Happy Howl'o'ween! Stitched Web & Swinging Spider

Happy Howl'o'ween
To You!

I have MISSED You so much it's scary! Sorry, I certainly wish it hadn't been so long since I've been here. As you can imagine, given my prolonged absence, I'm still not feeling well enough to blog. My migraines and nasty respiratory jazz still has got me down and out and daily things are still a struggle...

BUT far be it from me to let Halloween go by without saying hi to You... and making a card for my sweetheart! So, without further ado...

A Halloween card...

With a stitched spider web & a teensy wee spider...

To weave a web:

1. Cut a piece of heavy black cardstock with a label die shape (this is Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Five)
2. Draw a spiderweb on with white pencil crayon
3. Pierce holes along the drawn lines of the web
4. Stitch with white thread
5. Edge around the label shape with a silver pen for definition
6. Add spider!
   

...(The spider is made of 4 black gems, glued onto some black thread legs):

(You can see the arachnid "construction" a little better from the side, hopefully):

To make a Do It Yourself Gem Spider:

1. Tie 4 black pieces of thread in a knot and trim them to look like legs
2. Thread a needle with 1 piece of white thread
   
3. Knot the end of the white thread onto the black knotted thread legs (the white thread makes the spider web thread that he hangs from)
4. Glue 4 black gems onto each other (back to back) on top of the knotted thread
   
5. Stitch the spider onto the web (through the back)
6. Secure the end of the white thread with adhesive
   

(It's not completely flush as you can see, but you can't tell in real life since he is itty itty bitty.)

Mr. Gem Spider is hanging from a thread...

...so he swings on the card, like a real creepy crawly! ;o) (our kitty Miss Mouse tried desperately to eat him. She thought he was the real deal.)

I'll be back soon to fill in the blanks with more pics, the supply list & the distress clear crackle cardstock technique, etc...

For now, I think a zombie ate some of my "BRAINS!!!"

Here's an oldy and a goody...

The Spider and the Fly

Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"


Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --
Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

Mary Howitt (1799-1888)

First publication date: 1829

Here's hoping your Howl'o'ween is silly & safe!

>:o)= (<-- the crazy stampire)
P.S. Do your kids need something quick & fun to do this weekend?
Here's a sweet last-minute kid's craft:
Children's Embroidered Spider Web Project