Bat Clings

Here's how one of my finished stained glass bat clings turned out.

If you want to see how I used the rest of my clings you can check out my entry in Plaid's Trick Your Pumpkin Contest.

My entry is named "Things that go bump in the night" here's the link to Plaid's gallery. There are lots of really great projects so it's worth a click to check out a entries!

Battle of the Bat Window Clings

Today I started to make some bat shaped window clings using stained glass paint. And I have just one question...

When did my arms get so weak?

Seriously!

Ten years ago I used stained glass paint to do the windows above an entire store front (it was like 25-30 ft long). It took a month, and not because I needed that long, but because I bought out the entire supply colors I needed in every craft store in a 40 mile radius. I had to special order more. Back then my arms never felt like they were going to fall off. And I don't ever remember wishing my arms WOULD fall off just so they'd stop hurting so much.

This morning my plan was to outline 6 bats with the faux leading because I had 3 blank plastic sheets, each fitting two bat shapes. Once they were dry I'd fill them all in with paint. And then (ha THEN) probably have to wait until tomorrow when it was dry to make six more. Something I was annoyed about because I really wanted to make all 12 today.

I got one bat outlined and thought wow- my arms are really tired. But started bat number two anyway. One slightly more shaky (because my arms were so weak) bat later...

My forearms were burning.

I think I sprained the tendon between my thumb and index finger.

And it feels like tweaked my right shoulder.

It even hurts a little to move my neck because my shoulder hurts so much!

I know, it's sad right! But honestly it's true.

So I have to ask again, WHEN did my arms get this weak?

You'd think if a person had arms this weak they would know before trying to make window clings. Before today I appeared to have normal arm strength. I could carry things like small children, cats, and a bag of groceries. Typing blog posts didn't make me want to get an ice pack.

And this was just the outlining, never mind filling them in with color. At this rate it may take me until next Halloween and some physical therapy to make them all.

Easy Kid's Bean Art Project and a Free Template!

Check out this bean art made by Cheryl of Crack of Dawn Crafts, and her kiddos. Isn't it the cutest! I think this would be the perfect project for a rainy October day.

The materials are cheap, plus beans already come in great Halloween colors. And if all that wasn't enough Cheryl has provided a free template of the adorable pumpkin, bat, and ghost shapes shown in the picture above.

You can get all the details and a list of materials here.