From my girl

My favorite things list includes Halloween and my kids.

 (not necessarily in that order?)

When the UPS truck dropped off this from my oldest daughter, Alyssa,

My day was made!

I love getting homemade gifts from my kids.

I am so glad that they value craftsmanship and the work that goes into making.

My kids are happy,

they are creative...

HAPPY MOM!

Spellbound Matchbox

My witchy creation for Vintage Dragonfly's Halloween Matchbox Swap

A spellbound burial box complete with spells, skulls, eyeballs, potion bottles, a broom and a witch's hat.

The leather hat was made using this tutorial

I was a witch

and again I shall be.

I shall lie silent

'til once again, the moon

does beckon me.

 (I really should consider becoming a poet--hahahahaha!)

And, of course, the requisite goodies included in the package.

 Isn't Halloween the best?

I'll have my others ready to give away later this week!

Halloween/Steampunk Prep Supply

Matchbox Swap prep for has begun ...

 I've decided to make three.

One I will send to my partner and the other two I will fill and giveaway in October.

The two craft supplies I couldn't live without for Halloween and steampunk design:

1.BLACK CHALKBOARD PAINT

I've found that the chalkboard paint "accepts" metallic rubs and other finishes better than  regular spray paint, although I have had some problems with it adhering well to plastic.

 

2. SPRAY PAINT TRIGGER

 Where would I be without my spray paint trigger?

I think I paid $1.99 for it--worth every penny and more!

You spray more evenly, no sore fingers and you won't get spray paint all over your hand.

 

Now for the fun part...

HAUNTING THE BOXES!

New Halloween Swap!

My first matchbox swap too!

 

I

Halloween is absolutely, hands-down my FAVORITE holiday.

Halloween is my favorite colors, it's creepy, it's vintage, it's a little steampunky, it's just a little bit for the not-right-in-the-head group...Halloween is the bomb!

 

I've got my work cut out for me

There are many gorgeous examples for inspiration (or a breakdown of self-confidence) on Pinterest.

Halloween Matchboxes on Pinterest

I've got several ideas in my head and I love making Halloween stuff so much that I'm going to make more than one and then give the extra(s) away, complete with goodies inside.

 

Look for the giveaway in October.

How does that sound?!

Graveyard Beautification Committee

I'm a little late to the party, but I'm still partying!

Believe it or not, I was busy decorating Xmas trees all day--really weird!

I decided to redo a Pumpkin Graveyard that I made several years ago.

Good idea, but kinda boring.

(Hop on over HERE to see my Pumpkin Graveyard Tutorial)

 

I found a small set of Halloween lights at Craft Warehouse for only $2.99.

Plug-in worked best for me, but they also had some battery operated sets.

 

I took all the stuff out of the inside and then prepared to install my lights.

20 holes with a drill.

You could use an exacto knife if you don't have a drill, but be careful

 

What a mess?!

It's okay...I'll cover that with spiderwebbing

 To va-voom up the outside I cut some curlie whirlies out of contact paper with my Big Shot and some Tim Holz dies.

 MUCH better!

Almost forgot...I added some purple glitter to the inside for more color and a hanging skeleton from the tree. 

Why have a tree in a graveyard if no one's hanging from it!?

 



 

It's Time

Have you ever taken a project to far?

Started with a nice tutorial and seen even more that you could do and then tried it?
And even though you know it's not necessary to go sooo overboard, you continue the insanity?

 

I do all the time.

Introducing..

 

I participated in Artfully Musing FABULOUS Apothecary Tutorial.

Had I followed it, I probably wouldn't have ended up with a mega apothecary that was MY doom!

 

Couldn't do little boxes.

Nope...had to do a wooden chest with drawers.

I'll tell you all about the chest later this week when I more emotionally stable :)

 

Right now, the potions of my doom.

So this started out as a little plastic test tube kit.

I painted some black on the holder, added some labels.

Addie added gooks of different kinds.

One concoction even melted the plastic.  Note to self: Watch child with chemicals more closely.

Then added some funky lids.

Graveyard Dust.

Actually it's dirt from Salt Lake.

Bobotuber Pus.

?

Embalming Fluid.

I used alcohol inks to paint the bottle red & gold.

Luna Moth Eggs.

Draught of The Living Dead & Mystery Solution

Moon Dust (glitter)~Oh, how sweet

Frothy Spider Saliva (broken down Styrofoam)

Bat Wings

Last but not least, Toe of Frog. 

Found the jar at Goodwill and added plastic eyeballs.

 

Tomorrow I'll show you a few of my balms and the surgical kit.

Sharing is helping already.

I thank you.

My Doom is linked to: Whatever Wednesday at Someday Crafts~Show & Share at Sounthern Lovely~Polish The Star's Halloween Party~Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party

 

Good Halloween Pewter Is So Hard To Find

I'm just getting started on the Halloween decorating.

It's my favorite holiday, but vacation set me back a bit on making over the house.

 

I did manage to find my evil pewter for the mantel.

To find fine pewter like this you have to shop at only the best stores.

I prefer Le Dollare Store.

 

A tutorial from House of Dewberry helps too!

She makes the most awesomest Halloween decor with everyday, inexpensive supplies!

Check out the Evil Twins Giveaway!

 

I'm also busy working on my D.C. Journal.

It's going to take some doing!  We saw & did a TON of AWESOME things!

One of my favorite  photos.

Addie was quite awestruck at standing right where MLK stood during his "I Have A Dream" speech.

She's seen it in film clips in school, but being there was pretty dang cool!

 

Welcome to Tabitha's

Word has it that there's a little house party going on this weekend.

I only had to disembowel a few animals to get an invitation from that Witch at Howling Creek.

It is a Bewitching Party afterall.

Who wouldn't want little Tabitha there?!

 



You saw me twinkle my nose when I was just a little blonde haired girl.

Oh, how cute and funny I could be!

My mom, Samantha and Dad, Darrin knew I'd grow up to be such a good little witch.

 

Grandmama Endora knew better!

 

 Welcome to my home.

Did you expect something mortally Martha Stewart at the door?

  

Meet my lovely children..

 Addie--she's growing so fast.

My Kaely.
You know teenage girls...they can never decide how to trim their facial hair!

Alyssa-Oh, how she does like to rest up between swim meets.

Great Grandpapa Thirteen Times Removed

I do wish he hadn't gotten trapped in that 2nd dimension.

Last, but not least, our dear birds, Smidge and Smudge.

I see they've caught their own meal tonight!



We're all getting ready for dinner.
Formal attire required.

 

On the menu tonight...

Of course I serve dessert first.  Better to rot the teeth and encourage the fleas!

Let me share a tip from my Aunt Helgetha,

 (We keep her grave handy, so we can easily go to her for hints)

 

Always season your food with a dash of blood & a sprinkle of graveyard dust. 

The eyes yield the most boldest flavor.

After dinner, I'll put my own little witches to bed.
They have their own, hand-made by mommy coffins to lay down their weary heads.

With plenty of reading to help them have sweet dreams.
 

Once they're sound asleep with visions of guts and gore in their heads I'll cast a growing spell on my little witches closet

 
And  then I'll see to my husband.  He's usually such a good cook.

Tonight just wasn't his night.
 

 Goodnight my pretties!

 

See you in a week ~ I have a date to haunt Washington D.C.!