Fall Break=Halloween Party Decorations Done!

Every year my husband and I throw a Halloween bash with all the fixins. I have accumulated a ton of decorations and pinterest ideas throughout the years. This year we haven't designated a costume theme and instead we are having a costume contest. I haven't officially quit decorating...I just thought I'd get these ideas out there for anyone who is needing ideas.



So, a new addition to the party this year is a photo booth complete with a handmade black t-shirt yarn spider web. For a tutorial on how to make this, click here: tshirt spider web tutorial.

Below you can see me and my wonderful husband modeling the concept.

Standing Pose

Sitting pose

Next we come to one of my new passions...tablescaping, in the words of Gene Belcher: 
"It combines accurate table-setting placement with creative themes and costumes."

My hubster and I are going to be vampires this year...no "Twilight or Buffy/Interview with a Vampire" references. I'd say we're more of your East Nasty rebellious non-conformist type. So here's my tablescape...obviously this will look way different with actual food on it and not just lightbulbs. But here's a good base anyways... 

I made a black spiked bunting that is getting lost in the curtains, so I might replace that elsewhere...

Here you can see my striped witches legs...super easy with masking tape and a cut in half pair of Halloween clearance tights.

Next I bring you to the back of the front door...I tried the spiraling black paper bats. I'm not sure if I'm a fan...but a new way to hang these super cheap-o paper bats I cut out is fine by me. I like using fresh ideas for old things and the budget appreciates that too.

A couple of years ago I made this wire spider web using rebar tie wire and smaller wire. I spray painted the whole thing matte black. This is something I use every year so it was worth the sore fingers of working with rebar tie wire. 

Some painted wooden pumpkins...made from scraps of different sizes of wood. Painted orange and black with acrylic and latex enamel, then hot glued a cut tree branch to the top. 

These are actually pretty creepy. I haven't decided what else to do with this table yet....but it needs something a little more. 

Of course there will be candles everywhere, but I hope you enjoyed your Halloween party sneak peek.  

Sharpie on Porcelain

 

I made these special little gifties for Christmas this past year…seems like so long ago now. They are very simple to make…all you need is an idea.

Draw whatever your heart desires on a plate or mug with Sharpie marker. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 for 30 minutes, then leave the plates in the oven, turn the oven off and let them cool down.

I bought these plates from the Dollar Tree, which were really nice white plates with a little decorative border.

We have been eating off these and the images are still there…after several washes in the dishwasher.

 

We ended up keeping these plates for ourselves.

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I made this plate for my sister-in-law who’s preggos expecting in February. I’m going to be an aunt!

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And here are the Christmas mugs….

This Watership Down mug was for my step-dad.

I will say these were baked in the oven like all the others, however, something went wrong and they washed off in the dishwasher. I did observe my step-dad place his mug, after he used it, in a bowl of water to soak it, even though I explicitly said do not submerge in water, place on the top rack of the dishwasher only…regardless, I just drew everything back on for his and left the baking instructions. No one else has had this problem, so I think the key is…do not submerge in water!

Here’s the one I made for my younger sister.

And for friends below…

The Adventures of Tiny T-Rex and the Doll Parts

Every time I disassemble/behead a doll, I feel a piece of my soul die. But, hey...I still do it. 

This halloween our them is 'cartoon characters for costumes' so I'm trying to apply some of that to the decor. I saw this great idea on {pinterest} with doll heads in glass jars. I felt like I had to recreate that for our Halloween tablescape this year. I have a Halloween decoration addiction you should probably know about. 

I went thrifting yesterday on the hunt for bottles for my DIY Potion Bottles

and for dolls and a glass jar to hold their heads. Sounds so creepy when it comes out like that....

Along the way, I found this little friend and couldn't leave the store without him. Tiny T-Rex!

I'll add some green food colored water to this for the party....just to give it that 'formaldehyde' look. 

Tiny T-Rex had such a good time hanging out with the bone yard of doll parts. 

So my next idea for the doll parts was to either have them sticking out of dips (I'd wash them of course...) or create a garland of hanging arms and legs in a doorway somewhere...maybe a wreath even? 

We'll see what happens. 

Napkin Artistry: The Candle

My hubs and I learned how to make "The Candle" on our honeymoon cruise in a Napkin Artistry session. It was one of the highlights of the trip...I guess I'm a dork. There were others but this was the one that really stuck with me. 

It's an easy way to fancy up your table and...it's easy to remember! 

These can also hold your silverware for you, stand up on the plate (depending on the stiffness of your napkins)...they're easy to be creative with. So have fun. 

Step One: Right side down, make a diamond shape.

Step Two: Fold in half, upwards. (pretty side is showing now)

Step Three: 

Fold up about 2 inches...sometimes they look fun when you do a thick piece at the bottom. 

Step Four: Flip it over! Then begin rolling across...don't forget to flip it!

Step Five: Roll all the way to the end, but leave this little flap out. 

Step Six: Tuck the flap into the pocket....see step 4 if you don't have a pocket...gotta remember to flip. :) 

Step Seven: If you want a true "candle"...at the top peel back one piece of napkin to add some flare. 

Voila! The Candle. 

Pretty cute! 

You could also put a flower in each one...right off the bat I'm gonna say Zinnia's would be lovely. 

Mother's Day

These photos were taken by my little sister Haileigh of our table and croquet game. 

I made the moms lily pad cards.