Martha Stewart Halloween - disappointing

3268 Views 31 Replies 23 Participants Last post by emeraldbkt, Sep 22, 2009

Bliss3333

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2009

Picked up the new Martha Stewart Halloween magazine today.
*Very* disappointed. Not only are most of the ideas recycled from her previous books/magazines, they didn't even bother to redo the photos.
It is still better than most of the seasonal magazines that are kicking around (where the creative teams apparently spend 12 months a year dreaming up new and exciting ways to apply licorice to cupcakes), but it still blows.

I have to say that I find more creative ideas here in 15 minutes than I found in all the Halloween periodicals I have seen so far this year. You would think they would do some web searches and pillage some of the truly unique ideas for decor...

Just my $0.02. Wait a minute... the magazine actually cost me $7.99...

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Withered Witch

· #2 · Sep 4, 2009

Doesn't that just "frost" you. I never buy Halloween mags ... they only disappoint ... and Martha blows every day.

Ghost of Spookie

· #3 · Sep 4, 2009

I always spend time in the stores to look through magazines before I buy them. Hardly ever subscribe to any magazines. I just picked up (and bought) Martha's halloween issue the other day and while I didn't think it was her best issue I thought it was okay. I saw a few new things that were interesting, decorating like the Mirror, Mirror for example and some of the recipes. I don't have kids to do costumes for and don't really like glitter so there's always stuff that I could care less about. I did notice some repeats of ideas (but then I have a few of her mags already and kept a number of her Halloween-related TV episodes over the years in from which I recognize some of her projects).

While Martha gets a bad rap sometimes, I don't really see anyone else stepping up in this area to knock her off her throne, which fans still put her on BTW. So I'm okay with her sitting there. IMO she's done more to promote Halloween than anyone else I can think of. BTW I thought she looked pretty good in her halloween photo spread this year, and she's getting up there in age. Her staff always does a great job with the layouts and makeup.

See less See more

dustin2dust

· #4 · Sep 4, 2009

She did look good on the cover. Wish I could say the rest of the magazine looked good too. It just didn't do it for me. I too was disappointed.

MrsMyers666

· #5 · Sep 4, 2009

I'm sad to hear (read) this. Guess I'll spend money on other magazines. Thanks for letting us know Bliss!

Spookilicious mama

· #6 · Sep 4, 2009

I realize this may not be a popular post but I am all about the glitter and her Grandinroad line is just fabulous!!! IMHO

Junit

· #7 · Sep 4, 2009

Hmm... many mixed emotions. Maybe i'll check it out at the B&N before buying.

Halloweenie1

· #8 · Sep 6, 2009

Spookilicious mama said:
I realize this may not be a popular post but I am all about the glitter and her Grandinroad line is just fabulous!!! IMHO

Hey! I will stand with you, Spookilicious.

I agree, I love all the giltter, and LOVE Grandinroad too! I have the new Martha mag and I loved the cover! I wonder if that's one of her own horses?
Don't get me wrong, I do understand the dissapointment, unfortunately, it did contain alot of recycled ideas and pictures. It would have been nice to see something new. Oh well..... I enjoyed it anyway, I like what she does overall.

Ghostess

· #9 · Sep 6, 2009

I bought it the other night at work, hoping it would lift my spirits, and it did - for about 5 minutes, which was how long it took me to leaf through it and sit it aside.

The GrandinRoad line is nice, but it looks like they ganked the ideas straight from another book I own.

natascha

· #10 · Sep 6, 2009

After reading Bliss's first comment I had to look at the date of posting...it looks like the same comment from last year and I think the year before!

22606

· #11 · Sep 6, 2009

The cover of the mag got my attention and there were a few cool things inside, but not enough to warrant the $7 price tag, in my opinion.

Girl

· #12 · Sep 6, 2009

I was disappointed, too. I was so excited to see it in the store and buy it imediately. Then as I was waiting for my bus and flipping through it, I was underwhelmed.

I don't carve pumpkins, don't have little ones, don't care for any of the costume ideas. Pretty lame overall. I think I got 1 idea...for $7 magazine. Sigh

v_gan

· #13 · Sep 6, 2009

I have to disagree. While there are recycled ideas and pictures in the magazine, there are also plenty of new crafts and recipes. I thought it was well worth the money (even though I had a $2 off coupon), but that may be because I collect all Martha Halloween/October issues.

It's definitely a good magazine for someone who hasn't been following Martha throughout the years, and it's good to use as a compilation for the best of the best of Martha Halloween. Sure, the price is a bit high. But you don't get gorgeous imagery and photos like that in every other magazine on the shelves.

Madame Leota

· #14 · Sep 6, 2009

I finally managed to find a copy!
I actually think it's pretty good. Maybe my expectations weren't as high as others?

Brewgirl

· #15 · Sep 6, 2009

I bought it the other day. I agree that the costume ideas were a bit boring, but I enjoyed reading the recipes and the pumpkin carving ideas. I am thinking of using a few recipes for my party this year so all in all it wasn't a waste of money on my part. It wasn't amazing but also wasn't terrible at the same time in my opinion. Then again, it is the first Martha Halloween mag I have bought.

DevilsDeviant

· #16 · Sep 15, 2009

Martha Has Had Better Halloween's

I actually got a copy for free. Sooo glad I did not pay for it, because it was a lot of recycled stuff. The one thing is, I have been looking for her Halloween Typeface Font Clear Stamps without any luck. I even e-mailed her and they tell me, her products are found in Michaels. Duh. But nobody will tell me if it's discontinued or new. Anyway, maybe someone here knows. She had a couple cool recipes for treats in the mag, but other than that, same old stuff. Plus, some of the decor advertised is pretty expensive. NewBee to the forum and this site. Wish I saw this place years ago. My new fav place. I can live Halloween 24/7

Ghost of Spookie

· #17 · Sep 15, 2009

DevilsDeviant, welcome aboard. It's real easy to spend 24/7 here BTW. haha.

I wish I could tell you I have a good answer or located your Martha Stewart Halloween Typeface Font Clear Stamp but it's very elusive. I wonder if it hasn't been discontinued. It sort of looks familar and I wonder if I haven't either seen it in Michaels over the past few years, Martha's craft store, Walmart, Tuesday Morning or at BigLots. I've seen her products like this at all of these places over the years. I did find an image of it for you--at least I think I did. If so maybe seeing a pic of it will jog someone's memory. Is this it? It looks like one of those black letter, gothic font sets.

See less See more

DevilsDeviant

· #18 · Sep 15, 2009

stamps

yeah, I know what they look like, just still trying to find them

DevilsDeviant

· #19 · Sep 15, 2009

stamps

Ghost of Spookie said:
DevilsDeviant, welcome aboard. It's real easy to spend 24/7 here BTW. haha.

I wish I could tell you I have a good answer or located your Martha Stewart Halloween Typeface Font Clear Stamp but it's very elusive. I wonder if it hasn't been discontinued. It sort of looks familar and I wonder if I haven't either seen it in Michaels over the past few years, Martha's craft store, Walmart, Tuesday Morning or at BigLots. I've seen her products like this at all of these places over the years. I did find an image of it for you--at least I think I did. If so maybe seeing a pic of it will jog someone's memory. Is this it? It looks like one of those black letter, gothic font sets.

yeah, I know what they look like, just still trying to find them

Nyxy

· #20 · Sep 15, 2009

Well, I normally despise all things M.S. but I faithfully searched out this years halloween edition. Turns out I've got a regular october issue form 2006 that had about 60 to 75% of what was in this years halloween issue already. Little annoying, but Still plenty of ideas and things to dream about and alter to my wicked heart's content.

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.