I drew a thing. Trying out pastels.
Also trying to get my life together so this blog may live again. So much nothing has changed in all these years… Still have a bunch of pumpkin buckets too.
So, I may or may not have bought an excessive amount of plastic pumpkin buckets. Guess I should do something with these dang pumpkins... (spoiler: I’m doing stuff with these dang pumpkins. Oooh, suspenseful or whatever!)
...And it’s July. But that just means there’s so much room for activities!
This year, unlike years passed, I actually made the decision to put this little phoned-in bloggity project on the back burner. (Versus just straight up abandonment again.) I tried doing this and school, but it was not to be. The last couple of semesters before I finish my degree are part-time and mostly electives so I will have actual free-time. All this truly boils down to is if you still see nothing, you can be sure I’m just being a terrible blog parent.
Per my usual habits, Halloween isn’t too terribly far away, so it’s possible I could get something up. For instance, all the stuff I started and never finished which subsequently didn’t get posted from last year.
I also want to give draw every day another go. I attempted Inktober last year and only got 5 days in (and most of those I never posted). So I’m going to do Drawgust with, you guessed it, a Halloween theme. Those will be primarily posted on the Halloween Nerd Doodles blog, but I will post some of them here as well.
Hopefully, this won’t also be the last post in 2016. Hopefully.
That project I was working on months ago? Finally got that STARTED. I figured since I am clearly the world’s best* blogger, that I should start another blog. It’s called halloweennerddoodles. It will eventually contain Halloween-related “art” that I made/make. There’s one whole pixel picture up currently. Two, if you count the user icon. I promise it will probably be as awesome* as this blog.
Well, it's official: I suck at blogging. By "official" I actually mean "painfully obvious", but this way it sounds like it's a new problem which hasn't been an ongoing issue for FOUR years. That's making denial work for you. Well...me.
I tried to force myself to update only when I finished a project of some sort. Long story medium, between moving, trying college again, and many bouts of the Laze, some were started but none were finished. I'm starting to gain control of this psychotic roller coaster, so I think it's safe to take on posting again.
Quickly, the following is stuff that missed mentioning so far -
I have obtained yet another paper skeleton. Because, you know, reasons.
I may never own a single piece of the Michaels' Halloween Town (which is a sucky reality), but my good friend Dollar Tree has their own version that I'm totally cool with and now own most of.
I'm hungry.
as I mentioned, I moved. I now have a year-round Halloween themed bathroom. Booyah.
That's everything I can think of. I'm currently in the middle of holiday break, so I'm working on some quick posts in hopes of possibly getting something up here before returning to classes. I can dream, can't I?!
Conventions are loud, obnoxious, over-crowded freak shows. That being said, I’ve attended a few of them. Over the years the numbers have dwindled, but there are still two that I’ve regularly attended: Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend (which I’ll be referring to as Screamfest from this point on because SEUHW looks weird, and just like this sentence, is idiotically long) and May-Hem. If you’re unfamiliar, they’re Orlando-based horror conventions, both hosted by the same people.
The basic set up for either con is mostly interchangeable, though Screamfest is larger of the two. Bands, booze, famous people, costumes, vendors, tattoos, blah blah blah. It’s an adventure. A busy, hectic, crowded adventure. I’m a long-time Screamfest attendee for a reason, though. So let’s get to it.
Let’s start with stuff that has nothing to do with Screamfest. We arrived on Thursday, the con started on Friday, and we didn’t actually see it until Saturday. Why for? ‘Cause Old Town, yo.
Bars, cars, props, shops, an amusement park and even a haunted house. We checked out some of the shops, had a few beers, saw some amazing classic & vintage cars and I even almost pushed down some kids after a zombie invaded my personal space in the haunted house.
They had all of the main strip decorated for Halloween. Old movie monsters walking about and small sets done up to serve as a backgrounds for photo-ops with said monsters.
Then, I heard the Vincent Price Thriller monologue. It was louder than any other music playing, and seemed to be kind of, playing from everywhere. And then this happened:
My sister edited all the Old Town pics. Not bad, Eh?
They were pretty good dancers. After that, we headed back to the hotel to change and go get some food. About the time we ordered said food I started to feel physically ill. Turns out going from a relatively healthy diet to essentially drinking grease for a couple days wasn’t my best move. Needless to say, I didn’t make it to the pool party.
Shots, shot, shots, shots shots…
Saturday we made it to the convention. First thing we saw was the hearse & creepy car show.
And hey! Christine was there.
We met a zombie and cool voodoo creepers in the parking lot.
The freaking vendors room was packed. Standing room was non-existent. In the celebrity area I caught a glimpse of George A. Romero and Patricia Quinn, but I’m not the “stand in line for hours to meet people” type. So instead we hit a horror radio how-to panel because I’m also not a “crowded to fucking capacity panel” type.
Due to extreme caution and downing a small ocean of pink stuff, I was safe to actually attend that night’s pool festivities. Talking, drinking, and rave light dancing/mock-murders in the pool-facing rooms ensued. Everyone was there.
Even Cobra Commander showed up.
OH! On our way back to our room, the elevator tried to kill us. That is not sarcasm. Just thought you should know.
Sunday was much more tame. The vendor room actually had space to breathe! I love breathing space.
I even bought some stuff.
One room of the convention held a Tribute to The Haunted Mansion. This exhibit was done by Mucklebones, and their work never ceases to amaze me. It was awe-ha-ha-some. So awesome that I took 592 pictures of it.
This awesome tree was at the end of the exhibit. It’s not technically part of the mansion, considering the Haunted Mansion gift cart, it kind-of made sense. Kind-of.
After that, we headed home. Sorry That this post is so damn late. Sometimes, those unavoidable life-upheaving/changing things happen. Sometimes they even happen all at once. I’m not going to get into the meat & ‘tatoes of it. Just know that for the most-part it was fucking awful, but there were a couple things that were actually, really quite good.
While we’re on the subject of things belated: Happy not 2013 again! Ever again….
I'm going to start this post with a Halloween Nerd blog history lesson. Lucky you.
According to Tumblr, this blog existed a year (and then some) before I started posting anything. That's not exactly true. I started this blog September 13th, 2010 and by the end of day one I already had a post up. That was the last of my promptness. From that point forward, posts were so infrequent that I had a total of 4 in over a year (including the intro post). So I took it down and went on hiatus.
A few months later I revamped a bit and started over. Things don't seem to be going much better this time 'round. Not for the same reasons as before, mind you. Okay, so, partly for the same reasons. Outside of laziness, I'm trying to stay away from my bad habit of "shit I bought" posts. Those started as a "sometimes" thing and ended up being all the things. My second post here was a craft post (I melted plastic). That was the original idea for H.N.. Not just crafts, or stuff I have, or food, but a mix of things. So to get on track, I've been buying projecty-type materials, both edible and not so much.
I'm starting with fabric ghosts A.K.A. The Ghost Project. The ghost project gained an alias because it has been living in my mental pocket (that's a thing, shuddup) since the original inception of this blog. It was the intended first project, and after 2 failed attempts and a blog redux, I will finally be able to say "Look at this. I MADE it.".
Okay soooo, materials. The original materials list called for cheese cloth and fabric stiffener. Turns out gauze pads and watered-down glue work too. And are cheaper. The original instructions can be found here, in case you're not as parsimonious as I.
Crap you need:
Gauze pads/ white cheese cloth
Bowl
Balloons
Disposable PLASTIC cups
Watered-down white glue / fabric stiffener
Tape
Stabby-type pin
Googly eyes / black circles
Now do this:
1. If you've ever made a papier mâché anything, you should be familiar with watered-down glue. If you went to public school, you should be familiar with papier mâché. If not, it's glue and some water. If using the stiffener, pore it into a bowl. I used Glue-All, 'cause it's boss. No, you can't eat it. I said no!
2. Stack two plastic cups butt-to-butt or mouth-to-mouth. You'll want to tape them together, unless you feel that you need a balance and/or cleaning challenge.
3. Air up a balloon just a bit. Put it in/on the top cup.
4. Go get something to drink, you look thirsty.
5. Gauze pads: Remove any cotton padding. It's stupid anyway. Stretch the gauze about. Say you accidentally tear a whole or two into it. That's okay, they're dead, they can't feel anything. Cheesecloth: Cut some 8 inch squares. Wee.
6. Soak your cloth o'choice in your liquid of also choice, then put it over the balloon. This step may result in icky hands, so man-up prior to it. Then let it dry. Wash your hands while you wait. Then continue to wait a long-ass time (like half a day, this shit takes forever).
7. Stab that balloon right in it's soulless face.
8. Remove the cloth. You now have a ghost carcass.
9. This is the time to glue on some eyes. Onto the ghost, I mean. Not yourself.
10. Put some...Where the hell are you going?
10b. Put some string or fishing wire through the ghostly head. Somehow, that sounds dirty...
11. Just stare at it. Yeah.
Bam. Craft project complete.
Nothing amazing, I know. Lemme get it out now: this is about the level I stay on with projects. Not to say I won't ever do something more "advanced", but for the most part, this is the bar. Don't trip on it.
Halloween Nerd turned 3 on Friday the 13th. I'm pretty proud a'that. This is the longest I've ever phoned something in constantly. Consistency is the key.
PS: See that cupcake up there? Don't try to eat that. It's not real. Plus, I already licked it.
[For once, the lateness of this post isn't on me. See the title image above? It took me two weeks to get it up there. Two. Weeks. Get it together Tumblr.]
Hey! It’s Halloween Extreme part two! (If you've no idea what I’m talking about, go read this. Or your fired.) "Hauls" seem to be a thing right now, so I thought I'd get in on that action. I’ll tell you now, the most expensive thing I bought cost me $10 and most of it is cardboard. That whole “randomly become a millionaire" thing hasn't really panned-out yet.
First thing on the list: The bat mobile!
na-na-na-na-na-na-na, oh... Never mind.
Yeah, an actual mobile with non-actual bats! Exactly what you pictured, right? One of the selling points, besides disappointing people when they realize that bat mobile does not equal Batmobile, is that it's totally customizable.
You can hang the bats however you want, as long as you want to hang them in the 3 pre-cut holes. I guess you could use them as separate pieces, though that ruins the "mobile" part and people will throw rocks at you and then you'll be exiled because WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!
Oooh, cornery
Also, unless you have a stupid high ceiling, this thing works best in corners. (Not sure what "stupid high" converts to in the metric system...)
Onto the next thing, which is more than one thing, really.
These Hallowe'en cut-outs I saw from afar, and were an instant sell. Glossy on one side, not so much on the other. For reasons unknown I am on team matte. I don't know if I'm using the whole "team" thing right. Should've just said I like the papery side better, but I already typed it so screw it, I'm committed now.
Didn't notice it when I took this photo, so no, I'm not sure what was going to the left. Whatever it was, it pissed off the owl and offended the witches completely. Pumpkin man seems to be happy about it. Maybe it was a matching outfit for his tie. The disapproval makes sense now.
In part one of the H.E. posts, I mentioned that I bought some stuff from the Sinister Signs booth. I did, and if you can guess what I bought, you're a stalker and that shit is creepy. Stop it.
I bought hair bows from a sign booth. Because I'm an adult. It says so on my driver's license. And on my hand so I don't forget that. Thanks mom!
Now that I got the only things covered that aren't made-a-paper, time for more paper.
I'm not gonna lie, I had trouble with this next one. There was a big 'ol selection of these and I went back to this vendor three times in two days, struggling to make this decision. It was ultimately between a "Halloween tree" and cannonball corpse here. The tree was great but skeleton man was cheaper. The only real problem I had with him was, I just didn't like the eyes.
I solved that problem. With acrylic paint. AND PAIN.
An invisible lady for each arm!
Oh look, a random stuff party is happening.
I wasn't invited. Apparently paint-blinding is a faux pas of some sort.
Are you one of those people who suck at keeping things alive but got drunk once and decided to buy a dozen mice just because? If so, have I got just the thing for you!
Introducing Mouse Graveyard! (Mouse Coffins sold separately.)
Alright, so, maybe it's just table décor and not specifically for mice who have ceased to be. There's actually 6 tombstones and the fencing is longer, but it's in my contract that I have to be terribly lazy when setting things up. I tried to fight it, really I did.
The only complaint about it, is that it only has three pieces on fencing so it's more of a "put up against a wall and hope no one notices" decoration.
But hey, if you don't like the incomplete fence, you can nix it completely for alternative use. The backs don't have any text, making them ideal for place cards... For guests... At your mouse funeral!
Welp, that was all the things I bought. Other than soda to mix with liquor and food to counteract the liquor. And water. Sooooo much water.
Oh, and just one more thing: I found out yesterday* that Dollar Tree is already selling Halloween merchandise, so here's hoping the gap between posts isn't unforgivably long.
[1) There will be a part two for this post. 6) This post is long but has a ton of pictures. Triangle) I don’t know numbers. Now ya know.]
Halloween Extreme. Sounds amazing, right? Hearing those two words together was a “shut-up and take my money!" moment. "Really?" Yes, let me explain! Then I can make fun of you for running to get your wallet for tickets to an event that already happened, stupid. Pay attention!
Halloween Extreme is/was (whatever) a collab expo by Transworld and Netherworld Haunted House. The easiest way to describe it would be a Halloween & horror expo/merch area with how-to’s and panels. (If the thought “That’s it?" just ran through your head, search “Transworld haunt show" on YouTube a proceed to shut your mind’s cake hole.) These haunt expos are usually somewhat (a lot) bigger than H.E., but not so much open to the general public. That is until this one, so I was great with that compromise.
The set-up was a jumble of accessory shops, props, masks, collectibles, and even a random carnival game. Most of my favorite booths were selling generic Halloween knick-knacks and acting as souvenir shops for prop companies & haunt houses, AKA: Where I spent most of my money. (which I’ll show off in pt. 2 of is post).
One had vintage-style Halloween stuff:
Another had a big-ass castle AND a dragon:
<>
One of the booths I really liked (that wasn't a "souvenir" stand) was Sinister Signs. They had a freakin’ awesome-looking booth with old lock & key replicas, faux gauges, and yes, signs! The money I actually had and the money I wanted to give them for things were two very different amounts, but I still managed to spend a couple bucks there (and yet bought not one thing I listed above).
Then this guy happened.
Guess what he does when you try and take a picture. Just guess.
If you guessed “runs at you full-speed, scaring the pee-pee out of your body and producing ultra-blur" then you’re both correct and oddly specific! Oh, and also, I totally paid the 50¢ to see the “Thing" in the booth behind him. It was definitely a thing. Such a thing that thing was. All my monies are belong to gimmicky side shows.
There was a haunted bouncy house, though I don’t think that ghost was a professional/experienced haunter, being that any amateur knows you’re supposed to be IN the building. And no, he wasn't trying to scare the guy standing in front of it. Neither moved all weekend. Not much, anyway.
There was also a pumpkin carving seminar. It seemed more like an hour-long advert for “pumpkin tattoos” (those exist, turns out) and Dremel. I lost interest after 5 minutes and moved on. On a related note, I’m totally getting some Dremel crap. Damn it.
What else you want? You want some bloody stuff?
Done.
How about a creepy guy in a fancy hat?
Tada!
Okay okay... What about... Octopusinachair!
There ya go.
Did I hear horror movie museum?!
Nope. Sorry, they didn't have one....
Just kidding!
Boom. Makin’ dreams happen every day.
Finally, the demo floor! (Yes, this joyride is almost over.) Even “Er mah gerd” speak couldn't describe how excited I was. Though once I got here, I immediately regretted not having a better camera (this feeling returned as soon as I began editing these pictures). Come! Share my regret!
Being that I've now used a crapload of words, I’ll just short-hand summarize the rest: Two days, bought stuff, saw things, lost mind, lost mind again, ate food, drank liquids, slept, was still tired, all the things hurt, worth it.
Not a big deal BUT I made a Pandora station for the blogamabob. Still working on it, so don't judge it too hard Judge Judgington. Click the post date to listen.
[Got a new camera! Let the hardly posting commence.]
I have a statue of a hobo-pirate-zombie-vampire.
Hobo-pirate-zombie-vampire.
Let that sink in for a moment. Then use this visualization for added effect:
I'm not quite positive who thought it up, but I have a feeling it was inspired by that guy at the bar who you can clearly tell went last-minute costume shopping. Drunk. "Fuck it, there's booze." (I went as a bloody rabbit 2 years in-a-row, to the same place, with the same people. I'm familiar with that sentiment.)
"I get the hobo/pirate connection. I can even get behind the zombie thing. but vampire? I just don't see it."
Oh yeah?!
I mean, really. He's even got a personal grassy patch and feet decor. FEET. DECOR.
This was a gift from my boyfriend. To-date, it's the most unusual Halloween figure I own, which is saying a lot and simultaneously makes it awesome. It's going to be difficult to out-weird this one. I only recently acquired it so I haven't had much of a chance to try, but oh buddy, am I going to.
I don't really have much else to add, I just had to show it off so more people know this thing exists in the world. And that I own it, of course.
izzy806
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