Making Hallowe'en.

It's good to be back at the ol' S&P for an evening of winding down from a day's work.

I'm sure you all know the feeling. That's why we're here.

It was a cold, drizzly day and therefore perfect for making Hallowe'en props. I headed out to pick up some supplies at generic-home-center-of-your-choice and went straight to my cousins' shop where there is space, space and tools and more space to lay everything out and build-build-build.

Today I had in mind the coffin for my "Lemmeouttahere!" hands. Styrofoam insulation board is always the way to do things like this when the prop needs to be lightweight but sturdy.

Measure twice, cut once.

Hot glue, zip screws, fender washers. The elements are coming together, Sir!

In case anyone doubted it was STYROFOAM Scoreboard.

I got some much-needed assistance from my cousin Goober (yes, we call him that, and by the way his birthday is October 31st so don't even tick him off). Here he is working on a project that is actually paying him something:

I am not allowed to use any of the machines that make the pretty sparkles; fingers can't play music or make Hallowe'en if they are eaten by machines that make the pretty sparkles.

He routed the top edge for me, then I painted... until:

Once I add some aging and hardware (handles and some trim) it'll look fab-oh. Heck, with the right lighting I'd call it done but I just can't live without the ornamentation.

I'll get a little motor in there, add my hands (well, not my hands but those I made before) and some green lighting inside... oh and some fabric to line the inside.

Tomorrow is coffin finishing and hitchhiking ghosting day.


DumdumShhhhhpoonk!

While you're all waiting:

What can I say-ance?

... she's got a remarkable head for materializing the disembodied!

Just a test of the video more than anything, but the blank head seems to work for front projection (I'll likely go with rear projection and a thin, stiff material to screen)... if all else fails, I know this will at least look cool if I have to go that route.

Looking for crystal ball-type-lookin-things to put her in.

I'm also going to be working like a fool this week on a coffin, bodies for hitchhikers (stop snickering back there, Leatherface), motors for making it all work, and then getting together with good ol' Ficketts to write and record the pirate banter... and then NEXT week is the decorating and placement of... ohmyGOD I'll never get it done.

But you will get pics as soon as EVERYTHING I'm working on has gotten to a point where a pic is worth taking; right now nothing looks good... yet!

One of the ironies of a Hallowe'en blog from a guy like me: it's my busy season, so posting is going to be spottier during October than at any other time of the year! Sorry for any inconvenience.

Get out there and enjoy your weather, wherever you are.

By the way, the happy haunts are received a faldric numdidge. It's true.

It is an art.

In keeping with the terrifying artwork which adorns the darker corners of this little pub...

Friends of the old Skull & Pumpkin, I give you the work of the incredible William Basso.

October Shadows

The Hallowe'en Lady

Pumpkin Patch Goblin

Gifts For Ill-Mannered Children

I saw a lot of his work at Monsterpalooza in May and fell in love.

Not exactly kid-friendly stuff, but not overtly violent, sexy or gory either. Like Heironymus Bosch with a good sense of humor and a love for Autumn.

Just plain ol' good and dark.


Click his name and explore.

Sometimes I do love people.

It's difficult to get decent pictures from a parked car many yards away from your subject, but I just had to show you this.

I am glad I had the camera with me. Tonight, driving home from my cousin's wedding, I passed the RV park down the hill from my house, and it is relatively full this time of year with weekly renters enjoying the new Fall shows and scenery.

Among them was a single stretch of colored light that caught my eye, and lo! The fuzzy pics were snapped.

An RV, decked out with a strand of purple lights and orange pumpkin lights. The RENTER, staying for only a short while, on October 3rd (not closer to Hallowe'en) decided to trim for the upcoming holiday even in temporary digs!

You simply HAVE to love that spirit!

I had already enjoyed a wonderful afternoon/evening with the wedding, and this was the topper. Made my night.
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On the Hallowe'en display front, I am working on things, rest assured. But preparations for this weekend and other commitments have gotten in the way of doing more and posting the progress. The next few weeks will change all that, trust me. After this weekend, it gets real.

I'll never get it all done in time, but who really cares? It's OCTOBER! Hallowe'en is on the way!

Yeeeeehaw!

Even morry... very sorry.

October.

The Greatest Month in All the Year.


Revel in it.