Wishing You a Witchy Halloween

Did you see my guest post on Whip-Up last week about making an herb garden on wheels? You might recall my beloved shopping cart that I scored in Warrington several years ago. It made a Halloween appearance a few parties back filled with pumpkins. This year I emulated the witch crash landing planters I have seen all over Pinterest. I used a Funoodle for legs, a pair of shoes & tights from the thrift store and a tutu I made for Tallulah last year. I hope all the trick-or-treaters tonight enjoy the display. If you don't have your own shopping cart you can always make a mini version with some doll legs to stick in a potted plant.

I Love to Create - Handmade Halloween Coloring Book

Did you know you can make your own notepad, coloring book, to-do list with just some Tacky Glue and paper? I didn't either until recently. My mom showed me a cute project in Country Living where they had made a weenie dog notepad doing not much more than cramming several pieces of paper together under a stack of heavy books and painting one edge with Tacky Glue. Always on the look out for purse size coloring books to have with me at all times in case of long restaurant wait emergencies I had an idea.


The first thing I did was scavenge online for cute Halloween coloring pages and my favorite embroidery patterns. These designs are by Vickie Howell. They look as cute colored as they do embroidered.


I printed the images four to a page and cut the paper into 4 squares using a paper cutter. I stacked my paper together into a neat pile and stuck it under several books.


Once my coloring book was in place using a small paintbrush and tacky glue I applied several coats to what will be the spine. I allowed the glue to dry in-between coats.


Presto magic a coloring book is born! Next I think I will make notepads for all the grandparents with my kids artwork water-marked in the background. Perfect handmade Christmas gifts.

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

Craft Lab - Paper Embossing & Day of the Dead

Paper Embossing
DIY Network
October 24, 2011
8am E/P

Guest Julia Andrus demonstrates how to emboss paper for a metal finish, and uses it to create an innovative and functional wall vase.


Day of the Dead
HGTV
October 26, 2011
6:30am e/p

Kathy Cano-Murillo explains the meaning of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and how this traditional Mexican holiday is celebrated. She explains the importance of having an altar to honor the dead and shows how to make one out of a decorated cigar box, embellished with candles, photos, and other mementos. She whips up a felt banner and some scary, but yummy white chocolate sugar skulls. Kathy folds up tissue paper into festive flowers, which are used for colorful decoration.

Terrorizing Terrariums

I had a brief love affair with terrariums. Vintage terrariums, crafty terrariums, terrarium picture frames, trendy terrariums - I love them all. With Halloween approaching I am reminded of another terrarium I once knew and loved, the "Terror-arium" I made for HGTV. Check out the how-to video below.

Terrifying Halloween Topiaries

I'm in a topiary kind of mood. Not the kind made of plants (or brooches) I'm talking the kind made of spiders, candy and cupcake liners. I'm talking Halloween topiaries people! I love cupcake liner crafts - wreaths, topiaries like this adorable one by Craft-o-Maniac and brace yourself a cupcake liner garland.


Who can resist perky little candy covered balls atop painted dowels? Not me. I la la la love these topiaries by Two Crafty Sisters. Makes me want to rev up ye ole' hot glue gun right now.


Here is a how-to video of some candy and tissue paper topiaries I made for HGTV. Thinking of making a few for my upcoming Halloween party.


It does not take much of a reason for my to buy anything plastic in bulk. This spider ring covered topiary by Craft Town might be all the excuse I need.

I started to make some candy covered topiaries lately and stopped half way through not pleased with the results. Not to mention have you ever noticed how expensive candy is these days? Have any fun Halloween topiary ideas you want to share?

Craft Lab - Copy Machine Art & Polymer Clay Molds

Copy Machine Art
DIY Network
October 17, 2011
8:00am e/p

Stephen Horn will be showing us a way to use our copy machine and mono-printing onto clay to make unique pieces of art.


Polymer Clay Molds
HGTV
October 19, 2011

Ann Mitchell shows us how to work with polymer clay and create a clay skull belt.

I Love to Create - Halloween Serving Displays

Today's I Love to Create project started as one thing and ended as something completely different. I first intended to make some Halloween centerpieces and finished with a few Halloween food stands. Anyone who has ever had a party knows that fitting all the snacks and goodies (check out my chocked full table form last year's party) on one table is always tricky. For this year's Halloween party I thought I would try putting my food on various tiers.


SUPPLIES
Coffee Cans
Large Cardboard Rounds
Scrap Booking Paper
Aleene's Tacky Dots
Scissors
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Vinyl Records


I made 3 versions of my tiers (and plan on making more). You might recall the cement molds I scored from a neighbor's trash. I used them to make a Toadstool Stool for Tallulah. They are coming in handy again for Halloween.


Using scrapbook paper and Tacky dots I wrapped the forms in the decorative paper. Using Aleene's Tacky Glue I attached a record atop one of the molds and set a bowl inside another.


I might go back and change out the paper, I have not decided yet. In the meantime the stands are doing a great job decorating my dining room table and displaying my pumpkins.

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

Brace Yourself for Woodland Cuteness

Fall is upon us and nothing says autumn to me like Woodland Creatures. Well maybe falling leaves say it a little more, but woodland creatures are a close second. Anyway, Etsy seems to be having themselves an old fashioned cute overload with all the foxes, fall-ness and fawns. I thought I would share a couple of my faves.

Tallulah's middle name is fawn so I have a real soft spot for this Bambi Headpiece by Zara Carpenter. If I got this hat and Tallulah wore her fawn headband we could be twinkies. Ya, I'm that kind of mom that would wear matching outfits with my kids - you got sumthin' to say about it?


Miss Fox by Sweet Bestiary has the cutest little fox face I have seen in a good long while. What is the deal with these UK peeps and their fantastic forest finery?


Little Goodall is not British, but her husband is so that is probably where she is channeling her love of woodland creatures. Dear Little Goodall could you please make an adult version of this fox coat so I can do that mom kid matching thing again. Can you imagine if Baxter and Tallulah had one? It would be like I had my own litter of foxes!!!

Don't you suddenly feel like frolicking through a forest on a brisk fall day?

Craft Lab - Retro Home & Altered Papers

Retro Home
DIY Network
October 10, 2011
8am E/P

Matt Maranian the man behind my favorite series of books PAD - stops by the Craft Lab today. It's like kitsch kismet that we would get paired up to make some retro home crafts. Groovy bamboo tables complete with sunken bowls for plants, how can you not want to make that?


Altered Papers
HGTV
October 12, 2011
6:30am e/p

Julia Andrus demonstrates a leather and stone aesthetic altering paper technique and helps construct a unique set of matchbox drawers.

I Love to Create - Witch Nosedive Planter

One of my favorite Halloween ideas I have seen this holiday season is a planter with two striped legs sticking out of them as if a witch lost control of her broom and did a nose dive. Today for I Love to Create I decided to make a small scale version in a potted plant.


SUPPLIES
Aleene's Tacky Line Runner
Barbie Legs
Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Tulip Fashion Glitter Black
Tulip Fashion Glitter Purple


Stripe your legs with Tacky Line Runner. Once you have your first set of stripes cover with one of the colors of glitter. Shake off excess.


You can use the tape for the second set of stripes, but I opted for a paintbrush and glue. I was afraid I would have to handle the legs too much to add a second stripe of tape and would remove the glitter with my hands. After I had wet glue on the remaining stripes I sprinkled with the second shade of glitter. Be sure to give your witch legs some black shoes.


All that is left to do is stick your legs in a pot. I just bought a pair of striped tights tonight to make the big life size version for my front porch. I'll be sure to post pictures when I'm done!

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

The Roundtop Review - The Scores

Even though I trudged through the cow pastures of the Warrington flea market a weekend too late, I still managed to come home with a few treasures. Take for example this vintage mask and costume still in the box, I'm a little Halloween obsessed at the moment.


I keep picking up vintage bandaid tins for a craft project I have kicking around in my head.


No trip to Roundtop would be complete without a new addition to my Fisher Price collection. This little wooden lace up shoe is a little beat up but with some TLC he will feel right at home.



I love vintage Halloween masks and have recently started adding them to my collection. The woman who I bought the peach skinned mask from said she was turning 50 this year and that this was her Halloween mask as a child. She thought it was Morticia from The Adams Family. I actually like the acid green witch mask better.


I stumbled upon a table with $5 pieces of art. I bought all these to steal the frames from, but now they are growing on me. The transgendered vampire and the little boys on green have potential in a weird kind of way.


I can't say no to vintage cupcake toppers. Some will probably go in jars of Crafty Curios, others made into jewelry and it is even possible that a few might make it to an actual cupcake.


I picked up a big stack of these old Meyercord Decals which I will be adding to my Etsy shop. They have such potential to embellish a highchair, gussy up a cabinet or cute-a-fy a cabinet.



Not only did I pick up vintage Halloween garb, I also picked up some new stuff too. The fun little reproduction owl mask looks great adorning one of the $5 pieces of art I bought. The glittery green witch sticks into a pumpkin. I've decided I need a bigger pumpkin than the one I got.

What do you think of my haul? Not too bad for a 1.5 days of shopping. Did you get any good loot if you went?

The Roundtop Flea Market Review Fall 2011

Some people love autumn because of the falling leaves, crisp air or upcoming holidays. I love it because it means the Roundtop Flea Market is upon us. Twice a year this huge flea market happens just down the road from Austin and twice a year you better bet my mother and I are there with bells on. The above tympani drum table, Snoopy phone and retro red china are just a few examples of the treasures you might find.


I think it is impossible to leave a flea market and not lament a few items that got away. I should have bought those A-Team party hats with Mr. T, my birthday is this weekend after all. I keep dreaming about a Casper the Friendly Ghost game board I decided was overpriced and what a cute Halloween decoration it would have made. The big fish that got away was the above vintage condom machine. I have always wanted one to hang in a spare bedroom or guest bathroom. They make me giggle. I was hot, tired, there was no one tending the booth to haggle with so I just took a picture and walked away. One day I will get my machine.


I wonder what the deal is with flea markets and rat sucked doll heads. Have you ever noticed they seem to be synonymous? This fall's trip was no different. I wish I had picked up enough to make a Halloween wreath with, but you would be surprised how much people think eyeless doll heads are worth. I think I will scope out the thrift store for some dolls to decapitate.


How cute are these beaded ornaments? Mama might be making a batch for this year's Christmas tree. Most of the beads seemed to be from broken jewelry and lord knows I have the motherload of that.


You know my sister has a soft spot for taxidermy and apparently this guy (according to the sign) needed a hug and she obliged.


This tree looked like it is from a game of Candy Land or the Wonka Factory. Probably why I love it so much.

One lesson I learned the hard way is never go to Roundtop on the final weekend of the show. I didn't really have a choice this year, but several vendors were packing or gone by Sunday. Sure things may be priced to move and there are better deals to be had, but I prefer a larger selection and steeper prices I guess.

Craft Lab - Pet Name Plates & Feather Frenzy

Pet Name Plates
DIY Network
October 3, 2011
8am E/P

My guest in the Craft Lab tomorrow is Steven James. Steven is going to show us how to manipulate metal, etch images and make cute personalized nameplates for pets. Christmas is coming up and Rover wants something special too!


Feather Frenzy
HGTV
October 5, 2011
6:30am e/p

Sonya Nimiri stops by and we have some fun with feathers. She will demonstrates various projects using feathers as decorative pieces.