Something Wicked This Way Comes

After watching this little guy sell out

every season for many years,

I finally pulled the trigger

and bought one.

get one here

A Krampus nutcracker!

Who's Krampus you ask?

The following is from Wikipedia...

"The Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic 

figure in the Central and Eastern Alpine 

folklore of Europe who, during the Advent 

season, scares children who have misbehaved

Assisting Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, the pair

visit children on the night of December 6th,

with Saint Nicholas rewarding

the well-behaved children with gifts such as

oranges, dried fruit, walnuts and chocolate,

while the badly behaved ones only receive

punishment from Krampus with birch rods.

Krampus day itself, on the other hand,

is on December 5th"

I think Krampus is a very unusual character,

and I love the idea of him.

A little scary to mix into the Christmas season.

He has chains thought to symbolize the binding

of the Devil by the Christian church.

Of course, still allowing ample freedom

for a vigorous child thrashing.

When I saw this nutcracker at

Dellamorte & Co on ETSY

I was intrigued.

source

I loved the colors and he was just the

right amount of scary.

source

With the price of $95

it really was a little scary

and the reason I never

acquired one sooner.

I once toyed with the idea of

ordering a hand carved wooden

Krampus mask from Austria

as a wall hanging...

source

But the cost of one of those was

TERRIFYING!!!

So this little nutcracker

would do nicely.

source

I assume Michael Locasio, the owner of

Dellamortico & Co hand sculpted the

first Krampus prototype.

source

He then produces them in resin,

hand paints and assembles them, adding

hair and metal chains to a handful each year.

He has an education in classical sculpture,

anatomy and the bronze monument process.

Michael has worked as a fine artist as well as

sculpted action figures,

toys, and collectable statues.

He also has a fascination for the macabre,

the mythic, and the unusual.

Check out his ESTY shop for more.

source

My Krampus Nutcracker arrived yesterday!

I wasted no time arranging him

into the vignette I intended for him

Can you see him?

He's right beside Santa on

a small box to give him height.

He's ready with his birch rods

to thwack naughty children.

He sort of reminds me of one of

those grumpy monster Muppets

in amongst the cheery Muppet cast.

I wish he was a bit bigger

but then he'd probably cost more.

source

Happy Krampusnacht!

Thanks for stopping by

and Merry Hunting!

Look what the Witch dragged in.

World Market has done it again!

get one here

They are offering another
stacked book cookie jar!

"Mystic Spell Books Ceramic Cokie Jar"

regularly $24.99

On sale now for $12.49

"Shaped like a stack of black books 

with intricate gold-painted details, 

our witchy-inspired cookie jar 

casts an impressive spell. 

A charming kitchen accent for Halloween, 

it's a divine gift for everyone 

who loves witchcraft, magic 

and astrology. 

Topped with an airtight gasket lid 

with a star and moon handle, 

his stylish container will keep 

baked treats fresh all October long."

Not quite as cool as their

original jar

But if you didn't get one of these

it's the next best thing!

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Haunting!

THEY'RE GONE!!!

What is wrong with this picture?

If you guessed "Where are the Twizzlers?!?"

You'd be correct.

I'm asking the same thing.

 I can't find the individually wrapped 

Twizzlers anywhere.

I refuse to pay a lot to an online sight 

that will ship them to me, but most places 

are, "out of stock" anyway.

Last year Target wanted less 

then $10 for a whole tub.

This year they're nowhere to be found.

I need the individually wrapped ones

because my Monster Hand vase 

has a painted finish and it came with 

a note "Not Safe For Food"

also not water safe.

Twizzlers were perfect for the vase.

They were long enough to 

not slip down inside,

plus the red color gave them a 

gruesome appearance 

as if veins were sticking out.

A quick check of  Twizzler's website said 

they discontinued the individually wrapped candies.

I'm assuming for environmental concerns.

BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

I would use them in the display all of October 

then hand out what was left in the tub Halloween night.

Maybe they could bring them back only for October?

-X-

While at Sam's Club this month

I ran across these suckers

I thought to myself, 

these would look great

in my owl this year.

Sam said it's your money...

I think they look great!

I love the shapes!

I guess it will be a 

semi-sweet Halloween!! 

o_O

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Haunting!

Quoth the Raven, "Always More"

Once upon a midday dreary,

While I pondered weak and weary, 

Over a many quaint and curious item

in this Kirkland's department store.

While I nodded, merely browsing

suddenly there came a tapping

as of some one gently rapping,

rapping on the stockroom door-

Tis some clerk, I muttered, tapping

on the stockroom door-

Only this and nothing more.

Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the heat of August;

and each separate clerk brought out 

a ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow, till

I spied a rare and radiant form, a sales lady 

whom the angels named Lenore.

get one here

Carrying out a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.

This thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors

never felt before: 

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, 

I stood repeating, "I must buy this 

and nothing more"

Presently my soul grew stronger; 

hesitating then no longer,

"Sir" said I "or Madam truly your forgiveness

 I implore;

But the fact is I would like to purchase that raven 

from this store for $39.99 and nothing more"

I said to sales clerk Lenore.

October now is lurking,

Back into my chamber turning, 

all my soul within me burning

open here I flung the garage door, 

when, with many 

a flirt and flutter, in there lay a 

stately raven of the saintly days of yore. 

Not the least obeisance made he, not

a minute stopped or stayed he; 

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched

above my curio cabinet...door.  

Perched upon a bowl

of Witch Alice just above the curio's door.

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling

by the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.

"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, Thou," I said

"art sure no craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the

Kirkland's store-

Tell what thy lordly name is on the 

Night's Plutonian shore!"

Quoth the Raven, "Always More"

Well, that was fun, but...I'm done.

I had a coupon when I bought my Raven

I fell in love with the detail, it sort of looks

art deco in a way, with the squared off feathers.

Strangely, Kirkland's calls it a Perched Crow.

NOW it's on sale for $19.99

So hurry and grab your crow today, 

before your chance flies away!

Okay, Now I'm Done.

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Haunting!

POP! goes the kitty

Look at this cat popping out of 

a pumpkin!

So utterly whimsical, 

and absolutely adorable!

look for more here

I bought it on sale last year from 

"A Store Named Stuff"

 Visit the store here

A great little place to find unique things.

I stumbled across their 

"Tabletop Cat In Pumpkin Jar 

Ceramic Halloween Container Tm0227"

by One Hundred 80 Degrees

while browsing Halloween "stuff" and 

instantly fell in love.

The description tells a little story...

"Stash Your Halloween Candy In This

Adorable Cat And Pumpkin Jar.

The Cat, Which Is Gray, Is Swiping

At The Pumpkin For Taking His Candy,

Protect Yours."

I just had to add it to the collection!

I love the cat's little striped cape,

and look at the pumpkin's striped 

shoes and stockings!

Hilarious!

 He sort of reminds me of  one of those

vintage Beistle die cut 

Get one here

jointed goblins from the 1960's.

Only a shorter cousin.

What about the cat's party hat? 

Perfect for the rest of the 

Ozark collection.

Many of my critters must be at 

the same orange hat Halloween party!

I couldn't have asked for anything 

that would have fit in better!

I sat the duo in the family room 

perched on a wall shelf.

It's across the room from 

the teal cabinet display

I think those two add a lot of whimsy to 

the festive atmosphere.

And so adorable!

Just make sure you protect 

your candy!

Thanks for stopping by,

and happy hunting!