Baalatova and friends - Halloween 2020

 Hello dear readers,

Skelly and Skella together with their pet cats come to visit Baalatova. They encounter Baalatova sitting outdoors with Solly and Kitty, enjoying a lovely sunny day.  

Baalatova: Welcome dear friends.  I know that what I'm going to tell you will disappoint you, but this year's Halloween you will not be turned into ghosts.   There's an evil worldwide epidemic spreading fast around us. No festivities, no crowds, no trick or treats. People will just stay at home to be safe. They'll have enough health worries, there's no need to frighten them by adding ghost haunts and boos.

Kitty and Solly: ( with tears in their eyes):   No treats!!

Skella: (Deep sigh)  Our only once-a-year treat is being taken away from us.

Baalatova:  I can make it up to you.  Turning you into ghosts is possible only on Halloween but nothing prevents me from casting a spell, sending the three of us, just as we are, to Brazil, for example.  Every February they hold a carnival and besides the incredible samba festivities, Rio de Janeiro inhabitants love to masquerade wearing different costumes including those of skeletons and witches. We'll have a fantastic time there, no one will notice that we are two genuine skeletons and a witch.  We may even receive a  prize for the best costumes.

Both Skellies:  But there are dances and everybody will take part while we can scarcely move.

Baalatova:  You don't have to dance, just move to the rhythm of the samba.  The sound of your shaking bones will make them think you are playing the maracas. You know, now that I think of it you may even win a prize for being the best maracas virtuosos. 

Solly:  Please take Kitty and me along with you.

Baalatova:  Sorry kids.  This will be a one-night outing only for grown-ups but we'll bring back treats for you. The cats can stay and take care of you while we are away.

Skelly:  Suppose Brazil too, is infected with the virus and decides to cancel the carnival?

Baalatova:  In that case, we'll postpone the fun.  I've seen epidemics come and go through the ages and I assure you this one too will be over.   Who wants a delicious cup of eye soup?

Both Skellies:  Thank you, we have no stomachs for it.

So the Skellies stayed spending the whole afternoon with Baalatova,  practicing the samba. to the sound of shaking bones and maracas.  Solly, the young flying bear, and Kitty the little cat girl were having a hilarious time and tried their first steps in dancing along. The Skellies, for the time being, forgot all about their ghost's dilemma. Suddenly the future seemed brighter.

To continued next Halloween (or sooner?)

(Witch made by Sarit.  Catgirl made by Tatiana. Flying bear made by Birgit. All, including the skeletons and cats, were gifts for which I'm very grateful.)

I had fun concocting another silly Halloween episode.  It's good to smile, it gets one out of worries and sadness.

Happy Halloween and blessings to all my friends and readers!

 

Book Nook project (Part 2)

 Hello dear readers,

Since my previous post about my book nook project,  there is more progress on my work.  

Here are a few photos of what I managed to accomplish.

I curved stones on the walls and curved sidewalks and a pebbled road between them.

I also curved the bottom side of the road and painted it all over in grey to see which side I like best.

Haven't made up my mind yet.

It looked like something was missing from this wall, so I made another, smaller window and glued it on top of the existing one.  The bench is too small.  I'll have to create a larger one.  This one was ordered online and arrived in time but I was disappointed with its size.  It will be useful for my vignettes.

This is the wall which will be facing the one above.

On the grey painted road.  Which one do you think looks better?

My friends and I are still waiting for the lights fixtures ordered online to arrive.  Until then, nothing will be assembled permanently.  I still am unable to buy the mirror which will have to be cut exactly to measure. For the time being, I still have enough hoarded materials to use without going out to shop for them. I scarcely go out, only if it's completely necessary.  Besides the bench, I have to do more plants and flowers.  I hope the end results will look good.  If I'm lucky and my book nook will look good, I'll start making book nooks for my daughters and grandchildren, they are all great readers ("book worms") and have large book collections.

I wish all my friends and readers good health and safety with blessings.

    

The Skellies in COVID-19 times

Hello dear readers,

Halloween is not so far away.  The Skellies are very disappointed.  How will they be able to haunt this year if, like rumors say,  there will be no crowd gatherings?  That most families feel protected from the epidemic by staying safe at home. 

So far, the Skellies have long been debating the pros and cons of becoming ghosts without reaching a firm decision.

Skella:  It's so nice sitting here together with the sun warming our bones.

Skelly:  We are going to miss our beloved cats.  

Skella:  Who else will be able to give them the good scratches they love like us with our boney fingers? 

Skelly: We'll have to see Baalatova and ask for her advice. Remember what she told us about fully trained ghosts? Ghosts CANNOT haunt together, even when they are trained graduates of the Ghost Academy. It's a rule. One ghost in one house. This means we'll be separated from each other.

To be continued.....

Meanwhile, here is a photo of the latest  COVID-19 fashion. (Smile, it's good for the soul)

Have a great weekend with blessings!

A well explained link on how to make a BookNook.

Hello, again dear readers,

I have been using the new blogger for quite a long time but was unable to make the link I installed in my post yesterday, workable.  I apologize and here it is.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KjIjkzNxM. 

Have a nice Sunday with blessings!

A BookNooks for beginners links

 Hello dear readers

As I mentioned in my previous post,  the project I'm working on at present is a book nook.  I've been searching for know-hows and this link is very helpful and has much to teach about building a book nook.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KjIjkzNxM.

Two important things to pay attention to:

1. A mirror cut to fit and be placed slightly diagonally in order to lengthen the image and create a  winding street.      

2. Lighting.

I have to wait for the lighting items which were ordered online to be able to get on with the work. I'll show you what I've already prepared. 

I cut in half a square 4 cm laser cut wood embellishment to make an ornamental balcony railing.

Added strips of wood and sides (all from my stash).

Created a door, more or less in the same style.

It was hard sawing work all done manually with a hand saw and mitre box.

This is one wall.  Nothing is permanently fixed yet.

This is the opposite wall.  Only the old books shop front is fixed.  I intend to make a narrow tile roof for the windows.  I spent a long time making books.  Now I have to make more plants and flowers to cover the walls. 

I hope to have more to show you soon.

Please take care and stay safe my dear friends.  Blessings!