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....

IT'S ALMOST TIME.....

Well, we made it! The most fun day of the year will be upon us this weekend!

I know you've still got lots of things to do, costumes to finish, treats and tricks to prepare for the big scare.....but make the most of it and HAVE FUN!

Maybe wrap things up on Sunday night with a Spooktacular dinner, after kids have collected all their treats and a few games of "Pin The Tail On The Dragon" and then break out the flashlights for a few rounds of "Ghosts In The Graveyard" !

I still have some cobwebs to hang, lady fingers to bake, and my witches brew is already simmering in the cauldron. And remember.... soon we need to start planning for next year!

But if you still need a few more last minute ideas, click here!  Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

BOO!

SPOOKY SPIDER

OK Halloweenies...it's cruch time and you still need a few more ideas to haunt your front yard for the big nite.





Greet party guests with this not-so-itsy-bitsy spider made from a milk jug and pipe insulation!

Materials
~Craft knife
~Gallon milk jug
~Black duct tape
~4 (6-foot) black foam pipe insulation tubes (1/2 inch diameter)
~2 plastic eggs
~Green tape

Instructions

1. Use a craft knife (parents only) to cut off the spout of the milk jug, then completely cover the jug with black duct tape.

2. To create the 8 legs, tape the center of each of the 4 pipe insulation tubes across the handle side of the jug.

3. Tape the tubes to the sides of the jug as well, to keep them bent.

4. With scissors, cut and remove a 1-inch-deep notch from the middle of each leg, then bend the insulation at the notches and tape the bent joints in place.

5. For eyes, stick black tape pupils on the 2 broader ends of a pair of plastic eggs. Tape the eyes in place on the jug. Finally, decorate the top of the spider body with green duct tape, and your oversize arachnid is ready to tape or tie in place on a front porch or door.


For more great crafts, check out the Disney Family Fun site for some spooktacular last minute ideas!

THE SPOOKTACULAR ART SHOW

Here's a recap of some of the fantastic art that was featured at the Spooktacular Art Show! I had such a positive response from some of my pieces that I'm working on a collection for sale! (More details on that later!)



But the Spookiest day of the year will soon be upon us, and there's still so much to do!