Shivers of Delight

61 Days Remaining We have nine weeks till Halloween. If you're like me, you already feel behind in everything you want to get done. So, for the next nine weeks I'll be helping you and myself get ready. Each week will have a theme and this week I'll be suggesting various Halloween places you might want to travel to this year. I don't think any country celebrates Halloween quite like the United States. We have our own style of Halloween kitsch that is strangely endearing. You're probably thinking Travel? Who has time to travel? but hear me out. Sometimes we get so involved in planning Halloween at home we forget to enjoy what other people are furiously planning. Last year, my husband and I went to New Orleans for Halloween. It was a big decision not to be here to hand out candy to the kids, but I'm so glad we did it. It was fantastic. It's not something I'll do every year, but every handful of years won't hurt. Salem, MA Salem, MA has to ...

When I was researching for the Lizzie Borden post ( here ), I came across an online literary zine that I think you should check out. It's called The Literary Hatchet . Published by PearTree Press, executive editor Stephanie Koorey says "It is free because we philosophically believe that the work of these artists and writers deserves to be read by the widest possible audience." Issue #12 The Literary Hatchet is published three times a year. The latest issue came out on August 15th and I've been slowly, but surely, make my way through the 300 pages of short stories, poetry, and essays. Yes, this zine is more like a tome. Issue #9 "The Literary Hatchet publishes contemporary short fiction, poetry, humor, interviews and reviews by established and emerging writers and artists from around the world. Subjects range from murder, mystery, macabre, horror, monsters, ghosts and things that go bump in the night." Issue #4 The current issue features 38 sh...

I really don't know how they do it. People who bake and decorate extraordinary cookies are my heros. My cookie decorating skills end up looking like I used my left hand (I'm right-handed) and wore a blindfold. That's why I think it's totally acceptable to purchase a few gorgeous cookies at a price you would not normally consider to celebrate yourself. Yes, celebrate yourself. These are not the cookies to buy for your child's school party. If I had children, I'd probably even wait till they went to school to pour myself a cup of coffee and eat the entire bunch.  Advance Warning: I encourage you to make a purchase to celebrate the 13 days of Halloween. If you've never purchased cookies from a site like Etsy before, let me assure you that when I have, the cookies arrives fresh and in one piece. Bone Apetite! Antiqued Potion Label Cookies by LizyBsBakeshop Modern Chevron Pumpkin Cookies by LizyBsBakeshop Nosferatu Cookies by AmericanCookieCraft ...

I don't think I could keep a figure from The Shadow Farm in my bedroom. If I woke up in the middle of the night and thought it was staring at me I'd never get back to sleep. That being said, I absolutely love these malevolent little creatures. The man behind The Shadow Farm is known to us only as Dave the Dead. I'm not sure I want or need to know any more than that. The Shadow Farm has an Etsy shop stocked with creepy figures, but don't wait long to purchase. The Shadow Farm is going to be a vendor at Ghoultide Gathering in Michigan on October 3rd and Dave the Dead will most likely be taking his stock with him. I'm going to be attending Ghoultide Gathering this year and can't wait to see these figures in person. Bunny Boy Mr. Bangor Burlap Horror Emerson Skelly Toothy Beet-Monster Hoover the Lovecraftian Entity

On August 25, 1835 the New York Sun published a series of articles over five days that are now known as The Great Moon Hoax . The articles pretended to be reprinted from the Edinburgh Courant and written by scientists who had designed a telescope that could see every bit of the moon. The articles described in great detail what they viewed which included: bison, goats, unicorns and bat-like winged humanoids. That's good stuff.   For the full text of the articles see Hoaxes.org . In honor of this great hoax, which I'm sure frightened any number of people, I say we celebrate with a Full Moon cocktail from MixThatDrink.com . This packs a punch and may cause you to see a unicorn. Full Moon Cocktail 1 1/2 oz Orange Curacao 1 1/2 oz Amaretto Fill a glass with ice and pour ingredients. Stir and consume.

Actress Julie Harris died two years ago on August 24, 2013. Her name may not be that familiar to you, but it really should be. Besides winning five Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award, she starred in the 1963 version of The Haunting . The movie was based loosely on Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House (read previous blog post ). Harris played Eleanor "Nell" Lance. The Haunting is one of my favorite movies to watch on a rainy afternoon. It has just the right amount of gloom, tension, supernatural, and crazy. Although Shirley Jackson insisted her short story was definitely about the supernatural, the film's director, Robert Wise, felt that the story was more about a woman loosing her mind. Wise artfully blends the two ideas together so that the viewer has to decide whether the house is haunted or whether Eleanor is losing touch with reality. I hope you've seen this movie. If you haven't, watch it today on the death anniversary o...

I want to highlight another great spooky art doll artist today. Pete Simpson is the creator behind Imps and Things . Simpson brings to life dreadfully adorable trolls and, well, imps. These are the types of imps you might want to sit down with and have a beer. I imagine they'd be entirely disagreeable, but I'd have a good time anyway. Simpson is featured in the autumn issue of Art Doll Quarterly. He has a blog that seems to be updated occasionally, but it does point you in the direction of the  Imps and Things shop on MISI - the British equivalent of Etsy, I think. (I hadn't heard of MISI till now. I have to check this one out.)  You can read more about his current work on the Imps and Things Facebook page which is updated frequently. These photos of Simpson's work come from his Facebook photo stream . His photography of the imps in woodland settings are enchanting. I haven't seen any artist stage his work so beautifully. Don't miss a single one. A Pea...

Every once in awhile, I get the urge to do something creative. After looking at hundreds of artists creating delightfully spine-chilling work, I get inspired. Maybe you do too? I recently came across an online craft supply shop that has a fantastic offering of Halloween and Day of the Dead products to help you along. The shop is the Retro Cafe Art Gallery and they carry collage sheets, trinkets, and paper products. I haven't ordered from the shop yet, so I can't give you a review. It looks really promising. This is what caught my eye- paper shrines. There are a quite a few to choose from. Mini Skeleton Shrines Mini Shrine Kit #5 Ornate Flourish Shrine Kit #3 Victorian Frame Stand #1 Mini Witch Shrine Articulated Witch Shrine Articulated Witch Doll I've only shown you a fraction of what is available. The website also has a blog with some inspirational projects if you need a kick-start. The shrines would make a fun Hallow...

I love taking baths. Showers are ok, but why must the water be hurled at me? It's just rude. That has little to do with the cheeky body products from Nevermore Body Co. which will work just as well in the bath or shower. I admit I haven't tried any of these products, but the packaging has won me over, so they have to be good. There are items for women, men, and pets. How fun are these? Dreadful Soaking Stones Dr. Frankensteins Skin Brightening Mist Dreadfully Toxic Deodorant Poisonous Plants Body/Linen Spray Absinthe Aftershave Ghoul Cologne Oil Madame Brunhilda's Pulse Elixir Howl Dog Shampoo