Decorating As If Henry Tudor Had a Halloween Bash

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Not only do I pick things up over the course of the year at thrift stores and put it away, I find things at stores like Target and Michaels-- on serious discount-- and enhance my Halloween decorating repertoire when I can.

This year, Target went quite "Henry the Eighth" with their theme, and I selected a few things I thought I could use for multiple years ahead, from their ranks. So, I combined the plastic hobnail pieces and tapestry-style chargers they had, with real hobnail, glass and golden chargers I'd picked up years ago for pennies, to create a black, gold and purple tablescape...


I loved in particular the black damask Target did with dragons, thistle and various otherwordly creatures. They printed the same thing on very inexpensive yet fun plastic plates and bowls. Which is plastic and which is glass?-- it's actually very hard to tell!

This centerpiece is simply a Target candle on a dish. When you light the candle, it will run in a red Halloweeny fearful way. I actually like the skull and medieval heraldry detail so much, I probably won't run it this year in order to retain it...
I put a circular mirror from Pat Catan's craft store under it to reflect the scene. I've used this inexpensive mirror so many times, it's become a staple for centerpieces.

The Bela Legosi animated photo is from-- of all places-- the grocery store after Halloween 2007 for just a few dollars... Here love is in the air with Count Dracula...

And here the Count shows his true colors...

And last, I found a few interesting bottles at Michaels on a BIG sale... Like this organic bat brain (herbal, of course!)..

And here's my feathered friend Roderick, of Poe fame, to skwawk out a seasonal "Nevermore!" He was after-season clearance last year...
Lastly, I had quite forgotten I'd gotten some decor off-season at Tuesday Morning. I love how these creepy jack-o-lanterns catch the eye...

That second item says "Trick" and not "Rick," by the way I have no particular Halloween vendetta against some poor, innocent Rick fellow. :)

In addition to all the Halloween decorating you see here, I will soon be unveiling a brand-new fireplace surrroud in my Blue Room. It's still in-process, so I should be showing this to you soon! Your hostess has been a very busy gal (who has many stories to tell you about the process)!! I think you will all approve once it's been completed.

• Click here to read about all the painting that's been going on.

• And here to check out the last Treasure Box Wednesday on Rummages and Resale Shops!

And perhaps I'll see you this Wednesday, with more updates!

Cheers!
-Jenn