Tuesday, June 29, 2010

IT'S A HURRICANE PARTY!

Being that Tropical Storm Alex could soon be upgraded to  "Hurricane Alex", it's time to get ready for a Hurricane Party! So once you board up the house (if you live in South Texas) and make sure you've fired up the generator (to make sure it works and it is filled with gasoline!)..... it's time to party!

Here's what you'll need:
A grill, an ice chest, lots of food and drinks. (Don't forget the bottled water!) Lots of candles, matches or lighters, a few decks of cards, board games, a weather-ban radio (with batteries) and lots of flashlights (one per person).

Now it's time to tell ghost stories! You can also make a list of fun party games like Truth or Dare and Flashlight Tag for the kids, cook up some goodies on the grill and have a few cocktails!

Happy Hurricane Party.....hopefully I'll be back blogging again soon! I'll keep you all posted!

Friday, June 25, 2010

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN GREETINGS

I was looking on line for some ideas for framed art for Halloween, and I came across these vintage Halloween postcards.

Halloween postcards are one of the most collectible Halloween items. Most used wonderfully illustrated scenes of festivities on Halloween including bobbing for apples, fortune games, witches, pumpkins, veggie people, and cats.

Some of the more popular postcards are those signed by the artist--such as Clapsaddle and Brundage cards. Postcards, the precursor of the standard modern greeting card, were prolific for Halloween beginning in the late 1800s. Generally, these can be found for as little as $10.00 to $20.00 on up to several hundred dollars for rarer cards--especially those that are mint and unused. Some become very collectible too because of the writing on the back of the postcards.




Tuesday, June 22, 2010

HALLOWEEN WREATHS

Everyone knows that a wreath on the front door says "Welcome!". How about some of these ideas to create a festive mood for your Halloween season! They all are pretty simple to make (actually, the more simple, the better) just make sure you have lots of black spray paint! Check out some of these ideas for some spooky inspiration!


Monday, June 21, 2010

TRAGIC SAM

The Halloween Story Game

This is a fun game for kids and teens, and I can remember doing all kinds of versions of this game when we were kids. It's a classic for Halloween parties and sleep-overs!

Here's what you'll need: Cooked spaghetti or cooked cauliflower, peeled tomato, peeled grapes, popcorn kernels, baby carrots, spam, pen and paper, bags or bowls

Here's what to do: Dim the lights or use a candle or have guests close their eyes (but it makes it hard to write) before beginning your story, the goal is that you guests will Create a story about Tragic Sam who apparently died in an accident and the CSI (Crime Scene Investigators) need your help to identify the remains found at the scene. The CSI team has placed what they found of what they believe Sam in these.

Rumors on the street are that Tragic Sam faked his own death, but we are not so sure, so we are going to have you investigate the remains so we can solve this mystery.

Now pass them around and tell people to put their hands in the bag and write down what they think the item actually is, NO PEEKING! Get ready to hear the kids squeal and scream!

This is believed to be Sam’s brain – (cooked spaghetti or cooked cauliflower)

His heart (peeled tomato)

His eyes (peeled grapes)

We found his teeth scattered around the floor (un-popped popcorn)

His fingers (baby carrots)

His liver (slice Spam in a weird shape)

When you're done, have the kids turn in their answers and the one with the most correct answers wins. Be sure to have a fun prize for the winner. Remember, you can make the story as kid-friendly or as gross as you want!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

MORE PROJECTS

I've been pretty busy over the last two weeks, as you can see.... I've been working on some new pieces. These are pretty close to being finished, and a few others are still in the planning stages. Meet Evil Candy Corn, Annabelle Von Bludgeon and Vivian Pincushion.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

BLOODY VASES

I always have fun when I can make things that are dripping in blood! These vases are really easy to do, and I've also done votive candles, too. All you need is some red acrylic gloss paint, a few glass vases or votives,  some paint brushes and paper towels.

Slowly drip the paint along the edges of the vase, using a thin paint brush to make globs and drips. If you need to, dab with a paper towel, if the drip smears. Another thing that's great about working with acrylic paint on glass....if you don't like how it looks, wait until it dries and then just "peel" it off, and start over.

Add some dried flowers or white candles and you're all set!

Monday, June 14, 2010

SWEET!

What a cool idea for a manicure-makeover! Everyone does the blood red or the basic black manicure for Halloween. This year, why not try something sweet? I think this would really be cute to get your toes done like this the next time you go in for that pedicure!

Friday, June 11, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. FRANKENSTEIN!

Happy Birthday to Gene Wilder! He's 77 today. So in honor of his birthday, lets all watch "YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN" this afternoon. I'll bring popcorn......

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

THE HALLOWEEN TREE

So pretty and so simple. I think Halloween trees are so cool because you can decorate them any way you want to! Last year, I did a really cool "Barbie head" tree, but this one is a lot prettier!

Like I said, it's pretty easy. Just get a container or clay pot, fill with some floral foam, get some dried out branches, spray paint them black, put the branches in the container. Then decorate the tree however you want. Add moss, string Halloween candy, even old holiday ornaments spray painted black, silver and orange looks really great!

Be creative and have fun!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

WORKS IN PROGRESS

I think I'm getting back in the creative groove, so I've started a few new projects. Here's what I've got in the works.... and hopefully, they'll be completed this week. Meet Mortimer Finch and Evil Candy Corn.


Monday, June 7, 2010

CLEANING DAY

Well, today is officially "Paint Brush Cleaning Day"!

I've got a few projects that I want to start this week, and I need to prepare. I'm kinda nutty when it comes to paint brushes. I can't help myself. I've had most of these for years, and they look almost new.

I know it's silly....but I looooove paint brushes. I wonder if there's a support group for that?

Saturday, June 5, 2010

WICKED WEEKEND

I know I usually don't have time to post over the weekend, but I had to have dental surgery yesterday (very gruesome) so I've been laying around watching The Munsters, taking painkillers and eating Popsicles. Sounds fun, right?

Well today is no exception. My wonderful husband is out and about in the word today, but he left me with a few treasures. Today is going to be a day of watching Vincent Price movies! And some really great ones, too. "The House on Haunted Hill", followed by "The House of Wax", then top it off with "Scream and Scream Again".

Hope you have a wickedly fun weekend too!

Friday, June 4, 2010

SWEET DREAMS


Now this is the teddy bear of my dreams....or my nightmares! How great is this little guy?

I found this at craftzine.com, it's a stuffed Zombie Bear by MariskaLovesCrafts!

“Are his intestines removable?” you ask? Of course they are!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

SIMPLE & STYLISH

Black Magic Centerpiece

I think this is perfect for the tabletop or as decorations to display throughout your home, to create a ghoulish but stylish atmosphere for your Halloween!

Here's what you'll need:
White Carnations
Round vase
Black floral spray paint
Licorice sticks
Ribbon

Here's how to do it:
Lightly spray the carnation blooms black, leaving some of the centers white. Fill the vase with water. Trim the stems of the flowers to the desired length. Slip the licorice sticks inside the vase to hide the flower stems. Tie the vase with a ribbon. So easy....and you're done in minnutes!

Check out this site for more great ideas!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

MOURNING JEWELRY

Most of us associate jewelry with happy occasions like weddings, birthdays and Valentine’s Day. But many folks are wearing jewels these days that symbolize quite the opposite.

"Mourning Jewelry" is apparently all the rage right now, according to TrendHunter, and with vampire chic taking over our pop culture – from Twilight to True Blood - it’s no wonder.

So what is mourning jewelry exactly?

The earliest examples of mourning jewelry were found in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. Black and white enameled heads or skulls were often set into both rings and brooches and worn to signify a period of mourning after the death of a loved one.
The jewelry category reached its height of popularity in England with Queen Victoria after the premature death of Prince Albert in December 1861. Black jewelry soon became a must-have accessory, as thousands of Brits sympathized with their grieving Queen.

In the United States the use of mourning jewelry increased with the outbreak of the Civil War, which included the emergence of hair jewelry – lopped off locks given to loved ones by soldiers who went off to war, often worn as pendants or in closed lockets.
 
Check out this cool blog for more on this article!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

REALITY CHECK

What a great weekend! We went camping over the Memorial weekend holiday, and hope that you all had as much fun as we did. The weather was awesome... the food was even better.

We had three days of relaxing, campfires and Bloody Mary's! It was rough coming back to civilization...but at least it's a short work week.....