Want to know more about certain species of bats?  Try Bat Conservation International's profiles at this site.

This sweetie is an Evening Bat.

Hallowe'en thrills in July!

We'll be there!  I picked up a lovely, black foam tri-fold display at Staples yesterday and will have a "fun and informative"! presentation on bats for everyone to oogle!  What species are in our area?  Why should you care about their plight?  What can you do to help them?  All these questions will be answered!   

Please join us!  Check out the ScareFest's website for all the details and see the incredible listing of super-spooks who will be there!  

Too good to eat!

Has someone ever done something so nice for you, so utterly unexpected, that it makes you pause and wonder?  Like maybe wishing for a zombie apocalypse wouldn't be such a good thing? Perhaps, just perhaps there's hope for humankind after all?   I had such a moment this week, when I received in the mail a small packet.  Inside the packet were a number of tasty morsels but none compares to this incredible gift:  a postcard featuring a Krampus cookie being eaten by 2 rats!  (Okay, maybe you think they are mice but I know they're rats!)  

Wow!  Since I recently "discovered" Krampus (thanks again Eric!) I have been in love with him!  And you know I love rats!  So perhaps you can imagine how happy this card makes me!  (I also love baking cookies, so there!)  

Here's a closeup of the rats.

Thank you, Rose, from the very bottom of my inky, pessimistic heart to the very tips of my imagination and inspiration!  You are a wonder!

I hope to make you feel at least a bit of this happy very soon!

And thank you to the Hallowe'en Queen herself, Pamela Apkarian-Russell, for guiding this card into Rose's hands.  It couldn't be appreciated more!

This post is also on my clawscratches blog but the Hallowe'en nature of it made me think it also belongs here.

Your turn!

Dear Hallowe'en Artists,
  It's been a real treat getting to "meet" all of the new artists who have joined our Online Hallowe'en Artists' Studio Trick or Treat and hearing encouraging words from artists who have signed on for a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th year! Your enthusiasm means a lot to me, thank you!

  Please note that your donation of $28 is due June 15th... I know, I know I hate this part too but this is how we help save bats! So please send in your $28 to either Bat World Sanctuary or Bat Conservation International. Remember that your placement on the trick or treat map is set when I receive word that you've paid, so why delay? Besides, the only part about hosting this tour that I realy, really dislike is having to remind you to pay, so please get it over with! If you need to review the guidelines, please see http://www.scratchingatthewindow.com/trick_or_treat/for_artists.htm.

  And if you do it now you can help either charity win $25 000! Yes, there's a contest ending May 14th and both Bat World and BCI are in the running for the three prices! Would it not be amazing if your donation helped them win? Imagine what $25 000 means to these organizations, and the bats they help!

  So please use http://www.crowdrise.com/batworldearthdaychallenge  to select Bat World or http://www.crowdrise.com/BatConservationInternational  to help Bat Conservation International and simply forward to me the e-receipt so I can mark you off as paid!

  If you haven't yet joined the tour but would like to, please email me and I'll answer any questions you may have.

           Boo to you!

Day of the Dead bears by Amy Thornton

Amy Thornton is set to go and show off her new creations at the Philadelphia Doll and Teddy Bear Convention but she posted this sneak-peak on her Facebook page.  WOW!  Day of the Dead Teds!!!  I think they look amazing and I love how she combined the bears and iconic Day of the Dead elements!  Spot on! 

A Haunting in April we did go!

Check out my review of the Canadian Haunted Attractions Conference at
http://www.scratchingatthewindow.com/, just scroll down to the poster and click.

And mark your calendars: April 12-14, 2013 will be the dates for next year.

Hallowe'en party planning

Yes, it is never too early to start planning for a Hallowe'en party! April 31st is the 6 month mark to the big day, so why not start now?

Here are a few planning aids that you might find useful to get organized.Also take a look at http://www.thefamilygroove.com/oct_CharmedWereSure.htm for a helpful guide to staying on top of things.

With 2012 marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, why not host a Titanic party? Your guests can arrive in period costumes, either dead or alive, and you can assign each one an identity in a sealed envelope. At the end of the dinner or party, each guest can open their envelope and read their fate.

And too funny!!! You can get ice-cube trays to make wee Titanics and icebergs! I have to say, while the sinking was a tragedy, it's so fraught with human error and stupidity and greed I don't feel guilty about this sort of fun. (Thanks, Doris, for finding these!) http://www.amazon.ca/Fred-Friends-Ice-Cube-Mould/dp/B001GQ2SQ6

From Saws, to Hospitals, to Dremel Bits and Screens...The Way of Gothic GG

As I'm getting ready for the Canadian Haunted Attractions Conference in Hamilton, next weekend, AND Shockstock in London, I thought I should write a quick post about some of the things I am making, considering they involve bats.  I mean, what good spooky crafter wouldn't make something with bats in it!  

The first 'bat' pumpkin I ever carved. 

This is a picture of one of the first pumpkins I ever worked on.  It's not super...I made it in a hospital in October while waiting for a diagnosis of MS.( The bats were actually drawn on a piece of 'paper' made from relatively transparent gauzy tape that I found in the locker, which worked well since I wanted some light to show through the bat drawings).  I was worried about the haunt that was NOT getting finished at my house and wondering why my legs weren't working.  My aunt gave me foam pumpkins and a basic serrated pumpkin saw, and said, "You went to art school  You can draw.  So, draw and carve!"  

And I did.  I carved so much that I am now considered a 'professional' pumpkin carver, having done interviews on syndicated FM radio, teaching seminars (one this weekend...you can still sign up), having people from all over request commissions, and my tools have changed from the simple saw to everything from various dremel bits to burnishing tools used by the crafty sculptors that make wooden bird replicas.  I have even been known to use an ingrown hair eyebrow plucker and an emery board. If you want to know why, sign up for the seminar, or look for a PDF book sometime, once I figure out how to make PDF's, that is...

I gave this pumpkin away, every though it has sentimental value, to a woman with end-stage MS whose struggle to survive has inspired thousands of people with MS that have undergone treatment for CCSVI (google it, as they say).  I have a picture of us together, but am not posting it anywhere because I refuse to use her, or anyone, for publicity's sake.  She's one of my inspirations, and not a celebrity to use for promotion.  Just so you know.  I did it to show her that without people like her, I wouldn't have happened upon CCSVI and been treated for it (twice) and that I need to keep fighting for treatment to be available for everyone with MS.  But, I digress...have you noticed I tend to go on tangents?  Hang on, dear reader.  

Corset design No. 17 in a series...

At any rate, for these upcoming conventions, I won't have a lot of foam pumpkin sculptures.  This may disappoint some people.  It disappoints me.  I haven't had time!  It is Easter weekend, and with kids, that means 4 days of doing nothing but being a slave, cook, butler, maid, nurse, teacher, mom, etc. etc.  so there won't be much time for carving or making florals.  But, I did make some super bat pendants, and am currently going to stay up all night, every night of the weekend if I have to (which isn't good for MS, or anyone frankly) to continue screen printing a new series of shirts, based on Alice in Wonderland, and old French corset advertisements. I was thinking for the October Studio tour, of making a shirt design of antique bats or something.  Gosh knows I browsed the Internet last night for 2 hours and found a bundle of free bat brushes.  That would make a good post (*mental note*.)

That being said, I am, and always will be, Gothic Gourd Girl, the carver (and the ghoul that got treatment for MS that managed to pull of haunts at her home every year afterwards).  Long live angioplasty and long live my favourite dremel bit!  

Canada Haunts

If, like me, you can't wait until October for Hallowe'en you can get relief from your addiction by attending the Canadian Haunted Attractions Conference on April 13-15! Yes, we Canadians know how to scare the poop out of each other and we're gathering in Hamilton, Ontario, to share our experiences, expertise and enthusiasm. Please join us, I'll be there on Saturday, probably wearing my "bats online" t-shirt. Please say boo and talk to me if you'd like to take part in my online tour.

PS One of our artists, Stacy Saman, is presenting at the Conference and is even pictured on the poster!