Blog Parties

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Spider Web Window

Where has the year gone?  Here we are in the middle of October.  Christmas is in a little over two months.  Yikes!

And where have I been?  I'd love to say that I've been laying on a beach in a tropical climate.  But no, I've just had a serious case of laziness.  Like really bad.  Almost fatal.

I need to do something, and fast.  Halloween is in less than 3 weeks and I haven't even decorated.  Well I have, just not finished enough to post about it.

I'm hoping to get motivated this weekend.  Only because I am having a Halloween party on the 20th.  So I need to get going.

Maybe if I post about something Halloweeny from last year that will get me in the mood. 

Something Gothic and Victorian and Halloweeny.  

Last year my hubby made me this fabulous spider web leaded glass window. I barely mentioned it last year. So I thought this year I would post more about it. 

It was inspired by these spider web windows we saw at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA

Once I saw these windows, I knew I needed one of my own.  




Here is a closer look at a couple of the spider web windows in the Winchester Mystery House.  

If you have never been to see this house, you must put it on your bucket list.  It is beautiful and spooky all in one.  It's a fabulous Victorian house.  

Lucky for me, my hubby knows how to do stained and/or leaded glass windows.  So I asked if he could make me one and he said "Anything for you babe as you are the best wife in the whole wide world".  Well, he may not have said it exactly like that, but that is what I heard.   


First hubby started out by drawing a pattern on some kraft paper.  Then he purchased some glass from the local stained glass store.  We are lucky to have one in the town we live in.   He spent a day cutting out each section of glass and fitting it on the pattern. 

Next he put copper foil around the edge of each piece of glass. 


Then comes the flux & soldering.  He kept moving the soldering gun so I never got a good picture.  He didn't want to take the time to stop & model.  Just wanted to get it done.  

I know there is another step that turns all the copper and soldering black, just can't remember exactly what he did.  


Finally he put the window into an old frame I had picked up at the thrift store.  I paid $5.00 for the frame many years ago.  I love how this frame is black and gold. 

Here is a closeup of the detailing on the corners of the frame.  

It's really hard to take a photo of something sitting in the window.  I had to really lighten up the two photos of the frame so you could see it.  

I love the prism circle in the middle. 

Here you can see that he used different types of glass.

I was so happy with how the window turned out.  It is my most favorite Halloween decoration.  But after a week or so we decided that it needed something else.  But what?

How about a spider?

My hubby found a spider ring on ebay that had a purple crystal for it's body.  He cut off the ring part & glued the spider to the window. 


And now the window is perfect.  The spider was just the right touch.  

The window ended up costing about $40.00 to make.  But can you imagine how much you would have to pay to buy one in a store?  And have you ever seen a spider web window in a store?  

I just love how my spider web window turned out.  So much so, that it's been sitting on my window sill all year. 

My hubby is definitely a keeper.  

Now hopefully I will be more motivated to finish up my Halloween decorating.  How about you?  Do you have all your Halloween decorating done?

Kim

Linking to:

Weekend Wrap Up Party-Tatortots and Jello

9 comments:

  1. Your husband did an great job on your window, I love it! Hugs, Penny

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim, you have a very talented hubby. Good luck with your decorating. I'm slow to get things pulled out this fall.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Kim!

    I remember this! I was so impressed (and jealous) that your husband made this! I love the center prism and the different textured glass. However I don't remember that beautiful frame or the spider. They really add to the whole effect.

    Get busy girl! I always LOVE your Halloween decor!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was so excited for Halloween this year that I started decorating in September. I am now SICK of Halloween lol. So I guess it's a good thing you didn't start early lol!

    However I never get sick of Christmas no matter how early I start.

    Love your blog! Been reading it for a couple years now

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really cool! He is very talented!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this!

    I'd love to have you link up at my Weekend party!

    http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com/2012/10/weekend-warmth-5.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow... this is gorgeous! He did a super job... love the addition of the spider. Wonderful windows on the inspiration house too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! This is one cool window. Awesome project!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Kim,
    Just found your blog while searching for spiders and webs and this is just gorgeous!!!
    I've always wanted a spider window in my next home but never really thought about having one in an antique frame. Yours is magical!!! Thanks for sharing.

    p.s.Your hubby is definitely a keeper.... : )

    Annabelle

    ReplyDelete