HOW SWEET IT IS

I really don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I have to admit that when the Fall season comes around.....I crave candy corn! It's probably my most favorite candy, and I only savor it during the Halloween season. So what could be just as sweet as candy corn? I found this soap that would be to die for! (That's right....it's soap!)

Can you believe it? Candy Corn Soap! What little monster wouldn't want to get their mouth washed out with this?

Click here for more details and purchase information.

HALLOWEEN PAPER LANTERNS

I really love Halloween projects and the people who love to share their creative ideas.....and this is one of my favorites! This idea comes from a crafty lady whose site is FULL of amazing projects!

These lanterns are pretty easy to make and look way better than any you could buy at the store! Here's what you need to light the way for this project:

•Flameless candles (they run off a LED battery, and cost under $6 for 6 at Wal-Mart, batteries included).

•Paper bags (with or without window).

•Hot glue gun

•Felt cut-outs (bought or home-made —these came from the dollar store, 6 for $1.00).

I’m sure you can guess the rest from here, but take a few minutes with that glue gun, attach your spooky felt critters to the front of the bag, and add a flameless candle. Safe, cheap, and adds a lot of drama…

For more great ideas from the Fresh Crush site, click here and enjoy!

BRAIN CAKE

I was searching the web for some new ideas,and I came across this awesome site where I found this BRAIN CAKE. Wouldn't this be a fabulous centerpiece for this year's Halloween party?

Now let me warn you....there directions are quite lengthy, but I definitely think it's worth it! And if you don't think you have the time or the cake-making talents to pull this off, you may want to just use the frosting-method. (Make gray-colored frosting and use a wide tip with your pastry/frosting bag to make the squiggly brain matter)

Here are the basic ingredients that you will need, however depending on what kind of cake mix or cake recipe you use, it will vary.

~Cake Mix and the necessary ingredients (follow the instructions on your recipe or box)
~Frosting (store-bought or mix your own)
~Mini Marshmallows (a whole package preferably)
~Powdered Sugar
~Food Coloring especially the colors green and red.
~Oil (to grease your hands with later)

Click here for the rest of the step-by-step instructions for this project. And if you give it a try, be sure to send me your pictures! Go for it!

LET'S GET CRAFTY

Remember back in elementary school when you used to make those giant Easter eggs with balloons and string? I used to looooove that! But this is even better! How about a giant spider web filled with creepy crawlers?! Even better!

Leave it to the awesome people at Better Homes & Gardens to come up with this pretty cool craft project for the kids (and all of us Hallo-weenies too)!

What You'll Need:

~Newspaper
~9-inch balloon
~Thin black yarn
~Paper crafts glue (that dries clear -- like Elmer's School Glue)
~Water
~String
~Tweezers
~Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
~Orange (or spray paint them any color you want....white, green, purple....) plastic spiders

How to Make It:

1. Cover work surface with newspaper. Blow up 9-inch balloon and tie off in a knot.
2. Cut twenty 6-foot pieces of black yarn.
3. Mix together equal portions of glue and water; mix well.
4. Dip a piece of yarn into mixture and soak thoroughly, making sure not to tangle the yarn. Pull out and    gently squeeze off excess glue by running yarn between index finger and thumb.
5. Wrap the yarn around the balloon in an irregular pattern.
6. Continue with remaining yarn pieces, tucking in the end of each piece beneath the yarn layers.
7. Tie a length of string around the balloon knot. Hang up balloon and let dry completely. (Put newspaper under the balloon to catch any drips.)
8. Once the glue is completely dry, pop the balloon and use tweezers to pull out the deflated balloon and any glue residue between yarn pieces.
9. Hot-glue plastic spiders to the web, and tie a piece of string to the top to use as a hanger.

For more great Halloween craft ideas check out the Better Homes & Gardens website!

SCREAM 4

Ok so it's another "Scream" movie, but you know you gotta see it! It opens in theaters starting today! Maybe mix up a pitcher of "Bloody Mary's" and some ribs for an after movie snack!

Sounds like a fun night to me!

LOOKING FOR A PROJECT?

Halloween may not be exactly right around the corner, but if you’re gearing up for my favorite holiday, making jewelry with Halloween beads is so much fun! Look at these awesome colors and designs. 
You can check out more cheap Halloween lampwork beads, charms and lots of other cheap beading supplies for Halloween at OrientalTrading.com

So you think you might want to design your own Halloween jewelery? Maybe start your own business? The key to making jewelry is to make sure you buy cheap beads. Here are some tips you can use to buy cheap beads for Halloween or any holiday:

1. Buy cheap beads from discount stores
2. Buy Halloween beads in bulk or wholesale
3. Buy up those cheap Halloween beads in November
4. Buy on-line from stores that offer discontinued beads

If you buy, buy, buy.....then you can make some awesome jewelery and sell, sell, sell! You just may end up with your own jewelery-making business. Good luck!

PERCY THE PIZZA PUMPKIN

Here's a new twist on the many variations of making a Halloween pizza. Sure, you can do the zombie face with green and red peppers and black olives.....or the candy corn pizza with orange and white cheese, but how cute is this guy?

Just spread out some ready-made pizza crust (you can find it at the grocery store where the pre-made cookie dough is) on a pizza pan, in the shape of a pumpkin. Add your pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni and the little monsters are gonna love it!

BABY BOO-TEES!

I get lots of questions about costumes and accessories for toddlers, and there are so many cute things out on the market these days, it can be overwhelming if you don't know where to look.

Check these out! Are these the cutest booties you've ever seen? I think they would be pretty easy to make a pair for your favorite little monster, with felt and ribbons. But if you just goota have these, check out this site for more cool stuff for the kiddies!

WELCOME FIENDS.....

It's so nice to see all of you once again. The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. But I've been quite exhausted since my last posting, and now is the time to get back in the Halloween-groove!

First of all, let me say that I was so honored to be crowned (officially) "The Queen Of Halloween" at the 2010 Fright Fest, and I'm taking my duties very seriously. (Thanks to all of you who voted, and I was completely shocked when they made the announcement!) And I promise to make this year's blog even better!

And as you can see by the "Halloween Countdown" clock, we don't have a moment to waste..... so let's get those cauldrons bubbling and start working on those costumes for this year's party! And here's your first tip of the new Halloween year....

This week back in 1842, Philadelphia publishers Carey & Hart published the 'Poets & Poetry of America'. The anthology was 476 pages and collected poems from over 80 authors including three by Edgar Allan Poe. It gave prominent space to some of the most popular poets of the day, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

See..... you learned something new today.

In honor of this momentous occasion.... I think some "Barbecue Ravens Wings" sound good tonite. Here's all you need:
~24 chicken wings (3 to 4 pounds)
~1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
~3/4 cup molasses
~1/2 cup beef broth
~1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
~1 cup ketchup
~2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
~2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
~1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
~1 tablespoon sesame oil
~1 teaspoon hot sauce

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Stretch out each chicken wing to resemble bird's wing. Arrange wings, skin side down in single layer in large roasting pan.

Combine soy sauce, molasses, broth and ginger in small saucepan; heat over low heat until mixture is smooth and well blended. Pour evenly over wings. Bake wings 30 minutes; turn and bake 30 minutes more or until sauce is thick and sticky.

Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until bubbly, stirring occasionally. Let cool slightly before serving.

And once again, thanks to everyone who sent in their favorite Halloween recipes, we have quite a fabulous collection! Be sure to check out my "Devilish Delights" page....