A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations
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Paperback (01 September, 2001)
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Reviews (17)

Good reference for a grown-up Halloween celebration
Last fall, I checked this book out of the library looking for ideas for our annual Halloween bash and to decorate our yard.The book not only has a great wealth of ideas and tips, but also historical and sociological information on the holiday. This is one of the few books that I have found more geared towards adults wishing to celebrate the holiday. Most of what is out there leans towards the juvenile side of Halloween festivites.

I agree with past reviewers' main gripes about lack of graphics.The book doesn't need to have glossy coffee table book-type spreads, but it is seriously lacking in useful illustrations

For the serious haunter
This is a great book with many decorating ideas and references.This is the best book I found on the market.I applied a few of the ideas to my decorations last year and had a few children afraid to approach the door (though that was not my intent, nothing truly gory last year).Highly recommended!

Fantastic
If you are looking for a Halloween how to book for grownups, this is it.It is full of magnificent ideas for everything from parties to yard haunting.I love Halloween and I have many Halloween books.This one is the one I use the most.I especially loved the life-sized Grim Reaper.I made it for my yard haunt last year and received more compliments on it than anything else.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Isbn: 1565547748
Sales Rank: 355348
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Entertaining    5. Halloween    6. Halloween costumes    7. Halloween decorations    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Holiday decorations    10. Holidays (non religious)    11. Seasonal   

Halloween: Customs, Recipes & Spells
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1999)
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Reviews (66)

My Favorite Holiday
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. In here the history of the holiday Halloween is explored as well as the second half is interesting recipes for Halloween goodies. Halloween is actually a neopagan holiday but a lot don't celebrate it because it scares them. Well it doesn't scare me. Finally a book that is a non-condemning tome about the subject.

A light hearted look at a 'dark' subject.
Halloween is my favorite time of the year, so this book was a welcome addition to my library.It works best as a simple introduction to the history of this maligned cultural event (which has nothing whatsoever to do with dark and evil forces) and as an idea maker for recipes (two of which I plan to test at an upcoming party) and spells (if you are into that magic scene, I am not).I also hope to try out the Passion Pumpkin Dinner (minus the mumbo jumbo) at some point in the future, because it sounds so deliciously romantic.My only wish is that I could have tried it with my late wife - I think she would have loved it.I thought the book got a tad dull when it started its litany of spells, which I've already said is not my thing, so it did not interest me, and I just scanned over it.The speaking to the dead segment also offered some comfort, all my 'thinking out loud' and speaking to my deceased wife's pictures is normal and healthy, and maybe she hears it, I don't know.I do know that if you like Halloween, you will find much to enjoy in this book.

Silvers take on Halloween
The first page in the book suggests you make a Porch Protection Turnip by hollowing out the turnip.Have you every tried to scoop out a turnip?It's not as easy as it seems.Fresh turnips are very solid and can be hard to scoop out.There is some truth to having a light on your front porch to protect against the lengthening fall nights darkness, but not necessarily in a turnip.It is the same with the rest of the book.There are truths and spins scattered throughout the book, and it is up to the reader to scoop it all out, difficult though it may be.

The introduction to the book tells of the purpose of this book.In 1997 Llewellyn wanted to write a book about the myths and truths of Halloween.They enlisted the aid of their most popular author, Silver Ravenwolf. This book Halloween is the result of this work by both Llewellyn and Silver Ravenwolf and it also births the first book in the very successful series of Sabat books by Llewellyn.

Much of the reference material quoted is of works done by mostly pagan authors.There are a few actual historical references throughout the book.These references are footnoted in each chapter, a very good move on the part of the publisher, which documents the quotes and sources of some of the information.The books and materials referenced are also noted in the Bibliography, which is not skimpy either.And it is all cross referenced in the index.

The first three chapters deal with the History of Halloween, the origins, customs, myths, traditions, symbols and superstitions.While there is a lot of actual history quoted here, there are also some minor errors.

The discussion of "Constantine the Great declaring the Roman Empire a Christian one" is not accurate (page 11).Constantine made Christianity a legal religion in Rome thus allowing his mother, Helena, to practice her new chosen religion in peace.This allowed the foothold for the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire and the mess that followed.Also, further along (page 16) the comment is made that "it was the Roman Empire that produced the popular slave trade - conquering vast communities, killing the men, and taking the women and children" .Umm... no.The slave trade was already in full swing by the time of the Roman Empire.The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Phoenicians (and many more) all practiced slavery, conquered vast communities (see Alexander the Great, a Macedonian) and the practice of killing men and taking the women and children was done way before the Romans (and way after them as well).But, to be honest, yes, the Romans also practiced this, so there is some ring of truth, just not as stated.

But this is exemplary of much of the material presented in the history in this book.The material is either taken from the writings of current pagan sources, or is given a very definite pagan spin when adapted from established historical sources.Yes, the history, for the most part is accurate, but be careful of the spins.

Her recap of the American Halloween is good.She presents a lot of the early roots to our holiday. She covers a lot of the myths and urban legends that have come of late from those trying to demonize the tradition.

Having said my peace on the historical part of the book, I also want to note that there are statistics that either Silver or Llewellyn have added that have no source.It would have been nice, as it would have given some substantiation to the statistics used in the original printing of this book in 1999.But, alas, no reference is given.

She does well with her origins of some of the symbols and superstitions of the holiday.To her credit she takes on the myth of the poison and razor blades in the candy, quoting the myth's origins and pointing out that there have been no random injuries due to food given out to trick-or-treaters, but rather the injuries and deaths were deliberate and "Halloween Candy" was an excuse to blame others and remove suspicion from the perpetrators of the actual crimes themselves, which turned out to be relatives of the victims.Excellent references here and well pointed out.There are more like this, and deserves attention as well.

The rest of the book is typical Silver Ravenwolf material.The chapters cover Divination, recipes for the kitchen and recipes for Halloween Magick, as well as honoring and speaking with the dead.Emphasis is placed on both the Holiday as being our New Year, a time to honor our ancestors and those we know who have passed through the veils.There are some rituals presented and the holiday is summarized.

The divination material is standard.Casting of lots, apple divination, water divination, nut divinations (the food, not the fools), use of Runes for divination, mirror magic; all of it usual material well explained.

The recipes, both for the kitchen and for magic, are standard, nothing exceptional here, and the focus of much of the magic is Silvers usual love spells or spells for prosperity, with a few assorted protection spells or blessings scattered between.

The material is written in a very clear and easy to understand manner.Ms. Ravenwolf includes little poems, quoted from various sources, as well as her own material.They are a pleasant addition to the book. Some of the material is almost cute, but that is typical Silver Ravenwolf, and her style dominates the book.

This is Silver Ravenwolf's Black Forest Clan brand of Wicca and her take on the holiday of Halloween.If you are a big fan of Silver Ravenwolf, this is the Halloween book for you.If you can sort through the spins of the history, there are facts presented that can be worth while.The book does what it set out to do, present The Truth about Halloween in true Llewellyn/Silver Ravenwolf style. Not a bad book, but it could have been much better if presented in a more non-bias format and the historical facts checked just a little better. boudica ... Read more

Isbn: 1567187196
Sales Rank: 102132
Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Divination    4. Halloween    5. History    6. Holidays (non religious)    7. Holidays - General    8. Magic    9. Manners And Customs    10. New Age    11. New Age / Parapsychology    12. Witchcraft    13. Witchcraft & Wicca   

Give Them a Real Scare This Halloween
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (30 August, 1997)
list price: $9.95 -- our price: $9.95
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Reviews (15)

Good Book, But Not What I Expected
I was looking for ideas for scary decorations, which is not really what this book is about, although it is well written and the cartoon drawings are great.
If you're looking for scary tricks to perform, this book has Halloween gags which would be good for a family or group to do together, to scare Trick Or Treaters or haunted house guests.
But if you're planning a Halloween party, and you want to socialize and actually be part of the party, this is probably not the book for you. Most of the ideas in this book must be repeated every time someone new arrives. They require you to play an active role in the scare, either in costume or behind the scenes, and many require two people.

Funny, out of this world ideas for Halloween!
This book is fun to read and the illustrations are amazing!For practical purposes though, this is not the book you want if you need step-by-step instructions to decorate.This book merely gives examples and ideas and lets you use your imagination to do the rest.Also, some of the ideas are so crazy and involved that you would have to start the day after Halloween to get them done by next Halloween!This book is great for a laugh and is meant to be taken lightly.I recommend for anyone who loves Halloween and a good laugh; but, not to anyone who is looking for detailed instructions on decorating for Halloween.

give them a real scare
what an awesome little book for halloween lovers everywhere.The illustrations are great and the book is very funny.I found an enourmous amount of great halloween ideas and useful information for everything halloween.the halloween supplier index in the back of the book is great.If you are really into halloween and need some great halloween ideas,you need to buy this book.You will never be sorry for the money spent.I have tons of new ideas now and am ready to put them into use this halloween season.This is a must have book for any halloween lovers!! ... Read more

Isbn: 096597720X
Sales Rank: 412916
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    3. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Seasonal    7. Halloween    8. Haunted houses   

The Halloween Tarot
Average Customer Review:
Cards (01 July, 1997)
list price: $18.00 -- our price: $18.00
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Reviews (12)

Irresistible!
I have to admit, although Halloween is my favorite holiday, I held off on this deck for a long time. Now I wonder why! It is so fun, and so full of energy. The artist has done a fabulous job celebrating all of the best parts of Halloween while presenting a deck that is surprisingly serious under the surface. Since it's based on the Rider-Waite, beginners as well as those who prefer to use the RWS system will feel right at home with it. But rather than just offering the same stale images that many RWS clones do, this deck has some delightful reworkings of the cards. Among my favorites are Temperance: a witch mixing her brew while a black cat looks on, and the Lovers which shows Dracula climbing into Mina Murray's room, letters and pictures from Jonathan Harker are spilled across her bedspread. In this deck pumpkins have been chosen to represent pentacles because of their connection to the earth, ghosts for cups because of their watery and dreamlike nature, bats for air because these winged creatures often strike fear in the hearts of individuals, and imps for wands because of their fiery energy. This easy to read deck, chock full of images of broomsticks, ghouls, tricks and treats will make you laugh out loud. And the best part is you don't have to wait all year to celebrate Halloween!

Humorous and complex!
This is a wonderful Rider-Waite-style deck which combines wit and fun with serious symbolism and a deep understanding of the Tarot.I see something new (either a joke or a piece of esoteric symbolism) every time I use my copy.It might not be the best deck for absolute beginners, since it is actually very complex, and be sure not to use it around the Tarot/Occult-nervous people in your life (the suit of Imps will have people of that sort running from the room screaming "Satan worship!" in a heartbeat).Also, the very fact that so many images *are* humorous may make people unfamiliar with the Tarot disrespect the deck without understanding that something can be funny *and* serious at the same time.Still, for someone (like me) who loves Halloween, black cats, the Tarot, and humor combining all three will love this deck.What's not to like about a Major Arcana where The Devil really *is* wearing a blue dress?

great halloween fun
This has been one of my favorite decks for many years. I only use this for personal readings, however dont hesitate using it professionally! It is especially fun during Halloween. The standard Rider Waite system is used so I would refer beginners as well as advanced readers. It is simply charming. I love the colors.I just wished the artistry were a bit more deep. Not that this hurts this deck in any way. By all means GET A COPY!!! ... Read more

Isbn: 088079965X
Sales Rank: 525251
Subjects:  1. Card Games - General    2. Cards - Playing / Tarot    3. Divination - Tarot    4. Games    5. Games/Puzzles    6. Tarot    7. Halloween   

The Big Book of Halloween: Creative & Creepy Projects for Revellers of All Ages
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (31 December, 1999)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $14.95
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Editorial Review

Make your home come alive with ghoulish spirit by plucking clever Halloween ideas from Laura Dover Doran's The Big Book of Halloween. From indoor décor to yard trimming, eerie edibles to easy costumes, Doran supplies a pleasantly spooky assortment of decorating and party-making ideas. Greet trick-or-treaters with authentic-looking gravestones and a procession of paper-bag luminaries, set the table with a bat runner and a pumpkin-spoon centerpiece, then serve up haunted-house cake or graveyard pudding washed down with spicy witch's brew (cider punch). Lots of color photos supplement good directions, and as an added bonus Doran throws in eight ghost stories to tell at your next Halloween party--illuminated by ghostly gourd lights, of course. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (9)

More fun to flip through than actually use as a "How to"
I'm always a little disappointed by any book that says it has it all, and the craft and recipe offerings in this book are either overly complicated or very well-worn. We've all seen painted pumpkins, graveyard pudding, and knitted pumpkin skullcaps many times before.

What I do like about the book is the holiday stories and lore sprinkled in throughout the book,the list of "last minute costume ideas", and photos of vintage Halloween collectibles. The book is fun to flip through, but there's nothing much new I'd use here for decorating or party throwing.

A FUN book that gets you in the mood for Hallowe'en!
I love this book!The craft projects are beautiful, functional, and diverse, presented beautifully with great photography and art production value.Notes and articles about various aspects of Hallowe'en are interspersed throughout, making this resource much more than just a how-to book.It's a joy to look at, whether you're in the mood to read, create, or just look at great seasonal photos and illustrations.

A FUN book that gets you in the mood for Hallowe'en!
I love this book!The craft projects are beautiful, functional, and diverse, presented beautifully with great photography and art production value.Notes and articles about various aspects of Hallowe'en are interspersed throughout, making this resource much more than just a how-to book.It's a joy to look at, whether you're in the mood to read, create, or just look at great seasonal photos and illustrations. ... Read more

Isbn: 1579900631
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Halloween    4. Halloween decorations    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Holiday decorations    7. Seasonal    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Halloween Pumpkins & Parties : 101 Spooktacular Ideas
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 July, 2002)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $15.95
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Reviews (1)

HALLOWEEN FUN
I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE VERY USEFUL & EASY TO CONJURE UP SOME HALLOWEEN FUN. IT SHOWS STEP TO STEP INSTRUCTIONS WITH PICTURES YOU CAN FOLLOW. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THEPINATA, VERY EASY TO MAKE. IT RANGES FROM DECORATIONS TO FOOD & BEVERAGES. I LOVED IT, SUPER EASY. ... Read more

Isbn: 0696214288
Sales Rank: 431636
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Entertaining - Party Planning    5. Halloween cookery    6. Halloween decorations    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Ghostly Frights for Halloween Nights
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (December, 2001)
list price: $14.95
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Editorial Review

Filled with the requisite bats, skeletons, pumpkins, and lots of ghosts, Ghostly Frights for Halloween Nights offers dozens of projects to bedeck house and garden for a month of spooking. Wooden-spoon-face ghouls dressed in glittery fabric scraps cluster among dead leaves in the front yard. Papier-mâché spheres shaped over balloons become a bat piñata, an owl lantern, or skull-headed maracas. Kids can help with some of the easiest projects, or they can enjoy the fruits of grownups' labor by counting down to the big day with an October version of the advent calendar, or play Dr. Frankenstein by reassembling a brightly colored monster body. The sometimes-murky directions and occasionally confusing (though graphically appealing) illustration diagrams are generally clarified by the color photos of the finished products, and most of the projects are fairly simple anyway. With the exception of the more-complex stitching projects (stuffed chameleon, peek-a-boo quilt, witch doll), novices should be able to handle most of these items. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Nothing new here
The book is cleverly laid out, with good illustraions and cute cartoons, but the craft ideas are really lame. If you're looking for interesting or unusual ideas, try Hocus Pocus: Halloween Crafts for a Spooktacular Holiday by Martingale and Company. Everything from invitations to decorations and food.

Wonderful photos....but the crafts...???
I bought this book at a deep discount thinking I would be able to whip up all kinds of wonderful Halloween spooky things to decorate my house with. The pictures on the front cover looked promising.
However, when I opened it up and looked inside, I realized that a lot of the crafts were very cheap. And I don't mean cheap as in money wise. I mean as in cheaply made, that they were not likely to last more than one season. It's my thought that if you put time and effort in to a display, you should be able to reuse it!
Another thing was the inclusion of wierd things like a pattern for a chameleon. Lizards in general are scary, but isn't Halloween usually reserved for snakes and toads? I don't find chameleons too intimidating, personally.
And a third thing was the bits of information in the book about the holiday...a few were incorrect, or were based on popular assumptions and not on actual research. Being that I'm a Halloween buff, I've researched this stuff so I know it's wrong, but maybe other people don't care that much. If not, the blurbs of info are entertaining.
I'm keeping the book because it has3 or 4 really cute projects that would come out nicely, and the pictures are great for other ideas (One gave me the idea to create a spooky birdcage with a raven in it.)
All in all...it's a good one to supplement if you have several other books on Halloween decorating, but I wouldn't suggest this be your only book.

Original Country Ideas
Well written, cute illustrations. Lots of beautiful photographs. This book is aimed towards the halloween Crafter. Many cute ideas that could be modified or expanded upon for details in the corners of your home haunt. Not a book for the serious hard-core haunter. ... Read more

Isbn: 0806958294
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Crafts for Children    4. Decorating    5. Halloween decorations    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Seasonal   

Pumpkin Painting
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1996)
list price: $11.95
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Editorial Review

Rather than carving jack-o'-lanterns this Halloween, break with tradition and paint your pumpkins instead. Not only will they last longer if they're not cut open, but since no sharp tools are involved, even the littlest kids can get in on the act. And the painting patterns can be used on plastic, wooden, or papier-mâché pumpkins, too. Thorough general directions explain how to choose the perfect pumpkin, extend its life, transfer patterns, apply the paint, and add embellishments like hair (yarn, fur, ribbon, wire, straw, polyester stuffing), and even give some carving tips.

Full patterns are provided for each of the many designs, which range from the appropriately spooky (witches, werewolves, mummies, monsters, haunted houses, a very effective Grim Reaper whose orange silhouette leers out of a black background) to the silly (clowns, barnyard animals, goofy grinning faces) to the country-décor style (autumn leaves, sunflowers, plaids). Some of the more involved designs may take a little practice, but most are fairly easy. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The most excellent pumpkin painting book
We use this book every year to paint about 30-40 pumpkins for table center pieces where I work.We have found, after searching for books on pumpkin painting, that this is our favorite one and we call it "our pumpkin bible".Then, the night of the children's halloween party, we let the kids take them home.All the patterns are easy (even for those who are not artistically talented).We highly recommend it!

Will cure all boredom while stranded on that desert isle!
This would be the book to take along before boarding the S.S. Minnow.You might also want to take along some acrylic paints, brushes, and a few other items which are clearly listed beside each project.This book would cure boredom over and over again as it contains many different easy-to-duplicate designs for not only pumpkins, but gourds, melons (and possibly coconuts).This book can be helpful for adults as well as children (and even possibly the natives).After all what else would there be to do on that desert isle after the sun goes down?! ... Read more

Isbn: 0806948582
Subjects:  1. Acrylic painting    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Halloween decorations    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jack-o-lanterns    7. Painting    8. Seasonal   

Pumpkin Decorating
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (28 August, 2002)
list price: $6.95 -- our price: $6.95
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Editorial Review

Decorated pumpkins don't always have to be carved, they don't necessarily have to be spooky, they don't have to portray faces all the time--heck, they don't even have to be pumpkins. Hence Pumpkin Decorating treats us to all manner of pumkinesque Halloween decor: carved, painted, glitzed, beribboned, beflowered, befeathered, and otherwise bedecked pumpkins, as well as some gourds, straw hats, fabric pumpkins, even a pumpkin face painted on a fishbowl. In addition to the expected contingent of really good scary ones (werewolves, Frankenstein monsters, witches, and other ghoulish characters), pumpkins and their kin masquerade as spiders, bats, vultures, robots, a truck, and many other clever concepts (more than 80 in all). Many are front-of-the-house sorts of decorations--they'd look great grouped on the front stoop, the lawn, or in the window. Others (like those sporting artificial flowers and leaves) will work nicely as centerpieces or for indoor tableaus. Complete directions and templates are given for all, plus general painting, carving, and embellishing techniques. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderfully Fun!
This book has 80+ unique and creative ideas for decorating everyone's favorite symbol of the season--the pumpkin!While some feature the traditional carved features, there are many other fresh, new ways to bring your Halloween characters to life.But jack-o'-lanterns are only some of the great ideas to be found in this book.Many designs can be used throughout the season--I especially liked the turkey and the football player pumkins.There is even a pink flamingo!The directions for each project are precise and easy to follow and there is a wealth of general information to get you started.If you like to decorate and you love autumn like I do, then this is the book for you. ... Read more

Isbn: 0806958634
Subjects:  1. Acrylic painting    2. Children's 9-12 - Crafts / Hobbies    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts & Hobbies - General    5. Halloween decorations    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Holidays & Festivals - Halloween    8. Jack-o-lanterns    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Halloween Crafts: Eerily Elegant Decor
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 August, 2001)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.97
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Editorial Review

As a regular on TV's Bewitched, Kasey Rogers (Louise Tate) has the right pedigree to produce Halloween Crafts: Eerily Elegant Decor. She and coauthor Mark Wood have dreamed up some pretty innovative approaches to such timeworn Halloween delights as pumpkin carving, table decorating, and party giving. Rather than limit carving to traditional orange pumpkins, they offer devilish red imps made of bumpy gourds and green glow-stick eyes, or a jaunty goblin king carved of green hubbard squash. A decrepit old butler figure presides over the "graveyard tea," and the "harvest of skulls" centerpiece features a tower of grinning plastic skulls topped with drippy black (electric) candles. A quartet of simple recipes makes up the "Boo-fey," along with two versions of punch contributed by another Bewitched alumnus, Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay). The home-snapshot quality of the photographs is the one weak spot in this otherwise commendable book. Still, enough details are generally visible to help clarify the occasionally confusing directions, and the step-by-steps are mostly adequately explained. A source list provides contact information for the harder-to-find items. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Not as expected
Although this book has one or two interesting projects, overall, it wasn't as wonderful as the other reviews cracked it up to be.I was unexpectedly dissapointed!

Crafty, but not elegant
I just got this book and there are some good ideas in it (which is why I gave it three stars), but I do not find the majority of their decor to be elegant.
What's elegant about using a cookie cutter to shape your sandwich like an owl or using the plastic honey bear to make a nightlight?

If you're looking for some adult craft ideas, then this book may be worth looking into, just keep in mind that different people have varying opinions of what constitutes "elegant decor."

Halloween is for adults again!
As other reviewers have written, this Halloween decorating book is meant for adults with taste. So often Halloween is reduced (doubtless by the presence of chain retailers that rely for profit on the kitschy) to the garish and silly--think of those stupid "witch-flew-into-a-tree" decorations. Kasey Rogers saves the day with this book, in which you can turn pumpkins into macabre "stone" settings, set up a Goblin King with his loyal subjects, light flickering Gothic candles, and enjoy a "harvest" of skulls. My favorite, though, is definitely the extremely easy to make New England-style tombstones. And next to the elegant nature of these projects, the best part is that nothing here is prefab silliness. Halloween is for adults again! ... Read more

Isbn: 0873492919
Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Halloween    5. Halloween cooking    6. Halloween decorations    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Holiday decorations    10. Seasonal   

Instant Period Costume: How to Make Classic Costumes from Cast-Off Clothing
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 2001)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.57
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Reviews (5)

Some great ideas
I agree with some of the other reviewers who pointed out that the costumes in this book are not "period perfect", but I thought the author had some clever and inspiring ideas about how to mix cast-off items to create new looks. Looking at her pictures will really help you to see the potential in those ugly old bridesmaids' dresses. I also appreciated her tips on how to use things like glue guns and cardboard for quick construction. I do wish, however, that the interior of the book had color pictures--the copy I have is all black and white, and it's hard to make out the detail in many of the images.

Instant Period Costumes
This is a fabulous book!!! Great for sewers and non-sewers alike. I will definitely buy it for my collection and have already started to aquire cast off clothing for usagein new costumes. Barb Rogers makes each costume seem so easy to make and really takes the threat out of costuming. GREAT IDEAS!!!! good pictures, wish they were all in color!!...

Quick and Easy
This book saved me from having to spend a fortune on a period costume for the re-enactment party. With some dye, glue, pins, and the ideas gleaned from it, I came up with my own Renaissance gown. And, it was so easy. You would not believe the people who asked where I got my costume. There is no doubt in my mind, when other occasions arise, I will be able to show up in a unique costume I have designed myself. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially people who don't sew, in need of a costume for any occasion. ... Read more

Isbn: 1566080703
Sales Rank: 313301
Subjects:  1. Costume    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Performing Arts    4. Performing Arts/Dance    5. Textile Arts - Costume    6. Theater - Stagecraft    7. Used clothing industry   

Elegantly Frugal Costumes: The Poor Man's Do-It-Yourself Costume Maker's Guide
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 August, 1992)
list price: $15.95
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Reviews (3)

Some good ideas.....
I received this book as a gift, and I am grateful for it.It does have some good ideas, some that I hadn't thought about, some different ways of doing things.It helps to think in different ways, do some brain-exercising.

Simple and Informative
What I like about this book is that it foregoes any esoterica and costuming theory in favor of good old fashioned practicality.The reader doesn't have to sift through the excruciating snobby details, but instead is given the real lowdown as if visiting with a best friend who happens to be a costume mistress.

This book focuses mainly on costuming for low-budget productions (such as community theatre or a school play), providing useful information and advice on making good-looking costumes from already existing garments and/or thrift store offerings.Information abounds about time period, costume cuts & styles, ways to splurge or skimp on your costumes and still have them look fabulous, as well as details that an inexperienced costumer might overlook (such as using velcro instead of buttons for ease in costume changes).

I would highly recommend this to anyone who is involved in costuming for a production, or anyone who simply loves costumes and loves to recycle old clothes into great new ones.I love this book and have read through it several times just for inspiration.

cosstuming on small budget
An excellent book of ideas and help for someone wanting to learn to costume for community theatre. It contains excellent examples of her own work that is easy to follow. It does not overload your brain with uselessinformation.A good starting out book, that aids aperson in organizingthe information , and research problems needed to suceeded in this field. Also a good read for veterans of the design buisness to give freshideasand back up what they have done .After 35 years finally I have foundsomeone who appreciates the use of thrift stores , goodwill and lacecurtains for stage costumes.Thank you Shirley for putting it into wordsand pictures. ... Read more

Isbn: 0916260887
Sales Rank: 261321
Subjects:  1. Costume    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design - Textile & Costume    4. Fashion design    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Performing Arts    7. Sewing    8. Theater - Stagecraft   

And who have we here? While many a poor spider is relatively harmless and misunderstood, some of the eight-legged creatures do use venom to paralyze their prey. And there's no mistaking this deadly arachnid. Despite the plush and cuddly two-part velvety body, there's a definite dark underside: the abdomen bears the unmistakable red hourglass marking of the dreaded black widow. Dress-up is a great way to stimulate imagination through role-play, so go ahead and let your child indulge in a little creative web spinning of his or her own. Size is adjustable. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Asin: B000034DKW
Subjects:  1. Bugs    2. Pretend Play    3. Fashion    4. Fashion Accessories    5. Halloween    6. Activity    7. Hats   

Harvest Tales & Midnight Revels: Stories for the Waning of the Year
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 September, 1998)
list price: $23.95
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Editorial Review

Harvest Tales & Midnight Revels is both a guide to giving storytelling parties at Halloween, and an anthology of original tales. Editor Michael Mayhew begins by describing how much he used to enjoy Halloween as a kid, especially for its affirmation in the face of death: "You may get me someday, but tonight I am alive!" As an adult, he missed the "magical shivers" of those eerie nights. So he started an annual gathering in which people would feast and tell stories.

The large middle part of the book is an anthology of the best read-aloud pieces that were shared with others at those parties: 16 stories and 3 poems. The only rule they had was that the story had to relate to Halloween in some way. So it's a mixed bag of creepy, quiet, corny, tacky, gory, and just plain silly tales--with such topics as late-night meetings with strangers, adventures in an urban underground, a pagan woman (i.e., witch) of the old times, and even "the gunk in the bottom of the refrigerator." None is longer than 2,500 words--a length that when read aloud comes to about 15 minutes.

The final section is a primer on how to give your own storytelling party, with suggestions for the number of guests, how to solicit stories, and how toplan the evening. Some of the ideas are awkwardly overstated for an adult book--surely everyone knows how to throw a potluck--but most of them, including suggested decor and music, seem well-founded.

"If I could share only one thing about what we did and learned over ten years of story parties," writes Mayhew, "it would be this: the Halloween that shrieked with glee when you were eight is still out there, only now it murmurs to itself in the dead of night..." --Fiona Webster ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Spirit of Halloween Oozes from These Pages
A demon who will grant your heart's desire in return for a taste of your blood.A legendary trick-or-treater who returns from the grave to help a youngster collect candy.A god of the urban highway who demands human sacrifices.All this and other haunting stories await you in HARVEST TALES AND MIDNIGHT REVELS: STORIES FOR THE WANING OF THE YEAR.These delightfully spine-tingling tales run the gamut of horror and Halloween themes.Some are outrageously humorous, some melancholy, and some frightening, but all of them are designed to bring back the spirit of All Hallows Eve for adults who long to celebrate the holiday as they did in their youth.

This book came about as the result of yearly Halloween parties hosted by the editor and his best friend, parties for which invited guests were requested to bring a holiday-related story they'd written and read it aloud.Many of the guests were (or are still) in some way professionally connected with the literary world, the fine arts, filmmaking, or television, and their talents shine through in these wonderfully crafted tales.

HARVEST TALES AND MIDNIGHT REVELS is one of the best anthologies of Halloween stories to come along in years.Even celebrated sci-fi and fantasy author Piers Anthony calls it "an impressive and original book, with an intriguing history of its own."And famed genre author and scriptwriter Larry Niven says "[these] stories are really good!"

Any lover of Halloween or horror literature who enjoys getting a good set of goose bumps will want to add this book to their library.With HARVEST TALES AND MIDNIGHT REVELS handy, any day of the year can feel like Halloween!

False Advertising
I detested this book. There is nothing of Harvest Tales nor Midnight Revels in it, only one nihilistic depressing story after another. There are four poems that were ok and two stories that were ok, the rest was just road kill. The stories are utterly disconnected from the title of the book. I really really do not ever want to go to a party where such tales are read. Bletch.

Stick to your day jobs...Not what expected
I was really excited when I ordered this book from Amazon.com.I try to read a Halloween themed book every October to put me in the Halloween spirit; this book fell short of my expectations though.There are a handful of good stories, about 5 of them, that made me feel my money wasn't totally wasted.But the rest are sub par stories written by non-professional writers.There was really something lacking.It was a stretch at best for some of these stories to even be in the book, because they didn't deal with Halloween, only loosely hinting at it.The idea behind the book was pretty cool; a compilation of stories originally read aloud on Halloween Night at a series of Halloween parties over a ten-year period.All I can say is that if these were the best stories from the parties, I am glad I wasn't invited! . ... Read more

Isbn: 0966166426
Subjects:  1. American Short Story Collections    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Fantasy - General    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Horror    6. Halloween    7. Harvest festivals    8. Horror - Anthologies    9. Horror tales, American    10. Short stories, American    11. Storytelling    12. Collections    13. Fantastic fiction, American    14. Ghost Stories, American   

Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs Of Yesteryear Postcard Book
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 2000)
list price: $5.95 -- our price: $5.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (4)

Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs Of Yesteryear Postcard B
Customs?...what customs? This is just a collection of tear-out postcard reprints with no comments, far less writing, to go along with them. On top of that, none of the "notable" ones are shown (Schmucker, Clapsaddle, etc.). Another "why did I buy this?" item to put on the shelf.

Great art work!Very classy!
I love vinatage/antique Halloween ANY THING!These cards are excellent.You get 15 wonderful post cards!I plan to frame some for decoration.I won't even use these to mail they're so pretty and elegant!Great, ...price for a wonderful item.Recommend highly!

Great vintage artwork for Halloween-ists!
A small collection of Halloween related postcards. It could have used a few more in it, but its ok for the price. ... Read more

Isbn: 1565548353
Sales Rank: 316334
Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Art    3. Art Media (Specific Aspects)    4. General    5. Holidays (non religious)    6. Postcards    7. Special Subjects In Art    8. Stationery / Gift Wrap   

Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (September, 2000)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.57
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Reviews (2)

Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs Of Yesteryear Postcard B
When I first got this book, I flipped through it and thought,"hey,where's the 'wish list' postcards(Winsch,etc.)?". After I started reading it I realised that the postcards shown were perfect in illustrating the subject matter in each chapter. Also, the "reason" for some of the unusual images (cabbage people, etc.) I had seen on Halloween postcards became clear. A fun and informative book.

Romantic Fortunes and Halloween Fun
Halloween in the United States wasn't always a children's trick-or-treat holiday. In the beginning of the 20th century Halloween was a time when young adults peered into the murky haze of things to come and used all manner of methods to try to prophesy their romantic futures. Parties were the rage where bobbing for apples wasn't just a game but a chance to search the omens found in apple seeds and peels. Auguries in candle flames, in pumpkins, seeds, nuts and mirrors all were employed by the curious.This wonderful book uses the illustrations of full-color vintage postcards that were the rage in the early 1900s to show the many delightful and quaint oracles that were consulted.It includes numerous Halloween poems and party ideas from a bygone era, even some super costume ideas that could be used today to stunning effect for a nostalgic Halloween celebration.The text is filled with detailed history about the customs of yesteryear and the abundant appeal of the postcard images, pictures of antique table favors and invitations is sure to delight. Do not miss out on this book if you love Halloween.It contains a forgotten and very charming aspect of Halloween and Americana that I found very enjoyable and I think you will, too. ... Read more

Isbn: 1565547128
Sales Rank: 75544
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Catalogs    3. Folk & Outsider Art    4. Halloween    5. Halloween in art    6. History    7. Holidays (non religious)    8. Postcards    9. Seasonal    10. Sociology    11. United States   

Halloween Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family (Holiday Celebrations)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 October, 1998)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $14.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Cocoa Cobweb Cupcakes, Black Cat Cookies, and Stained-Glass Spooks are just a few of the spirited tastes you'll encounter in Donata Maggipinto's delightful Halloween Treats. But it's not just recipes--you and your favorite little goblin will love creating spooky craft projects such as Candy Cauldrons, Leaf Lanterns, and Paper Bag Pumpkins together in anticipation of All Hallows' Eve. Maggipinto includes craft ideas for "Pixies" (children 4-8 years old) as well as older children, and nearly every recipe includes a safe task for younger helpers. (For example, while mom or dad should heat the milk for hot cocoa, kids can roll and stamp out marshmallow ghosts as accompaniment.) A few of the craft ideas will require a trip to the art supply store (such as lampshade paper for the very nifty flashlight lanterns), but Maggipinto leaves plenty of room for the magical combination of imagination and found objects. Her great "fanciful masks" are dime-store masks decorated with autumn leaves, candy wrappers, feathers, or anything else you might have at hand.

Maggipinto believes that Halloween festivities should last for at least a week; you'll find enough project instructions and recipes here for a month of Halloween fun. Grownups will love her Halloween dinner party menu (with Pumpkin Crackle Custard for dessert!) and kids can help by making corn kernel napkin rings and three-tiered pumpkin centerpieces. If you're looking for costume ideas, you won't find them here--the book is focused firmly on kitchen and decoration fun--but the beautifully illustrated Halloween Treats is a wonderful treasure trove of tricks and treats that every family will enjoy working on together. --Rebecca A. Staffel ... Read more

Reviews (3)

More trick than treat
Some of the ideas were cute and worth trying.But, for the most part, it is not worth the money.I loved the pictures, which were the best part of the book.I plan on trying some of the ideas, but depending on the age ofyour children, it's not really a family oriented book.I lost interestvery rapidly, as did my 4 and 7 year olds.

great photos, inspiring ideas
It was so hot here in AZ this fall, I needed a jumpstart to get into the Halloween spirit. This was just the book. Great photos and seasonal recipes made me run out to buy sweet potatoes for making the baked chips! Ienvisioned keeping them on hand for lunches and snacks, but they were gonein a day. The black cats were cute, too, but we all suffered with blacktongues after the fact. Plenty of other cute ideas for little ones.

Ifyou want Julia Child, don't buy this book; but if you want a holiday read,with great pictures and some nice recipes, find a notch on your bookshelffor this one.

Beautiful pictures, some good ideas but not much substance
I enjoyed the wonderfully festive pictures and I was able to glean some ideas from her book as a starting point for my own Hallowe'en projects. However, I'm not so sure there is enough substance nor wholly originalideas to make it a worthwhile purchase. It is a fun book to thumb throughbut most of the "magic" is to be found in the photographs.Itried some of the recipies: the cocoa cobweb cupcakes were not"chocolatey" enough and the pumpkin soup was okay but notspectacular. ... Read more

Isbn: 0811821978
Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Halloween    4. Halloween cookery    5. Halloween decorations    6. Holiday - General    7. Holiday decorations    8. Methods - General   

Ouija Board: Glow-in-the-Dark
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $17.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

If you've seen "The Exorcist" lately, the folks at Parker Brotherswould like to extend a heartfelt "Captain Howdy-Ya-Do?" courtesy of theirnewly luminescent classic Ouija Board equipment. It's the same traditionalsetup as it was decades ago: the alphabet-and-numbers board with "Yes," "No,"and "Good Bye" spelled out in turn-of-the-century mysterious script; theheart-shaped "Message Indicator Oracle" with the readout window; the numerouscoy references to Ouija being "only a game--isn't it?" So if this editionseems to comprise a bit more plastic than we remember, the promise of theboard and indicator glowing in the dark for half-an-hour (after exposure tolamplight for 10 minutes) more than makes up for it. Of course, in the darkyou'll never know for sure whether the person across the board is the onepushing the indicator, now will you? --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (196)

Ouija ROCKS!
This is the best game ever! Just make sure...

1. Your first question should be to ask the spirits name. Make sure you can trust it.
2. Do NOT get addicted.
3. Don't sass the spirits.
4. Have fun!

A neat fact:
Sometimes spirits will ask you for help. Ask them what they need help with (They are in captivity, trapped, in danger, etc.) and then tell them if you are up to the job.

Another fact:
Make sure to not be negative with spirits. Do not engage in negative discussions, if the spirit is being negative, put the board away and make sure the spirit doesn't hang around.

Last fact:
Look out for your spirit guardian - it may be talking to you!

This game is really fun, and you can start a collection! A very nice toy ;-D

Durability/fun: This game is really fun, and very durable. Fun is just about 10 stars!
Education: Not very educational, but you can learn numbers and the alphabet. Maybe the spirit can be your teacher!

Thanks for reading thats all I have now for u byebye!

Fake
I played this, it made no sense at all..The thing didnt move at all. I played with my lovely boyfriend and nothing happened,no ghosts came out nothing happened, It wasnt movieing its just a urban legend to trick you.

witches, spells, and spirits! salem and Ouija Boards!
If you are under the impression that all witches are 'evil' and 'no good', you are wrong. Witches are not evil and they never will be. They're kind of ritchuals, are a religion, just like when people go to church, on Easter Sunday. This board is simply for fun, to try to get enough energy from YOUR world to conect with another. If you have an adult with you, than it would be even more fun to have a sceance, to go along with the Ouija Board. This really works, too. A long time ago, in the 1600's in Salem, people thought the witches (they weren't even witches) were making people do strange things, like shake, scream, sleep-walk and have terrible night-dreams. But, if THEY would have had the type of tecnology we had today, it would be obvious that those were just common desises. We also know that, the people that they clamied to be witches, were probubly people they didn't like very much (ememies). I beleive, that if you have the right kind of Ouija Board, you can really conect with other worlds, and bring the dead, into your world...just watch out for this kind of nasty, tricky ghost, called a 'poltgogist'. I am sorry for my spelling mistakes (i know i made some). thank you.
sighned,
modern witch in training (lol). ... Read more

Asin: B0000524NG
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Classic Games    3. Board Games    4. Family Favorites    5. Wacky    6. Glow-in-the-Dark