Halloween Shoes

I apologize for the lack of updates lately. After the slowest summer on record at my job, we've finally started to see a dramatic increase in work, enough that I don't feel like turning on the computer when I get home. Mix that in with a trip to Denver for a gem and mineral show, making jewelry, and doing end-of-season yard work to get ready for Halloween decorating, and I'm not motivated to do much but kick my feet up and hang with my husband and the cats.

In what little spare time I've had, I've managed to make a few Halloween crafts including some really cute greeting cards (I'll be posting them soon), a felt cell phone and sunglasses holder to go along with a new coffin purse (I'll be posting a how-to as soon as I'm done with it) and some Halloween shoes.

I found some cute little black shoes on clearance ($4 each!) and went to town with acrylic paint pens. I'm excited to wear them this season to add a touch of the holiday to my everyday work outfits.

Spider Web Shoes

Halloween Swirls

© 2009 Haunted Yard

Ghoulish Goodies - A Halloween Cookbook Review

Those that know me know that I love to cook.  Throw Halloween themed recipes in the mix, and I'm one happy witch!  That's why I was so pleased to get my copy of Ghoulish Goodies by Sharon Bowers.  With an eye catching cover, I was eager to find some yummy and spooky treats to make for and with my nieces and nephews. 
The book has a nice collection of recipes and one recipe I was glad to see omitted was the kitty litter cake.  I can't tell you how un-Halloween I think it is.  In fact, the author shares my dislike in the introduction.  I like that this book has a wide range of recipes including some nice fall-themed recipes mixed in with the creepy and spooky.  I'm eager to try out the pumpkin seed brittle and the orange rice with bacon (pumpkin risotto).  My nephew was impressed with the cup of worms recipe with chocolate pudding, crushed chocolate cookies and gummy worms.  What is is with 7 year old boys and worms?  The book also has great pictures and fun illustrations that make just flipping through the book fun.
Overall, I think this book is a great value and and fun for young and old alike.  I can't wait to get cooking!

Happy Haunting!
© 2009 Haunted Yard

Halloween Jewelry

I just posted some Halloween jewelry in my Etsy shop. I'll be listing more in the coming days and weeks.

Black Skull and Rutilated Quartz Necklace

Spider Web Necklace - Agate, pewter and sterling silver

Vampire Bite Sterling Silver and Glass Necklace

Blood Drop Earrings

Orange and Black - Onyx and Amber Earrings

© 2009 Haunted Yard

Halloween Weddings

When my husband and I were first engaged, he suggested we get married on Halloween and it took me a fraction of a second to shoot that idea down. Don't get me wrong; I love Halloween as much as the next ghoul, but having a wedding on Halloween meant that I would miss out on haunting my yard. I just didn't want to do it. Call me selfish. Besides, that meant that every year on our anniversary, I would be busy answering the door for trick-or-treaters. It's so much fun but it's not very romantic. So we did the next best thing and jetted off to Vegas to get married. Best. Idea. Ever.

Though we chose not to get married on the best day of the year, I still love to look at Halloween-themed wedding ideas. They are great resources for cool, elegant and creepy decorating ideas.

I love this idea or wrapping the table settings and centerpieces with spider webs.

I also love the skull theme and rhinestone accents from Hostess with the Mostess. Though I'm not a big fan of pink, it would be easy to customize the colors.

How cool would a mad scientist theme be for a wedding? As a scientist myself, this really appeals to me.

While browsing for Halloween weddings, I happened upon Creepy Cupcakes who happens to be planning her own Halloween wedding. She has a wonderful, creative blog with tons of spooky ideas. Congrats!

© 2009 Haunted Yard

Halloween Casualty

What happens when you cross a scaredy-cat scary cat

with a Halloween decoration

and a small, everyday household noise (in this case, my husband opening the door to the bedroom)?




She's lucky she's so cute.

© 2009 Haunted Yard

Like I need another hobby...

This website makes me want to break out my crochet hooks and try my hand (again) at learning to read a pattern.

How cool would it be to make this be for Halloween?

Or this?

Or maybe these?

*must learn to crochet*

Happy Haunting!

© 2009 Haunted Yard

Creeping up

I just finished a yummy dinner outside on the deck and I realized I won't be able to do that for much longer. The days will soon be shorter and the nights will have the perfect fall chill. My mind is already turning to this year's Halloween and I'm not the only one. I've begun my annual Halloween blog hunt. Every year starting around the end of July or the beginning of August, I scour the Internet looking for Halloween blogs and website to get ideas and inspirations for the year's haunt. Here are a couple that have caught my attention.

Love Manor -Perfectly creepy, wonderful pictures!
Real Spooky Place -A home haunter with tons of great ideas for fellow haunters.
Halloween Alchemy -Blog from a mixed media Halloween artist
Orange and Black -A fun Halloween blog

Happy Haunting!
© 2009 Haunted Yard

Classy Broad!

This isn't Halloween related, but I thought I'd post it anyway. I opened my own etsy shop called Classy Broad Jewelry and I've also started a blog. I'm having a great time making the jewelry, and I find that being creative really relaxes me. I'm sure I'll have some Halloween-inspired pieces later this year!

© 2008 Haunted Yard

Halloween 08- The aftermath!

Last night was so much fun! We had a record number of trick-or-treaters this year with 68 kids. All of them were brave enough to come to the door this year, and only one was scared to tears. She was quite little, but seemed to relax when I told her they were only "toys." The weather was perfect and most kids weren't even wearing coats which is unusual.

I have tons of pictures to post, so I'll keep this short!

Here are some pictures of the indoor decorations.

Mad Scientist Display




Village



"Gore"traits



Gargoyle Table (inspired by a tip from Britta in Eerie Elegance)




Haunted Wine Rack and Cabinet




Dining Table




Various decorations in the living/dining rooms









Bathroom Decorations








Outdoor Decorations




























Family and Friends










© 2008 Haunted Yard