How did I almost miss this?!

***2nd post today****

Please  scroll down for more Hallowe'en goodness!

LOTS of goodies still to be won on this awesome blog!



The Vampire Club and my haunted vignettes

I have a new boyfriend, only he doesn't know it. His name is "Voltaire", and not

only is he gorgeous in a gothic sort of way, but he is a phenomenal artist and musician.

He writes and performs some hilariously fun songs themed around dead things

and Hallowe'en and schtuff.

He also creates the wickedly bizarre intros for MTV and Fangoria TV promo spots.

Check out more of his brilliance on YouTube.

Now I would like to invite you into my parlour to peruse my

Hallowe'en decorations and vignettes.

This is my apothecary display.

I have been working on the bottles and jars for weeks, adding

labels and ingredients to each one. Great fun!  

The vintage style devil lantern is one of most cherished decorations.

I wish Illuminations was still in business, they had the coolest Hallowe'en stuff.

Here is my toilet paper tube and hot wax candle.

So fricken cool and cheap to make!

Just drop in a battery operated tea light and you have

illuminated perfection without the mess and danger of fire! 

My crystal ball and Gryphon stand that I have had for eons!

Plus a really cool skeleton bust I got on clearance last year at Mike's.

The skeleton hand and tarantula is an awesome snow globe.

Do you call it a bat globe if it has bats instead of snow?  

Now we get into the bugs.

What is a "Creepy Glowbugg" without her creepy bugs?

My husband about died when I unwrapped this little gem.

He hates spiders and the thought of this thing coming at him in the 

jungles of Malaysia kinda made him mad.

Good thing we live in California. 

The bug in the upper left reminds me of the Misfits skull, but is actually a 

"Human Face Bug". Cool huh? 

More bugs and devils and jars.

This is my "Creepeeville" village.

I painted and adorned the houses myself and then 

created all the little inhabitants to go in the village. 

Some of my vintage pieces, like the tambourine and the noisemakers.

All handed down from my dearly departed Grandparents, the Marcoms. 

My creepiest friend, Katt gave me this killer fountain for my

birthday one year.

 We are still trying to come up with a realistic blood that

won't gunk up the pump.

More schtuff.

Grandma (my husband's) would not be thrilled to see her hutch decorated in such a way.

The again, Grandma is pretty down with the cause.

Cause she loves me!

More coolness.

Cool jar with a skull inside on a fancy pillow and my

favorite lenticular picture. 

Even the masks get a Hallowe'en spin.

And let's not forget the mummy cat too!

My very favorite sign, before you enter the living room.

 "Free Rusty Lancets for the Kiddies!"

The kitchen gets some goodies too!

Did you get your bottle of "Zombie Zin" this year at Cost Plus?

Oh, you better believe I did!

Lastly, is the "Candy Man".

He reminds me of the preacher who tried to marry Beetlejuice and Lydia

in "Beetlejuice".

LOVE him!!

Thanks for schlepping' along with me on my little tour of my home.

Happy Hallowe'en!!!  

Hallowe'en in Wonderland

With the final challenge of the month falling so close

to my beloved Hallowe'en, the Oh Alice! team is celebrating as only we can

with a "Hallowe'en in Wonderland" free for all!!

These odd little fellows are the artistic renderings of Lily Chilvers

of The Octopode Factory.

When I first saw her Alice in Wonderland characters I knew they

were destined for my Oh Alice! challenge cards.

Right up my creepy little alley!

These guys (Dee and Dum) are my favorite image from Lily's AIW line,

but I can't even begin to narrow it down between all

of her other amazingly odd and unique characters.

The card?

Oh yeah, I colored it with Copics  and made my own little tickets

after I received some a while back from my Master, Barb.

They were actual tickets with "Trick" and "Treat" printed on each one.

I couldn't bring myself to use them as I only have one of each,

but decided to make my own until I can buy more to hoard. 

I also used that fabulous webbed ribbon in the middle but found that

the adhesive I used was still tacky where the weave was open,

so I dumped a bunch of glitter on it and rubbed it into the adhesive.

No more tacky than I originally meant for it to be.

Happy Hallowe'en Eve and drop in tomorrow for more

Hallowe'en goodness!

Trick or Treating with Tiddly Inks and Simply Betty Stamps

Trick or Treat!

Welcome to the Tiddly Inks and Simply Betty Hallowe'en blog hop!

Christy and Betty are both huge fans of Hallowe'en and decided to

organize a hop to celebrate their favorite holiday.

Now the ladies from both design teams have traded images so to speak,

and that means that we (the SBS DT) get to play with the Tiddly Inks images and the 

TI DT gets to design with Betty's images!  

Please drop by the Simply Betty Stamps blog for all the hop info and the list of DT projects to view.

You can join in on all the fun and win some great

prizes and candy along the way! 

For my first card I chose the "spooky Birthday" image.

Isn't she just adorable?! And she is perfect for those lucky ladies

who were born this month! What a fun card to receive with a hostess

gift for all the hard work that goes into throwing a Hallowe'en bash!

My next card is an Anniversary card for my in-laws.

I used the "Happy Couple" image also from Tiddly Inks.

Even though my In-laws were married so close to Hallowe'en,

they are not Hallowe'en people. Unfortunately for them, I am.

I usually send them a Hallowe'en themed card for their Anniversary since that

is all I make for the entire months of September and October.

This month, I decided to conform and send them a traditional-type

card for their wedding anniversary.

See, I can play nice.

Loving the labels die from Spellbinders.

Adds a nice whimsical touch to match this cute little image.

Thanks for hopping by and now, your next stop is the

awesomely talented, Kiara. 

The Undead, a witch, and a pastel ghoul.

Just finished watching a new series on IFC called, "Dead Set".

I think it's a British take on the new "Walking Dead" series on AMC

set to air on Hallowe'en night. "Dead Set" was pretty good, but I am
anxiously awaiting "Walking Dead". They are already filming a second
season even though the first episode hasn't even aired yet! 

I loves me some undead and the idea that I live in an

age where zombie shows are all the rage is pure heaven to me.

I am hanging alot of hope on "Walking Dead", that it will be so

awesome and worth all of the months of anticipation.

I'll keep ya posted.

As Hallowe'en approaches I am trying to cram all of my holiday cards

into the next 3 posts before they aren't relevant any longer (to the normal world anyway).

This first card is my submission for the StampitCrazy challenge.

Barb has new images up for grabs of the three hitchhiking ghosts

from Disney's Haunted Mansion to one lucky winner!!!

I cannot for the life of me remember where I got this wicked little cutie,

but she was great fun to color and create with.

A little sexy for her big head, but still cute.

Part of the challenge at SIC was to contain something

you can ride. I think the broom qualifies.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

Corrosive Challenges ,

Stamptacular Sunday,

Kaboodle Doodles,

Dutch Dare,

and Some Odd Girl.

My next card is for the challenge over at Wild Orchid challenges.

The challenge over there is to use pastel colors.

Talk about OUTSIDE my comfort zone! Baby colors you say?!

Really?

Well, after receiving my Wild Orchids order, I am in love with their

fleurs and their other fancy dangles and doo-bobs. I had to play along with 

this challenge since the random winner wins all kinds of beautiful,

hand crafted, Wild Orchid fleurs.

I used the "ghoulfriend" digi image from Tiddly Inks.

Again, with the zombies.

I just can't help myself, they're everywhere! 

I also used some paper that my son and I made back when he

was only three or four. He's eleven now, so that paper has been around

a while. We used watered down, metallic, acrylic paints on our brushes

and just dripped it onto ledger sized paper for a watercolor effect.

I sugared a Glow Skull for this card using Doodlebug glitter .

I was practicing with this card before I start on the

Dias de los Muertos wedding card for Saturday.

Ya gotta have sugar skulls, man.

I am also working on a polymer clay skeleton wedding couple

for the bride and groom. I have one from Mexico that my

SIL brought back for me that I am modeling this one after.

Hope it turns out since it is a wedding gift and all.

Is it tacky to make someone a wedding gift? 

I mean it's not like I'm knitting them matching sweaters or something.

  

When God takes away a loved one, he leaves the best part in our heads.

On Wednesday, the 13th of October 2010, my grandfather, Dr. Ralph A. Marcom

passed away from a massive stroke.

He was more than my grandfather, he was a multiple award winning magician,

author, sage, and an all around captivating man.

The magician has been reunited with his magic.

My grandmother, Gloria Marcom, passed away in 2002, and the magical spark

that she represented was missing from my grandfather's life.

Their 42nd wedding anniversary is on Halloween and they are finally

together again to celebrate their love. 

I love you both and take great solace in knowing

you are together.

I lift my glass to you both and shout a resounding

"Huzzah"! 

  

I'm late! I'm late!

Due to unforeseen extreme weather, and resulting lack of internet service,

I was unable to post my Oh Alice! challenge card on Saturday with the rest of the team.

A couple of days late and a few dollars short....

I give you,

Oh Alice! Challenge 

CHAPTER 35: CHESS - CHESSBOARD - CHESSMEN

"They don't keep this room so tidy as the other,' Alice thought to herself, as she noticed several of the chessmen down in the hearth among the cinders: but in another moment, with a little `Oh!' of surprise, she was down on her hands and knees watching them. The chessmen were walking about, two and two!

`Here are the Red King and the Red Queen,' Alice said (in a whisper, for fear of frightening them), `and there are the White King and the White Queen sitting on the edge of the shovel -- and here are two castles walking arm in arm..."

--Ch. 1: Through the Looking Glass

I am not knowledgeable on the subject of chess at all.

I chose to be very literal and use the checkerboard background 

and the Queen (Gossmere) image, both from Tiddly Inks. 

I love Gossmere, and thought she'd make a stunning

Red Queen to adorn the checkerboard background.

I also feel as though I should explain my lack of embellishments on my

recent creations.  My craft room as become something of a fall out shelter

for the schtuff that normally goes in the rest of the house, but has been replaced with Hallowe'en decorations, and any unfinished

or WIP Hallow e'en projects, and I still try to make cards in there too!

I have buried quite a bit of my paper crafting goodies (now would be a perfect time for my husband to call the people at the Hoarders TV show and turn me in) 

and have decided to go "old school", and just use the image and some ribbon. 

Going to start digging my way out now.... 

 

HDH062 Smeared and Smudged

Whew!

This has been the busiest month ever! I have finally found some time to stop and breathe after numerous involved projects and a Hallowe'en party are finally over!

I still have some back burner projects to complete, but the bulk of my load is

finished!!!

With that being said, let's get back on track with

the newest challenge from Haunted Design House. 

This week's Macabre Monday is sponsored by Smeared Ink.

The challenge was to be as inky and smeared and smudged as possible.

Apparently I didn't get the memo.

I did use a very cool image from Smeared Ink

called, "Ghouly Witch" though. 

I am quite fond of the old creepy images of witches and demons,

and I am sure I will be using this one again very soon.

I really like the look of the drawn image against the

black and white photo of a cemetery.

I added some crystal Stickles to the trees and the tops of the

headstones for some added interest. 

Terra and Tori from Smeared Ink have some really unique and odd

images available in both digital and rubber.

This week's Gruesome Twosome get their choice of a

Smeared Ink digi set!

What are you waiting for? Go get inky!!!

Here is a quick picture of my make-up from my Hallowe'en party

this past Saturday.

I went with a pretty simple Day of the Dead theme.

I decided to go with a black and white flourish design

as opposed to the fleurs and colors and schtuff. 

Truth be told, I didn't leave myself very much time to get ready before

my guests started arriving and this was as good as it was going to get!

I wish I had enough time to put the spider web in the middle of my forehead,

but it was really hard to keep everything symmetrical and to apply this on myself!

Luckily, one of my artsy friends was able to help me get the left side of my face to match the right side. Thanks Dani!

A face only a Mother could love

I participated in a craft fair this past Saturday.

I took all of my goodies and hoped to unload some of these cards

I have been making.

I also took my witch mask and my newly completed zombie mask.

I overpriced the zombie a bit since I really didn't want to sell him anyway.

I sold a bit of stuff and it was better than a yard sale when it was all said and done.

I still got to keep my zombie though.

I am so happy with how he turned out.

I love how his teeth took on their rottenness from the brown wash I applied.

I am now searching for a deserving place of honor on the wall for

my little putrescent friend.

I am debating on whether or not to repaint my witch.

She is a bit emerald green and I wanted her a sickly shade of olive

like the zombie.

I'm afraid I mess her up if I start repainting and then I'll be stuck with her too!

Bummer.  

Macabre Monday make-up HDH060 Simply Sinister

I know, totally lame.

I missed last week's Macabre Monday challenge which was

"Simply Sinister" with Simply Betty Stamps.

Betty has come out with quite a few new releases lately, and one of

my favorite lines she has is the "Victorian Beauties".

I really like the drawing style of this artist and the newest release is for

HALLOWEEN!

I chose to work with Day of the Dead Timothy. 

This is the coolest image ever!

Now I know the challenge was to keep it simple, but since I was a tad late

I kept on embellishing for extra credit.

I got my order from Wild Orchids and had to use some of the

yummy fleurs and picks! 

This also comes in handy as my husband and I are attending a

   Day of the Dead wedding on the 30th of this month.

How freakin' cool is that?!

I would have loved to have had a funeral themed wedding!!!

In some ways my husband thinks it was his funeral.

  

HDH061 Lil' Lurid and Lovesick

Welcome to another installment of Macabre Monday!

This week's sponsor is Tickled Pink Stamps, who create some of the 

cutest and fun to work with images.

There is a new line of images for Halloween called Lil' Haunts.

I think I'm in love.......

Say hello to Frankie Frankenstein.

I went with blue eyes cause they're so dreamy...

This guy was so fun to color and I am just thrilled

to have more male images to go with all the girls!

We'd love for you to join us this week and create something lurid and lovesick.

Since we have a sponsor this week there is a killer prize to be won. 

This week's winner gets to pick one digi from all of the releases at Tickled Pink!

Way cool right?!

What are you waiting for?!

Punky Teens Christmas New Release Hop

Welcome to the latest installment of the Punky Teens images

from Simply Betty Stamps !

The newest release of Punky Teens is a Christmas theme!

If you haven't already started your Christmas cards, these images will

surely get you in the mood for hot chocolate and some coloring.

Betty has invited some of her Face Book friends to join us on our hop,

so there are a bunch of us playing today.

I chose to use the boys from the new release.

First up, is Tristan.

I am a total sucker for the wonky eyes!!

Next up is Mr. Personality himself,

Jimmie! 

Such a fun and perfect image for a teen boy.

   

You can almost smell that sock huh?

I LOVE this artist's style!

Best Christmas sentiment I have ever purchased.

That's it for me, so head on over to Iva's blog and

see what she has come up with today for the new release.

All images are now available at Simply Betty Stamps.