http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/ Halloween Discussion Forum, Haunts and Home Haunt Community. en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:21:25 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.halloweenforum.com/images/afterdark/misc/rss.jpg http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/ http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/960-new-2011-props-new-tutorials-come.html Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:33:29 GMT I have been working on some new props for my haunt and another prop that I have been asked for help on. First, a static zombie coming out of a... I have been working on some new props for my haunt and another prop that I have been asked for help on.

First, a static zombie coming out of a drain - this was inspired by a piece of packing styrofoam that reminded me of a drain cover

Next, not a new prop, but repaired and repainted my skull fountain

I have also started on a Gibbet, or skeleton cage if you prefer, made from plumbers tape. This will be an how to - and a very easy build. If you can use scissors, pliers and screwdriver and a can of spray paint, then this will be a great prop to build.

Finally, working on mannequin frames for one of my contacts, and this will be the next how to I will be working on.

More ideas and props in the pipeline.... ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/960-new-2011-props-new-tutorials-come.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/927-ups-downs-haunting.html Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:03:36 GMT Well, I have been making some progress on props this year. Finally got around to making a toe pincher coffin - full size (well 5'6" tall). This year am abandoning the styrofoam panels for the board up windows (tired of repairing them year after year!) and I have made replacement panels from old fence panels. repaired a couple of old props, including a zombie guy I made a few years back - filled the hollow head with great stuff foam to strengthen it. After about 5 attempts at repainting, finally finished him with a look that I am very pleased with.

Been toying around with a few props that had malfunctions, LED eyes replaced on two props (after a few failed attempts and a lot of reading on working with LED lights).

Today I finished the tombstone I had been working on, finally got the base cut out and painted. The biggest UP was taking apart the Jack In Box that had stopped working last year, and finding the problem. Two wires had come away, and after resoldering this now works like new!

So what are my downs? First - Craigslist. Hit on a yard sale that had Halloween Decor listed as part of the sale.they had one item, a singing skeleton they wanted $12 for. :mad:

Next I got an email in response to my Halloween Want Ad on Craigslist. Having replied to them got the reply that 'they no longer had the item but they got it from this site (name withheld) at a fraction of the cost and why don't I try them' :mad:

My second down - people who promise and don't follow through. Names withheld but I was asked if I would be willing to work on a halloween project for a haunt. Weeks later no contact only to find that they had approached someone else before me and they stepped forward after I was asked and said they could now work on the project. So I won't be... :mad:

At least my faith in people can be restored by the person who pulled up outside my house one day while I was at work and asked my wife if I would be interested in some styrofoam. 10 minutes later I have 6 pieces of styrofoam, each at least 36" x 28" (some bigger) and 3" thick and now have the materials for more tombstones - now thats a nice Up!! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/927-ups-downs-haunting.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/800-west-coast-haunters-convention.html Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:34:29 GMT Having taken a sabbatical from the Halloween scene for the last couple of months, suddenly things are starting to get back into full swing. This... Having taken a sabbatical from the Halloween scene for the last couple of months, suddenly things are starting to get back into full swing.

This is due, in part, to the 2nd Annual West Coast Haunters Convention in May. Yours truly has been invited to host one of the workshops, and this will be on the opening day.

I will be doing a 60 minute workshop on Prop Building Tips and Tricks and will feature some of the props featured in my tutorials. I also hope to have a couple of new how to's put together before the convention.

Time to start warming up the glue gun, sharpening the craft knife and looking for the everyday items that can be made into something spooktacular! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/800-west-coast-haunters-convention.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/745-i-hate-october-weather.html Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:28:54 GMT Yesterday it rained, which wasn't the problem. The wind was though :(

So far the damage tally is :

One tombstone broken;
One window panel for the boarded up windows, blown off and damaged;
Three tombstones down;
Witches, monks & ground breaker blown over;
Boards on boarded up door off

Have gathered up all the casualties, done some repairs and ready now to put things back as they were.

It's 7:30am ... it's getting light outside and for the moment no rain. I'm just a little apprehensive to look outside and see what other damage is done. I can see that one witch is without her hat :(

I HATE OCTOBER WEATHER !!!!! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/745-i-hate-october-weather.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/730-not-happy-my-local-spirit-store-manager.html Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:30:27 GMT Back in May, I met the lady that runs the local spirit store to me, at the west coast haunters convention. We spent some time talking and one of the... Back in May, I met the lady that runs the local spirit store to me, at the west coast haunters convention. We spent some time talking and one of the subjects was regarding the damaged/broken merchandise that they get.

I also offered to help when she found the location for the store, setting up the store. She never contacted me about the store set up.

When the store opened I went along to see what was available this year and when she saw me seemed visibly embarrassed.

The following week I decided to send a letter to her at the store, asking to be considered for any decor/props etc that was damaged or broken that I could either use or make use of the parts of.

No reply to the letter, but I had to visit the store to make a purchase and she was on the checkout.

She mentioned that she had received the letter, and did have some items in the back that she could do a "great deal" on, but was short staffed at the time and would have to sort these out later. I mentioned that I would be busy the weekend getting ready for the interview with the local paper but would come back in a week or so.

After the interview was published I happened to see her shopping in the store I work in. She said that she had seen the article and noted that it mentioned that I had been given donations of items by friends and family, then went on to say that she had some items that she was considering giving me. Before I could say anything, she went on to say that she had decided to keep them for herself and decorate her yard!

I was a little taken aback and speechless, and thought that it was rather rude to mention this to me.

Needless to say, I will think twice about giving any of my business to the spirit store here. I had planned on purchasing a couple of items but I will look elsewhere for them ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/730-not-happy-my-local-spirit-store-manager.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/718-weather-stalling-my-set-up.html Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:08:19 GMT Today it's raining, and raining hard :(

Normally I would just shrug my shoulders and postpone setting up my graveyard.

However, Today is different. Today I am being interviewed by our local paper. So my half completed graveyard isn't exactly worthy of a photo shoot :mad:

Hopefully I can get a break in the weather to continue my setup. if not, I'm not sure what I'll do :confused: ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/718-weather-stalling-my-set-up.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/683-my-progress-years-haunt.html Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:26:46 GMT Additions for my display this year have almost been completed. So far this year I have built a haunted bookcase, table for my oddities/curiosities... Additions for my display this year have almost been completed. So far this year I have built a haunted bookcase, table for my oddities/curiosities and the oddities/curiosities to go on the table.

I have some new tombstones completed, my stirring witch has been given a makeover. The other witch and the gravedigger have been upgraded and built around some store mannequins

I still have one tombstone I will complete and finishing touches to add to another two.

New groundbreaker, mad doctor, two new skeletons that are makeovers of bluckies. My wall breaker skeleton.

Added a couple of moving eye pictures and have more lenticular pictures to add to my gallery.

More witch potions added, some static props that can be placed within the haunt (the man eating plant and skull on books for example)

Some of the planned additions will be carried over for next year.

My last prop that I will build will be two monk figures dressed in burlap robes. The heads will be two skeleton heads that interact. I have the robes being made for me and will have these the end of next week so will build the bodies once they are received.

Didnt get to finish my witch leg table, probably the only prop I have started but not finished.

All in all, I'm fairly pleased with the additions for this year, and can't wait to start setting up this years display. ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/683-my-progress-years-haunt.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/662-some-things-learned-store-hopping.html Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:39:24 GMT 1. Do not go into Spirit Halloween without either a pocket full money, or anti depression pills - they have some fantastic props this year (fantastic... 1. Do not go into Spirit Halloween without either a pocket full money, or anti depression pills - they have some fantastic props this year (fantastic prices too!)

2. Do not buy the 10 pack fingers from spirit ($5.99) or the 5 pack from Michael's for $3.99. Instead take a trip to the Dollar Tree (5 pack - $1)

3. While at Dollar Tree pick up the lenticular pictures and some 5 x 7 frames. Cut the frame away from the picture then frame the picture. OR buy the 5 x 7 framed lenticular picture from Michaels for $9.99 (OR NOT!)

4 Bags of bones come in all shapes and sizes (and prices!) For the best value for money Big Lots is about the best (28 bones for $20) the rest of the stores have about 14 for $14.99

5. If you see the $1.49 bones at Rite aid stop and think ... 2 hands and 2 feet cost $5.96... add a skull @ $6.99 = total cost 12.95 . As mentioned Big Lots 28 bones (skull, 2 hands, 2 feet, 2 upper leg bones, 2 lower leg bones etc) $20

6. Spider Sacs are $7.99 in Spirit. Check for the how to and make one for at least half the cost.

I'm sure I will find more before the big night and I'm sure that some have ones they can add ! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/662-some-things-learned-store-hopping.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/601-new-web-page-layout.html Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:26:26 GMT Finally got around to doing something different with my web pages First off, have registered my own domain so now have www.mizehaunt.com Have... Finally got around to doing something different with my web pages

First off, have registered my own domain so now have www.mizehaunt.com

Have changed the pages around so now don't have to scroll down 3 pages !

The next part of the update will be adding in a new banner that I am having designed for me as well as a logo

Now to get back to building props ! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/601-new-web-page-layout.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/562-latest-news.html Sun, 30 May 2010 19:16:19 GMT Been a while since posting to the blog, been busy with a few projects...

So what's been happening?

Made a few props for a film production and also did some work aging some other props. The film title is "Population 2" and is post apocalyptic. Seen some of the photo shoots which are great !

Then of course attended WCHC (West Coast Haunters Convention) ... was like spending three days in heaven ! Met up with some of the forum members and made very good friends with Chad and Jillian of Chateau Grrr, an online haunt directory.

Came back with a lot of ideas and inspiration for new props and features.

Next year should see me getting more involved in the convention with me doing a talk or two on home haunting ideas and how to's. Already buzzed about that.

As for this years haunt, have completed one or two projects, Stirring witch for one (updated from last year) some rough furniture from a bunch of old fence panels (still have a ton left for some other project builds)

Still have the witches leg table to complete and want to do an haunted bookcase (bookcase is built), a Ripley's style exhibit of curiosities, maybe one or two more tombstones. I also have a feature in mind that revolves around an haunted playhouse using pepper's ghost imagery

I am sure that there are a few things that will be dropped and new ideas added, but so far looks like it will be a busy 12 months all in all ! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/562-latest-news.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/296-2009-projects.html Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:11:05 GMT Planned projects for this years haunt are already well underway. One of the things that I was looking to do this year was to animate some props. ... Planned projects for this years haunt are already well underway. One of the things that I was looking to do this year was to animate some props.

With the help of a couple of shiatsu massagers I have a ground breaker now animated and an animated breakout skeleton as a new addition. Also, thanks to the project building group I now have a tombstone peeper.

New groundbreaker coffins have been constructed and I have revamped the old coffin.

The Spell book and photo album are completed.

So what's next ?

I need to upgrade the stirring cauldron, so hope to see this featured as a project in the group.

I also need to redo the garage exterior. I have some sheets of rigid foam that were donated to me, that I hope to use. they would be far more durable than styrofoam. The problem with them being that they don't hold paint well. I have tried vinyl and spray paints so far.

I have a couple of fence panels that need completing this year, and looking at the columns, they are probably gonna need repainting.

Once we get a bit closer to October, I will need to start thinking of the framework for the garage. Last year worked well, so will probably follow the same route.

I'm sure though like all of the members here, the list will grow as we see more props showcased ! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/296-2009-projects.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/285-aaaarrrggghhhhh.html Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:26:09 GMT Last week, the local power company decided to install squirrel protection on the overhead lines. They had previously advised that this would be... Last week, the local power company decided to install squirrel protection on the overhead lines.

They had previously advised that this would be happening, with a power outage anywhere between 8am - 5pm sometime between Monday and Friday.

So... Tuesday went off to work as usual - ever had one of those days you knew was not gonna go you way ? Yep it was one of them.

On getting home from work, noticed the PC screen was blank. Traci told me the power was out for about 20 mins ... So I switched on my PC. Nothing ... Trie again ... still nothing. Checked the power cord was plugged in both ends (well you never know) ..
.. nadda..

Disconnected the PC, dragged it out from under the desk. Tried a different outlet ... By this time guessed that it wasn't anywhere between the outlet and the power cord that was the problem.

Well, I know a little about PCs having worked in an IT dept. for 12 years so took a look inside ... nothing evident.

Tried to swap power supplies with another computer but didnt have all the right connections. Phoned a PC guy I had dealt with previously, he came out later with another power supply, changed it out and .... nothing.

So my PC was doing a pretty good impression of a door stop. luckily the PC guy refurbishes PCs so I chose to replace the door stop with a refurbished HP Tower that would be dropped off the next day.

The old PC was hauled away (minus the hard disk) with the possibility of having the motherboard replaced.

Now, I knew I had to get the hard disk up and running and as Traci, has a PC as does my stepson Matt, checked I could read the data. So installed the disk in Matt's PC as a second drive and booted up ... and there was my disk able to be read ... woooohoooooooooo !

So all the docs and pics and web stuff and personal stuff was under 'my documents' ... tried to access the folders ... access denied ... seems that my idea of password protecting my account on my PC was my downfall.

So, lets try booting from my disk... great idea ! Windows starts ... enters my password and ... gets an error message that Windows need to be authorised. Toll free number is shown. Calls the number - follows the automated instructions and authorization failed. Passed onto a live support person, explains the problem that my old PC is dead and have installed the disk in another PC to get my data back.
techie (??): "was the version of windows preinstalled on a PC?"
Me: "yes"
Techie: "Is the drive in the original PC?"
Me: "No, I explained the problem that my old PC died and I need to get access to my data"
Techie: "Sorry, the windows software is only licenced for the original PC and can't be authorised"

After a brief message about calling tech support (at this point realised that I had contacted a call centre that did little but ask stock questions) the guy ended the conversation and the call.

Called tech support and followed many of the paths to reach my goal, only end at pretty much the same solution each time either call and take out a support contract or Microsoft was unable to help with my problem (was my problem so big even Microsoft couldn't help?!)

Now I am pretty much persistant and so went back to trying to reboot again, same error needs authorisation. If you ever get to see this, you are presented with a authorization number sequence of 8 set of 6 digits, which when you call the authorization number you read back to the automate attendant, which hopefully will get you a sequence of 8 sets of 5 digits to authorize windows, and which failed last time. SO I tried again ... read back the 8 sets of 6 digits ... and ...
the automated attendant accepted and proceeded with the authorisation code. Finally got the PC booted with my disk and then proceeded to pull all the data off the old disk. Which was installed to my new/refurbished HP and after about 4 days (well, 4 evenings to be exact) I am now where I was last Tuesday.

The story doesn't quite end there because I still have some data to recover from the disk and need to do the boot from disk on Matt's PC again, and I hope that this time it remembers that windows IS authorised.

As for the old PC? A new mother board would set me back $175-$250 ... not an option
A secondhand motherboard would be less... but it's trying to get one ...
BUT, my PC guy knows a bit more about PCs than I do and has found some of the capacitors have blown. So he is gonna try a repair job on the old motherboard.

I guess there is a lesson to be learned by all that read this and by the author too ... PCs are vulnerable, so make sure that your data is backed up.

Here endeth the lesson ... but not the story ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/285-aaaarrrggghhhhh.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/187-60-days-go.html Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:56:14 GMT Where is the time going :eek: ? The days seem to be flying past and the project list doesn't get any smaller !!

So where am I at with projects...?

I have built my columns, now working on the tops and then need to paint them. Hope to have these completed by the end of this week.

Finally came up with a motor to use for my witch stirring the cauldron. It's a rotisserie motor, completely encased so hopefully will be weather proof. Cost $1.50 at Value Village :D - so now need to get that underway

I have completed the skeleton for my scarecrow and slowly working on corpsing him.

Other projects on the go are ...

New Coffin dweller, have the head almost finished then need to make some hands.

Candles - using the battery tealights and PVC pipe technique

Gargoyles - have one head finished and the next one on the go ...

Projects that I havent started yet

Boarded up windows... may use styrofoam made to look like lumber. (or just find a couple of pallets :rolleyes:)

Would like to add another witch this year

May have to make some extra fence panels

Need to work out how to decorate the garage as we are adding this to our haunt this year.

And with all that also need to keep an eye on the forum. :eek:

I think I need to find an assistant !!!!! ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/187-60-days-go.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/160-hit-jackpot.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:32:00 GMT I purchased a few props today and boy did I hit the jackpot! Amongst the haul I made was A Don Post Flying Witch A Vampire Ghoul A Mario... I purchased a few props today and boy did I hit the jackpot!

Amongst the haul I made was

A Don Post Flying Witch
A Vampire Ghoul
A Mario Chiodo Deluxe decor Stocks
Gemmy Magic Mirror
Gemmy Floating Ghost
62' Hanging Reaper
Battery Operated Scary Skeleton
4 glow in dark skulls
2 large bats
4 extra large spiders
jack Black Tombstone
2 battery operated motion activated tombstones
Spirit Rat in a trap
3 x Scene setter 3ft x 25ft Wood panelling panels
3 assorted scene setter panels
foam Skull
Sword in skull prop
4 various mini hanging demons/ghouls/ghost
6 spider webs
Full size Skeleton
lots of halloween cardboard cutouts
Motion activated skull
as well as a few other bits and pieces

Total cost $200 - worth at least $500

I think I got a real good deal :D ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/160-hit-jackpot.html http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/145-finally-back-halloween-track.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:20:26 GMT It seems like an age since I have been able to to focus on Halloween and the forum. So, whats been happening in my world ?? Well first of all... It seems like an age since I have been able to to focus on Halloween and the forum.

So, whats been happening in my world ??

Well first of all my wife decided she wanted the spare room back as a spare bedroom. So my stepson and I have had to clear out what we had in there and minimalize. Unfortunately this was used as my workroom :(

So all my craft materials are now confined to a storage cupboard.

So did this take that long to do ? No ... the next thing was a total clear out of each room in the house for a Garage sale... during which time it was decided to give the stepson's room a total makeover.

So this last weekend we held our garage sale. It was a huge success. Don't worry, there was nothing in the sale that could be used as, converted to, or made a part of an halloween prop.

So now we can start to settle back and I can at last start to focus on my projects for this year's haunt.

I have already paid a visit to the dollar store and bought some of the crows, and I got a couple of boxes of misc halloween decor at a yard sale for $5 (pictures to follow).

The main thing though is I AM BACK ... and I missed you all ]]> Herman Secret http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/herman-secret/145-finally-back-halloween-track.html