Saturday, October 5, 2013

The Black Cat Carnival

I knew after watching Laura Carson's Halloween Carnival videos, that I wanted to make something similar and participate in her Event Challenge and Giveaway. If you haven't read her post, I would highly recommend you visiting to see all her wonderful creations.

Weeks ago I started thinking about what my Halloween Carnival theme would be. As I am surrounded by all things Victorian and rusty industrial goodness, it should come as no surprise that I love Steampunk. Yep... I so enjoy movies like Hugo, Around The World In 80 Days, The Time Machine, Sherlock Holmes (um, RDJr... hello!), Sky Captain and Lemony Snicket to name a few. So the idea of a Steampunk-themed carnival was born - but to link it to Halloween, it would also be a Black Cat Carnival.

Yep. Black Cats and Steampunk - makes sense, no? ;)

So I began pulling together all kinds of gears, wire, gadgets and tiny metallic thingamabobs that I could use. A few trips to Goodwill, Michael's and even Home Depot helped supply and inspire.

Here's a shot of my carnival so far; it includes a welcome banner entrance with balloon sales on a penny-farthing bicycle, a hot air steamship, a mechanical ticket dispenser and a swing ride carousel ride. The great thing about this project is that I know I will be adding to it this year and I can continue to expand on it year after year.





The first item I made was the hot air balloon ride - a Steampunk Airship made from a light bulb. I have JoJo to thank for bringing this idea to my attention - she made a wonderful light bulb craft a few weeks back. Now I have never, ever taken apart a bulb before, so off I went to YouTube to learn the tricks. It was easier than I thought! In mere minutes, I dissected two light bulbs without any bloodshed - yes, two; in case I damaged one. I sanded down any sharp edges and kept the metal base of the bulb for the airship's "basket".


Since it was Steampunk, I used chain, silver brads and metallic tape to decorate. E6000 glue was great to attach the chain and brads to the glass.


It also held the stakes in the base so the airship would "float" above ground "held down" by its restraining ropes.

Glossy Accents also proves useful to hold things in place

Aleene's Tacky glue attached sage, green and yellow Flowersoft for a grassy effect.


The chain attaching the balloon to the basket was kept stiff with a good slathering of E6000; otherwise it wouldn't "float" like I wanted. A few metal clock bits made a funky prop and brads with metal wings were added for decoration.


The "ropes" holding the balloon down were painted white and the wood coloured with Copics. I covered the Lemax Halloween guidepost and black cat with my own sign and a pointing hand brad.


After I finished it, wouldn't you know I found an even larger rounder bulb at Goodwill for 49 cents. So I do believe a second airship may be on its way...

Up next: how I made the Ticket Machine, Balloon Bike and Entrance.

Also sharing with Tee's Halloween Linky Party!

17 comments:

  1. I totally love how you made a light bulb into a hot air balloon! Always terrific. :-)

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    1. Thank you Carmen! It was so much fun, I know I will be making more...

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  2. Damn girl....your stuff is amazing as usual and my balloon craft looks soooooo lame next to what you did with yours, but thanks for the nod! lol So it's really easy to get the bottom off? I'm so afraid to try. I hope you win! When do you find out? Do you have to send it in or a video/pics?

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    1. I am indebted to you for sharing the idea JoJo! Thank you! Yes, it was quite easy to get the bottom off... I was afraid to try to, but I used towels on the kitchen counter, a towel around my hand and it actually came apart really well! Oh thank you ... I submitted a link to my post, so I hope Laura sees it and enters it into her contests. Fingers crossed. The deadlines are the 15th and 31st I think (a Challenge and a Giveaway).

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  3. Are you kidding me? This is fabulous! I can't believe all the details and the very clever way you used the base of the bulb as the basket. This little carnival is going to be a masterpiece.

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    1. Oh thank you Betsy! You know, I was thinking of you when I was working with all that chain and jump rings - I am not proficient at jewelry-making (not like you!) so it took me some time to get those darn things on right.

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  4. You never do a simple project do you? The attention to detail is crazy! Clever....clever!

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    1. Ha! No, it seems like these last two in fact have been pretty involved, haven't they? Thank you Laurie!

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  5. This is amazing! I have to go find out how to take a lightbulb apart. I never even knew you could. BTW, I just checked out 5 "picture books" on Steampunk from the library. I call them picture books because I always "read" all the pictures first, before I read the words - hehe!

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    1. Oh yes, if you go to Pinterest, there are LOTS of light bulb crafts out there. Oooh! Steampunk books! If you come across some goods ones, please let me know!

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  6. Just beautiful Maureen. I feel like I want to walk right on into the carnival and buy myself a balloon ride. Karen.x

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  7. This is beyond amazing. In the words of the fabulous Liz Lemon, "I want to go to there."

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  8. Amazing creation! Love every single little bit of it. Just gorgeous :-)

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    1. Oh Anne! Thank you and welcome! You are a huge inspiration to me; your Steampunk books are amazing - and I adore watching your videos - often I have them playing while creating in my Studio. So happy you have popped by!

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  9. This is so cute and turned out so pretty! I just have a thing for light balls and ballons anyway! Love your imagination Maureen!

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    1. Thank you Carola, you are so sweet to leave such nice comments - I am honored!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you were by. I appreciate and read with delight each and every comment!

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