Spooky Ringtones and Exciting News

Well it seems I took a small unintentional hiatus. Actually, looking back I see that this month has been a pretty slow post-wise. You'd think that my being on summer break would mean more time to write, but I've been more busy than ever. Busy and stressed, because trying to get out of Florida has been a hassle (And I'll get back to you on said hassle when it's over and done with).

"Did she say getting out of Florida?"

Why yes I did! I've made my distaste for the Sunshine State clear on many occasions and now our 5-year old plans to move are finally becoming a reality. Of course, I've been broken up about leaving my friends, (another reason I've had less time to write. I have to spend as much time as possible with everyone after all) but I'm extremely excited for the move. And best of all....we're going to Canada! Kelowna specifically. I would much prefer Vancouver, because I'm a city kind of girl, but it's too expensive. Plus, the town is pretty big, beautiful, and I'll be off to university soon enough so I'm not too concerned about where I'll be living for my last 2 years of high school.
 

 Which leads me to another point. Someone asked me if I was planning on wearing my Scarecrow costume to a convention. If we were staying here it would have been showcased at Megacon, but now I'll be taking a bus down to Vancouver for Fan Expo so if anyone at any point knows they'll be there (slim chance I know, but worth a shot) drop me a line and we can meet up! Of course, it's not till next April, which gives me plenty of time to finish my costume. No updates on the mask this week because I've just done more paper mache and a planned out the rest. I'm hopefully going to finish it over the weekend and then I'll post some pictures.

Now away from the personal stuff and on to the actual post! So we all know we can't be super goth all the time. Some of us have jobs and uniforms and the like, and it's fairly difficult/sometimes just plain exhausting to be uber spooky 24/7. That's where the little things come in. You can decorate your house as you wish, spend your time DIYing or whatever else floats your boat, but I find that sometimes, even smaller things can add a splash of uniqueness in your life. Things such as ringtones! Every time I hear one of those boring, preset ringtones that come with cellphones I can't help but feel a little incredulous. In a world so driven by technology you're bound to hear your phone all the time, so why not make it fun? And there are plenty of options for Goths if you get creative.

Honestly, I couldn't get cheesier with mine. Every time my mom calls I hear the wonderfully campy and fun Addams family theme going off nearby.

You could indulge your love of spooky things and your geeky side if you used the Luigi's Mansion theme song. Unfortunately I couldn't find the original version on Youtube, but here's the remix from Super Smash Bros. I've actually got E. Gadd's ringtone from the new game set for my dad, but you could argue that the original theme is even better.

Or how about Beetlejuice? Don't you dare try to tell me you can go wrong with Beetlejuice! Of course, you can't have the whole song as a ringtone, but you can cut it down to the best part.

Because I love cheesy things and thoroughly enjoy embracing my cliches, I'm also going to suggest Spooky Scary Skeletons for shits and giggles.

Danse Macabre satisfies my appreciation of classical music as well so it's something I'd love to hear all the time.

Those are only a few suggestions that I could come up with off the top of my head. There are countless others. You could always cut part of a favorite song and make that your ringtone. Not to mention, there are hundreds of fun sounds to use as text alerts. Coffin door opening anyone?

I'm afraid I don't have an outfit post for you today because I've been lazy with my picture taking. But now I'm curious. What do you use for ringtones? Fun fact: I've set any unrecognized numbers that call me to play the Sherlock theme....get it? Because it's a 'mystery'? .... I'm a huge dork.

Halloween Baking

Well at this point everyone is probably getting into the Halloween Spirit! (If not drowning in it...) What better way to celebrate than baking a few spooky goodies? I love baking and I try to do something different every weekend, which means lots of opportunities for Halloween treats. I browsed the interwebz for a while and came up with some ideas! Not all of them are treats, there are a few ideas for appetizers in here too.

Bats! I love bats!

I'm not sure how to go about accomplishing this, but I'm going to find out.

Now this is just adorable.

I showed these to my mom and she grimaced. I think they look lovely! ^^

Classic pumpkin bars may look a little boring, but they're delicious.

I guess I had better get started! ^^

On a final note.

Doctor Who.

Someone please get me another box of tissues because the emotional impact this show has had on me is reaching its breaking point.

I don't think I've ever watched a show that's made me feel so much. (And no, it's not because it's every sci-fi nerd's dream nor because I've fallen in love with the magnificence that is David Tennant.) This show just has a way of grabbing on to your heart strings and yanking. I love everything. The settings, the stories, the characters...even the Daleks! And frankly, they are pretty much unlovable. If you haven't started this show you need to. I suggest starting with the 9th or 10th doctor. You can always go back to the classical era once you've caught up. But it's worth it.

Personally, I'm going to be devastated when I see Tennant's last episode, (I have 5 left...) but I've heard really good things about Matt Smith so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Plus... bowties are cool ^^

30 Day Clothing Challenge~Day 6: A Pair of Pants That Aren't Jeans

 Prepare yourself for a personal post!

This one was difficult. I don't really own very many pants that aren't jeans. Since I'm sure the plain black ones I wear to our band recitals/concerts probably won't interest you I'm going to have to re-post my only other option. These were up for Sophistique Noir's Red and Black Week, but oh well.

I did reattach the straps though. It only took me about a half hour to figure out how they wrapped through the other straps, but it's all good ^^

Well, that's it for day six of the challenge, but this post seems rather empty doesn't it? Maybe I should jut ramble on until I feel like I've filled it sufficiently? No, I won't do that to you guys. I have a hodgepodge of little updates for you though. Let's see...I gave myself a bloody manicure. I don't know if there's even anyone out there on the interwebz who hasn't seen this, especially since the delightful Lady of the Manners has mentioned it, but I'll put up a pic just in case. This is kind of my go-to when I'm not in the mood for crazy designs or my typical black. It's adorable in a macabre way.

Also, I ordered my Grell wig for the cosplay my friends and I are doing for Halloween. I'm Grell, and my two friends are Mey-Rin and Ciel. I think her little sister is going to be Finnian. Alas, we don't have a Sebastian at the moment, but I'm hoping one will turn up ;)

Unlikely...

I recently bought and re-watched Se7en, which is a wonderful psychological thriller/horror movie starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. (It's funny because I tend to avoid Brad Pitt yet he's in two of my favorite movies. Interview With a Vampire and this one.) If you haven't see it, give it a shot. Someone is out to send a message and he's patterning his killings after the seven deadly sins.

Finally, I discovered this wonderful creation via Tumblr. If you like Robert Smith and cats I advise you click on that right now.

DeviantArtist Feature~ AbigailLarson

Remember when I did one of these a few months ago on CountANDRA? Well I have quite a few artists I'd like to feature on here and the next one in line is AbigailLarson.

Here are a few pieces of info from her Deviantart.

What do you use to make your artwork?
I use Winsor & Newton watercolor paints, Arches hot press watercolor paper, Strathmore drawing paper, mechanical pencils, and Adobe Photoshop Elements to make my pieces.

Who are your inspirations?
I adore the work of Arthur Rackham, Edward Gorey, Edmund Dulac, John Bauer, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Tony DiTerlizzi, Chris Riddell, Gris Grimly, and hundreds of others. I'm not only inspired by painters, but also musicians, film makers, and writers.

Do you have a(n) artbook/novel/comic book/something I can physically hold with your work in it?
"Midnight Phantasmagory" was just released, and I have two pieces in that, as well as "Spectrum:18" which you can order on Amazon.com. I'm working on several books right now, so it's going to be a while before anything is finalized and released, but I'll certainly let the world know when that happens!

This is the link to her DeviantArt
She has her website here.
Her facebook page is located over yonder.
And her shop is found here.

Etsy Feature~ Bats

I've been Etsy hunting again! This time the theme is bats because I honestly can't get enough of the adorable things. It's also been brought on because I'm celebrating the return of the bats to our house. They disappeared for a while, but now they're back. I think they're living in the bat houses like they used to and already the mosquito population is back down. And it's so much fun to watch them swoop over the lake and drink the water ^^

I love the intricate designs within the wings.

For a change of pace from just black or stripey tights and fishnets.

I'm secretly hoping my junior prom will be a masquerade so I can buy this.

I like the contrast between the black and white.

If you're really enthusiastic...there's always bat specimens.
Though I'm not sure I would want to sleep with this in my room ^^

On a side note, I just bought my tickets for Halloween Horror Nights 2012! So far, the only themes that have been released are ABC's The Walking Dead and Silent Hill, but I'm definitely excited.

Collectible 'Monkis'

 Monki is an immensely popular store up in Sweden. In fact, in Stockholm there seemed to be one on every corner. The whole concept of the chain is based on a 'magical fantasy story about little black creatures with dual personas that live in a derelict City of Oil and Steel'. Weird right? The atmosphere in each of the stores is different, each with their own crazy color scheme, fluorescent lights, and sometimes just plain confusing layouts. One of the stores had mirror walls everywhere. I nearly ran into them more times than I can count, but it was actually really cool. When asked about the inspiration one of the designers for the stores said 'We think misunderstandings, fever and optical illusions are very inspiring!' so you can imagine each store is it's own fantasy world.

The clothes aren't anything to go crazy over. I'd compare it to something like Forever 21. The real reason I enjoy Monki so much is their adorable little mascots. Remember those creatures we talked about? Well, there are twelve of them and I want to buy every single one!

Oki

Mocki

Mozik

Tell me they aren't adorable! I especially would love that Goblin one. Unfortunately most of the stores are in Sweden (they've expanded to a few other countries nearby) and I don't believe they ship to the U.S. They do however ship to the UK. The Monkis themselves are only $12 (or 10 Euros or 7.8 Pounds) though I didn't see the shipping price.

Here's the website if anyone get the urge to buy one of these cute little things. (If you need more motivation, they're extraordinarily soft and function as a lovely pillow.)

DIY~ String Dolls

I saw a display of these the other day, but didn't have enough money to buy one. When I got home I raided mom's sewing kit for string, sat down, and got to work. Many, many finger cramps later I finished my first one.

Everyone, meet Snagglefang.

He's a bit sloppy. I had no idea what I was doing after all. But he's pretty cute if I do say so myself. I've just got to go back and fix those awful fangs of his ^^

How I did it

1. Roll string into a small ball. Then start winding in different directions until the head is the size you want it. You'll need a bit of patience, it's difficult in the beginning. It gets much easier as the ball increases in size. I advise putting some music on or the TV to help pass the time.
2. I got a bit lazy here. I suppose you could make the body entirely out of string. I shaped a piece of clay into the body and then started wrapping the string around that until it was covered by a few layers. 
3. For the arms I broke a toothpick into the right length and stuck it through the body. Then I wrapped string around both ends.
4. The legs were done separately around clay like the body.
5. Paint the parts any colors you'd like. This is only if you're unfortunate like me and could only find pink string when you needed white and black.
6. Glue the individual parts together with hot glue.
7. Paint on or stick pins in for the eyes. Paint any other features you'd like.
8. Clothes and accessories! Not to mention, hair.  For this guy I cut a triangle of felt for the widow's peak. The cape is also felt and it was made in two parts. (The collar and bottom part.) I also added a little piece of black fabric around the neck to hide where some hot glue seeped through.

Here are some more I've started. I think I might have a new hobby...

Zombie bride

A Grim Reaper. I need to clean the hot glue off of him...

This one is my favorite. He's like a little deathrocker! ^^

I'm planning on doing a pirate, a cyclops-bat creature, a romantigoth (with a little top hat), Tahno, and The Joker. I'd like to attempt a lil' Robert Smith and a Jareth one but those are a little more difficult what with the hair. What I'd really like to do is an 80s era Dave Vanian doll, but I don't even know where to start with that hair. I mean, what would I use?

Etsy Feature~ Spooky Cute Shoes

I'm here with my latest Etsy discovery! Emandsprout has the most adorable little shoes ever! Instead of talking about them, let me just spam you with pictures.

I think we've all figured out I enjoy having bats on my feet.

Dracula flats anyone?

Or Frankenstein?

Or you could get both!

These felt more...summery...to me. What with the flowers and all.

All of the shoes are about $25. I can't tell you exactly how they fit because I blew all my money in Sweden, but if you really need to know you can always contact the shop. I absolutely love how friendly and helpful people are on Etsy. (Of course, they are trying to sell you something so they should be polite, but you'd be surprised at the number of rude people I've dealt with on Ebay.) I'm going to purchase at least one pair of these myself once I get a little bit of money.