The countdown to the witching hour has begun. . .Halloween is just 72 scary days away!
Better Homes and Gardens special publication, Halloween Tricks & Treats Magazine, hits the newstands August 23rd.
I had some bone-chilling fun setting up some spooky settings for this issue!
Editor Ann Blevins arrived on a very rainy day last November with photographer Brie Williams and her assistant to photograph my Potting Shed along with some Halloween tables for this issue.
This witch doesn’t have any spells to control the weather or keep torrential downpours at bay, but photographer Brie Williams was up to the challenge of waiting it out and made even shooting in the rain look frightfully easy.
I was determined to put my best foot forward and Keep Calm and Scary On!
I set up three Halloween tables that were photographed for this issue with the assistance of editor, Ann Blevins, who ironed tablecloths!
I made a pumpkin floral vase, the easy way without carving, so the floral top could be moved if we needed to transfer the flowers to different color pumpkin for a table.
We were flying by the seat of our pants (or brooms :) between rain showers.
Brie Williams and her assistant worked their witchy magic.
I could have used a spell to two to clean up at the end of the day and put all the Halloween away. Fortunately my sister came to visit and helped, providing some moral support since photo shoots are scarier than ghosts or goblins to me <|:>)
Owl cookies are a hoot to make and were a last-minute addition.
Quick and easy to make while you’re waiting for the rain showers to subside.
You can find how-to directions for Happy Owl-oween Cookies, here.
You’ll also find fanciful pumpkins, evil spirits, fun favors, recipes, free printables, and costume inspiration in the 2016 issue of Halloween Tricks & Treats Magazine. You can see all 11 pages of my Spooky Settings and Spellbinding Decorations when it’s available for sale next week! Look for it at Barnes & Noble, usually the first to put the issues out.
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Congratulations on your spread in the magazine!!! How exciting!!!
Mary, congrats…I will have to buy the special issue! I know with you casting your magic spell, it will be amazing…the owl cookies are too cute! Have a wonderful weekend, Pam @ Everyday Living
I can see there is a lot of work that goes into the photo shoots! You do a great job! I can’t believe we are already thinking of Halloween!🎃🕷 Thanks for sharing! 🌴😎
Well deserved, your ideas are amazing!
Woo Hoo!….Congrats!….Loving the sneak peek!….So excited for you….and in my opinion, you should be in every one of their holiday issues!!!…you are the best! Have a great weekend Mary!
Hello Shirley. Fancy finding you here. Long time follower here. Just discovered Mary. Wow!!! As you know, I’m not a blogger. But, oh my, what wonder some of you offer for these eyes to drool over. Still love color. At this time in life, doubt will change. I was following three, now four. Thank you both for all the work you do for us. This is my fav season. Soooo, although my health has let me down, i can depend on you two to bring me joy. Fall and Halloween brings my best self forward. The STASH awaits. Out it comes this weekend. Thank you both. Mary, you are my new blog. And now there are Four.
I agree with Shirley! So creative and scary!
Well deserved and a lot of hard work! If it’s acceptable to you, I’d love to pin some of your photos to my Halloween board. It was my mom’s favorite time of year and she displayed 70 carved pumpkins.
Thank you Deb! Feel free to pin anything you like. You can search under the Halloween category for more inspiration. )
How fantastic! You deserve be published, no matter what the occasion, or no occasion at all. Congrats! I’ll be on the lookout for the issue.
Mary, oooooh I’m sooooo excited for it and I can’t wait to see it!!! There are so many beautiful photos right here and ideas too ~~ the witch boots with a “claw” and the gorgeous/scary (not too much) tables!! I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of work and the terror of getting ready! So glad you had your sister to help! I kept your potting shed issue and I hope you have many more publications! Congratulations! Linda
What an honor – congratulations!
I’m so excited for you!!! Congratulations and thanks for taking us along on the shoot!
Way to be awesome! Can’t wait to see it! You are a celebrity!!
Can you see me jumping up & down, clapping & cheering for you? ~~applause~~ WTG, my friend…I’ve always said you should publish your OWN book, but having someone else feature you in theirs is wonderful too. How exciting for you! I will hunt down a copy, for sure.
It was very interesting to see them at work during the shoot. Thanks for letting us see all that went into it.
I’m glad your sister was there to help out, too. I KNOW how much work goes into those tables!!!!!!
You are so clever and deserving of this frightfull and creative magazine spread. Thanks for sharing your creative ideas, I may use some of your ideas for my front porch.
I will be right there looking for your magazine spread on August 23rd. Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! You deserve to be featured as you are very artistic & know how to stage a great photo. Your cookies are a hoot!
Ooh Dear Mary…you totally deserve this spread in the magazine!! Congratulations to you. You’re an inspiration to all of us with your magic that you create! xxoo
EEEK!! How did you ever keep this delicious secret since Nov. Mary?? You would have had to put me under a spell 🎩
Everything you do is magazine worthy, I am so glad they have finally figured this out! And now it is official, You are the Queen of Halloween, and there is nothing scary about that! I do love the fun side of Halloween, and can’t wait to get out my witchy things- You must have a haunted house full! Congrats Mary, I can’t wait to grab a copy next week!
Jenna
They sure picked the perfect venue for their Halloween spread. I have never seen anyone more creative than you are.
Can’t wait to get the magazine. Your pictures and layouts are great! Congrats
Congrats! I already picked up the magazine in Lowes of all places. Love it.
I love all of the inspiration here! Congratulations! That is so exciting! I will make sure I pick up a copy! Maybe someday I can have you sign it! It must have been a very long day. Did you learn anything about photographing your tablescapes? I know my photography needs to step up! Just so excited for you!!!
Congratulations on being chosen for BHG’s Halloween issue. All your creations are magazine worthy and I enjoy your posts most every day! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents with your readers.
Congratulations! Your table settings and displays should be published in every magazine!
They are always so Beautiful! I enjoy these posts. Well deserved!
How wonderful! That was a lot of work for sure! I will look for the magazine. Congratulations, Mary!
Most deserved recognition Mary! I agree with everyone that said your talent should be displayed in magazines all the time. BRAVO! Vikki in VA.
This is so wonderful and well deserved! I love Halloween and it is my favorite day to decorate the inside and outside of my house- only equaled by Christmas. I can’t wait for this issue to be on sale, always splurchase the Halloween magazines! Thank-you for this lovely post, let the 72 day countdown begin!! P.S. Those black shoes are the best!
Fantastic.. My favorite time of year.
WOW!!! What an honor..I’ll look for it..CONGRATULATIONS your displays are always awesome and inspiring!!! 🎃🕸🎃🕸🎃
Hooray! You are one of an elite crowd Mary. I tell everyone to look at your wonderful blogs. Impressive, lady! Fearful or not, you pulled off some beautiful treats! Heheheheheheeeee….
Congratulations. This spread is fabulous. Great ideas.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to get the magazine! You’re decorating is amazing as always. So inspiring, I wish I had 1/8th the talent! I enjoy all of your posts so much. Thanks for all of your inspiration.
You ideasa are great. So creative.
Well, it’s high time. Frankly, Mary, I think you need your own magazine! I’ll be picking up a copy for sure, but in the meantime, I’ll be savoring your photos here. Heartiest congratulations. It is certainly well deserved.
Exciting news! I’m surprised you and that potting shed aren’t in every H&G publication around. I’ve put a reminder on my calendar to check next week. Eager to see your article. Congratulations on the much deserved attention.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! NObody deserves it more than you!!!! You should have your own book!! I will for sure get a copy. So excited for you! You are the master!!!
It is no surprise to me that your decorating was featured! I absolutely love how you decorate for every holiday and event! Will have to buy this magazine so I can readily look to you for more inspiration!
So awesome and a hardy CONGRATULATIONS! I’m really not surprised, as I think all your settings are spectacular. YOU GO GIRL!
Yay for your terrific featured articles! I’ll be on the lookout for the issue.
So well deserved, Mary…your Halloween vignettes are always amazing! I am so happy for you, and am always spellbound by ALL your lovely creations.
Congratulations on the spread! I love Halloween and nobody does it better than you.
Congratulations! Your creativity is an inspiration. Can hardly wait for the magazine to hit the racks!
Mary, I agree with Shirley–your creativity could grace the cover of every issue, for all seasons. You certainly make my world a happier place, always bringing joy and sunlight. Your Halloween treats and spooky touches are so festive. I’m so proud of you, dear! I can’t wait to buy this magazine!
Your table is a Hooooooot. Congratulations on making it thru another shoot.
How exciting! I always pick up these special holiday issues. Have to get my Halloween fix whenever I can. I think it makes me feel cooler in all this heat! Ha!
ox
Congratulations on your feature. Can’t wait to get the magazine!
Love it!! Congrats! So fun to look back on & remember that afternoon ~ Have a great weekend! Love You! Your Favorite Sister
Congrats Mary-how fun! It’s great to recognized for your hard work! I appreciate the time and effort you put into blogging, have a great weekend:@)
Fabulous news! They absolutely chose the best person for this issue…nobody, and I mean NOBODY is more talented, clever, and original than you are! I’ll be picking one up for sure…
Congratulations!!! I just LOVE your blog, so many beautiful ideas! The photography is fantastic!
Congratulations on this magazine. It is so lovely and a real treat not a trick. Will look forward to picking up a copy when it hits the newsstand.
Marilyn
I am dying for the witch’s shoes! Where can I get them!
They came from Kohl’s )
It might have been a lot of work, but you always rise to the occasion… Spooky fun!
I am sharing this whole post in our FB Fall for it! group…
Congratulations! Can’t wait for this magazine to come out. I always love your creativity!
So fun!! I can’t wait to pick up a copy!!! Congratulations!!! :-)
Congratulations. I was shopping at Michaels’s yesterday and picked up the magazine. I was pleasantly surprise when I read the articles and saw the fun Halloween photos. Amazing photos. Well deserved. I would invite you to share this on Sunday at our link party, Dishing It & Digging It. Our readers would love to see this fun post.
Oh, my goodness, Mary! I am so happy and excited for you! Yeah, I’d be terrified, too, but honestly, with your talent, you had nothing to worry about. I always enjoy your Halloween posts, and it looks like this year I won’t be disappointed in the least. I look forward to picking up my copy of the magazine. Congratulations, Mary!
How exciting for you! I think about Halloween everyday..it’s an obsession of mine:) Would you mind telling me what the metallic shred is in your wine chiller from the October 27, 2015 post? More specifically perhaps, where you bought it? I am new to your blog, live in beautiful Asheville, visit Lake James often, and feel a kindred spirit to you..how blessed are we to live in these beautiful mountains? Thanks kindly.
Wow, Mary! Congratulations! Well deserved, of course. You’ve done a beautiful job on every little detail. The porch is so festive and the table is just lovely…the pumpkin flower arrangement the easy way is genius! It’s evident that you put much hard work, time, and love into this whole set up. Well done!
Catherine
I just bought the magazine! Loved everything in it but your work stands out. I feel like I know you from your blog and it’s exciting to see your talent showcased in this magazine. So interesting to see the workings of a photo shoot as well.
Thanks so much Sue!
Congratulations. It is all so beautiful and spooky. I have to look at it over and over again to take it all in. So well done and set up. I’m hoping to find the magazine here in Canada.
Congratulations on being featured in the magazine – how exciting!! Everything looks wonderful and so many great ideas…… Blessings to you!
Way to go Mary!! I always knew your garden, shed, and food are magazine worthy! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Can’t wait for the magazine to arrive in Idaho, Mary! Your posts always cast a magical spell for me! Congrats!
Mary, do you know if it’s possible for us to order back-issues of this magazine? I really want to get my hands on it!
Hi Brenda, It looks like the 2016 issue is available from Meredith here: https://www.themeredithstore.com/p-568-halloween-tricks-and-treats-2016.aspx Also a digital/NOOK version from Barnes & Noble here.