vanessa.oxygenvalve.com » Halloween

I Did It!

Vanessa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:21:58 +0000

I thought posting every day for the month of October was going to be impossible, but somehow I managed to find something to say for 31 days! I suppose if I was going to start participating in NaBloPoMo, I’ve already missed the first day, so I’m just going to chill and post as often as I can, just to keep up some momentum. Seriously, October was a huge accomplishment for me and I had a blast participating and finding so many new sites to read!

The Halloween party is but a memory now, and I’m not looking forward to putting away all the decorations. That’s the crummy part. You spend all that time and effort making things “just right”: setting the stage, buildng props, making treats, sewing costumes, etc. And in a blink of an eye, you’re left with a mess, lots of leftovers, a bunch of photographs, and some great memories. However, there’s Christmas to look forward to… Ugh *sarcasm! If you were following me last year, you’ll remember that the Halloween party aftermath left me with a destroyed kitchen/dining room floor. Therefore, I couldn’t put up my Christmas tree because the repair/replacement took place in mid-December. No big loss really. I was sort of glad to be free from the chore of decorating for one year.

Now I can return to business as usual with freelancing, sewing, etc. I had to postpone a number of craft projects in favor of Halloween prep, and I’m glad to get back to them. Stay tuned for what I hope will be a craftacular winter — as long as I don’t freeze my arse off in this office! :)

Happy Halloween!

Vanessa — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:06:45 +0000

Yesterday’s post was a little rushed since I was posting my pics as people started arriving to the party. Talk about last minute: hence no entry text! I’m going to cut right to the chase and start off by posting some of the highlights of the evening. Although, I highly suggest checking out the entire Flickr Set!

A few obligatory pre-party decor photos.

The infamous panna cotta brain! (See video below)

Phaedra and Lance!

32 of the 34 guests!

The prize winners!

Some Sexy Ladies!

Bella wanted to wear a costume, so Phaedra lent her an arm-band.

This year was by-far the biggest year we’ve had in terms of guests! A whopping 34 people showed up, and for our modest split-level nest that’s an accomplishment. There were so many excellent, creative costumes; it was hard to choose just one best male and best female to receive the coveted goodie bag. In the end, it was Evel Knievel (Dave), and Strawberry Shortcake (Phaedra) who took home the prizes.

The brain mold actually came out (I had my doubts), and people tried and enjoyed it. It was pretty gross looking, and next time I’ll probably use 3 gelatin packets instead of 2 because it was VERY wiggly!

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It’s a blustering cold Halloween today in Western New York, so I’m doubtful there will be many trick or treaters. Also, Mike came down with laryngitis this morning, and is spending the evening all snuggly in bed. So I’m the designated Candy Hander-Outer! Instead of the flesh-bearing Gothic Lolita costume of last night, I decided to borrow some of Mike’s costume and be a Circus Ring Leader!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween … Until next year, my pretties!

The Big Reveal

Vanessa — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:33:51 +0000

Vampire Manga

Vanessa — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:01:08 +0000

A number of years ago, I picked up a Manga at Borders — totally on a whim. (I’m not much of a manga reader to begin with.) I think Mike was there picking something out for himself, and I felt compelled by the finely illustrated cover of this one in particular. As usual, I waited quite a while for Mike to make a selection, so I sat down in a comfy chair and began reading. I made it through half the manga before Mike told me he was ready. At that point, I was so entrenched in the story I had to purchase it; that’s how they get you! It’s called “Blood Alone” — it revolves around a young girl, Misaki, who was somehow turned into a vampire. Forever trapped in a child’s body, she lives with a man, Kuroe, her friend and caretaker, but she harbors a secret love for him. The story and subplots unravel slowly, revealing snippets of what happened to her. The author never reveals all, making you yearn to know the full story, thus prompting you to buy the rest in the series… Unfortunately for me, I purchased it on volume 1′s initial release, and the new volumes came out so slowly I practically forgot about it by the time another one came out. Also, they still haven’t released Volume 5 in the US. At any rate, if you like manga and you like vampires… check it out. God, I sound like Levar Burton!! But you don’t have to take my word for it… LOL!

Foodie Halloween

Vanessa — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:59:55 +0000

In past years, I’ve tried to theme the food I served to the event, with mixed success… A lot of my original ideas came from Britta “Webmistress of the Dark.” Hers was the first Halloween-related site I discovered that demonstrated EXACTLY the kind of party I wanted to host. Many other sites and ideas I saw were far too childish. I use her recipe for the Pumpkin Pasties (one that I still use, and is always a big hit), Adam’s Ribs (used several years ago, but turned out way too time-intensive), as well as several other things I’ve tried over the years.

My biggest flop to date has been the incorporation of the brain mold… the first year I made a crab dip, and while those who ventured to try it thought it was delicious (it was!), I fear the shape and color kept most people from tasting it. Therefore, it was a huge waste of money and effort.

Last year, I made a jello martian brain from this recipe. It tasted pretty good, but for reasons I’m not quite sure, it was hardly touched. I’m guessing there were lots more-appetizing items on the table than a neon green brain.

This year I have a few ideas on the burner, but with only 3 days remaining before the party, I need to decide what I’m doing, stat! My friend Steph sent me a link to Not Quite Nigella the foodie blog of Lorraine Elliott. She made an awesome, gross-looking Bloody Brain Pannacotta. I might be able to handle that! It’s great to see people who are as into Halloween as I am, but use their particular talents to make it their own. I don’t claim to be any great whiz in the kitchen, but she really rocks it, and with a Halloween twist.

Check out some more of her gruesome gruel:
Blood Clot & Brain Cupcakes
NQN’s ghastly, ghoulish Halloween party!

So let me ask you, my 5 readers, if you would try a realistic-looking brain.

Disturbing

Vanessa — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:56:48 +0000

As the number of days till Halloween wane, I’m finding myself with fewer interesting things to say. I’m kinda wishing the party were here already, but alas, wait I must. It should be worth it, I hope! The worry-wort in me is panicking because I fear the number of confirmed guests has reached critical mass for the size of our house, but we should be fine! I just need to chill and think about how awesome it’s going to be. :)

I saw this disturbing video today linked from She Walks Softly. If you’ve already seen it, pardon the repeat, but I know a few people who aren’t up on the whole Countdown, so bear with me. I really don’t have any words to describe it except that I was left with a perplexed grimace after the thing finished. And then I went back to watch it 2 more times, and it elicited the same response. All I can say is that it’s artsy and strange — kinda like an eccentric film student’s study of the bizarre. Enjoy, I guess…

With a Few Days To Spare

Vanessa — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:44:58 +0000

So the costume is done!! It took me a while to figure out the whole hat situation, but as of now, the entire thing is done — except for the shoes which are STILL at the cobbler, and is another story altogether! I had seen a hat a Target that I liked (a cute little fascinator cap with feathers) but I did not want to spend 14 bucks on a hat I would only be wearing once. I decided to make the hat from scratch, and thanks to the super video from Threadbanger, it was pretty easy! I used their Mad Hatter tutorial, but on a smaller scale and attached an old elastic headband to it so that it would stay on my head. Not counting the hot glue, I didn’t have to spend another cent on making it, which makes this project a total success!

Slacker

Vanessa — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:33:40 +0000

I stayed up way too late last night trying to figure out what kind of hat to make for my costume and how to go about it. I decided upon a tiny tophat fascinator because that was the easiest/cheapest thing I could make with what I already had. I had to make a 1am run to Walmart (reluctantly) to pick up a bag of hot glue, and worked late into the night, finally hitting the hay around 3:45. Truthfully, I was half-assed working and watching MST3K on Netflix. “Zombie Nightmare” was the feature film, and it was truly terrible. Today we had plans with friends, so this is the first time I’ve sat down at the computer all day. Needless to say, I’m ill-prepared for my daily Halloween post.

As I write this I hear the sounds of my husband upstairs drilling into some odd piece of metal for his steampunk gun prop. My still unfinished hat sits in front of me just waiting for feather embellishments. So I leave you with a lame excuse for a post today: A picture of my bar under black light, and the video tutorial I used for how to make the fun glowing black light water! ENJOY!

Glow Water: How to make your own – Watch more Funny Videos

Vintage Fictions by Haggis Vitae

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:05:11 +0000

I love the idea of an alternate past. A magical history where things aren’t quite as they seem. Flickr user Haggis Vitae has created a rich set of photo illustrations wherein she depicts bizarre histories called “Vintage Fictions.” Not only can you feast your eyes on the fantastical imagery, you can also read the occasional clever narration. Here are some of my favorites:

Behold, His Holiness the Bahbra Binki’s evil twin brother, Gerald. Although he developed a true third eye, it would be forever sightless, while Binki, in a spiritual sense, saw with his through all of time and space.

A scene from the Upper Macungie Fathers of Rathbone Vaudevillian Extravaganza and Sheep Sheering Competition of 1897.

Millicent fancied herself a sort of St. Francis figure, bringing love and kindness to all animals and keeping a special few with her at all times. There was Jeff the dog of uncertain origin who refused to let his front paws touch the ground, believing himself to be more highly evolved than all other canines. Millicent also kept a crow whom she named Moribund. Unfortunately Moribund took to staring tirelessly at Jeff, causing him to take up smoking and thus bringing about his untimely death 19 years later. They are seen here in the darkly charming Fenwick Manor on St. Crispin’s Day, 1887.

Also, In case you were interested in owning your own vintage fiction, she has a number of them available in her etsy shop – along with handmade jewelry and artwork.

Etsy Halloween Goodness: Aqua Koala

Vanessa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:15:31 +0000

A few years ago I received my beloved severed yeti head from Etsy shop: Aqua Koala. What can I say, he is my pride and joy!! He’s big and furry and underneath that tough exterior is a sensitive soul. ;) I think everyone needs a severed yeti head in their life!