So many adventures. So few times.

My photo
My life is pretty dull. I play with a toddler, watch a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba and experiment with the crock pot. I have no bed time and I find humor in Laffy Taffy jokes. Conan O'Brien is my anti-drug.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Dollar Store (or cheaper!) haunted trailer




Our elementary school PTA holds an annual Trunk or Treat event so that our children can safely trick or treat and celebrate the season in a secure environment. Since Emma was in kindergarten last year, we did not know what to expect. We were both pretty impressed by the effort's parents and teachers alike put into the backs of their cars, but my husband had a great idea – taking it a step further. Borrowing a trailer from the company, we would create a not-too-scary, not-too-big haunted house!

 Fast forward a year, and I passively mention the possibility of it to a PTA officer. Yeah, she freaking loved the idea. So here I am, realizing the event is this week and I NEED A HAUNTED TRAILER! 

A giant, spooky, EMPTY trailer.
A spooky, **empty** trailer. Ahem. 

Using Dollar Store table clothes, I divide up the space to make a 'route of traffic'. Be sure to cut off the excess fabric at the bottom since it could be for another project later!


A spooktastic touch that will cause people to jump? Remove a Goodwill or dollar store mirror from its frame and scrap sections of the backing to reveal the glass. Print an eerie face and tape to the back - the results are subtle enough that my husband glanced at the mirror a few moments ago, looked again and announced that it was, "Really creepy". Coming from him, that's huge. 


Guys. Toilet paper rolls. Glow sticks. Dark corners. Cut out some creepy eyes. Blammo! 


I found these creepy masks on Amazon and immediately decided they were perfect for some eery dark creatures. Simply attach a mask around an inflated balloon and secure with tape, drape some of that excess vinyl tablecloth material around it, repeat and you have a family of phantoms that will give even the bravest soul at least a brief pause! 






With some strategically draped gummy-feeling beetles in darker areas, the creepiest ceramic dolls I've ever seen from a Goodwill store and some mood-setting music courtesy of a pre-made Spotify playlist, after the dusk hours the haunted trailer was a smashing success with the grade school kids! 




Do you have any fan favorites for a creepy haunted house? Share them below!

Monday, October 16, 2017

I finally broke down and bought an app to update here, and I'm genuinely glad I did - I have SO MUCH in the pipeline that I'm excited to share with the world! I'm building a mini haunted house for a school function this Friday evening; I'm starting a new anxiety med to help bolster my brainariffic progress, along with a new therapist and things thus far are a-okay; I've been finally mastering the art of calorie counting Sunday evening through Friday afternoon while still having care-free-calorie weekends with my husband and kids - plus I actually have a craft room! And I've been cooking! And costumes are made and so stinking cute!
So much to share! ... but it's 9 pm and I'm rapidly turning into a pumpkin. That is, if this little man crashes soon. Darn you, five minute nap in the early afternoon!