Boo!

Aren’t we scary?? Halloween 2007 at Glenn’s sister’s Halloween party – I was a {sexy} French Maid, but…I decided to be dead.  I always like to do that (probably because I’m so good at the makeup by now!) – whatever I am, I’m dead, or at least make myself look dead for Halloween, ha!  And Glenn actually wore eyeliner for his Johnny Depp/Captain Jack Sparrow costume.  I was amazed. 

I’m breaking out the Halloween decorations this week, but as I’ve been getting into my storage boxes I realized that I forgot that I donated a lot of my decorations when I moved last year! They were a little on the cheesy side and I’m looking for more of a “Martha Stewart/Pottery Barn” Halloween look now. I know, I know, don’t judge!  It’s all so pretty, though!!  I was really inspired and excited after watching the Martha Stewart show today – their set is decorated with the most adorable and crafty Halloween decorations!! Here are a few of my favorites from their website, and hopefully I can try a few of them out this year:

Hehe…“Head-Waiter Tray.” This is made out of a foam head and gauze dyed with brewed coffee.  And the reviewers say that theirs are still holding up from last year.

Hanging vellum lanterns – an inexpensive to make project, but would make a big impact with a lot of them!  They also show them with these more sophisticated scrolling snake and frog designs:

You can print out these “Spooky Candy Jar Labels” right from the site.  They say things such as Rotten Sweets, Deadly Morsels, Dreadful Edibles, Witch’s Sticks, Twisted Treats, and Devilish Delights.  Pretty cute, right?  I’d also like to make my own wine labels in a similar style.

I really like these outdoor Graveyard Ghosts.  They make the heads with pumpkins, and I love their glowing eyes – but I really love the billowy fabric for their bodies!  And those white pumpkins on the ground are gorgeous!

This Funkin’ Scarecrow is pretty cute, too!  I’m sure I could find some clothes for him to wear and the few trick-or-treaters we do have would get a kick out of him!

I really love this Autumn Wreath Pumpkin Chandelier.  Unfortunately there is now “how-to” for this one, but I’m sure you could figure it out if you really wanted to make it!  It’s a grapevine wreath with real leaves and little pumpkin candles attached, suspended from a ceiling hook.  Theirs is outside, but it would be pretty indoors, too!

This Black Silk Flower Wreath is a great idea for Halloween and would be simple (and cheap) to make! As long as you have access to the materials…always my problem living in Likely!!

Now this is a pumpkin that I could carve!!  I’m waaayyy too impatient to make a fancy-schmancy jack-o-lantern like some intricate ones out there, but I love this one!!  Imagine how this “Mouse Motel” would look at night, all lit up!  Maybe it would scare the real mice that are out here away…

I loved the way this one looked – and it’s backdrop!  What do you think of this Pumpkin Lollipop Holder?  I need a broom like that.  I also really need a big, beautiful porch for all of this fun stuff!  Mine is too dinky so I guess I’d have to use the lawn.

Yes, Martha, great job on the glittery skulls!  These are so pretty!  I’ll have to search for inexpensive skulls for this one.

Hmmm…I still need a coffee table.  What do you think??   A Coffin Table stand-in until then?

And I need to make about a hundred of these.  Fun!  Glittered Spiderweb Hurricanes.  I also saw a tutorial for a Halloween candle jar using tissue paper, a mason jar and Modge Podge that you should check out!

Did you know that window cleaner will completely remove stamp pad ink from glass?  Then go crazy with a spider stamp like this:

Garland is a great piece of holiday decor that can go a long way – use it over doorways, on mantles, in windows – I would use it everywhere if I had enough!!  MS has tutorials for garlands made out of paper, real leaves, teeny tiny gourds and more.  I love the ones that have natural (or faux natural) materials in them – leaves, pine cones, pumpkins, etc.  Click on the images to link over to the how-to’s!

Not into hand-crafting your own holiday decorations?  I love how places like Pottery Barn offer a lot of free shipping on holiday items!!  Love these!!  Click to shop.

This is the kind of garland I need.  And how great is that black door??  They don’t seem to sell the garland or wreaths, but it might be a fun project to DIY or keep shopping around for.

I love their tablescapes.  Catalogs are great for studying to learn styling tips!

Anyway – what are you doing for Halloween decor?  Any cool DIY projects you’d like to share?  Do you have any other good sources for products or ideas?  Then leave a comment and share, share, share!!