I was so excited to convert my Welcome Fall display into a Spooktacular display. I started unloading my Halloween bins and kept finding stuff that would be GREAT in a display: A big spider! Driftwood skeletons! A Halloween picture frame! As the pile of Halloween shiz grew around me I realized the key to a great Spooktacular display is (of course) a great piece de resistance. But also the key to a great Spooktacular display is RESTRAINT. And flowing from restraint is the key to a great Spooktacular display: A THEME. So my friends and competitors, I give you
BATTY FOR CANDY!
Yes, I know it looks somewhat similar to Welcome Fall. I believe I get points for re-purposing. Plus, my owl/PDR is a vote-getter and I am too smart to not use him again. (If you feel this is too much of a repeat, you are not going to like next month's Bountiful Harvest.)
Here's a closer look:
I've had all that candy besides the sixlets for years. It's old and used for decoration but that doesn't stop people from eating it. I was pretty stoked to find the orange and black Sixlets at Target. They are so cute I can't decide whether to pass them out for Halloween or save them as decor.
Maybe that's a decision I won't have to make.
In an ironic twist of fate, that glittery black pumpkin was a gift from The Mostess last year. How she regrets that now!
I had to spring for a new doormat:
And I wanted a black wreath so I went against my instincts and doctored up this one--spray painted it and stuck in the feathers and whatnot.
It's okay--not a PDR or anything.
Hanging these bats was the tricky part.
I strung them on fishing line but needed to find a way to attach it to the wall. I couldn't get a nail into the stucco and duct tape wouldn't hold. Finally I used hot glue and it held! There are advantages to being a renter!
So there you have it. I won't lie, it's pretty dang cute. But is it cute enough to beat the Mostess? I'll add her pics when she gets 'em posted. Or maybe she's seen my display and decided to forfeit! UPDATE: Just click on the link for Kaari below--her display is way too expansive for me to cover it here!
Yes, I know it looks somewhat similar to Welcome Fall. I believe I get points for re-purposing. Plus, my owl/PDR is a vote-getter and I am too smart to not use him again. (If you feel this is too much of a repeat, you are not going to like next month's Bountiful Harvest.)
Here's a closer look:
I've had all that candy besides the sixlets for years. It's old and used for decoration but that doesn't stop people from eating it. I was pretty stoked to find the orange and black Sixlets at Target. They are so cute I can't decide whether to pass them out for Halloween or save them as decor.
Maybe that's a decision I won't have to make.In an ironic twist of fate, that glittery black pumpkin was a gift from The Mostess last year. How she regrets that now!
I had to spring for a new doormat:
And I wanted a black wreath so I went against my instincts and doctored up this one--spray painted it and stuck in the feathers and whatnot.
It's okay--not a PDR or anything.Hanging these bats was the tricky part.
I strung them on fishing line but needed to find a way to attach it to the wall. I couldn't get a nail into the stucco and duct tape wouldn't hold. Finally I used hot glue and it held! There are advantages to being a renter!So there you have it. I won't lie, it's pretty dang cute. But is it cute enough to beat the Mostess? I'll add her pics when she gets 'em posted. Or maybe she's seen my display and decided to forfeit! UPDATE: Just click on the link for Kaari below--her display is way too expansive for me to cover it here!
Okay, let's see what you've got! Enter your display below. Please enter the link that goes directly to your Spooktacular post. I can't wait to check them all out! Feel free to discuss and weigh in on who should get the illustrious Spooktacular button! Vote by saying whose display you like best in the comments!
114 comments:
I love Tyler's post. I think he might win since he's got the cute redheads :) Can't wait to check back and see all the other entries! You and Kaari crack me up.
Forfeit? More like busy editing my spooky nighttime pictures. Day and night shots make me the clear winner.
I TOTALLY REGRET GIVING YOU THAT PUMPKIN. I WANT IT BACK.
That blog button will be mine!!
Kristina, I can tell you have great taste!
Kristina is a hack.
Haha, just kidding Kristina. Vote for me!
Ash yours looks great.
Tyler your is pretty cute too. Maybe because you have the boys in there. But Ash had Bennett so she gets bonus points too.
I will check back to see all the other entries.
However, my husband has thought I was crazy the last couple of weeks. But to be honest it was a lot of fun and actually spurred me to decorate for Halloween rather than just fall.
Ashley, if you add the penguin pinata as a 2nd PDR, I think I'd have to vote for you.
Without it, I'm leaning heavily toward Tyler's display...
I vote for mine.
My entry is in-- I agree with Kaari, Day and Night shots were essential to show mine in the greatest light... you decide folks!
Ps. I also spent late night hours photo editing-- my goodness my house is a wreck now-- hopefully that makes me a clear competitor! LOL
Tyler and Jolynn and Ashley-- way awesome! I love those details. Brooke is a hack-- I have seen most if not all those photos on Pinterest already-- you had me scared for a minute. ;)
Your decor looks great and I think you get triple points for reusing--it means less to swap in and out for each month!
Ha! My entry's in. This is a huge accomplishment folks. I'm still suffering from Newborn-itis.
We now have exactly two Halloween decorations in my entire house. Hip, hip hurray!
PS. I'm digging Brooke's entry. :)
Quick, everyone. Head over to my blog to see how it's really done!
Ok - I was Team Ashley on the Fall Harvest (too cute, and I don't even like owls, so there:) it was darling and perfect) and am Team Mostess on this one, love it and I am glad I am not there to deal with the guy coming out of her ground anymore (not really, I am counting down the days until I am back)! Good thing it is two out of three!!
Done.
Also posted my THREE DON'Ts of Halloween Decor. Mostess might need to take notes. I think she broke every one of the rules. Tragic.
I will be back to weigh-in on the entries later!
Chelsea's is the best, of course. Who else has dismembered hands and melted witches?
Go Chelsea!
You are all very clever, but i'm putting in my vote for Chelsea Gilbert . . . b
Laura's rules are probably not to be original, awesome, and better than Ashley. Looks like I'm guilty as charged.
Glad I stumbled onto your little contest--now, you can all just come do my porch as I am so not creative and have been struggling to even decorate. I'm not a fan of gory though so I vote for any of the homes w/out the gorey, creepy, dead things. Chelsea's all the way
for originality, and common sense, chelsea gets my vote
for originality and common sense, I choose Chelsea Gilbert's entry
I saw Chelsea's in person so I'm a little biased but my vote totally goes to her! Love the pumpkin tree and the green porch light!
Is it too late to get my entry in - it is of my sheperd's hook with a black jack-o-lantern hanging on it. That's all. . .just that. . .simplicity counts for a lot, right?
I have to say, as fantastic as all the displays are, I LOVE Tyler's!! Don't know if it's the creativity or the live pumpkins!
I LOVE Lenessa's and think that she gets double points because of the Newborn! SO SO cute!!!
Chelsea Gilbert all the way!
Chelsea Gilbert's is the spookiest of all!
This is so tough!
While I like rules and all, they should be given up front before the competition starts, not as a way to sway voters. Mostess's gore rocks the house. (A cheesecloth mummy?!?! Who thinks of that??)
Ashley, I am SUCH a sucker for candy. You know it is my true vice. And win or not, you should get some kind of button for bringing "piece de resistance" back into every day vocab use.
I loved ALL the displays--even Tyler's. (Chuche hasn't seen it yet, but I KNOW he'll throw his vote to Tyler.) So, I'm going to sleep on this, look at them again tomorrow, then carefully and prayerfully cast my vote.
I never said how cute your porch is. The candy theme is darling and the wreath is second to none. Love it.
Don't want to retype this - It's LINDA not Brooke:
Are we supposed to be voting?? Yikes, I love yours, Ash. Absolutely adorable. Love Laura's too. BUT. . .Kaari's (the Mostess) is in a league of her own! It's no contest. . .she's won, whether she's won or not! That mummy was just icing. ..she should work for Disney. Wait, I forgot about Brooke's. Okay, tie between Kaari & Brooke.
I like the witch one at the gilberts
I love Chelsea Gilbert's!!
Ashley and I get extra points because we each managed to get a display up with 3 kids up in our grill all day.
Ok, figured out how to leave my address in proper format. I love your set-up. I can see how it would be hard to spray paint that wreath but it had to be done for the sake of Halloween. The candy is a great idea, but my kids would never stay out of it. I hear you on the concept of restraint. But, of course, kids like the bigger concept displays. I draw the line at blood and so forth, but having big ghosts or mummies (a la Mostess) are the types of things that make Hallween feel perfectly creepy and magical. I am just not ready to be that house yet.
Oh, where do we vote?
Ready to vote, I think. I am torn btwn Laura and Kristine's displays. They are simple and classy but not too minimalist. Their homes are how I aspire to decorate my own. But that said, Kaari just took things to a whole new level and I know that her display will put kids in the Halloween spirit more than the Martha Stewart-style displays that I prefer for my own sensibilities. Vote: Kaari.
Uhhh, after having come back and look at the entries, there's no way I can post my pictures. I'll save up some money and do it next year :)
Maybe I should just drive up into Alpine, find a cute porch/decorations, snap some photos and have them as my entry. No one would ever know, right?
But that porch would have to have the classic owl, which now I've seen on your, Kaari's AND Kristine's blogs.
These are amazing! And all so different! I like the Gilberts wicked theme- for some reason I hadn't thought about that and Halloween. Thanks for all the great ideas! My porch was decorated by two eleven year olds and it is pretty exciting (at least our 18 month old thinks so!)
Oh, and voting-wise: Honestly I'd have to say that my favorite is Ms Ashley Carter's display. Classy and simple, yet still creative. But the doormat is not working for me. It's a little gaudy and sticks out from the rest. As for the wreath: it's totally adorable! I wish I were half as creative as you.
Looks like Chelsea is the front-runner! And Brooke cracks me up :)
i like how bennett doesn't have pants in one picture and then has pants in the next.
Ash, LOVE your porch but my vote totally goes to Mostess. Soon her party shed is going to be the size of a full blown house. Mostess FTW.
I just realized I never left a real comment, only faux trash talking!
I like the candy--super cute. Even Lancer commented that he liked the candy part the best in your display.
I also like Bennett's disappearing pants. It's holiday magic!
The black wreath--though played out--is cute. I think your bird is the perfect size!
Don't blame me. I voted for Kaari.
Cute v. Scary. It's like apples and oranges. I have to vote for myself of course if only for the time and effort. I'm impressed with everyone even if you stole my crow idea from driving past my house. I'll give Tyler points for wit. Except that Brooke person! Pinterest plagariser!
Love Chelsea's witch theme and Alexandra's door with the witch brooms.
I see this getting big.
PS. If your candy is gone one morning, it's because I had a late night craving.
Glad Bennett found some pants.
Louis Gray, you traitor! I'm using double the budget next year!
Some of us don't have a gazillion siblings that can vote for us. Nepotism is rampant.
Okay...back to comment.
LOVE:
-Lenessa's frankenstein door. So cute.
-Jolynn's glitter pumpkins and bats around the door
-Kristine's ribboned pumpkins. Darling
-Kaari's life size mummy. Truly impressive.
-Ashley's lanterns and wreath.
Since I can't vote for myself...I vote for ASHLEY!
But...LOVE the friendly competition!!!
Now what about Christmas??? Please tell me we'll have a Tis the Season Showdown!!!
Haha..kristine, u deserve double the budget for the betrayal and having 3 kids up in your grill.... Fyi, i only have one bro in law who voted for me... no siblings... Anyone else just voted from my blog.
Really love yours. That's all.
Btw, i have have had 2 people tell me they voted for me but i dont see it anywhere... If ashley has a bunch of our vote comments under another post or in her inbox, she's not telling lol
I vote for Chelsea Gilbert's home - it is so cute!
When is the deadline for entrants and will you have a formal poll in another post to collect the votes? What if we vote now and someone enters tomorrow with a better display?? This is making me anxious.
Your display is so simple. SO simple. And I LOVE simplicity when it comes to decorating. The colors all go together. No mixing of styles. Classic. But I'm waiting to cast my vote.
I am going to vote for Kristine Gray :)
Gotta go with Lauras, being her brother and she asked me to vote.
Chelsea shows a lot of originality. LOVE THE WICKED SIGNS!
I vote for Chelsea :-) So creative with the candy theme, love it!
Here is my weight in.
Ashley's award: I want to eat you (I wanted lanterns for my door)
Tyler's award: Aren't you ORANGE
Brooke's award: A for effort (she did search the web for cute pictures)
Gilbert's award: Green with Envy
LJ's award: Door Decor (it is a super cute door)
Kaari's award: Enter if you dare (you might get wrapped in cheese cloth)
Laura's award: Get your bling on (I love the glitter spiders)
Kristine's award: Batty for you (still love the ribbon detail)
Alexandra's award: Flying Witch
I'd like you all to know that this Display-Off has caused PBK to completely sell out of that freaking cute owl.
I vote for Kaari!
Molly makes a good point that a cut off date may be needed-- although, i think having a formal poll would be tough... I doubt people would be willing to revote..
wow! carter, yours is cute, & i will also admit i stole a pack of sixlets the other day, but let's be honest, it looks like michael's halloween department exploded in kj's yard & it is super spectacular.
overall, i officially cast my vote for kaari. hers is over-the-top. (although she knows how i feel about creepy man crawling out of the ground...yuck)
6 foot mummies don't come from Michaels!!
Crap. Ashley or Kristine? Ashley or Kristine? Can I vote for both?
Okay. This is my last comment. I swear. I'm voting for Ashley. I LOVE Kristine's, too, but I just can't get over how simple Ashley's is. I just keep looking at it. It's refreshing.
Here's my official vote:
Kaari (aka the Mostess). :)
I still can't get over the life-size mummy!
Kaari's!
I thought I voted yesterday but it never showed up. They all look fabulous but I think I'm going with Chelsea's because I love the witch theme and colors. Nice work all around ladies!
Wait--this is official? Why, then I vote for ME!! I totally just channeled Rheese Witherspoon in Legally Blond.
The ghostess with the mostess for the win!
I am liking Kaari's the mostess. I vote for her.
The mummy did it for me. Who can top that!! Kaari gets my vote, and my kids' votes too.
I vote for the mummy with the mostess.
I'm loving the nighttime photos & mummy at Kaari's pad. Spooooooktacular!
I vote for Kaar's:)
Kaari!
Kaari!
No offense to the other awesome competitors, but i'm voting for CHELSEA GIRLBERT! I LOVE the simple yet fun theme she's got going....it's nice and balanced out :D
Kaari!
I have to go with Kaari's. Wow.
Kaari!
Kaari!
I'm back. I prayed about it and the lord said: Mostess.
All the displays are so darling and I am exhausted thinking about all the work went into them!
Kaari and not just because we have almost the same name (Kari). Hers was just the most spooktacular!
Kaari!
My vote is for The Mostess. I don't know what PDR stands for, but anyone willing to make a life size mummy out of Styrofoam and cheese cloth deserves some kind of prize. Or medication. Either one sounds good.
I'm a hipster dude from San Francisco, but hopefully this does not detract from my vote: I vote for Kaari. Don't hold my hipster against me, unless you really mean it.
everyone did an awesome job, but i've got to go with the mostess on this one. fabulously original and totally over the top. love it!
Kaari!
Kaari!
Kaari!
Kaari! woot!
Brooke's should be in a magazine. I vote for Brooke
Due to the upsurge in Mostess votes-- I'm guessing Kaari has promised away both her kidneys. Touche!
Is anyone else having the problem where friends couldn't vote because they don't have google emails and the blog settings won't allow "anonymous ones"??
Since everyone vote counts-- here is my vote for the Wicked Witch display - Chelsea G
I vote the Mostess, Kaari's display truly impressive. What? A Mummy!!!
I vote for Chelsea!
Kidneys intact....I swear! I only know about half those people. So if they get a kidney of mine, I will be seriously pissed!
Chelsea, you do know that the prize is an icon, right? You can right click and save it to you computer.
A vote for Brooke is a vote for Ron Paul. It simply detracts from the real winner.
By the way, my vote is for Kaari. Also, I would like to officially bow out of the race and give ALL my votes to Kaari.
Ashley, that's a good idea. Can you please adjust your blog comment settings so that I can vote anonymously next time?
I feel like the secret ballot is the hallmark of a democratic society and I don't want to feel any unwarranted pressure during your next vote-off! :)
Not that I felt any undue pressure this time, of course. Kaari, you still have my [not-so-secret] vote.
I too would like to bow out and give all my votes to Kaari. Hello, a handmade lifesized MUMMY?! Give Crafterella the icon already.
As a mother of a six yr old boy who is Halloween obsessed (hopefully in that successful, creative, Tim Burton way. Not the Goth/Emo smal poetry way...), I'm exceptionally qualified to judge.
The palpable monster-ness of Kaari's display is key. It's always the things that thrill a kid, w momentary shock and awe, leave an impression of excitement and fun. Growing up, don't we all remember THE "scary" house from our neighborhood?
A life-size mummy, well-creepily-lit cemetery and zombies digging their way out? Please! Kaari, all the way.
This whole contest has been fun and I have loved everyone's entry! If I could copy all your ideas in next years submission-- but wait... brooke already did that! Truly, awesome and badgeworthy and fun everyone! Congrats of course must go to the winner, whomever(he/she) is-- a 30 vote lead is nothing to laugh at. Hard fought, hard won, and well deserved. Loved your display lady!
I like Kaari's the best because she strayed away from the cheesie window decals bought at Target. I am not a fan of cutesie Halloween decor. Halloween is suppoded to be scary not cute. The mummy is an original. No one can beat that. Kaari should win hands down.
I officially vote for Ashley... you all know how much I love candy. Now if Kaari were to put a large chocolate owl on her porch then I could totally be swayed.
I got motivated to start decorating the front entrance of my house after seeing the beautiful decorating that went into these entries. I have to say I like CHELSEA'S decorations the most! Thanks for the inspiration :D
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