The Subtle Evolution of Special K

c. 1959

1960

1962

A Mysterious Sign

Mr Toast at Monkeyhouse Toys

I will be making an appearance at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silverlake tomorrow, Sunday October 14th . I am packing up books to sign, a few t-shirts, dolls and buttons. I will be doing little watercolor drawings to give away. Also since Halloween is coming up I will be bringing along the ultimate Misfit Mr Toast doll. Instead of 2 arms and legs, he has 3 legs and 1 arm. Spooky and weird......

Monkeyhouse Toys
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Bl.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-662-3437
from 1PM to 5PM

Mr Toast for Halloween

A few people this year have asked about how to make a Halloween costume of Mr Toast. I gave it a little thought and came up with this little tutorial for an easy to make costume.

First find a big piece of cardboard.

Draw out an outline and then cut him out. I used an exacto kniife but scissors will also work. Kids ask your parents to help with this step.

Time to paint. Lay out newspapers so you don't make a big mess. You can get inexpensive paints at most craft stores. You will need tan, brown, black and white. I started with a white coat and then tan over that.

Use the brown to paint a crust on one side, black for the eyes and mouth and white to fill in the eyes. Before painting the eyes draw them on with pencil so you know where you want to paint.

You need to attach a string on the back so you can wear the costume. I took a second piece of cardboard and punched some holes in it to tie the string through. I then glued this on the back and tied off the string to adjust it for the correct height.

Cut a think slit right at the level of your eyes so that you can see out when you go trick or treating.

Now you just have to wait until Halloween.

Arboretum

Plush You Exhibition

Plush exhibition starting Friday Oct 12th at 5PM at Schmancy in Seattle, WA. The show actually takes place in 3 stores all right next to one another. It should be quite a party this Friday night I wish I could be there but Mr Toast will be there along with some of the Jake special edition dolls for sale.

But I will be making an appearance at Monkeyhouse Toys in SIlverlake this Sunday from 1-5PM. More info on that tomorrow....

Halco Halloween Costumes

Who do you want to be for Halloween? Well in 1960 Halco gave you some great choices including the Heinz Pickle, Post cereal's Cornelius Sugar Coat and even the Phillies Cheeriot (a cigar). Something was lost in the world when kids no longer dressed up as cigars for the holidays.

Mr Toast in France - part 1

Well 2 weeks ago I threw Mr Toast in my bag and headed off for a 2 week vacation in France with my wife, Shannon. We all had quite a fun time.

It was rainy and blustery when we arrived in Paris.

Our first stop the local cafe for a Coca-Cola Light.

Fun little city streets where no cars are allowed.

The Mediterranean Sea!

Time for a salad.

The wax museum in Lourdes.

The Jokaria was closed, we will have to visit next time we are in Biarritz.

The medieval walled city of Carcassone.

Guarding the ramparts.

An ancient Roman Temple in Nimes

Tomorrow we will head to Avignon and continue our tour of France!

The Comfort of Home

Jungle Book Dixie Cups

Years ago someone offered me a box of Jungle Book Dixie Cups. Jungle Book was one of my favoirte movies as a kid but the price for the box just seemed too high so I passed on them. For years I have regretted that. But in the years since I have seen this Disney Storyland Cups box a few times so I finally got one. It has the same cutouts the Jungle Book box had but a much less interesting front. So the hunt continues.

1953 Watts Junk Yard Fire

Burry's Giant

After running all my posts a few weeks ago about Burry cookies, I was contacted by a man that had a group of Scooter Pie Giant animation cels. We worked out a price and he sent them to me. They are very cool and really have that nice Jay Ward feel. Now I just have to find a Scooter Pie box with the giant on the front....