Must have Blood! - DIY Recipe for Blood

Get gruesome with gore!

Halloween brings forth the need for lots of fake blood for use on props and Scare-Actors. Depending upon the application I've used many methods some of which are permanent while others wash away. So, unless you have a stash of the real thing you are going to need some ideas.

Recipe for Homemade Blood...

No Cook Blood

1/4 cup of water
2 cups of clear corn syrup
1/4 cup of corn starch (may use flour as a substitute)
1/2 oz. red food coloring
10 drops of blue food coloring

With this recipe I found it best to first mix the water with the corn starch, adding a bit a time until you have a white paste. As you work it all together slowly any small lumps ought to disappear. Once lump free you can then add the corn syrup into the mixture and stir thoroughly. It's now time to carefully add in all of your red food coloring and stir. Now add in your blue to darken the blood and richen up that colour. Depending upon the purity of dyes in your brand of food coloring you may need more or less so judge accordingly and experiment. Remember this fake blood will stain most everything it touches, sometimes permanently other times not. It also does not have a long shelf life so do not prepare too far in advance and store in the fridge. I would recommend using this type of fake blood on Scare-Actors who have no sugar allergies. Because it is water and sugar based clean up is easy, except for the dye factor!

Fact: Old black and white horror films used chocolate syrup as a base for theatrical blood!

- On static Halloween props I prefer the permanent approach. With clothing I use both red and blue food coloring by placing it directly onto fabric in specific areas. I then use acrylic paints to highlight and deepen those shades. Bright reds work best and use black to deepen and add some contrast.

Of course having someone make something for you is always easiest. Get some Stage Blood! here or click on any of the following pic's for product information.

Prop - Upsidedown Scarecrow - Halloween Project DIY

Scarecrows protect our crops from outsiders but what protects us from them and that pitchfork?...their dark, glaring eyes seem to follow, always watching, waiting to strike!

The history of Scarecrows date back through centuries as a way to instill fear without harm,

so that's what we'll do! The fact that this Halloween prop is easily made with a couple of wooden stakes, old rags, some straw and a cowboy hat means you just gotta make more than one! When grouped in a pack, have a live 'Scare Actor' posing amongst them ready to jump when the time is just right!

                                                                                            

Supplies required...

- two 2'x2's (10' long)

- coveralls

- cowboy hat

- straw

- boots

- 3 small bags, 2 pillowcases, lots of newspaper, tape

- paint; flesh, white, black, red

- 2'x2' round piece of canvas or paintable fabric (an old drop cloth will work) 

- saw

- 5' piece of string

- large needle, strong thread

- heavy duty stapler, staples

- sledge hammer

- ladder

To create your Upsidedown Scarecrow begin by painting the fabric with flesh tone paint and let dry. When it's dry proceed to paint on black eyes, mouth, stitches and whatever else looks terrifying! 

Then cut the bottoms of the 2'x2's to form stakes (they pound easier when cut on an angle). Place each stake in each leg hole of the coveralls and proceed to pound each post into the ground. Crumple up the newspapers and fill up each of the bags until they are full but pliable then use the staple gun to attach the bags to the body, giving your Scarecrow more definition. Attach the string to the remaining plastic bag and then set it upon your fabric face (face side down) and use as a head. Pull the fabric around the bag forming a head (leave string hanging out of neck area) then secure with a needle and thread. Staple that string to one of the pieces of wood inside the Scarecrow (ought to hang just above ground level). Place on the boots and proceed to stuff handfuls of straw into all of the penings and inside the cowboy hat which just slides underneath your Scarecrow's head. 

Corn Creeper Scare-Actor

When making your Scarecrow prop use old, wragged items from around the house that won't be missed and feel free to add your own twist ie; long sleeve checked shirt, trench coat, burlap sacs, housecoat or robe, pold pair jeans with patches, housedress or moo moo, wigs, glasses, skeleton bodies, socks, gloves, straw hat or make one with a pumpkin head!

Haunted Attraction - Haunted Adventure @ Magic Hill

Hidden in the quiet hills north of Toronto lies Magic Hill Farm a destination hot spot for those wanting to experience a wonderful evening in the country that ends in terror! This farmland is not for the weak kneed, scaredie cat. This Haunted Adventure stems from true stories based on murder and mayhem whose whispers of death travelled far beyond the local community of Stouffville decades ago.

Blood curdling horrors and rambling ghosts roam the dark shadows of Magic Hill creating an ultimately terrifying adventure that you need to see for yourself. Survey the fields and forests upon a haunted wagon ride, walk through the barn, explore darkened trails and the cavern.

Refreshments are always available, along with other Halloween and farm related items such as pumpkins for carving your 2010 Jack - O- Lantern! It is best to come early as activities within Magic Hill begin at dark. Remember, no one under the age of 8 is permitted into this outdoor haunted attraction and due to the weather at this time of year you must remember to please dress accordingly. Be prepared to wait in line, as Halloween approaches it does get busier. Groups are allowed along with VIP treatment, please enquire. 

Magic Hill
13953 Ninth Line Stouffville, Ontario

Phone: 905-640-2347
email: info@hauntedadventure.ca

View maps showing How to get to Magic Hill!

Prop - Hack in the Box!

Greet Trick or Treaters with a Hack in the Box this Halloween!


Round and round the mulberry bush the monkey chased the weasel... 

 Step right up folks and crank on the big red knob...unless you're too scared!? 

The Hack in the Box Halloween prop is ideal for home haunts as it adds a horrifying twist to a seeminly friendly child's toy. The dark of night is the perfect place for the Jack in the Box to be reincarnated into a terrifying Hack in the Box Halloween prop. The perfect interactive, spine tingling scare for all ages!

 

Supplies needed...


- 3 sheets of scrap plywood 5/8" thick measuring 4' x 8'
- 14 studs (not men, wink wink well actually yes, one stud to do the cutting and hammering) 2 x 4's
- ice auger handle
- 2 large rubber rats
- circular saw, jigsaw, drill with 1/2" drill bit, nuts, bolts, hot glue gun, hot gun glue, pencil, string, nails, hammer, random wood screws, 2 strong hinges with screws, paint (black, white and red)

You will need 5 pieces of 4' x 4' ply; 3 for the visible outside walls, 1 for the bottom and 1 for the top (the backside remains open for easy access to the inside). The inner frame is built on the same scale (duh!) with no length being longer than 4'. Before assembling, lay the top piece down and either eyeball a large circle, trace one or use your finger, the pencil and string to draw one in. Flatten off the back of the circle (like a toilet seat). Use the drill to make a starting hole on the inside of the circle then move to the edge and finish off all around the entire outline then attach the hinges. Use the drill to predrill a hole to slide the auger handle into; secure with nuts and bolts from the inside (once fully assembled). Attach the base to the frame with both nails and wood screws, then the three walls and then the lid.   

Once assembled, your Halloween home haunt Hack in the Box is ready to paint and accesorize with some evil glued on Rats and anything else creepy you may want to attach to it. Put a Scare Actor inside the box, grab a sound clip of Pop Goes the Weasel and crank it, loud! As the Trick or Treaters approach the Hack be sure there is a large, easy to read sign closeby telling them to turn, rotate or crank on that handle for the fun to begin...

 

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Recipe - Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

A delightful, rewarding and fun snack to enjoy after the traditional pumpkin carving festivities have long ended. Save that slimey orange pulp 'cause now the extra sticky job begins!


Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Grab a chair and some extra hands, if those hands haven't disappeared already, and separate the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkins pulpy orange mush. Rinse seeds in cool water, pat dry and allow to sit for as long as overnight.

Preheat Oven - 325 Degrees
Cooking Time - 25 Minutes, tossing a few times throughout the cooking process
Prep Time - 30 minutes or more depending upon the # of pumpkins, size etc.
Ingredients - pumpkin seeds, melted butter and seasoning salt

Preparation - toss the pumpkin seeds (washed and dried) with the melted butter, then spread evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment or tinfoil. Sprinkle with seasoning salt then place tray in the oven and roast those tastey seeds!

Variations - try using flavoured oils and/or butter, garlic, dill, chilli, cinammon, white or brown sugar, honey, maple syrup (sugar burns easy so always watch carefully), taco seasoning, pepper, onion salt, popcorn toppings, cocoa powder, ginger, cayenne pepper, sea salt, paprika, cumin or curry.

For more great recipes, check out How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds at my favourite recipe site allrecipes.com!