ATC - The Spider Queen I (La Reine Araigne'e)

This is the first ATC in my "The Spider Queen" series.

***Spooky background by Moonlight Journey: http://www.moonlightjourney.com/index.html

the return of pumpkin spice

Luckily, the arrival of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice latte depends upon the calendar and not upon the temperature.




The perfect antidote to a 40C humidex.

Halloween Cracker Party Favor

Hand sculpted and painted paper clay

party goer is startled by a twisted,

glittery coil of Halloween confetti

popping out of a festive holiday cracker.

Cracker Boo
7" Tall

To purchase email Melissa at:
valeriotedesign@comcast.net
• • • •
Stop by the EHAG EMPORIUM
to see other available pieces of
Halloween Folk Art
• • • •
New Halloween goodies available in ETSY.
Click HERE for link.

pumpkin envy

Another year. Another wedding anniversary. Another weekend trip to a Nova Scotia inn. Not too far from home in case the teenagers in charge of the house run amuk and we have to return in a hurry.

So we're wandering through the town of Lunenburg, admiring the architecture, when I notice that one of the homes has pumpkins growing in the yard. I walk over for a closer look. Anxious to compare any visible pumpkins to mine. Convinced that my sincere little crop will measure up.

And then I see this . . .

A large orange gourd. Easily ten times the size of my largest pumpkin. Surrounded by several others not far behind in size.

I think it's best if I don't look at other pumpkins.

the taste of success

The spiders around my yard work so diligently throughout the summer. Constructing their webs. Watching. Waiting.




It's so nice to see them rewarded for their efforts.

Halloween Noisemakers

Time to scare up some fun!

Festive wooden clackers now available in

my ETSY shop.

Walking Dead TV Series - Atlanta - Part 2

Remember when I passed by the set of the Walking Dead here in Atlanta? And I told you about it, and I was all excited?

Well, check out the trailer (again, for most of you):

What do you see? Do you see a TANK? Because OMG I totally walked past that very set.

Zombie-nerdliness=complete.

----

Random, only sort of related side note: I've recently taken up running. For my health. I like to imagine that it's training for outrunning the 'slow zombies' that will eventually invade the city. It helps pass the time.

More Halloween Treats from Pottery Barn for 2010

I love these mercury glass pumpkins and tombstone candles too!  You can find these and more wonderful Halloween decorations at:  http://www.potterybarn.com/search/results.html?words=halloween

Spooky Witch Panel

Here are 2 views of the same witch panel.  I really love the graphics.  You can find this panel for purchase at:  http://www.theholidaybarn.com/old-witch-panel.aspx

trauma

When I was a child, flowers surrounded our house. Everywhere I turned. In all directions. Both cultivated and wild. Rose bushes under the kitchen windows. Climbing roses supported by trellises behind the house. Lilac bushes along the driveway. And then there were the flowers that simply grew wild throughout the yard. Flowers which I would later identify as weeds. Although at the time, I didn't discriminate. Dandelions. Whose bright yellow caps gave way to tufts of tiny feathers longing to be blown into the wind. Buttercups. Those reliable predictors of one's affinity for butter when held under the chin. And prickly purple globes whose name I never learned. All part of the outdoor tapestry of summer.

And with the flowers, came the insects. They didn't discriminate either. Every flower provided an attraction. They feared nothing in their path. But while I didn't fear them, my relationship with the visiting insects was one of resentment and grudging tolerance. They represented an obstacle to my full enjoyment of summer. I tried to ignore them and they usually ignored me. With the exception of one angry bee, who delivered a painful message to my arm. And with the further exception of the horseflies and deerflies. Which seemed to derive great pleasure from my irritation.

Their irritation wasn't great enough to keep me indoors, however. Summer was all too brief. And so it was that I found myself outside one typically warm summer morning. In my pajamas. Wandering amongst the roses and the buttercups and the patches of morning dew. Relishing the sensation of my bare feet swishing through the grass. Hands in my pockets. Because pockets were essential. Even in pajamas.

It was in one of those pockets that morning that my fingers encountered something, at once both strange and familiar. Crinkly. Like a candy wrapper. Although I couldn't recall putting a wrapper into that pocket. Nevertheless, with candy figuring prominently in my life, it was certainly a possibility. I worked it through my fingers. It was small and easily pliable. Definitely a candy wrapper. Finally curious, I pulled it out. Wondering which of my many favourites it might have been. Wondering what delectable treat I had devoured and just as quickly forgotten.

It was when my hand emerged from the pocket that I learned the truth. The contents of my hand conjured no memories of chocolate or peppermint or toffee. It wasn't a candy wrapper at all. It was a grasshopper. Or rather, it had once been a grasshopper. Small and crinkly and pliable. And now more than a little slimy after passing repeatedly through a small child's fingers. I was horrified. I ran toward the house. Anxious to rid myself of the poor creature's green oily remains.

The memory, unfortunately, would prove much more difficult to erase. So rather than engage in a futile attempt to erase it, I've decided to Halloween-ize it. And find a place for it in this year's haunt.

Ok...I just had to share this darling Halloween party table from Pottery Barn for 2010.  Aren't those the cutest martini glasses?  You can find these items online at:  http://www.potterybarn.com/search/results.html?words=halloween

Haunted Mansion Wedding Link!

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I think I *heart* this couple and their COMPLETE GENIUS! I would get married all over again to have this wedding... believe me, you want to click on this link (I'd post a sample picture to show you why, but I haven't asked permission yet and I'm too excited not to post right away):

Haunted Mansion Wedding

Thank you so very, very much to trickortreat for getting her friends to share! Seriously great blog post!

Enchanted Autumn, 5" x 7" Card

Please visit http://www.moonlightjourney.com/index.html to find these wonderful images.

the pumpkin gourmet

Back in February, when I wrote my annual post about pancakes, I included a photograph I had stumbled upon of pumpkin pancakes complete with jack-o-lantern faces. I provided a link to the source, but didn't spend any time exploring the blog. Just finished my post and moved on.

Now, six months later, I've received a comment on that post, thanking me for the link and informing me that this blog features pumpkin recipes every day throughout the month of October. So I took a look back . . .

I was speechless. I hardly knew where to begin! Pumpkin cheesecakes. Pumpkin ravioli. Pumpkin custard with orange-infused granola. Pumpkin-ale battered fish and chips. Forget leafing through the food magazines. When I need a pumpkin-inspired recipe this Halloween, I'm off to The Streaming Gourmet. I think I'll start with the Pumpkin Brownies.

I can hardly wait for this October.

New Halloween Wine Labels by Martha Stewart!

Here's a peek at Martha's wine labels for Halloween 2010...

scrutiny

I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm insane. Every morning now, after breakfast and coffee, I rush out into my front yard to check on my pumpkin plants. Is the one promising pumpkin still there? Is it still thriving? Have any others emerged? Are they growing or have they died on the vine, tiny and yellow and sad and shriveled? Do they seem to need more water? Less water? More nurturing? Less nurturing?

In recent days, I've been rewarded by the appearance of several new pumpkins. Five at last count. The largest new addition, despite its impressive appearance in the photograph, is the size of a large egg. I've been trying to remain calm, however. Nonchalant. Recalling the earlier excitement I felt at the sight of multiple pumpkins, only to have that excitement, like those poor pumpkins themselves, wither and die on the vine. I tell myself that I will be content if only my one prized pumpkin, first and largest of the crop so far, survives into autumn.

But if I go out there one morning, and find it no longer among the living, I fear I may collapse into a weeping heap on my lawn. And then my neighbours will be absolutely certain of my insanity.

the colour of fear

Glittery AND pink. Now this is truly terrifying.

Halloween Candy

A cheerful little treat for those who have

outgrown their desire to wander the streets

in search for something sweet. Now available

in my ETSY shop.

More Halloween goodies coming soon.

a peep for all seasons

My question is . . . can they still be called "Peeps" if they aren't shaped like chicks?

Anticipation

Having all I can do to hold myself back from

pulling out the Halloween crates and start

decorating. Seeing all the holiday decor

popping up all around town has me longing

to join in on the fun. How about you?

they're coming

A few more Halloween magazines have appeared. All food related. But after my first wild impulse purchase of the Pillsbury recipe booklet, I've become more discerning. And I've surveyed these latest offerings with a more critical eye.

The one on the right is a half-and-half magazine. I hate those. The sort in which the Halloween pages extend only into the middle. You then flip it over, and it becomes something else entirely. In this case, a Thanksgiving magazine. I wonder if my eye has become too critical, however. Because nothing especially captivated me. Although the one in the middle has promise. It appears to be a compilation of recipes and ideas that have appeared in recent years. All in one convenient package.

If more impressive Halloween magazines don't appear soon, I may have to break down and purchase it.

halloween comes to dollarama

There's something about the arrival of Halloween merchandise at my local dollar store that warms my heart.

Although there is a rather disturbing emphasis on severed limbs this year . . .

Star Tours Last Tour to Endor Fireworks Celebration

The Last Tour to Endor went out with a bang!




For official Star Wars costumes, visit AnniesCostumes.com Star Wars Costume Department!

Altered Book - Moonlight Journey

I designed this altered book as a design team project for Moonlight Journey.  http://www.moonlightjourney.com/index.html for information on the collage sheets.

More from Star Wars V Celebration in Orlando

The Star Wars Celebration in Orlando looks like a really fun time! I am already making plans now to be there next year, I am sure since this year's convention marked the "Last Tour to Endor", next year's celebration will hopefully mark the first flights of the new and improved Star Wars attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios!





For the best in authentic and official Star Wars Costumes, visit AnniesCostumes.com!

all that glitters

In my recent retail travels, I've noticed an excess of Halloween glitter this season. Clearly, it's not just vampires that sparkle.

Star Wars Celebration V and The Last Tour to Endor

This past weekend marked the 5th Annual Star Wars convention known as Star Wars Celebration V and it also marked "The Last Tour to Endor" as Disney Hollywood Studios is shutting down the attraction for a much needed renovation and upgrade!

HollywoodNews.com reports about the current Tour to Endor attraction:

It’s an adequate diversion, and it’s air-conditioned. But it’s also inexcusably outdated. My six-year-old son doesn’t care, of course. He sees C3PO, R2D2 and a few lightsabers, so his day is made. But a close friend who’d also recently vacationed at Disney couldn’t stop ripping on “Star Tours,” and Lucas, for ignoring the ride for so many years. There are no references to Lucas’s three prequel films, all of which came out after “Star Tours” opened. The videos shown to patrons as they wait haven’t changed in decades. In general, the ride isn’t a fair representation of the “Star Wars” world.

At least, it wasn’t. Until now.

“Star Tours” in Orlando is shutting down for renovations, but not before “Star Wars” fans send it off with a stellar party. “Last Tour to Endor” will be held on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

Starwars.com announced last month in their special invitation to be "First Among the Last".

With a heaping helping of Disney magic, the Star Wars galaxy will descend upon Walt Disney World Resort from 8pm - 1am on Aug. 14, 2010 for an exclusive party to let fans of the sci-fi saga provide a special send-off to Star Tours before the popular attraction "powers down" in preparation for a new, 3-D Star Wars adventure that will open in 2011 at Disneyland park in California and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

But before the blaster doors on the attraction close temporarily, Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park will host "Last Tour to Endor," an after-hours, private event that will feature live entertainment, Disney characters in their favorite Star Wars attire, a special Star Wars-themed fireworks spectacular, the "Death Star Disco," Jedi Training Academy, Star Wars trivia challenges and more.

And yes, Darth Vader may even moonwalk.

Stay tuned to http://www.starwarscelebration.com/ for more news on next year's Star Wars Celebration Convention 2011. You can follow them on Twitter to keep up to date: http://twitter.com/sw_celebration

For the best in authentic and official Star Wars Costumes, visit AnniesCostumes.com!

Lovely Ruffle Collars

This is such a lovely idea for a Halloween Bride: ruffly, lacey collars. From Mme. Chaos.

A pattern/.pdf is included; is that not the most generous thing you've heard all day?

This would be lovely in black or white, and simply stunning for a bride with an otherwise bare neck. So delightful!

Harry Potter Deathly Hollows Movie Trailer

We are so excited for the first movie of the last Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It will be one of the biggest movies this year and definitely one of the most highly anticipated from Potter Fans around the world. What does that mean for us at Extreme Halloween? We're stocking up on Harry Potter Halloween costumes not only for Halloween, but for fans to wear to the movie premieres November 19, 2010.

you take the good, you take the bad . . .

I returned from a brief holiday and immediately dashed to the front yard to check on my pumpkin. Happily, it's still thriving. But another fledgling gourd wasn't quite so lucky. I found it lying dry and shriveled in the dirt. It's life over before it had truly begun.




On a more encouraging note, another of my pumpkin plants underwent a growth spurt in my absence. It's rapidly moving into perennial territory and appears to have a fierce stranglehold on one of the bee balm stems.

And . . . I do believe another pumpkin is beginning to grow!

halloween sky

On a brief visit this week to Cape Breton, land of my childhood, I was sitting on a deck, book in hand, when I looked up and noticed this sunset. And it reminded me so much of autumn and Halloween, I couldn't resist taking a photograph.

HM Tattoos

When I saw this page of Haunted Mansion Tattoos, I knew I had to post it.

Do you know anyone who has had a Haunted Mansion-inspired wedding? Because that would be rad.

magazine surfing

While waiting for the "real" Halloween magazines to emerge, I typically flip through the more generic "fall" magazines in search of witches and jack-o-lanterns. Sometimes I find them. Sometimes I don't.



But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this year's Country Sampler has an undeniable Halloween slant.



Yes, it's largely a catalogue of what to buy and where to buy it. But I still like to look at the pictures.

Happy Halloween 31

All stamps by Stampin' Up!

Tips on Decorating Your Home for Halloween

Tips on Decorating Your Home for Halloween

Halloween is a fun holiday accompanied by imaginative decorations, more sweets than anyone should consume habitually, and good times for all ages. Holding your own Halloween party can be a lot of fun, providing you put some thought into the planning. Here are some tips on things to consider when preparing and decorating your home for Halloween.

First of all, when hosting a Halloween party in your home, it is important to consider age appropriate decorations during the planning stages. While blood, monsters and tombstones may be appropriate for teenagers and adults, this type of decoration can leave smaller children with nightmares for several weeks.

Another important step in party preparation that can save time and anguish after the event is protecting the surfaces of your furniture. Halloween costumes often involve makeup, colored hair sprays, and fake tattoos. Decorations may involve silly string, crepe paper, fake blood, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. All of these can leave accidental stains that can be difficult to remove from couches and chairs.

To protect their couch upholstery, many hosts and hostesses find that slipcovers are a cost effective solution. After the party, they can be taken off, cleaned in the washing machine, and reused again next year at Halloween. If purchased in the traditional Halloween colors of orange or black, slipcovers can also make the decorations more effective.

To protect your tables from accidental spills, use tablecloths, which look even better if they’re Halloween-themed. Tablecloths made from PVC are useful as they can easily be wiped clean. Alternatively, you could make your own using an old sheet and decorate it with hand prints or painted spiders.

If you’re having a sit-down meal, it’s worth using inexpensive dining chair slipcovers on your seats, both to protect them from food spills and to color coordinate them with the rest of your decorations.

Once the furniture is all protected by slipcovers and tablecloths, the following ideas might add to the ambience of an adult Halloween party of monstrous fun:

• Dry ice hidden in black pots, behind curtains, or under table cloths
• Black netting draped into corners with plastic spiders and bugs randomly attached
• Snakes strategically placed coming from under cushions, cabinets, or along window sills
• Tombstones fashioned from poster board with a special epitaph for each guest
• Piles of shrunken heads fashioned from carving faces on apples and allowing them to dry
• Bowls of eyeballs fashioned from white powdered doughnut holes and black and red icing

For adult Halloween parties, black out curtains are quite effective, and exchanging the regular light bulbs in lamps and light fixtures to red ones can be dramatic as well. Some hosts and hostesses even use black lights for a more frightening experience.
For a children’s Halloween party, decorations should concentrate on fun rather than the scare factor. Children find the following ideas appealing:

• Jack-O-Lanterns with comical faces
• Silly String spider webs with a variety of ants, lizards, and bugs
• Funny bony skeletons
• Tootsie Roll Pop ghost trees made from a tissue tied over this treat with a ribbon and dotted with eyes
• A curtain of wet spaghetti noodles hanging just low enough to touch the top of little heads
• Black and Orange balloons with silly faces glued onto them

Although the goal of decorating for a Halloween party is to provide entertainment for the guests, this task can also be an enjoyable experience for the family giving the party. Imaginative ideas are all over the web, and most are quite inexpensive. And if you take care to protect your furniture when putting up the decorations, you can really relax and enjoy your party!

Thanks to Simon Phillips from HalloweenPartyIdeas.org for the guest post!

I Guffaw at Sparkly Vampires

Need a REALLY scary Halloween costume? Well, the success of the Twilight Saga scares me!

I know, I know -- half of you probably love the books. I adore you all, but I cannot go with you down that path. It's just not my way.

The vampires freaking sparkle and I am NOT okay with that.

I am, however, okay with this guy's Edward Cullen costume.

White button up shirt with the color flipped=awesome.Brooding expression=right on. Strangely overdrawn eyebrows=perfect. Is that a wig? It's beyond words. And you are spotted with big hunks of glitter.

I approve.

You've got to click on the link above and check out the few other picture's this guy's girlfriend posted on Craftster. They seems like super-fun people!

Back to Basics

80 days and counting!
Click HERE for my ETSY link.

she sees you

So I'm walking downtown toward the waterfront on a calm and sunny Saturday evening. And as I approach Argyle Street, my eye is attracted by a figure leaning out of a window above one of the street's many bars. I've seen her there before. She has become such a fixture of the street that it's easy to forget that she always sits there. Watching. Largely unobserved. Unless you happen to glance up while passing. And notice her. Staring down at you. Just staring.



She has been there for a long while. Certainly since my return to the city seven years ago. Always quietly watching. Gazing down upon the passing parade of pedestrians. Looking comtemplative. Never judgemental.



And maybe just a little bit creepy.

Nightmarish Lands

the spider weaved a tangled tale
of nightmarish lands where the moon is pale
and wicked grins that haunt the night
sharpened by the glow of the candle's light

ELENA VALERIOTE

Click HERE for ETSY link.