This blog is moving!

Today I'm excited to announce that Haunted Mansion Collectibles is moving to a new home! Our new site will still offer the same material, but in a much better format in which to showcase my pictures more easily. Anything and Everything HMC will still be here for reference sake, but I will no longer be updating this blog. Please don't forget to update your bookmarks.

Our new home can be found at www.HauntedMansionCollectibles.com or click here.

Congratulations!!

Happy Friday! Today is a good day! I'm excited to announce, in a triumphant voice, the winners of my first ever giveaway...way...way....

Yes, I feel triumphant that this giveaway wasn't a complete flop, and that I do have some readers who are willing to open up and share and PARTICIPATE!! Thank you. You made my day!

So here are the winners of my first ever giveaway!


You know, I was just realizing that we didn't really showcase the fabulous prize we're giving away today, so I'm sure you won't mind if we take a quick moment to share photos of some really good looking models wearing the Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears. Sam has been officially fired.

Here's my daughter Tannis... much easier on the eyes... speaking of eyes.. just look at hers!



But wait, this post isn't about how fabulous my daughter is. It's about this awesome prize. Of course, the iconic Hitchhiking Ghosts sit front and center.





Take a closer look at the cute little bats embroidered on the hat.



And since I'm an equal opportunity photographer (and mother) I had to get some pics of the boy. Yes, that is what we call him 'round these parts. The boy. And boy, oh boy, is he cute!



Well, cute in a "Mom, you better not take another picture of me," kinda way. He's just gonna have to get used to it. I can't help myself.



Ok, ok.. enough braggin on and on about my kids. Onto the announcement you've all been waiting for!

The winners of the Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears are.......

Ok.. so I have a confession. When I saw that there were 6 entries, I really couldn't bring myself to pick only 4. I couldn't just leave 2 fans hanging there...yeah, its my sensitive side rearing its ugly head again..

So You're All Winners!!

*applause, applause*

cmlegnax, bRENDAN, M.Gracey, MainstreetMom, gimmepig, and loosetoon are all going to receive their very own, brand spanking new set of Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears.  I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, so before I freak out over the cost of postage, send me an email at hauntedmansioncollectibles@gmail.com with your name and address and I'll send your prize.

I sincerely thank you for playing along and I hope you enjoy your prize!

I Know You're There...

I realize that my husband's modeling attempts might actually frighten my readers rather than inspire them to comment! Please, readers, do not be alarmed. He can't help himself. He's harmless, really!

This is the last day to post your comment for a chance to win a FABULOUS prize! Click here, and leave a comment telling us your favorite Haunted Mansion collectible. Its that easy. Really!


That, and I have a fragile ego. Don't leave me hanging like this. I know there are more of you out there; I've checked the stats!


*Sam wanted me to add that if you don't leave a comment, he's going to fart in your general direction!


* I'm not responsible for my husband's actions. You've been warned ;)

My first giveaway

Today is my birthday and since its better to give than to receive, I've decided to have my first giveaway.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas to photograph my first wedding (have you checked out our other obsession yet?) we came across the Disney Character Warehouse and found these Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears. Disneyland had these ears awhile back where my dear husband, Sam, so willingly modeled one for a picture.


Well, when I saw these sitting in the bin, I thought of you and thought it would be fun to give these away on the blog! So, here's what you have to do. Just leave a comment telling us your absolute favorite collectible. It could be one you have, or hoping to get your boney fingers on someday. Just spill your guts and on Friday, May 8th, I'll randomly pick 4 winners! Hey, only one entry per person, please!

Thanks for stopping by and now, its time for me to go eat some birthday cake!

Olszewski Disney Pokitpals

Thanks for the emails friends! I appreciate all the suggestions on packing up the collectibles, especially the one that saves me all the packing and I give everything away to a certain unnamed Haunted Mansion fan. Yeah, that gave me a chuckle. Laughter is good, though, during these stressful times. It seems that everything is in order for the move...well, almost everything. You see, there is this one teeny-tiny detail that hasn't quite worked out... but its just a little thing, really. The little thing called a J.O.B.! But more about that later, because right now there is this other teeny-tiny thing I need to share that I'm sure you're all more interested in anyhow...

A few weeks ago Sam and I picked up this nifty little piece called a Pokitpal by famed miniaturist Robert Olszewski. Bonus points to anyone who can tell me how to pronounce Olszewski. Is it Ol-che-ski or Ol-sews-ki? Help me out here, please!

The Haunted Mansion Stretching Portrait Pokitpal is part of the second series released for Disney. This piece is finely crafted with nice detail all around. See for yourself.




Is this Pokitpal actually stretching.....?



Or is it your imagination?






Pay no attention to the chubby fingers...





This piece is just so cute! I only wish they had done the rest of the portraits, as I'm sure every other Haunted Mansion fans wishes. HINT HINT Olchestki, Olshesski, Ol...UGH! I love your work, Robert, and please forgive me for not knowing how to pronounce your last name.

This piece is also special because it will probably be the last Haunted Mansion piece we'll be getting for awhile, with the impending move. Besides, we have to save up to head back to the Mansion for the 40th, so there will be no more buying for awhile! But never fear, there are plenty of other pieces for us to share, that is if we don't sell. Can you believe it? Sam and I actually discussed selling our lenticulars to help fund the move. *gasp!* That is how desperate we are to move to New Hampshire. Thank goodness Sam came to his senses and halted that thought. We'd rather sell our furniture and first born before we sell our Ghost Ship!

Ya'll know I'm kidding about the first born... no hate mail, please! :)

So wish us luck that the right job comes along for Sam! We're thinking about sending him out there without us to get a jump start on things.

New Merchandise

Haunted Mansion fans have been chomping at the bit for some new merchandise.  I think the number one complaint I hear from collectors is "Where is the new merchandise?!"  

Well, I was at the park yesterday, and my husband gleefully bounds up to me and says, "Honey, look at what I found?  It's Haauuuntted Maaannssion!"  He proclaims this as if it were some historical breaking news while waving back and forth a rather small package in front of me.  It's so small and close, I just see a blueish blur.  What in the name of Phineas Pock could have him so excited?

Trumpets please!  

Duh duh duh duuuuuuh!

It's a .... Haunted Mansion Ghost Disney Racer!

A Disney What Whaa?!

Its a die cast car, folks! A 1/64 scale Die Cast Metal Body Race Car in the shape of Ezra's head. Yep, its a toy car!  In all fairness, as a kid, my husband's favorite toys were HotWheels, so maybe I can understand his enthusiasm, although I certainly felt deflated after the big build up. Now don't get me wrong, it's cute.  And for $4.00, sure, I'll take it.  But Disney, if you're out there, hear me loud and clear!  If this is how a 35 year old semi-reasonable Haunted Mansion fan reacts to a car in the shape of a Haunted Mansion ghost, imagine the chorus of Hallelujahs (and credit card purchases) you'd get if you released a replica of the full size stretching room gargoyle or snowglobe of a working Madame Leota.  

 

Of course, there's another way to look at this situation.  I'm always up for looking at the brighter side.  With the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion a mere 16 months away, at only $4.00, this trinket might be just enough to satisfy our insatiable appetites until the main feast comes in the form of a Fantasically-Over-The-Top-Event and a RSP brochure that will fill our shelves and empty our 401K's.  

Yep, there's always a silver lining...

Silhouettes

Sam and I picked up these silhouettes on Main Street in Disneyland. The artist who made the Haunted Mansion silhoutte managed to put in a doombuggy and a hidden mickey. See if you can spot 'em.