Fall Decor and a Masquerade

"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you
Masquerade! Buring glances,turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Grinning yellows, Spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you."

Lyrics from The Phantom of the Opera

I have been working on this project all week. It's one of those things that I can't really explain, I just couldn't quit until it felt right.

Earlier in the week I blogged on how I was struggling to come up with fall display. Fall isn't really my season, as I am not really a fan of Halloween or orange pumpkins.  But I do love a good Masquerade as much as the next person.

Does this mannequin look familiar? It's my garden head Betty Bling. 

Sometime over the summer, I had this vision of her in a feathered mask. Don't ask me why.

BUT SHE'S BACK!

Recently, we were watching a wonderful performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall on Netflix. I just LOVE the phantom. If you haven't seen it, you really need to check it out.

After we saw the Phantom, I instantly couldn't wait to make my garden head Butch into the Phantom.

He's still got pizazz, I tell yah.

So, once I started with THE PHANTOM, I came to the conclusion that Betty reminded me of Sarah Brightman, and I just couldn't stop. The Masquerade had to be complete.

I picked squashes, gourds and apples for the display, then added a few fun webs, crows and spiders. My kids didn't get it. 

"What's with the webs, Mom?"

Sigh.

Betty got a makeover with a mask I doctored up from the thrift store. She also got some button eyes that I attached with a couple of straight pins. But other than that, she is still Betty at heart. 

I will have the mask tutorial on the blog tomorrow.

Betty also got an upgrade with a cool piece of "make it yourself" jewelry I found at Hobby Lobby. She loves butterflies you know.

Butch's hair was kaput after the summer, so I pulled it out and added a striking black hat from the thrift store. He also got a phantom mask from Hobby Lobby and a button eye just for fun.

At night, with the candles lit, they really do come to life.

All I need now is a glass chandelier.

Hummmmm.............