Carving patterns

www.zombiepumpkins.com

If you're into carving jack-o-lanterns as much as I am, then you should really enjoy this site that I ventured upon some time ago: http://www.zombiepumpkins.com/

When it comes to patterns to choose from, Zombie Pumpkins definitely takes home the prize. There are many different categories to pick from, including characters from movies, TV, cartoons, and bands. You do have to pay for most of them, but you're given the choice as to how much you want to pay for however many patterns you want. I didn't think the prices were at all bad, however; especially when you consider how incredible they are. The best part is you don't have to wait for a pattern book to be shipped--you just pay, print, and get ready to carve! You can even submit your carvings and they will post them on the site. My favorite category is 'Grinning Jacks'. I'll definitely be carving some of these evil new creations this year, and will happily share them! ;)

Halloween magazines

They started showing up in grocery stores and magazine aisles a month ago. I was very impressed with Martha Stewart's Halloween magazine last year, and I've been anxiously awaiting it to come out again this year. Well, yesterday my wish came true! It isn't the cheapest magazine ($9.99), but if you love Halloween like I do, it's definitely worth the money. There were some really great decorating ideas that I had never thought of or seen before. One example was instructions for how to make spider egg sacs using a foam egg, a white nylon stocking, and plastic spiders. It truly looked like a big egg sac about to burst with tons of baby spiders...creepy! There were also instructions on making your porch look like it's been taken over by giant spiders, with webbing covering everything except a tiny slit for an entrance. There are tons of great recipes, too, of course, as well as costumes for kids and adults. It's a pretty thick magazine, and I had a lot of fun looking through it and getting new ideas.

In the check-out aisle, I also grabbed a little Betty Crocker booklet called Fall Baking. I couldn't resist buying something with grinning jack-o-lantern cake pops on the cover. The booklet is loaded with delicious-sounding recipes that I am already dying to try. Some that really caught my eye are the Trick-or-Treat Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cupcakes, and tons of different flavored cobblers. I am really looking forward to making (and enjoying!) these little goodies.

My favorite time of year is finally almost here. Halloween and Fall are showing up everywhere, and the weather should soon be cooling off with Autumn's arrival. The leaves will soon be turning their gorgeous colors of orange, red and yellow, and pumpkins will be popping up on porches and walkways. I already have a Fall and Halloween banner hanging in my yard to welcome the season! Very soon, that smell that I love so much--raging fire pits and wood stoves--will fill the air. I am already filled with excitement!

Halloween festivities

It's almost never too early for me to start searching for local Halloween events. Last night, I decided to do such a search, and I was quite surprised at what I found. I came across at least several haunted houses I hadn't heard of before. I plan to check them out this year. Here is a short list of what I stumbled across:

Callson Manor
http://www.callsonmanor.com/

Run by a professional animatronics prop designer, I was very impressed (at least) with the website. They claim they are not your average haunted attraction with teenagers running around in ski masks. I love that there is quite an in-depth backstory behind the haunt. The creators really went to extremes to make a great site, and came up with an intriguing legend. There is even a great video to go along with it to really peak your interest.

Fright Planet
http://www.frightplanet.com/index.html

This one looks a little like a more typical haunt you might find, such as Gyro's World of Terror, but it still looks like lots of fun.

I'm excited to be finding some events for this year when it isn't even September.

'Spirit Halloween' superstore

Halloween is truly on its way: I spotted the first 'Spirit' store yesterday just down from Michael's! I figured I would see a 'Spirit' banner some time soon, but I was surprised to see it coming this early. I figure it will probably be opening in the next week or so. You can bet I'll be one of the first ones there!

I bought my first Halloween goodies of the year at Michael's. I couldn't walk out of there empty-handed! They are almost completely stocked up with Halloween stuff (and I even saw one aisle that had a few Christmas things!). As usual, I was tempted to buy one of practically everything, but seeing as I have a budget, I just bought a few little knick-knacks to begin with. I got a couple more black, iron spider candleholders to add to the three I got last year, as well as a pack of black LED tea lights, a small bat to hang from my rearview mirror (yes, I even like a touch of Halloween in my car!), and a bottle of Pumpkin Spice oil. I burned it when I got home, and couldn't believe how delicious it made the kitchen smell! If anything will put me in the mood for Fall/Halloween, it's the wonderful scent of spicy pumpkin pie. I saw a candle called 'Halloween', and also the usual autumn-scented candles and potpourri. I want to fill every room in the house with that scent. It's heartwarming.

Michael's

I went into Michael's today to see how much more Halloween stuff they had out, and I was very surprised at how much there was since I was there a few weeks ago! They have tons of Halloween banners out, skeleton candle holders, creepy candleabras, ghoulish picture frames, stickers, kids' Halloween projects, window clings, and a whole aisle of the Spooky Town sets. I was quite impressed at how much was now on the shelves. If I wasn't broke, I'd have bought a few little knick-knacks at the very least, but I don't get paid until the 10th. You can be sure that one of the first things I'll be doing is starting my Halloween shopping. ;)

On another note, our super awesome Halloween store, Evangeline's Costume Mansion, opens its doors this Sunday!! I look forward to this all year long. I can't believe it's already that time, and believe me, I couldn't be more excited to go back!

Halloween store to open in a few weeks!

On August 1st, the largest Halloween store in northern California will open its doors! Located on the second and third floor of an old, historic building, The Costume Mansion is always the first one around to invite visitors to begin their Halloween shopping. I am always amazed that the Mansion opens so early every year, but it is always a very exciting time for me. They have practically everything a Halloween lover could dream of--costumes of almost every kind, props, decorations, music, jewelry, etc. What makes it even more fun is that the place itself is old and creepy enough to be the star location in any horror film. It is kept like this year-round, although the Costume Mansion is officially closed most of the year until the 1st of August. You can still visit the Mansion during the off-season if accompanied by an employee. It's exciting to know that I can return to my favorite Halloween store in just a few weeks. One thing is for sure--it's never too soon!

http://www.evangelines.com/

Update on Michael's!!

I just wanted to report that I was back at Michael's today, and I am thrilled to say that I saw the first official signs of Halloween! Yessiree, Michael's has the first of its Halloween decorations- a whole bunch of cool ribbon! They had some with skeletons, spider webs, black cats, and some that are just orange and black. I think I'm going to buy some this year and use them on tall vases that I want to decorate for Halloween. I figure I'll get some black and orange candles, or even a large LED flicker candle, and then get some black, dark purple, and red flowers, maybe a crow or some spider webs, some moss, and whatever else might look a bit gothic looking. I think I might even make a couple of wreaths to hang around the house.

I'm so happy that Halloween stuff is already coming out! I can't wait to get started on making some new, exciting things!