!) I'm learning that I can do WAY more with 8 hands (that's with 5 of us, cause I'm the bossy one!) than with my 2. But on the down side...I show them how to do things, they do it, and they are done by the time I can get started on something else. ah well, the list is dwindling! :)

So here's our progress, and our superstar helper from yesterday was Molly the dog...who licked my glasses, licked my nose, licked inside my nose/eyes/mouth...anytime I got low enough--she licked me. Then decided to behave because I installed "Dog Control" in the garage. (It's in the form of a box of treats and the treats in my pocket.)

Molly helping in the back of the car.

The kids and Molly helping in the back of the car.

Haley, demonstrating the 'Kristi Cage' that will be the back of the car. We have a bit more work to do here--but we'll do that tonite!

Syd the Spider - a Trunk or Treat Staple (Thanks Dad) is placed in the car...

In fact, he's now folded up and IN the back of the car right now. :) I just hope I can transfer all the trunk or treat junk to the school (that arch will be questionable!

*Note on the arch, it's missing a finial on the back. I called www.SimplyArbors.com, they apologized and credited back the $60 for the arch. But they don't have replacement parts.

So I called Gardman USA, the manufacturer...they also don't have replacement parts. But they've sent out an ENTIRE Replacement--no charge. Just because of a missing Finial.

I need to buy a lottery ticket today!!

Well, I'm tired, overslept this am...my back and neck are cranky from all the work, and I wrenched my right wrist last night (cussing appropriately to teach Haley and Matthew the appropriate use of bad words)...and how NOT to use a drill--and why.

Sometimes BAD role models are better than good ones. :)

Happy Thursday, will update with pics tomorrow!
Kristi & the Vultures

PS. Cindy is helping tremendously with the murderous Vultures-I've finally named them all (7 of them!): Victor, Viggo, Vulturus, VooDoo, Viola, Vittorio, and Bob.

PSS. only coincidence that I named Stuffed Vultures after Aunt Viola and Uncle Bob, I hope they are appropriately impressed--as stars of Halloween! :)

Quiz Question for the Day: How far will a quart of black paint go?

The answer:
6 sitting Vultures
2 flying/sunning vultures
and a crayola costume

(ok, there's a little left at the bottom of the can!)

and to think-- I think I should have made 2 more vultures. ;)

We're assembling the back of the car to nite and i have a TON of last minute things to finish up.
Tomorrow we're putting the entire trunk together in the garage to take pictures and test it out. Stay tuned, I'll have some prelim photos for you on Friday!
Kristi

Last week of Halloween Preparation!

Update for Halloween....
1. Anya's wings...glittered and Lit up! (Cindy and Anya are very proud of my glittering ability--they taught me everything. And NOW i know why Cindy asked me to do it--there is glitter ALL over my house! looks like a glitter fairy had a drunken brawl!

2. Crayola...done--well, have to clip the wire in back, but then DONE!

3. Oscar the grouch -- need to glue slimey on it, and make the can a bit bigger--as it looks like a tight can dress on the boy..not right! :)

Yes, when you hit the eyes, they light up! :)

The wreath, in front of Tiki is Matthew's assigned craft for ME! It looks great! :)



Countdown for trunk or treat on FRIDAY:
5 Vultures being painted on my counter now.
2 Big Vultures will be cut out and sewn today (and painted tonite!
Plant stands (to hold vultures) painted dark black purple, almost done!
2 Tree looking plant hangers - painted matte dk brown. DONE! (needs lights!
LIghts assembled--
The DO NOT FEED THE BIRDS LIGHT is fantastic! i need to work on the lens just a bit, but the remote control works great! :)

Lots of work to do till Friday--Will see if the kids will help me a bit, i'm sure I can get help decorating the car! Hoping to get the Moultrie wildlife cam set up to..well take some photos of the wild life at the school.

Cindy volunteered to attach wings to birds and sew on eyes/beak detail. I might have to have her help me!

XO
Kristi

I Love Halloween--making costumes!

Boo!

I spent my weekend making the neighbors 2 youngest kids (12 y.o.) their costumes for Halloween. They are swamped moving their 3 br house to their brand new 5 toilet house that is not quite finished yet. They have new rentors for the old house moving in Nov 1. So I'm helping by designing and making the kids costumes.

Haley, she wants to be a Crayon for halloween...easy..I can do that--and she wants to help- she likes crafts.

Matthew, he wants to be Oscar the Grouch (green monster in trash can from sesame street)...hard, but I can do that too! He does not necessarily WANT to help, but is super excited that I'm making his costume, and can be talked into making ME something in return! :)

Oscar the Grouch

Crayon

We had a measurement meeting on Wednesday, we used a box as I could not find any paper. I drew what I had in mind and asked what they wanted--they were very easy to please. I found out later that they have told Cindy I am making their costumes--they must be very happy about that.

Friday I had my list of 'things I need' and took my Joann's coupons to Tacoma. Do you know how hard it is to find GREEN fur online or in a store!? I did find some online, but it was anywhere from $22 to $45/yard. I only need a yard or so, but GEEZ that's expensive!

Joann's had white fur (that laid down to smoothly, but was a bit long) for $14.99/yard and it was on sale. I bought some green polyester dye and hoped for the best!

For Haley's, she really is in love with Turqoise (girl after my own heart!), so I picked up 1/2 yard of sparkly disco ball type fabric in turqouise.

A trip to the Dollar Tree for brown fuzzy stretch gloves, black gloves, neon orange pipe cleaners, poster board..and a couple fake crows...and off home I went.

The new tenants are moving a TON of furniture and boxes into the big side of the garage below me. So I was up late listening to them, caught Shannon outside and borrowed a giant metal stock pot. Then got busy heating up water to dye the fur...

This was my friday night entertainment..and it was really really gross.

First, I had a giant stock pot filled with olive pea green water. ick.
Then, I added chunks of white polyester fur. And YES it looked and felt like I was shoving someone's white cat into simmering GREEN water. It was really really gross!

The white fur...so nice and smooth...

The Fur goes INTO the pot "MEEOW"

Boil, Bubble, Toil, and Trouble...oh how the white cat Bubbles...

Then I had to cook it for 45 min. Stirring often--which just makes you want to puke because it's smell and the unappealing idea that you are stirring pea green FUR.

Just disgusting.
So I called over to make Matthew look at it, and got his dad Correy to come over to look...Then Shannon came over and we all decided it was really nasty! So I took pictures to share.

After the 45 min cook time, I had a hot pot of green fur--and decided NOT to pour it down the white ceramic sink in the kitchen (knowing I'd stain it green!). So I opted for the Bathtub--it's fiberglass. However...just for everyone's knowledge--it too stained GREEN. (after lots of bleach and scrubbing, I got it all off though!) So I dumped the green pea olive water down the drain, rinsed the fabric to cool it off with cold water so I could grab it. Then carefully put it into the front load washer and ran it on a light wash.

Moved the 'clean green' fabric to the dryer and VOILA! I have the matty-est Oscar the grouch fur in almost the PERFECT shade of green ever...and the washing/drying actually matted up the fur for the perfect Trash resident effect! I took pictures and load them here for your approval...the green did not turn out well in the photo--trust me, it's a great color.

Oscar fur with silver 'garbage can' fabric

Saturday, I spent the morning trying to figure out how to make a cone hat...it's a little harder than it looks. But used a 14" ruler to make a swooping line from a point and cut along that line. It went together really well. Whacked off the top of the cone - crayons are flat on top. and then covered it with sparkly Turqoise fabric. Done.

Next, I found my package of Red pipe cleaners grabbed a few, and made Slimey the worm, it's Oscar's friend...we'll glue him to the trash can. I also cut the fingers off a set of winter stretch gloves that were fuzzy and stuffed/sewed the fingers together to make Oscar's Monobrow. It looks great! Then I used the hoodie I got a Goodwill to use as a base for the head/sleeves/chest and back to pin the fabric to and made a pattern. Ok, well I just whacked on the fabric to cut the shape of a football head and cut it out.

Monobrow and Slimey, Oscar's pet worm

The gloves used for Monobrow.

Haley came over in the afternoon and we cut a big square of muslin and took it to the garage to mix some custom turq. paint and rolled paint all over the muslin. That was fun. Managed to keep paint off both of us too!

While Haley was painting, I also cut the bottom of the bucket off that will become my Halloween light with color changing LED bulb. I am painting it now. (separate blog entry).


Sunday, I had an 11am wake up call with the kids- Matthew and Haley came over to see if I was ready. I wasn't. So they came back at noon.
**Note, the kids came over in pajamas, which made me feel good--As I was in mine! :)

By that time I got Anya, to help me too. 3 kids and i don't know what to do with them! Anya watched Halloweentown, the movie and served as my oscar model. She and Haley made Oscar eyes out of ping pong balls, Matthew was put to work on making me a yarn covered Wreath--found the idea online, but no time to make one--so he gets to make one for me! :D

Sent Haley and Anya down to the garage at least 3 times to find stuff, check on the crayon muslin we'd painted and to keep them busy. Matthew and Haley tested Anya on math while I sewed Oscar. I broke a needle..cussed a bit under my breath, got mad, took a break to veg while the kids worked. (slave driver!) and then went and fixed the machine/finished sewing.

The older kids left, they keep parading all the pieces of costume around to show their family...there will be nothing left for a big reveal! :) We all agree the fur is perfect and the hat is nice and sparkly.

Anya and i watched part of Ghostbusters--she does not agree that it's funny. BUT we then went up to Panera for dinner (mom stayed home, she was napping) and while we were sitting there some "just teenagers", as Anya put it, were talking about "Ghostbusters". Anya liked it that she knew what they were talking about! Then we went to Halloween City--Anya takes me every year, because I'm scared of creepy crawling dead animatronics, creepy babies, and life size CLOWNS. ICKY...There was a dad there that pointed out to his son "Hey look, they have Ghostbusters..." and Anya ran around to see what he was pointing at! :) AHA...maybe she will like the movie afterall!

Sunday evening, I spent lining the crayola square with muslin, and hot gluing glittery turqoise stripes (above and below the crayola paper wrapper). It looks really cool! Thanks mom for the idea of a 'line' coming from the top!

Started on the silver garbage can for Oscar but I got too tired to finish it.

SHould be done by this week sometime...as long as I don't fall asleep in the evening! :)

LOVE making COSTUMES...

It's HALLOWEEN...Time for COSTUMES!

So this year I have been making headway on my trunk or treat display, last year was the first time I did it and it was a thrown together--although cool (thanks Dad for Syd the spider, he's always a hit!)

This year, as my previous post (long ago) shows, I'm busy making props. On Friday, we had our monthly Bunco party with the girls. This time at Jami's house. And we got to dress up for halloween! I'm totally in!

Since the trunk or treat is all about VULTURES this year, I decided to make myself as Vulturey as possible. So here's my Kristi is a Vulture Maven (Maven means self taught know-it-all about whatever). :) Yes, I looked it up!

OH--and I made Aunt Marty Dip but cut my bread using a bat cookie cutter--we don't have rye bread rounds in this town!


Here's how I did it:
JcPenney had a black 3/4 sleeve Tshirt for $5.20, so I bought it! I never wear black, as it makes me look dead--no really...corpse like. But it's halloween and that can only HELP.

I ordered a strip of rooster feathers 'strung', and a trip to Joann's with coupons got me some headband sparkle embellishments, shoulder pads, sculpey modeling clay, various trims of featherlike and torn meat looking variety, and some white feathery small boas.

For the shirt, I layered 3 levels of trim around the neck, black ribbons for a feathery look, Red stringy wild stuff for the carrion look, and a glued on small feathery boa of white.

Then I made a pin for the front of the shirt with a black sequin flower shape from Joanns, some Rooster feathers glued to the back, and a small bit of red feathers to offset all the black, then a Sculpey bird skull glued to the top. Using safety pins, attached it to the front of the shirt. (This could also serve as a male turkey's beard, should I want to someday become a turkey...;) )

Using the shoulder pads as bases, I glued and layered the strung feathers for Eppaulettes on my shoulders, pinned them in place with safety pins...and Voila!

Sculpey bird skulls: I actually looked this up online--Heck I don't know what a bird skull looks like! People put alot of detail into them..I just made a ball, pulled a beak out of one side, stuck a bamboo kabob skewer thru the beak for nostrils, and through the back to make a place to string it with. Then used my fingers and a rounded pencil end to push in the eye sockets. Easy. I made about 10 of them...then baked the sculpey at 200F for 30 minutes to make it hard.

*Note, the stuff is toxic, i opened the house up while it was baking. And then did my typical: Stare wide-eyed at the opening oven door.. while inhaling deeply the super heated air. Usually, it smells like brownies. But this time--well I may have shortened my life a few years. *ICK* I gave myself a headache and set down awhile. ;)

I made a piece for my skirt, found some red and black shredded material at Joann's, just cut on the diagonal and sewed to a wide piece of trim for a pin on skirt topper. Wore a black old skirt I've had a long time...and red patent leather shoes.

Cindy and I had a great time...She went as a 1989 drunken homecoming queen...and played the part way too welL!

I also took a "date" to the Bunco night...it's Victor the Vulture...he's Vulture #1 in a series of "Car" vultures for trunk or treat!

I made him from a pattern online, and then used a 9' long stick Anya gathered for me at the beach to make the Vulture stand! Thank YOU ANYA!

The cat Loves it, he keeps running thru the house, and trying to run under the 3 legs --knocking it over in the process--he's not a little kitten anymore! :)

I did learn one thing--I look really bad in red and black, unless I cover all my skin around my eyes in RED..."Flambe" red loose eyeshadow badly spread around my face with a big brush...black eyeliner, white eyeliner, and black eyeshadow...wow...I should wear that more often! :)

Happy Halloween...More later!
KrisTiki