Monday, September 9, 2013

MAKE A MESH PUMPKIN

There are so many really cool door decorations and wreaths for Fall.... but we all know how really expensive they can be. You know you can make them yourself. I know, I know, you get a little queasy feeling when I say that.... but you can. Really.

Let's try something simple, and I've even show you the step-by-step  directions, and I know you can tackle this! This project comes from Mardi Gras Outlet, and can be done in just a few easy steps!

Here's what you'll do....
(And if you're having a problem viewing the whole picture, just click on it to enlarge)


Pumpkin season is around the corner, so we created a cute pumpkin door decoration out of decorative poly mesh and an orange work wreath form. This wreath/door decoration was super easy to make and would be great for fall or Halloween.  I hope it inspires you to make a pumpkin of your own.
Happy Fall, y'all!
TIP: A work wreath form is a wire form that has tinsel wire ties attached. The tinsel ties are used to attach whatever medium you are using to create a wreath (orange deco mesh). The wreath form has two rows of ties. When creating a standard wreath you start on the inner ring and work outward. For this project, we are mainly using the outer ring. You will be adding the mesh in a zig zag pattern from top to bottom instead working around the wreath. For more information on using  a wire wreath form in the standard format, see our video tutorial: Work wreaths work miracles for crafters.

 Start with the wire wreath form in front of you. There are 10 ties on the outer ring of the form. Imagine the round form is a clock. Start in the 2 o'clock position. Gather the end of the orange deco mesh and place it in this tie. Twist the ties together to secure the mesh in place. Tuck the cut end of the deco mesh into the center of the form to hide.

 Move down the deco mesh approximately 1 foot and gather a section in your hand. Gather from each side to achieve fullness. Skip the side tie (3 o'clock position). Attach the gathered section into the 4 o'clock- wire tie. Adjust and puff the mesh as you go.  

 Gather a section of orange mesh approximately 1.5 feet down the roll. Adjust your length as needed to get the fullness you want on the pumpkin. Twist this gathered section into the wire tie at the top. Remember you are moving across the wire form from top to bottom-right to left. Adjust and fluff the mesh so it puffs out and sideways- aiming for a pumpkin shape.

 Continue across the wreath form- up and down between wire ties. Adjust the length of mesh as needed to make the pumpkin fuller in the middle. Once you reach the other side, attach you mesh into the last wire tie. Tuck the remaining end piece into the back of the form to hide.

For the stem:
1. Cut a piece of 4" ribbon approximately 2 feet long.
2. Trim the ends into a clean shape- we used an inverted V cut.
3. Fold the ribbon in half.
4. At the top, roll the ribbon into a tube.
5. Using a piece of deco flex tubing in a coordinating color, tie the curled end to secure. This will form the stem of our pumpkin.
Use the deco flex tubing to tie the stem on the top of the pumpkin. Add additional 4" ribbon to the top for fullness. The flex tubing looks like vines, so we added more of that as well. To create curling vines with the deco mesh tubing. Create two large loops and tie in the center. . Tie the tubing onto the stem.These loops can be adjusted to curl instead of hang
Fluff the orange mesh, vines and stem as needed. Be sure to tuck in any tinsel ties that are visible. Your pumpkin is complete. Cute, inexpensive, lightweight, weatherproof and will not rot- what else could you ask for in a pumpkin?

One last idea: cut out Jack-o-Lantern eyes, nose and mouth; pin onto the deco mesh. Your fall pumpkin will transform into a Halloween jack-o-lantern. What fun!

 To purchase supplies for this project, visit MardiGrasOutlet.com

Saturday, September 7, 2013

PUMPKIN LOVE

Scarecrows, soup bowls and candle holders.... oh my! There's so many things you can do with pumpkins! And with Sunday, September 22nd being the first official day of Fall, I suggest you start planning now!

 
 


Friday, September 6, 2013

SPOOKY SILVER


Accessories for Halloween come in all shapes, sizes and colors.... so you shouldn't have a problem finding what you want, to decorate. But maybe you want to try something different this year....

Tired of black and orange? Maybe something a bit more classy? How about silver? It's pretty and creepy, when it's paired with the right decorations. But if you're having a hard time finding something in silver, why not use that spray paint technique I taught you? It's simple, fast, and you can transform any object into a real show stopper!

All you'll need are a few pumpkins, maybe some skulls, and candle sticks. You could group them all together,  or have one large piece, be a focal point. You can do this.... you're amazing!

Happy Spooky Friday!


Thursday, September 5, 2013

CARAMEL APPLES THE EASY WAY!

I found this on Pinterest, and I have to admit, I sat there dazed for a moment.... just in awe of how brilliant this was.... and wondering why wasn't I the one who thought of this????

One of my very favorite things about the fall season are caramel apples! And when you see this, you too will be shocked and amazed, at what a great idea this is. Ok, so if we have to break it down step by step, here goes:

1. Cut an apple in half. Take a mellon-baller and hollow out the center, leaving about an inch of the apple in tact, inside and around the edge.

2. Using ice cream topping caramel (out of a squeeze bottle) pour into a pan and heat until boiling. Stirring so the caramel doesn't stick to the bottom. Remove from heat.

3. Pour caramel into hollowed-out apples.

4. Let cool. Place in the refrigerator until the caramel has a chance to set. (I suggest 2 hours in the refrigerator)

5. Slice apple into wedges..... Serve 'em up!

And you know, I really do love Pinterest, but sometimes it can be difficult to see where these ideas originated from.... I'd really love to give credit to the genius who came up with this idea.... but until then, let's all be thankful.... and enjoy.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

FALL TREATS


 
Fans of Philosophy will be happy to see I Love Candy Corn making a come back. It's been released via QVC auto deliveries in the past and will soon be available in the mainstream market. I for one, can't wait! It's my absolute favorite!

Be sure to check out their website, they've also got some fab-boo-lous Fall Treats like Pumpkin Pie! Looks like Fall is going to be all the more sweeter thanks to Philosophy!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

PRIME TIME COSTUMES

With Halloween well on it's way, I bet you've been putting off that costume, haven't you? Well, no worries.... if you're getting bored and you want to be someone other than your old witchy self, or that scary zombie, have I got an idea for you!

If you want to hang up the vampire fangs this party season, how about one of your favorite prime time tv shows? Who's your favorite? Are you a CSI fan? Or The Good Wife.... maybe you're more of a Parks and Recreation's kinda girl. I for one, love Joan from Mad Men!

Just think about all your favorite characters.... and that's great inspiration for your costume! And the best part, is these kind of costumes are relatively easy to pull together.

After all.... you know these characters! You know what they dress like, how they talk, and what you like about them. That's what you put into your costume. Plan on checking out your local Good Will or discount stores, for clothes and accessories.

Here are a few of my favorites, to give you some ideas....

Dexter and one of his victims.... Love this! I might use a little more plastic, but that's just me.

Two Broke Girls, Max and Caroline.... so cute!

Walter from Breaking Bad..... just get a bald cap and some wire-rim glasses, and you're set!

Howard from The Big Bang Theory.... this guy is dead-on! Love it!

Carrie and Brody from Homeland...... hilarious!

Monday, September 2, 2013

BLOODY CANDLE LIGHTS


It's project day! And today's project is a fun one....
You all are well aware, of how much I love to create pretty things.... all covered in blood. Well, today's project is no different.

If you're like me, you've been saving lots of jars for all kinds of projects. And now is the time that we're finally gonna put them to good use, and make some bloody candle lights!

This is a super easy project, and will look amazing, with the rest of your Halloween décor.

First of all, you'll need a few jars, of assorted sizes. Make sure they're thoroughly cleaned (labels removed) and dried. Then we'll be using red and black acrylic (gloss) paint.

Then using a medium size (craft) paintbrush, lightly cover each jar with a thin coat of black. Let set for about a minute or two, then lightly wipe off with a paper towel.... leaving a bit of the paint, creating a "hazy" effect on the glass. Do this to each jar. Let dry for about 10 minutes.

Then using a thinner paintbrush, dip the end into the red paint, and make drips along the rim of the jar. Make sure to let some of the paint drip down the sides, and even add a few smeared fingerprints.

Let dry for about 2 hours. Then add white votive candles, and group together to make quite a fab-boo-lous centerpiece!

 
*Please keep in mind, jars can get hot, so please do not display candles unattended! Also, be sure to keep away from where your little monsters can reach! Safety first!