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The Mini Tree of Horrors

Posted in christmas, Dana projects, decoration, monsters, tribute with tags christmas, Dana projects, decoration, monsters, tribute on December 25, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Last Christmas I was home alone in a neck brace with a bizarre 6 month case of severe laryngitis so I couldn’t speak. But I ate a whole box of my favorite cookies ever (see below) and a LOT of bacon…so that was a nice little party for one!

At the start of the year I went to LA to stay with my father, presumably for a couple of weeks to get my seriously deteriorating health in order. As the universe would have it, I was slated for unimaginable medical horrors in 2013 (many of which I’ve referred to in this blog)…and I’m still here in LA, very slowly but surely rebounding from what the doctors deemed “incurable.”

While my heart aches for the bygone days of constant holiday crafting, baking, decorating and spoiling the hell out of my love ones (and I will do all of the above again one day)… I can find immense joy and hope in the fact that I am still alive with a wonderful little family and group of supportive friends. I’ve had a few tiny miracles, indeed.

We always spend Christmas in New York, so we have no decorations in this apartment. I’m not quite recovered enough to get out or have visitors yet, so it will just be my father and me this Christmas. But I was determined to do something special, so we got a cozy little table top tree. The mad influx of medical bills inspired me to decorate it for under $5.

I chose to make a tribute to the countless days my dad and I spent watching old sci-fi and horror together throughout my life. We still do it, and it is something I treasure immeasurably.

How many familiar faces can you spot?

Thank you all for reading this blog, and for your support this year. I miss my family and friends terribly. Although I can’t participate in festivities yet, it is a special year because I still…exist (how MAGICAL!)! I wish you all an amazing holiday season.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

9 Comments »

Halloween Countdown: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Shirt

Posted in absurd, anthropomorphic, craft, film, halloween, humor, video with tags absurd, anthropomorphic, craft, Dana projects, film, halloween, humor, video on October 28, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Due to illness, it’s been well over a year since I’ve done any kind of crafty project. I miss crafting every single day! Although I’m not actually able to leave the house this Halloween, that’s no excuse not to try to make my own fun here!

My lovely cousin Alaine and I had a mini craft party so I could make an idea I had been pondering this past week: ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES SHIRT!

If you are not familiar with this fine film, it is a must-see for any B-movie fan.

So here’s my shirt. I could see people perusing the booths of horror conventions wearing a fine killer tomato face.

Here it is, stuffed with a pillow, looking all round and evil (I’m way too skinny to give it its rightful shape).

I found a random bottle of green hairspray in the house (jackpot, right?) so I thought I’d make my hair into tomato “vines.” This was a marvelous failure. I couldn’t get much color to actually come out of the bottle, so I ended up with splotchy green patches here and there, and a whole lot of compressed air shooting in my face.

Now look at the camera and say FAIL!

I also made a valiant, though completely unsuccessful, effort with the bathroom mirror to get a picture that showed me with the entire T-shirt. I couldn’t use flash due to the reflection, and without flash I couldn’t stay still enough to get a shot that wasn’t blurry enough to be considered bad conceptual art.

Oh well.

As you may remember from Rabid Mouse Attack, I really enjoy making cheap, cheesy horror costumes. Are you dressing up this year? Did you make a costume?

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

16 Comments »

Pre-Etsy Private Blog Sale

Posted in craft, Dana projects, ephemera, film, food, geek, japan, kitsch, retro, vintage with tags anatomy, craft, Dana projects, ephemera, film, food, geek, japan, jewlery, kitsch, retro, vintage on June 14, 2011 by shewalkssoftly

I’m finally setting up an Etsy and/or Artfire portfolio. Before I do, I want to offer a few discounted items I had on hand (in just one particular style) to my wonderful blog readers.

Pardon the awful snapshots. They look much better in person! And they’re only $12 each unless otherwise specified (5 for $50).

B-Movie Posters (requests for others granted):

1) Attack of the Giant Leeches (1 1/2″ X 1″)
2) The Brain that Wouldn’t Die (1 1/2″ X 1″)
3) The Screaming Skull (1 1/2″ X 1″)
4) Jail Bait (1 1/2″ X 1″)

Vintage Spookshow Posters:

1) Francisco’s Big Midnite Spook Frolic (1 1/2″ X 1 1/8″)
2) Alliance Stage Spooks (1 3/8″ X 1″)
3) Halloween Midnite Show (1 1/4″ X 1 1/8″)
4) Midnite Spook Show (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
5) Midnite Jinx Show (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)

Misc Vintage:

1) Antique Ouija Board (1 1/2″ X 1″)
2) Sea Life Wunderkammer (1 1/2″ X 1″)
3) Hand of Fate Fortune Telling Game (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
4) Albini Magic Show Poster (1 3/8″ X 1″)
5) Femmebot (1 1/4″ X 1 1/4″)
6) Insectodeath antique poison label (1″ X 1 1/4″)

Vintage Film:

1) Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1″ X 1″)
2) Metropolis (1″ X 1″)
3) The Brain that Wouldn’t Die (1″ X 1″)
4) Twilight Zone Mystic Seer (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
5) Skeleton Dance (closeup) (1″ X 1″)
6) Skeleton Dance (four smiles) (1 1/2″ X 1/2″)

Antique Anatomical Illustration:

1) Bird Skeleton (1 1/2″ X 1 1/8″)
2) Hand (1 1/2″ X 3/4″) Sale- $10
3) Brain (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
4) Skull (1″ X 1″)
5) Heart (1 1/8″ X 6/8″) Sale $10

Geekery:

1) Quantum physics on chalkboard (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
2) TV test pattern (1 1/8″ X 1 1/8″)
3) Hubble image: spiral galaxy (1″ X 1″)
4) Hubble image: nebula (1″ X 1″)
5) Mirror neurons (1 1/4″ X 1 1/4″)

Misc kitsch:

1) Kitschy kitty (1 1/2″ X 1″)
2) Shrimp TV dinner (1 1/8″ X 6/8″)
3) Turkey TV dinner (1 1/8″ X 3/4″)
4) Cassette (customizable label) ((1 1/2″ X 6/8″)

Retro Japanese Kaiju (only $8 each):

(Please specify preference for image 1-7) All (1 1/2″ X 1/2″)

Please contact me to place an order or request a custom design. You name it…I can make it. Feel free to spread the word!

Shipping is $2 for the first item, $1 for each additional item (max $5). I take paypal, check or money order.

2 Comments »

Mother’s Day

Posted in Dana projects, tribute with tags Dana projects, tribute on May 8, 2011 by shewalkssoftly

Today I bring you a shiny placemat I made for her in Kindergarten. Yep, a SheWalksSoftly original.

I don’t think I could write a better tribute than I did last year. Every word of it still applies…every day. I miss her very much.

If you like this blog, you partially have her to thank. She surrounded me with creativity and imagination from my youngest days, supported my every project and crazy scheme. She was a gifted artist and fiercely loving human being. From her I learned to bestow kindness upon strangers and shower my loved ones with (quirky) displays of affection. I learned to create without limits, and fearlessly forge paths where none existed.

Mom, thanks for thinking outside of the box with me, and for fitting a lifetime of love into a life cut short. I carry the magic of your incredible spirit in my heart always.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

I…Am…IRONWOMAN!

Posted in absurd, anatomy, Dana projects, humor with tags absurd, anatomy, Dana projects, humor on May 2, 2011 by shewalkssoftly

I have often been asked “Can’t you do anything like a normal person?”

The answer is no. No, I cannot.

At the moment, my anemia makes ALL the zombies jealous. It can’t be fixed with pills, liquids, leafy greens or hunks of meat.

In keeping with my inability to do anything like a normal person, I’ve made this nifty countdown chart for my series of weekly IV treatments (click for larger view).

One down…

Some people might think I’m too silly or morbid…I say I’m a girl who knows how to get her kicks out of anything! It’s a valuable skill, believe me.

2 Comments »

Cat Stocking

Posted in christmas, craft, Dana projects with tags christmas, craft, Dana projects on December 20, 2010 by shewalkssoftly

I realize this photo implicates me as a Crazy Cat Lady (who is ironically cat-less since the feline inspiration here doesn’t technically belong to me).

Yes, I took the time out of my day to hand make this stocking…for a cat.

Rowsdower is not just ANY cat though. He was the timid runt of the litter who, in a few shorts months, became a bundle of enthusiasm, acrobatics, affectionate headbutts, odd noises and outrageous stunts. For reasons obvious upon meeting him, I’ve taken the liberty of nicknaming him “Cookie Party.”

I actually made a second stocking for another special cat in my life, but I might adjust part of the design so I’m not posting it.

Two cat stockings. Yet I maintain a startling degree of sanity. Go figure.

2 Comments »

Ornaments For Sale

Posted in christmas, craft, Dana projects with tags christmas, craft, Dana projects on November 13, 2010 by shewalkssoftly

I have a limited quantity of ornaments for sale this year, if anyone is looking for a cheap little gift and would like something slightly out of the ordinary.

I apologize for the awful photos. All ornaments look much better in person!

THE KRAMPUS ORNAMENT:

For those who enjoy the darker side of the holidays, a Krampus would be a perfect tree adornment!

2″ X 3″ X 1/2″ cedar block, subtle red glitter background with a slight gloss finish, decoupage vintage Krampus illustration and bow detail. Black felt covers the back.

$6 + $2 packaging/shipping

TECH TREE:

Got a tech geek in your life? Why not give a Tech Tree?

4″ X 3″ painted wood with circuit board pattern, “wiry” garland and glitter star.

$4 + $2 packaging/shipping

And of course…

Info on that one here.

Please contact me to place an order. I only have a few of each (and won’t be making more due to other holiday obligations), so order soon!

Paypal, check, money order (or cash if you feel comfortable sending it in the mail).

2 Comments »

Plush Angler Fish

Posted in craft, Dana projects, plush, sea with tags craft, Dana projects, plush, sea on August 12, 2010 by shewalkssoftly

Although I haven’t gotten around to posting this (awful quality) snapshot until now…a couple of weeks ago I woke up with the insatiable desire to make a plush Anglerfish.

Meet “Cuddles:”

Cuddles enjoys bioluminescence and distending his jaw to devour prey twice his size…whole.

I may put this little sweetheart up for adoption at some point. Don’t all line up at once.

5 Comments »

The Nurse

Posted in art, craft, Dana projects, macabre with tags art, craft, Dana projects, macabre on December 20, 2009 by shewalkssoftly

Smack in the middle of Christmas crafting, I randomly made this. Vintage paper doll, a book of ghost stories yellowed with age…

I was thrilled to send it to my lovely doppelganger Sarah, along with my wishes of holiday cheer, of course.

And if you feel like hearing a nice, mildly baffling song about a nurse, here’s a great cover of the Failure song “The Nurse Who Loved Me.”

2 Comments »

Xmas Updates

Posted in christmas, craft, Dana projects, dolls, kitsch, puppets, robots, toys with tags christmas, craft, Dana projects, dolls, kitsch, plush, puppets, robots, toys on December 19, 2009 by shewalkssoftly

Just a few snapshots of odds and ends…

I dug out the holiday lollipops Louisa gave me last year, to find that they had been exposed to too much heat and had melted slightly. This only adds to their greatness.