Crafty Costumes!

Halloween is always a painful reminder of the one skill that I wish I had, but sadly do not and will never possess....sewing.  But never fear, all is not lost on the costume front because I am industrious and willful when it comes to accomplishing something I set my mind to.  So I have come to fancy myself as the McGyver of Halloween Costume Construction....armed with liquid hem, safety pins, string, glue and anything else laying around the house!  That's all the ingredients that were needed to conjure up some costumes for my chitlins through the years.  My only requirement and self-imposed expectation was that they had to somehow manage to stay in one piece until All Hallow's Eve drew to a close.  

I will not lie and say that my kids have come away from my costuming endeavors unscathed.  For it is true that they have endured the occasional pricking of a safety pin into their flesh, or allergic reaction to some make-shift adhesive, and possibly even a mild case of chaffing and heat stroke on particularly hot October eves down here in Florida.  But I say...no pain, no gain...nothing great ever comes easy.  And besides...temporal discomfort beats showing up at school and parties with the same over-done mask and boxed costume as three other kids....right?!  Alas, I have been quite pleased with my efforts to add that lil' spark of something special to their Halloween celebrations over the years, and the kids love being a part of the process.  Which is just another great thing I love about my favorite holiday!

So I thought the Halloween Countdown would be the perfect time and place to share some of my 'not so handy' mad creation skills. And in hopes that I can inspire even the most 'sewing-challenged' among you to give 'homemade' costumes a try...I can also attest that my kids have even miraculously won a few costume contests along the way too!  Who would have thunk it??!  So you'll be emboldened to know that ineptitude and total lack of viable skills....are no opposition to imagination, determination, a little magic, and the love of Hallowe'en!  :o)   So, do any of you hand make your family's Halloween costumes too....or am I the only inept and deranged glutton for punishment?

 

Still can't believe I actually sewed this Mermaid outfit myself.  She couldn't do anything but sit with her legs out straight, ha...but it was perfect because she couldn't walk yet anyway, and she never crawled at all before she walked.  So it worked, and she won the baby costume prize at a Halloween party we went to!

 

I created this Cat in the Hat costume with a few individual store bought items, some felt and safety pins.  But my most favorite part was the clever little fish in the plastic fish bowl idea. I enlarged an illustration of the fish from the book, glued him on the inside of the plastic bowl, drilled some holes in the fish bowl, and tied on some rope.  Then she used it as her candy holder while trick or treating.  And she won the costume contest too. It was that fish bowl that sealed the deal!

I think I'm most proud of this Scarecrow costume because it was a lot of work and turned out so cute!  I actually managed to figure out how to sew straw onto the collar, cuffs  and bottoms of those overalls...denim is tough and raffia is a pain...but the end result was worth it and it didn't itch like real straw!  I can sew as long as it's mostly in a straight line, but it takes me about 2 days to read the instructions on how to run the sewing machine before I can even proceed.  I'm not a big fan of sewing, but I sure wish I knew how!

Yep the Scarecrow outfit  held up well and was unisex....so I saved it and made my son wear it a few years later.  My favorite part was the big realistic looking crow sitting on the straw hat...everyone really loved that little detail!  In fact, I think I am really more a detail girl anyway...someone else can sew the main outfit, and then I'll come along and add in all the details!  I need a costume design partner to work with.

Cave Boys and Girls!  I decided I was going to go for a duo costume choice this time, so I didn't have to create 2 different costumes.  The cave kid idea was the perfect choice, and easy to do!  I also didn't feel like undertaking another sewing attempt, so I just cut out rudimentary patterns ala Fred Flintstone, and safety pinned those frocks together like a mad woman.  They actually held up well too, with the exception of some minor injurious pokes and pricks of the pins here and there!

Okay...so I don't sew or do costume make-up well either.  Here, they are a French Mime, a Blonde Vampire which is just ridiculous, and their friend the Zombie.  This was obviously not my finest hour for costume design or make-up and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  But they did color coordinate nicely, so at least there's that!

 

So last but not least...here my son was a Witch Doctor and I bought that gauzy suit from the store and added skeletons, skulls, teeth and makeup.  And he actually looked pretty cool.  My niece is on the left and she was a Zombie Princess.  Her Mom had been practicing on the head wounds and rotting flesh for weeks, and she did a great job to.  But my niece's immersion into the character with the deadpan expression and zombie walk was hysterical....ain't Halloween fun?!! 

All Images © Wendy A. (All Rights Reserved)

The Halloween Watch Begins

Well it's now July....and that means that we are one month closer to Halloween....woo hoo!  And as it turns out, Halloween is officially on its way into retail stores near you....or at least near ME!  I can happily report from the mainland of Florida the following Fall/Halloween sightings thus far.  Of course the craft stores are always first on the scene as expected, since crafters need to start procuring supplies for their Autumn crafting and fairs.  At last check, Michael' and JoAnne's both had their autumn floral out including fall leaves, pumpkins, crows,  gourds, owls, and ribbons etc.  Michael's also has their Halloween ribbons out as well. 

Here in Florida, we have a store called Garden Ridge...not sure where else this store is in other parts of the country, as I just discovered it last year....it's similar to Old Time Pottery (which did NOT have any Fall/Halloween stuff out yet last time I checked, although they may have some now that July 4th is over).  But anyway, Garden Ridge does have both Autumn and Halloween stuff out already.  They were just getting it out 2 weekends ago, so there's probably even more now.  That is the first official sighting of substantial Halloween merchandise I've seen.  Additionally, Hobby Lobby also has most of their Autumn stuff out now....along with most of their CHRISTMAS!  Yes, I said Christmas...ugh!  I always loathe seeing  Christmas come out before or at the same time as Halloween, but Hobby Lobby is a religious store, so I've noticed that they will actually wait quite a long while to put Halloween on display, while having Christmas merchandise out as early as June.  At least they have the Autumn stuff anyway.  And lastly, someone online mentioned that Grandin Road has sent out a 'Halloween Preview Catalog' email as well.  There are some Halloween items on their site right now, but their "Halloween Haven" is not officially up yet.

** And that is it from my neck of the woods...would love to know what everyone else is seeing.  And for any of my old Halloween pals that have switched their blogs over to Google + or whatever that is.....I do apologize, but I can no longer comment on your blogs unless I sign up for it, and I don't want it.  I think it sucks that they want to force you to switch to it in order to be able to stay in contact with our blogger friends.  So please know that if you have switched over, I am still following your blog, but I guess I will not be able to comment any longer....boo hiss, sorry!  :o(

 

Macabre Opera Mask

Happy Friday!  It's the weekend....hooray!  So I had been contemplating a Halloween Masquerade Ball for this year's party theme, and I just saw this fabulous Skull Opera Mask that apparently had been available in the past on Amazon.  I LOVE this!  It's also versatile, and could easily be used for Dia de los Muertos themes and parties as well.

Since Opera Masks are traditionally held up with the little stick on the side, it only makes sense that this Macabre Mask is held up with a 'Skeleton Arm' of course!  How completely Creepy and Clever is that?!. Unfortunately, it's no longer available on Amazon, so if anyone knows where else this beauty could be purchased, I'd love to know.

Day of Dearly Departed Souls!

Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.

~ George Eliot

So yesterday and today, November 1st & 2nd, is when Día de Los Muertos is traditionally celebrated.  And although I've never been to an event, I sure would LOVE to go.  So this year as I was lamenting my failed attempts at making Halloween happen to my liking...I decided to see if there were any Day of the Dead celebrations in our area that I could attend to appease my hurt feelings.  Well of course there's not...no surprise there, go figure!  There was one museum that had some small something or other, but that's pretty much all I could find.

Until.......I expanded my search to the entire state of Florida.  Then I found something that really caught my interest and looks like BIG fun.  Unfortunately, I discovered this on October 30th and that was just not enough time to get our ducks in a row to head down there today, October 2nd.  It's the South Florida, Day of the Dead Celebration in Ft. Lauderdale.  This is the event's 3rd year, and apparently it grows ever more popular each year.  There are all sorts of fun events going on in the City Arts District which has several streets blocked off for the event.  Here are some of the Fun & Fabulous Festival Offerings...

* Giant Skeleton Puppet Processional and Parade 
* Day of the Dead Art Exhibitions and Market 
* Community Ofrendas and Calaveras Skull Mask exhibits 
* Day of the Dead Film Festival 
* Hearse/Art Car/ LowRider Auto Show
* World’s Tiniest Skeleton Parade Floats & Kazoo Band
* Landscapes of the Dead Exhibition  
* Live Music at the Bone Yard Bandstand
* Circus Bizarra Side Show, Midway and Funhouse
* Memento Mori-Go-Round
* Great & Prescient Fortune Tellers Vladmir Plotzsky & Madame Glo
* Cupcake Burlesque
* South Florida Pirates & Ghost Ship
* Animale Mexotica
* Skeleton Street Circus: Trapeze, Stilt Performers & Cirque Performances  
* Mr. Bones Heckle Puppet Show
* Calaveras Mask Making
* Live Skeleton Body Art and Face Painting
* Kid Zone and Petting Zoo
* Calaveras Cantina Food Trucks (Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru and others)
* Day of the Dead Crafters Market
* Costume Photo Booth
* Exotica a Go Go Day of the Dead After Party at the Mai Kai Restaurant
* Day of the Dead Shimmy Shake Review at the Green Room Nightclub


I don't know about you...but I REALLY want to hit this up next year.  The only I'd like better is if it were being held in a Cemetery...but beggars can't be choosers.  So I'm going to plan for it in advance for next year.  And I think it will fall on a Saturday next year too, so that would be even better.  My only decision is do I want to take the kids to let them experience something cool from another culture, or do I want to go with just the hubby or some friends and really let loose...ha!  I need to start looking for Day of the Dead make-up tutorials on You Tube!

So today on Día de Los Muertos, don't forget to light some candles and honor your relatives and ancestors who have passed on to the other side!  They may be gone, but they are never dead until they're forgotten....so don't forget to remember them today!  After all, the veils are thin and maybe their spirits will see fit to drop in and celebrate the day with you!   
Happy Día de Los Muertos!
(All artwork © South Florida Day of the Dead Celebration)

Bottles and Ribbons and Owls...oh my!

Okay....I mentioned two days ago that I experienced my first Halloween sightings at my local stores. And I'm pretty certain that Michael's has everyone beat for being the earliest spook to the party every year. Of course they are JUST beginning to unload the goodies for 2012, but here are a few of the earliest offerings spotted in my area.
I like the ribbon selection this year, especially the Blood Splattered book pages design, and the Witch and Frankenstein ribbons....clever and cute for wrapping Halloween gifts!The Ribbon, Autumn Floral, Fake Owls, Crows and Pumpkins are always the first things to sprout around these parts. But I did especially like those new Apothecary Bottles above with the vintage designs. How about you guys....anything exciting in your neck of the haunted woods?

The Ouija Project & Pumpkin Party

O-U-I-J-A
Go Ahead....Ask It Anything!
But NEVER Play Alone!

Last night we had a very small Pumpkin Carving Party. 'Very and Small' are the operative words here. We have just had SO MUCH on our plates this month, that not only have I been a little sick since our vacation, but we just did not have the time or energy to host a big shin-dig like we usually do. It does disappoint me some, no doubt....but, one can only do so much. And honestly speaking, it was still a lot of work, but it was fun and we could socialize more and enjoy it, so it was all good! I missed photographing all of the pumpkins, but I did manage to get a 'blood and guts' shot. Okay....so maybe there was no blood, but the pumpkin guts looked pretty cool. I also got the 4 jacks below when they were lit up. One was really big and one was teensy tiny....but any carved pumpkin is a good pumpkin in my book!
But as such, I missed yesterday's post. I will be finishing the RavenWood Apothecary tour in the next few days, but today's post is on one of my two favorite projects from last year. I'll post the second one later. I was SO thrilled with how this project turned out, and it looks even better in person than in the photos. I had grand intentions of making a few of these to put in the Etsy shoppe, but time did not cooperate with me as usual. So for now it remains my prototype.
Last year I sojourned into the Spirit World via Ouija....well, sort of! Now I've posted on the art of Ouija before because I'm just absolutely smitten with it for some reason. I guess it's the graphic artist in me, or the fact that I was a Journalism (Advertising/Public Relations) major....but I love 'lettering and type'. So I think that's why the Ouija Board appeals to me so. I previously did not own, and still do not own, a store bought Ouija Board. Oh, I want one badly for my Hallowe'en display, I do....but, I don't like the current versions that you can buy, and the older ones are harder to find and usually pretty expensive.

Now when I was considering buying one a few years back, I read up on them via the internet, and of course there were a gazillion warnings to 'STAY AWAY'! "It is not a toy, and you should not attempt to contact the spirit realm unless you are qualified and prepared for what ever might come your way!" Well, you don't have to scare me twice....nope, that was all I needed to know that I had no intentions of using one. But the fact remains that I still love how they look. And I really still wanted one. Now another thing I read somewhere said, "don't even have one open in your house because it acts as a portal and entities can come through it." But others rebuffed that opinion and said that the only way it can act as a portal, is if you actually use one in a seance and open said portal. I side with the second opinion....and I do that out of personal experience.
So since I wanted a Ouija Board, and I wanted it to look old, I decided that I'd really love to design my very own board and incorporate my own style and aesthetic to it. I wanted one that looked old and was decidedly 'witchy'! So that's exactly what I did. I sat down and spent a rather long time designing and creating the artwork for my very own personalized Ouija Board. Then I was ready to actually craft the board itself. And I had intentions of making a bigger board, and I still will, perhaps this year in fact. But first I got another idea, so I decided to implement that idea first. And that idea was to create a Ouija Board Purse!
So I got my wooden box purse and measured the area where the board would go on the front and the back. Next, I made the hubster remove the handles and hinges so that he could stain my box black. Then I printed out the design on high quality paper and trimmed it to fit the purse. I used Mod Podge to affix it to the purse and a squeegee to remove any air bubbles or bumps. Then I went over it twice with a sealant. When it was all dried, the hubster reattached the handle and hinges.

Then, as a finishing touch, I decided that it should be a real board and be able to be used if someone felt so inclined. So I set about creating a planchette. I made this out of wood pieces that I had the hubby drill a hole in to perfectly fit the size of the letters on the board. Then I put some round ball feet on it so it would be elevated and move easily across the board. And lastly, I painted it black. The planchette can be kept inside the purse for ease of use, anytime, anywhere!I personally, will NOT be using this board in any way, shape or form....but I feel better knowing that I have that option always open to me....ha! And, I've had my custom designed/crafted Ouija Board Purse on display in my home for a year now....and I can report that it's portal to other dimensions remains tightly sealed....as no Ghosts, Haints, Spirits or Specters have come a calling! So what do you guys think? Have you used a Ouija Board and had any bad experiences or lack thereof? And would you be scared to have one set out in your home for fear that evil entities might become squatters in your humble abode?

RavenWood Apothecary No. 2 - Potions & Elixers

RavenWood Apothecary
Potions & Elixers
(magic by the numbers)

Okay....So I'm not sure if I explained this or not...but RavenWood Apothecary is an on-going, ever-evolving Witch Supplies Shoppe that magically blows in on the Autumn winds every September. Each year I work on new projects to add to the Apothecary to enhance its appearance. Some things get moved out, while new things get added in. Yesterday's Gypsy-Witch Potions Chest was one of last year's projects. I usually find neat looking items at places and I think to myself that with a little hocus-pocus and ingenuity...they could really be 'witchy' looking and a great asset to my Apothecary. Oddly...I eye most things with a nod to how they might be used for Halloween...ha!For example, at the Dollar store I found these incredible glass test tubes that were filled with incense cones, stopped up with a cork topper and tied off with some raffia and nice little ceramic tile. They were really nice for a $1, and they make great gifts to give away at the end of the party, especially if you change the tag out to something Halloweeny. But like the Mad Hatter that I am, I saw something far more useful to me with just a little repurposing. So the Dr. Frankenstein in me took over, and I was on my way to creating some potion vials for my witchy lil' laboratory. Now usually this is the point where my brain over-reaches my carpentry skills, so I enlist the help of my ever-faithful assistant 'The Grumpy Old Troll', aka the hubby who knows how to use drills and saws and is not happy that I have a list of chores for him but he does them anyway because he's a good-hearted, grumpy old troll! (Okay...he is now adamant that if I must insist on calling him a 'Grumpy Old Troll' that I inform you that he's not 'old' and is only 8 months older than I.) Moving on....I will handle the artistic part of my potion vials...the graphic art, the names, the front of the stand, the aesthetics of the tubes and the contents....BUT, I need something to display them in, and I have an idea of what I want. So I sketch out my vision for the base, and where to place the holes....then I ask the hubby to find a stray 2x4 and secure a drill bit that will make holes the perfect size to set my tubes in. And while he's at it, he can also sand it down, and stain it black for me! He will complain about this task, but secretly he enjoys these little challenges I throw at him. So after all is said and done....RavenWood Apothecary's - Potions & Elixers - (Magic By the Numbers).....is complete! And for your most discriminating 'witchcrafting' needs we now offer:
No. 11 - 11:11 Enigma Elixer
No. 7 - Lucky 7 Fortune Formula
No. 12 - Witching Hour 12 Hexing Compound
No. 9 - Love Potion # 9 of course, and
No. 13 - Unlucky 13 Curse Lifting Serum

But I still haven't gotten Potion Bottles out of my system when I find these creepy cool labels by Magic Pug on Etsy, and I can't resist purchasing them. The thing is...I can, and do, these same kinds of labels myself because I'm a graphic artist, and I reluctantly admit my shame and guilt in not doing it all myself, BUT, I was getting short on time, and I had just found this set of really cute bottles in a metal stand at Hobby Lobby, and they were just begging me to turn them into potions. So I decide her labels were the perfect size for the job, and I used them. I did have to adjust them some to make them fit my bottles, and of course add the RavenWood logo. Then I took my bottles and added some jute and decorations to the corks....and with a little bippity-boppity-boo, my 'Witch Supplies Shoppe' had some new ingredients guaranteed to lift those wretched curses you've had laid on you and/or make your own magic potions a spell-binding success! ;o) Tomorrow I will continue my tour through RavenWood Apothecary....and share some of my other Hallowe'en Projects.
(Disclaimer: No Grumpy Old Trolls were harmed in the making of these products!) :o)
All Images © 2010-2011 Wendy A. (All Rights Reserved)

Halloween Emerges Quietly at Target & Other News

So it is finally September....Hooray! I had wanted to do a "First Day of September" post...but alas I am late as always. September 1st signifies that we are just one calendar month away from the glorious month of October...woo hoo! And in Florida it means that the stores can officially start putting out their Halloween wares. True enough....some renegade stores have had theirs out for awhile now....and oh how I love them for it too. But many are hold-outs until September when it is officially safe, and a less likely target of the scorn and ridicule of the 'Unbelievers'! You know the ones....."those who don't believe in the Great Pumpkin"!! Tsk Tsk! Now I'm not sure how it goes down, in other parts of the nation, but in Florida.....it seems that Target is always the last holdout.
BUT....I went in there this week and actually found small signs of Halloween emerging. They had the Halloween T-shirts out, which is usually the first thing to arrive in our stores. And there were a few Halloween items in the Dollar Bins up front, but not many. But surprisingly, they also had a Halloween Music section, complete with an audio box to listen to all the spooky selections. The Fall candles were out and smelling good, as well as children's Halloween books. There were NO signs of the 'School Supply Section' being converted over to Halloween yet however. Oh Target....why do you taunt me so? This excursion to Target was exciting to me though because....well because I am easily excited I suppose. But it was almost like Easter egg hunting in a way. As these little sections of Halloween were hidden amongst the regular merchandise with no real signage or fanfare to mark their presence. And I just happened to stumble upon them as I made my way around the store. That's always fun. In juxtaposition to Target of course...is the Spirit Halloween Store that officially opened it's doors. Ours is decorated really spooky and has all kinds of props and costumes. It's 100% 'in your face' Halloween there....no searching necessary! As the 500 neon orange signs they have out front does a more than adequate job of alerting you to their presence!

And Home Goods, which was previously not impressing me much so far this season....just upped their game! I went in, because it is my weekly Autumn routine to go in and see if anything new and spectacular has arrived. And much to my delight, the Halloween section had grown exponentially, AND it was swarming with people. This did cause me a moment of slight panic as I thought of them encroaching on my holiday. For I'm usually the only one haunting those aisles this early in the season. Where did all those folks come from? HomeGoods had a lot of new items that were not there just a few days ago. So now I proclaim my love affair with Home Goods to be officially rekindled. Oh how I love thee HG! Oh....and, JoAnne's had begun getting their Halloween merchandise out as well, and I scored my first sighting and purchase of Martha's Halloween line! I liked it....but then I always do. There was a 'Witchy' line of stickers and decals that I especially liked. But it was all good in my book!As for us....well, we are enjoying our Labor Day weekend by decorating the inside of the house for Halloween of course. And we've managed to watch "The Good Witch", "The Halloween Tree" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to kick off the season. Hope everyone else is getting out. or staying in and kicking off the Halloween season as well!

The Faery Queen of Hallowe'en

The Faery Queen of Hallowe’en

By Wendy A. © 2010

Pardon me Sir, but Have Thoust Seen

The Faery Queen of Hallowe’en?

Why yes Fair Lass, she passed this way

On Filigree Wings, in a Pumpkin Sleigh

It was drawn by Bats, in silent flight

Glistened like Copper, beneath the Moonlight

Her Gown it had Ruffles, of Orange and Black

With a White Petticoat, and some Feathers in back

She carried a Jack, with her Magic inside

Which signaled commencement, of All Hallow Tide

She sprinkled her Magic Dust, into the air

Which summoned the Faeries, to the Gala Affair

The Spiders spun down, on Silken White Threads

While carved faces formed, on each Pumpkin Head

A whirlwind of Leaves, blew in on the Breeze

The Scarecrow bowed down, upon bended knees

The Ravens flew in, and the Owls did the same

The Bogies and Goblins and Specters all came

The Witches they circled, on Broomsticks so high

With Bonfires blazing, into the night sky

The Graveyard awoke, and shook all its stones

While Skeletons danced, upon Rattling Bones

Enchantment soon spread, throughout all the land

By the Hallowe’en Faery Queen’s, magic command

And once the Soirée, was alight in full swing

The Faery Queen gave, one last flit of her Wings

And like Magic she vanished, right into thin air

Leaving Hallowe’en Splendidness everywhere!

So, as luck would have it....(and believe me, I'm usually short on luck) I was a blog give-away winner just recently. I can't believe it's true, because honestly I never seem to win anything, and that is the main reason why I seldom even bother to enter any of the great blog giveaways. But I love the art that Jeanne, from The Candy Corn Chronicles creates, so when she offered up a Hallowe'en Faery as a give away, I figured it couldn't hurt to throw my name in the hat even though I'd never win! So I was actually stunned when I saw that I had won. Stunned and thrilled, because I was hoping it meant that my luck had begun a change for the better.

Well...yesterday I received the most fantabulous package in the mail with my coveted prize winnings within! There were so many terrific Halloween goodies inside...thank you so very much for everything Jeanne. But Oh the Faery!....my Boo-tiful little Hallowe'en Faery! She is just exquisite! The craftsman ship is superb, and she exceeded my wildest expectations....truly! I fell in love with her on contact. I was so enamored with all of her fine details...from her beautiful decorative wings, to her long skinny arms, legs and fingers, to her pointy upturned Faery boots, to her gorgeous little Hallowe'en tutu and the Jack O' Lantern she holds in her out stretched arms! Everything about her was absolute perfection! And as delicately lovely as she looks, she's actually very sturdy, strong and so very well made. Photos simply do not do this piece justice.

So ecstatic was I, over my new Hallowe'en Faery....that I ran outside and photographed her so that I could share her here on the blog. I wanted to capture her Hallowe'en 'magic'. And then as if suddenly sprinkled with her holiday magic....I felt inspired to write a poem about her. So I dedicate the image and poem above to my Hallowe'en Faery's creater Jeanne from The Candy Corn Chronicles. I cannot thank you enough for the package and the addition of this fine Fay to my Hallowe'en collection. I adore her, and you and your awesome creativity! THANK YOU!
Poetry © 2010 Wendy A.
Hallowe'en Faery © 2010 Jeanne G.

Picture Perfect Pumpkin

I just received the most fabulous Halloween box in the mail. There were all sorts of wonderful Halloween goodies inside and I loved them all. But I feel compelled to share one in particular with you all because it is just too stinkin' cute not to be seen. My friend 'Broom Hilda' of The Hallowe'en Witch's Flying-Machine is one talented lil' Witchy Poo. She is an artist who doesn't do nearly as much art as she should because she is such a busy gal. But when she does do something, it's always terrific.

So one of my gifts....was this most magical hand drawn pumpkin. An original work of art just for me from one of my favorite 'ghoul-friends'! The artwork goes all the way around, onto the top and is signed on the bottom. There is a red-haired Wendy Witch, a black kitty, an owl in the tree, haunted house, ghosts, bats, pumpkins, full moon, stars...everything you could want to find in a lil' Pumpkin Halloween Town. She even picked my favorite style and color pumpkin...then decorated it in shades of orange, black and white. I don't even want to know how long it took her to make this...I shudder just to imagine. And how hard it must be to draw on a round, lumpy, bumpy pumpkin no less. But she did a phenomenal job and I am just extremely honored to have received what is now my most favorite pumpkin of all. It has a spot of honor in my living room and I can't wait to show it off to my friends and family at the Pumpkin Carving Party.

So a big THANK YOU to you Broom Hilda for the best Halloween gift ever. It's all the more special because it came from YOU!

$1 Halloween Origami

I like art! I like art of all kinds and if it is somehow associated with Halloween, then I like it all the more. And the best part about this art is....if you run out of paper, you can just grab a dollar bill and use it instead. Origami artists fascinate me because I just don't think I'd have the patience for this genre of art. But I totally dig these Halloween designs like the jack o'lantern and the skull and of course the witch. In the dollar bill origami, I think the kitties are my favorite. You think it up and I bet someone can make it...from cats to bats to scorpions and spiders. Although I could pass on the creepy spider, cause that sucker looks way too real doesn't he?! Maybe one day I'll give this art form a try. Have any of you done this before? And if so, is it really hard?