Happy Halloween!

In Search of Candy Corn Confections....

With Halloween rapidly approaching, Candy Corn has become a staple around our house. 
And I have gone in search of other Candy Corn Confections. 

First I went searching for the limited edition Candy Corn Oreos. They are only being sold at Target stores. Unfortunately, the Target closest to me didn't have any in stock when I was there. 

Then I had heard rumors of Candy Corn M&M's. Still haven't been able to find any of those either.
I have found lots of Candy Corn though......

***Next week I will be preempting the normal posts (Cat Tales & Weird Wednesday) and will be writing about a recent trip Hubby and I took into the mountains, Colorado's mining history and its present day repercussions***

*And don't forget to stop by and enter my give-away! I'll be announcing the winners on September 22! Click Here to go to that post! *

Peep Show

To See More of a Peep Show, Click Here!

A Dye Job

The Cotton Candy bouquets need to be blue. I thought about using food coloring but wasn't sure if the fiberfill would 'hold' the color so I decided to use fabric dye, aka RIT. My first attempt at coloring the fiberfill was with straight RIT. Unfortunately the color washed right out. So I decided to try 'cooking' the fiberfill in a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 RIT.

I layed the fiberfill sheets in the dye solution, brought it to a boil and simmered the concoction for about 5 minutes. This worked out well. Not only did the color stay in the fiberfill but it also stayed in the handle of my wooden spoon as well as my hands.

But the finished product is a pretty blue. 

I then reassembled the Cotton Candy using heavier paper for the center of the Candy as well as for the cone which holds the Cotton Candy. I trimmed the upper edge of the fiberfill after I took this picture to give it a more rough look. Personally, I think I need to add another layer or two of fiberfill to make the candy part a bit 'fluffier' (I think the fiberfill compacted a bit during the cooking process) but I shall let the bride make the final decision. I'll keep you posted.....

Making (fake) Cotton Candy

With a Carnival theme for the July wedding, the Bride-to-Be wants her Bridesmaids to carry Cotton Candy bouquets. While real cotton candy would have been the simplest solution, it wouldn't have been practical. There was a good chance that by the end of the ceremony (remember! it will be  July!), the cotton candy would have begun to melt. And what a mess that would be!
So I undertook the task of learning how to make fake Cotton Candy. I went to the Web to see what I could find, unfortunately it wasn't much. The instructions/videos that I found all utilized cotton balls - the end result was a tad bit more 'rustic' than I cared for. So I dug a bit deeper and discovered some basic info on a HALLOWEEN FORUM ! Bless those who love to HAUNT their homes for HALLOWEEN!

I decided to use fiberfill sheets used for quilts.

The fiberfill sheet would hold together better than regular fiberfill that a person would use in stuffing a doll. And I could cut the sheet to the width I wanted.

I decided to quarter the sheet of fiberfill. I then separated that quarter section into layers. This would give me a lighter and airier look.  

 

Real cotton candy is wrapped around itself with a paper cone at the center. I needed to use something at the core to give the many layers of fiberfill support. So I made a cone out of a sheet of paper and then taped the edge of a fiberfill layer to the cone. (Because this was just a 'prototype' I didn't use any adhesives when putting this all together.)

Next, I wrapped the fiberfill sheets around the cone making adjustments as I went so that the finished product had the same shape as real cotton candy.

Once I was satisfied with the look, I made another cone from heavier brown paper and placed the cotton candy into the second cone.
Here is the finished product.....

The Bride was pleased, but the 'cotton candy' had to be colored. Check out tomorrow's post about my dye job.

Halloween Peep Show

Monday's Peep Show

Let's start off the week with a little entertainment!

Inquiring Minds...

I know everyone out there has just been dying to know what's up in my world! Where have I been keeping myself you ask? What have you been doing? Well, let me tell you! I know everyone is hanging on the edge of their seat for this one!

I have been busy raising a litter of seven Alaskan Malamute puppies. They were such joys. But now it is time to get back to art. I've been missing the creative process and my sketch book is full. I have several new Fairy Doors in the works for the upcoming Holiday season. So stay tuned!

But for now, I have a new papier-mache sculpture and a Fairy Door at auction on eBay .

The Fairy Door is entitled Peppermint. This little Fairy must have a sweet tooth by the looks of the Door. A fondness for Peppermint perhaps?? Or is this Fairy just getting ready for the Holidays?

Halloween may be over according to the calendar but for some of us Halloween is celebrated year round. So I would like to introduce you to Jack. He is a papier-mache sculpture. And a very jolly one at that! He would love to come brighten up your home!

Trick-or-Treat Tip #5 ~ Candy Corn

You knew today's Trick-or-Treat Tip would be about Candy Corn.
Didn't you ? ?

Candy Corn is the King of Halloween Candy. Getting a little bag of it while out Trick-or-Treating makes the night complete. And the Best part about Candy Corn is the Sweet Golden tip on each Kernel.

Some folks like to hold them by their Golden tip so it will be the last part eaten, but others bite it off first thing and maybe even throw away the rest.

WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

Trick-or-Treat Tip #4 ~ Popcorn Balls

Popcorn Balls! Mmmm! Yum! There's nothing like that crunchy, sticky, sweetness. They can be made just plain or sometimes people add things to them, like nuts, raisins, MM's, even Candy Corn! You'll be sure to get at least one of these while out Trick-or-Treating. But just hope that it is wrapped in cellophane when it is dropped in your Treat Bag. If it isn't then you'll have a glob of yuck! - kinda like the Candy Apple thing. And don't try to eat one when your mask is on! You'll end up with pieces of popcorn stuck to the outside of your mask making you look entirely too goofy!

Trick-or-Treat Tip #2 ~ Licorice

Licorice is a great Trick-or-Treat Candy.



Licorice comes in all shapes and sizes. From long ropes and little bits to shapes like bats and cats.

The speed of consumption depends on whether you chew it, suck it, or just let it melt in your mouth. And the best part about licorice candy is that it will leave an icky stain all over your teeth and gums so you can gross out other trick-or-treaters with a really horrible Halloween Grin!

A Halloween Blog Party

Has anyone ever attended a Blog Party? They're so much fun! On October 18, I will be hosting a Halloween Blog Party. My Party will be held in conjunction with a Halloween Party hosted by Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist.
There will be decorations, candy and a spooky thing or two. Come as you are or come as you aren't. Costumes are optional. Just ring the doorbell and say "Trick-or-Treat" .

See ya then!

Best Witches!