Ghoulish Delight!

I've always wanted to throw a Ghoulish Halloween Party for adults only.  I've thrown my share of kid & teen Halloween parties and pot-lucks but I want to do a more elegant, creepy themed party now.  I'm a BIG FAN of Halloween and the Haunted, Ghoulish Decoration....sooo that got me thinkin.....

I may not have a party this year BUT I can sure plan things and start making things for a party right?

Well I did it...and I couldn't be more happier with it!

This is a dual - blog post...more details on some of the craftier items using new SCACD releases are on my other BLOG HERE if you want to have a looksie at those too!

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This is a photo intensive blog post..I apologize..no I really don't...I took so many photos that I wanted to share...but lucky you, you can choose to breeze thru :)

First the Daytime Photos so you can see it in good lighting!

I chose to do a Ghoulish Pirates of the Caribbean theme...one of my fave rides and movies and inspired by one of the new SCACD stamps.  If you haven't followed my other blog over the past 6 years, well then you wouldn't know that I'm a paper crafter...but I am...surprise...so that's why a lot of these things were created with paper!

Entering this into Stone Gables's Tips & Tutorials Linky Party
(hop over there for more great fall ideas--will blow your mind)

First things first...you gotta have an invite...see more details on how I made this on my other blog.

Hint: Its part of a Cameo cut file, an SCACD stamp "Jellyfish Dreams" that I embossed, vellum and inks to distress a bit.

Inside info was typed on computer and printed out on vellum, then stamped with cobwebs and spiders and distressed with inks and a Zutter Distress machine (that I ADORE).

Any good party has some awesome Eats & Drinks yes?

I got these clear skull goblets at the party store for $0.69 cents each...SCORE!

Then I cut some cool Halloween-Swirly skull and bat images out of black adhesive vinyl with my Silhouette Cameo...so easy & quick to do.  And you can peel them off if you ever want to change them.

The black platter I've had for years but it came from the party store for only $2 and its plastic..who knew..shhhh!

Then you add in some chocolate...always a good party idea!

I made cookies-in-the-graveyard pudding snacks in individual sized serving cups.

I've been making versions of these since my kids were tiny...but pretty easy...chocolate pudding set in clear plastic cups, crumbled Oreos on top and then a Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.  The RIP I painted on with a paintbrush and food coloring...you can pipe it on in chocolate but I tried something new this time.  A spider attached to the brim adds the right touch ;)  Or you could add in gummy worms..that is STILL my teen son's favorite!

And to further the sugar rush you need some spooky sweets!

I bought these clear glass jars at Hobby Lobby at 50% off...so each was $1.50..a deal that cannot be beat!

The taller bottles got some more vinyl creepies that I cut on my Cameo as well...a white skull-n-bones and a black spider.  Best thing about the vinyl is it peels off and you begin again!  If you don't have a way to cut your own vinyl, use stickers or pre-cut vinyl images are sold at most craft stores.

The tag on the last jar was made with a Paper Trey Ink stamp set, cut out with a die and then inked and tied on with bakers twine and a spider on top.  This jar is filled with blackberry cobbler candy corn...mmmmm yummy (from Wegmans).

(in the spring we will fill them up with sundae toppings for an ice cream bar for my daughter's graduation party...stay tuned)

These swirly candy sticks are actually fruit flavored but in cool black & white and only $3 for 24.

The little sparkly bucket is a score from the Target $1 bin years ago...I hoard $1 bin stuff because you NEVER know when it may come in handy.  And seeee I used two of them :)

The creepy branches came from the woods behind my house...then spray painted black.

You can buy them already done but whoo-whee they cost a lot...mine were free courtesy of the woods and black spray paint I had on hand.  I covered the glass vase in cobwebs and spiders to creep it out a bit more.  

I also like differing heights on my table and buffets...I use different sized boxes and stands to lift things to different levels and then cover them with material (in this case black muslin, mesh & burlap)...makes the whole set up more visually interesting.

Silver & black necklaces I got at the party store for $1.99/6 and hung them in the branches and draped them around the table.  Like the glass they sprinkle sparkle around the table and look pretty in the candlelight.

The large black bats I cut out of black foam with a die I had...I used foam to keep them light but could easily tuck into the branches.  You could also hang them from your chandelier with fishing line.

The skull luminaries I made out of vellum, cardstock and SCACD Skull stamps here, embossed in black and then grunged up a bit with ink and twine.  I put battery tea lights (or you can use battery pillars) in them...DO NOT USE a flame inside paper lanterns PLEASE!  Very easily made--took me about 5 mins to make each.  More details on them are on my other blog.

To wipe your ghoulish mouths I hand-stamped plain white paper napkins with the same stamp used on the invites in light gray ink...then folded and tucked them into a small chest.

SHOP YOUR HOUSE!  There are usually lots of things around your house displayed, in cabinets or stuffed in drawers that would be perfect for a party setting.  I pulled vases, mini chests and platters out..I even used some drinking glasses filled with necklaces & spiders and topped off with candles on my table.

TIPS:
You don't have to spend a fortune on a party!
*think outside the box and plan, plan, plan & set a budget
*Always shop your house first for treasures
*make it when you can, buy it when you can't I always say
*use coupons from the paper, internet & apps for stores you need items from
*have a pot luck theme to cut down on food costs
*have a drink menu and stick to it, no need for 100 varieties of alcohol & other drinks
*if its a large party search online for bulk deals for some items
*need more glassware, chairs or serving dishes? ask a friend or neighbor and borrow them!
*raid your children's toy chest for treasures to use
*hit up the Dollar Store & Target and Michaels $1 Bins for accessories
*scour your thrift shops for cheap buys that can be used for party
*employ kids, teens & family to help with planning & preparation
*most of all have fun & don't stress so much, otherwise what's the point?

Other items used on the table:

-black muslin and black mesh bought in rolls at Hobby Lobby ($11 for both)

-burlap runner I had on hand

-bags of faux cobwebs ( 99 cents)

-black cauldron that holds silverware ($2)

-white candles  (dollar store)

-bag of plastic spiders (99 cents)

-Silhouette Cameo and adhesive vinyl

-Memory Box dies and Cuttlebug machine

-Zutter Distress machine

-Scor-Tape

Hop on over to my ScrapBitz Blog to see other crafty details!

What's your favorite thing about Halloween or Fall?


I'm entering this into the following Linky Parties:

Savvy Southern Style
Family Fun Friday
Inspire Me Please Weekend
Making Home Base
Practically FUNctional
Transformation Thursday
Funky Junky Interiors - Party Junk
Strut Your Stuff - Six Sisters Stuff
Its Fall Y'all Linky Party
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Serenity You
Common Ground: Be Inspired
Remodelaholic
Hi SugarPlum