Well.....my attempt in 2008 at these two animated (via electric motors) props was a dismal failure.

I had left in the pages in my Haunted Books and glued a wood slat on the sides of the ones that were supposed to move.

This proved to be too heavy for the motor and the glued in rod broke.

I didn't use a sturdy enough board to mount my Leering Prop. And since it wasn't level, it stopped working quickly.

Perhaps it's a message that I should stick to static props.

I'll attempt to fix both these props by Halloween. Wish me luck...

 

So.....what about 2009?

I repaired the sign for the Bridge of Death so it makes its return this year along with a new sign to reside along the Graveyard path, What would A Zombie Do? (WWZD). But my ugly little man bit the dust (was thrown into the Gorge of Eternal Peril), so I have to find another. This should give guests something to do while they are waiting to view the Funeral Parlor.

I found two 8ft sections of fencing and am going to paint them black and use them in the graveyard.

During my summer vacation this year, I carved several new Hollyween Pumpkins.

I intend to place a bird (or something) inside	Headless Horseman throwing a flaming jack 'o latern	From Nightmare Before Christmas, Zero	From Nightmare Before Christmas, Oogy Boogy
This is a carved on all sides pumpkin Haunted House	Back of Haunted House - Scared Tree Still have more carving to do on this pumpkin	Head for Scarecrow

 

Because I have so many now, I've decided to put all my pumpkins together and created a new haunt section...The Haunted Pumpkin Patch.

I've almost finished the Pumpkin Scare Crow that will guard one corner. 
I want this to be outside the Patch and to be used as a photo-op for the kids.

I'm also hoping to attempt to bring back the Pumpkin Totem Pole in a new guise. It will reside here, too.

The new guardian of the Patch	Hand from Tulip Poplar	Here's Looking at You, Kid...
Roses purchased on Sept. 26, 2009 - once dead will become part of Hollyween		Shelves for Potions - purchased at Thrift store

Be on the lookout for this scoundrel lurking about...

Some of my new purchases for this year...

A Final Note...

Since I got a full time job last year (10hr days), I have not had the time I would like to devote to developing and making new props.

At the Haunter Convention I attended in April, I purchase 6 more plastic skeletons, a large spider, a couple tombstones,...

So not to much new this year; a small expansion of the haunt and the return of some old favorites.

If you visit my haunt this year, take notice of the details.  There are many haunted treasures throughout.