Shrunken Heads

I hope you've seen these before, because they are a perfect addition to any Halloween party or home decor.

Start by getting a bowl of water, adding the juice from two lemon wedges and 2 tsp of salt to the water. Then peel your apples.

The fun part is carving your apples. You can make any kind of face, the possibilities are endless. We used whole cloves for the eyes and they worked great!

Then place your apple in the water for 10 minutes. Halloween Alliance recommends 10 minutes for dry areas and an hour for moist humid areas. According to them, "the salt will draw moisture from the apple once it’s out of the water, making the apple dry more quickly and helping to keep it from becoming moldy, and the lemon will help keep the color of the shrunken head light and uniform."

Go to their website and read more about it first before you begin. There are some more hints. Plan for two weeks to dry, but in a pinch you can use a food dehydrator or the oven at 200 degrees for 3-6 hours until dry and shriveled. Our were good for a party we had a week later and they continued to get better.

We actually skewered them on dowels and stuck them in a cookie rack standing up to dry. Place in an attractive arrangement for display and you are good to go.

Here is a sneak peek at how lovely, uhmmm, I mean gruesome and spooky they looked! This was really fun to do with the kids and they loved watching them dry and checked on their progress daily.

Countdown to Candy Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS to TORI!!

Winner of the Countdown to Candy!

Congrats Tori!  Hope you enjoy your Halloween blocks!  Email us at craescreations@hotmail.com with your address!

Candy Corn Bark

Found a yummy looking recipe for Candy Corn Bark over at Your Homebased Mom. Just had to try it. We liked it a lot. Salty, sweet and of course, all things Halloween. Go ahead a make some for your little Gouls and Witches.

We took Halloween Oreos broken up, pretzel pieces, and a few candy corns and placed them in a pan covered with wax paper.

Melted some almond bark and wilton candy melts and poured it over the top and used a spatula to spread it around. I then put a few Halloween sprinkles and some more candy corn on the top. Allowed it to harden in the fridge and then broke it up into pieces and enjoy it! So yummy!

Share with your friends. Makes great neighborhood gifts! Did I mention how "spook"tacularly easy it was? Ya, super easy.

Countdown to Candy Giveaway

Alright, ready for another giveaway?! This is so much fun. We know that this should have been our first giveaway so that you can use it the whole month long to countdown to H-day, you know the fabulous night of absolute bliss, Halloween. Best laid plans aside, here is the countdown anyway. You will be able to use it for half the month and many many more years of fun to come. Come on and enter our 3rd giveaway if you dare!!

There are many many versions of countdown blocks in the blog world, but this is a mini version, can fit in the palm of your hand. (I have one in my kids room in

additon to the regular sized one in the family room)

Here's How To Enter To Win!!1. Leave a comment on this post for 1st entry.
2. Follow this blog for a 2nd entry. If you are already a follower,

leave a comment stating you are!
3. Post this giveaway on your blog for a 3rd entry!

Deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, October 12th at Midnight.

TIME'S UP!
Please see new post for announcement of winner!

Winner will chosen at random (using Random.Org) and announced on Wednesday, October 13th.

Here's wishing you some GOULISHLY GOOD LUCK! Remember, we will post another Halloween Giveaway next week after we

announce the WINNER for the Countdown to Candy giveaway!

Candy Corn Wreath Tutorial

Candy Corn is to Halloween like Santa is to Christmas!  You have to experience candy corn or Halloween just isn't Halloween!  Not only is candy corn yummy to eat, it's colors are some of my most favorite!  I wanted to do something with candy corns and a Candy Corn Wreath is what I got!

I didn't want to have to spend any money either, so I rummaged around in my craft closet and wood supplies.  After some searching, I found all of this!

I cut out the candy corns on masonite board using a band saw.  If you don't have the wood or tools to cut wood, you can use the foamy paper stuff...any color will do because we are going to cover it with CUTE candy cornish paper!  I made a candy corn shape template, traced it onto my different paper color choices and cut them out.  I distressed the edges with an orange colored ink.

Now, glue them onto the wood.  I just used a glue stick but Mod Podge works great too.

Once all candy corns are completed, pull out the hot glue gun!  Now, glue all those bad boys to a wreath.  I am sure a foam wreath will work well.  Like I said, I just used what I had in my closet!

I found a piece of fall garland that was the perfect length.  Seriously, how lucky can one get?  I made a circle out of the garland and placed the wreath on top, pulling the stems through to make it look full.

To fill in the gaps, cut six or more long pieces of coordinating fabric.  Wrap them around the garland and wreath.  Not only does this fill in the gaps, but it hides the wire on the wreath.  It was still looking kind of blah in the center and this cream paper with black flowers gave it just the kick it needed.  I cut a circle and glued it to the back of the wreath.

Just like that....that's what the back looks like.

Now, put up your candy corn wreath and enjoy the Spirit of Halloween!

Spooky Halloween Invite

I really wanted to make this invitation from Martha for my upcoming Halloween party. However, when I kept pricing things out, it was very much over my budget, especially the rubber mold stuff.

So here is my knock off version. The coffin boxes I got on clearance last year for super cheap. I got the skeleton hands from Roberts in a ten pack and filled with some Spanish moss and tied a black ribbon around one finger.

Ooooo, I really liked how they turned out. Get going, get those parties planned and set a date. You know you want to party Halloween style.

(pictured on my newly completed table-runner. Julie posted hers long ago.

I am just getting mine done!)

Witch Boot Giveaway!

Here it is!  Our next giveaway!  I am super excited about this one because I am in LOVE with this witch boot.  I hope you LOVE it too, enough to enter our 2nd giveaway for Halloween!



Here's How To Enter To Win!!

1. Leave a comment on this post for 1st entry.

2. Follow this blog for a 2nd entry.  If you are already a follower, leave a comment stating you are!

3. Post this giveaway on your blog for a 3rd entry!

Deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, October 5th at Midnight.

TIME'S UP!

*** See New Post For Winner ***

Winner will chosen at random (using Random.Org) and announced on Wednesday, October 6th.

GOOD LUCK!  Remember, we will post another Halloween Giveaway next week after we announce the WINNER for the Witch Boot!

Halloween Subway Art

Subway Art is a fun and trendy way to spice up your Halloween decor!  I found making this VERY fun!  I loved finding spooky, ghostly and creepy fonts!  I had the most fun was arranging it all, like a puzzle, making it fit and look fabulous!

Halloween Subway Art!

Want to make one of your own?  Here's the how to:

SUPPLIES:

One board whatever size you prefer.  Mine is 12x18 MDF board.  You can use glass too!

Vinyl in preferred colors and transfer tape

Paint

Glaze

Paint Brush

DIRECTIONS:

1. I painted my board white, then glazed over it using a gray/black tint.

2. With black paint, paint on spider webs in desired areas.

3. Cut out Halloween words in different sizes, fonts, and colors.  I cut out a witch hat, spider, pumpkin, black cat and spooky tree to fill in the little spaces.

4.  Arrange on the board to achieve the look you are going for.

5. Apply your vinyl.

There you have it!  Pretty simple and really fun!  If you don't have a "cutting" machine to cut out vinyl, you can always paint it on free hand!

Happy Haunting!!



Fall Pumpkins

Here are a set of wood pumpkins that were inspired by my friend Kellie.  Are they not ADORABLE?

Thanks Kellie for the inspiration!  And thanks to my sweet friend Anne, we had lots of fun crafting and making pumpkins together!

Halloween Give Away!

A little tid bit of info behind this post...I ran A LOT of miles today in my training for the marathon that is in TWO weeks.  My hip flexors are killing me and I was hobbling around like a geriatric lady who just had a hip replacement.  Because I couldn't move to well or pretty much at all, I knew a craft would make me feel a lot better.  And, it did!  I have had this project in my head for a few days and today was the day, and it is your LUCKY DAY too! 

Trick or Treat Plaque

Give Away!

RULES:

SEVERAL WAYS TO WIN

1. Leave a comment on this post for your 1st entry!

2. Follow this blog and leave a comment stating you are a follower for a 2nd entry!

3. Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave a comment telling you posted this for a 3rd entry!

You must enter a separate comment for each entry and make sure to leave me your email or blog address so I can get in touch with you if you are the WINNER!!

Give Away will close on Monday, Sept. 27th at midnight.

TIME'S UP!

Winner will be randomly selected and posted on Tuesday, Sept 28th!

Used Random Integer from Random.Org

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Winner is..... #4

HOLLY WORTHINGTON!!

GOOD LUCK!

Want some more GIVE AWAY GOOD NEWS?  Each Tuesday (from now through October) after we have named the winner, we will post ANOTHER Halloween Give Away!

Halloween Costumes

By now you should all be catching on... I LOVE HALLOWEEN!  I start asking my kids what they are going to be for Halloween MONTHS in advance.  I begin the planning process, brainstorming and finalize how I am going to make their costumes for the year.  Here are a few of my favorites I have made.  Now, please note:  These costumes are my own concoction.  I have NO patterns, I just go with it.  They are not perfect, but they are fabulous!

Beautiful Tutu Witch

I did a halter style tutu with black and purple tulle.  I found the witch hat a few years back at Old Navy so it worked perfect with this costume.  Add a little purple and black flowers to the hat and it was ready to go.  Notice the PERFECT PURPLE boots?  Are they not the cutest things ever?  WALMART!  Seriously this costume was adorable and very inexpensive to make!  Matter of fact, she wants to be this AGAIN this year.  I do think I am going to change it up a bit, but what can I say?  This costume is a keeper!

Mummified Mummy

My sweet little Coop has never been one who loves to dress up.  He hates things on his face or head, masks, paint, makeup, hats, etc.  Even from a little baby he hated it.  When he said he wanted to me a mummy, I had to figure out something to where it wouldn't cover his face.  Thus, the nice head wrap instead...kinda cheesy, but it worked ok.  Anyway, this costume was a little time consuming, but well worth it.  The pic doesn't do a very good job at showing it, but all the edges are burned to old and mummified!  I bought a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt at Walmart - you know the cheap garanimals brand?  I found an old off white sheet in my linen closet, ripped it into longs strips and went to town.  At first I was hand sewing the strips on then decided the HOT GLUE GUN is much faster!  I wrapped the strips around and glued them into place.  Afterwards, I pulled out the lighter and burned all the edges.  I only ALMOST burned the house down twice.  I suggest you have a bucket of water handy...if you're a little like me.  This costume was a hit.  He looked like a real mummy and not some tacky kid wrapped in toilet paper!

Cutest Little Candy Corn

Okay, a little background first on this costume.  I have two sisters and all three of us were pregnant at the same time.  Matter of fact, our due dates were all within six weeks of each other and we were all having boys!  How fun is that?  Well, pretty dang fun!  My sisters and I are very close, we all like to do things together and we wanted to have all the boys dressed a like and take all the kids trick or treating together.  Why?  Because that is what girls do!  Cute fun things...together!

Anyway, back to the details.  I bought all three boys a long sleeve white onesie.  I measured each of them around the chest and their length.  I made the shape of a candy corn out of paper using their measurements, cut out the fleece and sewed it onto the onesie - making a little sleeper.  I measured their heads and made a little white fleece beanie hat which of course NONE of them would wear.  They were definitely the CUTEST three boys strolling the streets on Halloween night!

I hope everyone is getting VERY excited for Halloween this year.   I know I am!

Oh yes, I'm linked up to the Fall Frenzy over at Craftaholics Anonymous.  Check it out.  There are TONS of fun fall ideas.

Halloween Table Runner

Halloween is on it's way!  In honor of the BEST holiday of the year, I made a Halloween table runner for the kitchen!

I am very excited with how it turned out!  Isn't it SPOOKY?!  Okay, I guess it's not spooky, but it is pretty dang cute!  Now, I have to admit a thing or two...  I have NEVER quilted anything on my sewing machine before.  I have hand stitched but the sewing machine quilting I never dared attempt.  Until now.  And, it was NOT as bad as I thought it would be.  Fusible fleece/batting is pretty much one of the coolest things ever.

I used the Moda Halloween Night Charm pack that I purchased from here.  For me, spending a little more money to have them pre cut is worth it.  I can never seem to get all my squares perfectly square. 

I hope everyone out there is feeling the beauty of Fall and anxiously awaiting Halloween!  What are you going to dress up as this year?  Or what are you going to dress your kiddos up as?

Gotta Love Pumpkins!

I know, I know!  I am obsessed with FALL and one can never have to many pumpkins!  Right?  Wanna make some?  I can tell you how!

Supplies: 

1 - 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 board (at least 30 inches long)

Orange Paint - I used Delta's Terra Cotta

Glaze (mine is Ralph Lauren Glaze, tinted brown)

Ribbon

Wire (or an old wire hanger maybe!)

Green Spray Paint (I used Krylon Hunter Green...from Walmart, only $2.50 a can!)

Glue

Drill

Sand paper (mine was 120 grit)

Hammer (yeah, I will tell you why!)

Glue

Directions:

1. Cut your 3.5x3.5 board into lengths of 12 inches, 8 inches, and 5 inches. Or, whatever desired length you choose.

2. Paint each pumpkin orange.  Let dry.

3. Grab your hammer and hit your boards along the edges, the sides, the top.  Wherever you want to "distress" your pumpkin.

4. Pull out the sand paper and sand the as desired.

5. Paint on your glaze, let sit for a few minutes then wipe it off with an old damp t-shirt or cloth.

6. Now, you need to wrap your wire into some curly q's then spray paint them green.

7.  While you are waiting for the spray paint to dry, drill small holes in the top of your pumpkin.  The holes should be roughly the same gauge as your wire.

8. If your green curly q's are dry, dab a little hot glue on the end of the wire and stick into the hole.  Arrange stems as desired.

9. Wrap each pumpkin with ribbon.  Tie in a bow or knot.  They also look cute without the ribbon, ooh, they would even look great with some twine!  I may have to go try that right now!

Pretty easy right?  So go, have fun....create your own FALL PUMPKINS!