BLOODY NECKLACE

I'm always looking for interesting jewelry with a twisted Halloween theme....and this one fits the bill perfectly!

This bloody necklace would be the perfect piece for your ode to Marie Antoinette or whoever you want to be for Halloween.

This particular bauble comes from Weirdly Cute.... and I do agree, it's pretty darn cute. Now if you like to make jewelry, I'm sure with some clear jewelry wire and some red beads, you could pull off the same effect.

You could make necklaces, bracelets, anklets.... the possibilities are bloody endless!!!!

GUMDROP PUMPKIN

How cute is this? I just love those crafty folks at Craft Elf! This idea is great if you're looking for a sweet treat centerpiece for the family Halloween party. Or maybe you know you'll be the homeroom mom who has to come up with a fabulous treat for the classroom party...crafting a pumpkin from orange slice gumdrops, toothpicks and a Styrofoam ball is a great way to keep the kids entertained.... and results in a beautiful centerpiece you'll just want to eat up!

Directions:

1.Flatten the bottom of the Styrofoam ball by pressing it down on a flat surface.

2.Cover the Styrofoam with foil.

3.Cut a toothpick in half. Insert the cut end of the toothpick into the flat side of an orange slice gumdrop about 1/4" from one end.

4.With the foil covered Styrofoam ball flat on your table, place the pointed end of the toothpick into the Styrofoam so that the bottom of the orange slice is even with the bottom of the Styrofoam ball.

5.Continue adding orange slices as you did in steps 3 and 4 until you have a row all around the bottom of the Styrofoam ball. You should place the orange slices close together so that you do not see the foil. It's ok if a little shows through.

6.Once your first row of gumdrops is complete, start a second row above the first row. These gumdrops should slightly overlap the row below.

7.Create a third row above the second row with the gumdrops overlapping the previous row.

8.Once you have made three rows, there will still be an unfinished area on the top. To cover this area, cut one orange slice in half lengthwise. Lay it down flat on the top center with the two straight edges touching. It should form a circle. You do not need to secure this piece with toothpicks as it will be secured by the leaves.

9.The last row will be made with half gumdrops and will be place between the third row and the one you placed flat on top. Cut six gumdrops in half crosswise (across in the shorter direction)

10.Insert a cut toothpick into one of the cut gumdrop pieces along the flat edge.

11.Stick the other end of the toothpick into the Styrofoam so that the cut edge is facing the third row of gumdrops and the narrow end is slightly overlapping the flattened center gumdrop.

12.Continue around until the foil covered ball is covered in gumdrops. You many not need all the gumdrop pieces you cut or you may need more depending on your spacing.

13.Place one full toothpick into the end of each of the two spearmint leaf gumdrops (green gumdrops).

14.Insert the other end of each of these toothpicks into the top of the completed pumpkin going straight through the flattened top gumdrop.

Approximate finished size is 5 1/2" tall.

For more super kid-friendly craft projects, check out Craft Elf!

CREATIVE HOMEMADE COSTUMES!

You know, there are so many great Halloween costume ideas, but I really think that it takes a special person to design and make their own costume!

(I for one, have always promised myself I'd make the famous Lily Munster dress, but have never managed to do it...)

So,if you're thinking of going all out this year, and are up to the challenge.... why not make your costume? If you need some inspiration, just check out these folks and their awesome get-ups! And if you're stuck for ideas, just hop on the old Internet and search for "homemade Halloween costumes" and you'll get lots of inspiration!

Here's a few to get you started....

MAKE A MINI PUMPKIN GARDEN

You all know how much I loooooove pumpkins.... and there are so many reasons why. And this one is fabulous, what a great idea! And I'm so mad I didn't think of it.

This comes from Yellow Pelow, and it truly is amazing. I think with a little patience, follow the directions carefully, add a little creativity, and I think you too could pull this off.

I think I found a new project this weekend....

BLACK AND WHITE TABLESCAPES

Sometimes it takes months of planning to pull off the perfect Halloween party. But if you've decided this year to do something a bit more sophisticated, like an All Hallows Eve dinner party, why not try a black and white theme?

It's really a lot easier than you think. Black and white invitations, subtle decorations, even cocktails... and don't forget the perfect costume!

And when it comes to dinner, check out some of these spooky & elegant table settings.... and remember, sometimes all you need is some black and white spray paint, glitter, maybe a few cobwebs, and you can transform anything!

WHAT'S UP CUPCAKE?

Can a cupcake be both tasty AND naughty? YES!!! If it's the Chocolate Chipotle cupcake filled with lime pudding and topped with lime cream cheese frosting! AND here's another surprise.... it's a VEGAN recipe!!! Now, don't turn your nose up.....it's fantastic! You know I wouldn't lie to you.

Come on, try it, you'll like it.....

Chocolate Chipotle Cupcake:

1 cup soy milk

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder, Dutch processed
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 chipotle peppers, seeded and minced (I used chipotles in adobo sauce)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

2. Whisk together soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle. Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract to the soy milk mixture and beat till foamy. Stir in chipotle peppers. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat till no large lumps remain.

3. Pour into liners, filling three quarters of the way. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to cooling rack and let cool completely.

Lime Pudding Filling:
1 pkg Mori-Nu silken firm tofu
8 oz soy cream cheese
1/2 cup persian lime juice
2 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 pkgs Mori-Nu Mates vanilla pudding mix
1 tablespoon liquid sweetener (I used maple syrup)

Drain water from the tofu. In a food processor blend tofu and lime juice until creamy and smooth - about a minute or so. Add the rest of the ingredients, and blend again until smooth - for about 3 minutes. Allow to chill 2-3 hours or until firm.

Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 tablespoons margarine, softened
8 ounces Tofutti Cream Cheese
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
4 to 5 cups confectioners sugar

Cream together butter, cream cheese, lime juice and zest with an electric mixer. Add 4 cups confectioners sugar one cup at a time and continue beating. If frosting is too thin add more confectioners sugar, one tablespoon at a time until proper consistency is reached.

Portia de Rossi cast in NBC’s Munsters reboot ‘Mockingbird Lane’ as Lily Munster

Daniel S Levine 6/13/2012

Portia de Rossi is joining the cast of NBC’s Mockingbird Lane, a reboot of the classic 1960s series The Munsters. The former Arrested Development and Better off Ted star has been cast as Lily Munster, Herman Munster’s wife.

The platinum blonde de Rossi was cast to play the brunette character on Tuesday, reports Deadline. Lily is a vampire who is married to the family patriarch, Herman, who will be played by Jerry O’Connell.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the pilot is already in production and could air as soon as mid-season. Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller is developing the series, which will take a darker, more dramatic tone than the original series.

“The script is such a dramatic departure from the tone and style of the original show. If we continued to call the show The Munsters, people are just going to to think we’re doing The Munsters,” he told EW, explaining the title change. “We’re doing a reinvention and re-imagination of this property.”

O’Connell was cast last week to play Herman. He and de Rossi join Mason Cook, who will play Eddie Munster, and Eddie Izzard, who will play Grandpa. Charity Wakefield has also been cast to play the family’s ‘normal’ cousin.

NBC had originally tried to get True Blood actress Mariana Klaveno for Lily Munster, but she was already committed to ABC Studios and Marc Cherry’s Devious Maids. Although ABC passed on the show, Lifetime has shown interest in the project, so ABC refused to let Klaveno go.

The Mockingbird Lane pilot is set to be directed by Superman Returns director Bryan Singer.