Here in Canada, we don't get as many Halloween-themed foods as our friends south of the border. It's a novelty I lament missing out on, though most of the products are foods I wouldn't normally buy (like sugary cereals or waffles). It would just be nice to see them in the grocery aisle.
The other day, Yetch came home with Pillsbury Cookies that had ghosts on them.
Generally speaking, on the rare occasion when cookies are in the house, they are usually homemade. I don't enjoy baking (love cooking, hate baking), but if I'm going to indulge, I want it to taste really good.
I am familiar with Pillsbury products. We had them growing up, and when I was in the my early 20s, it was the closest thing to baking that I attempted.
I knew where to set the bar flavour-wise.
Regardless, there is something magical about ready-stamped cookies with Halloween images!
I unwrapped the pucks of dough and looked at the back of the box for cooking instructions. Printed across the package are suggestions of ways to "fancy up" your cookies. One suggested rolling them in sprinkles. Well, I have sprinkles, I thought, and if I add them, it's almost like I made them myself, right?
"At the end of September, the outbreak began. By October 4th, the entire city was overrun. Now it’s up to all of us to head to the safe zone on October 25th to survive.
On October 25th, 2012, we are calling on you to help us break the Guinness World Record for CPR training at The Undeading At Wonderland – Presented by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
For $14.99 – 60% off of regular admission, not only will you be a part of this historic and exclusive event, but you will also have full access to the park and Halloween Haunt and learn how to save lives with CPR.
Join the resistance and buy your tickets today. CPR Makes You Undead."
I've been watching a number of classic horror films while preparing for Halloween.
Of all the movies I've seen so far (which I'd never seen in the past), I have to say I'm most taken with Spooks Run Wild starring Bela Lugosi and the East Side Kids.
It's a silly spooky romp, just perfect for this time of year (especially if you're looking for something different and light hearted). Enjoy!
While scrolling through my reader, I came across an image of The Baker Burglar-Proof Metallic Grave Vault which promised protection for those who couldn't afford a mausoleum but still want to be buried like a king (a king safe from grave robbers).
It caught my interest because - besides the obvious reasons - I've been reading Dissection: Photographs of a Rite of Passage in American Medicine 1880-1930, a book described by Publisher's Weekly as "a startling window into the education of American doctors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries-on both a visceral level and for its revealing cultural record. Cringe-worthy shots of medical students-bare-handed gentlemen and a few ladies in street clothes show off their scalpels, saws and textbooks-while their cadavers, mostly poor and black, are awkwardly posed, and exposed."
The book's beginning talks of how early North American medical schools acquired their first subjects for dissection during a time when the concept was taboo to say the least (while in Europe the practice was more accepted).
We've all seen movies with Igor helping his master to gather fresh corpses for his Frankenstein Monster, or grave robbers digging up the dead for valuables, or mad doctors paying for corpses. For some reason, I had believed it was only in these rare situations that someone would steal a body.
Splitting time between decorating for Halloween and trying to get ready for my next show this month. I recently finished the Peasant Pumpkin but still have 6 more figures I'm hoping to have completed in time.
If you're in Toronto on October 21st, come to the Bazaar of the Bizarre a marketplace for all things exotic, whimsical and macabre! Local artists - indie, goth, lowbrow and the Halloween inspired - will gather for the annual event (and belly dancers!).
When: Sunday October 21st 2012
Where: Pia Bowman ballet school, 6 Noble St Toronto (just north from Queen St, west of Dufferin)
Time: 11am - 8pm
FREE to attend! Child and costume friendly.
It's one of my favourite events of the season. Be sure to come by my table and say hello!
Two-for-one Monday! This came down the line on twitter (via @MorbiusKromwell & @JulianSimpson1) a moment ago and I JUST had to share it. It shows how, using a real spider and some technological creativity, you can make the creepiest projection display ever.
Happy October 1st, everyone. And so it begins, another Countdown to Halloween where a large group of folk pledge to try and bring you Halloween-related goodies daily for the month of October.
Now they have a new animated mini-series (cute and kid-friendly) called Vampire Instructionals.
"The premise: a kid vampire takes it upon himself (itself?) to create little instructional animations to school OTHER kid vampires on key aspects of vampire life (unlife?)"
The first is a 30 second tutorial on how to become a bat (which, using kid logic, is actually very simple). They will be releasing a new tutorial every Monday until they feel vampire children have all the basic skills they will need as they work towards becoming better vampires.
If you've ever watched Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, it reminds me of when Grover and Kermit interview children to figure out how Santa comes down the chimney.
Joke and laugh about my retro entertainment means, but when you have a solid collection of favourite films on VHS and a limited budget, one tends not to be in a rush to convert an entire catalogue of film to DVD.
I still have one working VCR/TV combo, but I know it's only a matter of time before that fails me as well.
I didn't realize how often I dip into my VHS collection (especially between September and December when I'm working on holiday items) until my recent loss. I knew I used it, but I used it a lot. And while my modest DVD collection is made up of films I like to watch over and over, I don't want to do so within a week.
For my viewing pleasure, I have acquired some new films for the Halloween season. Starting from right to left in the photo, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Spencer Tracy (which I had never seen), House of Wax with Vincent Price (which I've always wanted to own), as well as Freaks and The Haunting (both of which I already own on VHS). I burned through that as soon as the package arrived. I do love an inexpensive 4 movie collection of what I consider to be some of the best classics.
The prize packs are actually a lot of fun and varied - books, dvds and more.
Be sure to enter. We all like free stuff, and since the neighbours won't like it if you trick or treat as an adult, this is the closest many of us are going to get.
Came across a blog that had posted some of Johnny Love's Halloween labels without giving credit to him.
To balance the internet universe, I've decided to remind people of the beautiful work he's done. You can see them all here and use them to add some class to your own display this year.
In other news, Misgivings Day Weekend was spent working on my own Halloween items for this year's theme. Actually, most of it was spent running around and getting what art supplies I need for this year's theme. That still counts, doesn't it?
To fuel the hectic pace, I consumed pumpkin coffee, pumpkin loaf, and candy.
Here in Canada, we don't get as many Halloween-themed foods as our friends south of the border. It's a novelty I lament missing out on, though most of the products are foods I wouldn't normally buy (like sugary cereals or waffles). It would just be nice to see them in the grocery aisle.
While scrolling through my reader, I came across an image of 
Splitting time between decorating for Halloween and trying to get ready for my next show this month. I recently finished the Peasant Pumpkin but still have 6 more figures I'm hoping to have completed in time. 
My VCR died. 
Recent Moans from the Minions...