Prop-making supplies... what's important to you?

I was just sitting here, thinking about the tax refund that I'm getting back, and how to best spend some of it.  Now, part of the reason that I haven't really made anything new in the past 2 years is due to a severe lack of funds for supplies - along with low motivation.  I was thinking I could use some of the upcoming cash to put into my prop-making supply cabinets.  The most important things to me are: carpenter's glue, latex paint, DryLok, joint compound, liquid latex, assorted paint brushes (mainly chip brushes), and foam sheets.

I'm curious though, what would everyone else consider a "must-have" for their supply list?  I want to pick up a new medium in the hopes that it will spark some of that creative flow that I used to have, while I have the temporary means to try it.  Please chime in!

Happy New Year (Hi 2011, please be a good haunt year!)

Well, already a week into January and I finally got the boxes put back up in the attic from Halloween.  Did the party, had fun, pics posted on the site.  I really REALLY hope I can get back into my Halloween groove this year.  I miss making props and getting excited about  October.  The past couple of  years have just been severely lacking in all areas concerning haunting.  Wish me luck, good karma, whatever.... I just need my mojo back.  :-(

I guess I've lost my dang mind...

So, before we went on vacation from work a couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend's sister made a comment about my not doing the part this year and not having the inside set up so they could all see it.  Tom and I have only been together just less than a year, so his sister was not in my life last year, so she didn't get to see the craziness.  Next year she and her husband and children will be in California and won't get to see it, which makes this year the only time in the foreseeable future for it to happen.  After some thought, I figured I'd at least set up most of it so she could come out, plus the ToTs would probably like to see it back since I didn't do tours last year.  Then while I was at work, I made the crazy snap decision that if I'm going to go through the trouble of setting up the inside, I might as well go all the way and have the party.  Now... call me nuts, but I'm kinda looking forward to it this year.  Last year and the year before were such let-downs that I swore this year I wouldn't put myself through it again and take a break.  Anyway, I told my co-worker Devin about my decision and she immediately started jumping up and down and cheering.  She was at the lame party last year, and she loves A. parties and B. dressing up for Halloween, so her enthusiasm totally made me happy about my decision to go forth and party.  I revealed to Tom what I wanted to do, and he said "Looks like we have some work to do."  That made me even happier, being that he used "we".  :)  Then I told everyone else via a Facebook status update... and the positives just came rolling in.  My friend Ivy said it'll be a great year since we don't have the oppression of the "ex" around and Tom is much cooler.  I am really stoked now.  Even my best friend was positive about it, and she hates Halloween.  I think the fact that I'm not making costumes mandatory plays a big role in that... lol  Anyway, Tom and I have most of the gossamer up in the house, and all the boxes down from the attic.  It really makes a difference having someone who is HELPING me, rather than running off and doing his own thing all the time.  I am REALLY looking forward to this year, even if it is on a much smaller party scale.  I am going to keep it simple and enjoy it.

Did I mention I collect magazines too?

I have always been a book-lover, so it's natural for me to collect Halloween books, but magazines  catch my eye too, especially when I have time to peruse them on breaks at work.  Lately, the fall and Halloween issues of the standard women's mags (BHG, Family, Southern Living, etc) have been showing up on the stands and they definitely have a way of catching my eye.  I picked up a copy of this season's "Taste of Home" "Ultimate Halloween" offering last week, and while it has a lot of cutesy things in it, the recipes are what really prompted my purchase.  (It's actually a softcover cookbook, but we'll call it a magazine since it was in the magazine section and all.  :)

I'm always looking for something different and tasty to whip up for the yearly event, and even though it's not happening this year, I want to get a jump on next year's party by scouring for new recipes to try out during my hiatus.  Now, there's always the same ol' thing in most of these magazines, but I did find a few things I want to try, and every one of these mags inspires me, so that makes it worth the extra bucks I spend on them.

A lot of what I love most about these kinds of magazines is the presentation of the food.  The spicy skeleton ribs and sausage stuffed slithery snakes above are two of my favorites from thes particular magazine.  (Though I think I would add some mozzarella cheese to the tops of the peppers after stuffing them and bake them in the oven for a bit instead of serving them up with the peppers raw.)

Anyway, Taste of Home doesn't disappoint this year, at least not me and I'm happy to have another Halloween reading goodie in my growing collection.  You can also check out the recipes in the Halloween section of their Holiday recipes on tasteofhome.com.  Enjoy!

The great garage clean-up of 2010........

is drawing to a close, finally.  Andy came and got the rest of his crap out of my garage, now all that is left is to organize my tool and supply cabinets, and the prop building can commence!!!!!!!

Wanna go a little "green" with your props?

http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/10/12/brian-dettmers-ghastly-recycled-cassette-tape-skulls-skeletons/

Very cool use of old cassette tapes!

I want!!!!!!!!

I Love Halloween With Scary Witch Flying her Broom Tshirt from Zazzle.com