Masquerade Halloween Wreaths

Halloween Wreaths

Decided to walk around Michael's Craft Store yesterday and thought of two ideas for wreaths. First of all, the tinsel and wooden wreaths are mostly 4.99 (larger ones are 9.99), not too bad. Right now there is a 40% sale on some of the products, including baskets and there are a few baskets that would be under $2 with that price. On top of that, black leaf tinsel was 2.99 and the foam wreaths were anywhere from 2.99 to 4.99 (for small and medium sizes). The only items seen that were a bit pricey were the Autumn Leaf Garland ($21.99 for 6 feet) and some

decorations that would be perfect for wreaths. However, after much looking and pricing, here are two Halloween Wreath ideas for under $20 and maybe even less.

 Masquerade Wreath

When thinking masquerade, naturally one thinks, MASKS!!! Several on a wreath, but instead of using several masks, stick with one medium to large sized mask (can be found for $1.99 and up, some with feathers are under $5, look online) with or without feathers to use in place of a bow and two or three feathers to match the mask ($4.99 to $5.99 each at Michael's).

Materials:

• Purple or Black tinsel wreath (4.99)
• 1 medium to large masquerade mask ($1.99 to $9.99)
• 2 to 3 bunches or single feathers to match mask (seen anywhere from $.99 to $5.99 on Amazon)
• A roll of ribbon to match the colors of the mask ($4 and under on eBay and most were $3.99 to $4.99 at Michael's)

Directions:

1. Lay the wreath on a flat surface and place the mask where desired. If the mask has an elastic ban, use it to tie the mask onto the wreath. If the mask does not, use the ribbon by cutting desired amount and go through the eye holes and tie onto the wreath. 
2. Place feathers in desired areas throughout the wreath by sticking them in on an angle.
3. Hang the wreath.

There are several different things one can do with this idea. 

• Use more masks, cut the elastic string off and use a glue gun to place on the wreath.
• Before placing anything else on the wreath, glue the end of the ribbon to the back of the wreath (using a glue gun) or pin it. Wrap the ribbon around the wreath leaving generous gaps, keeping it loose. Glue the end to the back of the wreath.

Halloween Black Leaf Wreath

Extremely simple and inexpensive.

Materials:

• Foam Wreath Base
• Cheese Cloth (depending on wreath size, 5+ yards is a safe bet, $2.99 to $10.00 online)-cut into strips.
• Black Leaf Tinsel (2.99)
• 6-12 inch piece of black ribbon
•  Hot Glue
• Plastic spiders or bones (optional)

Directions:

1. Glue the end of the first cheesecloth strip to the back of the wreath, wrap tightly. Glue the end of the first strip to the wreath. Repeat with each strip until the wreath is covered. If desired, cover twice with cheesecloth. 
2. Wrap the black leaf tinsel around the wreath, securely, leaving two to three inch gaps (so, not touching). Glue the ends to the back of the wreath.
3. Glue some spiders in desired spots on the wreath (optional). 
4. Tie the ribbon onto the top of the wreath, loop it through the hole, and make a bow. 

One could stain the cloth using tea and even use this idea as candle base decorations or even to put around the bottoms bowls at a Halloween party. Happy Fall!!!

Simply Spooky Halloween Wreaths

Halloween Wreaths

It is getting to be that time of year to think about Autumn and Halloween decorations. Many craft stores have Fall and Halloween items out already. For most, it may be too early, but for those who decorate on the first day of Autumn (less than 2 months away), it is time to prepare!

This blog is going to be quick and simple, following the same materials and decorations on another post made (Everyday Christmas), make a Halloween tinsel wreath. To add to the tinsel wreath, here are several ideas:

• Bows-simple-grey bow on a black wreath, yellow or purple on orange
• Wrap star, pumpkin, leaf, bat, or other thin wire tinsel around the tinsel wreath
• Add plastic spiders in a web in the center of the wreath or around the wreath
• Use artificial fall leaves, cut the stems to shorten them, place throughout the wreath by stinking them, securely, into the tinsel
•  Wrap orange or purple lights around the wreath
• Dip cheese cloth into tea, ring out, let dry. Rip and loosely wrap around the wreath or just hang bits of it on the wreath (black wreath)
• Use a glue gun to glue Halloween ornaments around the wreath

These are simple suggestions anyone can do. Also, with some research, these items can be found online for less than $10, in most cases less than $5. Happy Halloween!!!

Fall 2014

 Has anyone noticed the sales popping up at stores, especially the summer sells? Kohls is doing home sales and summer item sales, along with Old Navy, Sears (who is also featuring Back to School items, and Yankee Candles has new Autumn scents on the website. Best of all, some of the costume stores are still having sales and offer new arrivals, Party City has up to 70% off costumes right now making it a great time to bu and save.

Mt. Mitchell, Fall 2013

It is no wonder Fall items are starting to sneak their way into the stores, with many schools starting in less than a month and autumn officially two months away tomorrow, stores are enticing buyers to get ready for cooler weather and autumn colors.

Even so, there are some good deals to be found on these seasonal items, such as:

• Dinnerware: Pier 1 actually has some good prices on their fall dinnerware, Sears 2014 Fall and Winter Catalog offer some great sets at good prices, and overstock.com always offers good deals on seasonal items.

• Halloween Decor: Halloween decorations and most autumn decor is priced well right now. Speaking of overstock.com, Martha Stewart pumpkin/Halloween clings are $8.09 for a pack of 12-trust me, that's a good deal. There is a face paint kit marked down from $28 to $12.86, a lighted black witch marked down from $91 to $29.99, and so much more. Halloween costumes.com is offer 25 % off all costumes online, and spirit Halloween.com is having a huge sale, some pieces are over 50% off!!! 

Also, Pier 1 has Halloween Decor online as well, after all it is only 101 days til Halloween, might as well prepare now. 

• Candles: Okay, this one is tricky, but there are some deals to be found, especially on eBay. Some of the seasonal candles seem to go up in bidding or set prices on eBay as the season draws closer and once it hits, now is the time to stock up-even if the candles are from last year, as long as it is a brand one prefers and can be found at a better price than in stores, go for it. As for Yankee Candles, there are several new items, flavors, and collegiate candles. 

 FYI: Black Friday in July at Target is back, July 25th and 26th, check out the website for details.

So, go ahead start looking for deals-one just found is a cranberry mold at William and Sonoma for 14.95. Happy Fall Shopping!! And if nothing else, just buy some summer items marked 75% off. 

 

Decorating for Fall: Painting and Accessorizing

Autumn Decorating

 Is this cool weather making anyone else crave Autumn, we are so close to the season!!! 49 days away from NFL kickoff, less than that for college football, 132 days til Thanksgiving, 105 days to Halloween, probably less than a month til we see Halloween candy on the shelves, and Halloween costume previews and sales have already begun online. The season is almost here!!!!!

While grocery shopping today on the chip isle I noticed "Pumpkin Seed Tortilla's" by Marie Farms. So, of course, I bought them and the chips are delicious. Tip: place the chips on a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil, sprinkle a generous amount of Kraft's Five Italian Cheese on top, sprinkle two tablespoons of pepper over the cheese, and heat under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and melted (2-3 minutes). What a great Halloween side dish for a gathering this would make. 

Decorating For Fall

Since it really is close to the first day of autumn, lets talk decorations. Aside from Halloween decor, lets stick with simple ways to spice up the home for those cozy, comfortable, cool autumn days. Start the season with some simple steps using easy to find items to bring fall inside. 

• Autumn Paints-okay, I am a sucker for fall colors and a favorite paint is Benjamin Moore's Key West Ivory, Hepplewhite ivory, Pumpkin Spice, Harvest Moon, Spiced Apple Cider, and Pumpkin Mousse. Now, even though I love these colors and they are great for indoors, especially for kitchens and bathrooms, the one place I love seeing these colors throughout the year is actually on the screened-in porch and the outside decks. Now, most paint companies have similar colors, I have tried others and just found that I like the pallets offered at Ben. Moore, but this is an awesome way to bring some fall into the home and my favorite place to paint in one of these colors is definitely the kitchen.
•  Fall Colored Accessories- Decorating rooms for the season does not mean having to change the paint color or the furniture, by just changing the items on the fireplace mantle, the pillows, throws, or curtains, the home can be turned into an autumn wonderland.

1. Pillows-There are some great original fall pillows available on EBay, and of course, finding fall colored pillows on sale at major retailers is also an option.
2. Crafty items-Lots of fall crafts available throughout magazines during the season, a personal favorite is making owl, ghost or cat faces using a cleaned pumpkin and acorns, sunflower seeds, and whatever other item from the craft store on sale that is available (directions to come in a later blog). For these items, I like to place them on the fireplace because they give an extra touch of the season .
3. Autumn Leaves-Okay, clear the fireplace mantle, get two clear or same colored long bottles (wine bottles without the labels even), go outside or to the craft store, and find long twigs with lots of colored leaves, place on the mantle with an autumn scented candle in the middle, well away from the leaves or on either side of a large picture or television. This is also a great idea for tablescapes.
4. Curtains (including shower curtains) and table clothes-two items that are absolutely easy to change  and are available at every home store, in the home section of stores, and online. Paired with seasonal pillows in the living room and towels in the bathroom, the decorating is jut that simple.

• Candles-It is not fall without the smell of the season throughout the house. Candles are a seasonal essential in this home. They make perfect table toppers, mantle accessories, and can be placed in decorative holders. Two favorites, Yankee and Partylite.

So, these are a few tips on decorating, more to come along with instructions on how to, but for now, start preparing so when the time comes, all one has to do is pull out the items and go to town!!!! Happy Autumn.