Monday, October 10, 2011

MY FRONT ENTRANCE TO MY HAUNTED HOUSE


is up, and I couldn't be happier. This year I had to changed the look because we out grew the driveway, so I moved the walk through Haunted House into the back yard. We now have more room, the Haunted House is right next to the cemetery, and we have great access both in and out of the haunt. Unfortunately I had to take the fence down, but that's the life of a Home Haunter. We do what ever it takes to make it look right!!!





I was also able to get my banner up that raps around the front entrance of my porch. I had it made custom for me two years ago from Issusionator, I had them match my bricks and windows on my house. The eyes in the skull head have two 21" computer monitors with red glowing eyes in them and the white window will have a projector playing scary movies every night right up to Halloween.



This is what the back of the banner looks like. I had to make a wood frame to hold the banner up so I hung camouflage to hide the wood.

Gotta run and get back to work now on the inside of the Haunted House.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

My son Matthew, who's now five. Announced to me that he wanted to be a Zombie this year for Halloween. The wife's not impressed...




I can't figure out what would have influenced him!

I'M STILL A KID AT HEART

While I was in Windsor, Ontario on business I crossed the boarder in Detroit, Michigan to picked up some Halloween Cereal and Candy Corn at Target. You can't get this cereal in Canada any more.



Now comes the hard decision, which one should I open first?

Friday, September 23, 2011

SCONCE SKELELABERA'S

I purchased this creepy couple from Scarefactory. I've secured them to two skull panels which will be part of my front entrance to my Mausoleum this Halloween.





Sunday, September 18, 2011

I DECIDED TO GIVE MY PILLARS

A much needed update this weekend. I replaced my two front entrance Gargoyle pillars with two new ones from Distortions Unlimited.


I didn't like the original color on the Gargoyles because they didn't match my pillars, so I re-painted them.



Here they are with a black base coat.



After painting them black, I sponged on two different shades of grey paint. I also wanted to add a little more detail to them, so I went to Michael's craft store and pick up some fall vine leaves and moss. I'm pleased on how they turned out.




The rest of my pillars were sanded down, re-painted, new flickering lights added, and some climbing fall vines.



All and all I'm just pleased to have another project for the haunt out of the way. Now back to working on the Mausoleum.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE DAY AT THE HAUNT

Rented a 26' truck to go pick up my walk through Mausoleum being stored in a warehouse.

Starting to realize this hobby of mine is getting expensive, but I'm Halloween obsessed!!!


Purchase something new for the Mausoleum this year, a 17' x 32' x 9' canopy tent. Now the kiddies won't get wet if it rains outside, also allows me to set everything up with out getting wet.

This will be the first year setting up the Mausoleum in the back yard, unfortunately I'm going to have to cut of two large sections of the fence so everyone can enter & exit the haunt. Shhhh don't tell my wife, I haven't told her yet!!!


Here's what the frame looks like set up, next step is to wrap the canopy tent around the frame. It will be gray on the outside to match my exterior wall panels, and the interior will be black to help keep the light out.


More pics of my progress will follow, thanks again to my family & friends for all your help today.

Friday, September 9, 2011

I'M HAPPY TO SAY

I finished my fall garden, now back to working on my haunt.







Sunday, September 4, 2011

HALLOWEEN HAND SOAP

My Niece just started a new job at Bath & Body Works and she surprized me today with this Light-Up Skeleton Coffin Hand Soap.












When you press the pump to dispense the green apple scented hand soap, it lights up flashing with and an eerie sound coming from the bottom of the bottle.



I was really impressed with their selection of Halloween proucts on their web site too.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

GOT TO LOVE MY ACTORS

One of my actors Steven is so excited about this year's Halloween that he went out this weekend and purchased some new make-up and contact lenses.










I think he looks amazing!!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

LET THE BUILDING BEGIN

Thanks to the generosity of one of our new sponsors "Lowes", I was able to purchase some much needed supplies this weekend to update my Mausoleum.






Started painting the new 4'x8' ceiling panels for the Mausoleum.






Purchased a new 60 gallon air compressor to handle all my pneumatics. I wired it directly to my fuse panel and drilled a hole through the cement wall to run a air line outside.








I'm creating a new Spider themed room in the Mausoleum this year, so I took my Bucky Skeleton from the Boneyard and covered him in spiders.








This is another cool prop I purchased from Gore Galore, I took this Mummy and covered him in webbing and spiders. He too will end up in my new spider themed room.









Well that's all for now, time to get back to working on my next project. Many more posts coming now that Halloween is getting closer.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

CANADIAN HAUNTERS ASSOCIATION


Has officially launched their new web site.

The CHA (
Canadian Haunters Association) website was created to pass along information and ideas on all things related to Halloween for FREE.

What started out as a regional club of home haunters back in 2004, has grown over the years to a National Canadian Club with home haunters from coast to coast.

We dug up this website to allow everyone to see how creative and imaginative haunters really are. Most haunters are too busy working on their own haunts leading up to Halloween to get out and see other locations. This website will allow you to show off all your hard work while seeing others just like yourself.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

I WAS REALLY EXCITED

the other day when I came home from work and found this box sitting on my door step.



Back in December 2010 I submitted my home haunt video into the Annual Haunters Video Awards contest, I was just honored to be in it with so many other amazing home haunters from Canada and USA.


This was my first year submitting a video and I was so excited to find out I had one an award for "Best Video Production". WOW, what an honour.





I defiantly need to thank my good friend Jeff Chatten from Horrors Unlimited, he did an amazing job filming and editing my video.


A special thank you goes out to Chris & Jeff Davis from the Davis Grave Yard, thanks for keeping these awards alive and being such amazing home haunters youselfs.


Thanks to the The Blood Brothers for doing a great job announcing all the winners and all the judges who voted for me.


Finally a warm felt thank you to all my family and friends for helping me out with my haunt and video last Halloween.

Friday, July 1, 2011

HAPPY CANADA DAY

A SIDE OF HORROR WITH YOUR RIBS

My friends at the "Powerhouse of Terror" are scaring people up before Halloween for a good cause.




The Rotary Club of Etobicoke has spiced up their largest annual fundraiser, Toronto Ribfest, with some scare tactics.





This year's festival will feature 'Carn-evil,' an 800 square-foot haunted house full of evil clowns and freaky circus acts to raise money for charity. The new project is a collaboration between Charity Haunt - Powerhouse of Terror and the Participation, Acknowledgement, Commitment, Transformation Urban Peace Program (PACT).



PACT Haunted Theatre has been working with at-risk youth alongside Powerhouse of Terror mentors to build the new haunt, which will be premiered at Ribfest on Canada Day weekend.

Around 20 youth, referred by the correctional or school systems, have been attending weekend classes in construction, set design, acting, and effects.

The haunt's 'Carn-evil' theme fills two tractor trailers for a total of 800 square-feet of circus fear. The trailers will be moved to south Etobicoke this fall for the upcoming Powerhouse of Terror. The Ribfest haunt cost is $5, with all proceeds going to PACT.




Toronto Ribfest runs June 30 to July 3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Centennial Park in Etobicoke. Parking is free and a $2 donation is suggested for entry.

For more information visit http://www.torontoribfest.com/

Thursday, June 30, 2011

7TH ANNUAL SCAREFEST



I'm really looking forward to this event this weekend, it's become such an enjoyable annual haunt indusrty event in Ontario.

Scarefest is a gathering of people who share an interest in all things related to Halloween. In attendance will be people who own and operate professional haunts, home haunters and Halloween product vendors.


It's a great place to sell, buy, or swap your old props. Best of all you get to spend the day with new and old friends that have the same love for Halloween as you do.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Sunday, June 5, 2011

DON'T BE AFRAID OFTHE DARK




Image Source



“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is about a young girl living with her father and new girlfriend in a very old mansion. Unbeknownst to them, the mansion is also a home of demon-like terrifying creatures in the basement.

It is the remake of the 1973 film that starred Kim Darby, Jim Hutton and Barbara Anderson.

The film will be released into theaters on August 26 later this summer.









Tuesday, May 24, 2011

AHHH...SCRATCH...SCRATCH...AHHH...

I'm sitting inside my house tonight and I hear moaning and scratching at my front door.




I looked outside to see where all the noise was coming from and I found these two creepy zombie kids at my door step. They were dress up like characters from the Trick "R" Treat movie; they demanded I give them some Halloween Candy.

They told me they just finished eating one of my neighbors and now wanted something sweet for desert. I told them I didn't have any candy, but if they hurried they could eat, I mean catch the ice cream man who just passed a minute ago.

Kid’s today have no respect, don’t they know Halloween isn’t for another five months!

Monday, May 16, 2011

I REALLY WAS SCARED...

Like a good son, I went to visit my Mother on Mothers Day. After spending the entire morning there with my siblings and all our kids, I decided to go for a walk since it was such a nice day outside.


My parents live just North of me in the older part of Stouffville, Ontario. Like any other small town the developers are slowly creepy up North and building new communities.


There are still some old abandon homes left in the area that look like Haunted Houses. I've had my eye on this one house for over five years and always wanted to take some photos of it, but I wouldn't because of this "Sign".



I've never seen anyone go in or out of this house. When I've driven past it in the evening, I've never seen any lights on, any vehicles in the dirt road driveway, or any sign of life. So I finally built up some courage and brought my camera with me to take some photos of this really creepy old house.




As I approached the house you could tell it had been abandoned for a while. All the trees, gardens, and grass were over grown and there was garbage every where. Almost every window on the house was broken, the paint was fading and flaking off.



I started to walk towards the house to take some closer shots when I noticed the front door was open, when I looked inside there was garbage every where too. It looked like one of those t.v. hording shows.



As I adjusted my camera lens for a closer shot of the front porch I noticed a large black object standing in the doorway that wasn't there a few seconds ago, when I finally focused my lens...I froze.





There was a large black Rottweiler dog staring me down, all I could think of was Stephen Kings "CUJO" the friendly St. Bernard that contracts rabies and goes on a killing spree.







I stood there completely still and thought to myself "I'm in trouble". I was all alone and there was no one any where close to hear my screams if I was attacked. I knew if I ran, this dog would chase me down no problem, so I just stood there for a minute and kept my eyes locked on "CUJO".



Finally I decided I had to get out of this situation fast, so I slowly started to back up. Well I guess that was all CUJO was waiting for, me to make the first move. He started to run towards me and I froze again, I put my hand out to show a sign of good gesture and thank God, he was a friendly dog.



CUJO looked like he was an abandon dog who was just looking for some companionship and some one to say hello to. Then just when I was starting to feel comfortable again, I hear this loud voice come from the house "Your Trespassing" get the hell off my property or I'll get my dog to attack you.



I looked up at the front door and there was this really scary looking guy who looked liked he had been living in the wilderness for the past ten years. He was creepier then the house and the dog, I apologized for disturbing him and got the hell out of there as fast as I could.



I personally think he was a house squatter, but I wasn't about to ask him.



"WOW" what an experience. I'll never do that again.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

THE LAST RIDE





Gone but certainly not forgotten.


Transcend the traditional funeral with a fitting send off that celebrates individualism and living life to the fullest.


Shake the ground one more time in this Harley Hearse from Boot Hill Hearse.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

I'M FEELING VERY HONOURED

after receiving news that the Thornhill Woods Haunted House had won an award for "Best Video Production" with the 2010 Home Haunter Video Awards.




















My home haunt is such a pleasurable hobby for me and it's nice to see all the hard work is recognized. I know myself after reviewing all the other home haunts on the 2010 DVD collection that there were a lot of great submissions to choose from.

I would like to thank all the judges who picked my haunt, Chris & Jeff Davis from the Davis Graveyard for continuing to promote the Home Haunter awards, and The Bloodshed Brothers for doing an amazing job announcing the winners.







But the biggest thank you goes to my good friend Jeff Chatten from Horrors Unlimited for taking what I had envisioned and turning it into another one of his masterpieces. I would also like to thank all my friends who took time out of their busy schedules to help me create this killer video.






Congratulations to all the other 2010 Home Haunter Video Winners.

Friday, April 22, 2011

HAPPY EASTER BOILS & GHOULS




This little baby girl showed up on my porch today all dressed up for Easter.


I thought she looked so adorable, so I gave her a little stuffed bunny to play with while I ran inside to get my camera to take her picture.


When I came out this is what I saw...


Don't you just love how cute kids are.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

HOME HAUNTER DVD COLLECTION

I was excited to open my mail box on Friday and see I receive my Home Haunters DVD Collection.



Chris & Jeff Davis from the Davis Graveyard have put together this killer collection of 67 home haunt videos on a five disk DVD set. They've really out done themselfs with the graphics on the DVD's and the video production.


If your interested in purchasing the DVD set for yourself (click here).

Saturday, March 26, 2011

BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP

What does "beauty is only skin deep" mean?

The saying simply means that just because someone (or something) appears attractive on the surface doesn't mean they aren't rotten beneath that outer layer. Or in other words, a person may be beautiful on the outside, but still have an 'ugly' heart or soul.

Never the less, check out these creepy manipulations photo's.

Image Source

Monday, March 21, 2011

STARTING TO CREATE THE MONSTER

Website...

I'm excited to finally have finish the new Canadian Haunters Association logo with the help of my new Graphic Designer M80.




While I was visiting the Transworld Halloween Trade Show in St Louis, I was also on the hunt to find a new website designer to help me build the new Canadian Haunters Association Website.

I've spent the last two months looking for a website designer in the haunt industry. I couldn't go with my current website designer Rogues Hollow because it conflicted with his other company Haunted House.com, and let's just say the others in the industry never took the time to get back to me.

So... I lucked out and found a new rising star in the haunt industry, Tyler Barnett from M80 Designs. I was really impress with his work on Nightscreams Studios website and he will be working with another talented website designer Jimmy Talkington from Thorn Designs.

BTW, all these guys are super talented Website Designers in the haunt industry, I would highly recommend all of them for anyone who's looking to create a Killer Website for their haunt.

Friday, March 18, 2011

2011 TRANSWORLD SHOW PHOTO'S

I had a great time in St Louis attending the 16th Annual Halloween & Attraction Show.

March 10-13, 2011 at America's Center.



Image Source My Flickr Account

Transworld has always been one of my favorite Halloween shows to attend every year. It is by far the biggest of all the haunt trade shows, you get to see what is the latest and greatest in the haunt industry from all the leading suppliers, you can participate in seminars, visit local professional Haunted Houses, and best of all. You get to spend time with home haunters from all across Canada and U.S.A.

Priceless...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

HOME HAUNTS ARE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS AT HALLOWEEN

If you haven't experienced the thrills and chills of a haunted house lately, try visiting a home haunt this Halloween. If you dare...

My friend Val Tobin a Contributing Writer / Freelance Writer for Suite 101 wrote this great article about my home haunt
"Thornhill Woods Haunted House".

Sunday, March 6, 2011

CANADIAN HAUNTERS ASSOCIATION


Greetings my fellow haunters,

I would like to inform you of the new Canadian Haunters Association (CHA), formally The Ontario Haunters Club (OHC).

Before I begin telling you about my goals and thoughts, I want to thank Victoria Wolf the founder of (OHC) for the outstanding work and dedication that she has shown over the years. Victoria started out as a home haunter herself and found the need to connect with fellow haunters, so she began the (OHC) back in 2004. In the 7 years of starting the club, she has brought together a great community of home haunters and has created a new family of goulish friends.

As most of you are aware by now, Victoria Wolf has had to graciously pass on the torch of running the club, due to her demanding work schedule and family obligations. I offered to take over the website because I saw a need to update it and I wanted to make it more user friendly and add on new information.

Since this is my first post for the (CHA), I feel it’s important to explain the reasoniong for the name change and a new website. What started out as a regional Ontario club of home haunters back in 2004, it has grown over the years to a National Canadian Club with home haunters in additional provinces. Now it only makes sense to change the clubs name to more welcoming one that represents all Home Haunters from across Canada.

The new website will truly be a 100% Canadian Home Haunters Association that will focus on all things related to Halloween. But before I begin to tell you about the new website, I would like to make something perfectly clear. Because Victoria has passed her torch to me doesn’t’ mean that I’m the leader, this new website belongs to all of us Haunters and this is why I’m going to be putting together a committee of volunteers to help with the new website and future events.

Some things won’t change; Rebecca Senese will continue to run the monthly pub night as the Ontario chapter of (CHA). Hopefully we can inspire other provinces to follow and have their own monthly get togethers. The (OHC) Facebook page has already been updated to the (CHA). Also, the (OHC) Yahoo Forum will continue to run until we get the new website up and running.

I’ve been working with Hector Turner (Home Haunter/Graphic Designer) on a new Logo for our Association along with other website designers / programmers to get a quote for the new website. Here’s a list of the tabs and the information they will represent. Please feel free to comment, since the new website officially hasn’t been created yet. If I missed anything you feel is important to add, please say so.

• Home
• About Us
• Membership
• Home Haunts - Yukon Territory, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland.
• Commercial Haunts (Same provinces as the Home Haunts)
• Industry News
• Forum (Just like http://www.hauntworld.com/haunted_house_forums/) this forum will replace the (OHC) forum. It will be more elaborate and have more features than the old one. Each member will be able to log in on their own account and buy/sell, and discuss ideas related to home haunting and the Haunt Industry, etc...
• Upcoming Events
• Store
• Contests
• Vendors
• Links
• Advertise
• Contact Us

I’m really excited about our new website and Association and I look forward to watching it grow. If you have any questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thanks in advance for everyone’s support.

Chris Ainsworth