Halloween Pumpkins, Jack-o-Lanterns

Halloween Pumpkins

Spooky Tree and Ghost

Carving a jack-o-lantern does not require the purchasing of a carving kit or templates, all it takes is a good paring knife (or even pocket knife), paper, pen, and imagination. One can easily create a really cool pattern or scene for Halloween inspired by the great outdoors, using cookie cutters, or simply using some imagination. Just cut off the top or bottom of the pumpkin, gut it, run a spoon along the sides to make sure no guts are hanging, and start carving (tip: To help the pumpkin last throughout the season, wipe with a lightly damp towel, dry, and after it is dried, rub wax over it in a thin layer. This can also be done after carving, but it worked great before hand as well).

Leaves

Halloween is not always about ghosts and spooks, it is also a time to celebrate harvest and changing of seasons and pace. Using leaf shaped cookie cutters or stencils, trace patterns around a gutted pumpkin. Carve out the shapes. Using a permanent marker, trace around the leaves in red, purple, and brown. Place a candle or light inside the pumpkin and enjoy the glow. This is a great idea for a center piece at a harvest celebration.

Spooky Tree

 Draw a tree on a piece of plain white paper, making spooky looking branches or vines at the bottom of the tree. Add some bats flying beside it. For a more spooky tree:

•  Draw a large circle. 
• Draw the trunk and a branch reaching to the end of the circle on each side of the tree (like hands).
•  Make a mean face on the tree and some triangles above the face (making the head of the tree look spiky).
•  Crave the face first.
• Carve between the head and arm and the triangles second.
• Crave the bottom part last.

Ghosts

This can be done in a variety of ways, using stencils, cookie cutters, or paper and pen. A favorite is cutting out traditional ghosts that look like they are moving in one direction and placing a moon with simple bird slits in the sky. One could also do the BOO face, carve a big oval mouth with two round eyes or trace ghosts in random spots around the pumpkin, or get several pumpkins and carve Pac-Man on the first, and ghosts from the famous game on the others, make it look like he is chasing them. 

Hope this inspires some ideas for Halloween jack-o-lanterns and Happy Fall!!! 

  

Grapevine Autumn Ribbon Wreath

Simple Autumn Wreath

Creating a wreath is not complicated and can be done in less time and with less money than one thinks. Using a small/medium sized grapevine wreath (a favorite to work with), 1 fall leaf bundle, 2 1/2 inch fall colored ribbon, and a pumpkin clip (optional), anyone can construct a wreath perfect for the pumpkin season.

Materials:

• 1 small/medium grapevine wreath
• 1 fall leaf bundle
• 2 1/2 inch by 12 foot autumn colored or designed ribbon
• Pumpkin clip to match ribbon 

Directions:

1. Wrap ribbon around the wreath starting 6-7 inches from the starting edge of the ribbon.
2. Wrap around the wreath tightly, straightening along the way and leaving gaps. 
3. Leaving 7-8 inches at the end, cut the ribbon.
4. Tie into a double knot.
5. Place the pumpkin clip over the knot, clipping onto the straight part of the ribbon just above the knot.
6. Separate the leaves and place where desired.

For an even easier wreath, get three pumpkin clips and two to three leaf bundles. Clip the pumpkin clips around the wreath and place the leaves in the areas between them. All of these items came from Michaels and was a little over $12, took all of 5 minutes to make, and there is a lot of extra ribbon for more projects. 

Halloween Movies on ABC Family

Just a quick write for now.....ABC Family is airing some movies that usually air during 13 Nights of Halloween. Tonight, The Sorcerer's Apprentice will show at 6PM EST. Tomorrow, starting at 6PM EST, Casper followed by Addam's Family, Addam's Family Values, and Beetlejuice. If you miss Saturdays line-up, it will air again Sunday, same time, same channel, after Ninja Turtles 1 & 2 (1990's). Alright, everyone, have fun and Happy Early 13 Nights of Halloween :)

Fall Savings at Micheal's, Old Navy, Children's Place, and More!

Fall Savings!!!

Pumpkin Candle Holders

There are some fall savings already popping up online and in stores. For all the Halloween fans out there, most the online sites are offering savings on costumes and decorations, and it is a great time to shop clearance because those items will soon be flying off the shelves. Most the discounts are not on brand new 2014 costumes, even so, there is up to $20 off on orders and one can always check "retail me not" for any coupons. 

Some clothing stores are having sales, not necessarily on fall apparel, but on items such as jeans, short sleeve pull over shirts, and even some long sleeve shirts. In fact, Old Navy and Children's Place have $10 jeans for kids and $19 for adults at Old Navy. Target has jeans on sale from $10 to $14.99 for kids. Sears and JCpenney has up to 50% off on Back to School clothes and up to 60% off on home goods, and of course, Kohls is doing "Kohls Cash" right now and is also having a huge sale and customers can get 15% off for under $100 spent and 20% off for spending over $100. Plus, they had fall items in store the beginning of August so they are bound to have even more at this point.

Now, for the store that inspired my fall savings search, Micheals. Micheals is having a large sale on summer items, including picture boxes (which make great Christmas gifts), storage baskets (found medium sized ones for as low as $4.99!!!), and even Fall items. Autumn garland, steams, and bushes is 40% off, so the highest price is under $14, much better than $22. There is much more fall items to see in the store as well and most is fairly priced, and they have Peanuts Gang Autumn and Thanksgiving Garden Flags. Joann Fabrics has some good deals on fall and Halloween items as well, especially on dishes and hand towels and fabrics. 

Over all, there are some great prices to be found, but one definitely has to search through ads, stores, and even scrolling on websites, but when a good buy is found and can be used, take it. Happy Autumn!!! 

Pumpkin Tablescape: Use pumpkins to decorate

Pumpkin Tablescape

Pumpkins from the garden

Went into Michael's today and was instantly inspired when coming face to face with several different types of pumpkin candle holders. Fall is all about comfort, food, family, and is considered to be the harvest time. The pumpkin has become one of the main foods associated with Autumn and with all the different types, both fake and real, available now, seems to be most people's decoration of choice, and paired with candle holders, gold chargers, and the right fall colors will make for one great tablescape.

Pumpkin Decorations for the Table

These items are easy to find, of course, available at Michaels, but also at other craft stores and online. 

• Pumpkin Candles Holders for tealights, pillars, or votives
• Gold Chargers  
• Orange or Brown tablecloth
• Burlap Roll to use as table runner and coasters
• Medium and Small pumpkins, any color, real or fake
• Plum colored plates or autumn decorated plates, 7-7 1/2 inches (optional)
• 7 1/2 to 8 inch white or orange plates (optional)
• Plastic drinking glasses (optional)
• Cut out autumn leaves
• Napkins wrapped around plastic fork, spoon, and knife

 Place the tablecloth over the table and cut enough burlap to go down the center of the table, as a runner, cut 2 inches away from the edges. Use the burlap runner to line up candle holders and Pumpkins. If desired, carve messages into the Pumpkins, such as Happy Fall or Welcome. Place the chargers around the table at each seat, put the white plate on top of the charger and the autumn decorated plate on top of the white plate. Place napkins wrapped with plastic ware on top of the plates. Write each guests name on a cut out leaf and place beside the napkins. Place the burlap coasters (simple fold over and glue with fabric glue) to the upper right hand side of the plates with the glass on top.

In most cases, when a tablescape is involved, buffet style is the way to go. Let the guests find their seats, thank them for coming or say a blessing and then dig in to the food. Or, instead of setting up the table for guests, set the food around the table and let guests dine in the living area or on the porch (fall is still a good time to be outdoors). Happy Fall!!!

Back to School

 Summer is coming to a close soon, and school is getting ready go into full gear. With the coming of school means families rushing to stores to buy lunch boxes, book bags, clothes, shoes, and tons of school supplies. It also means preparing for bake sales, homework, earlier mornings, after school activities, class parties, and festivals. In all, it is one busy, busy time. Which means it can be one very expensive time, but not to worry. For those looking to safe as much as possible on items for schools look no further, here are some handy dandy tips.

School Fall Festival, with two of the three, 2013

• Shop for school supplies at multiple places to save money, before going make a list of needs, go to the stores and write down the prices and then decide where to get what. A few store suggestions, Wal-Mart, Target (yes, they do have some good prices on quit a bit of things including backpacks), Dollar General, and Family Dollar.
• When it comes to shoes, younger kids are going to wear them out FAST! Right now Payless is running 50% off on certain shoes and backpacks, Kohls usually has some brands that are on sale but the biggest mark down will happen after the school rush towards the middle or end of September, Sears has proven to be good and even compares to online deal prices for many tennis shoes, and Shoe Carnival is doing BOGO 1/2 off. There is a lot of options, but the best advice, for younger children get good tennis shoes that support their feet and leave a little room for growth, but try not to splurge because in a couple of months the kid will need another pair.
• Clothing. Thankfully, lots of sales occur at this time, jeans for boys and girls can be found for $10 and under at many stores, including Old Navy and Target. Shirts are a steal for less than $4 or even $3 at Wal-Mart (basic shirts). Of course, there are great prices at Sears and Kohls during this time and Kohls is offering percentages off, which change every few days. One of the best advices to give, go through sale items and even check out consignment shops.
• School Lunches. Okay, as a mom of 3 boys, this can get pricey. Stick to sandwiches and wraps and pizza made from wraps. The sandwiches are simple and the wraps often incorporate leftover items. As for the sides, get sealable containers (small) to put fruits and applesauce in, grab full bags of chips or cheez-its or what not and place certain amounts in baggies for each day. The only real splurge is granola bars, a box of 20, and sometimes rice krispy treats. One can even pack cereal as a side and other leftover veggies or sides from the night before.

Hopefully, these tips will help parents prepare for a successful school year and be able to spend some money on themselves at local coffee joints on a pumpkin spice latte when fall roles around. Happy School Days!!

Curtains For Fall

Autumn Curtains

Creating Autumn curtains is easy and these autumn leaf curtains require NO SEWING!!! Which makes it even easier. 

Autumn is the time to bring the outside colors inside, and one of the most famous aspects of the season is the colorful leaves. By using already curtains already owned (or buying new plain colored curtains), two or three fall colored fabrics, scissors, leaf stencils, and fabric glue, drapes can easily be transformed to match the season.

Autumn Leaves Curtains

There are a few ways to do this, here is the first. 

Materials:

• Yellow, Orange, Brown, or Sky Blue Drapes 
• 2 different colored fabrics, preferrably cotton and in a fall color (not the same color as the drapes)
• Fall Leaf Stencils or Cookie Cutters
• Black Pen or a Sharpie
• Fabric Glue

Directions:

 

1. Lay one of the fabrics being used for the leaves on a flat surface (if using a good table, put something such as cardboard between it and the curtain).
2. Using leaf stencils or cookie cutters to trace out patterns on the fabric with the sharpie. Cut the leaves out and repeat using the second fabric.
3.  Lay the curtains on a flat hard surface.
4. Place the leaves on the curtain in desired areas, lay with the sharpie side down (if any ink is showing).
5. Lift each leaf and put fabric glue on the bottom, press gently onto the curtain. Once all the leaves are placed, do not move the drape and let it dry over night. 
6.  Hang in desired spot the next day and enjoy. 

Thanks for reading. Happy Fall!!!!