Sunday, August 21, 2011

FDU: Witchy Inspiration

Another Final Destination Unknown turned up this Witch on Wheels Skate Sculpture from PlasticLand ($49):


Poke around the site a bit to find other fun Victorian/Steampunk style goodies.

Haunt on!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Halloween At Big Lots

Another required stop on my list today was Big Lots. I was just sure that they'd have at least some of their Halloween out and I was right. Our store has a few naked shelves so I'm probably safe to assume that more is coming.

The selection so far was ok. Quite a bit of cutesy, glitter and such. They also seem to have a lot of light up signs and lights in general. I did manage to find a couple of things I thought I should have.

Of course I snapped a few pics for all you Ghoulies:




This sign (Ghoul's just want to have fun) fits me but I wasn't crazy about the graphics so I passed:


I did bring home the Haunted Hedge which is basically a set of sound activated creepy eyes that shakes and moans. I also grabbed a box of the Flickering String Lights. These are great and I think I can find several uses for them.


Haunt on!

The Market Shop

Well things are getting back to normal around here. Ok, as close to normal as we get anyway.

Thanks to everyone who sent prayers and well wishes for my mother's surgery. She can't do anything by the book and landed in the ICU for a few days, but she's home now and on the road to recovery.

Since today was my first day since the surgery that I had any time to do anything I wanted, I informed my family that today is officially "Don't Bother Me Day!". So far so good. I've been out and about checking in on what Halloween goodness has cropped up recently.

I spotted bits of Halloween a couple of weeks ago in the front windows of The Market Shop - one of my favorite stores.  Today I made sure to find time to drop in. Halloween had exploded in the shop. I snapped a few pics for former Ghoulie Girl, Tracy, so I thought I'd share a few with you:

I just could not say "no" to this Scaredy Cat Pillow:


I also snagged this pumpkin tray. I love an item that can pull me through the entire Autumn season:


Here's a few display shots from the store:







I love the saying on this pillow:


Haunt on!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Scooby Dooby Doo

I'm back at home tonight after a fast and furious get-away. Due to the parents and their recent shenanigans with their health we didn't travel too far. As the week progressed we inched further away (thanks to no news - which is good news) and finally landed around St. Louis. We've been to plenty a theme park (Disney and Universal parks being our all time faves) but we've never been to a Six Flags so we decided to give it a whirl.

I'm kind of a coaster junkie. My kids have also developed an affection for this thrill ride, the hubby - not so much. Since both of the boys refused to ride alone and, us being a group of three, that meant mom had to stand in line twice for each ride. Let's just say I'm about coastered out.

I did make my family stand in line for nearly an hour for the Scooby Doo Scary Swamp ride. We had no idea what it was but I was determined that we ride it anyway. My sister called while we were in line and I told her how the boys and hub were less than thrilled with my choice of rides. She said "What's the problem? It is Scooby Doo for heaven's sake!". See - she gets it.

The long, winding line allowed me ample time to snap a few photos so I thought I'd share them with you (aren't you so lucky?!).






As you can probably guess I was a huge fan of Scooby Doo as a child and, even though it's a bit campy, I love it still today.

The ride was worth the wait and all of my boys were pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed it.

Scooby Dooby Doo!!!!!!!!!!!

Haunt on!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Cracker Barrel Halloween Part II

Cracker Barrel Halloween Part I


Never wanting to pass up an opportunity to share the Halloween love - even on a mini get-away.

(Pardon my poor mobile blogging skills. )

Monday, August 8, 2011

Grandin Road's Halloween Haven Must See


Now here is a happy accident. You may recall that I posted the Grandin Road Halloween teaser video a couple of weeks ago. Well, tonight, I stumbled upon the complete video. Lots of inspiration here! Check it out:


Haunt on!

It Is Finished...

Or at least as finished as it's going to get.

Ever since Scott over at Tortured Pumpkins announced he was running another of his Build-Me-A-Pumpkin contests I've been pondering a design. Frankenstein's monster is my favorite character so that was my initial thought. Someone beat me to it and I didn't want to do what someone else had done. Besides that entry is a fine specimen - I absolutely love it!

So, back to the drawing board... I considered several other pumpkin designs but finally decided on being myself - a Ghoulie Girl. I thought perhaps something girly and ghoulie and semi-creepy all in one.


"Ghoulie Gourd Girl" has sat on my desk for a couple of weeks now. I think that she could still use some shading and touch ups. I've tweaked her when I have had time and while I'm not convinced that she's done, she's as done as she's going to get. We are sneaking away for a few days for a much needed break so my deadline is now. (The actual deadline is midnight August 11.)


If you haven't already, you really need to pop over to Tortured Pumpkins to see all of the entries. I'm so glad I'm not a judge as it would be hard to choose.

Also I'm sending out a big THANK YOU to Scott for running the contest. I haven't had much time the past few years to create much of anything and for some reason this contest lit a fire under my butt and got me going. If nothing else I've got a nice little piece of Halloween art for the new studio.

Haunt on!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

What's In ZGallerie

ZGallerie is adding some glam to the Haunt season. Here are some of my favorite things:


Metallic Skeleton Hand - $20. Creepy bling - love it!


Glitter Silhouette Ornaments - $4/each. Love the vintage style of the design. Notice the nice, large, 8" size of these.


Silver Montebello Jars - $69.95-$89.95. Love how these would reflect the other gory goodies in the room. Great for year-round - and that "other" holiday.

Haunt on!

Halloween Dictionary

I have a rather strange affection for vintage dictionaries. Whenever I come across one I just have to thumb through it - and likely buy it.

I own several and not because I feel the need to look up definitions or anything. I grab them because I think that the old pages will be great in projects. I'm a book lover so it takes a bit of determination for me to even get to the point of ripping out pages, but it beats the burn pile.

The dictionaries I tend to pick up feature neat old graphics so I thought I'd share a few with you today. Hopefully you can work them into a haunted project or two.

The following graphics are from a 1909 dictionary:




I do not have a confirmed date for this one:


If you need help with the images let me know. Oh and if you use them in a project I'd love to see it!

**DISCLAIMER: Some sources in my collection are missing covers or otherwise void of copyright information/publishing dates/title, etc. That's not to say that the images I'm sharing today are in the public domain. I pulled two that I know were prior to 1923 and one that I believe to be based on the info I could find. So, consider yourself warned - best to only use these in personal projects, resale at your own risk. 

Haunt on!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Lowes Halloween Low Down

I was in Lowe's last weekend with the hubby. I was on a mission to get a few things for house projects but was immediately distracted upon entering the store as they had begun setting their Halloween merchandise.

Is it just me or does Lowes almost exclusively carry Gemmy?

Anywho...there was a large airblown inflatable spider who's head moved from side to side, a cackling - but otherwise static - witch and assorted other things. I did snag one item, the Geo Strobe. I don't think it's new to the market but I didn't have one and God knows I really should have one of everything. Right??


Here's the scoop:

"Puts on a flashing light show. Uses 15 LEDs. Plays pre-programmed sequences or responds to sound activation. Requires 4 AA batteries."

It features red, green and blue LEDs. Cost $9.99. I thought it would be kind of fun even though I don't have any particular idea of exactly how I will use it.


One other thing I liked was the packaging. I'm a sucker for Halloween art and the package has kind of a vintage feel to it. Two-tone slime green with black graphics. See the ToTs running toward the haunted house? The "Trick Or Treat" font and the bat-esque graphic at the top are also cool.

I'm such a sucker for cool Halloween packaging graphics that you'll find these on display in my office:


The Flies and Brain Freeze were Target candy novelty packaging. The Witch Brew is an old beer can I happened upon and the Monster - well, it's Monster.

While the strobe may not be anything super unique at least Lowes is getting geared up for Fall. I am so ready!

Haunt on!

Getting a Little Bang Out of Your Halloween Buck

I took the opportunity to get out today to see how local retailers were coming along with their Halloween offerings. I'm sorry to report that, at least here anyway, things are slow going.


Dollar Tree had made a tiny bit of progress having added some very small crows. These little guys stand a tad over 4" tall and are approximately 7 1/2" long. Available in three poses, they have the standard wire coming out of the bases of the foot. Only the back and the top of the head has feathers. The rest of the body is a black material similar to a cheap, thin, scratchy velvet. (Sorry can't think of what to call it.) These will be getting a make-over but they are pretty good as they are when you factor in the price.

Next up I also snagged two lenticulars. The frames on these are crap. I'm not even sure you can call them frames. Thin, black plastic with silver (gold also available) accenting. The "frames" are 8"x10" so the lenticulars are about 5"x7". (Again, only a dollar each so I'm not really complaining. Really - I'm not!) I only grabbed them because they too are getting a make-over. Four styles to choose from - two with guys and two with girls. I didn't grab the girls because I really didn't care for either of those.

I also grabbed the bat silhouettes which I swear were not there on my previous visit. They had one package left. They will be put to good use as is.

I also popped into Dollar General. They had out Halloween candy but their seasonal aisles were still loaded with summer stuff.

And so, Ghoulies, the wait continues....

Haunt on!

Happy Halloween Season

First off let me welcome in the Halloween season!! Yes it is finally underway as retailers begin loading their shelves with the beginnings of creepy goodness. Even the weather here decided to give us a break from the +100° days. Autumn is right around the corner.

(image from Wallpapersgo.com - 10 Stunning Examples of Autumn Wallpapers)

The rest of this post has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween but I will share my week and why I've been absent anyway. :)

It's been a scary week - and not in a good way kind of scary. First up the parents, who both had doctor appointments on the same day, both found they are facing some serious health issues. One is still undergoing testing and the other has surgery scheduled. I'm sure that they will be fine but it makes things a bit stressful at the moment.

By Friday I was finally ready to get myself back on schedule only to walk into the office and find my main computer had got hit in the power surge from the night before. Dead. Yes, D-E-A-D. All the office electronics are on a surge protector and all survived - except the most important one.

My fave computer shop is owned by Steve. He is the most helpful, knowledgeable guy with the most beautiful, brown, waist length hair - which is sometimes in long Pippi style braids. He might even be wearing ballet flats or a women's sweater. It depends on the day really. I love that he does what he wants AND in all the battles he's gotten into with the my electronics over the years, the computer has only won once. I was praying today would be one of those "good news" days.

The computer shop opens at 11am so I made sure to be there right at 11. No Steve. 11:15. No Steve. 11:30. No Steve. Panic is setting in at this point. I went and grabbed a quick lunch and came back. No Steve.

In the panic only one other computer shop came to mind so, even though I'd never been there before, I decided I better head that direction. I landed at Matt's place. Matt has red hair, in dreads, a braided goatee, several piercings and tats. In less than 5 minutes Matt had determined that it was only the power supply and in no time at all he had me fixed up.

I have decided that I will only ever go to a computer geek who has his own unique style. No nerd squad for me. Give me the guys with tats or braids any day! Thank you Matt! (And, here's hoping that Steve is ok.)

The day was looking up. I had Little Shop of Horrors in the evening. It wasn't as raunchy as it can be but it was a great show. I love seeing my son (Orin the dentist) on stage and all of the players were perfect for their roles. I so enjoyed the show and I completely forgot the stress of the week.

An hour after arriving home Mom called. This is never good to get a call from the parents at this hour. They had spent the night in the ER. Mom had decided to mow last evening but couldn't get this one area due to a branch that had come partially down. Dad decided to grab a ladder and cut it off.

Picture this....Mom is mowing, Dad on ladder sawing, branch comes down, hits ladder. Ladder goes one way, Dad the other. Mom still mowing. Dad on ground. Mom finally notices. She has to load him on the mower to get him to the house.

I swear they are trying to kill me.

I have some Halloween goodness to share so I'll be back later. I do hope that you're Halloween season has kicked off better than mine.

Haunt on!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Little Shop of Horrors

I'm so excited for this weekend! My oldest, Brittan, is performing in the Salina Center for the Arts production of Little Shop of Horrors. He is playing the part of Orin - the dentist. He really wanted this part so he could go crazy with the role. He's been working on his evil laugh for weeks and I'm just dying to see the show. Break a leg kiddo!

Haunt on!
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