Looking for crafty contributions
Greetings Haunters,

I just joined this community because I am a total bozo and didn't think of it earlier in part because I'm a Halloween buff, but also because I'm in the middle of writing a book on Halloween crafts and am looking for contributions. The book is part of a crafting how-to series and is exceedingly picture-heavy so I'm hoping to feature lots of photos from Halloween fans and crafters showing off their awesome creations. I'm also looking for brief how-tos from guest artists. All contributors will get proper credit, a copy of the book, and -- if you've got a Halloween or craft-based website -- link information in the resources section. (Free publicity!)

As far as photos go, I'm looking for great shots of costumes, makeup, pumpkins, decorations, and party spreads. The only crucial requirements: All people featured in photos must sign a standard model release granting me permission to use their likeness, and all creations (costumes, pumpkin carvings, etc) must be your own invention.

The catch? I'm on a tight deadline and need everything in the next two weeks!

I'm running around like a crazy person trying to finish all my own crafting work for this project (I'm doing a life cast on my husband's face today...heh heh...) but I'd love to hear from anyone who might have something to contribute! You can check the front page of my Live Journal for detailed information.


Many thanks!
Robin

cross-posted to halloweenasylum & october_homes

Yard Sale Finds
Specifically for _thespookhouse_, but definitely applies here as well.


Current Music: Alvin Schwartz reading Scary Stories to tell in the Dark

Okay, so I'm a little early.
This Halloween dress has inspired me. I think I want to make myself a Halloween dress this year, but I'm not sure what style. I already started on Halloween themed hostess aprons tonight, cut out pattern pieces, but haven't had a chance to sew yet.

Current Mood: cheerful

Perhaps we should begin preparations ;)

The Other Halloween
Today (or, more properly, tonight) is Walprurgisnacht, the night that is exactly opposite of Halloween. Never heard of Walpurgisnacht? Here's some info from Wikipedia:

'In the Norse tradition, Walpurgisnacht is considered the "Enclosure of the Fallen". It commemorates the time when Odin died to retrieve the knowledge of the runes, and the night is said to be a time of weakness in the boundary between the living and the dead.'

'In some parts of northern coastal regions of Germany, the custom of lighting huge Beltane fires is still kept alive, to celebrate the coming of May...'

'In rural parts of southern Germany it is part of popular youth culture to play pranks on Walpurgisnacht, e.g. tampering with neighbors' gardens, hiding possessions, or spraying graffiti on private property. These pranks occasionally result in serious damage to property or bodily injury.'

It's also known as Hexennacht (Witches Night) in Germany.

Let's see, a night when the veil is thin between the living and the dead, bonfires, pranks, and Witches. Sound like a holiday we all love? A member of this community, sylvieonabun, charmingly refers to this as 'Half-o-ween'.

Happy Hexennacht, my eerie friends.

Current Music: Soundtrack to 'The Wicker Man'

Eeeeeeeeeeeew. Yum.
Awful Edible Roasted Fleshworms

Halloween Pathfinder
Hello all...I'm a Library and Information Services major and one of my assignments this semester is to create a pathfinder, a one or two page guide to resources on a certain subject. I choose the history of Halloween. I was wondering if anyone knows of some good books or websites on the history of Halloween or Halloween traditions? Thanks!

X-posted a bit.

Halloween (Bank) Checks!
Greetings,

Just thought you might like to know that Check Gallery is offering HALLOWEEN checks. Yeah, it sucks having to pay bills but, since there's no way out of it, wouldn't it at least be cool to do it with a Halloween flair all year long?

Just go HERE to see the 4 different designs (click on the picture of the checks) and/or place an order.



x-posted to halloweenasylum

I was just wondering if there was anyone here from the Southern Hemisphere, like myself, who has plans for the Autumn Equinox in April? I'm thinking of having an apple, pumpkin, spice and nut laden dinner with my sister. If I can find any decent pumpkins I might do a bit of pumpkin carving as well. Anyone got any other ideas?

X-Posted.

October Shadows





Welcome to OCTOBER SHADOWS, Creature Features’ annual celebration of Halloween in art. Each autumn, a prestigious group of artists from all facets of fine art, illustration, comics, film, TV and animation gather to conjure a wealth of imagery celebrating the timeless spirit of All Hallow’s Eve.

Impressive stuff, this.

Oh, ye know you're a fanatic when ye recognize a particular plastic skull from your own collection, this artist used as reference.

Ze History Channel's Haunted History of HALLOWEEN

So....
Maybe I missed any posts on this, but....
I was just thinking last night, that I didn't see anyone post anything about favourite BOOKS for the Halloween season.
So here I shall post it:

What are some books that really get you into the Halloween mood?

How about any books you read when you're feeling (IF you ever feel this way, like I do) nostalgic for Halloween, or impatient?

My number one is still Bram Stoker's Dracula. Though it's written like a daytime soap opera, with all its back-and-forths. :)
Any Harry Potter. (yeah yeah :P) No, ALL the Harry Potters, preferably together, back to back.
The Hellbound Heart, Clive Barker.
American Gods, Neil Gaiman.
My original old school set of Halloween Peanuts mini-books for kids.
The Littlest Witch, a kids story by an author I forgot.
The Scary Stories full set. :-D (Bloooooooody fingers, bloooooooooooooody fingers! "man, get yourself a band-aid!") Ahem.

And there's this one book from my childhood I wish I could get my hands on again. It's like a dictionary of witches and it's just awesome, but I have NO clue the name of it any more.

What about all you lovely boils and ghouls?

My Halloween Party of Greatness 2007!
Yes, I loaft with posting. I'm just getting over my post-Halloween burnout. This party and our having been planning it since June is why. Hopefully it shows!

A serious hella lot of pics behind the cut
x-posted to craftgrrl and halloweenasylum

 

Announcement about a crazy Dracula book -- MsDis approved
I asked permission to post this, and I thought it would interest you guys.  I want you to know my e-karma is clean. 

Vlad Dracula was meaner and crazier than Courtney Love during an intervention… …but he may have been victim of the first mass market smear campaign.  Also, he looked like the unholy lovechild of Yanni.  Discover these and other terrible secrets in my funny vampire book, Sundays with Vlad ( www.vladlives.com ). 

 

Or just come by my blog at http://paulbibeau.livejournal.com and say hello.

My 2007 costumes!
 So it all started when I went to my local Party Packagers and found one of those latex prosthetic pieces that you glue to your face with spirit gum, called "Sightless" which was freakin amazing and I knew I needed to base my costumes for this year on. Traditionally, my friend and I always do 3 costumes - 1 for the house party on Friday, 1 for Saturday's clubbing, and one for actual Halloween night and Trick-or-treating! Here they are!



 
Pictures of the party coming soon!

x-posted to craftgrrl!

costume!
this year was amazing! the first picture is of me and my "date". enjoy.

( undead prom queen )

Introduction and Halloween Pictures
( Survey )

For Halloween this year I was home recovering from brain surgery. The only person around was my mom. I thought it was going to be a terrible Halloween, as she is so not a Halloween person. So to make it better I decided that I would throw a party for my mom and I!
( Pictures of Decorations )


( This is Halloween )

Current Mood: pleased

Die Hexe Haus
Hello! I'm Abi Normal, a five-year yard haunter.
This year I took license in recreating the Hansel and Gretel witch's house, or just it's theme.
I'm posting the pictures from my LJ - I hope you like them!


The Good Witch?
Abi Normal

Current Mood: chipper

Last minute costume(3 days is not enough time)
I Originally wanted to be Old Gregg, but that is a hard costume to find the right stuff for, especially when you dont start looking til the 24th. But here's what I eventually decided on. 2 days and 25 dollars later, here is the result.



Enjoy!
-Willy

Current Music: Feed Me

my first post
My husband and I are on our 3rd year of halloween fun.
He does the props. Almost everything is handmade.
Some of you may have seen him elsewhere.
Here is our set up this year:
Daylight (with our 3 year old cinderella)
( cut to save your friend's page )
X-posting to
halloweenland