Movie Sets

Darling daughter envisions herself as a budding film director. Apparently, there are a number of young ladies that create YouTube videos using their dolls. Basically, it's the same pretend play we did growing up, but now there is camera involved. I have watched quite a few of these, and some of them are quite good! (Somebody's Daddy can afford some pretty good video and editing equipment!) Some of them are...well, I don't see a Tubey award anytime soon. I would have to objectively say that my daughter falls somewhere in between. I have been trying to work with her to get her to think about lighting and background, and clean up her plot development. (It's almost as though 10 year olds don't understand the importance of these film elements.) Therefore, we decided to create some backdrops and furniture that she can use in her movies. (It's a creative endeavor, after all, not vegging in front of the TV all summer.)

A stop at Michaels (and JoAnn's, AND Hobby Lobby!) gave us some starting supplies. We found a bunch of cute wooden craft items we could paint, and bought a bunch of different scrapbook papers for backgrounds and accessories. (Did you know they make corkboard and chalkboard scrapbook paper??) My daughter uses Monster High dolls in her videos, so she chose a lot of gray and black and pink, as well as wood and brink and grass for variety. (Monster High is where the teenage children of traditional monsters, like vampires, werewolves, mummies, zombies, swamp things, etc., go to school. They're actually pretty cool, if you wanted my thoughts about it!)

We used foam poster board for the base, and added the craft paper using matte Mod Podge. I used a box cutter to cut the foam board, and did a terrible job. Tip: make sure you are using a new razor blade, and a straight edge. Duh.

We pasted scenes on both sides of the board, so they can be interchangeable. For example, she can use the brick background as a wall, or as a floor. Other backgrounds got more details added, like windows, chalk boards, etc. We glued on wooden craft sticks as trim to give these details a little more dimension.

Here is the coffee shop scene, The Coffin Bean. I know it's not a typical "hangout" a 10-year-old would understand, but we watch a lot of Friends on DVD, so my daughter understands the connection.

 The display shelves are actually the back of a wooden chest of drawers. I printed the picture off the Internet and glued in craft sticks as shelves. The specials board is sitting on a real mini-easel we found at the craft store, as well as the mini coffee cups. (Score!) The end table is one of the drawers from back of the shelf, and so is the espresso machine! I just glued some metallic-looking craft paper around three sides. When it is in the chest, you can't tell it apart from the other drawers. The couches are craft plaques, and are "upholstered" with velvety scrapbook paper then hot glued together.

Another background we finished is the outside of the Monster High School, although it could be used for any castle.

Admittedly, not my best work, but DD was pleased and I suppose that was the point! This door is all one piece, and something we purchased at one of the craft stores. Not sure what the purpose of it is (there is a wall hanger on the back?) but it suited our needs just fine. The windows are glued down, but the door (and wall/step) are just sitting there and can be removed or moved to the side as needed. By the way, those paper wrinkles were purchased like that, and were not a result of the Mod Podge process! (There were plenty of other wrinkles, so I wouldn't want to be blamed for these!) We thought they kind of looked like rock or stucco or whatever it is castles are made of!

In case you are wondering what a Monster High doll film looks like, you can see one here (It's only a couple minutes long):

This is my daughter's work. She might have a way to go, but this one is actually better than some of her first efforts, so I'm trying to be supportive!

I'm hoping this project helps teach her the power of glue and paint, and looking at things in new ways! (And maybe a better developed plotline!!)

Halloween...in August

Hello everyone! You might be wondering where I have been (or not) but I can assure you that I have been very busy! Recently I have had the opportunity to engage in more crafts, which reminded me I was a little behind on this blog! So, first things first...I will show you last year's Halloween costumes, made (almost) from scratch.

First, my darling daughter wanted to be a genie. Why is it that little girls have no concept of  40 degree weather? (below 30 with the wind chill) So, I tried my best to create a genie costume that could of course be worn over a heavy jacket or winter coat. The pants worked perfectly, and she was able to wear them with a pair of tights and another pair of leggings for warmth. The top...well, lets just say it didn't turn out! However, with the hat/veil and pants, it was clear to everyone that she was supposed to be a genie, so I'm calling it a win.

I regret that neither you nor the trick or treat patrons were able to see the great detail of the "coin" embellishments around the yoke of her pants, nor the sparkly overlay and shimmery lining...it was some of my best work, and yet managed to escape the camera. Such is life.

Next is my little monkey man. I "cheated" a little with his costume by altering some clothing I bought.



I bought the tail, which was my biggest concern, and some brown sweatpants, sweatshirt, pilot-style cap and stretchy gloves. I used an applique technique to add a "leathery" fabric over the logo of the shirt to look like a monkey tummy, as well as an inner ear, which was added to the cap.



He looks a little "puffy" since he is wearing another sweatshirt underneath for warmth! The hat is another story...

Anyone can dress their toddler as a monkey and it is going to be cute. I always have to take it one step further, so I wanted him to be an organ grinder monkey. (Thus the little hat.) Of course, this means I would dress as the organ grinder, which unfortunately was something I was throwing together last minute, and therefore does not reflect my full abilities, as far as I am concerned! The "organ" was made from a cardboard box covered in wrapping paper, and embellished with a little gold braid left over from the kids' costumes. I am holding it up with shoestrings. The "pipes" are made from the wrapping paper tube, cut into lengths then cut in half and painted gold. Inside the box is a jack-in-the-box with the crank sticking out, so I can turn the crank to create real music (My hand is covering it). The open part of the box contains my wallet and camera and a container for Monkey's candy.

In case you are wondering what that contraption is that Monkey and I are wearing, it is called a Piggyback Rider, and it is an MUST OWN product for toddlers that have outgrown a Kelty-style backpack. Not only could I not imagine trick or treating with this crazy, active little guy, I cannot fathom visiting the zoo or taking a plane ride without one!

So there is our hand-crafted Halloween, 2011! Sorry you had to wait so long to see it!