"Sometimes adventure calls and we ignore it. We miss the opportunity for a lifetime of memories. Go ahead, be adventurous" ~Maria Villanueva

October 18, 2010

Altered Books for Halloween Decor

What other modern housewife out there can sing an aria or rap to 80's rap music?  I hope I'm not the only one out there.  I guess I'm a bit eccentric that way.

I once challenged my four teenage nephews to an impromptu rap.  Can you imagine their expression when I started rapping New York, New York by Grandmaster Flash!  They had never heard the song and really thought I was making it up.  Specially when I changed it to: L.A, L.A big city of dreams, everything in L.A ain't always what it seems.  You might get fooled if you come from out of town but I'm down by law and I know my way around.....etc....I sang the whole song and the look on their faces was priceless.

I love to sing arias.  A while back I was singing Madam Butterfly, "Un Bel Di Vedremo" Italian aria. I was supposed to have been alone in the house that afternoon.  Unbeknownst to me, my husband and two boys came home early, they were supposed to be at the park.  I was in the middle of my aria, singing as loud as my voice could sing.  With such great emotion and despair.  Feeling the passion and heart broken sadness that Madam Butterly felt herself, when suddenly, they busted the door open thinking I was "screaming in pain".  I didn't know whether to be happy that they worried about me or upset that they thought I was "screaming in pain" when I was singing my beautiful aria......in the privacy of my own home.....alone.  Now that my boys know that mommy is not in pain when she's singing opera and she has not gone crazy when she's cleaning about the house rapping to Run DMC, I can finally sing any song that my little eccentric heart desires.

What are some things you like to do that you think might be a little eccentric? I know you all must have at least one thing on your list of  "I will never do that in public".  It's what makes us all "different" but in a good way.  Who knows, maybe deep down you're looking for the opportunity to have an audience to share your eccentricities with!!!


Now on to my crafts:
I have another fun Halloween project today.  These altered books are so easy to make and they can be used as home decor or as party giveaways for prizes....scariest costume, most original costume, funniest costume, etc..

Here's what you'll need: an old book you don't want

My favorite glue, Mod Podge

Acrylic paints, I love crafts that require this stuff
some extra heavy gel
First, apply Mod Podge on the pages and form them like so:

Next, once the Mod Podge dries, paint the pages with acrylic paint using  a brush:



Then decorate with Halloween decorations.
In the picture below, I used a craft knife to carve out a square.  I then applied the Extra Heavy Gel and let dry.  I used a glue gun to adhere my skeleton parts to the inside of the square:


The one below was done using rubber stamps:

here's a close up:

Hope you liked my altered books and I hope you have a spooktacular day!






Joining these linky parties:

 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Nightowlcrafting  http://www.thethriftyhome.com

19 comments:

  1. No singing for me in public! Well, maybe church when everyone else is singing... haha. These books are great!! Love them.

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  2. I love these! Great job on this Halloween project. I've made a few altered books but have never used the adhesive to curl the pages like that. Clever!

    Vicki at Rusty Rooster Vintage

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  3. Those are awesome...LOVE the coffin book!

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  4. What a cute craft and tutorial. This I think I can actually do. Now as to the hidden strange behavior section. I love old musicals, especially Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. If you're too young they're on Wikipedia....lol...I loved to dance around the room when they did their famous dances. Not a pretty picture.

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  5. HA! Thats such a cool idea.. they turned out so great. :)


    and oh my gosh you are too funny!!! I like to pretend I can rap too.. but im not good. haha I cant believe your boys thought you were screaming in paint when you were singing! haha you cant be THAT bad! :)

    The thing I never like to do in public but will do for or with mykids.. is DANCE! IM terrible!!! But I will dance silly in front of my kids to make them laugh and play with them.. once I came out of the kitchen dancing all silly to get my son to laugh(who was only about 8 month at the time). Well my husband was recording him, and I didnt know it.. and he just so happen to get me coming out of the kitchen dancing! HAHAHAH I was so embarassed.. cause I had never done that in front of the hubs before! I would always do it while he was at work or gone.. but I was just so distracted by my sons cuteness sitting in the kitchen door way that I forgot the hubs was home! HA He laughed and showed the recording to our friends to give them a laugh too. haha

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  6. that's too funny Maria :) I guess if he was amused, you must have really been dancing funny. You should send the video to America's Funniest Home Videos. Or, I have a better idea, you should post it on your blog. I'll bet you'll get a ton of hits.

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  7. These are fantastic!!! Wow! I made an altered book that I haven't posted yet, but one of these days I will get them on my blog...Yours are awesome!!!
    XO

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  8. Very Cute! This is a great idea that could also work with other holidays as well!

    Thanks for the comment and if you have an question when it come time to baking your pumpkin roll feel free to let me know and I'll try and help anyway I can.

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  9. How clever! This would work great for any holiday. Wonderful idea.

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  10. isn't that the cutest with those books? You always have such clever ideas, Maria, and make the cutest things! can't wait to see what you have in store for the other holidays approaching!!

    too cute with your singing talents! I talk to myself a lot when no one is around and before I changed my routine, I used to pray when I walked the dog. and I pray outloud. I'm sure people driving by were wondering why my lips were moving, LOL

    we got lots of rain and thunderstorms today, did you?

    betty

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  11. Maria, you crack me up! I was just rocking out to "It Takes Two" by DJ EZ Rock in the car the other day! You are my kind of gal! I love this book project too! Very clever and creative!
    Vanessa

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  12. these are very cool!!! You did a terrific job, they are spooky!

    No singing or dancing in public, for me (only at home with my daughter!)
    That aria of Madame Butterfly is so, so powerful and heartbreaking...

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  13. I'm surprised I haven't seen these featured somewhere. This is a wonderful idea--we all love book projects.

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  14. That is hilarious!! I love to sing and remember many times I had to get out a 'casset tape' LOL... to prove a song to my boys! My youngest still gets embarressed when I sing.. only allowed in the house with the WWi Rock band. :-) I told him once that I must not be that bad if he lets me sing with him and he tells me that it's because he's not paying any attention to me because he's concentrating on playing the drums. NICE! LOL

    I love the book decorations too! I'd never seen that craft before. Thanks for sharing!!

    Have a wonderful evening!
    ~ Coreen

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  15. Okay - I know a lot of 'old' songs and I my quote is - there is a song about everything. Weird.

    Love your books.

    sandie

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  16. HI there! I am your newest follower.. I found you on the Tuesday linky:) I love finding new blogs and your is lovely. You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com

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  17. OH first thank you for taking part in Blissfull and second love the book I must try that I off the see your ATC on Penny's blog... Hugs & Boos Wendy

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