Spooky Greetings And a Gift Card Winner

I have been slow to decorate for Halloween. It seems that the old wife's tale that death comes in threes is true for our family. My sweet mother's loving husband recently passed and things have been difficult. We miss him dearly!
But I have learned that one of the best ways for me to take my mind off of my troubles is to beautify my surroundings.
I started with these terracotta pumpkins that I've had for years. They needed a little updating and since my favorite color of late is gray that's the color they became. A spritz of black glitter gave them a little glam.I paired them up with bright green lanterns and grocery store pumpkins.Then I filled an urn with some dead branches where crows can rest.A spider is feeling at home too.The frame got a spray paint makeover to match the lanterns.And now my porch is ready for the season.I am excited to announce that "Little Old Me" was randomly selected to receive the $100 Wal*Mart gift card. Congratulations! Please email me so I can pass on your information.

A Little More Spooking

Oh my, it's been a while since I posted!

If they were giving out awards for bloggers I think that I would certainly be in the running for The Slacker Award. Real life has a way of interrupting my creativity and blogging, as I'm sure it does for you too. And so, in an effort to avoid the notorious award, I am posting a few Halloween photos from around my home---because if I waited much longer I truly would be awarded The Slacker (hmmm, I'm trying to envision just how that award would look).I hope you enjoy seeing some of the feathered and long-legged friends that have invaded our house.

Happy Halloween Weekend To You!!!

Crooked and Scattered

You might think with that title that I'm talking about my mind (which on certain days could apply) but I'm talking about the ease of decorating

a Halloween mantle.

All it takes to make a fun mantle is
a few crooked old frames and signs.A scattering of books And crowsAnd pumpkinsBrown bottles and whatever else tickles your fancy.And you have an awesome mantle
ready for spooking.

M-eye Kinda Humor

Eye See You!

Just Keepin' An Eye Out!

A Spooky Welcome

The outside of my home is prepared to

welcome October guests.Some may think it's a little batty.But I think that it's something
to crow about.

A Witch Is In The House

There's evidence of a witch in the house---Boots, RatBroomHat, SpidersCan't anyone in my house
clean up after themselves!

Frightlfully Fabulous Craft

I had a few friends over the other day and I thought it might be fun to do a quick, easy and inexpensive Halloween craft. I searched the net and found this fun favor box idea here.Not wanting to dig through the garbage for toilet paper rolls nor have the mess of paint, I came up with my own version.
I used spray adhesive to adhere cardstock onto felt. Then I cut each piece in half and used hot glue to make a roll.We gently folded each end in half and then pushed each side into the center to close each end. The folds make a fun shape and can open to stuff treats inside.Next we used rhinestones, felt, glitter foam sheets and pipe cleaners to make our creations.The process was a little messy.

But the results turned out
frightfully fabulous!

Catching Up

Oh my! I am really behind when it comes to decorating and blogging.

I finally got the Halloween decorations
up on the fireplace mantle. It's the same old black tin houses and wire trees
from the last few years.
But I changed it up a bit with the addition of the
"spooky" cheesecloth from the dollar store.I found those
darling silhouette trick or treaters
at Big Lots.
They were only six dollars so even on my tight budget
I could rob a little from the grocery budget to buy them. Is it wrong to choose decorations over food?
At my house the decorations last much longer than the food,
so doesn't that make them a good investment?

A follower spotlight on... subtle Halloween decorating

Much to my son's dismay, I stopped decorating for Halloween for awhile now. The biggest reason was the amount of work it took. Secondly, it was just 'too much busy.' Orange and black and all that.

The next few photos you'll see, by Secret Garden Cottage will have you rethinking Halloween decor. The touches are so subtle, that the photos take on a Where's Waldo's Halloween Decor? kind of find and seek game.

I started following Jo's lovely blog awhile back. She was pretty new to blogging at the time but her photos of her home had me clicking the FOLLOW button IMMEDIATELY. But it wasn't just her home that hooked me in, it was her amazing photography. She's got a terrific eye which you will soon see.

I laff when I see superstars in their early days because I'm generally right about them. I can always spot the ones that will excel. Jo is one of them. Jo is living proof that showing only your BEST photos will climb your numbers quickly!

Ok... back on topic here... see if you can't spot the smallest Halloween touches in the next few pictures. Enjoy!

How I love this cloche vignette!

Vintage all the way. Yum!! Don't you love the hydrangea touches?

LOVE the flanking of the old weathered wood components around that old gate!

 Did you also know Jo's old gate was a direct inspiration from  my own old gate?

Aren't the crows the BEST touch here?!?

Oh... those itty bitty pumpkins are the BEST!

Brilliant use of that old window!

Oh my... that road sign is to DIE for!

Jo's post also made it into my Tumblr files. 
It's fairly new and I'll be adding a button to my sidebar soon!
Care to see what continues to inspire this junker? Check it out!

Jo, wonderful photography and such gorgeous vignettes! Even if they do expose the odd bone and spider here and there. :) Thanks for being a loyal follower!

Wonder which follower I'll feature next? Hmmmm.....

Wish to see the rest of this post in it's entirety? Visit The Secret Garden Cottage HERE and be prepared to drool at that kitchen island!

Has Jo also transformed your own take on Halloween decorating? Do you decorate for the big scary day? If so, what's your method of madness?

Dunno about you, but I'm ready for SNS tonite after THAT photo montage. The themed linkup is window sill decor and  I even re-junkified  my kitchen window sills for the event. :) See you tonite!