IT'S FACE OFF TUESDAY!

There aren't too many tv shows... especially reality shows, that I'm a fan of. Except this one.

The Count and I have been fans of Face Off, since Season One. So if you haven't had a chance to check it out, you really need to give it a chance. Especially if you're one of those people like me....  who love to see how people come up with all those crazy monsters and movie characters.

Besides getting a close up look, at how these talented artists create some really amazing creatures....  it's fantastic inspiration for Halloween costumes and theme parties!

Give it a try, I bet you get hooked..... Check out the link on the SyFy Channel! Happy Face Off Tuesday!

HAVE A SEAT

I really love looking for amazing furniture to fill up the Manor, and I get so excited when I see funky stuff like this!

Check out this awesome chair from ecosalon.com it's so stylish, but also fun.... one of my favorite combinations! Be sure to look at their website, they have some really unique, fantastic furniture!

I would love to have a set of these as dining room chairs.... wouldn't that be just fabulous for a spooktacular dinner party!?!

Being the crafty one that I am, I think this could be a fun project to give life to some old chairs we've got lying around.

I'd either draw on my own design, or find a print I like, and make a copy on a laser printer.... trace it onto the chair, and then hand paint it with some black fabric paint.

But if you're not much of a painter, I suggest the "paint by numbers" method. It's easy.... using a transfer on a piece of test fabric, you just paint (or "trace" over the transfer, with the fabric paint)  to see if you like the results. Then, once you feel you've mastered it, I think you're ready for the real thing!

I know you can do it, give it a try.... and don't forget to send me the pictures of your finished product!

HOLY BAT CLOTHESPINS!

 

If you're anything like me, you've got lots of housework to get today. Cauldrons need scrubbing, the dungeon needs a good layer of dust.... and the dreaded laundry. I wish I liked doing laundry... but I don't. If only something could make it more fun.....

Ok, so why haven't I seen these before, and why don't I have them?!
 

I was just hopping around on the www and I found these really cool clothespins! I'm always looking for cool stuff to make my dull, everyday tasks around the Manor, so much more fun!

 

Could you just imagine hanging out all your laundry with these? I for one, would love to see the Count's favorite capes hanging out in the moonlight, to dry.

 

They're sold on Amazon, but I if you check out Shut Up and Take My Money .com, you'll see lots of other cool stuff, too. Check it out!

I think I may need to do some online shopping this afternoon...... Happy Saturday!

HAPPY E-BAY TO ME!

 

Happy Friday to all you Halloweenies!

What a great way to start the weekend...... You all know how much I've blogged about being an e-bay addict. Well, I have to admit, I just can't help myself. Look what the mailman left for me this morning, it's the complete series of "The Addams Family"!

I think tonite I'll make the Count a nice dinner of roast beast, some of my favorite wine, and we'll watch a few episodes of The Addams Family. How romantic.

Have a great weekend!

BE OUR GUEST

Nothing says "Welcome to our haunted home" more than a nice set of bloody towels for the bathroom.

I found this picture on Pinterest, and I just had to share! This is one of my all time favorite projects.... for one, it's super easy, and two.... wait until you hear the screams coming from the guest bathroom! Priceless!

One of the themes that is a favorite for any bathroom is the Bates Motel theme, from the classic movie "Psycho". Add a few framed black and white photos of the Bates Motel, also post a hotel check out policy on the back of the door. Don't forget the bloody shower curtain, bath mat, and the towels to match! (I actually got an old pair of dish towels and cut out some felt letters to read BATES MOTEL.... and sewed them on! Super easy! But if you can't sew, just use some fabric glue, or even "Stitch Witch" and apply it by using a hot iron)

I usually find these goodies at the dollar store. Get a clear (or white) shower curtain, a set of white towels, and a plain white bath mat. (I actually did this project for under $20.00!) Now all you need is some red acrylic (gloss) craft paint (you want to use acrylic because you'll just need soapy water to clean up afterwards) and lots of paper plates and towels.

Now let me warn you.... this can get a little messy, so I suggest putting down an old sheet or tablecloth on the floor for your work area.... trust me. All you do is lay out the item you want to paint. Pour some paint on a paper plate, and then press your hand into it. Now, take a paper towel, and test it out, to see if you like your hand print. If so, apply more paint, then press it on to the item (shower curtain or towel) Don't forget to smear it around a bit, and add a few splatter marks. Repeat the same process for the towels.

Now, if you're going to do a bath mat, use your foot to make the print on the mat, using the same technique. So easy, and very high on the shriek factor! But let me tell you, once you try this.... you'll have so much fun, you'll look for other stuff to paint. I've done tablecloths, napkins, lampshades and kitchen curtains....

The possibilities are endless! Have a bloody great day!

BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK

Yes, black is the new black..... actually, nothing replaces black. It's classy. it's macabre.... it's all the things that you want in creating great looks for Halloween.

I'm a huge fan of black spray paint. Flat or gloss.... black paint is the best! And every Halloween Homemaker needs to keep a hefty supply in your craft closet.
 

You can transform everyday objects and make cool collections, just by grouping a bunch of objects together and giving them a good coat of black spray paint.

*Remember, these are strictly for decorations only! Do not paint anything that will have any food or beverages in them!

Now if you're new to spray painting, here's a few suggestions. First of all, work in a well ventilated space anytime that you are using spray paint.... the fumes can be overwhelming, sometimes. Also read the directions, and always apply spray paint in several thin coats. You never want to spray too much in one spot, or it'll run and cause drips..... (unless of course you want to do that.... I've been known to create some pretty cool bloody pieces with red paint.... but that's for our next lesson....)

Start simple. Get a can of  flat black, and a can of gloss black spray paint. Pick a few things, like some artificial pumpkins, candlesticks, old picture frames (remove the glass), maybe some old jars and books..... then spray some of the items with the flat, and some with the gloss. Let them dry, and then group the objects together. Set on a mantel always looks good..... or on a side table in the corner.

Maybe spray paint a few dried flowers, while you're at it, and put some in the jars... you get the idea.

 

Now you've just learned how to create a pulled-together look.... and all it took was some old junk, you had lying around the house.... and some black spray paint! You're welcome.....

 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

It's good to finally be back!

Please forgive my absence, I was quite under the weather, and I know that's normally a good thing for the Halloween Queen.... but this time it was actually... quite a pain in the butt.

Thank you for all the kindness that was sent my way, and no need to worry, I'm alive and well. Well, at least for now, anyway.....

But I was jolted from my slumber.... only to realize that there's only 71 days until Halloween!

There's so much to do.... let's get started!

I suggest going to the front door and checking out what you've got to work with. Some entry way decorations might take a little bit of planning to pull off a magical effect, like this.

I usually sketch out what I want it to look like, take a few measurements, and start making my supply list! And use magazines (since all the How-To-Halloween publications are on the racks, right now!) and the www to look for new and creative ideas.

Maybe a creepy graveyard or crazy, mad scientist laboratory.... the possibilities are endless! But we need to start planning, right now!

I missed you all.... glad to be back!