The diapers were hung by the fire with care...

This is how we decorate.

DIY Burlap Garland

If you've been anywhere near Pinterest lately, you'll find burlap crafts everywhere! I jumped right on that trendy bandwagon because 1) It's CHEAP, $2.97 per yard at my Wal-Mart. 2) It's easily adaptable to all 4 seasons of decorating or any home decor theme. And 3) I feel like a member of the popular crowd on Pinterest now because I made something with it.

This is a really easy crafty activity that even the kids can help with. Some stores have rolls of pre-cut Burlap which will make this an even faster afternoon project doesn't require a sewing machine. They look like this:

My local store didn't have any of these neatly packaged little rolls of goodness so I had to take the long way around to getting my burlap strips ready.

What you'll need:

Several Yards of Burlap ( I bought 6) or a couple rolls of the pre-cut garland

Scissors

Ruler

Fabric marker of some kind

Needle and matching Thread

Sewing machine (if you bought the burlap by the yard)

A friend with wine... I guess this is optional but it sure made it more fun!

How To:

The first thing I had to do was cut my trips of burlap. I wanted some thinner garland for my tree and some wider for various other places in my house, so we cut some 4" and some 6" strips. After the strips were cut we pulled a few of the outer threads so that there was a nice straight line to follow. You'll have some un-even threads protruding from the sides but don't worry, those will get trimmed! 

Sew a medium length and width zig-zag stitch all the way around your garland strips, using the last thread of the burlap as your guide. This will keep them from fraying and make it look much neater. Then trim any excess off so it's even all the way around.

Next grab a needle and thread it with a nice long length of thread. I used a big darning needle, it was easy to hold and the gaps in the fabric are plenty big to accommodate it, It's also safer for smaller hands because they're dull so if you have a child wanting to help this is the best step for that. Start at one end of your strip and pull the thread through and knot it to secure it to the end. Sew long even stitches in a 'S' pattern, gathering as you go, all the way to the other end.

How closely to gather your garland will be a matter of your personal taste. Here's an example of what the different sizes and gathers that I did before deciding on which I liked best.

Once you get to the other end and have your garland gathered the way you like it, knot off your thread securing that end in place and trim the extra thread. Now you've got Garland! 

Now go make 10 more strands of burlap garland and put it all over you house, just to make sure people know you're part of the trendy "I craft with burlap" club ;)

Tuesday's Time Out to ... Make Jack-o'-Lanterns.

So, it is last minute! Down to the wire!  
And you still have a pumpkin sitting around, waiting to be carved up into a Halloween masterpiece, but just don't know where to start? Well, then we have your back!  We found some very creative; easy, to very skilled; non-traditional ideas to help you get started.  

White Pumpkins with painted styrofoam balls for eyes!

Source: Eventish

Make a Minion with a soda can. 

Source: Remove and Replace.com

Here's a scary idea for a white and orange pumpkin.  Carve out the brain in the white pumpkin, then your creepy, scary face in the orange.  Put them together and you have an extra spooky pumpkin creature. 

Source: Skulladay

 It can't get much easier than this! Use cookie cutters to make cut outs in your pumpkins.  Even better, use letters to spell out a word! 

Source:  Emma Magazine

For someone who's handy with a knife, get artistic and make a haunting night scene. 

Source: Sunset.com

 Paint that pumpkin! Then glue on some eyes & ears made from recycled plastic plate (or anything else you can find). Then complete this same look with some big bolts & staples.  

Source: The Cutest Blog on the Block

 Love this!!  If you have a non working (or working) fireplace, carve some flames into your pumpkins, just don't go all the way through the pumpkin flesh so the light shines behind the meat of the pumpkin.   This one could be used after Halloween. It makes just a nice fall addition to your regular decor. 

Source: Remove and Replace.com

 Hello kitty!! Get a template here

Source: Rottingpearlz.Deviantart.com

 Skilled with the carving tool?  Include your pets in this holiday and do their portrait on the pumpkin.

Source: Better Homes

 Use a stencil to carve your house number onto pumpkins.  Simple, but festive!

Source: Sunset.com

Candy corn pumpkins. Grab some spray paint and paint the top white, and the bottom yellow.  Done!

Source: Dalliance Design

 Some branches from a downed tree can quickly turn your pumpkins into a creepy spider. Add some recycled plastic circles and a big headed nail and the spider is alive. (ok, not really, but you get it)

Source: Remove and Replace.com

 Not just a ghost, but Oogie Boogie from Nightmare before Christmas.

Template here

Source: Russellheimlich.com

 How about a Katy Perry Pumpkin! Her, along with other celebs can be found at the Better Homes website.

Source: Better Homes

Nifty idea!

Carve "kcirT" in the back of the pumpkin and it will reflect onto the wall behind where the pumpkin is placed. 

Source: Sunset.com

For the especially talented folks.  Carve a very intricate spooky scene on your pumpkin!  

Source: Elles Deli

Kiddos will love this duo!  If you can find the right shaped pumpkins, paint one yellow, and use some pieces from your local art supply to make the nose and hair/eyebrows. 

Source:  Remove and Replace.com

Very quick and easy way to add some pizzaz to your pumpkins. Map out your design first, grab a drill, different sized drill bits and go!

Source: Creative Stuff

Another creative spin on the white pumpkins. Glue crayons (paper peeled first) to the top, and melt with a hair dryer. 

Source: The Swell Life

There will probably only be a select few that can replicate this masterpiece, so it may just be here for appreciation, but if anyone CAN replicated this, please post your results to our facebook page!! 

Source: RootFun.Net

And lastly, and easy one, but with a creative addition. Carve your face, but make sure the mouth is fairly big, and stick in as many toothpics as you can fit. 

Source: Up2Wows.com

Ok That's it!  Hopefully that sparked an idea, or set you up for what you will create this Halloween!  

Happy Haunting!!

~Jo

Friday Favorites October 25th, 2013

Welcome to another Friday Favorites round up! This week I'm bringing you all things Halloween.

Favorite Decor

Dollar Store Witch Hats hung from the ceiling. Fast, easy and inexpensive.

Favorite Food

Mummy Dogs From OurOrdinaryLife.com

Favorite Kids Activity

Alien Gourds from Craft Klatch

Favorite Treat

Pumpkin Oreos by US!

Favorite Costume

Junior Secret Agent Available on Amazon (still 6 days to order!)

Favorite DIY

This Amazing Deer Make-up Tutorial

Favorite Song

What else? The MONSTER MASH!

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Halloween Roundup of our Friday Favorites!

XO 

Jess

Thirsty Thursday Spooky Sips

For all your Halloween hosting needs, we've collected the best party perfect drinks to serve to your ghouls and goblins this October 31st!  

Looks spook-licious, right!?  Ok, let's go check out each one and what you need to make these yourself.  Plus, check out some bonus drinks below!

Bloody Punch with Floating Hand

Source: spoonful.com

Ingredients:

3 cups cranberry juice

1-1/2 cups apple juice

1-1/2 cups grape juice

2 cups caffeine-free cola

1 cup frozen strawberries

Directions:

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice, apple juice and grape juice. Stir, then refrigerate until you're ready to serve. At the last possible moment, add the cola, the strawberries and, of course, the Floating Hand of Death.

For the Floating Hand of Death: 

In a measuring cup or jar, stir a few drops of green food coloring into some water -- not too much, just enough to give it a slightly decomposed tint.

Pour the greenish water into a disposable rubber glove (the stretchy kind -- make sure it's not powder-coated inside) and tie the top securely. Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight.

At serving time, peel the glove off the hand and deposit icy hand in chilled punch. Yum

Slime Punch

Source: parents.com

(Note about recipe: Make sure to use a very large bowl or a saucepan with high sides when making this frothy mixture. The meringue powder will really foam up when you start whisking.)

Ingredients:

2 tubes red decorating gel

Lemonade mix to make 2 quarts

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. meringue powder

2 liters seltzer

10 drops green food coloring

4 drops yellow food coloring

Directions:

Squeeze red gel down the inside of 12 small, clear glasses. Let dry about 10 minutes.

In an extra-large bowl, combine lemonade mix, sugar, and meringue powder. Slowly pour in seltzer, whisking continually until combined. Stir in green and yellow food coloring. Pour punch into glasses and serve.

Boo-Nilla Shake Recipe

Source: marthastewart.com

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

2 pints vanilla ice cream

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

For the faces: Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave on high until melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes; stir. Using a small brush, paint chocolate inside glasses (if it hardens too soon, microwave 20 seconds more). Let set a few minutes before adding shake. Prepare glasses up to a day ahead, but don't fill until ready to serve.

For the shakes:

Blend milk and 1 pint ice cream in a blender until smooth. With machine running, add remaining pint ice cream, one scoop at a time; blend until smooth. Pour milkshake into six 8-ounce glasses decorated with chocolate faces, filling them 3/4 full.

Next, put cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add confectioners' sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip. Pipe spiral mounds of whipped cream on top of milkshakes. Serve immediately.

Candy Corn Smoothies

Source: pillsbury.com

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut sorbet (slightly softened)
6 tablespoons milk
2 cups orange sherbet (slightly softened)
2 cups lemon sorbet (slightly softened)
4 drops yellow food color
Candy corn (if desired)

Directions:
In blender, place coconut sorbet and 2 tablespoons of the milk. Cover; blend on high speed 30 to 60 seconds or until smooth. Divide evenly among 8 glasses. Place glasses in freezer. Rinse blender.
In blender, place orange sherbet and 2 tablespoons milk. Cover; blend on high speed 30 to 60 seconds or until smooth. Pour over coconut mixture in glasses, dividing evenly. Return glasses to freezer. Rinse blender.
In blender, place lemon sorbet, yellow food color and remaining 2 tablespoons milk. Cover; blend on high speed 30 to 60 seconds or until smooth. Pour over orange mixture in glasses, dividing evenly. Garnish with candy corn.
Serve or freeze until serving time.

Swamp Juice

Source: spoonful.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup small tapioca pearls (found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores)

Food coloring

4 tablespoons sugar

8 gummy fish

Seltzer water

Lemonade

8 gummy worms

Directions:

To Make The Eggs: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add the tapioca pearls. Reduce the heat slightly and boil the pearls, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes.

To color the eggs: Divide the pearls, with the remaining water, between two bowls. Add 4 drops of food coloring (in the picture colors used were, 3 drops of yellow and 1 drop of green in one bowl, and 4 drops of blue in the other) and 2 tablespoons of sugar to each bowl. Stir the mixtures, then allow them to sit uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and rinse the pearls with cold water.

To Make The drink: Spoon 2 tablespoons of pearls into each glass and drop in a gummy fish. Fill the glasses with seltzer water, then add a splash of lemonade. Place a gummy worm around a spoon as shown.

And...
For the Grown ups!

Liquefied Ghost Cocktail

Source: hgtv.com

Ingredients:

2 oz. vodka 

1 oz. vanilla simple syrup 

1 oz. cream 

2 oz. soda

Directions:

Mix vanilla simple syrup, cream, vodka and soda together in a cocktail shaker, then serve in a chilled martini glass.

Witches' Brew

Source: hgtv.com

Ingredients:

2 oz. mixed pineapple and cranberry juice 

2 oz. 7-Up or Sprite

1-1/4 oz. shot Malibu Coconut Rum

Directions:

Mix juices and 7-Up or Sprite in a highball glass. Pour shot of rum down the side of the glass right before drinking.

So, now you're all set for your Halloween party, or just relaxing after all the spooky little monsters finally crash and head to bed.  Hope you have a spook-tacular Halloween.

Enjoy! :)

Jo

★☆★★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★★☆★☆★☆★☆

Friday Favorites October 18, 2013

A weekly round up of our favorite things

Favorite Find

Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Lacquer, Clearly Spotted

Favorite Laugh

This one from Someecards.com

Favorite Recipe

Crumbly Pumpkin Bread from Damndelicious.net

www.damndelicious.net

Favorite DIY

Halloween Wreath from SummerScraps.com

www.summerscraps.com

Favorite Song

This 1950's Doo Wop Cover of  'We can't stop' by Miley Cyrus

Hope  you enjoyed our Friday Faves this week!

XO

Jess

Tuesday's Time Out to... DIY! Mini Canvas Project

 DIY!

(Also, look for future "Tuesday's Time Out to..." Crafts, Tips & Tricks, and more!)


This DIY is great for home decor.  I used this particular project to decorate in my oldest daughter's  room.  These are cute and easy miniature canvases that you turn into an almost instant wall hanging without being an artist! Let's get started!

Materials required:

-Sharp scissors (Xacto knife if you're handy with one)

-Magazine with desired photos

-Acrylic paint

-Modge Podge

-Miniature canvas (or desired size)

Instructions:

Paint the canvas the color you desire, let dry.  Cut out the image you want.  Be very careful to get as close to the edges of the image as you can. Apply modge podge to the back of the image, covering every bit of the paper, then smooth on to dry canvas in the desired location of the canvas. Be sure of the location as you can't move it after.  Also be careful not to allow any bubbling under the image.

And that's it!!

Let it all dry and hang where you want it!

Now instead of paying a fancy price for a nice wall hanging, you can easily make your own for a fraction of the cost.

You're welcome!! :)

Jo