Halloween Party Ideas
Thanks everybody for all your great ideas for my Halloween party.
We decided to go with a black magic/voodoo kind of theme.
Gonna be fun.
Any suggestions are welcome if you have some good ideas.

Thanks!

The only time I'm ever early is Halloween....
Hello.
I havent posted in a while-my internet has been down.

I need some help.
Every year I throw a huge halloween party. Problem is that last year was AMAZING! and now I have to top it. I need to decide on a theme by the end of the month so I can start making my props in August.
Last year my theme was horror movies, and we filled every inch of my apartment was 50 different horror movie props or scenes. It was so cool! Everyone also was asked to come as their fave horror movie character. We had a game going on that you had to guess which movie each prop was from, but the party got too big too fast and we couldnt play because there were so many people. Because we didnt get to finish it last year i thought about reusing the props i have but, i think thats lame. What do you think?

SO I need a new theme.
I need to be able to decorate for it properly (my mom suggested zombies but then i dont know what to do other than trash the house and not everyone will want to come as zombies)
it also needs to be expandable because so many people have heard about our parties that they are already asking for invites and people bring friends and stop by randomly so it has to be able to accomodate that (a friend suggested a masquerade but then the people who just show up will be left out)

I need some help, please give me your suggestions. Thanks so much.

halloween stuff on ebay
This is not my stuff, but I've been asked where I got my vintage halloween postcards that I recently posted...I got them on ebay, and the seller always has a lot of cute, unique, antique-style hallween goodies:

http://stores.ebay.com/CHOCOLATE-SOUP-2002_Halloween_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ13QQftidZ2QQtZkm

yay!
halloween is on a friday this year!!!

EXCITIED?!

i know i am.

Halloween shopping has begun!
Michael's Crafts has already started putting out its Lemax Spooky Town decorations for 2008. I bought one of their small Mummy-related figurines.

Halloween shopping one day after Independence Day. Am I obsessed or what?

Current Mood: amused

I framed some of my Halloween postcards...


(Sorry for the crappy pic-quality!)

I am ITCHING for Autumn!

Three cups ^^
Ok, first posting here for me.

"HALLOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

So is there anything better than showing something that you love and use every single day? ;)
Here we are:
Every morning starts with Halloween! :)

( Read more... )

Cheers,
myotis

Alvin Schwartz Speaks From My Childhood
Always a fave, but particularly during October.



Those books have to be replaced every so often, as my children and I pull them out every other week or so. Or maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to buy the treasury edition.

The Halloween Bug's Bite Cannot Be Ignored
So, like a lot of you, the Halloween bug has bitten me early. Same, every year. Was looking through NetFlix, trying to sate the hunger, and sadly found VERY LITTLE in the way of spooky seasonal goodies. BUT, I did find these. No reviews yet, as they haven't arrived yet, but still, the anticipation of finding these in the mail box is rather nice.

****************************************************



Think Martha Stewart is a whiz at good things? Just wait until you see what she can do with bad ones. This collection of devilishly fun Halloween projects will get you geared for one of Martha's favorite holidays. Recipes and crafts include glow-stick spiders, white chocolate ghosts, jack-o'-lantern creatures, easy-to-make costumes and other fiendish things that go "boo" in the night.



Filled with imaginative ideas for transforming any home into a Halloween-themed spectacle, this fun do-it-yourself program will help you turn your house into a ghoulish den of fright. Expert advice and demonstrations provide tons of ideas guaranteed to deliver chills. Designed with the budget-conscious in mind, the featured projects don't require the purchase of expensive props or materials, only family cooperation and some crafty creativity.



Go from gorgeous to ghoulish using this step-by-step Halloween makeup lesson. Professional makeup artists show you how to create 20 terrifying looks -- including Frankenstein, Dracula, Mummy, Evil Clown and more -- using easy-to-find materials. Other frightful delights include Zombie, Pumpkin-head, Witch, Cat, Exorcism Victim, Vampire, Gargoyle, Robot, Swamp Creature, Alien Burn Victim, Creature, Old Man, Lizard, Phantom and Ghastly Ghoul.

X-posted to both _thespookhouse_ and halloween_fan

Finally settled on a costume idea
Alright, it's that middle point of the off-season and clearly there is not enough Halloween discussion going on, so...here I am gushing about a relatively simple decision that I'm inflating to make me look like the genius of the century.

Every year I go as The Phantom of the Opera because I have what might be the most awesome Phantom costume in North America, with perhaps one exception. But I'm always on the lookout for a simple, "fun" costume; one that doesn't take three hours of prep time, and that I can throw on to parties that are heavy on the dancing. Last year I tried little Meg Giry (yes, I'm a girl, just to clear up confusion) to keep with the Phantom character theme, but NO ONE at the Hard Rock got it. Everyone assumed I was Sam Adams' sister. Which is handy, I might add, if you're looking for free beer. After the fifth or sixth person came up to me asking if I was Sam(antha) Adams I just gave up and said yes.

So I usually save the Phantom get up for the fancier Halloween things, like any appearances at concerts, etc. I've been going back and forth, though, for an easier costume to wear to everything else. Top candidates included:

- The opponent's wife who has her hand held in a jar of acid in the end of Brad Neely's Washington music video. The problem with this is that I'll require someone to dress up as George Washington and walk around together with my hand stuck in a jar of seltzer water all evening. It'd be kind of amazing, though.

- George Washington from the same music video (if the acid thing doesn't work, this might be fun too). Get a cheap GW costume, stuff one pocket full of stuffed animal horses, get a stuffed toy Schnauzer to carry around, and put a big radiation sign on my back. I'll need two wigs, a snuff box and a British dummy with its head open and candy for brains so I can eat them. Obviously not girly at all.

- Paula Abdul. You know exactly what kind of hilarity would ensue ("I am a... WARRIOR!!!").

- Patsy from Ab Fab ("Is it a BEE???"). Need someone to be Eddie.

- Halloween macro. Ever since I saw that one guy dress up as a Facebook last year at the Hard Rock, I thought it could be possible. Put on some overdone, stupid costume with a fluorescent wig and my best fake drunk expression, and have a cardboard sign hanging off me saying something to the effect of "HALLOWEEN: Don't worry, your boss will find out tomorrow." Or something more clever. Who knows.


I still like the macro idea, and Patsy's always a good time. Still considering the George Washington idea too. That might be too hilarious to pass up. But juggling the needs of simplicity and me wanting to actually feel girly for once I decided on MUSTANG SALLY. Right on, Wilson Pickett. Cute 1965 Ford Mustang tshirt, scarf, driving cap and maybe some fun vintage goggles, maybe a prop steering wheel to beat creeps off with, and I'm set.

Don't make fun, this is a serious decision making moment for me.

And while I have your attention, here's some more spam coming your way.
( Phantom of the Opera/Halloween Ghoul/Ghost/Zombie makeup tutorial videos and photos behind the cut! )

American Science and Surplus
I just ordered a couple of skulls from the American Science & Surplus catalog web site. They have weird (often useless) and offbeat things, including the skulls I ordered. At $12.50 a pop, they sound pretty reasonable. I'm curious to see how good they look. The website also has a full-sized skeleton for $299.

The item number for the skulls is 91799 and for the full skeleton it is 88824. I would so love to have one of those skeletons.

http://www.sciplus.com/

X-posted here and there.

Current Mood: calm

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.