BLACK CAT CAKE

If you're like me, and not the best baker in the world...it's ok. There's hope for us yet. You know I preach a lot about making it easy on yourself when planning the perfect party. So here's another hot tip.....

Something simple, like this cute black cat, makes a great looking cake for your upcoming party. But here's the best part.....if you're not a cake artist (witch I am not...) just print off this pictute and take it to your local bake shop, and have them recreate the same look on a half sheet cake. (Yup, it's that easy) Just order a plain (half) sheet cake with black icing

I've found that most bakeries are happy to do it, if they have a picture they can refer to. Remember, it doesn't have to be exactly like the picture, but it gives your baker a good point of reference.

And for added good measure.... I always ask the baker for some of their business cards (most of them also do their own cake decorating on the side) that I can hand out to guests who ask about the talented artist who made the cake! (Trust me, you'll be glad you did)

VAMPIRE LOLLIPOPS

These cute little vampire lollipops will make great party favors for your Halloween party -- be sure to make plenty, they'll fly off before you know it! This project comes from Amanda Formaro at kaboose.com and it's super easy for kids ages 7 and up.

Here's what you'll need:
Red cellophane
Lollipops
Black felt
Twist ties
White address labels
Scissors
Peel and stick wiggle eyes
Pattern (see link below)

How to make it:
Using the pattern, cut capes (one for each lollipop) from black felt.

Cut a piece of cellophane into a square, large enough to wrap around the head of the lollipop. (See photo.)

Loosely wrap the cellophane around the lollipop and place the wrapped lollipop onto the felt cape. (See photo.)

Wrap twist tie around both at the neck of the lollipop. (See photo.)

Cut fangs from white address labels and stick to the front of the lollipop. Attach peel and stick wiggle eyes to the front of the lollipop. (See photo.)

Tips:
To add some variety, try using different colors of cellophane such as orange, green, or purple.

Bend the ends of the twist ties to look like bow ties.

Try creepy eye Halloween stickers instead of wiggle eyes.

This would be a great class activity for all you "classroom moms" who are looking for fun ideas for those little monsters!

ONLY 99 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN!!!!

Aaaaaaagggggghhhhhhh!!!!! Are you ready?

I have to ask....Have you given any thought to Halloween costumes for your little monsters?

Last year, Avatar led the way in top sales for Kid's Halloween Costumes. Retailers say that they're already getting requests from those parents who want to be sure their kid has the best costume. No waiting until the last minute for these folks..... Experts say this season, expect the Smurfs to top the list most likely this Halloween season, as well as Harry Potter and Monster High characters. And don't be surprised to see that some of the Halloween staples are still very much best sellers as well. From witches, monsters to princesses and kings. Here's a list of the top selling Halloween costumes so far, this season:

Smurfs
Harry Potter
All Princess characters (Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell)
Star Wars
Twilight
Ironman
Superheroes (Spiderman, Batman)
Pirates
Monster High
Miley Cyrus
Justin Bieber
Mario

So.... if you're not one of those parents who will be dragging ths kids to the mall for their costumes, yay for you! Home-made costumes are the best!

Ready, set, go start those sewing machines!

ZOMBIE ATTACK!

Everyone is now talking about something I've been saying for sooooo long now..... "Zombies are cool!"

Yes, everyone has jumped on the "i love zombies" ban wagon.... but that's ok, they're what's hot right now. So lets make that work for us, shall we?

Someone sent me this picture, a while back, and I had to do a bit of web-detective work until I could finally track it down. But it was worth it. This is a pretty cool project, not too difficult and will look great hanging on the wall during Halloween season.

This project comes from Alicia on her blog Put On The Glasses, and it's a few years old, (but so what, it's pretty darn cool) and her step-by-step instructions for making this Zombie Attack Box will guide you through it, quite easily.

This brings to mind the Boy Scout creed, "Be prepared". But when dealing with Zombies, my motto is..... "Get them before they get you!"

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: Season 2 Update

Welcome the nuthouse!

I have to tell you, when this show came out last season, I was pleasantly and shockingly surprised how good it was! I loved it!

It was so macabre, twisted, and well written.... I couldn't look away.... and Jessica Lange.... awesome! She should be the new poster girl for "crazy psycho"!!!!!

American Horror Story has just landed itself another patient to inhabit its new East Coast mental institution setting in season two, and oh, what a beautiful patient he is! So who is the soap star joining Ryan Murphy's hit FX series? Mark Consuelos, the doctor will see you now!

Yes, the former All My Children star and Kelly Ripa's hubby, is set to join returning stars Jessica Lange, Evan Peters and Zachary Quinto on American Horror Story, EW.com reports.

While details are few, we've confirmed that Consuelos is set to play an inmate named Spivey at the mental institution for the criminally insane run by Lange's character.

We recently reported that Secret Circle and The Amazing Spider-Man star Chris Zylka will also be joining the show as Daniel, the most beautiful boy in the world and a deaf-mute. Also set to pop up on AHS in season two are Lily Rabe, Adam Levine, Chloë Sevigny and Joseph Fiennes. The Season 2 premiere has been put in the FX Fall line-up for October 2012.

Oh, I can hardly wait!!!!

How fun is this????? What a GREAT idea from the Confessions of a Cookbook Queen blog, and this is one amazing Queen, if I do say so myself! These melted witches are so easy, and super cute for class parties. That Queen even worked some magic and whipped up cute little bags to put them in!!

Here are the Queen's step by step instructions:

First, make your brooms and hats:

Make the hats with a Hershey Kiss and half of an Oreo. Put the filling side of the cookie down and stick the Hershey Kiss to the top with a bit of melted almond bark or candy melts.

All you need are pretzel sticks and yellow Laffy Taffy. Flatten the taffy and cut it in half horizontally. Cut fringe into the bottom 2/3 with sharp scissors and wrap the un-fringed part around the pretzel stick.

Line a large baking sheet with wax paper. Melt some green candy melts and some dark chocolate candy melts (separately) in your microwave according to package directions. You won’t need much of the dark chocolate, just enough to do small spoonful per witch. I melted an entire bag of green, and had enough to do about 2 dozen witches, so use that to decide how much to melt.

Spoon some green candy on the wax paper and spread into a circle with your spoon. If you are going to bag these up later, keep the bag size in mind. You don’t want to make these too big to fit. Spoon a small amount of dark chocolate over the green, and swirl it with a knife.

Place one hat and one broom on each green/black melted witch. Place pan in the refrigerator to set.

That Cookbook Queen is soooo crafty! She even made little bags to deliver the goodies to all the little monsters!

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!

Paraskevidekatriaphobics — people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th — will be hiding under the covers right about now, afraid that the source of their unholy terror might not be so irrational after all. Sounds like a scene from one of your favorite slasher movies, right? The fear is real, it's called Triskaidekaphobia.

But if you're not suffering from Triskaidekaphobia, maybe tonite would be a good time to have a Friday the 13th movie marathon!

If you're not planning a party like we talked about earlier this week, maybe something more low key. Just a few friends, some candles and cocktails, to set the mood..... and be sure to have some of your favorite movie munchies on hand! Big bowls of popcorn and boxes of Milkduds and Goobers! Now that's a party.

Happy Friday the 13th!

BATTY HEADBAND

Oh, how cute is this???? I loooooooove it! I came across this little gem while surfing the web, and I gotta tell you, there are so many talented crafters out there!

I couldn't find the instructions....but I would say from all my years of crafting experience, all you'll need is some black floral wire, black foam sheets (or black adhesive paper) scissors, maybe a glue stick or hot glue gun.... and a plain black headband.

From the picture, it looks pretty simple. If I had to guess, I'd say.... make a bat template, trace it, cut it out, attach the bats (by hot glue or glue stick) to the wire, (cut at different lengths, and be sure to add a few extra inches at the bottom for twisting around the actual headband) Use the photo as a reference how far apart to set them, and I say add as many bats as you like.... until you get the desired look that you're going for!

Pretty simple. And the best part.... it doesn't have to look exactly like the picture. If it's not perfect, you're the only one who knows. I also think this would be great if you were going as Melanie from "The Birds", with a flock of killer birds flying around your head....

LOVE AT FIRST BITE

As promised..... here's an amazing dinner party theme that's so hauntingly sophisticated, you can't look away!

The photo shoot was inspired by Love at First Bite: The Complete Vampire Lover’s Cookbook, which boasts "more than 300 suck-ulent recipes"! What a fun excuse to celebrate your favorite vampire themed books, movies, or tv shows!

 For more ideas on this theme party, check out the amazing Hostess With The Mostess! 

COLD AS ICE

Since I've been talking a lot about party planning this week, let's keep going with that. Mostly because I found this amazing idea that I think would really perk up the old punch bowl, for your upcoming party....

Make some ice cube roses! Trust me, it's way easier than it sounds! And can you just picture these little beauties floating around some witches brew? Maybe even add some dry ice for a super-spooky effect.

For step-by-step instructions to make the ice cube roses, check out Jonathan Fong Style!

Here's what you'll need to make the Witches Brew:

This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and make, so be sure that your ice cubes are all set and ready for the punch bowl. This should be the last thing you put out (about 15 minutes) before your guests arrive.

20 cups water
1 lg. can frozen limeade
1 lg. can frozen lemonade
1 pkg. lemon-lime kool-aid
1 cup sugar (or 1 pkg. presweetened lemon-lime kool-aid)
1/2 lg. can pineapple juice
1 lg. bottle ginger ale
2 cups chilled vodka (optional)
Black food coloring

Add the first 8 ingredients into a large punch bowl. Mix well. Add a few drops at a time of the black food coloring, to get the desired color (darkness) that you want, mix well. Add ice cube roses. (I suggest that you make 2 dozen of these if you're going to use in a big punch bowl) It'll keep the punch cold enough, and look spooktacular when all the roses are floating in the Witches Brew!

This punch bowl would also make a fantastic centerpiece if you're hosting a Twilight movie marathon or a Vampire-ish themed dinner party..... love it! (More on that idea coming up tomorrow!!!)

TIME TO PLAN A PARTY!

What better way to get geared up for the Halloween party season.... than to throw a Spooktacular party!

There's only 113 days until Halloween..... and in case you didn't know, Friday the 13th is coming up on the calendar pretty fast. So let's plan a (gown-up..... no kiddies allowed at this one) party, shall we?

Theme parties are always fun, no matter what time of year. And a good one to begin with is a Friday the 13th theme.... complete with the Friday the 13th movies, cocktails, a fabulous menu... and guests come dressed as your favorite slasher Jason Voorhees...or one of Camp Crystal Lakes many victims!

As for the menu, think camping food....grill hot dogs, macaroni and potato salad, chips and dips! Have lots of soda, wine, and beer filled up on ice, in coolers. And if you've got the space and a fire pit in your back yard, plan on making a campfire and toasting marshmallows before the movies begin!

And if you've got time, it might be fun to make some camp counselor shirts for yourself or your party guests! Just copy and blow up the image below and use a transfer kit, or fabric paint to put on a plain tee-shirt!

It's gonna be a great party, Mrs. Voorhees would be so proud!

HOLY BAT PILLOWS!

Well, I've known for a long time that I've gone batty, but I can't help it! This pillow is just too adorable! I could see a flock of these sitting around the Manor. (Might even be a great idea for a lampshade??? Huuuuummmm......)

Pillows always add that finishing touch to a room, and if you're not an expret seamstress.... you can pretty much fake it, since they're not too terribly difficult.

This little masterpiece doesn't really take much time at all, so check out the the step by step instructions from Ameroonie Designs! Love it!

As for the lampshade idea..... get an old lampshade and stitch on or hot glue the bats.... (I think I have a new project this weekend.)

CAGED CREATURES

I always think some of the most fun I have during the Halloween season is the "making of the props"!

It gives you the chance to be wildly creative and you'll just love the "oohs" and "aaahhhs" you'll get from your party guests.

Bottles of potions, jars filled with eyeballs, and a bubbling cauldron are always a treat, but don't forget to have some caged creatures hanging around. Check out these amazing creations from CT Pub Blog.com, and get inspired! They'll give you the step by step instructions and I guarantee, once you get started, it'll be hard to stop!

Now don't be scared off, it's really easier than you think...... trust me.

A & E GREENLIGHTS "BATES MOTEL"

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

No pilot necessary. A&E Network announced that it has ordered 10 episodes of "Bates Motel" the first new project from executive producer Carlton Cuse since "Lost" ended.

He'll be partnering with exec producer Kerry Ehrin (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) on the show, slated to premiere in 2013.

Pre-production and casting will begin immediately on the series, which was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's famous "Psycho" film.

It's being described as "a contemporary exploration of the formative years of Norman Bates' relationship with his mother, Norma, and the world they inhabit," says the release. "Viewers will have access to the dark, twisted backstory and learn first-hand how Norman helped forge the most famous serial killer of them all."

For more on this story, click here.

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

Ok, time once again for another crafty project! This is so darn cute, I'd wear it all year long... and you can too! Now, if you're not an expert with the crochet hook, don't worry..... this is a pretty simple pattern, and hey.... you don't know unless you give it a try!

Just attach some bobby pins or barrette to use as a hair-clip.... or secure a pin-backing to pin it on your hat, jacket or handbag! And if you're an expert crocheter, wouldn't these be great party favors?! (Just hot glue a magnet on the back.... sooooo easy!)

Just click on the link for the directions, it comes from the amazingly talented folks at Louie's Loops!