Misgivings Day

I've been working on casting a form from a mannequin (don't we all have mannequins hanging around?) using paper mache. It's the first prop for my Halloween theme this year, and probably the one that will take the most time. 

Thought I would share the process so far. 

Miss Mannequin gets covered in tinfoil. To help keep the tinfoil in place without actually attaching it to the form, I've put tack adhesive putty on spots around her body (especially around the facial features). I want it to stay in place, but I want to be able to remove the tinfoil and paper mache form fairly easily when I'm done.

Covered Miss M with a layer of newspaper using watered-down white glue. Basically, I rip newspapers into strip, coat them in the glue/water mix, and smooth them over the tinfoil. For a more detailed explanation of my technique, check out my tutorial. 

Since she is so large, for the first layer I used fairly big pieces of newspaper for the torso. After it was completely dry, I added a second layer of more traditionally small pieces. The smaller pieces tend to give a smoother finish and allow you to work around angles. 

Quick little update. I've spent the last few days finally building the new website. Everything is being redesigned. Who knew I had so much content? I'd say I'm more than 70% done. The goal is to have the new site launched by Oct 1. I think you're going to dig it. Until then I won't be adding much of anything new to the site. Besides that, thanks to everyone who sent notes and updates for how they spent Misgivings Day weekend. And since Sam of Trick or Treat fame has been dominating the announcement of every holiday this past year, a friend thought I should have my own Sam promo for Misgivings Day in the form of a sketch. I think it's pretty hilarious.

I forgot to announce it yesterday, but I think we should all make it official.

I noticed a number of people are spending the weekend doing something related to Halloween: having monster movie marathons, making props for their displays, getting zombie make-up ready.

I commented on this to a friend online, and we've agreed there needs to be a weekend holiday before Halloween that officially trumpets the start of the season. It would be to Halloween what Thanksgiving is to Christmas.

I suggested we call it Misgivings Weekend. He's agreed, and confirmed it would always fall on the 7th Sunday before Halloween (which is today). So enjoy your Misgivings Sunday! Eat too much fall fare (be it pumpkin ale, cupcakes topped with icing that looks like brains, or candy), work on some projects, or just watch some horror movies.