May Monster Madness

MMM

 I went for Steampunk.

The late Victorians were big on
the insect theme

and it's only a small step to
steampunk and animate these little beauties
into creations of exotically beautiful horror.

Here is a selection.

Creatures crafted from
discarded parts.

 by Edouard Martinet

My friend, Miss Magpie's Steampunk Observer.

Lego Steampunk Scuttler.

Watch-part Insects from

A Mechanical Mind

Creation of a clockwork insect.

One of my favourite films

The City of Lost Children

has a spectacularly unpleasant 

altered  flea.

See it here, with its trainer's forceps

adding a hypodermic needle.

The flea's view as it travels to its target.

And here, its mind-altering toxin takes effect.

Here is my own Surveillance Arthropod.

(Right now, it's under your couch,

taking notes in Morse code.)

And a how-to, if you want to make your own.

Thank you so much,
for sharing in
May Monster Madness!

If I haven't visited your blog yet,
I'm on my way.

What I'm doing right now.

What am I doing?

Well, I'm making a

Mabel Bunt Action Figure.

Here she is, looking unusually introspective,

which probably means Lord Guise 

has said something complicated...

She'll get tavern wench gear, and a tiny sword!

It's a rare perk of being a writer and

a doll maker; I get to make

my own action figures.

No, she does not come with kung fu grip

Read about Mabel Bunt here.

And here is Oona.

She's an interesting girl,

with at least two opinions on everything...

...and rarely agrees with herself.

Also, she's a little intimidated

by all this sunshine...

Anyway, back to this week's commercial.

Everyone's favourite action figure.

Mad for Hats? Welcome to Mad Hat Day

 Welcome to Debi's

Mad Hat Blog Party!

Mad for Hats?

Make your own!

I found a wonderful pattern for 

doll-sized decorative hats on 

A Field Journal.

I love the pattern, 

but I don't use it for my dolls

because it's not  for commercial use,

which is fair.

But when I got an opportunity

to use the pattern for a Mad Hat

I was so excited!

Here is my 

Mad Hatter Mad Hat!

I took the basic pattern

and loaded up Tenniel's illustrations

into the crown and brim.

I then printed  it out on cardstock

and cut it out and glued it together.

Done!

(Original hat design  on A Field Journal )

I don't know if this image will print for you.

If not, you'll have to try the original blank

version on

A Field Journal.

But once you have the basic shape, 

you could print out the design on any 

coloured or pattered thin card.

The hat was done and ready for the best bit.

Trimming!

An Alice-style talking flower.

A lacy brim

(This is one of those fancy laser-cut

cupcake holders)

Ribbons and braid.

Anna Lee models for you.

A raven's feather.

(Because they're like a writing desk...)

Thank you so much, Debi,

for this fun party!

Back later to see everyone's hats.