Monday, October 27, 2025

Paper Play

Are there other things I should be doing?

As Mia would say, "Oh yeeesss...."

But....
It's Halloween Week!!!!!!!!

Every now and again I put my needle and thread down (yes, and my hook...except I think I put that down months and months ago and can't remember where ๐Ÿ˜‰) and play at another craft.

Sometimes it's spun cotton, sometimes punching...and, often times, just playing with paper.
There is something very satisfying about making something just out of a simple piece of paper.


 One of my greatest loves is vintage Halloween but anything remotely vintage Halloween comes at a very dear price these days.

And, although I generally don't like "fakes," I couldn't resist making a few of these little treat boxes.


These are made out of heavy cardstock that I aged/distressed to look authentically old. (Both the tops and the bottoms of the boxes are aged.)

This one I made with a cellophaned opening...haven't figured out what I will put in it yet though.

And, when I tired of the boxes, I made this scarecrow pick:


He's on a nice long dowel but I just tucked him in with my vintage hand brooms.


{Scarecrow pick pattern is by Walnut Ridge Primitives}

********

On an unrelated and sad note, I wanted to mention that the hooking community lost an incredible artist the day before yesterday.
Marilyn (a/k/a "Good") Becker passed away.
Marilyn was not only a near and most dear neighbor, but an amazing fine-cut hooker and has had several rugs in Rug Hooking Celebration magazine.  She mastered the technique of mimicking a photograph in wool.
I've shared a few of her pieces over the years. You may remember her "Marry Me Mary" rug which was based on a photograph and memorialized her father's proposal of marriage to her mother.


Look closely and you can see the fur that Marilyn incorporated in her mother's coat.


Marilyn read my blog and whenever we were together would mention it and, if others were present, would tell them about it.

She was a dear soul, and I hope she is reading this on the other side.
 

 

17 comments:

acorn hollow said...

Sorry for your loss and the loss to rug hooking amazing work.
So do you print the pictures that goes on the box.
Cathy

Saundra said...

Dang woman, is there anything you can't do??? Those look like authentic antiques.

Saundra said...

So sad another wonderful rug hooker will be missed here on earth. She is probably chatting and hooking away in heaven along with the others we miss.

NMK said...

Wow , she was such an amazing rug hooker !!!! You were lucky to know her and see her work in person !
Love , Love your great paper Halloween decorations!!! And that Cute Spun Cotton pumpkin !!!

Farm Girl said...

I am so sorry about your friend. What a wonderful artist. You are an artist too. Those are amazing creations. I thought they looked like antiques.

Prims By The Water said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful rug hooker. Her rug is just amazing! Your paper crafts are awesome! Love them all! Your boxes should be sold on Etsy. Janice

Rugs and Pugs said...

So sorry for the loss of your friend.
Holy moly, woman. Is there anything you can’t do? Those are simply amazing. Love, love, love them.

marly said...

I'm sorry you have another loss. What beautiful work of such a special event. Your boxes look great, and that scarecrow looks like the creature in Jeepers Creepers. Excellent!

Kathy Barrick said...

You are truly amazing! Your Halloween treat boxes are incredible! I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend. Like you, she was an inspirational artist. Wishing you peace.

Lisa Schindler said...

Oh Robin, I had not heard about Marilyn's passing. I met her once at Cathy's and saw her work up close, it was so incredible! What a very talented rug hooker she was. Love your paper crafts.

Betty said...

Gob smacked over your treat boxes. They are wonderful and very creative. You are very talented. I remember your posts of the Marilyns. Heart ache for you and all who knew and cared for her.

Nancy said...

What goes in the cellophane window box? Why, a Halloween mask, of course! Love your creations and collectibles. And your friend had such talent...no wonder she valued your friendship, one artist to another.
Happy Halloween ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ–ค!

yaya said...

Your Halloween things are so cute and how creative are you with those treat boxes! I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. It sure hurts to lose a creative soul as well as a good friend. I thought of you yesterday when I saw 3 crows going after a young hawk. I think they just wanted that hawk out of their neighborhood! They got it to fly off finally but those crows were sure loud! Have a great week and a lovely Halloween day my friend!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story rug. Simply beautiful. Amazing paper art. Sad to lose another great hooker. Thank you for showing her rug. The house in the background also touches my heart.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I am so sorry of the loss of your dear friend and her talent she shared in the world - that rug…is astonishingly gorgeous! What a piece and heirloom for her family. I adore vintage Halloween too and your paper creations are adorable ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ–ค๐ŸŽƒ Have a spookingly spectacular Halloween!

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

Sad news about Marilyn. Her beautiful creations will act as a remembrance of happier crafty times.

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

I’m sorry to hear about your friend. It’s always such a hard time. I’m sending you and her family hope for strength across the miles as the days go by. Her work is absolutely amazing, what a gift.

You’re wonderful boxes-what talent! Oh my - and what to tuck behind the cellophane. Hmmm - as a certified chocoholic, I would say something spooky and chocolatey that you can bite the head off of! I can’t believe my favorite month is over - the days are flying too quickly. Enjoy your Halloween, and do something that makes your heart happy! Might I suggest you splurge and buy one of those vintage decorations ;).