Matthew Mead's Autumn & Johanna Parker Tin Horns

Matthew Mead's Autumn

You should be receiving Matthew Mead's Autumn Magazine any time now if you've ordered it from his website. If you haven't ordered, I recommend it. Click here to order it.

We are advertising this year in this magazine and our ad is featured below. Inside there are great Autumn ideas and delicious recipes.

There is a cute Halloween in white article called "White Magic" - and I especially like the fondant tootsie pop ghosts. I make Tootsie pop ghosts every year and this was an especially clever idea!

A favorite article is artist Johanna Parker's piece featuring her visit with her mom, collector Mark Craven, and Bruce Elsass of the Hobgoblins Collection at a gathering featuring Mark's vintage pieces, Johanna and Bruce's creations, and a host of good eats. Featured our Johanna's new tin horns which are spooktacular and a real treat:

We carry these tin horns in the shop--click here to order.

Jenn:)

Halloween at Grandin Road #2

Spell Books at Grandin Road. Comes in various colors/designs. They open up to reveal compartments for filling with tricks or treats :)

Jenn:)

New Halloween Bags & Watches

New Silhouette Items!

We have added some new silhouette items to our Vintage Halloween Store! These are new styles of coin purses, clutch bags, and watches. See the raven coin purse above.

Below are 2 new styles of clutch bags featuring a raven on one and a witch on a moon with old time post card saying on the other:


3 new styles of watches featuring 2 Bogie silhouettes and our moon witch silhouette:



Jenn:)

Martha Stewart Halloween 2011

Martha Stewart Halloween 2011

Here it is--Martha's special Halloween issue for 2011. On the cover is "Motha" a very spooky yet kind of deco looking Martha Stewart.

There are some things in this issue that are repeats, but a lot of new items too. I especially liked these items from the issue:

1. Wrap-o'-Lanterns - cute ideas with a Jol punch.

2. Silhouette decoupage shadow boxes.

3. This Old Haunt--I liked how they added the "boards" to the house windows and other haunted embellishments.

4. Clip art - enjoyed the vintage-style images!

5. I liked "Motha's" outfit--especially her sparkly platform heels!

6. Patchwork of Pumpkins - with the carved cameos and "varmints."

I would have liked to have seen a bit more but overall enjoyed it!

Here's a couple popular items from the 2011 Martha Stewart Crafts Halloween line that we carry in the Vintage Halloween Store:

Elegant Witch Wine Labels

Classic Halloween Wax Bags

Jenn:)

A Skeleton Frolic

The Halloween issue of BH&G and the Fall 2011 issue of Romantic Country have featured scenes with skeletons--very real looking ones, not the cheaper looking type ones. Shown above is a clever way to spice up your house on Halloween with a band of skeletons climbing on the roof.

Shown below is a friendly looking fellow sitting at the dining room table:

But how much does a skeleton like this cost? I've got a 3 foot one I got years ago at a party supply store but it looks more child-size compared to these. These are around 5' tall and those I discovered can be quite expensive.

Check out this one from Grandin Road at $79.00:


Here's a similar one at Spirit Halloween for only $49.99:

If you're on a budget, here's a more economical but not quite as aesthetically pleasing skeleton at Spirit Halloween for a bargain $19.99:

Sign up at Spirit Halloween for e-mails and you'll get sales and coupon codes to use on these too.

I checked some anatomy/medical websites and those skeletons--which look more like the ones in these articles--run in the hundreds++ and are quite spendy!

Another economical way to have a life size skeleton is to buy a bag of bones like these:

Using heads and hands/feet you can stuff an outfit or use a cape and add the head/hands/feet to give the appearance of a complete skeleton. Not quite the same effect though but maybe more in line with your budget.

Jenn:)

2011 BH&G Halloween Issue Out

The 2011 Halloween BH&G issue is out and I've really enjoyed it. It boasts 233 thrilling ideas and downloads.

Some of my favorite articles inside include the following:

Stylishly Bleak - Black/white decor with some very clever ideas including black candelabras and clip art for hanging.

Skeleton Crew - Imagine driving down your block and coming across skelton's climbing up onto a house in a clever manner. Or opening a door to a skeleton hostess complete with a tray of goodies.

Cameo Appearance - cute ideas for cupcake picks.

I love the witch lady stand-up on page 49--very clever.

A Mad Tea Party - very clever and lavish ideas.

Black and White Magic - more great black/white decor.

Eye Spy - an article by Matthew Mead with clever ways to dress up lanterns and urns and other eye catching decor.

Thumbs up to this issue!

Jenn:)

Matthew Mead's Autumn Magazine

Matthew Mead - Autumn

This year we are advertising in Matthew Mead's glorious Autumn magazine which begins shipping out in early September. Have you pre-ordered yours yet?

If not, I suggest you click here to link over to Matthew's site and place your order. It's only available at his website. And look for their Holiday 2011 issue which will be debuting on newstands nationwide throughout North America!

Jenn:)

Halloween Antiquing

Halloween Antiquing

Today I ventured into an antique mall in Apache Junction, AZ. I was hunting for books but also anything Halloween. I didn't see a lot of items, but the above orange and black vase was intriguing to me. It would go perfectly with Halloween decor due to the colors and the raven (or crow?) style bird. But at $60.00, I passed!

These Halloween candles were a bit sad looking but still neat to spy in a glass case.

This plastic witch head was spotted in another case.

At $59.00, I passed on this noisemaker since I have something similar that I got for less at eBay.

At $38.00, I thought this one was also overpriced. It's a pretty common one to find at eBay for less.

What do you typically find in your travels at antique malls?

Jenn:)

Halloween at Jo-Ann's

My Jo-Ann's was still in the process of putting out their Halloween goodies but I took a few snaps of some neat items. The above tin hanging is one that you can change the date each day for a countdown to Halloween.

Glittery Silhouette Pumpkins

Quirky & Spooky Kooky Fabric

Jenn:)

Halloween at Michael's

Michaels has rolled out their Halloween goodies. Some spooky skull decor--some very glittery and fun.

Being a fan of silhouettes and candy corn I liked this simple little trick or treat decoration:

Jenn:)

Halloween at Yankee Candle

Candle Holders at Yankee Candle - nice and spooky!
Jenn:)

Halloween Nutcrackers

Check out this neat set of Halloween nutcrackers from World Market!

I especially like the owl.

Jenn:)

Halloween at Terry's Village

There are some cute items up at Terry's Village for Halloween this year. The witches dance candle display is fun--see above image.

Clever Candle Holders

Cute Pumpkin Frog Witch Decorations

Jenn:)

Spooktacularly Delicious Candy Corn

Candy Corn

There's nothing that gets me in the mood for fall and Halloween more than the arrival on store shelves of that delicious wonder candy corn :)

A quick dash into Walgreen's today yielded one of my favorites--Brach's Autumn Mix. And that first bite after so long, oh so delicious. By oh so long, I mean I tend to get so sick eating it during the fall season, that I'm happy to move on to other sweet nothings, until it catches my eye this time of year ;-)

Not only is candy corn festive to eat, but it's great to decorate with. Filling jars, candle holders, vases. Used as table scatters. Perfect for adding flair to baked goodies. Great for filling candy containers and favor bags. And especially good for hiding in your desk drawer so you can keep pesky goblins away from munching on your favorite candy :)

More expensive but oh so good, is the Jelly Belly candy corn. Even better is their fall mix:

The flavors aren't as sugary sweet as the Brach's and the mix of maple, lemon, orange, cinnamon in addition to the regular candy corn is just delightful. I often stock up on several bags of this when I visit the local Cracker Barrel. Yum!

Jenn:)

Halloween at Pier One

Halloween at Pier One

See the Halloween wire ornament tree above--could also be used for hanging party favors!

Black and Orange Apron

Reusable Halloween Tote!

Jenn:)

Halloween at Grandin Road

Grandin Road has their Halloween stuff up this year and there are some fun items--especially some of the figures. Martha has a mad scientist and a witch figure this year. Shown above is a glow in the dark clock from Martha Stewart that's cute.

Plate Set

Martha Stewart Ceramic Pumpkins

Jenn:)