Gwen Moss: Halloween

Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Monday, October 22, 2012

a black and white Halloween entrance

Night-time photos

Last night I decided to pull out some Halloween decorations for the front door. Every year I do something different depending on my mood. Mostly, I let my hands make the decisions when I go through my boxes. I grab things, pull them out, toss them together and it usually gets my creative juices flowing.

This year I’m continuing with my white fixation. I used some black garland, black tulle and white lights around the door. And my Halloween entrance turned into a magical black and white look.

I made a “Welcome” chalkboard out of a small silver tray and put it on my door instead of my usual wreath.

I sprayed my real pumpkins white and plopped them into two old urns with lime green moss.

Everything got a fresh coat of white paint, including my skeleton parts. I filled a big urn with an old drop cloth, then covered it with some dirt and added my skeleton parts on top. It’s so much easier for me to lug around like that.

I brought my black, shiny tree outside and put it up on a wood barrel.

I hung a Halloween sign made with glitter and stars on it…and it looked so pretty at night.

But here’s a closer look in the daylight. Not quite as magical but you can see the details.

Here’s a photo this morning. It’s our first rain of the year and the sky is gray and overcast but you can still see my urns are old and chipped in the light. And if you were actually here, you could see the real cobwebs in the corner.

Oh well, it adds to the atmosphere, don’t you think?

But I like it better at night. Even with that glaring porch light.

If I get energetic, I might hang some witches hats overheard with fishing wire, along with lights. I think that would be a perfect touch.

Although it’s still pretty simple compared to last year. Click HERE to see more outdoor tips in orange and black.

And some indoor Halloween decor HERE.

In the meantime which front door do you like the best, orange and black

or white and black?

xoxo

Leslie

I’m linking up here:

Technorati Tags: Halloween decorating ideas: fron door,black and white,how to

Friday, October 12, 2012

8 Halloween decorating tips for outdoor space…

Having a Halloween party this year?

Here’s a few things I did to transform our outdoor space. This is where we set up our beer & wine bar and put the coffee and dessert table. And I’ve noticed that the guys always end up outside no matter what the weather…so I like to make it comfy.

1. I used orange and black burlap to create colorful walls

If you’re going to be entertaining outside, it’s nice to provide a sense of enclosure for your guests. Here in California, it’s a still warm enough to use our patio (there aren’t a lot of porches where I live) during Halloween parties, and I like to put up my orange and black burlap panels because they add a feeling of coziness and some festive color.

Here’s a photo I took while I was still putting up decorations. It looks a bit bare, but you get the idea.

Want to know how easy it was?

We used simple PVC pipe for “curtain rods,”measured and cut them, and attached them to the patio (actually my Dad did this part).

Here’s a close-up of the hardware.

For the panels: Measure and cut the burlap pieces so that they’ll puddle on the ground. Run a stitch at the top of the burlap and simply slip the burlap over the PVC pipe.

Instant Halloween curtains! Because of the location of our fountain, I couldn’t completely enclose our patio, but this is what guests saw when they stepped outside.

2. I covered my patio cushions with orange felt.

I used safety pins when I attached my orange felt to the cushions. I placed each cushion on top of the fabric, measured and cut. The safety pins are all in back. Believe me, no one will ever look behind the cushions and see the safety pins and after the party, you simply remove them and voila! Everything’s back to normal.

3. I decorated with cornstalks

4. I replaced my white light bulbs with orange bulbs.

I ordered these bulbs online from Party Lights.com.

5. I hung jars of candles from trees

6. I tucked black tulle into Fall garlands that I hung overhead…

via: countryliving.com

7. I tied black tulle around the light strings using this photo as my inspiration.

8. I put tombstones and props into the garden area …

and when I was done, I had one of these:

via: frostmeblog.blogspot.com

Not really. But I wished I had one of these adorable drinks. I don’t even care what’s in it,

I just love that darn broom stir-stick, don’t you?

Well, did I give you a few ideas for your own porch or patio? I hope so. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear from you.

via: Michelle Church; Pinterest

Bye for now darrlings,

Leslie

Psss…I’m linking up here for a good time!

Technorati Tags: Halloween decorating tips: porch,patio,outdoor space,DIY burlap panels,how to

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Halloween Entertaining: Enchanting Ideas for your Party

I love this idea! These are Pumpkin Soup Shooters from the Pottery Barn Website. Here’s the recipe, only I can’t vouch for it since I haven’t tried it yet. Let me know your feedback if you do. And in case you’re wondering, those “fingers” are string cheese pieces, cut in half with red pepper on the tips.

Pumpkin Soup “Shooters” with Ginger and Apple

(Serves 16–24)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 Pipin apple, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
4 cups chicken stock or water
1 cup heavy cream
Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
½ cup lightly whipped heavy cream with a pinch of nutmeg
¼ cup minced fresh chives (about ½ a bunch)

Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, apple and minced ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, about 15 minutes.
Add the pumpkin to the onions mixture and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the stock or water and cream to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes.
Using an immersion blender (stick blender, safer for pureeing hot liquids) or in a traditional blender, until smooth, then return it to the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then cover soup and keep warm over lowest heat.
To serve, fill large shot glasses 3/4 of the way and garnish with a small dollop of cream and a pinch of minced chives.

These cocktail garnishes are also easy-to-make and very Halloween chic, don’t you think? A touch of spooky but not too gross-looking? I’m sorry. But I like my food to look pretty, even if it’s Halloween. And these eyeballs are simply cocktail onions with peppercorns used as the eyeballs. And those lime drink garnishes? They’re smeared with corn syrup “bloodied’ with red food coloring.

Spooky Table Decor is a Must!

Photos BHG, Martha Stewart

In these photos above, the buffet table coverings are simple materials, cheesecloth and white sheets embellished with crepe paper, and a felt runner. Although I prefer to use crushed velvets and silky fabric remnants draped over my tables.

And what a great idea for those cheap, plastic orange pumpkins, spray them black and hang them from the ceiling. This is an idea I’m definitely going to borrow. Stay tuned for my version.

And what about having Edgar Allen Poe as your very own Guest-of-Honor? Let his spirit be your decorating inspiration.

You could make this Edgar Allen Poe wreath. Click HERE to see my simple instructions.

Photos top & bottom: BHG

Edgar Allen Poe as Guest of Honor?

And you could decorate your table with mystery books, make placemats from old book pages, and you could use the idea shown here, and place a blank journal and a verse from The Raven at each place setting. The journal has a purpose; each dinner guest can jot down their scariest story to share later, with their after-dinner drinks.

Photo: HGTV

Someday I will have a Halloween dinner party just so I can make these white gloved placecards at my table. You can learn how to make these HERE.

Photo: the sweetest occasion

And each of my guests would have a message at their seat.

Photo: thecookieshopinenglish.wordpress.com

And I could pass around these adorable Halloween delicacies after dinner. Click HERE to learn how to make these chocolate ganache rats and white chocolate eyeballs.

What to wear? Hmm…

slide_193630_411643_large vera wang