Boo!

Well it's just past 7:30 p.m. here on Halloween and nary a trick-or-treater in sight! We got a handful earlier but the circling cop cars lead me to believe that the holiday was not being supported by the local authorities this year. The worst part is the large bowl filled with chocolate within reach of me right now. Last year we had tons of kids come by, so I bought accordingly. Great. I think I feel my butt growing already.

I thought I'd show you what I did with all of the decorations I found in the trash during the summer.

I stuck the legs in my mailbox, and the ravens are perched on a branch I dragged home while on a walk with the dog last weekend.




I did buy a pumpkin, and used two of the buttons I bought in Brussels as eyes.



That way, tomorrow I can take the buttons off and the pumpkin will be able to hang out on the porch through Thanksgiving.

I did buy this flag, but for $8.95 including shipping (eBay) I think it was a great purchase.


This little guy was in my box of trash treasures, and he's perfectly at home climbing the flagpole.


And let me tell you, a little cheesecloth goes a long way! I bought four packages at the supermarket and cut and shredded it over almost everything in sight. It was a cheap and easy way to make a splash. And a home for Mr. Spider.


The nighttime photos don't do my "project" justice. The house is rigged up with blacklights and strobes and tombstones that "talk" when you walk past them. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Here's a couple of shots...





Mr. Ghost is a damask yard sale tablecloth ($3). I always snatch those up. You can use them for everything from the intended use to craft projects (pillow backers or tote bag liners) and Halloween decorations! Plus they are totally wash and wear -- a little Oxi Clean and they look like a million bucks. Or at least more than the three or four dollars I pay for them.

He also got a pair of eyes, compliments of my Brussels button collection.


Inside the house I put together a few little vignettes with more cheap and found stuff. This curly branch came off the tree in our backyard. I have no idea what kind of tree it is (curly and thorny branches) but I love using the branches in flower arrangements and here I thought it looked holiday-appropriate all by its lonesome. The black candles are from the Dollar Store.


My great-grandma's cut crystal bowls glow thanks to these battery-operated tea lights, two for $1.19 (half off last weekend at JoAnn's).


In the photos you can see the tea lights, but in "real life" you don't see them at all; just their soft, flickering orange glow.


A vintage trick-or-treat bag turned art:


And a little pumpkin from the farmer's market (50 cents) rounds out the little scene.


I hope you're enjoying a safe and happy Halloween. And that you're not stuck staring at a bowl of chocolate like I am!