Haunted Mansion Amigurumi!

 This really makes me wish I could crochet! They're just so darn CUTE!

The Mansion's Dishes

There's always room for one more at the table, isn't there?

Well, someone was wondering where to get the goods to recreate the Haunted Mansion's beautiful dining table, and of course the internet responded!

Click here for an informative article from Inside the Magic!

Haunted Mansion News

Via Creepy Cupcakes. Thanks for the heads-up, Carrie Mae!

New Flameless Candles Coming-Via Haunted Mansion Technology

Thanks to Carl Kestner on the Garage of Evil Yahoo group for posting this. I look forward to seeing these in my pumpkin pots.

With fire marshals showing up to shut down haunts, it seems that this would be a fantastic way to put in one more inexpensive safety feature.

More info here.

My Secret Santa Can Suck It Gift To ME!

Some of you will recall the Secret Santa Can Suck It post, as you're probably not still drunk from your office Christmas party. Well, I've had a random thought about it-I'm well known for my random thoughts-and thought I'd share how it came about.

I was sharing the Secret Santa Can Suck It concept with my dad the other day and told him that if I were to get a Secret Santa gift for myself (Not so secret, I admit. I'd act surprised, though.) and money were not an issue, and there was nothing but cooperation all the way with the other parties involved, I'd get an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland to see the Haunted Mansion, (during the Holidays, so I could see Jack Skelington) ride the ride as many times as I want (no one to say "ARE YOU DONE, YET? I'M BORED!"), and get a leisurely backstage tour of the mansion, and maybe the animatronics shop, too. Oh, and a Disney's Haunted Mansion Game of Life. The only thing better than that would be to take a trip to all the Haunted Mansions, worldwide, but hey, I'm not greedy! The one in Anaheim will do just fine!

As the last few days have gone by, I thought of one more twist to this gift, one that would make it even more fun: Share the whole package with CalHaunts (NorCal and SoCal) members, and whatever members of the Garage of Evil want to participate, complete with babysitters for their kids so Mom and Dad could enjoy themselves and not feel rushed. (You who don't belong to either of these groups had better sign up, and fast!)

So once again, your dear Mistress of Mayhem, ShellHawk is sharing her (virtual) bounty with you. Give, give, give! Never take. That's me.

Merry Christmas,all of you! Hope you liked your (virtual) gift!

Grim Grinning Ghosts

I'll be honest. I haven't been to the Haunted Mansion in ages. But... I got a special release CD of the Haunted Mansion attraction, as well as the book on the creation of the Haunted Mansion, and I really want to go see it again. I know, it is an oxymoron to go to the "happiest place on Earth" when there are more screaming, crying children per capita than anywhere else, but, well... Gotta see the Grim Grinning Ghosts in all their glory, right? I found several versions of the song for you...

Here's one version of the original singing busts from the Haunted Mansion. I've posted this before, but I though you might enjoy this if you have a dream of doing any projection for your haunt...

And just a nod to the busts in the new Haunted Mansion movie.

My very favorite version, played on a 1920 pipe organ played in a Roman Catholic Church. What could be better?

Random L.A. Moment-SCORE!

There's a great store in Burbank called 8 Ball. While a little spendy for people like me who are cheap, it's great fun to look around. There are all kinds of curiosities to be found alongside the cool clothing and shoes. Like this remote controlled zombie.
Yes, the remote is the brain. If you decide your zombie might be lonely, get him some pets.
When he gets out of hand on his brain-eating rampage, you could have an angry mob all ready to go.
I bought a couple of things there, one of which was the "Dead Duck" rubber ducky to add to my collection.
The duck just in front of him looks a bit concerned, doesn't he?
And lastly, I found a great album while browsing through Atomic Records a couple of doors down from 8 Ball. I had already found Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House on eBay. One day, I'll borrow a turntable from someone so I can listen to it in all its glory.
As I was browsing, I got to chatting with the guys who work there, and they pointed out this find:
The official, original, spectacular The Haunted Mansion album, with storybook in the middle! Narrated by Thurl Ravenscroft (the original Tony the Tiger), who scared the crap out of me as a kid with his rendition of the Headless Horseman song. So excited about this! While I'm not a rabid fan of Disney, I am a fan of the Haunted Mansion for obvious reasons. (One of my dreams is to get a tour of The Haunted Mansion in California with the lights up! Although I suppose I could tolerate the one in France or Japan in a pinch... ;o))

The album was in fantastic condition. I played it for my dad on his turntable almost the second I got home. He had the decency to look interested.
That find coincided with finding a copy of The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies. This book became my reading material immediately (as I had just finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and I learned a lot of little things about the attraction I didn't know before. If you're interested in the Haunted Mansion, this book is a must read!

It was a great day for unusual finds.