Salem!

I went to Salem this weekend. A combo of celebrating our wedding anniversary and my husband running his first half marathon.

He's in this crowd somewhere!

Anyway we had a great time, although it's not quite October yet the Halloween spirit is in full force already!

We stayed at the Hawthorne,

reportedly the most haunted hotel in America. We were on the sixth floor two doors down from what is believed to be the most haunted room in the hotel.

We didn't see anything... although I will say while we were in the lobby I thought I heard a breath in my left ear and my ear got very cold. (It was probably from the doors to the outside- although my husband did point out that the doors were all the way across the room and on my right side...so maybe?)

We went to the witch museum. They had a great exhibit about the how the perceptions of witches have changed over the years, really wonderful.

We walked around and shopped and generally had a great time.

Also I picked up this glow in the dark yarn at the local yarn store- I'll use that for something crafty!

Spooky Night?

Tonight we're staying at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem... reportedly the most haunted hotel in America. I'll let you know if we here anything from the beyond. : )

So far the only disembodied voices I've heard have come from the hallway as guest come in for the night. (Old hotel, thin walls.)

Spider Invitation

Another quick invitation idea using black glittery paper and my spider punch (can you tell I'm smitten with that new punch?)

I used purple vellum to cover the punch- gives it an eerie glow when light comes through!

Let the decorating begin!

Today was the day- Hubby hauled out all the gravestones and I installed the grave yard.

A few neighbors stopped to say it looked great. Some kids were going by and paused to look at the different stones and pick their favorite ones.

That's what I love most about decorating the house each year, people seem to enjoy it, the kids have fun.

What I like second most... a little spooky surprise. Who doesn't like a little scare on Halloween? New to the graveyard this year- the gave riser.

You can watch a video here. Seriously he scared me just a little and I set him up! Can't wait to send them away screaming/laughing when he pops up in the front yard from his not to final resting place!

Spider Web Invitation

If you are planning to have a Halloween party this year it's time to start your invitations. I can't believe it but it's true- it's time to start making them!

I love designing invitations so I thought I'd put a few Ideas out there.

Spider web anyone?

It takes some patients with the craft knife but in the end I think all that cutting is worth it.

Glittery Spiders (courtesy of a handy craft punch)

Delicate web

Sets the mood for a spooky night.

Little things make me happy.

It glows in the dark! Smells nice too!!

I've been working on a few things and will have some posts coming this week. Stay tuned!

Eye of Newt Apple Cider and Halloween Straws

I'm sorry it's been way to long since I've posted... but trust me I've been thinking about Halloween!

The air is chilly.

Tonight I bought the first pumpkin of the year.

And at the grocery store tonight I bought apple cider.

Yippee it's Fall!

Also while at the grocery store on a whim I bought some black and orange straws from the Halloween isle.

When I came home I used some paper punches and made these fun straws for the apple cider.

Use non-toxic glue to stick the paper punches to the straws. Wouldn't these be fun for a party!

Then I thought the cider needed a little something too- an "eye of newt" eyeball to float in the glass.

I made it by cutting a circle out of an apple and peeling all the skin off except a little bit right in the middle- I left that to make a red pupil. It bobs in the glass nicely and doesn't throw off the taste of the cider at all since it's just a piece of apple!