#1. MEET MATT
It's really easy. We got an large section of new carpet that was left over from a remodeling job, flipped it over, had a friend lay on it, in the desired position, and I outlined him with a black marker.
You'll need an exacto knife to cut it out, (Be extra careful, it can be really tough!) and trim off the edges with scissors and duct tape. (This will keep the edges from fraying)
Then flip "Matt" over and add a blood stain with red acrylic paint. Let dry and you've got a fun centerpiece for your Halloween decorations this year! I promise, your guests will stop dead in their tracks!
I want to get an invite to this dinner party. I'm half expecting to be dining with Barnabas Collins at Collinwood.
Who needs to wait for Halloween to host a spooky dinner party? It could be a "Twilight" theme dinner, or a "Clue" dinner party.
I don't think this would be too hard to pull off.....the details are really all in the planning. Think dark, gloomy, and Gothic with some blood red accents. Don't forget the candles and spider webs to complete the look. I especially love the nooses hanging over the chairs. Very classy.
I don't think this would be too hard to pull off.....the details are really all in the planning. Think dark, gloomy, and Gothic with some blood red accents. Don't forget the candles and spider webs to complete the look. I especially love the nooses hanging over the chairs. Very classy.
And for all of you who don't know who Barnabas Collins is, click here.
3. GOBLIN GRUB
Here's what I did over the weekend..... I decided to really get in the "spirit" of the Halloween season, while I was in the kitchen whipping up some Goblin Grub (a.k.a. queso dip)!Here's what you'll need:
~1 lg. lean ground chuck
~1 regular size package of Velveeta
~1 car of Pace Picante sauce
~1 cup of milk
~green food coloring
Here's what you do:
1. In a skillet, brown the ground chuck, cook well, drain off excess fat. Set aside.
2. Pour milk into large sauce pan.
3. Slice Velveeta in to cube size, put in sauce pan.
4. Cook on medium-high, stirring as the cheese melts. (Do not let sit, stir to keep cheese from sticking to bottom of pan)
5. Once cheese has completely melted, add ground chuck, mix well.
6. Turn heat down to low.
7. Add picante sauce, mix well.
8. Add several drops of green food color (to desired shade of green)
9. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and a scoop of picante on top and serve with tortilla chips!
4. PUMPKIN VOTIVES
If the thought of frightful jack-o'-lanterns gives you the chills, opt for a lovely and luminous group of votive holders instead. These gently glowing lights, cut from pumpkins in pale hues, are easy to make: Simply slice off the tops, and scoop off the flesh. Set on glass votive holder and candle inside each, and arrange a few small, uncarved pumpkins alongside. (But remember: Keep an eye on the lighted candles, and be sure to blow them out at the end of the evening)To make pumpkin votives with miniature pumpkins (pictured below), you will need miniature pumpkins, votives, floral cutters, and a hand-drill fitted with a 1 1/2-inch-wide paddle bit. If possible, get a second person to help: He or she can don a pair of work gloves and hold the pumpkin in place as you drill.
1. Using floral cutters, trim the stem from the pumpkin.
2. Center the paddle bit over the pumpkin, and drill about 1/2 inch deep.
3. Insert votive. The pumpkin can be stored in a cool, dry spot for up to one day.
For more sophisticated decorating ideas, check out Martha Stewart.com!
Believe it or not, with our favorite day of the year still several months away.... recently, I've been getting lots of e-mails about homemade Halloween costumes. It seems that a lot of us out there aren't real fans of the store bought costumes. And not everyone wants to be a sexy maid or devil, am I right? Or maybe you don't have a lot of spare time to sew or craft a Martha Stewart-worthy costume.
Remember when making your own costume was fun? After all...we just want to get a few oohs and aahhs when we walk in to the party.
Ok, so I'm gonna help you out. Here are my "Top 10 To-The-Rescue Costume Ideas":
Hit by Lightning
Just wear jeans and a sweatshirt. Make a with large yellow felt zigzag pinned or sewn to the back, blackened zigzag tears here and there, hair gelled to stand straight up, black burnt marks on cheeks.
Another idea: Be a “Jogger Hit By Lightning” by wearing a sweat suit or running shorts instead of jeans.
Fairy Godfather
You can buy cheap fairy wings and a wand and that’s all! Ok guys, just wear a pair of jeans, a black or white tee shirt and a baseball cap. Put on the wings and carry a cigar, and put your magic wand in your back pocket! I have to admit, the hubby has used this costume a few times, and it was a hit!
Bag of Trash
This is one of the "fastest" costumes you can make in no time...and be out the door to the party. Make two leg holes is a large sized trash bag. Then step into the bag, then add balls of crumpled newspaper to hold a round shape. Make two armholes in each side and secure around the neck.
Tourist
Just dig in the closet for a few things. A Hawaiian shirt or other loud clothes, camera, hat with pins all over it, maps sticking out of pockets, sunglasses. Easy. Good as a couples costume, too.
Titanic Survivor or Passenger
Pin plastic seaweed and fake aquarium plants to your clothes and wear long strands in your hair. Shred the arms and pockets of an old shirt, overlay with a shredded vest and wear over tattered trousers or a long skirt with a torn hem. Wet look fabric is a bonus. Make a long necklace or belt from a thick length of hemp rope; unravel the rope ends for best effect, and attach a toy sailboat. Hot glue polished pennies or fake gold coins (bags of gold chocolate coins are great) in strategic places. A fake fish or two sticking out of a pocket completes the ensemble.
To be a Titanic Passenger: Wear the costume described above, but add ghost or skeleton face makeup.
Miss. America
Finally! A use for those brides maids dresses! Use a old bridesmaid or formal dress, add a pair of gloves, a tiara, some over sized jewelry, and heels. For the banner, use a piece of wide ribbon, and write "Miss. America" in glitter with glue.
A Spy
For this quick Halloween costume, wear a trench coat, dark glasses and a hat pulled down over your eyes. Carry a small camera and pretend to take pictures surreptitiously. How fun and you’ll get lots of great party pictures!
This one you might need to be a bit crafty....but not too much. Just go to your favorite thrift store, get a jacket and skirt. Then head over to the craft store and buy a few black birds. Attach the birds to the outfit with hot glue and a glue gun (or sew them on for added strength) Put on some torn nylons and a pair of pumps. Add a bird to your hair with some bobby pins and put some fake blood on your cheek, your knee and splash some on your suit! If you add a blond wig.....you could be Melanie from “The Birds”!
Pizza Delivery Driver
Wear a matching color hat and tee shirt and carry a pizza box. So easy, it’s not even funny..... If you have time, make a pizza logo out of felt for your hat and shirt, and attach with fabric glue.
Butcher
All you need for this is a few props you probably have around the house. Wear a white tee shirt and jeans, get a white apron, and splash some red paint on the apron. Carry a meat cleaver (be sure to tape off the blade with gray duct tape.... to be safe) and maybe a string of sausages around your neck. (But don’t be out too late, you might start to get smelly!)
Now that you can breathe a sigh of relief, make yourself a cup of tea and relax... we got this covered!
