The Simple Things

Spooktacular Spectacular Entry

Several weeks ago Ash and her friend The Mostess came up with a little friendly Welcome Fall competition. Once I saw that there was to be a Halloween Decorating competition, I BEGGED Ash to open it up to the public. I knew that I had this thing in the bag.
But before we get to my Spooktacular Entry, I feel the need to air my opinions about WHAT is and isn't good Halloween decor (feel free to write this down).

1.) A couple of strategically placed pumkins, does NOT a display make. Displays are multi-faceted. They are meant to bring people in. Not scare them away. Which brings me to...

2.) Gory, Ghoulish creepy displays belong in a trailer park. We do not trick-or-treat to people's houses to have the pee scared out of us. If we wanted to be freaked out, we would go to the Haunted House. So keep your bloody phantoms to yourself. No one wants to see them.


3.) The thing that I hate most of all...SCARECROWS! I do not know WHY people feel the need to put these on their doorsteps. Folks...they are HIDEOUS. 1994 called and wants it's scarecrow back. PUT THEM AWAY. They have NO place in Halloween decor.

And now I give you BEDAZZLED BEWITCHING SPOOKTACULAR SPECTACULAR (also known as...How Halloween should be Decorated)

It doesn't look like much from a distance...but upon closer review...

Halloween should invite you in.
This walkway says, "Come and enjoy this Halloween season!" Not "I'm going to chop you up into 3 million pieces and use your bones to brick my house."

PDR #1 - Glittery Bat Wreath
It should have SEVERAL Pieces de Resistance. One is adequate...yea even expected. Two...three...now that is spectacular.

PDR #2 Spooky Halloween Garland

Close up #1

#2...a delightful mix of creepy and cute!

Close up #3...featuring PDR #3...the glitter spiders!

PDR #3 Giant Spiderweb and the Glitter Spiders

They are precious. And deserve a place of honor in this entry.

If you don't think that these are the cutest, then you do not really love Halloween.

Other components of the Very Glittery Bedazzled Barlow Porch include (but are not limted to):
These PBK inspired Ghosts.

PBK's Version ($59.00 for three)

It should include homemade knock offs of something that is absurdly overpriced. My versions...total cost $14. And Emilie helped make them. Yep...that should be double bonus points!

And it should have a divine welcome mat. Because nothing says Welcome Halloween like a Spooky doormat!

And there you have it people. Let the praises begin!  

The Hostess with the MOSTESS

Oh my goodness. I had to share. In the next 2.5 weeks, I am in charge of the following parties:

Pre-K Class Party
2nd Grade Class Party
YM/YW Combined Fall Bash
Preschool Class Party
Claire's Birthday Party
and last, but not least
The Couples Halloween Party
 
Oh my goodness. I could die at the sheer fun of it all! I had to share some highlights of the invites. 

Claire is having a Monster of a Costume Party. I'll share more details later. It will be epic. and in case you were concerned...Yes. Her birthday is technically in November. Bygones.

Emilie's take-home treat for her class party. 2nd grade boys will eat crap like this up. (ha...get it. Crap...ghost poop. i'll be here all week!)
And finally. The Piece de Resistance of all this party planning:

The Couples Costume Party Invites. Coffins...

 
when opened you find a moldy finger (with a black ribbon attached) and all the party deets. The fingers were flesh colored suckers. I painted them gnarly green grey, distressed them, added a bit of shellac, cut off the sticks and threw them in there.
I'm pretty sure the Coffins with the Moldy Fingers are my finest work. I may have peaked too soon.
Now, how to fit in decorating for Spooktacular Spectacular. I need to put that Mostess person in her place. Everyone knows that Scarecrows are so 1994.
(no offense to anyone who has one currently propped on their doorstep)

Do you die at the fingers?
Now, what should Ben and I be for Halloween????? He's declared that this is his last year dressing up. We've gotta go big or go home.