Tag: decoration

World Tree of Hope

December 22nd, 2011

Until recently, I had not heard of the World Tree of Hope in San Francisco City Hall.

People “from world leaders to school children” have contributed their wishes for a better world via paper cranes that now decorate the tree.

You can make a wish for free and be part of this lovely project.

I would love to make a miniature version of this to adorn with the wishes of (or my good wishes for) my friends and loved ones. I could also see myself having all wishes written on candy, to be eaten up in good cheer during a holiday gathering!

Here are some past World Trees of Hope…

2010:

2009:

2008:

2007:

2006:

World Tree of Hope
Halloween Countdown: Odds and Ends Megapost

October 30th, 2011

I’m sure many of you have already seen the zombie pumpkin spawn, but it’s truly amazing:

Perhaps I should start a “romance” tag for all the things I find endearing that would probably thoroughly put off most women (like Zombie Bon Bons):

This D.W. Frydendall Halloween Icon Portrait Show at Hyaena Gallery features one of my all time favorites…Hatbox Ghost (featured here and here)!

Check out my friend K.O.’s wonderful blog The Skeleton Key for Halloween goodies (great photos of her personal excursions and decor!).

Not Halloween related exactly, but monstrous…observe a hamster with a unique hoarding habit by CLICKING HERE.

And speaking of creatures, one of my favorite nature blogs, Real Monstrosities has a Halloween collection of natural spooky critters.

How about a wonderful collection of death (and life) masks?:

For the Hello Kitty fans out there, enjoy this little feline in the guise of your favorite monsters here:

A ridiculously cute spooky Russian doll garland, downloadable here.

Ugh…I guess at least this is preparing her for her teen years and adulthood when the only pre-made costume choices she’ll have will be slutty cop, slutty bumblebee, slutty nurse, slutty witch, slutty fairy…

More later or tomorrow!
Halloween Countdown: Grandinroad

October 28th, 2011

Here are a few of my favorite picks from Grandinroad’s Halloween Haven this season.

Skeleton hand wall mounts:

Or witch hands, if you prefer:

This tree is incredible:

I think it’s actually the flowers that are for sale, but I can’t take my eyes off the mummies:

Ah yes, here they are…

Skulls and tapers sold separately, but it’s a nice combo:

They also have life size animatronics and animatronic accessories. I’m actually partial to the crawling hands and dancing broomsticks:

See more here.
Halloween Countdown: Desktop Treat Bag 10/25

October 25th, 2011

This little baby buggy tends to circulate every year on various sites. Awww…precious.

Swoon-worthy decoration…

I’d like to see real photos of these:

These as well…

A lovely sculpture by Kate MacDowell:

Ugh…there were always the dreaded houses that dispensed awful Brach’s candy when I was a kid. No one even wanted to trade this stuff.

And arguably even worse…

(I’m not anti-raisin, but this is HALLOWEEN…who wants to gather typical lunchbox fare?)

Definitely an inspirational image for awesome kitschy decoration:

Best passive-aggressive note card ever:

Well, hello there.

One lump, or two?

This is either pretty great, or a sad sign made by a dyslexic man named Brian:

Hang on while I hyperventilate because this collection is so fantastic (wish I had the source!):

Groovy retro style pattern:

Not intended for Halloween…but amazing:

Also unrelated, but this octopus looks monstrously friendly. He’s smiling. At you.
Halloween Countdown: Halloween Wedding Decor Part 1

October 22nd, 2011

Last year, Halloween fell on a Saturday. Why didn’t everyone on earth with even the slightest inclination to wed rush to the altar? (Oh, because not everyone adores Halloween like I do…I forgot).

I was expecting a proliferation of spooky wedding decorations from 2010 to come up in an image search, but didn’t find as many as I expected. So here are a few nice table setups:

Ooh…

And on a related note, dark roses and calla lilies…simple and lovely!

Tomorrow…cakes.

See my previous post on Halloween Wedding Cakes.
Halloween Countdown: Misc. Treat Bag

October 17th, 2011

I don’t have sources for all of these, but here are some Halloween goodies that have been popping up on the Web lately.

Sweet…

I believe I got these two from The Last Goddess:

One day I’m going to do some window silhouettes for the Halloween season…

I’d like to see what the “tricks” are. I’ve used A LOT of black thread in my day.

This actually wasn’t made for Halloween, but…what’s with the demon snake eyes? I find this more terrifying than most horror illustrations.

And now from the simple-but-neat “why didn’t I think of that file:”

I very much want this…

This, on the other hand, is not AS appealing:

A couple of fine ways to travel if you’re dead:

A little unrelated but was this…a thing?

Amazing autumn maple…

Awesome idea for innovative pumpkin decoration…the junk-o-lantern!

I’m sure there are more “treat bag” posts on the way. Image suggestions are welcome!
Halloween Countdown: Hostess with the Mostess

October 16th, 2011

Ready for some great spooky tableaux? Check out the whole Halloween tag on Hostess with the Mostess.

There are lots of different themes: Victorian, vampire, harvest…from cute to classy and everything in between.

A number of posts also contain free printables and tutorials.

Each scene creates a real atmosphere, beautifully coordinated.

See more great party ideas here.
Halloween Countdown: Party City Roundup

October 14th, 2011

And now, some favorites from this year’s stock.

I like their whole “Be Very Afraid” line of decorations and tableware.

A few simple, classy black items might go well with…well, pretty much anything.

A special twist on drink umbrellas:

Check out this…wait for it…HANDelabra:

I must admit I swooned over these mini icing knives for cake/cupcake decorating like I was looking at a newborn baby. “Ooooh…so cute!”

Party City
Mizukagami Water Mirrors

July 29th, 2011

I’ve seen countless decorative mirrors, but very few do creative things with the design of the mirror surface itself.

Would you want one of these in your house? I rather like the illusion.

A few more photos and a tiny bit of info at the source.