My Michaels Haul II

As August and summer draw to a close, Halloween fast approaches.  Stores are slowly, ever so slowly, displaying their Halloween merchandise.  I previously mentioned my endeavors this year in locating spooky merchandise, so I guess this is the second in the series.  Perhaps there will be more?  They better not all be Michaels entries!

Onto this shopping experience, which is actually two.  The first took place on Friday.  I was invited to a birthday party.  There was a gap between the end of my work day and the party, so I killed some time at JoAnn's (gotta buy fabric for my Halloween costume, of course!).  It wasn't my local one, and was quite a bit smaller, so I didn't really know what to expect.  Harvest/Thanksgiving decorations were displayed front and center, just as my local one the last time I was there.  As I walked past the first aisle, the next was nearly empty.  There were a few items at the end of the aisle, so a glimmer of hope blossomed in my dark little heart.  I went over to inspect - a few Halloween decorations (nothing to my taste), and loads of candy!  I grabbed some gum drops (I had been craving them all day, so I took it as a sign of fate), but nothing else.  That they had anything out pleased me greatly.  Sadly, their fabric selection was small and I only got one of three fabrics I need for my costume.  I guess I will need to hit up my local one after all.  I'll just give them a few days to put out their decorations. :)

The rest of my stops took place today.  The hubby casually mentioned that a Spirit store was opening by Michaels.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to stop in.  I almost never buy anything in these places.  It's usually of extremely poor quality, but I occasionally will buy decorative items or be inspired by their displays.  Mostly, they just convince me than ever that I'm better off making my own costumes.  Anyway, this one doesn't open until September, so I will save my judgment until then.  However, I did notice on the way there that my local Hancock is closing.  I guess the poor service I've always gotten there (except last the last time) finally did them in.

So now, onto Michaels.  Once again, they had so many fabulous items.  I have a Halloween tree (a gift from one of my sisters-in-law) that I have never hung any decorations from.  There were quite a few ornaments available.  While I didn't buy any, I think they'd be fantastic.  I'm waiting until later in the season so I can see what's for sale elsewhere. The first picture contains two cat collars and a skulls and bones bracelet.  Yes, I am one of those horrible people who dresses their cats in costumes (incidentally, you'll see glimpses of them in the pictures - I guess they also have the Halloween bug).  Last year, Theora was a catfish.  I'll try to post a picture of it as we get closer to the season.  The bracelet is going into my jewelry box, because yes, I am one of those people who wears cheap Halloween jewelry on non-Halloween days. The next picture features two hanging ghosts.  There's nothing too special about them, but they were cheap and I thought they'd look nice hanging from the chandelier. Picture #3 is a set of haunted portraits (the kind that change from a normal picture to a skeleton, demon, etc).  Obviously, hard to photograph, but I had to give it a shot.  You kind kind of see the effect in the picture.  Lydia is sneaking in a peek. The last two items are a hearse and what looks like a recipe box.  I call it a recipe box because that's the sort of box (with the rounded lid) my parents and my mother's parents kept their recipes in.  (My dad's mother seemed to keep all of hers in her head.  She's still going strong at the age of 85.)  I don't know if that's the actual term for it or not, but that's what I'm calling it.  I planned on using this to store my trivia questions, as every party I host has a trivia contest. Theora is hanging out behind the hearse because she knows how awesome it is.  Look, it even has a skeleton chauffeur!  Even my husband likes it, and that's saying something.  I immediately took this out of its box and put it on display.  This puppy is going to be a year-round decoration.

My Michaels Haul

Some of the blogs I follow (The Halloween Tree, Old Fashion Halloween, and Vintage Halloween Collector) eagerly alerted me to the fact that Michaels has begun to put out their Halloween decorations.  (For those of you that don't know, Michaels is an arts & crafts store in the US & Canada.)  I had errands to run today anyway, so I figured a quick stopover couldn't hurt.

My first stop was the JoAnn's that's practically across the street from my house.  While they keep out their leftover Halloween fabric year-round, they only recently got their new shipment of fabric for the season.  There are some fun new fabrics, such as this purple one, but I particularly love this poison fabric.  It would make a fun tablecloth for a Halloween party, but knowing me, it will likely end up as a dress.  Sadly, my store doesn't have that in stock.

I had stopped in a few weeks ago and noticed they already had out their Thanksgiving decor out, but no Halloween.  I was certain that it would be out by now, but they still had nothing.  I asked a clerk and he said he didn't now.  He asked a manager and was answered with a shrug and a vague "soon."

Though I went to Michaels next, I will save that trip for last.  Third on the list was Hancock Fabrics.  I have only been to the one nearby my house, and I must say that I am not impressed by it.  It's mostly the poor service that gets to me, so I usually only drop in when JoAnn's is closed, JoAnn's doesn't have what I need (and I need it immediately), or to peruse their Halloween items.  They also had out their Halloween fabrics.  Some were nice, but not nice enough that I wanted to buy them at full price, so I skipped on them.  They did have out some minimal Halloween decorations, which is a good sign.  Service was much improved this time around, so I might stop in later in the season when prices are cheaper.

My final stop was Target.  When I finally found a clerk (after almost approaching two customers because they were wearing bright red shirts with khakis - oops!), I was given an apathetic "Uh...  Maybe mid-September?", which seems to be pushing it a little close.

Back to Michaels.  As I approached the store, I saw a bin of crafting pumpkins outside the store entrance, which I (correctly) interpreted to be a good sign.  I opened the door and was immediately welcomed into a store festooned in black and orange, with beautiful accents of green and purple.  I do not exaggerated when I say that I felt like I had come home. I wish I had thought to take pictures at the time; a full single aisle full of decorations, plus numerous endcaps and several bins had so much variety of spooky goodness!  I had a hard time limiting myself to these items, but make no mistake; there will be many trips in the coming weeks.

These books are so cute!  Last year I decorated the organ in my living room with actual novels (Dracula, the works of Poe, etc).  While I knew they were there (as I was the one who arranged them just so), I don't think they stood out enough for my guests to realize their appropriately spooky nature.  These are festively distressed and easy to read, so I think they will be perfect for the organ.  And, if not, I will arrange them on the coffee table.

I plan on using those flasks in the kitchen, nestled among the Halloween foods.  I was a little (pleasantly) surprised at Michaels' variety of poison/witchy flasks.  I will likely purchase more in the coming time.  As for the tombstones, I do not have a particular plan in mind for them.  I might just take them to work to decorate my desk.  But regardless, they will be used.

I cannot express how excited I am for the coming season.  I have already started to plan the menu for my Halloween party and arrange games.  (Along with a fun little contest for the blog, if things pan out.)  Of course, I still don't have a costume picked.  Drat.