Halloween How To - Easy DIY Glitter Pumpkins #halloweenhowto #glitterpumpkins #HalloweenDIY




What You’ll Need:

Mini Pumpkins (real or foam, for this I used small Styrofoam pumpkins)
Black Spray Paint
Green Glitter
Tacky Glue
Latex Gloves



How to Make It:

Spray paint your pumpkins black. 




Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area and that your work station is covered so you don’t get overspray everywhere. I paint outside then bring the items in to dry.

Wear latex gloves to avoid getting paint on your hands.

You’ll probably need at least two coats to completely cover the pumpkin.



Once your pumpkins are completely dry take the tacky glue and line the pumpkins indents with glue from stem to the bottom of the pumpkin. Fill them all with glue. 

Now shake green glitter over the lines of glue. 



Tap excess glitter off the pumpkin onto a sheet of paper.




Set the pumpkin aside so it can dry.

Roll the paper into a funnel shape and shake excess glitter back into your glitter jar.



Haunted Flint to Be Released September 2, 2019 #hauntedflint

Haunted Flint will be out September 2 and we'll be having a release party at Totem Books Friday September 6.

There is not an official cover yet, but a pre-order link just appeared on Amazon, as soon as I have more details I'll share them and the link to the Haunted Flint website I've been building. 


Sinister Secrets in Flint’s History

Home to ancient burial grounds, unsolved murders, economic depression, and a water crisis, Flint emits an unholy energy rife with ghostly encounters. 

Colonel Thomas Stockton’s ever vigilant ghost keeps a watchful eye over his family home at Spring Grove, where guests occasionally hear the thump of his heavy boots. 

Restless spirits long separated from their graves lurk among the ancient stones in Avondale Cemetery. 

Carriage maker W.A. Paterson’s spirit continuously wanders the halls of the Dryden Building, and something sinister and unnamed resides in a Knob Hill mansion waiting to prey on impressionable young men. 

Join authors Roxanne Rhoads and Joe Schipani on a chilling tour of Flint’s most haunted locations.

Pre-Order on Amazon https://amzn.to/2XPzV9l

Freaky Flint History with Joe Schipani - Applewood Estate June 6th, 1924 #freakyflinthistory #Flintdeaths


Flint is well known for its modern violent crimes but Flint's history is filled with little known stories that read stranger than fiction. Gruesome murders, weird accidents, and violent deaths. Join us every Thursday as Joe Schipani details some of the odd but true deaths he found in Flint's archives.

Applewood Estate June 6th, 1924

The thirty four acre Applewood estate was built by Charles Stewart Mott in 1916. It was created to be a self-sustaining farm for his wife and children. The grounds contained several gardens and an orchard.

Charles Stewart Mott married Ethel Harding in New York in 1900. The Mott family moved to Flint in 1907 after his father died. He was the owner of his uncle’s motor company and moved it to Flint after receiving an invitation from Billy Durant. The company did well, and eventually merged with Buick Motors. The merger created the foundation for General Motors.

Mott’s wife Ethel became an active social worker in Flint. She was a member of the board of directors of the Young Women’s Christian association and the Child Welfare association. She was also active in a movement to get Hurley hospital to provide a maternity ward and children’s hospital. Ethel Mott played a key role in providing better health and living conditions for the women and children of Flint.

On the morning of June 6th, while the family was downstairs having breakfast, Ethel fell from her second story bedroom window. The gardener heard the awful sound of the body hitting the ground and quickly went to see what happened.

He found Mrs. Mott lying on the pavement in pain. He rushed into the house to get help. The family physician was called and Ethel was brought into the house. The physician noted that she broke her elbow, wrist and hip and gave her something for the pain until they could schedule surgery. Shortly after the physician left, Ethel Mott died from internal injuries.

The fall was considered to be an accident but there were rumors that she jumped. Some whispered that she was pushed.  

Charles Stewart Mott’s love life seemed to be plagued for nearly a decade. A few years later in 1927, he met and married his second wife, Mitties Butterfield. In early 1928 Mitties died from complications of tonsillitis.

Then in the spring of 1929 Mott met and married Dee Furey. The relationship did not last long and by the end of the same year Dee filed for divorce. Giving up on love and diving into the challenges that arrived in the auto industry during the depression, he devoted his time to his work.


In 1932 on one of his frequent trips out west Mott met his distant cousin Ruth. The two fell in love, and were married in 1934. He finally found his happily ever after.  

~ Joe Schipani is the Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project and the FFAR Project Assistant at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.  Find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HauntedFlint/ 

Freaky Flint History with Joe Schipani - Slain Detective April 19th, 1924 #freakyflinthistory


Flint is well known for its modern violent crimes but Flint's history is filled with little known stories that read stranger than fiction. Gruesome murders, weird accidents, and violent deaths. Join us every Thursday as Joe Schipani details some of the odd but true deaths he found in Flint's archives.


Slain Detective April 19th, 1924

Over a ten day span a series of robberies happened throughout Flint.

The police department was clueless. They had no idea who was committing the robberies. Finally their luck changed. A woman stopped by the police department who claimed to have overheard a couple men talking about robbing George Yats, the owner of a poolroom on Asylum Street. The plan was to rob George when he returned to his home on Jane Street when he got out of his car to open his garage door.

The police quickly met with George and devised a plan to capture the bandits. George felt he was too old to participate in the plan. He did not want to go along with it. Detective Matthew Hauer then altered the plan his superior Detective Pelton had outlined. Detective Hauer decided to dress like George Yats, drive his car, and take his place opening the garage. Against his better judgement, Detective Pelton finally agreed to the plan.

That evening, Detective Hauer got into George Yets’s coupe and headed for the house on Jane Street where his fellow officers were waiting.

The plan started going sideways when Detective Hauer noticed one of the bandits approaching. Hauer put the brakes on before pulling in front of the garage, jumped out of the coupe and started chasing the bandit. Detective Archer was hiding in a nearby bush and joined the chase.

The two detectives chased the bandit for almost two blocks. Archer was faster than Hauer and caught up with the bandit first. He grabbed the robber’s jacket and the two scuffled for a couple minutes before the bandit broke lose because Archer tripped. Detective Hauer arrived just after the thief broke free.

Hauer and the bandit both drew their guns and fired.

Hauer’s bullets all missed the thief and he was shot in the head. The bandit took off running again.

Back up arrived quickly. Detective Archer chased the bandit until he lost sight of him around Olive Street.

Hauer was taken to the hospital. Knowing Hauer was a member of the Catholic Church, the doctor requested a priest read last rights before the operation. After the operation, Hauer was moved to a private room where he died right after his family arrived.

Many men were arrested and taken in for questioning. The police force spent many days investigating the detective’s death with minimal leads. Finally they got a break when the name Charles Wilson was given to them. Wilson was a known gang member with long police record.


The police took him in for questioning and arrested him for detective Hauer’s murder.

~ Joe Schipani is the Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project and the FFAR Project Assistant at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.  Find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HauntedFlint/ 

Wicked Salem by Sam Baltrusis




Wicked Salem: Exploring Lingering Lore and Legends 

by Sam Baltrusis


It’s no surprise that the historic Massachusetts seaport’s history is checkered with violence and heinous crimes. Originally called Naumkeag, Salem means “peace.” 

However, as its historical legacy dictates, the city was anything but peaceful during the late seventeenth century. 

Did the reputed Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo, strike in Salem? Evidence supports the possibility of a copy-cat murder. From the recently pinpointed gallows where innocents were hanged for witchcraft to the murder house on Essex Street where Capt. Joseph White was bludgeoned to death and then stabbed thirteen times in the heart, Sam Baltrusis explores the ghost lore and the people behind the tragic events that turned the “Witch City” into a hot spot that has become synonymous with witches, rakes, and rogues.


Halloween Homemaker Gift Bundles


Two Halloween Homemaker Gift Bundles have been added to my 

Each bundle is identical except for the chalkboards- 
one chalkboard is Spooky the other Happy Halloween




Handcrafted Bewitching Creations Spooky Chalkboard 13 inches tall by 8 wide

Handcrafted Winged skeleton 6 inches tall

Set of 3 Halloween Magnets

Mini Notebook 3 x 5 1/2 inches

Fright this Way Sign 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

Set of 2 Primitives by Kathy Kitchen Towels






Handcrafted Bewitching Creations Happy Halloween Chalkboard 13 inches tall by 8 wide

Handcrafted Winged skeleton 6 inches tall

Set of 3 Halloween Magnets

Mini Notebook 3 x 5 1/2 inches

Fright this Way Sign 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

Set of 2 Primitives by Kathy Kitchen Towels



Adding A Little Halloween Flair to Easter

Are you looking to add a little Halloween flair to your Easter celebration?

Then check out these ideas.



You can find these fun skull eggs on Amazon

Fill them up with candy and stash them in a black basket. 

Can't find a black basket? Make one yourself by taking an Easter basket outside and spray painting it black.









Want more than skull eggs in your basket?

How about adding these nifty chalkboard black eggs?











Need spooky but fun Easter basket filler?

How about these bright colored skeletons?













If you're just looking for fun things to do with all the eggs you boiled check out Pinterest. There are so many possibilities.








Freaky Flint History with Joe Schipani - The Black Hand Returns December 10th, 1923


Flint is well known for its modern violent crimes but Flint's history is filled with little known stories that read stranger than fiction. Gruesome murders, weird accidents, and violent deaths. Join us every Thursday as Joe Schipani details some of the odd but true deaths he found in Flint's archives.


The Black Hand Returns December 10th, 1923

In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Boneventire moved from Italy to Detroit.

Joseph worked hard and made a good life for he and his family until around 1920 when he started getting threats from the Black Hand. Meeting their demands was challenging and soon he got to the point he could not meet them.

His wife’s brother offered to help them move to Flint to escape the pressure of the Black Hand.  The family managed to escape Detroit the night before the Black Hand was to make good on their threat.

The Boneventires did well in Flint.

Mrs. Boneventire was happy to be close to her family.

On the night of December 10th, 1923 Mrs. Boneventire was in the kitchen making bread while her husband entertained her brother’s family and the two boarders that lived with them.

Mrs. Boneventire was putting bread in the oven when shots fired through the window behind her.

Eleven bullets went through her body. The family rushed in and carried her to the bed. She died as they laid her in the bed.

A patrolman heard the gunfire from a couple blocks away and came running.

The police found the gun in an alley a block away and a note by the back window that said “you can’t hide.”

No one was ever arrested for the murder of Mrs. Boneventire. 

~ Joe Schipani is the Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project and the FFAR Project Assistant at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.  Find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HauntedFlint/ 











Carving Fun-kin Pumpkins #pumpkins #funkins #artificialpumpkins



Before now I have always carved real pumpkins. For many years I grew my own in a small pumpkin patch in my garden. Hopefully this year I’ll be able to do that again, depends on if we can get a truck load of dirt brought in. The garden has eroded over the years so it needs more dirt. I miss my pumpkin patch.

I’ve been seeing so many awesome carvings and pumpkin designs with artificial pumpkins that I had to give it a try. I like the idea that your creations will last instead of rotting away after all that hard work you put into them. Plus if you are planning a party you can carve them well in advance and not worry about them turning to mush before the event. 

The brand I hear about most is Fun-kins. They have a huge selection of realistic pumpkins in many shapes, sizes and colors.



They offer a couple basic designs at Jo-Ann so I grabbed a couple they had on clearance for $9.99 each. I didn’t want to buy the more pricey versions for my first go. I had no idea how they would turn out.

So I cleaned out my workshop and played with some ideas for decorating and carving the Fun-kin Pumpkins.

First I dressed one of the Fun-kins up in lace.




Then I sketched out a design to carve into the Fun-kin.

I bought a hobby knife and some new bits for my Dremel. I cut out the bottom of the Fun-kin and played with my bits to test them out on the piece I cut out.



I printed out two copies of my design and cut them out.

Then I taped one design to the Fun-kin and used a Dremel bit to sketch out the Frankenstein couple silhouettes. I used painter’s tape so it wouldn’t pull the color off the Fun-kin.



After I cut the outline of the couple out I peeled that stencil off and put a fresh one on. I just held it in place and traced the outline with the hobby knife.

I just needed a rough outline of the shape.

The end result is supposed to look like an old fashioned silhouette couple portrait.




This is just a surface carving, not an all the way cut out carving. That will be my next project.

Using the Dremel to carve and sand down the Fun-kin created so much dust (which any kind of sanding does- which I why I usually outsource sanding to my husband who doesn't mind it LOL). 

I was covered, my kitchen table was covered, everything was covered.  I am glad I didn't do the work in my shop because that's a dust free painting zone. I yell at my husband for bringing dusty wood work into my shop. I love the finished products he brings me to paint but he needs to clean all the saw dust off first.

I felt like I should have worn a face shield and HAZMAT suit. I am exaggerating. But the feeling of dust on my lips was annoying.

At least I wore safety glasses (always). I will need to figure out some way to minimize dust in the future or collect it. I know there are shop vacuum attachments and other workshop dust collection devices. (Making a note here so I remember to research this, would be helpful for hubby's shop too.)

My next Fun-kin will be carved old school with serrated pumpkin knives and saw blades. I suspect that will create much less dust. Maybe I’ll do a standard Jack o’ Lantern design. 



Freaky Flint History with Joe Schipani: Austria vs Croatia Nationality Debate December 6th, 1923


Flint is well known for its modern violent crimes but Flint's history is filled with little known stories that read stranger than fiction. Gruesome murders, weird accidents, and violent deaths. Join us every Thursday as Joe Schipani details some of the odd but true deaths he found in Flint's archives.


Austria vs Croatia Nationality Debate December 6th, 1923

Ivan Griski left his wife and two small children in Austria while he came to Flint to start a new life for his family.

Shortly after his arrival he opened a pool hall on Leith Street. Business was doing well. Soon Ivan would have had enough money to move out of the boarding house on Everett and St John Streets and buy a family home so his wife and kids could move to Flint from Austria.

Tom Bik moved to Flint from Croatia. He too was planning to send for his family once he made enough money but his wife and children decided that they didn’t want to move to Flint.

At first Tom had a hard time finding work but he finally landed a job at one of the auto factories. But without his family Tom was getting old and bitter.

On the night of December 6th, 1923 Tom was visiting some friends at the boarding house on Everett Street. Tom rented a room at a boarding house on St John Street.

Ivan and Tom met and quickly got into an argument about whose country was better. This was a common occurrence in the neighborhood because there were many boarding houses filled with immigrants.

But this fight quickly escalated into the streets. Ivan was about eighteen years younger than Tom, who was fifty two. 

Ivan hit Tom hard. He really gave him a beating, proving Austria was better. But Tom, determined not to lose, pulled out a hunting knife and stabbed Ivan just below the left shoulder.

One of the residences in a boarding house across the street witnessed the whole thing and called the police. When the police arrived they found Tom standing over Ivan’s dead body. Tom quickly confessed to the murder and told them after a twenty minute debate on nationality, Ivan attacked him and he pulled his knife out of self-defense.

The police brought Tom and several witnesses down to the station. Most of the witnesses agreed with Tom’s statement of self-defense.

The two that claimed that it was not self-defense were not taken seriously because of their Austrian origin.


Tom was set free and not charged with murder.

~ Joe Schipani is the Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project and the FFAR Project Assistant at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.  Find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HauntedFlint/ 

Goths in the Sun- Spooky Summer Must Haves #spookysummer #gothsinthesun



Hey ghoulfriends, summer is sneaking up on us fast.  

I can't believe it is already April. The sun is finally shining in Michigan- and it is bright. 

Which made me think about summer, so I have started planning events to attend, places to visit, things to do, and I realized I need to stock up on supplies for fun in the sun.

So I started looking around for spooky summer items and here's what I found so far. 

Killstar has some awesome beach towels and a pool float that I adore.

Beach Kitty Beach Towel from Killstar


Spiritus Beach Towel from Killstar



Beach Kitty Pool Float from Killstar




Blackcraft Cult has this awesome Coffin Pool Float


La Femme Noir has these to die for Vamp Batwing Sunglasses



Sourpuss Clothing has super cute jeweled cat eye sunglasses


Sourpuss also has this Luna Bats Parasol



And these super cute black and white gingham shorts




I am so in love with this Gothic Parasol I found on Amazon




and this Kreepsville Beach Towel on Amazon


There's also a Goosebumps Towel



I love the look of these cat eye sunglasses with the red lenses
they would look great with the red and black parasol

And I can't forget sunscreen!!!

Want more Goth/Vamp products?