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Author: Headless Bob

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Art Creative

Halloween Drawings

Halloween Drawings

Day 27 of the #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Draw a Halloween Picture. My artistic talents reside in photography, film, and papercraft. That, however, does not stop me from picking up a sketch book now and then. If there is one thing this 100 Days of Halloween challenge can tach, I hope that it is this: you can make art just for yourself. It does not have to be “good”. You do not have to turn it into a job. Practice can hone your skills over time, but it is also okay to just dabble or be happy with where you are at. 

Here are some of my amateur horror and Halloween drawings (in no particular order). I created these from 2007 – 2026.

Create Your Own Halloween Drawings!

Let your creativity flow and sketch away! Don’t be afraid to share your creations. Tag me on Facebook & Instagram so I can see them!

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Music

Learn a Halloween Song

Learn a Halloween Song

Day 26 of the #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge: Learn to Play a Halloween Song. I have been playing the piano since I was a little girl. I love to try new songs and play my spooky favorites. Would you like to learn a Halloween song? Here are two easy sheet music book recomendations.

For Beginners

New to piano? Sheet music labeled “Big-Note” are a great place to start. These pieces are usually simplified from the original composition and much easier to play. They are also usually transcribed to an easier key than the original piece – to minimize the number of sharps and flats needed to play them. Now, if you have never played piano at all, these will still be a little challenging – but if you know the basics, these will not be too daunting to practice.

Halloween Favorites from Hal Leonard contains “seventeen mysteriously spooky and fantastically haunting arrangements”. With selections from classical music, film & tv, and popular Halloween tunes, this has a nice variety of Halloween songs to start with.

Song List:

  • Addams Family Theme
  • Casper the Friendly Ghost Theme
  • Funeral March from Piano Sonata No. 2, Mvt. 3
  • Funeral March of a Marionette
  • Theme from Jaws
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • Monster Mash
  • The Munsters Theme
  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • Psycho (Prelude)
  • Purple People Eater
  • The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
  • This is Halloween
  • Thriller
  • Tubular Bells
  • Twilight Zone Main Theme
  • Theme From The X-Files

For Intermediate Players

If you have been playing for as long as I have (but, like me, don’t have the finger dexterity to play fully advanced pieces), you can tackle intermediate-level arrangements. 

Halloween Spooktacular: 37 Gravest Hits by Cherry Lane Music Company has pieces that sound much closer to their originals, but are still made a little easier to play. This is a great book if you want to learn a Halloween song from the most-popular seasonal playlists. With classics like “Monster Mash”, “Haunted House”, “Time Warp”, and “Purple People Eater”, you will be able to get your audience shaking and rattling those bones on the dance floor. This book also includes a simple vocal melody and guitar chords. 

Song List:

  • Addams Family Theme
  • Theme from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  • Casper the Friendly Ghost
  • Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead
  • Dinner with Drac
  • Don’t Fear the Reaper
  • Theme from “Dracula”
  • The Fog
  • Frankenstein
  • Friday the 13th Theme
  • Funeral March
  • Funeral March of a Marionette
  • Ghostbusters
  • Haunted House
  • Highway to Hell
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • Monster Mash
  • The Mummy
  • The Munsters Theme
  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • Psycho (Prelude)
  • Purple People Eater
  • Silence of the Lambs
  • The Simpsons Halloween Special Main Title Theme
  • The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
  • Spooky
  • Tales from the Crypt Theme
  • The Thing
  • This is Halloween
  • Thriller
  • Time Warp
  • Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
  • Tubular Bells
  • Twilight Zone Main Title
  • Welcome to My Nightmare
  • Werewolves of London
  • Theme from The X-Files

You're All Ready to Learn a Halloween Song!

Once you have your music, it is all about practice, practice, practice. Take your time and keep at it. Remember that not everyone will be a classical music prodigy, but anyone can tickle the ivories for fun. Though, maybe someday you can play astounding renditions like these:

Prefer pre-recorded music? Try one of my playlists:

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Art Entertainment

Spooky Artists

Spooky Artists

Day 25 of the #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Support a Horror Artisan. With AI slop flooding the world, now more than ever it is important to celebrate the creativity and beauty of human-made works. My home is filled with art from spooky artists. Every corner has something interesting to discover. Here are some of my favorites.

Featured Artists

Bat in Your Belfry - Michelle Prebich

Michelle Prebich of Bat in Your Belfry specializes in illustrations, prints, and wearable accessories inspired by Halloween, history, and pop culture.

Based in Southern California, I had the pleasure to work with her at ScareLA. She even designed our credentials in 2018 and was our official artwork provider for two years. For my 15th anniversary with my Honey-Bunny, I commissioned her to create a custom portrait. It is my favorite art piece ever! Hung prominently in my room, it brings me joy all throughout my day. She is my favorite artist and I am honored to own one of her original pieces.

Follow her on Facebook & Instagram.

El Gato Gomez

El Gato Gomez is an artist and designer who is known for her vibrant retro aesthetic and penchant for social justice. Her works often include horror and Halloween imagery. She is a prolific artist, with quite a vast array of paintings and prints. 

I found her work on Instagram and fell in love with her style. Her original artworks often sell quite quickly, so I was thrilled when I was able to snag a blue & green “Spooky” painting that would fit perfectly with my bedroom color palette It is such a fun piece!

Julie Ann Davis, the owner of my hometown vintage clothing store, Cats Like Us, did an interview with El Gato Gomez in 2020 for Auxiliary Magazine’s Fall Issue. You can read it here. 

Follow El Gato Gomez on Facebook & Instagram.

Photo from CatsLikeUs.com

Ragonia Art - Ragon Dickard

Ragon Dickard of Ragonia Art loves to make art filled with monsters, animals, people, the autumn season, and fruits and vegetables. On her website, she lists her inspiration as “Americana, printmaking, animation, kitschy things I find at Goodwill, and my adopted tortoiseshell cat Pumpkin.”

I was first introduced to her work at Lightbox Expo 2023, where I fell in love with her bold, kitschy style. One particular gremlin piece really spoke to me and I had to take that original home. It now haunts me from my dining area.

Yetis And Friends - Cody Williams

Cody Williams of Yetis and Friends creates whimsical fiber art in the form of vegan faux-taxidermy and dolls, as well as self-published books and printed materials. This Portland-based artist loves folklore, history, monsters, and the realm hereafter. 

Cody was an exhibitor at ScareLA. I loved his pieces and when I saw a particularly adorable black and gray furry yeti, I had to take it home with me. Cornelius now looms over my bed and protects me from things that go bump in the night. You can see my full post on him here.

Follow Yetis and Friends on Instagram.

Marumame-Dou - Masaaki Fukuda

Masaaki Fukuda of Marumame-Dou is a Japanese special effects modeler and sculptor. His works bring to life yokai – monsters of Japanese folklore – kaiju, dinosaurs, and more.

His work truly stood out to me when I saw him at Monsterpalooza 2026. My favorite yokai is Karakasa Kozō / Kasa Obake (Umbrella Monster), and when I saw his life-like miniatures, I had to get one. Its long tongue and slightly bloodshot eye judging stare at me throughout my work day. He helps me stay motivated!

Follow him on Instagram.

Anna Daviscourt

Anna Daviscourt is Portland-based illustrator who loves to blend whimsical design and storytelling to create magical images that transport the viewer. Her prestigious client list includes Disney Publishing, Lucasfilm Press, Harper Collins, Hasbro, and more.

An exhibitor at LightBox Expo 2025, her Halloween Night Parade work caught my attention for being a fantastic mix of my two favorite things – Halloween & Japanese folklore. This is one of the few prints I display in my home because it is just too perfect of a fit for my interests! At least she was kind enough to sign the back and make it out to Emily, “The Queen of Halloween”. 

Follow her on Instagram.

Those are just a few of the amazing spooky artists I love to support and recommend. It is extremely important to support small businesses and independent artists. Their works fill the world with whimsy and make the world a more beautiful place.

Humans rock – AI is slop!

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Attractions Destinations

Haunt Walkthrough Videos

Haunt Walkthrough Videos

Can’t wait to visit your favorite haunted house this Halloween season? The next best thing is reliving those memories via haunt walkthrough videos. Here are some walkthroughs of memorable haunts of year’s past and some awesome video creators to follow for more coverage of the current haunts this fall.

The Darkness (St. Louis, MO)

The Darkness Haunted House (St. Louis, MO) has been scaring guests since 1994 and is considered by many to be one of the best haunts in the country. Two walkthrough attractions operate at the location: “The Darkness” and “The Butcher Shop” (opened in 2025). From gothic monsters to 

The above video is from 2023, showcasing “The Darkness” and the now gone “Terror Visions” 3D clown maze. It also showcases yours truly! I had the opportunity to tour the maze during that year’s TransWorld’s Halloween & Haunt Show. 

For those who do not have the full half-hour to marvel at the superb detail in this haunt, here are a few of my favorite moments:

  •  That Terrifying Spider Room (0:03:47)
  •  The Cthulhu Creature and his Crocodile Friend (0:05:30)
  • The Laser Swamp Room (0:08:25)
  • The 3 Jack o’ Lantern Rooms (0:10:47 – 0:11:50)
  • The Library (0:13:25) – NO TALKING IN THE LIBRARY!
  • The Corpse Ceiling (0:14:14)
  • Sheet Ghost Room (0:14:47)
  • The Doll Room (0:15:53)
  • The Man-Eating Plant (0:17:09) – Don’t worry, as a woman, I was safe
  • The Man-Eating Plant II (0:18:21) – This time with more carnivorous plant friends
  • Giant 3-D Clown (0:21:33) – With some high-brow audio humor

This is one of my favorite collaborations with Sharp Productions, who post roller coaster & theme park videos from around the U.S. and beyond. Their long-form videos always showcase the full detail of each haunt they visit. Be sure to check out more of their extensive video catalog.

Five Nights at Freddy's (Universal Studios Hollywood)

As a huge fangirl for Five Nights at Freddy’s, I waited years to encounter a real-life Foxy. Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights (Universal City, CA & Orlando, FL) did not disappoint! 

This 2025 Five Nights at Freddy’s maze invited guests to step inside Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria and come face-to-face with all your favorite maniacal animatronics. Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and Mr. Cupcake stalked visitors through iconic scenes – including the security room and the main showroom. The larger-than-life characters were created in collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, who also masterfully produced the animatronics and corresponding costumes for the fan-favorite films.

The Haunted Attraction Network covers haunt & theme park industry news. From walkthroughs to product showcases to behind-the-scenes interviews, HAN is your industry resource. Read their latest articles on their official website and sign up for their weekly newsletter (written by yours truly).

Shadow Lands (Knott's Scary Farm)

Shadow Lands was a maze at Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA) from 2016 – 2019. A mix of Japanese legends, ghost stories, and yokai, this was one of my favorite Knott’s mazes of all time. The video above is a walkthrough of the maze in its 2017 iteration.

Here is the maze’s official description: “A fulfilling life ensures a soul safe passage into eternity, but what happens to the souls of soldiers slain in battle? Enter the hair-raising Shadow Lands maze and fight off demon samurais whose souls are cursed to rot within the depths of purgatory. Guests will embark on a quest through a sacred shrine, an ancient Japanese temple and into the midst of the shadow lands.”

Attractions 360° covers theme parks, haunts, water parks, and more. They are the perfect channel when you need your theme park fix!

Frightworld America's Screampark (Buffalo, NY)

Frightworld America’s Screampark (Buffalo, NY) is one of my hometown haunts – and I couldn’t be prouder of its quality! The venue features five haunts, each with a unique theme. 

The haunts in the above 2025 walkthrough video were:

  • Mainframe Massacre (New in 2025)
  • Carnival Boneyard
  • Grindhouse
  • Nightstalkers Reloaded
  • Eerie State Asylum

The Scare Factor is a network of haunted attraction lovers dedicated to helping Halloween & horror fans discover more about haunted houses. From Halloween season haunt walkthroughs to off-season events to trade shows and more, they are a wonderful resource to learn more about haunts around the county.

Infirmary (The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor)

Set aboard the historic Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA), Dark Harbor‘s haunts draw from legends and ghost stories surrounding the vessel – as well as some new fictional icons. This 2024 walkthrough showcases the first year of the event’s Infirmary haunt.

Here is the official description: “The wicked spirits of a sadistic surgeon and his accomplice in life, Graceful Gale, torment the living with ghastly echoes of their gruesome procedures. Their path of destruction stretches from the First-Class decks to the eerie depths deep inside the bowels of the Queen Mary as they accost the living with their unrelenting rage. While the spectacle of Dr. Edwin Master’s specialized surgeries in the operating theater dazzles spectators, but they have no idea what’s happening below in the third class corridors. Injustice will not stand for long. Will the third class patients overthrow this maniacal medic or will he and Gale continue their gory game in this violent, disturbing and macabre masquerade?”

Attractions Magazine gives you a front seat to the best theme park rides, haunts, and more. You can also stay up-to-date with theme park news on their official website.

I hope you enjoyed these haunt walkthrough videos. Subscribe to each of the channels for more amazing videos throughout the year.

Want to visit another haunt with me? Check out my Haunted Attraction Network video of Springtopia LA 2023. 

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle

Spooky Cheese Board

Spooky Cheese Board

No gathering of mine is complete without a cheese board. My friends will attest that I have occasionally even made two at once for my annual birthday celebration, just so I could try some different flavor combinations. Here are some of my suggestions to create the perfect spooky cheese board for your next party.

Start with Your Board

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20260809_GhostPlatter_093926
20260809_HappyHalloweenPlatter_094107

I create my spooky cheese boards atop Halloween-themed platters. This instantly adds to the Halloween feel before the food has even been placed. Knowing your board size will also inform the amount of food you can place on it. One cheese along with some fruit and crackers may be best for a small plate. Large platters can accommodate multiple cheeses and charcuterie. 

Also, be sure to have different cheese knives on hand for each cheese you intend to use – so that the flavors don’t mix.

Choose Your Ingredients

My go-to cheese is a brie wedge. I love to pair it with blackberries, charcuterie (especially prosciutto), and gore-met – I mean, gourmet crackers. From there I add other items depending on the scale of the platter and what interests me at the store. 

A general rule of thumb for a full platter is 1 hard cheese, 1 soft cheese, and 1 blue cheese; 3-4 cured meats; and a mix of accompaniments like fruits, jams, nuts, and crackers. There should be about 1-2 ounces of cheese & 1-2 ounces of meats per person. 

Here are a few suggestions for each element:

  • Hard Cheeses:
    • Parmigiano-Reggiano
    • Aged Cheddar
    • Gruyère
    • Gouda
    • Leyden
  • Soft Cheeses:
    • Brie 
    • Goat Cheese
    • Burrata
  • Blue Cheeses:
    • Roquefort
    • Gorgonzola
    • Stilton
  • Charcuterie:
    • Prosciutto
    • Salami
    • Pepperoni
    • Pancetta
    • Chorizo
  • Fresh Fruits:
    • Grapes
    • Apples
    • Blackberries
    • Strawberries
  • Dried Fruits:
    • Apricots
    • Figs
    • Cranberries
  • Nuts:
    • Almonds
    • Walnuts
    • Pecans
  • Spreads:
    • Fig Jam
    • Honey
    • Fruit Preserves
  • Crackers/Breads:
    • Water Crackers
    • Baguette slices
    • Crostini

Popular Halloween boards often feature ingredients with lush purples, blues, and oranges. 

Placement & Presentation

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First place your cheese and large jars (if applicable), then add your other elements around them. 

To add some spooky fun, try some of these presentations:

  • Cut off the tip and top corners of your brie wedge to create a coffin shape. Add seaweed strips to spell out “RIP”.
  • Pretzels & string cheese make fun shapes. 
    • Witches’ Brooms: Cut the string cheese into 1″ pieces. Stick the pretzel in the top and pull apart the cheese at the bottom to make a broom shape.
    • Kasa Obake: To create this yokai, cut the string cheese into 1.5″ pieces. Pull apart the cheese at the bottom and stick the pretzel into the end with the pulled apart cheese. Add a candy eye and use seaweed to make a long tongue. 
  • Use cookie cutters to cut the cheese into Halloween shapes – like pumpkins or ghosts. You can also just a knife to make coffin shapes.
  • Add mini pumpkins or plastic skeletons to your platter for aesthetics.

Ready to create your own spooky cheese board? Share your creations with me on Facebook & Instagram.

Want more food ideas for your next party? Check out my post on 5 Ways to Make Spooky Meals

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Destinations Events News

27th Annual Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

27th Annual Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

Celebrate the memory of lost loved ones at Hollywood’s oldest cemetery during the 27th annual Dia de Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever (Los Angeles, CA). Taking place Saturday, October 24th, 2026 from Noon – Midnight, the event features elaborate ofrendas (altars), music, dance, folk art, food, and vibrant displays honoring the lives of the dearly departed.

History of the Event

According to the event’s official website, “Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever cemetery was envisioned for the purpose of providing an authentic venue, in which this ancient tradition could be genuinely observed, celebrated and preserved. ” Over the past 27 years tens of thousands of new and returning visitors have joined the celebration. From creating meticulously crafted ofrendas to participating in traditional dances to dressing in costumes, the event has fostered creativity and connection to this sacred celebration. 

Dia de los Muertos

Traditionally observed on November 1st or 2nd, Dia de los Muertos – or “Day of the Dead” – is a holiday to honor and remember deceased relatives. Instead of somber gatherings, this Mexican tradition embodies joyfulness and humor. It is a celebration instead of mourning. 

Key traditions include:

  • Ofrendas: altars decorated with marigolds, candles, photos, mementos, and the favorite foods of deceased relatives.
  • Cemetery Visits: families visit loved ones’ graves. Gravestones are cleaned and adorned with offerings, flowers, and candles. It is believed that spirits wander the earth on this day.
  • Sweets: Calaveras (sugar skulls) are decorated and Pan de Muerto (“bread of the dead”) is baked. 
  • Makeup: revelers often apply skeletal makeup, symbolizing remembrance and respect. More than just a Halloween costume, it has deep cultural significance and meaning. Many choose to incorporate elements that honor their loved ones – such as their relative’s favorite colors or symbolic flowers.

An iconic figure of the celebration is “La Catrina”. Often depicted as a skeleton wearing an elegant French-style hat and fancy dress, La Catrina symbolizes that death comes for us all – regardless of social status. 

La Catrina is a popular costume for Dia de los Muertos revelers, who wear the fancy dress and calavera make-up. The male counterpart to the Catrina, wears the same skull makeup and black clothes, often a formal suit with a top hat or a mariachi costume.

Hollywood Forever

Dating back to 1899, Hollywood Forever is Hollywood’s oldest memorial park. A full service funeral home, crematory, cemetery, and cultural events center, Hollywood Forever opens its gates to the public year-round. As the final resting place for hundreds of Hollywood’s founders and iconic figures, it is quite the morbid tourist’s destination. 

Notable interred individuals include:

  • Cecil B. DeMille
  • Mel Blanc
  • Douglas Fairbanks
  • Judy Garland

In hosting the Dia de Los Muertos celebration, the venue strives to embrace the celebratory process of death and dying by providing a historically recognized cultural setting for the event and sacred observance.

Dia de Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 24th, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. (Noon) – 12:00 a.m. (Midnight)

Location: Hollywood Forever, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038

Parking: Paramount Lemon Grove Structure (900 N. Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038), Paramount Van Ness Structure (783 North Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038), Paramount Gower Structure (801 N Gower St., Los Angeles, CA 90038), and Hollywood Production Center (1149 North Gower St, Los Angeles, CA 90038)

Tickets, contest information, and schedule will be available soon at the event’s official website: https://www.ladayofthedead.com/

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Movies

5 Nail-Biting Horror Shorts

5 Nail-Biting Horror Shorts

Day 21 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is “Paint My Nails Black”. Did you know that it takes 5-20 minutes for nail polish to feel dry (and 1-2 hours for the polish to completely harden)? Instead of watching paint dry, try these 5 nail-biting horror shorts!

All shorts are from Screamfest Horror Film Festival‘s official Youtube channel.

The Gourd, The Brad and The Ghostly

The Gourd, The Brad and The Ghostly, directed by Jillian Terwedo-Malsbury, premiered at Screamfest in 2023. 

After causing a Halloween pumpkin accident, Brad’s guilty conscience begins to haunt him as he takes the elevator down to the scene of the crime. Is this elevator taking him to the lobby… or straight to hell?

The Hangman

The Hangman, directed by Cameron Sun, premiered at Screamfest in 2022.

A woman returning home is stalked by a mysterious upside down figure.

Scratch

Scratch, directed by Emma Bell, premiered at Screamfest in 2016.

When a repressed 1950s housewife is left alone by her philandering husband, she makes a horrifying discovery about the noises in the house that are coming from the walls.

Alfred J Hemlock

Alfred J Hemlock, directed by Edward Lyons, premiered at Screamfest in 2017.

When Emily’s boyfriend abandons her in the night, her only way home is through an alleyway where she is terrorised by the mysterious entity Alfred J Hemlock. After reaching the depths of her despair she finds the strength that she never suspected she had.

Mr Dentonn

Mr. Dentonn, directed by Ivan Villamel, premiered at Screamfest in 2014.

On a cold winter night, Laura reads his brother David the story of a strange creature that attacks children. Suddenly, a shiver runs Laura’s body, feeling a strange presence in the house. It’s him.

About Screamfest

Screamfest Horror Film Festival is America’s largest and longest running horror film festival. The festival runs for 10 days each year in October in Los Angeles. Screamfest, has launched careers – providing a platform for filmmakers and actors to showcase their latest work to enthusiasts and general audiences. Every week they upload a fantastic short horror film that has premiered in their festival to their Youtube channel. Horror fans please LIKE, SHARE, FAVORITE or EMBED their videos with your friends and support talented filmmakers on Screamfest’s official Youtube channel. Join me in supporting this amazing non-profit organization!

By now our nails should be dry enough to continue our day!

Want to watch even more horror shorts? Check out some of my Film Friday picks here:

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Crafts/DIY Lifestyle

DIY Tombstones

DIY Tombstones

Each year I love to create a spooky graveyard display for trick or treaters. While I used to be able to find sturdy, creative designs in big box stores, the past few years have left me disappointed.

This year, I want to try to make my own custom foam gravestone. I have scoured the internet to find some tips and tricks for DIY tombstones. Let’s take a look together and try something new!

The Supplies

To build your own tombstone, you will need a variety of materials:

  • Thick Insulation Foam Board
  • Acrylic Paints
  • Gorilla Glue
  • Sealer
  • Pencils
  • Sharpies

Common tools used include:

  • Utility Knife
  • Heat Gun
  • Paint Brushes
  • Rotary Tool
  • Surform Shaver

After many years of working with them on haunt conventions around the country, I also highly recommend Hot Wire Foam Factory. Stocking foams, tools, glues, and finishes, Hot Wire Foam Factory has everything you need to make professional-quality DIY tombstones. You can often find their representatives at haunt & horror conventions offering DIY Tombstone Make & Takes. Find a trade show or convention near you and see if they will be exhibiting! Their workshops are informative and excellent ways to learn new techniques – and they often have great deals on starter kits.

Tutorials

Here is a tutorial by Wicked Makers (one of my favorite Halloween DIY channels) on how to make a foam tombstone from scratch. It is a wonderful step-by-step guide.

But perhaps you already have a store-bought foam tombstone that is less than ideal for your dream set-up. Wicked Makers have you covered there too! See their video below for easy ways to bring that subpar prop back from the dead.

Enjoy Your DIY Tombstones!

I hope that these resources helped spark your creativity! Have you tried making your own DIY Tombstones? I would love to see them! Share your pictures and videos with me on Facebook or Instagram.

Want more DIY Halloween inspiration? Check out some of my favorite tutorial channels here.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

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Categories
News

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Sphere

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Sphere

Prepare to time warp back into the iconic madness of 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a new experience at Sphere in Las Vegas. In special arrangement with Primary Wave Music and 20th Century Studios, Sphere Studios will use its advanced technologies to enhance the original film for a unique immersive experience. Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, said in a press release, “Since The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered in 1975, it redefined audience participation and became a cultural phenomenon. With Sphere, we have the opportunity to take that spirit of immersion to an entirely new level.” This new production is part of The Sphere Experience, Sphere’s slate of original immersive content including The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.

The company has yet to announce in what ways the original film will be enhanced. Its predecessor, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, has drawn criticism from the use of generative AI to add extras and scenery to fit the 60,000-square-foot wraparound interior LED display, and for cutting nearly 30 minutes of runtime from the film (including some musical numbers). 

Expected to open in 2027, audiences will just have to wait in antici…pation.

Learn more about Sphere and their immersive programming at the venue’s official website. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical comedy directed by Jim Sharman, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film is based on the 1973 musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show, with music, book, and lyrics by Richard O’Brien.

The story concerns an engaged couple whose car breaks down in the rain near a castle, where they search for help. The castle is occupied by strangers in elaborate costumes holding a party. They meet the head of the house, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist and alien transvestite from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, who creates a living muscle man named Rocky.

For over 50 years this cult movie & musical has thrilled audiences worldwide. Midnight screenings are still common around the world with shadow casts often performing alongside the film.

Halloween Cards

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Categories
Lifestyle

Bath & Body Works Halloween 2026

Bath & Body Works Halloween 2026

Bath & Body Works Halloween 2026 collection is here and I am excited! Each year I stock up on my favorite signature Halloween scents and some new additions. Let’s take a look at what’s new and returning for this year.

Carnival-Inspired Fragrances, Decor and Collectibles

Step right up to Halloween! The Bath & Body Works Halloween 2026 collection is inspired by the thrills of a cursed carnival. Fresh thrills and timeless frights come together to turn every room into the spookiest show on earth. From glowing candle holders to whimsical antibacterial handwash holders, this year’s assortment celebrates Halloween and brings the spooky carnival to life.

Photos from bathandbodyworks.com

Standout decor and accessories include:

These pieces will add some spooky whimsy to your home and bathroom. 

"This year, we were excited to use the whimsy and nostalgia of the classic carnival and combine it with iconic Halloween experiences and icons. This lens allowed us to create a world where expected icons have an unexpected twist, and it allowed us to introduce new icons that still feel true to the season. Every piece is designed to be collected, displayed and brought out year after year, so the whole home becomes part of the show."

Tobias Funk, director at Bath & Body Works

"The accessories are where the carnival gets personal. We designed the soft items to travel with you, from the carousel cosmetic bag to the PocketBac holders. The little details bring the carnival story to life and make each piece feel special."

Julianne Fletcher, associate vice president of design at Bath & Body Works

The Fragrances

Two new scents are joining the lineup this year. Both adhere to the haunted carnival theme:

  • Carnival Fog – A mysterious blend of spooky autumn air, woody incense and midnight fog.

  • Cotton Candy Cobwebs – A sweet swirl of spun sugared webs, fresh berries and fluffy whipped vanilla.

Returning Halloween favorites include:

  • Pumpkin Carving – A cozy blend of freshly carved pumpkin, spiced pumpkin seeds and smooth brown sugar. 

  • Vampire Blood – A bold blend of blood red strawberry, midnight jasmine and dark plum.

  • Ghoul Friend – A sweet and spooky mix of dark strawberries, ghostly peony and spine-chilling citrus.

Whether you are drawn to mysterious autumn nights, nostalgic pumpkin traditions, or sweet carnival treats, the collection offers a fragrance and decor moment for every Halloween mood.

Bath & Body Works Halloween 2026 Colection

The Bath & Body Works Halloween collection is available now online at BathandBodyWorks.com and in Bath & Body Works stores nationwide while supplies last.

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September 8, 2026 No Comments

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Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

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September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

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