Specimens for Your Bottles: Parasitic Worms

The good folks over at Propnomicon
have provided us with yet another great tutorial relating to creepy things in bottles. This tutorial shows us a very cheap and easy way to make parasitic worms out of liquid latex. A huge mess of these would look wonderfully creepy floating inside a dingy specimen jar, don't you think? You could also add a tiny bit of acrylic paint to the latex to give your parasites some color.

I find nothing more disgusting and interesting, at the same time, as parasitic worms. They repulse me, but I can't help but want to know more about them! If parasites are as fascinating to you as they are to me, I suggest checking out Animal Planet's show Monsters Inside Me.

Bottled Specimens: Version II

Previously, I wrote about creating your own bottled fetus. I also wanted to share another tutorial with you guys on how to make another type of bottled specimen. This time, rather than a fetus, it is a 'mystery specimen.' The tutorial is very clear and concise, with plenty of photos. The author has even included a link to a printable label for your jar (which Lovecraft fans will get a kick out of).
The author discusses things that they would have done differently at the end of the article, such as making the preserving liquid less dark, which I agree completely with. While the darkness and dinginess of the preserving liquid makes it harder for the observer to identify it's contents, it also makes it hard to tell if there is anything in there at all. I do think that sealing the bottle in wax is a great idea, and will have to try that out. I think it lends a bit of a more authentic touch to the whole project.

Miniature Mummy: Tutorial Link

Now, this tutorial is actually for a mummified fairy. I am not exactly the biggest fan of mythological creatures, but I still think that the finished product is totally rad. Personally, I would leave out the wings and fairy accessories, but I still think that it would fit nicely on a shelf next to your bottled specimens and mounted insects. The photo I have included in this post is of the mummy before the author of the tutorial added the wings. The tutorial is nice and clear, very simple, and includes plenty of pictures.
Perhaps you could use this tutorial to make a mummy for a faked freakshow exhibit, similar to this absolutely amazing freakshow prop over at Curiomira.

Beware of Zombies Cross Stitch

There are three things in life that make me very happy. Okay, there are more than three things that bring me joy, but only three of those many things pertain to this post. These three joyous things are:

1. Crafts
2. Zombies
3. Free stuff

When it comes to crafts, I especially love cross stitch. It was one of the very first crafts I ever learned how to do. It is very simple and you end up with stunning results. That is why I was pretty much ecstatic when I found this cross stitch chart. It is crafty, it has to do with zombies, and it is free! I just really love the ornate border and I know that it would just look stunning. How about changing the colors and stitching it up on black Aida?

Zombie Defense Kit - Tutorial Link

Are you prepared for the zombie apocalypse?
This is a very serious question, my friends. One that you must ask yourself and your loved ones.

There are many essentials that may come to mind when preparing for a zombie attack, such as a military vehicle, a fortress, etc. However, the most important item is actually a basic weapons kit.
Craftster user KCBlueGal gives us a great text tutorial on how to make a basic zombie survival kit.

Bunny in a Bear has probably created the coolest ever DIY zombie survival kit I have ever seen. Ever. I highly suggest checking out his kit. Just be warned that you will probably be so impressed that you will fall out of your chair. The case cover doubles as a sheild, my friends, a sheild!

FriendlyNeighbourPsycho has their own version, or rather, versions which can also be found on Craftster over here.

Bottled Specimens: Tutorial Link

I've always loved the look of a shelf lined with bottled specimens. I really don't know where this strange interest came from, but whatever. I know that they creep a lot of people out, but my love of all things biology and all things macabre make me want a whole cabinet in my home filled with them.
I would love the real deal, but I will have to settle for fakes. The plus side of creating your own fakes is that you can make either very hard to find specimens, or mythical creatures. I have a long standing love of birth defects and fetus mutations, as well as all things crafty, so DIY bottled specimens are right up my alley.
I have found a wonderful tutorial for faking a mutated fetus specimen, as seen to the right. It can be found here over at the Indy Mogul forums.
This tutorial uses all kinds of fancy materials that are not readily available to me, and is also meant for making many of the same specimen. You could use the concept of this very thorough tutorial to create your own one-offs using polymer clay.

Zombie Art Quilt

When I first saw this art quilt by Craftster user Pearliepie, I was absolutely stunned. Personally, I hate quilting. I wish I could love doing it, but it's just too much planning. I'm a measure never, cut a thousand times type of gal. So, I have nothing but the utmost respect for quilters. Besides, this quilt is just awesome! Check out the original post on Craftster for more detail pictures.