Bloody Mary!

I did a Nursery themed zombie doll for the challenge:

and her poem....

Apparently, the true meaning behind this particular nursery rhyme included beheading and torture....so I didn't have to stretch too far!

Dawn of The Dumpty

I am in LOVE with my new zombies. Chris spoiled me and sent not one but two zombies!  First she altered a doll to create a Jack and Jill zombie. Well really, Jack didn't make it down the hill, so it's just Jill. I think she ate his brains. Chris also included crafty baubles for mommy & daughter crafting, a book with a handmade bookmark, a mini notebook and a few preschool themed goodies for my preschoolers. 

 Chris was even kind enough to send doggie treats for Chunky and this amazing Rainbow Dodo bird for my daughter.  She loves it!!!!  My daughter and Chunky send their thanks to you Chris!

And if that wasn't already way more than enough, Chris created the most amazing Humpty Dumpty zombie for me. I am totally in L-O-V-E with him! He is amazing! Look at the little card Chris included. . . it reads "Dawn of the Humpty."

Here's Humpty Dumpty in on the nursery rhyme bookshelf along with one of Little Bo Peep's zombie sheep. 

Chris, you really spoiled us! Thank you!!!!

Sing a Song....

......of zombie birds!

So Sarah and I were partners this round and we both picked the same nursery rhyme.

Here is what Sarah sent me

along with the bird on the pie, she included a bottle of buttons and ribbon that had a blackboard label.  She also send a cute bird cage cut out wrapped with some rick rack and bobble trim.  She added a cute mini gnome kit which I am thinking of zombifying!  Thank you Sarah!!!!

Here is her altered version of the rhyme...

And here is what I sent her..

I forgot to take a photo of the stuff I made before packaging it....I made a bottle full of eyeballs I showed in the sneak peek and other things to go with each verse, along with paper birds for scrap booking, a pie bird and pot pie recipe, the "nose" which wasn't that great looking (haha) along with some honey and Mardi Gras coins and beads for money and jewels.  I also included a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond because it had the word blackbird in it!  It didn't fit the rhyme but I think it is a great youth book and worth reading.

Here is my take on the rhyme, I put it on a scroll and attached it to the bird's beak.  By the way, the guts will spill out of his stomach, I crocheted them and crammed them in....as well as his brain, which is exposed.  I forgot to take an "aerial" shot!

Apparently, we both also like to bloodify our poems and packaging!!!!

What an Amazing Package I received

I apologize for not posting more until now!

As I said before, Peter, Peter the Brains Eater arrived here on Monday afternoon and I couldn't wait to see what was inside the package that was sitting on my front step,

Peter

Of course Peter was in there, sitting on the pumpkin he has his wife stored in.

So amazingly cool

Then there was an amazing journal complete with really cool zombie pumpkin bookmark/slider

This awesome candy jar was also tucked inside - I had to take the entire package to work to show it off, my co-workers love to hear about these swaps and see what we make. This candy jar may have to go back towork with me. It is just perfect!!!

This amazing zombie head now hangs in my studio. I love this, kind of reminds me of a shrunken head :) Now, those amazing, colorful knitted creations in the background are so cool, I just can't stand it!

My picture doesn't do these justice, not only are they soft and beautiful, the pattern consists of a zombie walking and the word Zombie.

Here is a better picture

Kerry, I LOVE everything! Thank you so much. This was such a fun swap and I love that my zombie collection is growing. My co-workers are so impressed with Peter and his pumpkin full of wife is awesome! As always, you have outdone yourself!!!!

Jilllll... I'm coming to get you

 

 

I will see you on Friday...

arrivng soon...

at a new home.....

A sneak peek

Sarah knows we are partners....but does she know what I'm up to with these?????

guess she'll just have to wait and SEE!

Wounds: A Zombie Doll Mini Tutorial

Okay let’s talk about wounds; you know, cuts, abrasions, gashes, bites, severed limbs, bloody contusions, etc. All of this grosses me out beyond belief in real life, like to the point that I scream when I get a paper cut and can’t watch violent movies. However, when it comes to zombie making I get excited about the wounds on my creations. Seriously I’m always looking for a new wound to add to my repertoire and I find it relaxing to create zombies with their bloody wounds. That’s weird, right?! I know, but I can’t help it. Anyway, I often work using recycled wool so I sew my wounds then sometimes add gore with red acrylic paint.  I tried something a little different the other night when I was making the zombie for my partner.  I created layered wounds using wool pieces and machine sewing them. 

After making my swap zombie I wanted to play around with creating more wounds so I made a zombie for my zombie shelf.  I think I actually went overboard on the wounds but I had so much fun experimenting that I couldn't stop. Here’s what I did.

I pulled out my white, pink and red wool scraps then began cutting the scraps to create wounds. For my doll I cut a body piece in white wool then cut out the same shape in red. I pinned the wounds to the red wool and stitched them into place using my machine.

Once that was finished I layered my white wool piece on top of the red (with the right sides facing up) then pinned it together.  I flipped my fabric sandwich over; using the outline of the wounds I had already sewn, I stitched around the wounds about ¼” out from my original lines.

Then I turned the piece back over and began to cut into the white wool to open up my doll’s wounds. A seam ripper worked really well to create a hole that I could get my scissors into.

 I used different combinations of my wool scraps to create fleshy looking wounds, bones and bloody gashes or bites. I haven’t hit it with acrylic paint but I’m thinking about it. 

As I was working I started to think about zombie wounds and began wondering what everyone else does to gory up their zombies. So, what do you do for zombie wounds and how do you create them? Do you have a favorite type of zombie wound or a trademark wound that you always include on your dolls? I’d love to hear about it.

Ready to zombify!

Okay ladies, it is a small group this time around.  I guess most folks love zombies ONLY near Halloween!  The horrors!  They don't know what they are missing out on!

Since we had an even number I've partnered everyone up so get out there and meet your new friend....and get creating!!!

Handmade Zombie Doll Swap is CLOSED!

                     ZOMBIES IN THE NURSERY!

That's right!  Zombies are invading the nursery!!!!!

What we are swapping:

*1 HANDMADE zombie doll based on your partner's favorite nursery rhyme.  The doll must be at least 8 inches in length and completely handmade. 
*3 (minimum) tuck ins.  These tuck ins should be chosen from your partner's info.  They can be newly purchased, thrifted, re-gifted or handmade.  Use good judgement.
*1 altered nursery rhyme (example follows) to go with the zombie doll.

"Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water, they caught the plaque and devoured Prague and all of Europe after!"

The package needs to be worth/valued at $20.00 before shipping.  As always, my swaps are meant to challenge your creativity, not bust your budget. If you can handcraft everything, I encourage it!  
Shipping has gotten outrageously expensive so this is a USA only swap.  

The join by date is April 26th.  I will email your partner info during the next week.

Ship date is May 17th.  Please wrap your items up nicely and ship on time.  If you are going to be late, contact me so I know what is going on.  
Please use delivery confirmation or priority mail so you can track your packages.  If your package is lost or stolen, it is your responsibility to send a replacement package.  It is only fair to do so.

Before you register, please take a moment to read "The 411 About  YSS" at the top of the blog. Space is limited.  I'll email all participants before the swap for confirmation.  Please reply and confirm to that email.  
 If you are a newbie, you must have a referral to join us.  If you don't know anyone who can refer you but still want to join, there is a one time fee of $15.00 to join us. 

To register:
Email me at valpowery(at)yahoo(dot)com with the following information:

Full name and street address
3 favorite nursery rhymes click here for a list
A short list of things that will help your partner create a wonderful swap package for you:  Include hobbies, stash stuff you love, colors you like, things you collect and anything you really dislike so that doesn't wind up in your box!

Don't forget to grab the swap badge and post it on your blog!!!!