Grinch Face Makup

I've been part of a foodies group for a few years now where a group of us get together once a month and make recipes we've never made before. We usually pick a theme or country and its been a lot of fun to try new foods. This month the theme was Who Food. Our inspiration was the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. People brought Who Hash and Roast Beast Wraps and Grinch Balls etc. The table looked amazing and the entire night was a lot of fun. I decided the Grinch needed to show up to this. And so it was an excuse to do another face makeup on my Sister. I think it turned out great!

Oh and here is a video of some fun we had in a store... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNAQoxFQc2k&feature=youtu.be

Rocky Mountain Haunters Shirt

I'm a member of the Rocky Mountain Haunters group. A few hundred of us who love everything Halloween and haunt related. We build props to scare and decorate our yards and can't get enough. I had the opportunity to design the shirts this year and I love how it turned out. I hope to run into others wearing their shirts too and introduce myself.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Costumes

Every year for Halloween, my brothers company go all out and create a themed walk thru for family and friends. This year their theme was Alice in Wonderland. He and his boss were to dress up as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. So its been tradition to make the costume and not just go and buy it. At first we thought it wouldn't bee too hard. Just a couple paper maché heads. Well, we ran into a bunch of problems and even started over on one. But we tried to take pictures along the way in case any of you would like to try your hand at making them.

We began with a big balloon. Then we added the mouth shape with craft foam. Then we added the eyes and nose from styrofoam balls shaped how we liked. Then we found plastic bowls that made the perfect hats. We added a brim to the hats and rounded them off with tin foil. We didn't want perfectly round shaped heads so we gave it some shape by using plastic bags. Then we paper machéd both heads and a few layers of it. We wanted them to be strong and last so we applied a curing plastic coating to them but you could skip that step. We added hair by carving shapes out of white packing foam. Then we primed them both for paint and painted them.  We quickly made "this way" and "that way" signs for the characters to hold.

I'm happy with how they turned out but learned a lot along the way. I would first begin by paper maché the balloon before adding the mouth and shape to it. Let it dry completely. The problems we had were that the balloon would expand and contract. One balloon even had a hole so we had to start over after we had gone so far.  We initially thought a plaster would give us the strength we wanted but it just chipped and flaked off.

But they look great together in full costume. If you want to rent them for halloween or birthdays or tea parties then message me. I live in Midvale, UT.

Halloween Face Makeup

Its been a fun Halloween season to work on crafts and props and especially makeup. My relatives all wanted their faces done so I took a saturday and did four in a row! I thought they all turned out really well. Gina was some sort of cracked face infected something. Jay was Frankensteins monster. Shea was the Cheshire cat and Amanda was Day of the Dead.

Check out the how to video for the Franky Monster here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPLYLH6Mv-g

Zombie Pumpkin Makeup - How To

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG04aoQ9b3Y

Ok, so I saw this makeup online somewhere and I wanted to try my own version of it. I loved how it turned out! This was my first time videoing a How To video as well. Ran into a few technical difficulties. Ran out of memory a few times so the video is missing some details but should give you the idea.

Day of the Dead Makeup and Costume

So every year a little boutique (Secret Haven) puts out all their Halloween and Fall decor and holds a sort of Grand Opening. They employees all dress up and encourage customers to do the same. There is a grand prize and also 10 best costume winners. Last year I won the grand prize when I went dressed up as Mr. Fredricksen from the movie UP. See post: http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/01/carl-fredricksen-from-up-movie.html

This year my sister wanted in on the costume fun. So we both went as Day of the Dead characters. We both were picked as two of the ten best costumes. We are waiting to see if we win grand prize! I had made my costume for a party last year. But my sister needed to jazz up the makeup I did on her. So we ran to Dollar Tree and bought a bunch of flowers and made her a head band and veil. It all came together quite nicely I think.

Make It With Mason - Spell Books

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When the leaves begin to change color and there is a crisp in the air, I can't help but get excited for Halloween. Lets be honest though. I'm thinking about Halloween all year long. Every once in a while I like to find a project that me and my friends can all do together. To kick off this season, I chose to to make Spell Books. They really are quite easy and took everyone about 3 hours to make their books from start to finish. There are many How To's on pinterest and the internet so I won't post a How To here.

Basically you get an old book, glue on objects or cut out shapes from cardboard or foam sheets to design the look. Then take a paper towel or napkin and using only a single ply portion of it, you glue it on over the cover, spine and back and on top of all your objects. Then spray paint it all black. Then using a dry brush technique, lightly brush on copper, gold or silver to get the raised areas to really pop! I love how different everyones turned out but how cool they all look together!

Nibbler Plant How To

Here is a jpg of the instruction sheet should you choose to make your own. Watch your fingers!

Ok so here is my latest creation! A few years ago I made an eyeball plant that was huge and I love it. (I'll post it soon). Then I made small little eyeball plants. I called the big plant "Eyegor". Ever since, i've wanted to make a plant with teeth. Well, i recently watched a youtube from Stiltbeast Studios on how to make teeth using Hot Glue! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtpoCzC5qRY

After watching that, I knew I had to begin my creation! Here is how my teeth turned out. I wanted to make sure I had a recognizable teeth pattern so I made two big front teeth, small bottom teeth and some incisors.

Next, I began with a tennis ball size styrofoam ball. I cut a wedge out of it with a hot wire but you could use a knife i'm sure. Then I cut a groove where I was going to insert the roots of my teeth. I ran some glue in there and placed the teeth.

Then, using an elmers glue and water mixture, I took paper towel pieces and dipped them in the mixture and covered the entire ball. Using a wire I made a stem and wrapped that as well. I would roll the wet paper towel like a worm and create lips and veins. I would also leave pieces hanging away from the ball to act as leaves. 

Next came painting. I began with a dark green color and painted everything. Then I did a dark brown and black inside the mouth. 

Then came a few rounds of dry brushing lighter shades until i got the look i wanted. I would then go back and highlight the veins and pop the lips to stand out more. 

Then I added some moss to the pot and distressed it some. I love how it turned out!

Creepy Candles How To

I've seen lots of tutorials and how to's on how to make candles out of cardboard tubes and hot glue. I've even seen them out of PVC pipe. I decided i'd try and make some myself. I chose to use Paper towel tubes and toilet paper rolls. I also like the look of thick and thin candles so i even went to a shipping supply store (UPS) and got some bigger cardboard tubes. I cut them to various heights and then trimmed the tops to look like a melted candle top. I've attached my How To so feel free to take a look and make some yourself. I lot of them on a mantle just looks amazing! 

Jack-O-Lantern Contest

For Halloween at work, we held a Jack-o-Lantern contest. We gave everyone a small foam pumpkin a couple weeks before halloween and told everyone to decorate it however they wanted. They could go scary or cute or disney or a theme. Then at our Halloween party we had a "pumpkin patch" where we displayed everyones creation and voted for the most creative, scary etc. It was a lot of fun and they were all so different from each other. 

I made mine by starting with arm and finger shapes out of bendable wire. Then I wrapped the wire with tin foil and added up areas where I wanted a thicker arm and elbow and such. then I covered the tin foil with tissue and a maché glue mixture. I carved the pumpkin with a hot wire and then painted everything. I added leaves from some cheap fake flowers. I loved how it turned out and didn't take very long at all. 

I also made the candle inside the pumpkin. See another blog post for how to instructions. http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2015/07/creepy-candles-how-to.html

Frankenstein Face Makeup

Here is another makeup I did on my sister. She actually slept with this on so that she could have it done the next day on Halloween. To our amazement, it still looked really really good.

Links to my other makeups and costumes:

Day of the Dead:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/01/dia-de-los-muertos-makeup.html

Carl Fredricksen:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/01/carl-fredricksen-from-up-movie.html

Big Teeth:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/10/big-teeth-makeup.html

Day of the Dead Part II:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2015/07/dia-de-los-muertos-part-two.html

Frankenstein:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2015/07/frankenstein-face-makeup.html

Dia De Los Muertos Makeup - Part Two

Ok so i've had some more practice with face painting. This time i've added some jewels around the eyes. The hat she is wearing is one that I made for my day of the dead costume. It looked so good with her makeup. We were able to show it off at a Halloween in summer festival. So much fun!

Links to my other makeups and costumes:

Day of the Dead:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/01/dia-de-los-muertos-makeup.html

Carl Fredricksen:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/01/carl-fredricksen-from-up-movie.html

Big Teeth:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2014/10/big-teeth-makeup.html

Day of the Dead Part II:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2015/07/dia-de-los-muertos-part-two.html

Frankenstein:
http://amasonsayswhat.blogspot.com/2015/07/frankenstein-face-makeup.html

Michael Jack Skellington

If you know me then you know that i love Michael Jackson and I also love Jack Skellington. So, i decided to combine them and came up with this illustration. Ha! Its a classic smooth criminal pose by MJ and the face of Jack. Whats not to love? I've put the image up on Etsy for download if you too love these characters.


To download click link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/203755633/michael-jackson-jack-skellington-michael

Mason's 2014 Top Ten Movies

MASON’S PICKS FOR TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2014

I’ve been waiting to make my top ten list this year because i’ve wanted to check out some movies that i’ve missed. But I figure I should just do it anyway. I struggled this year with finding movies that moved me and would stick with me through the years. A lot of movies were really good but lacked some emotional impact. Have super hero movies made us into emotionless movie goers? I hope not. 

1. Imitation Game

I was very excited to see this film and it did not disappoint. On paper I could imagine the challenge being how to make this story one that people would want to see. I mean its about super smart people trying to crack a german code machine. The movie never loses its audience and has so many more layers to it than just their objective. We’ve come a long way in society and still have a long way to go when it comes to human rights. Benedict Cummberbach is absolutely brilliant in this. You understood his character just by looking in his eyes. Kiera Knightley was very good as well and the rest of the cast. This year needed a film like this that moves you and teaches you and entertains you. A must see!

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I know, I know, don’t laugh. Last year I put the Hunger Games sequel as my top movie and this year my number 2 spot goes to a movie starring apes. Like Hunger Games, there is so much more to this movie than what you might expect. Watching Cesar rise to power and cope with the betrayel of close friends and the conflict of humans vs. apes was fascinating to me. There is depth in these characters. And the story lines could be translated to things that are going on in our world today. I have been shocked that I have liked this new reboot but for that reason it deserves its spot. I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.

3. Gone Girl

Oh man i was completely engulfed in this mystery and how it was to unfold from beginning to end. I feel like it has been a long time since we’ve seen a good mystery thriller. And this was very well done! The movie has a certain vibe to it that sticks with you. Maybe its the amazing soundtrack by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. Or maybe the great performances by Ben Afleck and Rosamund Pike. The movie was pieced together so well, combining flashbacks with reality, to really grab hold of you. While I knew there was some big moment in this movie, i never predicted it. I can’t wait to watch it again.

4. The Fault in our Stars

I’ll admit I was concerned you would have to be a teenage girl to enjoy this movie. Or that it would manipulate your emotions and cram them down your throat like a lifetime movie. I didn’t percieve it that way at all. I felt like it was full of great insights and maturity. The soundtrack was brilliant and really fit the movie perfectly.

5. Edge of Tomorrow

This was a highly entertaining and creative movie. Felt you were watching a video game as live action. I loved how well the script was written. You didn’t know where the story was going but you were interested the entire time. The repeating day could have become annoying but they gave you just enough of the repeat to keep the story moving forward. Saw this twice in theaters in 3D and loved it both times.

6. Into the Woods

I enjoy the theater so much and was very excited to see this movie which had so many great actors in it. I had never seen the play but am now looking forward to it. Chicago was a favorite movie of mine and this was directed by the same Rob Marshall. I loved the new telling of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The way all the stories were woven together was so creative. And the music and lyrics by the great Stephen Sondheim were so fun to listen to and have since lingered in my brain. You have to like musicals to enjoy this. It feel very much like you are at watching a live play. The plot twists near the end took me for a surprise the first viewing and I wasnt sure i liked it but upon second viewing i was able to pick up more subtleties and deeper meanings to the overall message of this movie.

7. Book of Life

I saw the advanced screening of this movie and was so excited to see one of my favorite Holidays brought to life on the big screen. Day of the Dead has such a colorful, creative style and this movie captured that and way more. There are so many details and artistic expressions put into the animation that my brain could not keep up. As a graphic designer myself, this movie was eye candy! The story was cute and the songs were fun but the animation is the star here. I just bought the movie in 3D and cant wait to watch it again. It takes on a whole new dimension in 3D that I wish everyone could enjoy.

8. Birdman

I feel like people either really like this movie or don’t. I happened to really like it. I thought everyone in it created some really interesting characters and great performances. It was good to see Michael Keaton again. I was completely in awe at the filming style. The director made it seem like the movie was shot in one continuous take. No edits or cuts. So cool and I think added to the feeling of the subject matter. I liked what I thought the film was trying to say and found it somewhat thought provoking.

9. Night Crawler

This movie makes the top ten because it was a complete surprise to me. Jake Gylenthal was absolutely amazing in this! I’m serious. You’ve never seen him better. He played the character with such intensity and oddness and not in a way that seemed fake or annoying. The story was very interesting and fun to watch go deeper and deeper.

10. Whiplash

I saw the trailer to this and foxcatcher around the same time. They looked to me to be the very same movie except one is a drummer and one is wrestler. I found fox catcher to be kinda boring and draw out and the performances (steve carrell), was not worth the hype. Whiplash on the other hand was fresh and different and intense and the performances was top notch. This movie made me feel something. I was nervous and scared and intimidated. A fascinating journey the character goes on.

Really good small films:

• Snow Piercer - Very fun to watch this futuristic thriller that exposes some interesting commentary on our social system. I loved Tilda Swinton in this so much!

• 100 foot Journey - Completely enjoyable from beginning to end. I always love Helen Mirren and it was eye candy to watch the food scenes. Nearly made my top ten.

• Boyhood - I wanted to love this movie but found the story to be too mundane. Its worth mentioning and seeing because it was filmed over 12 years. You get to actually see the main actor go from a boy to a teenager on screen. Brilliant in that regard!

Really good popcorn films:

• Intersteller - Super long and needed editing but it was thought provoking and had some great visuals and talking points.

• Gaurdians of the Galaxy - Just plain good fun!

• Mockingjay - I keep loving these Hunger Games movies.

Really good suspence/thrillers:

• Equalizer - This movie had such a style to it that it has stuck with me. Some really cool constructed action.

Really good comedies:

• Penguins of Madagascar - I’m a fan of the madagascar movies. I think there are lots of laughs in them. This one has a lot too but does drag toward the end.

Really good based on true stories:

• Theory of Everything- A heart breaking story and amazing performace by Eddie Redmayne.

• Unbroken - I tell everyone I know to read the book. It will change your life! The movie did a great job but i feel like it lacked some of the heart and emotion of Louis Zamperinis amazing life.

• The Good Lie - I would recommend this movie for families. Great story and clean for everyone to enjoy.

Still wanna see:

• Fury

• The Drop

• A Mos Violent Year