MAKE A FUNKY SKULL TEE

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. Maybe you did some shopping.... were you looking for something cute and kinda creepy, to wear during the Halloween season?

Here's an easy project that would be the perfect addition to any Halloween Homemaker's wardrobe! We all have extra tee shirts filling our closets and drawers... so let's make good use of them, shall we?

All you'll need to do this project is a piece of tailor's chalk (you can find at any fabric store), scissors,  a black (or contrasting color) tee shirt, to be worn over top of a white or gray tank top. I think this type of project works best on a shirt that's already been washed a few times. You also may want to press it off with a warm iron, it'll make it easier to cut out the pattern.

Lay the black shirt out on a flat work surface, copy the design in the picture, above, with the tailor's chalk. (If you're not comfortable drawing directly on the shirt at first, sketch it out on a piece of paper, until you get the look you want.)

When making the design, do 2 large circles for the eyes at the top, then make 2 smaller, oddly shaped circles for the nose..... and repeat the same process for the teeth, in two rows across the bottom.

Now, carefully, cut out all of the circles. Make sure that you flatten out the shirt each time, after you cut out a circle, to make sure that you're following your pattern, and that it's lining up correctly.

Once all of the circles have been cut out, you should see the skull face emerge, when you put the contrasting color tank top underneath.

Keep in mind, when you do this kind of technique on tee shirt material, after it's been washed a time or two, the design may stretch out. You could always re-enforce the design, by stitching around the cut outs, to create a finished edge. But in all honesty..... if it was me, I wouldn't bother. These tees are so easy and cheap to make, you could always make more, whenever the mood strikes you!

Now, let's get moving!

RAVEN WREATH

Here is another one of those Pinterest goodies that I found.... and I love this idea!!!!

Who wouldn't love to walk up to a creepy, haunted house and see this spookified wreath hanging on the front door? It's pretty cool, isn't it? And once again, as you've heard me say many times before.... It's really not too difficult of a project.

If I was to recreate this wreath, here's what I'd do.....

First of all, you'll need to start with the base. I'd use a Styrofoam or floral ring (only because you'll want to stick the feet or wire into the Styrofoam, to secure the birds to the wreath) and make sure the ring is small or large enough, so you won't see it, when you attach the birds.

Then look for the birds. Try to find some with wire feet, so you can stick them down into the foam ring. If they don't have feet.... be sure to get some floral wire, so you can push it up into the base of the bird, then use that.... to secure to the ring. Make sure you get enough birds to go the whole way around the wreath, with the beaks pointed inward, like in the photo.

Then we'll need our hot glue gun, some spray adhesive, and black glitter. Ok, now once we get all the supplies home, we'll assemble the wreath.

Ok, start by laying the ring flat, and then one by one, attach the bird, by pushing the wire feet into the base, as I mentioned earlier. Then to secure them, add a few dabs of hot glue to the base of the bird, to stick to the ring. Repeat with all the birds, the whole way around.... and remember make sure the beaks are all facing inward.

Once the birds have been added, then we'll use a light coat of spray adhesive, and spray the heads of the birds, the whole way around. Then lightly sprinkle the glitter over the adhesive. Let dry for a few minutes. Then gently turn the wreath over and shake off the excess glitter. Make sure the birds are attached securely..... if you notice any that seem loose, just a few extra dabs of hot glue should do it!

Then the wreath is ready to be hung.... we could use a wreath hook, looped floral wire at the top of the wreath, or a dark shiny black ribbon.... would work just fine.

Now keep in mind, this is just how I'd do it. If you find a better way.... do it! The whole idea is to make something you love, and if you find a easier way to do it.... even better.

Have fun, and be sure to send me pictures of your creations, so we can share with our fellow Halloweenies!

 

HAPPY TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA DAY!

Triskaidekaphobia  is the fear of Friday the 13th, and today some people will be so paralyzed with fear they simply won't get out of bed. Others will steadfastly refuse to fly on an airplane, buy a house, or act on a hot stock tip. It's Friday the 13th, and they're freaked out.
"It's been estimated that $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do," said Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina.

Among other services, Dossey's organization counsels clients on how to overcome fear of Friday the 13th, a phobia that he estimates afflicts 17 to 21 million people in the United States.

Symptoms range from mild anxiety to full-blown panic attacks. The latter may cause people to reshuffle schedules or miss an entire day's work.

When it comes to bad luck of any kind, Richard Wiseman—a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, England—found that people who consider themselves unlucky are more likely to believe in superstitions associated with bad luck.

"Their beliefs and behavior are likely to be part of a much bigger worldview," he said. "They will believe that luck is a magical force and that it can ruin their lives."

Wiseman found that one quarter of the 2,068 people questioned in a 2003 survey associate the number 13 with bad luck. People with such feelings, he found, are more likely to be anxious on days like Friday the 13th and thus more prone to have accidents. In other words, being afraid of Friday the 13th could be their undoing.

Ominous Number
So how did Friday the 13th become such an unlucky day?

Dossey, also a folklore historian and author of Holiday Folklore, Phobias and Fun, said fear of Friday the 13th is rooted in ancient, separate bad-luck associations with the number 13 and the day Friday. The two unlucky entities ultimately combined to make one super unlucky day.

Dossey traces the fear of 13 to a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla, their heaven. In walked the uninvited 13th guest, the mischievous Loki. Once there, Loki arranged for Hoder, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow.

"Balder died and the whole Earth got dark. The whole Earth mourned. It was a bad, unlucky day," said Dossey. From that moment on, the number 13 has been considered ominous and foreboding.

So to celebrate, let's all stop by and rent "Friday the 13th" and make a date with Jason Voorhees at Camp Crystal Lake tonight! Happy Triskaidekaphobia Day!

THANKS SCARY JERRY!!!

 

 

WOW! What an awesome day for the Queen of Halloween! Not only is a beautiful, rainy, dreary day here at the Manor, but I have to let all you Halloweenies know, that my blog has been featured on Scary Jerry's My Scary Blog!

Scary Jerry is quite well known for his creepified and amazingly awesome website MY SCARY HALLOWEEN! His site is top notch, and is the best resource guide for everything totally scary!

From haunted places, to art, music and shopping, he's got it all. He also does a really cool, everything-you-need-to-know Halloween blog!

In case you've been living under a rock and don't know Scary Jerry.... now is the time to check it out and make sure you bookmark is sites!

Thanks again Scary Jerry!

HEADS UP

I know you think this may look complicated.... but give it a real good look..... it's not that difficult. You're just going to add a few embellishments to the chandelier or light fixture, that you already have. All you'll need is a few things from your favorite craft store.

I love using glitter for Halloween projects, especially black glitter, and for this project.... you can use lots of it! Start looking for papier mache objects, like these skulls, maybe a few bats and spiders, at your local dollar store!

Then, all you're going to do is add the glitter with a spray adhesive or glue, and hang them from your chandelier with shiny, black ribbon. That's not too complicated, am I right?

Trust me.... it's a sure bet for creeping out your dinner guests. You gotta love that....

Click here for more ideas from DIY!

SCREAM CHEESE BURGERS

Who doesn't love a good burger? Am I right???

Well, I for one am a huge fan of these Scream Cheese Burgers. They're quick and oh so simple! And the perfect thing to whip up for the little monsters, on a busy night of trick or treating.

We'll fire up the grill, and make some oven baked potato fiend fries. Here's how to do it:

Make the hamburger patties. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Take a large baking potato (don't forget to wash and peel it!) cut it in half. Taking one of the halves..... slice into thin strips. Repeat with the other half. In a large bowl, add about 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add salt and pepper, mix well until fries are evenly coated. Set aside.

Take a few slices of American cheese, and using a steak knife, cut out a scary face (similar to how you make a jack o' lantern face) and place slices back in the refrigerator

Place potato strips on a foiled lined baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, then turning fries over once, and cook for another 20 minutes, until golden brown and lightly crispy.

Start cooking the hamburger patties, and about 3 or 4 minutes before the patties are done, carefully add the cheese slices.

Serve burgers open-faced and don't forget the fiend fries! Enjoy!

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR POSTS

Being that we are really racing into the Halloween season, everyone is looking for creative ideas for costumes, decorations and my favorite Goblin Grub recipe! I seem to get asked most about these top 5 posts, and just in case you missed them.... here they are:

#1. MEET MATT

I've gotten so many people who want to know how I made this bloody body rug (Who we've lovingly named "Matt") that was a big hit at the annual Halloween bash this year!

It's really easy. We got an large section of new carpet that was left over from a remodeling job, flipped it over, had a friend lay on it, in the desired position, and I outlined him with a black marker.

You'll need an exacto knife to cut it out, (Be extra careful, it can be really tough!) and trim off the edges with scissors and duct tape. (This will keep the edges from fraying)

Then flip "Matt" over and add a blood stain with red acrylic paint. Let dry and you've got a fun centerpiece for your Halloween decorations this year! I promise, your guests will stop dead in their tracks!

2. HOST A SPOOKTACULAR DINNER PARTY

I want to get an invite to this dinner party. I'm half expecting to be dining with Barnabas Collins at Collinwood.

Who needs to wait for Halloween to host a spooky dinner party? It could be a "Twilight" theme dinner, or a "Clue" dinner party.

I don't think this would be too hard to pull off.....the details are really all in the planning. Think dark, gloomy, and Gothic with some blood red accents. Don't forget the candles and spider webs to complete the look. I especially love the nooses hanging over the chairs. Very classy.

And for all of you who don't know who Barnabas Collins is, click here.

3. GOBLIN GRUB

Here's what I did over the weekend..... I decided to really get in the "spirit" of the Halloween season, while I was in the kitchen whipping up some Goblin Grub (a.k.a. queso dip)!

Here's what you'll need:
~1 lg. lean ground chuck
~1 regular size package of Velveeta
~1 car of Pace Picante sauce
~1 cup of milk
~green food coloring

Here's what you do:
1. In a skillet, brown the ground chuck, cook well, drain off excess fat. Set aside.
2. Pour milk into large sauce pan.
3. Slice Velveeta in to cube size, put in sauce pan.
4. Cook on medium-high, stirring as the cheese melts. (Do not let sit, stir to keep cheese from sticking to bottom of pan)
5. Once cheese has completely melted, add ground chuck, mix well.
6. Turn heat down to low.
7. Add picante sauce, mix well.
8. Add several drops of green food color (to desired shade of green)
9. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and a scoop of picante on top and serve with tortilla chips!

4. PUMPKIN VOTIVES

If the thought of frightful jack-o'-lanterns gives you the chills, opt for a lovely and luminous group of votive holders instead. These gently glowing lights, cut from pumpkins in pale hues, are easy to make: Simply slice off the tops, and scoop off the flesh. Set on glass votive holder and candle inside each, and arrange a few small, uncarved pumpkins alongside. (But remember: Keep an eye on the lighted candles, and be sure to blow them out at the end of the evening)

To make pumpkin votives with miniature pumpkins (pictured below), you will need miniature pumpkins, votives, floral cutters, and a hand-drill fitted with a 1 1/2-inch-wide paddle bit. If possible, get a second person to help: He or she can don a pair of work gloves and hold the pumpkin in place as you drill.

1. Using floral cutters, trim the stem from the pumpkin.
2. Center the paddle bit over the pumpkin, and drill about 1/2 inch deep.
3. Insert votive. The pumpkin can be stored in a cool, dry spot for up to one day.

For more sophisticated decorating ideas, check out Martha Stewart.com!

 5. QUICK COSTUME IDEAS

Ok....we've all been there. We've got a Halloween party to go to, and never gave the costume a second thought. Now, everyone wants to know what your costume is gonna be. Uh-oh.

Believe it or not, with our favorite day of the year still several months away.... recently, I've been getting lots of e-mails about homemade Halloween costumes. It seems that a lot of us out there aren't real fans of the store bought costumes. And not everyone wants to be a sexy maid or devil, am I right? Or maybe you don't have a lot of spare time to sew or craft a Martha Stewart-worthy costume.

Remember when making your own costume was fun? After all...we just want to get a few oohs and aahhs when we walk in to the party.

Ok, so I'm gonna help you out. Here are my "Top 10 To-The-Rescue Costume Ideas":

Hit by Lightning
Just wear jeans and a sweatshirt. Make a with large yellow felt zigzag pinned or sewn to the back, blackened zigzag tears here and there, hair gelled to stand straight up, black burnt marks on cheeks.
Another idea: Be a “Jogger Hit By Lightning” by wearing a sweat suit or running shorts instead of jeans.

Fairy Godfather
You can buy cheap fairy wings and a wand and that’s all! Ok guys, just wear a pair of jeans, a black or white tee shirt and a baseball cap. Put on the wings and carry a cigar, and put your magic wand in your back pocket! I have to admit, the hubby has used this costume a few times, and it was a hit!

Bag of Trash
This is one of the "fastest" costumes you can make in no time...and be out the door to the party. Make two leg holes is a large sized trash bag. Then step into the bag, then add balls of crumpled newspaper to hold a round shape. Make two armholes in each side and secure around the neck.

Tourist
Just dig in the closet for a few things. A Hawaiian shirt or other loud clothes, camera, hat with pins all over it, maps sticking out of pockets, sunglasses. Easy. Good as a couples costume, too.

Titanic Survivor or Passenger
Pin plastic seaweed and fake aquarium plants to your clothes and wear long strands in your hair. Shred the arms and pockets of an old shirt, overlay with a shredded vest and wear over tattered trousers or a long skirt with a torn hem. Wet look fabric is a bonus. Make a long necklace or belt from a thick length of hemp rope; unravel the rope ends for best effect, and attach a toy sailboat. Hot glue polished pennies or fake gold coins (bags of gold chocolate coins are great) in strategic places. A fake fish or two sticking out of a pocket completes the ensemble.
To be a Titanic Passenger: Wear the costume described above, but add ghost or skeleton face makeup.

Miss. America
Finally! A use for those brides maids dresses! Use a old bridesmaid or formal dress, add a pair of gloves, a tiara, some over sized jewelry, and heels. For the banner, use a piece of wide ribbon, and write "Miss. America" in glitter with glue.

A Spy
For this quick Halloween costume, wear a trench coat, dark glasses and a hat pulled down over your eyes. Carry a small camera and pretend to take pictures surreptitiously. How fun and you’ll get lots of great party pictures!

The Birds
This one you might need to be a bit crafty....but not too much. Just go to your favorite thrift store, get a jacket and skirt. Then head over to the craft store and buy a few black birds. Attach the birds to the outfit with hot glue and a glue gun (or sew them on for added strength) Put on some torn nylons and a pair of pumps. Add a bird to your hair with some bobby pins and put some fake blood on your cheek, your knee and splash some on your suit! If you add a blond wig.....you could be Melanie from “The Birds”!

Pizza Delivery Driver
Wear a matching color hat and tee shirt and carry a pizza box. So easy, it’s not even funny..... If you have time, make a pizza logo out of felt for your hat and shirt, and attach with fabric glue.

Butcher
All you need for this is a few props you probably have around the house. Wear a white tee shirt and jeans, get a white apron, and splash some red paint on the apron. Carry a meat cleaver (be sure to tape off the blade with gray duct tape.... to be safe) and maybe a string of sausages around your neck. (But don’t be out too late, you might start to get smelly!)

Now that you can breathe a sigh of relief, make yourself a cup of tea and relax... we got this covered!