Halloween at Goodwill

Noticed a big difference at my local Goodwill stores Halloween stock this year. For those who don't know Target donates all their clearance and damaged merchandise to Goodwill. This includes Halloween. All the cute favors and treat bags get crammed in to a giant plastic bag for $3.99 or $4.99. All of their packaged costumes and decorations also show up for super cheap prices.

Now, I don't know if its a new regional person that is in charge of Halloween for the stores but there has been an amazing amount of Halloween costumes at 2 of my local stores. Incredible hand made stuff and some killer vintage items. Original 1960s paper dress paired with Go GO boots. A hummingbird costume that was stunning. 20 gorgeous black and silver leotard costumes that must have been for a drill team, ice skaters, cheerleaders? Have no idea but they would make a great group costume. A full Gorilla suit for $19.99.

Goodwill boxes what they consider "Halloween" clothing as donations come in and then ship it to stores in August. Hats, shoes, and wigs still in packages. Its usually a pretty sparse selection of costumes. This year has been exceptional in quality and quantity. Photos from 2 stores below.

One of these things is not like the other.

2 Nov 2012, a photo by Rob Rocke on Flickr.

Lovely Setting

Halloween Dessert Buffet, SMP, a photo by camillestyles on Flickr.

Lovely setting.

Halloween Bunting

Found this cute fabric at Spoonflower for making the banner and bag to store it in.

Lanterns at Michaels

Crow hand Towel

It was a sad moment when I realized my photo taking devices were not in my bag. Joann has a bunch of Halloween theme hand towels like this crow towel with matching crow placemat. Nice black and white Halloween items as well as great signs. A second trip back to look at fabric is a must so there will be photos eventually.

Halloween Make-up Inspiration

This design and many more found here.

BHG Tricks and Treats Halloween 2013

Better Homes and Gardens Halloween issue is hard to beat with good articles and priced at only $5.99 a great value. Most of the special Halloween editions are $9.99 or more. I found the magazine at Walgreens and it was spotted at grocery store check out areas as well. Getting more picky about my Halloween magazine collection. Last year I skipped Martha's Halloween rehash issue. Looking for either unique ideas or beautiful images for inspiration. My Halloween magazine collection takes over the entire top shelf of a long closet in magazine boxes 2 rows deep. Had a small avalanche the other day as I tried to slip in a few more.

Halloween at TJMaxx....finally.

Still pushing the back to school stuff but now the end caps are starting to fill with Halloween. Owls seem to be dominant theme in most of the displays I have been seeing on line. Nothing that had to come home with me today. Will wait to see if they get last years or this years over order of Yankee Candle stuff. Stocking up on Witches Brew tea lights is something I need to do on my last box!

Room on The Broom

In London last Christmas we were introduced to the animated special Room on the Broom based on the Children's book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Its now out on DVD and I found a copy at Target. There is something warm and charming about BBC programing and this was one of the highlights on Christmas day. A Witch and her cat who meet some interesting new friends.

Gingerdead Man Cookie Cutter

This little guy has Holiday cross over potential. Can you imagine a spooky gingerbread house at Christmas?

First Pumpkin

This little baseball size pumpkin is the first in this bed. I started really late this year growing from seed and transplanting to the beds. The bees have been fewer and fewer so I hand pollinated the upper pumpkin bed. Great video with a dad and daughter to show how to hand pollinate your pumpkins can be found here.

Witchiepoo Costume

The Witchiepoo costume was sold at auction back in 2008. Billie Hayes sold the wand and shoes in a different auction to raise funds for her animal charity Pet Hope. I must confess to a slight obsession with Witchiepoo and H.R. Pufnstuf. Can still sing the entire theme song for that silly Sid and Marty Krofft show. My husband knew I was really sad not being able to afford the wand. He surprised me by making a copy of the wand. Its still one of my favorite items in my Halloween display case. Some day I will recreate the costume, wig, and makeup.

Will Carve for you?

This was a surprise to see at Micheals. No information on what exactly they will carve just a price sheet. Have mixed feelings about someone carving my pumpkins. Its not even a real pumpkin its a Funkin. Now if you had the cash and needed individual letters carved to spell Happy Halloween that would save a lot of time. It would be an investment if you planned to use them year after year. Thought it was interesting.

Flurry of Entries

Owl Close Up, a photo by dragonflydesignstudio on Flickr.

You might have noticed my posting picking back up again. I am scheduling as many entries as possible ahead of time to auto post daily. My time is still being split between Oregon and California helping care for my 91 year old grandmother. My response time might be delayed a bit by the time September rolls around. Thanks for your patience.

Display at Michaels

The bottles were found on this end cap display. Top on the ends. The skull candle holders with hinged access at the back of the skull are back again this year.

My favorite Shadow Lamp

Spinning Lamp Shade - Halloween a video by ChiekoY on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
More spinning lamp shade videos available @ www.flickr.com/photos/8416520@N02/sets/72157629091905853/...

The lantern can be purchased here.

Bottle Candle Holders

Found at Micheals these faux mercury glass style bottles. They are actually candle holders for an 8 inch taper candle. My plan is to mix them with my other mercury glass pieces as bottles to make a display on the sideboard. Got a text from Micheals this morning to get 50% off on a non sale item. The bottles are only $4.99 each and stand 6 1/2 inches tall.

Sugar Skull Towel

At $49 a piece they are pricey but the rich colors of this skull towel make me want a set.

Flying Monkeys!

The Oz theme for this Halloween Decor makes me happy. I love those flying monkeys.

More shadow casting

Downloadable patterns for making shadow puppets. Found here.

The Scary Godmother Doll on Kickstarter

For all of you that love Scary Godmother there is a Kickstarter campaign now to raise money for a Scary Godmother doll! The video on the site shows the prototype doll. Some very generous rewards for making a donation including the doll at $50 and above. Only 28 more days to fund this wonderful project.

Made me Smile

Dog Halloween Costumes, a photo by camplena on Flickr.

Silhouettes

The candelabra is my favorite and would go well with my old Midwest flocked bat Silhouettes. The silhouettes are sold as a set or individually here.

HGTV Preview of Halloween

A little preview via the HGTV blog of decorating ideas coming to HGTV in the fall.

Halloween Lanterns

No merchandise in stores yet but I did find these cute LED lanterns at Target online. There is a 12 and 18 inch version of the crow lantern. A spider lantern is also available in this collection.

Speaking of Haunted Mansions

Jenn at Vintage Halloween Collector posted about these cool light up paintings. We don't have a Kirkland's and its probably for the best. It would be too easy to walk out the door with a painting. My budget for the season is going to be sorely tested this year.

Haunted Mansion

Image found here. I am so excited to finally get to see the Haunted Mansion decorated with the Nightmare Before Christmas theme this year. We are going in mid December and its been a long wait to see this magical transformation.

Starry Eyed Jack-O-Lantern

Image found here. The pumpkin with the stars for eyes really caught my attention in this photo. It could be a moon and stars theme on the porch this year. Summer has been full of those pesky difficult grown up problems. The child in me is craving whimsy and Halloween Cheer.

Carousel Candle Holder

Things that cast shadows have always been my favorite since childhood. The first version I remember of spinning candle lights were those little angle spinners. Than I discovered motion lamps and still love to watch them. One of the best of the shadow casters was the lantern in Sleepy Hollow. A promotional shadow casting candle kit was made as a hand out for Sleepy Hollow but was never made available to the public. This set can be found here.

Cute Glowing Houses

This house set is another contender for mantel decor this year as it would match several pieces in my collection. Might work even better in my kitchen window.

Chalkboard Pumpkin

For the last 2 years I have wanted to try making Funkin Pumpkins in to Chalkboard pumpkins. Has anyone tried this? Something different is what appeals to me.

Felt Bats as Decoration

Grand in Road has pillows, a table runner, and tablecloth covered in bats found here. Its a simple but effective way to add volume and easy to replicate with felt. Making a template, cutting, and then sewing up the center of the felt bat to attach to different things. A skirt hem with flying bats or scarf. Sewing them along the edge of a lamp shade or the bottom of floor length curtains. I have a hat that might get some flying bats this fall.

My new Halloween prop

My spouse knows me so well. For our anniversary he gave me this frosted satin glass bust. The eyes are clear and its creepy enough in day light. Better photos of one on ebay.

Back lit it with an an orange flicker candle it turns in to this!

One lump or two?

Skull sugar cubes in favor bags. Fun for a Halloween tea take away or Halloween wedding. Larger sets of the sugar skulls are also available from Dem Bones.

Soda Bottle Bell Or Cloche Jars

New concept idea for my mantle this year. The how to instructions can be found here..