Creepy Crib Tour

I hate haunted houses. I know hate is a strong word, but I'll use it liberally in this context. Fumbling around in the dark through narrow corridors while asshats in overalls and Jason masks run around with roaring chainsaws does not a good time make. Not for me, anyway. And forget scary movies. If I had enough hands to plug both ears and cover both eyes at the same time, I might consider seeing one, but until then I'll stick with romantic comedies, thankyouverymuch.

And yet, here is my living room, covered in cobwebs and black bunting. I'm in the spirit this year. Just whose spirit it is, I'm not so sure. Bwah, ha, ha!

I draped my media console in a black tablecloth ($2.99, Party City) to lay the creepy foundation. Using stuff I already had, like votive candles and cake stands, helped keep costs low.

I swapped out the existing art with some creepy-chic alternatives. For free art, I used these spooky templates. In hindsight, I wish I had positioned Mr. Skeleton a little differently for his photo op. I know he doesn't have any skin, but he's fixin' to get some 2nd degree burns in a very delicate area.

No Halloween display is complete without that weird stretchy spiderwebby stuff. I spent about 6 bucks on the big bag and have it draped in every corner.

Propping a mirror behind the silver balls (aka: last year's Christmas ornaments) and red candles (this summer's Citronella candles) creates a really cool effect when all the lights are off and the candles are lit. 

I sprayed the white mini pumpkin with some silver glitter spray for a nice glow. Those eyeballs peering up at you are filled with not-so-scary chocolate and peanut butter. Until you try to button your pants. In bulk, they are very scary indeed.

I took this photo a few weeks ago; it was a window display of a costume store. Printed it out on some photo paper, popped it in a frame I already had, and I have a cute custom print of bones playing skins. It's got a personal touch too; my boyfriend is a drummer. And he's skinny.

Here is my skinny drummer with his "half-bad" friend last October in Salem, Massachusetts. If you're into the holiday, you must try to take a trip there in the weeks leading up to the 31st. It's the best thing that's happened to Halloween since It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. 

Black crows and glittered skulls are definitely Halloween-specific, but looking outside the Halloween aisle can result in some good finds too. I got 12 silver votive bases in the bridal aisle at Party City ($6.99) and an 18-pack of long white tapers in the general candle aisle at Pier 1 ($10).

I've had these candlesticks forever, and they added a nice gothic look to the decor. Our nephew Ethan had fun spearing the flame with a breadstick last weekend, which resulted in a wax waterfall. I'm not encouraging your kids to play with candles, (ok, maybe I am a little), but the result here is awesome!

Eat a sandwich, for Chrissakes!

Soooo creepy!!

Are you creeping out your crib for Halloween?