I love blogs that are dementedly devoted to a particular, obscure subject. They’re the Internet equivalent of a museum dedicated entirely to shrimp forks.

Under Vhoorl’s Shadow is just such a blog, and it is devoted entirely to “De artis cthulhianis,” or Lovecraftian artwork. The site links to several other Lovecraft-related blogs, too, just in case one isn’t enough.

Here’s a new book on vampires written by the friend of a lady I know. She says it’s a good ‘un, and I trust her judgment on this type of thing. (She used to live near me, and part of her lovely Victorian house’s decor was a skeleton gazing out the octagonal attic window. She’s had some experience in this area.)

Amazon link here and author’s Website here.

I like the title, too, coming as it does from Stoker.

He said to the driver, “You are early tonight, my friend.”

The man stammered in reply, “The English Herr was in a hurry.”

To which the stranger replied, “That is why, I suppose, you wished him to go on to Bukovina. You cannot deceive me, my friend. I know too much, and my horses are swift.”

As he spoke he smiled,and the lamplight fell on a hard-looking mouth, with very red lips and sharp-looking teeth, as white as ivory. One of my companions whispered to another the line from Burger’s “Lenore”.

“Denn die Todten reiten Schnell.” (“For the dead travel fast.”)

Dad Can Do is a resource for cool stuff that dads can do with their children. (Luckily, they don’t check to make sure you’re a dad before letting you use their site.) It’s got a whole section devoted to making–amazingly beautiful, yet relatively simple–items like wizards’ wands and magical ink-pots. Each project features lots of pictures and detailed downloadable instructions.

These projects should give the crafty amongst us inspiration for all kinds of inexpensive decorative items with which to adorn our nests. Lovely!

This lovely blog is devoted to “Surveying the Interstices of Art and Medicine, Death and Culture.” From a discussion of 19th-Century Paris morgues to photos of sideshow curiosities, it should offer nearly everyone something to muse on.

Link

Plaseebo is a group of artists who create unique (their site says “unique one of a kind” with no apparent irony) figures from soft vinyl. Some are available for sale. All are nicely unsettling.

Link (via Ectoplasmosis)

Inspired by the New 7 Wonders of the World contest, the Charles Fort Institute is inviting readers to vote on the seven “artifacts that are most steeped in mystery.” Crop circles, Nessie, and the Crystal Skulls are amongst the contenders.

Link (via BoingBoing)

A friend sent me one of those “Surviving a Horror Movie” lists that occasionally make the rounds. I hadn’t seen this one before:

Pig’s blood is not now, nor has it ever been, funny

I’m afraid that I simply can’t agree.

AranaMuerta (DeadSpider to her friends) is a true artisan. She has a great how-to guide illustrating how to make all sorts of beautiful jars and bottles for a “witch kitchen.” The bottles are supposed to be part of a Halloween haunt display, but they’re so gorgeous I’m thinking about decorating all of the pasta and spice jars in my kitchen like this.

Link (via ScreaminScott)

The Street Anatomy blog has a gallery of anatomical tattoos, including one that looks like a Durer woodcut. These are just amazingly detailed.

Link (via Neatorama)

Sporting devil horns (complete with piercing!), a pointy tale, and available in six colors like “Martial Martian” and “Matadork,” Boomwave’s “Diablo” skin is the perfect way to doom your iPod.

Link (via Halloween Hotlist)