Things to Make and Do... with Boris K: Part Two

be sure to visit Frankensteinia for more Boris.




Don't put away the scissors + craft paper just yet. It's time for my second installment of Craft Experiments with Boris Karloff. This selection may be an obvious choice, the Clothespin Theater. Well, in this case the re-adapted No-Clothespin Theater. I have a tendency to disregard directions. This project is basically a papercraft diorama. The perfect showcase to stage a Boris K mini-production. Today's dramatization will be the windmill scene from Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein.

Here are the original instructions from Things to Make and Do.
click to enlarge


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Project Number Two
No-Clothespin Theater

Bring back the internet images of Boris K as used in Project Number One. Again print them out in a desired size on cardstock paper. Embellish with paint if you like and cut out figures with an exacto knife.

You may cut out each character using the original backgrounds or trim closely and glue them on colored cardstock. Spray mount works best, but elmers glue may be used sparingly. Cut out background cardstock in desired shape. Be sure to use a strait edge when cutting the bottom edge. This will help your characters stand up better.

I have opted to disregard the clothespins in this project and make each character free standing. For stability, glue, paste or sew each character cutout to another sheet of cardstock or old folder. After image has been fixed trim around each cutout. You may use with pinking sheers for a decorative edge.

Cut two notches on each end about a 1/2 inch long. Make tabs of double ply cardstock or folder scraps [1/2 inch high x 2 inches long]. Line up one tab with one notch on your character. The tab should sit perpendicular to the bottom edge of your paper character. Fit two tabs to each character. Now they are ready for free standing. It's very similar to a paperdoll stand.

When making your theater, choose a medium to large sized box. Cover with craft paper and corresponding scene imagery from magazines, discarded books or internet printouts. For simplicities sake I just used random forest images. Now, set the stage.

If you'd like a few readmade paper characters, feel free to click, enlarge + download the images below.

...and if anyone should take on this Boris K Craft Challenge, please take pictures and share the love. Either post a link to your images in my comments box or email images to: bakingwithmedusa[at]gmail.com

Things to Make and Do... with Boris K: Part One

be sure to visit Frankensteinia for seven days with Boris.

One of my favorite books as a child was Douglas Downey's 1976 publication, Things to Make and Do. I used to poor over the pages planning which project to do next. To this day, I still live to make things. So when it came time to whip up a few posts for the Boris Karloff Blogathon I naturally gravitated towards craft. My two blogathon contributions are a bit like chocolate + peanut butter to me... [stay with me] if crafts are great on their own + Boris K is somewhere beyond awesome, what do I get when I mix the to together? Limitless joy, that's what. I decided to revisit the old tride + true handicraft bible that is Things to Make and Do. I took two original projects and reworked them with Boris in mind. Now, on with the experiments.

Here are the original instructions from Things to Make and Do.
click to enlarge

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Project Number One
Boris Karloff Finger-Puppets

First comb the internet for Boris images. Print chosen images on cardstock. Cut, paste + Frankenstein together your collected bits of Boris. Most Boris images tend to be black+white, so feel free to add color with paint or paperscraps. Cut two finger sized circles side by side on the bottom of each puppet.

Once your puppets are complete, trace the outside of each on an other sheet of cardstock or old folder. Cut out each backing silhouette slightly smaller than the original. Don't forget to cut out the finger holes as well. The backing will provide extra stability.

Line up the backing silhouette on the back of your puppet. Trace an outline for easy placement when gluing. Now, glue the backing to your puppet using glue or spray mount. Make sure to use your outlines as a placement guide.

Once your placement is set, press together from the center moving towards each edge. It's helpful to do this using a bone folder or the edge of a ruler.

Now your Boris K Puppets are ready for action.

If you'd like a few readymade Boris K Finger-Puppets, feel free to click, enlarge + download the images below. There are also a few Boris heads to choose from, if your up for the challenge.

... and if anyone should take up this Boris K Craft Challenge, please take picture and share the love. Either post a link to your images in my comments box or email images to: bakingwithmedusa[at]gmail.com

We LOVE Boris K*

with over 100 blogs participating in the Boris Karloff Blogathon this week, i think it's fair to say no one does it quite like Boris. for me, his very name launches a million smiles throughout my entire being and a slight tingle up my spine. what is it about him, the stare, the voice, or the heartbreaking tortured sensitivity of the eternally misunderstood? i can't even begin to explain it, i'll just embrace it.

my Boris K offerings this week are more of the do-it-yourself variety... and if your up for the challenge, please feel free to join in. this week i have a few crafty tutorials planed in honor our boy Boris. So pull out the construction paper, glue + glitter, cause it's Things to Make & Do... with Boris Karloff. stay tuned for future posts.

be sure to visit Frankensteinia for more madness with Boris.