THE MANOR GETS A MAKEOVER

The boxes are getting unpacked and the cauldrons have been working overtime to be ready for October 1st! I started by giving the Manor a good cleaning, and got some of my decorations out of the workshop, and on the walls and shelves.

The plan is to get the inside done today, and get the outside done by Friday! I'll keep you posted on the progress.

BABY LADYBUG

What a little, itty-bitty cutie, baby ladybug! I get lots of requests for original ideas for toddler costumes, and I think this one is tops in my book!

If you're not a real seamstress (me either!) just get a few supplies to complete the look. A black sweatshirt, knit hat, black fuzzy socks, some black pipe cleaners, and felt. Swing by the craft store and pick up some fairy wings and attach to a red toddler fleece. Sew pipe cleaners to the hat and sew on black felt "spots".

Adjust your pattern accordingly (if you want to attach the black socks or not) or just by copy the design from the picture.

Everyone will think you're one crafty mama!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

What a great day in t.v. history, The Munsters premiered on CBS in 1964! In honor of my all-time favorite t.v. show, I think I'm going to break out the dvd's and have a Munsters Marathon today!

Have a Munster-ful day!

IT'S MY FAVORITE SEASON!

Bye bye Summer! Today is the first official day of Fall. Enjoy.

HOST A CEMETERY TOUR

If you're looking for something really different to do this Halloween, why not host a Cemetery Tour? These parties are springing up all over the country. It's a fun, spooky party and really easy to put together, and is a great idea for a smaller, intimate party. (I would suggest no more than 12)

There are a few things that you'll need to plan ahead of time. First of all, most cities have a historical society that host "walking tours" of local cemeteries. If your city doesn't offer that, contact a historical home or destination that has a cemetery on site, and make arrangements to rent the space including the cemetery, for the evening.

(Remember you need to go through the proper channels to be at a cemetery after hours, because that would be "trespassing"....and you don't want to do that!) And find out if anyone on site is available to be the cemetery tour guide. Most of the time, they have someone on staff who is quite the historian and knows a lot of information about the cemetery and some of it's more popular inhabitants.

Once the arrangements have been made, this is where you get creative:

• Make sure to mail each of your guests a formal invitation
• Serve a spooky sit-down dinner
• Rent a limo to take your guests to and from the location, after dinner
• Once you return from the cemetery, cocktails are served
• Host the seance.

Sounds like a party to me!

A DREARY, WONDERFUL WEEKEND

I can't help it, I do love a good rainy weekend. And boy, did we get it! It's poured for 3 days and I loved every minute of it. Some scary movies, a good book and hot tea. What more could you ask for?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GHOUL

Happy Birthday Elvira! She's 59 and still looks AMAZING! Here's also a pic of her without the make up....

HALLOWEEN NESTING DOLLS

Old and new Halloween toys collecting is popular, and this is definitely one of my favorites!

The Russian "Matryoshka" or Nesting Doll has enjoyed international popularity for over a century. Created by Russian toy makers in the 1890's near Sergiev Posad, one of the busier toy production centers in the country. It was only natural that Sergiev Posad quickly emerged as the first great center of nesting doll production in the early 1900s. These classic style dolls have spread throughout the region with each area having its own variation.

My favorites of course, are the Halloween black cats!

Check out their site to find out more!

PUMPKIN ART

One of the most fun things about this time of year besides the creepy costumes and haunted houses is pumpkins!

You know I looooove pumpkins, and I'm always amazed at all of the creative ways that people decorate and display pumpkins.

Here's a few that really require some artistic ability and I think are some pretty amazing works of art. Check it out.....

PILLOW TALK

If you 're not one of those who goes all out decorating for Halloween, but you still want to spruce up the old Manor before trick or treat day, why not grab some scraps of fabric, and a few old pillows....and create some new Halloween pillows!

It's really not too difficult, and I'm not the greatest seamstress, but I can do curtains, hems and..... pillows! Cut out a few shapes and piece 'em together. Trust me, if I can do it....so can you! Here's a few ideas to get you started.....

SPOOK UP YOUR LIVING ROOM

It's not as difficult as you think..... just get a few yards of cheese cloth, put some rips in it, then throw it in the washer for 10 minutes. Pull it out, lay flat to dry and use some scissors to add extra "frays" to it. Once it dries, lay it across your furniture. (Couches and large stuffed chairs will look best)

Also be sure to add a few felt bats, some creepy family portraits and lots of candles!

TIME TO DECK THE HALLS

With all the craft stores stocked full with their Halloween items, you want to get started on that Halloween wreath. And I really like making wreaths because you can use so many different things to add to the creepiness of your holiday wreath. Here's just a few ideas to get you started!

IF THE SHOE FITS

I love sneakers and I love all the stuff you can do to dress up your plain white sneakers. Add some fabric paint, some Halloween ribbons and a little bling....and you've got some pretty cool sneakers! How perfect for sprinting from the pumpkin patch and from haunted house to haunted house on trick or treat night.

The best part is, you could make several pairs, pretty cheap! I love that!

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

This most recent work was inspired by the glamorous Elsa Lanchester....a.k.a... "The Bride of Frankenstein". I was working on Elsa most of the weekend, and hope to have her completed this week. More pictures to come soon!

'TIS THE SEASON

While I was at the grocery store today, I got my first Halloween magazine of  the season and a cute little spider to go with it!

I think I'll call him Borris.

HOW SWEET IT IS

I was in one of my favorite craft stores on Friday and I found some Halloween cookie cutters, so I decided to try 'em out. Zombie and ghost cookies for everyone!

HOMEMADE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Now is the time to start planning for that costume you've been thinking about since last Halloween!

If you're looking for some ideas be sure to jump on-line and search homemade Halloween costumes, and you'll be amazed at what amazing things people have made. I also found this fun site that has posted a lot of them....be sure to check it out!

Here are a few of my favorites.

HALLOWEEN IS FOR THE BIRDS

Outdoor decorating for Halloween is so much fun, but don't forget our feathered friends!

These birdhouses are so fun and would really add some pizazz to your front yard. All you need is to stop by your favorite craft store and pick up a few pre-made birdhouses, some acrylics paints and spooky accessories. Add some moss, dried leaves and twigs with hot glue. Group together and hang in your favorite tree!

These just might be pretty enough to put in this house too.