Finding rusty old junk is fun! Nevertheless, I have found that no matter how much "stuff" I find and collect, only God can fully satisfy my heart. Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

"Pretty-Creepy"Halloween Mantel Reveal

Update 2013: Its Halloween again! I am linking up 2011's post to all the great fall parties for those of you who didn't get a chance to see it. Enjoy!

Halloween 2011
Well I have been waiting since mid-September for this reveal and here it is...








As far as I know, there is not another display quite like this one anywhere. I decided to go with a "bone-chilling" theme after purchasing some skeleton decorations at the dollar tree and a small skeleton at a yard sale. I used some of the potions I had made last year and I incorporated some doll heads along with an old limbless composite doll that I dug out of the bottom of an estate sale throw-away box this summer. I think that regardless of the fact that its quite creepy, the use of antique dishes, knick-knacks (like a large "skeleton" key and antique doorknobs from some old victorian home), along with vintage bottles, and doll parts keeps it pretty somehow. I call this display,"pretty-creepy!"


I got the inspiration for this year's mantel from these dollar tree
decorations and decided to frame them to create a theme.  I used frames I already had. I just removed the lighthouse prints  and covered the cardboard backing using tea-stained muslin and creepy cloth.


The skeleton is holding an early 1900's partial baby doll wrapped in cheesecloth that resembles a baby mummy, and a homemade bottle of "Tincture of Mummy Wrappings." I love the dollar store mini-skeleton I cut off a garland and placed on a vintage looking bicycle.
Love all the creepy crazing on the doll. Its soooo old!
Macabe, I know...  but still, its "pretty-creepy"


I stuck this $1 craft witch doll head on the top of
my Witch's Brew  

The "Shrinking Elixer" is one of my original potions. I placed another mini-skeleton in vegetable oil in the large bottle. I found an image from an old movie of a man being attacked by a giant spider, and decided it would make a great shrinking potion label. The other bottle holds garlic powder with a few skeleton parts sticking out. I called it, "Bone of Gnome" (using only the finest ground bones since 1637)




 This is how the fireplace scene looked for a few weeks, but there have been a few changes since since this picture was taken.
Everyone loves the skeleton holding the antique toys and vintage postcard garland (I moved him to a different spot for Trick-or-Treat).
I recently blogged about the skeleton and his little antique toy clown that I made over to look like a vintage Halloween toy:http://junkaholicsunanimous.blogspot.com/2011/10/creepy-antique-toy-clown-halloween.html


I added the old horror film posters that I found for $1 at a yard sale and the black sleeping cat ( a .25 yard sale find). The paper black cat sitting by the fire was another decoration in the same package as the skulls I used to make the mantel pictures. It looks so real when the lights are low! I finally found my small cast iron cauldrons that have had me searching high and low all fall. They are filled with chocolate eyeballs and plastic skulls.


Since I never repeat the same mantel theme each year, I think I have my work cut out for me for next year! Nevertheless, that's the thrill of the hunt! Its all the things I find as I'm junkin' throughout the year that will evolve into ideas for next Halloween's display and that's what makes it so fun. I have enjoyed sharing my ideas with you. (If you choose to use these ideas or post these pictures that would be wonderful, just don't forget to post a link back to this post and my blog). I love new comments, followers, and friends!

Trick-or-Treat! Hope your Halloween is "pretty-creepy" too!

For more Halloween and fall decorating ideas, check out my older post:http://junkaholicsunanimous.blogspot.com/2011/09/fabulous-fall.html

 

11 comments:

  1. I love it!!! I have some doll heads too!

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  2. Wow, you went all out! Great fun and so many wonderful elements! thanks so much for linking up with VIF!

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  3. What a fun decor, Love the Mantel, so Scary & Fun to look at ~ Happy Halloween!

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  4. OMGosh! The doll heads are so very creepy!! It reminds me of that episode of Ghost Hunters where they go to that haunted island of the dolls in Mexico! That is so spooky. You created the perfect scare here. Great job! thank you for linking it up to Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  5. Spook-tacular!!! So many great idea that I will steal for my own display next year. Hope you have a goulishly wonderful Halloween.

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  6. :) Great ideas and wonderfully displayed!

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  7. Very creepy and fun :) Laurel@chippingwithcharm

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  8. You sure have a vivid imagination...scary mantle!
    So nice to meet you. Thanks for your visit to my blog!

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  9. You did not put a doll head in a bowl with a spoon on the saucer!!!! I am so excited. Love it.

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  10. Great Halloween decor- love it! Following you along- Thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  11. Fantastic! You are woman after my own heart with the way you decorate. I am at work now...Shhh.. don't tell anyone but later today, I will be signing up as a follower once I get home!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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