St. Patrick's Day 2008 Changed to March 15th

A big thanks to Ronan from IrelandCostumes.com, who commented on my earlier post about celebrating St. Patrick's Day. He was kind enough to point out and bring to my attention that the the official date for St. Patrick's Day has been changed by an Irish Bishop to March 15, 2008. Because of the way that Easter falls this year, March 17th is on Holy Monday, and Catholic officials did not want the feast held in honor of Saint Patrick to interfere with holy week.

So whether you choose to celebrate St. Paddy's day on March 15th or March 17th (or even the entire weekend!), have a green blast!

Challenging Times

EHAG: group of professional artists and enthusiasts who share a love for the art that celebrates the magic of All Hallows' Eve!

Several times a year EHAG artists challenge themselves by picking a theme and creating a piece of art that showcases their various talents. On March 1st, several EHAG artists will be participating in this challenge by posting on eBay their artistic interpretation of HALLOWGREEN. Our challenge was to incorporate something recycled/green into a Halloween piece. Stop by throughout the day to see the many wonderful pieces of art that will be up for auction. Keep in mind that these are all handmade, one-of-a-kind items that you won't find anywhere else. Every purchase you make helps to keep the handmade industry alive. Become a patron of the arts by supporting local artists. Superstition Skeleton now on eBay

Cute Easter Activity Site for Kids

If you've got little kids in your life, here's an adorable website called Happy-Easter.com, which has "egg-citing" ideas, crafts, activities, recipes, jokes, games and more.

Here's the text from their home page:

Welcome to Happy-Easter.com! Our egg-citing new site is packed full of cracking good ideas for the holiday season so roll up, roll up to join in the fun.

There are lots of craft ideas for little fingers to get stuck into as well as traditional recipes for your Easter eggs-travaganza! The origins and traditions of Easter are revealed in our special features and you can find out more with our eggs-traordinary Easter Facts.

Don't forget the fun with our side splitting Easter Jokes and easy to use Easter Games and you can spread the goodwill of the holiday season by sending cards, greetings and gifts to friends and family.

Have a Hoppy Easter!

(Remember, if you're looking for cute costumes for Easter, visit anniescostumes.com and EasterBunnyCostumes.com.)

Feature on the Costume Designer for Stargate Atlantis

I am a big Stargate Fan and when this article about their costume designer and costumes made its way into my inbox last September, I was excited to see some behind the scenes info on one of my favorite shows. However, I was quite upset to find a major plot spoiler in the story! I like to find out things as they happen in the shows that I watch, so I have held onto the article and now that everyone else knows that my favorite tv doctor Carson Beckett is back, I can, in good conscience, tell you all about the costumes and the costume designer, Valerie Halverson.

Costume design is a key craft that helps to tell a story on film. Different from fashion design, a costume designer’s work first starts with the script. Designers have to possess an inherent sense of fashion, storytelling and being able to relate the actors with their assigned characters.

Resourcefulness is a key trait for many designers, who assemble skilled crew with every imaginable talent, jewelry and boot makers, leather smiths, ager-dyers, embroiderers, milliners, cutters, seamstresses and pattern-makers.

Shari Opens the ADSDAQ Market!

I feel like such a movie star!


ADSDAQ is an online contextual advertising exchange.

Oh - and our website is ExtremeHalloweenNetwork.NET

Springtime Schedule

The stars must have aligned in my favor this week because I met all my deadlines with one day to spare. Hooray for me!
I have 4 new spring pieces debuting on Glitter and Grunge on March 1st. Can you believe it...March already! I will also be participating in two creative art challenges: EHAG's Hallowgreen, also on March 1st, and AHAO Star challenge on March 3rd. I have also scheduled a PFATT auction to post on March 2nd... whew...no wonder I'm feeling a little frazzled. I'll post all the links here when the auctions go live.
Hope to get out and enjoy the sunshine then back to work on Monday to continue preparing for the Spring Fete! Yikes...just breathe....

Ace of Cakes Halloween Cake

Hello, my name is Shari and I am a TV-aholic!

Ok, now that that's out, one of the many shows I watch on the FoodNetwork is Ace of Cakes. This is a show about an unconventional cake baker named Duff Goldman and his Charm City Cakes bakery crew. They make some obscene cakes that you really have to see to believe - not your every day cake in any shape or form (literally).

So what does this have to do with the Extreme Halloween costume blog? Last week's episode, was evidently shot last October, when they made a cake for an avid Halloween fan who throws a ginormously big and fun looking Halloween party in the Baltimore area near the Charm City Cakes Bakery.

This cake is the Exorcist cake. The base was the bed and sitting on the cake was Regan (Linda Blair's character) in her most possessed looking state, complete with the green puke dripping down. And the total kicker: her head spins around!

The amazing part, that other than the mechanical head spinner part, the entire cake is edible!

Now I have scoured the Internet looking for an image to share with you all and simply cannot find one, so if anyone finds one or has one, please share!

Thanks to "darkviolets" for finding the picture for me & leaving the comment.
So, here it is. . .

And the Costume Design Oscar Goes to. . .

2008 Oscar's Best Costume Design Nominees

'Across the Universe'

Albert Wolsky

'Atonement'

Jacqueline Durran

'Elizabeth: The Golden Age'

Alexandra Byrne

'La Vie en Rose'

Marit Allen

'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'

Colleen Atwood

And the Oscar goes to: Alexandra Byrne for the elegantly designed costumes from Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for adding beautiful costumes to the movies!

Annies Costumes Affiliate Program at Affiliate Summit

Well, I am not able to be there personally, but stop by the TenGoldenRules.com booth to see about our ever expanding and profitable affiliate program. This one of a kind program gives our affiliates access to a variety of year long selling opportunities. The costumes and costume accessories we sell represent holidays and fun times. What better type of product to sell than one that represents fun and partying? Costumes made for an easy sell, which = affiliate profits!



Check out our generous affiliate program available through Commission Junction, where we are at the top of the Halloween category in sales and EPC. Payouts start at 10% and go up to 15% based on sales volume. We also feature contests with cash prizes, no reversals, custom terms for top performers, just to name a few affiliate program benefits.

The Annies Costume Affiliate Program is put on by Extreme Halloween, Inc. For more information on our affiliate program and to sign up, visit: www.ExtremeHaloweenNetwork.net/AffiliateProgram.htm

And remember, with Annie's Costumes, Affiliate Marketing IS MORE FUN IN COSTUME!

St. Patrick's Day Party-Goers Guide

Get into the Irish spirit by dressing up for St. Patrick's Day using Irish costumes, novelty t-shirts and fun Irish accessories.

St. Patrick's Day, also known as St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is held annually on March 17 to honor Saint Patrick - the patron saint of Ireland. It is celebrated around the world by Irish people, people of Irish decent and almost anyone who wants to be "Irish for the Day". Celebrations are typically centered on all things green and revelers wear something green or traditional Irish costumes. Some of Annie's Costumes' popular Irish costumes include:

• Lucky Charms Leprechaun Costume
• Luscious Leprechaun Costume (as seen in the picture here)
• Irish Maiden Deluxe
• Deluxe Leprechaun Costume

If dressing up in an Irish costume isn't for you, there are several fun St. Patrick's Day Novelty t-shirts to choose from:

• Kiss Me! I Might Be Irish!! T-Shirt
• When Irish Eyes are Smiling..It Means FREE BEER!!! T-Shirt

Visit Annie's Costumes for more information on dressing up for St. Patrick's Day!

Hippity Hoppity...

Although the weather outside is still frightful the thought of Springtime is truly delightful. Another couple days of rain are in the forecast and then the promise of glorious sunshine! I better take advantage of these next few gloomy days and hide out here in my studio madly painting, sculpting, assembling, and preparing for upcoming shows and events because if the weather man is correct, next week I'll be off to follow the sun. At least for one day to cure this bad case of Spring fever.

An Easter Tradition: Marshmallow Peeps

Easter is right around the corner. And with it come many traditions: Coloring eggs, the Easter Bunny, egg hunts.

But another tradition is the consumption of that staple of Easter: Marshmallow Peeps!

Ever wonder where they come from? How are they made? Or do they just hatch? Are there adult peeps? These and more burning questions can be answered on the Peeps FAQ page at Wikifaq.com.

(One thing they won't tell you is the magical thing that happens to them when you put them in the microwave. But you didn't hear it from us.)

If you're looking for alternatives from the standard Easter Bunny Costumes, check out the Peeps costume at EasterBunnyCostumes.com.

I've been awarded the You Make My Day from Chris (Designs by CK). Chris inspires me daily with his wit, wisdom and whimsical art. Thank you for making my day!
You Make My Day-Award works like this: 1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day. 2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver. 3. Display the "You Make my Day Award" logo with a link to the post that I wrote. (Optional) 4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news. Now here's the list of bloggers that Make My Day:
Andrea, Sadie, Rebecca, Heidi, Debbie

New Indiana Jones Movie Trailer

For me, half the excitement of going to a movie is the previews!



2008 is a great year for movies and for the movie costumes as well. See a preview of the Top Halloween Costumes for 2008.

This little cutie will be posting tonight on eBay! I also added another item to my Etsy shop and hope to have a couple more additions by the end of the week. Stop on by if you have a moment. I can't believe that next week is already the end of February... yikes!! Got to get busy and finish up or should I dare say start my 4 new Glitter and Grunge pieces. Where does the time go?

Star Wars Movie and TV Show in 2008!

For someone like me, who grew up determined to get my blond hair into braided buns on the side of my head, the news of not only the Star Wars TV Series but a NEW STAR WARS MOVIE is exhilarating!

The costume license department at Rubies Costume Co. just sent out an email last week updating us that not only will there be a Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series out this October, (we knew this already); but they just announced a movie to be released in theaters August 15, 2008. Also titled Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Both the movie and television series are CGI animation and both focus on a time period between Star Wars Episode II and Episode III. For a run down on The Clone Wars movie, check out the video featuring director Dave Filoni on StarWars.com. (Check out his Indiana Jones hat!) You can also catch The Clone Wars Movie Trailer there as well.



So for this generation, I believe that mastering Ahsoka's hair do will be even more difficult!

From StarWars.com:

A new era of Star Wars entertainment begins in 2008 when Star Wars: The Clone Wars, from creator George Lucas, premieres as an all-new feature film in August, followed by the television series debut in the fall, in a partnership announced today between Lucasfilm Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures and Turner Broadcasting System Inc. Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes audiences on incredible new Star Wars adventures, combining the legendary storytelling of Lucasfilm with an eye-popping, signature animation style. Star Wars: The Clone Wars will open in North American theaters Friday, August 15.

As for th costumes, not to worry, AnniesCostumes.com will carry a full selection of Star Wars costumes for children and adults alike. We will have not only the classic styles, but also the brand new character costumes as well. For a preview of the 2008 Star Wars costume lineup checkout my Halloween Costume Preview Post.

Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O, no! It is an ever fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Shakespeare

Celebrate with all your heart on this day of love with your fixed mark!

The great unknown

Finally took the plunge and listed a few items in my etsy shop that I opened last year but never found the time or courage to get going. If you have a minute, stop on by and check it out. Hopefully I set everything up correctly. If you find something that's not working as it should please let me know. Thanks! valeriotedesign etsy shop

Celebrities in New Orleans for Carnival

According to an article on Mardi Gras at the MercuryNews.com, stars will be flocking to New Orleans for Mardi Gras festivities:

For parade goers, celebrity watching will be as fun as grabbing the throws tossed from the floats as Carnival goes into high gear this weekend with Fat Tuesday just days away.

They include actor/director Kevin Costner as grand marshal of the Krewe of Endymion, one of the largest and glitziest parades. He'll be joined by the Doobie Brothers and Belinda Carlisle, former lead singer of the Go-Gos.

On Sunday, wrestler and reality TV star Hulk Hogan will reign as king of the Krewe of Bacchus. NBC's "Today" morning talk show correspondent Hoda Kotb and weatherman Al Roker will be grand marshals of the Krewe of Argus on Fat Tuesday in suburban Metairie. Also on Mardi Gras (which means Fat Tuesday), clarinetist Pete Fountain will lead a cadre of locals and celebrities for the annual trek of the Half-Fast Marching Club.

Orpheus, the glittery parade founded in 1993 by singer Harry Connick Jr., has one of the longest list of celebs. Besides Salt-N-Pepa, Lance Bass and Kevin Meaney—stars of the Broadway musical "Hairspray"—daytime television star Christian LeBlanc and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will ride.

Among them Monday night will be Bridget Marquardt, Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson, stars of E! cable network's Playboy-based reality show "The Girls Next Door." They'll be throwing a fundraiser on Lundi Gras, or Mardi Gras eve, for actor Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation at the House of Blues in the French Quarter. Pitt's charity is rebuilding homes in the Lower 9th Ward destroyed by Katrina in 2005.

But celebrities didn't become a regular highlight until the first Bacchus parade in 1969, when dancer/actor Danny Kaye reigned.

Since then, dozens have gotten into the spirit. "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini, for example, was last year's king of Bacchus and followed in the footsteps of such big names as Bob Hope and Ron Howard. John Goodman, Chuck Norris, Jason Alexander, Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd have served as past grand marshals for Endymion, and Glenn Close, Sandra Bullock, Forest Whitaker and Whoopi Goldberg are among those who've ridden in Orpheus.

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Get in on the fun of Mardis Gras this year! Check out the huge selection of Mardi Gras costumes and masks at mardigrascostumes.com.