From Out of the Cobwebby Attic

'Twas the Night of Halloween'

Twas the night of Halloween, and all through the castle

Every ghoul was stirring and making a great hassle

The decorations were hung with a devilish flare

To give all the children a terrible scare

The zombies were wakened from their dirt beds

While visions of the horrors swirled 'round their heads

With momma in her witch hat, and I in my sheeting

We were all geared up for a night of trick r treating

When out in the night there arose such a commotion

The witches had gathered to brew their potions

Away to the drawbridge I flew like a bat

And there in the shadows, all alone I sat

The full moon lit up all the sights down below

And added a spookiness with it's eery glow

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

The sights and sounds began to fill me with fear

They danced and they cackled with evil delight

Soon they were joined by other creatures of the night

Mummies and werewolves, Dracula flew in with a crash

One and all gathered, a true monster mash

Frankenstein stumbled over and grabbed hold of my hand

With wobbly legs it was difficult to stand

He bid me to join them and share in the feast

He plunked me down next to a terrible beast

It turned out to be a fun & memorable night

Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good fright!

~ written by me when I was a wee child, dated October 1975 (3rd grade)

I'm Honored & Humbled

One of my collector's just messaged me that my HOB DUMPLIN' CHUGTON is currently featured in one of ETSY's Gift Guides! The handmade items in these guides are hand picked by the staff at ETSY from hundreds of thousands of items available. I must say, I'm truly honored they chose one of my pieces to be included in the HALLOWEEN DECOR section. Thank you so very much, whoever you are! What a wonderful way to start the week off!

Welcome Haunted Blog Tourists!

I'm honored that MRS. B over at CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN SOCCER MOM has chosen my blog to be included in her haunted tour! I've been having a ghoulishly delightful time myself meandering around everyone else's blogs and now today the troops will be directed my way!

Welcome one and all!

Tonight is the night I will indulge in the childish delight of carving my jack-o-lantern. I never use the store bought patterns, preferring to carve out the frightening countenance the old-fashioned way. But then again, I'm an old fashioned kinda gal! I'll grab the stack of old newspapers I've been saving up and my trusty ol' butcher knife to set about bringing my gorgeous gourd to life with surgical precision.

Then with the spark and hiss of a match, he'll be illuminated in all his glory! I always stare at the flickering light he casts, mesmerized, feeling the magickal energy whirling about the room. And I can't help feeling that his creepy cute face is staring back at me.

With an almost ceremonial march, I'll escort him to the living room to be placed in the front window where he can gaze out upon the street to keep watch with somber vigilance. For my family, this age-old Halloween ritual marks the beginning of a week filled with them. Traditions, old & new, will be observed each night 'til the grand finale of Halloween itself.

From my family to yours, wishing you a hauntingly bootiful and magickal ALL HALLOW'S EVE!

Pumpkin Faery

Halloween magick abounds!

Now on EBAY!

I'm Utterly, Completely, Totally, Bewitched!

I've returned from my journey into the magical, mystical, and macabre. I had the most amazing week in THE WITCH CITY and am still reeling with the dizzying effects she had, and still has, on me. We heard tales of witches, ghosts and creatures from SALEM'S folklore, exploring 300-year-old buildings, hiking woods in all their autumnal glory, perusing museums and local attractions, taking haunted trolley rides and even eating in an establishment that was a meeting house for the Patriots in the 1700's!

It all kicked off with the most successful art show we've ever participated in. The BIZARRE BAZAAR on Essex Street was bustling with thousands of souls over the two-day event, with many clad in costumes of zombies, witches, and other creatures of the night that rivaled the best special effects of any horror movie. We chatted with many of them, as well as visitors who came from all corners of the globe and the locals were more than eager to share their experiences of the area. I came away with many newfound friendships that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. I feel honored and humbled to have had these treasured experiences and will look back on it all with nothing short of complete and utter reverence!

160 Years Later

EDGAR ALLAN POE fans know the tragic story of his final days, but at last Poe will receive the proper ceremony he's so deserving of. You can read more here. May you rest in peace at last my sweet prince.

At Last!!!

TRICK 'R TREAT is available on DVD today! For those who've been anxiously awaiting this movie for the past three years like I have, it's a glorious day. For those who've never heard of it (which is hard to believe if you're a Halloween nutter) I won't give anything away but if you were a fan of such 80's movies as Creepshow and Twilight Zone The Movie, you're sure to be a fan of this one! I own the 16" vinyl doll and the hauntingly beautiful illustrated book; at last I will be able to see my little Sam in action!! So give yourself a real treat this HALLOWEEN season and grab yourself a copy of this one to add to your horror collection. I know what I'm doing after darkness falls!

Handcrafted Treat Bags

I've seen soooo many crafters make these Halloweeney treat bags, and it's not surprising. They're ghoulishly fun and simple as pumpkin pie to make! Once again, the MARTHA STEWART website offers up the easy HOW-TO's on this devillishly delightful way to give out your wicked treats this Halloween. There's also two muslin versions you can check out here and here. So whip out whatever spooky stamps you have on hand and come up with your own variation on this popular holiday activity.

Photo courtesy of www.marthastewart.com