Saturday Craft-Tacular - Making a Leaf Mask and Creating The Gates of Hell

Welcome back to the second week of the Samhain’s Sirens Saturday Craft-Tactular!

Nothing leads more into the Samhain holiday season than falling leaves and masks. Along with honoring the dead and celebrating the thinning of the veil some believe that the practice of wearing costumes and masks has Celtic roots. Some believed that these costumes were used to disguise the wearer as a harmful spirit so that they would be spared any harm themselves.

Modern day Witches’ Ball and Samhain’s Balls are held all across the world where party-goers dress in costume and partake of the festivities such as in the Salem Witches’ Ball 2013.

In keeping with the party spirit today we’re going to be making a simple Fall Leaf Mask. This mask would be perfect for a party at home or as a craft to do with the kids. It can be used for any season as you’ll see.

So let’s get started!

Supplies

Photo Credit - Renee Olson

Artificial foliage – I get mine from clearance sales and recycle centers
Glue gun
Ribbon
Glue Sticks
Hole punch
Decorative beads or jewels
Spray glitter - optional
Plastic Mask from the craft store

**NOTE if you have a really hot glue gun it could melt your mask, take care when using hot glue

** DO NOT allow children to operate any glue gun without adult supervision

Directions

Select your foliage – We’re making a fall mask so I chose reds, browns and yellows.

Begin by placing focal leaves on the sides and top of the mask.

Photo Credit - Renee Olson

Now begin filling in the empty spaces with leaves, taking care to layer then in an attractive manner.
Glue some decorative jewels around the eye holes.

Photo Credit - Renee Olson

Punch holes with a hole punch in the sides of the mask and tie ribbons in the wholes of the mask to be able to tie it on.

Photo Credit - Renee Olson

Finish with some spray on gold glitter to add a bit of flash.

Fall Mask - Photo Credit - Renee Olson

This is a Spring Mask that I’m including in the giveaway. I completed the same process, only I chose spring colors/foliage instead of fall. This could be worn at a Beltane festival or even a Midsummer’s event.

Spring Mask - Photo Credit - Renee Olson

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial on creating seasonal mask. If you'd like to see more of my stuff head over to my Facebook Page.

NOW how to win the pair of masks.

Here’s how to enter:

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited. Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)

1. Go to the Sosanna's Closet Etsy Page or Website. Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway (make sure you link back here), come back and leave us a link to your blog or head over and LIKE the Facebook Page (1 entry) be sure to tell us you did.

3. Tweet about this giveaway (link to us, please), come back, and leave us a link to your tweet (1 entry)

Note: If you want your entries to count as separate entries, you must post them separately. If you post 1 comment with all three on it, it will only count as 1 entry.

Canadian residents, by law, instead of the above, you must answer the following question to be eligible: What is 1+1? (No worries, we'll give you 3 entries for this just to be sure it's fair)

The drawing will take place 24 hours later and will be announced both in email and on the blog. You MUST provide a valid email address to enter the contest.

Today's Mixed Drink is: The Gates of Hell

Warning* This is a strong drink

You will need:

1 tsp. Brandy, cherry
1 1/2 oz. Tequila, white
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
2 tsp. Lime Juice

Shake tequila, lemon juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Strain into a glass. Drip a teaspoon of cherry brandy over the top of the drink and serve.