HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE BOOKS 1-3

HOWTO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE BOOK 1

HOWTO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE BOOK 2

HOWTO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE BOOK 3

Halloween is around the corner, green is turning into gold, leaves are falling with the breeze and the grass crunching under your feet.  What a wonderful magical time is Halloween.  This is without a doubt my favorite time of year.  Anything can happen on Halloween.  This one night a year magic fills the air, laughter, joy and dreams have no boundaries.  The veil is thin between our world and the other.  Witch’s ghost and ghouls will rule the night.  And it’s time to make them welcome.  And what better way than with the help of Shawn Mitchell and Lynne Mitchell.  Authors of how to Haunt your House, book 1-3.

 I have been lusting after these books for a very long time.  As I am on a fixed income and have been unable to purchase these books.  But thanks to my best friend, Valerey, I have been able to buy all three.  Last year she gave me her kindle after she bought the new kindle fire.  This enabled me to buy not one but all three of these books on my kindle for $9.00 each.  My best friend always has the coolest gadgets and is always sweet enough to give me the one she replaces.  RE purpose and gifting at its best.  And if you read my blog you know that these are the two things I love most.only going to use theme for these projects you can get away with using the more inexpensive tolls.  Again trust your own judgment and weigh you pros and cons.

Double click images below to get larger image to see prices

SOLDERING IRON AND STATIONS

FOAM CUTTERS AND WOOD BURNER

You can spend as much or as little as you wish, that is what is so great about their books.  You get to decide how much you spend.

Some of the projects you will find in these books are very simple and easy to do.  Some examples are using dryer lint and paint to create moss that you can use to decorate tombstones doors and so for.  Detailed techniques on how to cut Styrofoam into various props and how to paint those props for realistic a look.  The books are filled very detailed images so that you can see how to do something.  As I a visual learner this is great for me and it helps me to understand exactly what their saying and how to do it.

One of my favorite projects in the book is sand casting.  As I model with clay I often find myself wanting or needing a mold to create a certain thing.  Mold kits are very expansive and the numbers of molds you can make from a kit are very limited.  Making molds from clay itself does not always turn out very well.  The clay molds are not flexible and I found myself having to re sculpt the thing I was molding to begin with.  In their first book they show you how to do so and molding or stand casting.  I love the way they used hot glue to create the fence tops.  By using sand and a fence pole topper they were able to create a single mold to make as many tops as they need.  The best part is that they are able to reuse the sand for other molds.  A great way to save money and simple enough that everyone has it.  They even show you how to make a flexible hand using this mold technique, hot glue and wire.

The famous monster mud is also included in this book.

PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE 

They show you how to create and use this wonderful stuff.  Monster mud is great for creating a concrete or decaying effect.  They show you how to use monster mud to make a Scarecrow and other horrifying things.

Their visual effects section shows you how to use a TV for a ghost affect and how to set it up so that you can scare your guests with your ghostly images.  From lighting to fog that last.  PVC pipe fence  post, statues, poison apples, brain bubblers, Halloween tree, large tombstone cover, bride’s tomb, spooky chandelier, witch’s pantry, bubbling cauldron, cemetery, graves entrance and even a vampire hunter’s kit. These three books offer a wide variety of Halloween fun.  From the simplest to the more elaborate, these books show you all and more.  They are well worth the money and a great addition to any Halloween fends spooky collection.

You can find these books at Amazon .com.  Purchase these as tangible books or in kindle format.  If you do not have a kindle device no need to worry, Amazon offers a free application called kindle for PC.  Just download this free application log in at Amazon by the digital format and select it to be downloaded to the kindle for PC application.  After you purchase you can download these books and read them right from your computer.  This is how I downloaded these books and I love that they are in color right on my laptop

PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE

The authors of these books also have a web site with additional tips and techniques at 

www.howtohauntyourhouse.com.Their site offers hack lab where you can find how to turn store bought props into one of the kind creations or how to build your own.  The library, where you can buy their books tee shirts and other things.  You can also check out from the crypt and see their images and videos of their past Halloween events.  They also have a YouTube channel that you can visit and see the action live.  Printable patterns are also offered under their download section

HACK LAB 
PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE

HACK LAB
PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE 

HACK LAB
PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE

 

 

DOWNLOADS
 PROPERTY OF HOW TO HAUNT YOUR HOUSE

Check out these two creative people who have so much talent it turns me green with envy.

You’re never too young to enjoy Halloween!

Halloween Decorating Tutorials Part 4

First Witch	Here I have a pilot's thumb,
	Wreck'd as homeward he did come.		30
	Drum within.
Third Witch	A drum, a drum!
	Macbeth doth come.
ALL	The weird sisters, hand in hand,
	Posters of the sea and land,
	Thus do go about, about:		35
	Thrice to thine and thrice to mine
	And thrice again, to make up nine.
	Peace! the charm's wound up. MACBETH - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Here it is Part 4! First I will tell

 you about the  Skull Tree.I created this tree using COLD PORCELAIN clay  (my recipe can be found at this link)http://www.scribd.com/doc/52976927/Cold-Porcelain-Recipe-Instructions-With-Pictures and paper clay that I sculpted to look like a tree. This took me about  a year to finish it the way I wanted it.Not because it was that hard .It took me that long because I have to let the things I create 'talk' to me.I refuse to finish something 'just because' so I worked a little  on it over the time of a year and finally it told me what it wanted to be.Sounds crazy? Yea ,but  that's just how it is with me ....

I added a knot hole here 

OK now that that was said I have some images of the tree when it was unpainted and still wet . Maybe this will inspire you to create your own tree,who knows the bug might bite you !If you noticed the  familiar look to the top limbs your right ! It looks like the poor puppy on the Grinch ! Unintentional!! I was watching the movie and the only thing I can say in my defense is " I was really into the movie " that it came out in my work,.lol.

I have a cardboard covered with a black trash bag as the base,that way I will be able to move it with out fear of it cracking .

unfinished spooky tree
click image for
larger view

bottom roots detail

After I sculpted it and let it dry  I let it cure for about 1month so it would be nice and hard when I started to paint it.I did this because  the paper clay still absorbs moisture and I didn't want it crumbling under the brush. I chose to add black first ,using a dry brush  strokes .Just dab paint and brush off  on a rag ,then brush over the  tree.I added 2 colors of brown then a dry brush stroke with white.The final coat was a light coat of dark beige.Let it dry for a few days ,then took my little trusty drill (that I scraped up 60 bucks in change to get ) and drilled holes to add my branches to.The branches are not meant to stay because they can not hold much weight . But for now I glued them in with a glue gun.I placed it on top of my TV shelf  added all those scraps from my spooky cloth  to the limbs to give it  the old  look.The skulls are Styrofoam and very light .This allowed me to hang them without fear  of breaking the limbs. I used paper clips to hang them by opening the clip and pushing one end into the top of the skull then hung it .Adding the cloth to hide the silver metal.Spooky cloth covers the top of the stand and around the tree roots. Putting some skulls around like they had 'fallen' from the tree . There it is my skull tree .If you ever decide to make one I would LOVE to see it !

Voodoo/Mad Lab Prop

This is just a mix of things that went on the hall cabinet .These are very easy to create and almost anything will work.

Supplies 

Jars (given to me ) as many as you want to make 

Clear vase (your choice)

Bones and skulls ( dollar store 2 bucks)

Bowels (given to me ) as many as yo want 

Ash or Sand ( free)

Glass bottled (given to me )

Large Hemp Twine (or what ever you have )

Dry Moss/Grass( floral department at your local store 1 buck)

Candle ( delabled .given to me ) 

 Skull candle holder (your choice and I forgot a candle lol.)

Skull cup ( Dollar Tree  1 buck)

Voodoo Doll (I hand sewed this with scraps )

First the Voodoo Doll was cut from a free pattern I got off the net (and I forgot where ) After stuffing her I used blue thread to but stitches in different  places to give her a creepy feel.I free hand cut the dress and sewed it together.Giving her x eyes and a sewed shut mouth to finish her up. I named her Dinkles (I don't know why she wanted that name ,but there it is. Remember they 'talk' to me )This is simple and you cant mess it up because it is meant to look awful!!

Next I scattered some dry moss and anything else you have on hand( dried flowers,herbs .Those kind of things) Places a skull down by it with some filled glass bottles.

The bowels and ash filled jars as so simple it should be illegal! simply take your bowels/jars and put ash  or sand in them.Add skulls and bones and mix it around lightly so you can see them peeking out .Play with them till you get the look  you want.repeat for as many as you like.

Daddy's Ashes

Skull terracotta jar 

You can see my terracotta vase filled and a clear vase,(I call Daddy'd ashes)

I had some glass jars that my husband'd mom gave me and I put the glass bottles in them like they are waiting to be filled with some voodoo brews.I hand sewed some little pouches and tied them with twin for voodoo charms.I placed them in the jar as well.I then used a mason jar and filled it with my dry moss and tied twine around it to hide the lid grooves.I used twine on a class jar candle and sat it on the table waiting to be lit for some late night spell casting.I set the table up with some empty  glass bottlen with clay corks ,and then arranged the table until I was happy with the look . The bone filled jars were sat on the table behind the doll  giving it that finishing touch .Making my  halloween  complete!(yea right ,I am still creating ! ) You can find my Bone Jars here http://salemdarkhallow.blogspot.com/2011/09/spooky-bone-jars-tutorial.html.

That is it for the  Halloween decorating tuts.I hope you  are inspired to create on a budget, reuse/recycle and share your talents with others . 

I will be creating all the time.Halloween is my favorite time of the year .I never stop and I am inspired all year long to make pumpkins,brooms,trolls and just about anything to due with this holiday we call Halloween.

YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO ENJOY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween Decorating Tutorials Part 3

First Witch "When shall we meet again? In thunder,lightning,or in rain?"

Second Witch "When the hurlyburly's done,when the battle's lost and won".

William Shakespeare :Macbeth

Crystal Ball Surrounded by skulls ,Hanging cauldrons, creepy cloth  movie shelf.Severed hand with red eye rat snacking (ewwww) That is the 3 part to this Halloween diy tut.First is the Crystal Skull ball .It took some thinking but I finally got it to look like I wanted. But before I start I want to remind you that electric lights can get very hot and you should always check and make sure that they are not getting so hot that the wires are starting to melt .NEVER leave these lights on  unattended .Better yet don't leave them on all night at all.Mine got hot and I just happened to be moving the ball when I noticed how hot the glob was getting So in this tut I will be advising you to get a battery  light (battery tee light will do )

That being said if you chose to use electric lights you are cautioned to be careful and I take no responsibility for any damages (use battery operated!!!!!).

Ok on to the tut.

supplies

a light glob ( a glass ball that goes over your light bulb,this can be any kind you have on hand .I just happened to have some in closet:)

light cover glob

Battery tee light ( found in most stores,Wal Mart, Lowe's)

 Foam skulls or plastic(DollarTree for 
1 buck)

Decay cloth or web ( anything to cover stand or table that you are setting  ball on )

2 Bowls that will use to set the ball in (can leave off if setting on a table)

Bowls that are being used for stand
this is a roll around snack daisy tray
my husband's mother had and handed
down to me .It works perfect for this!

First take the light and set it in the bowl ,placing the glob over it..Now add all those little bits of creepy cloth you have from all that cutting you did on the fireplace mantel .This will help the skulls stay in place if you use the bowl .(If not using the bowl you can scatter them around and  then put skulls around the glob.)Next place the skulls around the globe ,making them evenly spaced apart (If you want to make this a  reusable Halloween prop you can glue them around) 

Pretend these are  battery tea lights
caution if using electric light
they get to hot and can cause a fire ! Use BATTERY TEE LIGHTS PLEASE!

My crystal ball stand
ignore the dust
it adds creepy feel
that is why I didn't dust
yep that's it^^

creepy cloth and skulls

place skulls around

If you want you can now add webs ,leaves ,even chains to add to this prop.Or even a richly colorful gypsy scarf with some gold bangles and/or large gaudy rings to finish off the look (LOVING IT!!!!)

unlighted Crystal skull ball

after light out and  globs lit 

now that you have your crystal ball set up lets move on to the miniature cauldrons.

supplies

2 plastic cauldrons (small 1 each buck at dollar store)

Purple Halloween lights<Battery tea lights (again caution to not let them get to hot  or use  battery tea lights)

2 screw hooks ( any hardware store or local store ,I have had them for years so coast is unknown)

Drill (optional,you can screw them in by hand but a drill with a small bit makes it easier)

Rocks (any kind, used to hide lights)

Firstly you don't have to hang them you can set up on table as well.I just happen to have a old TV center that has nothing on it and this fit perfectly.

Drill a small hole into the underside top of the shelf(being careful not to drill very far or you can come out the other side  Take a hook screw and screw it into the top of the shelf .Keeping it centered as  best you can. 

 Next hang the pot to see if is centered (measure beforehand if you want to)

Hanging pots under shelf

 Take you light(battery tea lights ,pretend that is  what I am using .It is safer than curling up the electric lights .They will get to hot .Not responsible for any damages)
Arrange the stones around the light making it look like a blinking  fire .
You could add Halloween candy to the pots ,like gummy toes ,eyeballs things like that . simple and sweet.

Now  we have our chained severed arm that a rat is 'snacking on'.
supplies 
plastic chain (1 buck DollarTree)
Severed arm(2 bucks at Dollarstore)
Red eye Rat (1 buck atDollarTree)
creepy cloth (OPTIONAL)

Take the chain and wrap it around the wrist .Then attach this to a handle
 (or chair leg .let your imagination run ) Place hand on shelf(or floor)Then add your creepy cloth.Hang it or lay it by the hand .Play with this set up till you get the setting you like.

 Add your rat next to the hand  making it look like he is taste testing it for supper. 






Next the creepy movie shelf
supplies 
creepy cloth (1 buck at Dollar Tree)
Tacks 
plastic bat (1 buck at DollarTree)

 The creepy movie shelf is creepy cloth tacked up .
You cut it at angle from the bottom
 to give it that tore look and cut holes to make it look like moth have eaten some for supper.I added a red eye bat that suctions to glass and you have a scary movie shelf!(sorry couldn't help myself)

 There you have it Part 3 is complete!Next Part 4 Skull Tree and The Voodoo/Mad lab

Complete shelf

 You are never to old to enjoy Halloween!