<![CDATA[Halloween Forum - Blogs - Terra's Lair by Terra]]> http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/ Halloween Discussion Forum, Haunts and Home Haunt Community. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:16:04 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.halloweenforum.com/fusion/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Halloween Forum - Blogs - Terra's Lair by Terra]]> http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/ What makes me tick? http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/327-what-makes-me-tick.html Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:10:13 GMT I have a strange quirk. My dad calls me a 'Jack of all Trades...Master at none' and doesn't mean that as a compliment. He gets frustrated with me because I will pick up a hobby ... get pretty good at it and then drop it and go for something else. These were my past hobbies: auto mechanics, auto racing, painting, sewing, home decor, gardening, jewelry making, cooking and a multitude of other minor crafts. Plus, I'm an avid reader. To be honest, I myself have been frustrated because none of these hobbies really fired up enough passion in me to keep any of them going. Cooking would be the closest because I'm a chef by trade.

Then I went to Halloween Horror Nights and noticed a prop they had that looked like something I could do. When I got home, I rushed out to Home Depot to get supplies and made this:




I was hooked. It was a huge hit with the kids that year and I got a thrill of accomplishment every time I looked at it. The thing was huge(!) and so easy to make. I thought I could whip up props like this like crazy. So, next year I made some more...and then more. Then got out a legal pad and organized a walk-thru. Halloween night and 250 ToTs came and I had a terrific time.

So, the next year I told myself I would plan better and so I hunted around for How-to's. I stumbled across this site and WOW tons of help and fellow travelers. That is how I learned DMX. I questioned and questioned on different threads about DMX trying to wrap my head around it. Guitarist151 and Phoenix_UK were so patient with me :)

Also, while I was at the forum, I kept reading about how easy it was to make foam tombstones. So, I thought that would be an easier project to tackle while I was still trying to understand DMX. Well, building tombstones just rocked for me. Here I could use my artistic skills. I also started to realize I was totally hooked on Halloween as a hobby. It's the perfect hobby for 'Jack of all Trades' person like me. You use so many hobby skills to make just one prop. I mean, how can you get bored doing this? I am building one prop right now that uses sculpting, painting, sewing and jewelry-making. :eek:

So anyways, I think I'm pretty good at this because it's the perfect outlet for my particular way of hobby-making. Plus, it is so darn fun. If you could see me while I'm building props, I have the biggest smile on my face. I am having a blast :D

Because of how this forum helped me I want to keep this going. Payback, if you will. Plus, if I make easy-to-understand tutorials then some people may have an easier time building a prop. They could skip some of the trial and error thing I went through.

So, anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ]]> Terra http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/327-what-makes-me-tick.html 2009 Haunt plan http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/276-2009-haunt-plan.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:32:31 GMT Last year was my first attempt at many things and most of them turned out great. Because it was such an ambitious direction there were many things that were just thrown together. So this year I'm going to sweep through the haunt and graveyard and up the effects.
Graveyard: All month I looked at it and thought it was missing two things. One I knew what it was but the other eluded me. The one thing I knew it needed was animation. Luckily, Dave in the Grave's Peeping Tombstone will be the perfect solution. Plus, I get to make another tombstone :D

I was at Michael's when I realized what the other element the graveyard needed....pumpkins! and the color boost they give. So, I bought 9 foam pumpkins they had on clearance and will be adding them in spots in the graveyard.

Other elements that will be added is a fog chiller tombstone, a Bucky resting next to a tombstone and lightning effects.

Driveway: I have a long side driveway that is on a hill and it will be the perfect place to have an archy-type entrance. I will make two mirror opposite Pumpkinrot scarecrows (pumpkin heads) holding lanterns.

Haunt Entrance: It totally needs cement/foam pillar arches. :)

Forest room: Last year this was terrible. No scares, just more of a spooky place to walk-through. NOT THIS YEAR! It will come alive with killer bushes, spitting snakes and fire!

Vampire Room: The BIG change for this year. The DMX coffin is out and the DMX Vampiress Tank is in! There will be a seductive vampiress in a vat of red liquid who is mesmerizingly rotating. Then, Wham! a distraction scare. Not sure how yet but it'll be good.
So, that's the master plan all laid out. Can't wait to get started.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Terra ]]> Terra http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/276-2009-haunt-plan.html So I have a blog...cooooAL! http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/245-so-i-have-blog-cooooal.html Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:40:00 GMT My first blog entry....well, what should I say? I know:

I love Halloween Forum! I've had a passion for haunting the house but it seemed to be only enjoyed by kids but no peers. I've always wondered when fellow neighbors complimented me if they were just being polite. Now, I know that there's a whole big, loving community of haunters! Heaven!

I get great ideas, honest feedback and much needed kudos. Home haunting is a passion that must be shared. This is the place. Thank you Larry! ]]> Terra http://www.halloweenforum.com/blogs/terra/245-so-i-have-blog-cooooal.html