Wednesday, December 31, 2014

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS....


I know I said The Queen would be taking a break until after the New Year.... but I just had to share a few of my favorite things, with my favorite Halloweenies.

These Disney Haunted Mansion coasters came straight from Disney World in Florida, and they were a gift from The Little Princess (who's actually 25 now, not so little) how cool is this? Does she know her mom, or what?

 
And The Count was right on the money with one of my favorite perfumes....

and check out this Swarovski crystal skull ring!

What a Merry Scary Christmas!

I hope you all got everything your heart desired, and I wish you all a wonderful wicked New Year!

Happy New Years Eve to all! Enjoy!


Monday, December 22, 2014

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


Can you believe that another year has passed again so quickly?

I don't know about you.... but I'm exhausted! So, The Queen will be taking a much-needed break, to enjoy the holidays with The Count, until the start of the New Year!

Have a safe and frightfully fantastic Christmas and New Years!

Thank you all so much for being such loyal Halloweenies this year, and I look forward to all of the fab-boo-lous things that the new year will bring.

Enjoy this holiday season with your family and fiends, and here's to a Spooky New Year!



Friday, December 19, 2014

HAPPY FRIDAY!


I figured that with all of the holiday craziness, everyone could use a good laugh today.

I know, it's bad.... but come on! That's just funny!

Happy Friday Halloweenies!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

WARM UP THOSE COLD WINTER NIGHTS

And what's better on a cold night than some warm soup? It's like a hug from the inside, and this one was a favorite when my little monsters were running around The Manor. It's Cheesy Snail Soup!

Well, almost....it's really Hot Dog Mac & Cheese Soup. Good old comfort food at it's best! You'll need a few ingredients, and it only takes about 20 minutes, start to finish. I promise the kiddo's (and grown up monsters too) will love it.

Prep Time: 10 min. Cooking Time: 8 min.

Ingredients:

~4 - ounces ( 1-1/2 cups) uncooked dried small macaroni shells
~2 - Tablespoons butter
~2 - Tablespoons all-purpose flour
~1 - teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
~1 - can (14-ounces) chicken broth
~1-1/2 - cups Fat Free Half & Half or milk
~1/2 - pound slice (1 inch thick) Deli American Cheese, cubed 1-inch
~1 - cup chopped or sliced hot dogs
~Salt and pepper, if desired

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.

In a 3-quart saucepan, you want to melt butter until sizzling and stir in flour and mustard.

Add broth and half & half. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and stir in cheese until melted.

Next, stir in macaroni and hot dogs.

Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until heated through. Salt and pepper to taste.

To really enjoy this, you'll need to get some blankets, warm up the dvd player, snuggle up on the couch, and serve up some mugs of Cheesy Snail Soup! Sounds like a perfect winter night to me.



Wednesday, December 17, 2014

BREAKING NEWS.... Part 2

Yes, there's more (AWESOME!) breaking news this week! Here's the official word from geek.com....

There are some movies that got things so right they should never be messed with or remade. One of those movies is Beetlejuice. It had a fantastic script, Tim Burton did a great job directing, Michael Keaton portrayed Beetlejuice perfectly, and Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, and Alec Baldwin made for a great supporting cast. So a remake? Never! But a sequel? Well, yes if the right ingredients were there. And it looks as though they are.

Tim Burton has confirmed that Beetlejuice 2 is going to happen, and he’s going to be directing it. Just as importantly, Michael Keaton is going to be playing Beetlejuice again, and Winona Ryder has also been confirmed as having a role.

Beetlejuice 2 is happening as far as Burton is concerned, we just don’t know when it’s happening. Keaton has recently released Birdman and has two further movies in post-production (Minions and Spotlight). Burton has just finished directing Big Eyes, which is due for release on Christmas Day. So Beetlejuice 2 could conceivably happen in 2015 for a 2016 release.

For fans of the original Beetlejuice the only way a sequel would be accepted is if the original team came back together to make it happen. And it looks as if that’s exactly what will happen. Now all we need if another fantastic script and this could be another must-own classic.

It's a Christmas miracle!.... Thank you, Tim Burton!

Monday, December 15, 2014

LADYBUG APPETIZERS


Happy Monday, everyone!

It seems like we just got over all the Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities, and Christmas is almost upon us! If you've be pouring over all of your recipes, and you have no idea how you'll get through another "just bring a dish" get together.... how about spicing up one of your old recipes, to make it new again?

I love making appetizers! They're so easy, you can be very creative, and feed a lot of people, with very little. I'm sure you have a recipe for something with tiny tomatoes, bread and cheese, am I right?

Let's dress it up, to be a little more festive (and maybe if you get a few eeeks and shreeks, that's a bonus!) and serve up some ladybug appetizers!

Start out with some toasted French bread slices, add a dab of balsamic dressing, place some shaved parmsean (or whatever's your favorite) cheese, (you could also add a thin slice of ham or bacon, too!) a nice leaf of fresh Italian parsley (or cilantro, or spinach works great, too!) then sit half of a cherry tomato right on top.

Add a sliced black olive for the head, and paint on a few dabs of sour cream for the eyes! Now if you really want to make it over the top.... make 2 tiny holes on top of the ladybug's head with a tooth pick, and add 2 little antennas by using the stem from the parsley.

How boo-tiful will this look on any holiday buffet?


Friday, December 12, 2014

BREAKING NEWS!

Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis is returning the genre that made her famous, as it was announced earlier this week that Curtis will star in the upcoming new series Scream Queens, along with Scream 4 killer Emma Roberts, set to debut in the fall of 2015 on Fox, from American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Scream Queens is a new horror-comedy anthology series with a debut season that revolves around a college campus that’s rocked by a series of murders.

Fox has ordered 15 Scream Queens episodes for a planned debut next fall. The series is co-created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. Murphy, Falchuk, Brennan and Dante Di Loreto will serve as executive producers.

How frightfully fantastic is that? From one Queen to another..... she's Number 1 in my book. Us true Halloween fans (the John Carpenter Halloween fans) will be counting down the days for this one!



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

DECK THE HALLS

Since it's that time of the year.... I've gone a bit batty around The Manor with the holiday tree(s) this year. We've done several, but for some reason, this one seems to be my favorite.

And yes.... it's black. The Queen really does have a black Christmas tree!

But it was actually pretty simple. I just added a few black birds, some glittery decorations, and some plastic spiders and skeletons, of course!
Add a few finishing touches like ribbon and raffia, and you're done!

Not too expensive, at all.... and I think it's pretty spooktacular!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

KISS THIS

Hello Halloweenies!

Do you have that spooky someone on your Christmas shopping list? And you're just not sure what to get them? Then you need to check out Zazzle.com!

They've got really cool stuff, like this Vampire Kiss Pillow! They range in size and price, starting at $31.95. Not a bad deal at all.

I've bought lots of goodies from Zazzle, and you won't be disappointed. You can find everything for your house, pets, and that hard-to-shop-for friend or co-worker. I've found cool mugs, tee shirts, cell phone cases, and even baby gifts!

Feeling inspired? Create your own design, for that one-of-a-kind gift for someone special (or yourself!)

They've got all kinds of products that you can customize, and they promise 100% satisfaction.... if you don't love it, they'll take it back! You gotta love that.

Monday, December 8, 2014

LET'S MAKE UP

Have you ever looked in the mirror, and decided that you needed a change? New hairdo? New lipstick, maybe?
How about a bold new look to your make up?  Well,  if you're feeling a little bit Goth today, you might want to give some of these looks a try. They're quite stunning, and pretty enough to wear everyday.
If you're not sure where to start, you may want to check out some online tutorials, or get some really good ideas from make up sites like Mookychick!



Experimenting with make up is lots of fun, and the best part is that if you don't like it.... just wash it off and start over!

Friday, December 5, 2014

DARK & LOVELY

Since a many of us are spending lots of time online shopping, you might want to take a break from your holiday gift list, and find a little something for yourself. And I'll let you in on a little secret.... when I'm feeling like I want to spoil myself rotten, one of my favorite sites is Rose Mortem!

Since 1998, Rose Mortem has created entirely original handmade clothing for the dark fashion connoisseur, inspired endlessly by the dramatically dark, the enchantingly elegant, the magically melodious.

The Rose Mortem line of dresses, gowns, skirts, veils, gloves, tops and coats has been designed to provide you with the satisfaction of wearing the inside on the out – of living your own dark faerie tale.
Every item is hand-crafted to your measurements and specifications, to create a wearable work of art, just for you! How amazing is that?


  I think you just may want to add one of these spooktaular dresses to your wish list this Christmas!
Happy Frightful Friday!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

GINGERBREAD SKELETON COOKIES


One of the best things about the Christmas holiday is baking cookies! And there are so many kinds of Christmas cookies.... I can hardly keep track! But one of my all time favorite is the gingerbread man.

I think these would look so festive, when you invite the neighbors in to share some holiday punch and cookies, don't you?

Now, I wouldn't be a very good Queen of Halloween if I didn't share my favorite recipe for Gingerbread Skeleton cookies. All you'll need to make these little cuties is a regular old gingerbread man cookie cutter, and some food coloring. Now keep in mind,  gingerbread cookies can be quite time consuming.... but well worth the work!
Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • Royal Icing (recipe follows)
Royal Icing Ingredients
  • 1 pound (4 1/2 cups) confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dried egg-white powder
  • 6 tablespoons water
Just combine the ingredients, mix well, and set aside until you're ready to frost the cookies. If you want to make black icing (take half to set aside, so you have some black and white icing) add a few drops of black food coloring, mix well. Then you can pipe the icing on with a pastry bag, or spread it with a kinfe.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, salt and pepper through a wire sieve into a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer at high speed, beat the butter and vegetable shortening until well-combined, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat until the mixture is light in texture and color, about 2 minutes. Beat in the molasses and egg.

Using a wooden spoon, gradually mix in the flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Divide the dough into two thick disks and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours. (The dough can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.)

Time to roll out the cookies:

Working with one disk at a time, keep the other disk refrigerated. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature until just warm enough to roll out without cracking, about 10 minutes. (If the dough has been chilled for longer than 3 hours, it may need a few more minutes.) Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and sprinkle the top of the dough with flour. Roll out the dough 1/8 inch thick, being sure that the dough isn't sticking to the work surface (run a long meal spatula or knife under the dough occasionally just to be sure, and dust the surface with more flour, if needed).

For softer cookies, roll out slightly thicker. Using cookie cutters, cut out the cookies and transfer to nonstick cookie sheets, placing the cookies 1 inch apart. Gently knead the scraps together and form into another disk. Wrap and chill for 5 minutes before rolling out again to cut out more cookies.

Bake, switching the positions of the cookies from top to bottom and back to front halfway through baking, until the edges of the cookies are set and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire cake racks to cool completely.

Decorate with black and white Royal Icing.  If you want to make these guys look fancy, why not add a red bow tie! Now that's festive!

These cookies can be prepared up to 1 week ahead, stored in airtight containers at room temperature.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

HAPPY WICKED WEDNESDAY

 
Has it been a rough week, so far? Maybe you need a little something to spook up the day, to get you through to the weekend..... sounds interesting.

How about a romantic (or horrific.... whichever you prefer) dinner for two? All you need is a few simple ingredients....


A romantic table setting, a bottle of your favorite wine, some candles, and a fab-boo-lous dinner.... maybe something exotic, like squid ink pasta. Oh, doesn't that just sound so delish.... I mean, devilish!


Guaranteed to get rid off the mid-week blahs! Happy Wickedly Romantic Wednesday!
 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL


Who's the Halloweenest of them all? Well, that would be The Queen, of course! But do not fear, I can help you share that title, too!

And how about this, for your next project? So spooky, yet pretty enough to keep around, all year long, if you ask me.

I suggest looking for an old mirror, the next time you're snooping around your favorite thrift store. Then with some floral wire, hot glue, black spray paint, and assorted twigs and branches.... you too can create this macabre mirror!

Use the photo for your inspiration, but remember, it doesn't have to look exactly the same as the picture. You've got the right idea... a few twigs here, some moss there.... spray paint a few leaves, and a few dabs of hot glue! Voila!

You are the Halloweenest of them all!


Monday, December 1, 2014

IT'S MONDAY AGAIN?


Eeeeccchhhh. I'm not a fan of Mondays. The only thing good about today, is that we don't have another one until next week.

It was extremely hectic this weekend, with holiday preperations, and weekend guests.... so I've decided to take today off.

You should, too! Enjoy.

Friday, November 28, 2014

REMAINS OF THE DAY CASSEROLE


Happy Day After Thanksgiving! I hope you all were stuffed and roasted this holiday.

It was quite a feast around the ol' Manor.... we had tons of roast beast, and the gobblin gravy was flowing! But even with all of our guests, I've still got tons of leftovers.... oh what to do?

There are so many leftover turkey recipes out there, but here's my favorite:

Ingredients:

~1-1/2 pounds shredded turkey meat
~1/2 cup chopped onion
~ 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
~ 1 cup salsa
~ 1/2 cup chili sauce
~1/2 cup black beans
~ 1 cup frozen corn
~ 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
~ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
~ 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
~ 1 egg
~ Orange paste food coloring

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat shredded turkey and onion over medium heat until onion is cooked. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salsa and chili sauce until blended; stir into skillet. Add the corn, chilies, black beans and brown sugar.

Transfer to a deep-dish 9-in. pie plate. Unroll pastry; place over filling. With a sharp knife, cut out a face to resemble a jack-o'-lantern; flute edges. Beat egg and food coloring; brush over pastry.


Bake at 450° for 9-11 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. This recipe makes about 6 servings. You can also replace the turkey with ground beef, for this recipe, it's a fun one to expreiment with. So give it a try, and have fun. Now, what to do with all that leftover gobblin gravy????
 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

MEET ARCHIE McPHEE

I'm sure you may be on holiday shopping overload..... you know, I actually heard an ad on tv for a "Black Friday Eve Sale"!

But if you've got shopping on the brain, and you want to find some really fun gifts for those nutty people on your shopping list.... you don't want to miss this!

One of my all time favorite shopping sites is Archie McPhee!

It's just silly fun, and where else are you gonna find cool things like an Edgar Allan Poe Candy Book, a super-cool Voodoo Doll, and my personal favorite.... the Devil Duckie!?!


I promise, if you've got that crazy aunt or brother-in-law, that you just have no idea what to get them.... be sure to check out the bacon section!

You won't be disappointed!

http://mcphee.com/shop/awesome-stuff/bacon.html

Monday, November 24, 2014

WICKED CHARM

 
So pretty, and oh so wicked!

I love gothic style jewelry, not only for Halloween, but little gems like this, that are so pretty (and unusual) you'll want to wear them all year round.

I found these on the Charmed In New England site, along with lots of other goodies.

I love this PASSION bracelet, it's a tangled cuff of bloody thorns encrusted with red Swarovski crystal drops.

This little beauty retails for $169.99 when you purchase the matching earings and necklace.

 
The Death of The Vampire pendant features a blood red Swarovski crystal, gothic inspired details, and retails for $45.99.... just in time for you to add to your holiday wish list!

Friday, November 21, 2014

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL


As I've mentioned in some earlier posts last week, I've got the redecorating bug, and I'm on the hunt for some new ideas for The Manor.

Our Master Bedroom could really use some updating. And bedrooms can be so tricky. You want them to be comfortable, functional, and for most of us.... pretty.

The Count won't sleep in anyhting with flowers on it, and he likes dark colors (imagine that), but I want a cozy room to rest in peace.

I'm really loving this black on black color combination. Notice the shades of black and grey, but all the textures are pretty amazing, too! The wallpaper has a bold print (not girly at all) and the gold accents on the lamp and night stand, blend well with the wine colored flooring.

Did you notice the fur rug? How gothic and delish is that?

So remember, if you're thinking about a black on black design for any room (or tomb), don't forget to add some visual interest with a simple, bold pattern, some shiny metalics, and some fab-boo-lous textures.

Don't be afraid to try new things. Change is good! If you don't like the color, you can always repaint it. If you don't like the bedding you bought.... take it back. Be brave, and promise me that you'll do one decoratiing project this weekend.... no matter how big or small. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Enjoy your weekend! Happy redecorating!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

MORE FUN WITH FOOD

I seem to have a bad case of the munchies this week.... so let's continue with another favorite crunchie munchie of mine, Taco Dip!

Oh yum! This is always a crowd pleaser around The Manor, and there are lots of variations on this oldie but goodie, so feel free to use your own recipe.

Just be sure to use a pastry bag or squeeze bottle with a narrow tip, to add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt is quite delish!) to form the cute spider web.

One of the things about making this dip, is that it's so easy to accomidadte a small crowd or a large one, just adjust the size of the serving dish. (And the amount of your ingredients, accordingly)

If you're looking for a good (and super fast) Taco Dip recipe, here's one right from The Queen:

Get your favorite baking dish or cooking tray.... start with a layer of black beans (or refried beans, which ever you prefer), then add a layer of shredded lettuce, a layer of salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, and a thin layer of guacamole, to top it off.

Bake in the oven at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes (or until the cheese is melted), remove from the oven to cool for a few minutes.

Then to add the finishing touch, the sour cream spider web.... add your favorite tortilla chips (blue corn for me!) and it's ready to serve to your guests!.... or victims, which ever you prefer.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL(s)

Good Morning to all my Halloween Homemakers!

Time to get up and get moving around The Manor and start the daily house cleaning. Personally, I'd rather go shopping.
Let's check out what I've got my eye on today, shall we?

If you're anything like me, I bet your bath towels could use replacing. The Count had been on me for quite a long time to get some new ones.... ours look more like something the Mummy would wrap himself in, than a bath towel....

And you all know, I love finding stuff that not only shows my style, but is way fun, at the same time.

Like this super cool Jacquard-Weave Bath Towel with the Skull Print design from H&M Home, retails for $17.95. What a bargian!

I think these not only would look fab-boo-lous in the Master Bath, but I think they'd make a pretty neat Christmas present, for any Halloween-lovin' couple on your holiday shopping list!


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

FUN WITH FOOD

One of my favorite Pinterest pals Katie, sent me this cute avocodo skull, along with her favorite guacamole recipe, so I thought I'd share.

How great would this look if you place the skull right on top of the guacamole, when you serve it to your guests? Love it!

Katie says this recipe makes 2 cup servings, takes about 10 minutes to prep, and 40 minutes to chill. Here's what you'll need:

2 avocados
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ripe tomato, chopped
1 lime, juiced
salt and pepper to taste

Here's what you'll do:

Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for about 40 minutes to blend flavors.

Put it in a pretty bowl or serving plate, and don't forget the blue tortilla chips!

Thanks for sharing, Katie!

Monday, November 17, 2014

CHALK BOARD PUMPKINS

Happy Monday Morning, Halloweenies!

I hope you all had a dreadful weekend. Now it's the start of a brand new week, and how about we start it off with a project?

I know many of you are still holding on to pumpkins (we do have Thanksgiving coming up, after all) and I thought this was such a cool idea.... I just had to share!

If you've never used chalk board paint, well this is a good time to start. It's so fun and easy.... you'll be looking for lots of things you can paint with this stuff! All you need is a can of chalk board paint, some brushes and newspaper, and of course, chalk. (I prefer colored chalk, you can be more creative)

Now here are a few ideas, for example.... if you'll be hosting dinner this holiday season, I think painting some little mini pumpkins and writing your guests names on them, would look good as place settings around the dinner table!

You know, I think if you painted some large pumpkins for the kids, give them some chalk, and let 'em go to town.... it just may keep them busy for hours!

Or you could decorate with them, and write your holiday menu on the pumpkins, to greet the guests when them come into your kitchen!

Lots of ideas! Be creative, be sure to follow the instructions on the paint, and have lots of boxes of chalk!

Enjoy.

Friday, November 14, 2014

SKELETON HANDS SERVING SET


Here's another one of those cool things that I'd just kill for.... check out these serving forks from Pottery Barn! The set retails for $19.00, but according to websearches on their site, they're no longer available.

But a little bat told me, recenetly they've seen quite a few on e bay. So the next time you're flying around on the www, you may want to look. I think it would be worth it.

I hear they also make excellent back scratchers, too.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

GOTHIC & GEORGOUS

Gothic goes glamour!
So you want to redecorate, but you've got no idea where to start? You think it's time to replace that old coffin table you've had since college? Would you like something a little more spohisticated? A little more Goth?

Well, here's some expert advice according to F.R.R. Mallory, from the SF Interior Decorating Examiner. Read on....

Do you want to decorate for Halloween but in a more adult, upscale way? You're not alone. An ongoing trend is placing goth art, decor and accent pieces on designer store shelves, year-round! Here are some cool items to look for when you are shopping:
  • Sculptures that suggest famous scenes from books and movies such as a black raven for Edgar Allen Poe's famous work.
  • Black, red or lace-design candles. Use ornate candle stick holders and group the candles at different heights for the best effect. Be sure to burn your candles to get some decorative drips going.
  • Add black lace tablecloths, runners or piled decoratively on a table to bring in instant goth glamour.
  • Paint curly or architectural branches with black paint and arrange the branches in a glass vase. Decorate the branches with commemorative hand-written notes to parted friends and family.
  • Stack books with unusual, dark titles for guests to read.
  • Mix vintage textiles, purses, scarves, jewelry, hats, glasses, canes, umbrellas and other pieces in with your more modern decor. These will carry your theme throughout the room.
  • Look for cultural art that features similar motifs to bring in color and a different viewpoint.
A little goth goes a long way. Surprise is the element that excites visitors. Paint an old lamp or chandelier black and embellish it with beads and crystals to delight guests.

Thanks for the boo-tiful ideas!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

WHAT KNOCKERS!

Door Pull & Knocker- Design From Antiquity - DK450

Ok, this is one of my favorite finds! Forget Oprah's favorite things.... check this out!

If you're looking for something truly spooktacular to adorn your front door, this would be perfect! These handcrafted door knockers are so cool, you'll want to put one on every door!

Gothic 13th Century Design custom door knockers and pulls can be crafted in any style, and are hand forged by master blacksmiths. HJ Nick certified originals are heavy detailed to world fine art standards. Solid hand forged wrought iron (no casted copies or hollow metals)  Multistage process heat patina finished to world class antique collector standards (no spray on faux paint jobs) You can order any size or style. Virtually Maintenance Free and Guaranteed Forever! Backed by over a century of fine craftsmanship since 1913.

Dragon Door Knocker - HH1402
This fine art designer door knocker features a Medieval castle inspired design with a hand crafted dragon made from solid hand forged wrought iron, hand tooled by master blacksmiths. Using old world techniques, custom door hardware is hand-crafted by American metalworkers in any shape and design theme that you can come up with!

Each door knocker, pull or handle is patina finished using hand applied iron oxide heat finishes, for a virtually maintenance-free piece of customized door hardware.

For selections and order information, log on to the Scottsdaale Art Factory's website!

"Sank you, doctor!"


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

CANNIBAL STYLE HOT DOGS


Cannibal's Hot Dogs
Ok, when I saw this on Pinterest, I just about laughed myself silly! How fun is this idea? All you need to make these little yummies, are hot dogs, buns, and lots of ketchup!

Can you imagine the screams you'd get,  when you serve these up to the kids, for a weekend dinner?

This isn't difficult at all! Trust me. What you'll want to do, is take each hot dog, and with a knife.... gently slice the top of the hot dog to look like a fingernail. Remove that piece, then take the knife and score a few lines in the middle, to make it look like a knuckle.

Then tear each end off the hot dog, to make it look like it was just ripped off some poor victim. Cook the hot dogs, then place them in the buns.... and don't forget to give them a few bloody squirts of ketchup!

How easy is that? What a fun idea for a kiddo's zombie-themed birthday party!

Monday, November 10, 2014

WHAT A DOLL

Happy Monday, everyone! Eeeecccchhhhh! Mondays are just dreadful, aren't they? So depressing and scary.... and speaking of scary....You know when my little Princess was a tiny monster, she was really scared of dolls. And I'm not kidding....

I remember when she turned 2 years old, her Grandmama had bought her one of those expensive "American Girl Dolls" for her birthday. She opened it, and screamed bloody murder! No kidding. And to this day, she's not a fan of dolls. She says they still creep her out.

So imagine what it would be like to have a haunted doll. Apparently they do exist, and they've been known to cause lots of scares....

Robert the Doll

        
Robert was once owned by painter Robert Eugene Otto, who claimed he received it in 1906 from a family servant, who was skilled in black magic and wanted to harm the Otto family. Eugene’s parents were said to have heard him conversing with the doll, and neighbors saw it moving rooms from the windows when nobody was home. The family that moved into the Otto home after Eugene died, had a young daughter, who began to see the doll in her room at night — claiming it was trying to kill her.

Before the movie 'The Conjuring" (and the latest movie, "Annabelle"), Annabelle was a real doll, and actually a rag doll, not like the scary looking doll in the movie. Apparently, Annabelle would shift positions during the day while its owner, a nursing student named Donna, was out of the house — sometimes moving to a different room entirely. Donna also claimed she’d come home to find penciled messages, seemingly from the doll, on paper she couldn’t identify as coming from her house. One read “Help Us.” She also once came home to find drops of blood on the doll’s chest, and the back of her hand.
 
       
 Amelia was once auctioned off on eBay, where she became one of the highest viewed items. Its seller posted “This doll is not recommended for the weak at heart or for any little kids to have in their bedrooms!” Apparently, its original owner claimed that Amelia’s eyes were originally blue, but had glazed over in a creepy, glowing green despite being kept out of direct light. Once her eyes changed, weird things started happening. The person who purchased her reported that he found her standing in the hallway, heard her giggling, and once saw her wave.

Bebé 

And Bebé, owned by haunted doll collector and paranormal investigator Janice Poole, who claims her home became haunted after purchasing the doll. Poole claims the doll’s eyes follow her around the room, that she giggles, and that she’s run past her feet on several occasions.

So, are you hooked? Pretty creepy stuff, right? Want to read more?  Click here to check out The Haunted Doll Museum!