Halloween ideas

A few more Halloween ideas for you...

 Our fun pumpkins this year.  A star cruiser... from Buzz Lightyear.  And the Death Star... from Star Wars.

We made 'ghosts in the graveyard' for dessert.  (pudding/cool whip mix with crushed oreos and 'tombstones' for decorations)  Google it... you'll find several recipes to choose from.

The kids love it!

We also do this every year... but I don't have a picture. 

We buy dry ice from the grocery store (get there early... it sells out fast)

and put it in colored water (or just water).

The boys love playing with the 'fog' that comes off of it.

They call it secret potion.

We also use the dry ice to make homemade rootbeer.

Yummy!

Halloween Bags

I'm either a tad late for Halloween 2010,

or I'm really early for Halloween 2011... you pick.  

I made this fun halloween treat bags this year.  

The boys loved taking them trick or treating with them.

They were a lot of fun to make and pretty simple.

I just found a simple bag tutorial online and then added my picture cut outs on the front.

Display your child's schoolwork

I have been taking pictures of my recent projects... but they haven't been making it on here yet.  Over the next few days, hopefully I'll get some of them posted.

I was quickly getting a mound of papers from my son's preschool class.  He was so proud of them, I had to display them. 

So I put them up in his room with a simple wire, a few nails and some clothes line clips.

I plan to take digital pictures of my favorite pieces.  Then I can toss the actual paperwork and always have the artwork in my digital files.

Less clutter for the New Year!

A couple projects

I've been working on some fun projects this Fall. Here are a couple. I'm sorry I don't have step by step pictures. I'll link you to the sites where I got the ideas from. They'll have any pictures you may want to guide you along. But, neither were very hard. I got the basic idea from the websites and created my own little crafts.

#1: Pumpkin blocks inspired by this blog

• I got 2x6's, had them cut to my desired lengths (the big pumpkin was two 6 inch blocks, two 8 inch blocks, and one 10 inch block for the middle)
  
• I found some scrap wood and cute it for my pumpkin stem
• Sand blocks
• Paint blocks
• Cut paper to fit the sides of the blocks. Modge podge them onto the wood.
• Sand the edges of the paper to create a smooth finish to the wood.
• Modge podge over the paper to create a nice finished look.
• Stack your blocks and add any embellishments you want (I added some twine to the stem).

I think they turned our very cute! I'm currently working on Christmas trees using the same idea.

And, just because Halloween is past doesn't mean you can't still make some. Mine are still out as Fall decor. Some cute brown papers could be really cute for the Fall too!

#2: Acorn Wreath, inspired by this blog

• Gather Acorns
• Wash them and bake for about 15 mins @350
• Hot glue acorns around a straw wreath (I made two wreaths and discovered that it's much faster to glue the acorns starting on the face of the wreath and going around in a big circle instead of across the wreath from the center to the outside in lines--does that even make sense?)
• Spray paint acorns whatever color you want--I plan to change the color throughout the year.
• Add a ribbon to hang!

I love how mine turned out! The picture doesn't do a great job of showing it off! It was a fun, easy, quick, super cheap project and I love seeing it hang on my front door!

New chairs (project #1)

Here's my first completed project. Our dining room chairs were covered in a white fabric (not the ideal color with a 3 year old in your house)
My mom and I found some fabric on clearance at Jo Ann's, and decided to recover them. It was a pretty easy project, just needed to unscrew the back then staple gun the new fabric on and screw it back together and it's done.

Projects... Projects... PROJECTS!!

We have just moved into a new house (that's why there has been a lack of posts from me) This move was CRAZY but we are so glad to be in our own home. Here's some picture's of some things I have been working on in the house, these are all before pictures.


This is half of a bi-fold door that was on our laundry room and it broke off so I have a new plan for it, you can see what color it is going to be since I forgot to take a picture before I started painting. (this was just started yesterday so it may be a while for the final product)
This table was found on my way to work one morning last week, someone had put it out for trash! So I put it in the back of my car! All it needs is a good sanding, tighten the screws and some new paint!
Crazy good deal for this mirror at Lowe's, Regular price $59.88, we got it on clearance for $12.47, it was the floor model so it needed a good cleaning
This was my find at Goodwill a few months ago. It was $12.00... good price, but even better as I walked around the store I heard that all furniture items were now 50% off! What!! I took her home for $6.00 . She needed A LOT of sanding
Lamp at Goodwill for $3.00
A footstool that my mom had got at a garage sale
And finally my white dining room chairs needed an uplift.
Hopefully I will be back soon with some finished products!

Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Cake (Tastes like a Pumpkin Pie)

1 Box Spice Cake Mix
1 - 1 1/2 Cup Pumpkin (depending on how "pumpkin" you want it)
1 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/3 Cup Oil
3 Eggs
1 Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Apple Butter
2 Tablespoons Flour

Mix all ingredients together and follow the back of the box for cooking times. Can be made into any shape.


Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened
1 Stick Butter, softened
3 Cups Powered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Oh how I love Halloween decorations!

My newest Halloween decoration...

A little vinyl on a picture frame.   So easy!

Happy decorating everyone!

Star Wars cookies

My husband and my son love Star Wars!  They watch the movies all the time.  They even build a fort and call it 'yoda's house' so they can watch the movie in there.  

When I saw these cookie cutters... I just had to buy them.

Yup, they are well worth it!

Noodle Fun!

The other day my son wanted to play with glue. 

So I pulled out some dry noodles... and we played with glue!

We even got out the water colors and added some color to our creations.

Fun and cheap!  Gotta love it.

Fall wreath

Fall is my favorite season... hands down.  I just wish it lasted longer!

A few years ago, I made this wreath.  It was SO easy!

I bought a wreath from a local craft store, along with a strand or two of fall leaves.

Wrapped the leaves all around the wreath, added a bow and there was my festive wreath.

I added auburn lights to my wreath.

(wrap the lights first and then the leaves)

I love plugging it in at night.  The glow is fabulous!

Movies while running?

And in case you wanted to watch a movie while running on the treadmill...

I made a holder for that too.  

I haven't tested this one out yet... so we'll see if it holds up while running.

Off subject... I'm a terrible runner.  Any tips for me?

iPod case for treadmill...

My husband and I have started running on a treadmill... which is great.

The problem comes when we put the treadmill in our unfinished part of the basement... no TV.

So we listen to the iPod... but where to put it?

I made this iPod holder for it.  Velcro on the back, so it holds nice and tight.

I had to make a hole at the bottom, so the earphones can disconnect, if we happen to get our arm caught in the wire.

I tried it today... works great!

Father's Day gift idea

Ok, so I'm just a few months late at posting this idea.  But everyone takes the summer off, right? 

Thanks for putting up with us... if you're still out there.  ;)

My boys had a great time making this art piece for Father's Day this past year. 

(I have seen this idea on another blog... but can't remember where... so sorry that I don't have that reference for you)

I had my 4 year old paint the blue background one day.  I just told him that we were painting and set him up with the right colors.  (last year he ended up telling Daddy what the present was before Father's day... I learned my lesson)  Then I put it up to dry and let him continue to paint on paper.  

A few days later I did their hand prints.  A one year old makes it REALLY difficult to get a decent handprint from.  Thus, his looks like he has 6 fingers.  Oh well.  Then I put it up to dry for a few more days.

I took it down to add the finishing touches.  

Then I let the boys help me wrap it right before we gave it to Daddy. 

Test

This is just a test post.  Please ignore...
We'll be back soon.  We seem to have taken an unscheduled summer vacation.  ;)

Jedi Robe

My son loves those hooded bath towels.  And he loves Star Wars. 

So I made him a 'Jedi Robe'.... and he LOVES that too!

(I apologize for the sideways picture, Blogger and I are not getting along today)

I found pictures of an Imperial Walker, the Death Star and R2D2 (at my son's request)... 

cut them out of a cheap white fleece blanket from IKEA that was being ignored in my home and sewed them on the towel.

The hood is a hand towel - cut in half and then sewn on.

Here is my son trying his best to ignore the camera.

He really does love his Jedi Robe.  He wears it even when it's not bath time.

I wonder what type of robe I'll make next... fire fighter?  dinosaur?  pirate?  astronaut?  

The possibilities are endless.  Give it a try.  Your kids will LOVE it!

High Chair Straps

 My mom has this darling high chair.  But it has no straps.  

When ever we go over there, we've just used a belt to keep the kiddos strapped in.

The problem with that is they slide out the bottom.

So I found a solution...

 

 I measured the high chair and cut out the material to fit over the top.

Then I sewed two really long strips of material that would come from behind the chair, go under my baby's bum, up between his legs and tie in the back.  

(Did that make sense?  I can draw a diagram if anyone is interested.)

It works perfect!  When it's dirty, throw it in the wash.

Dumpster Diggin'

A few weeks ago I pulled into our parking area and saw something on top of the trash, I walked closer and saw this beauty... isn't she lovely? OK well I knew she COULD be lovely. When my hubby got home from work I asked him to go grab it for me. He wasn't fond of the idea but he did it anyway (THANKS JAY!) It wasn't like he had to go digging for it- the trash was full and it was sitting on top. It needed a good cleaning and a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint and she would be beautiful.

I turned her into a plant stand for my porch. I don't have anymore room in my small apartment for more furniture. The drawers were a little crooked and it's a little wobbly, and I didn't feel like fixing it up perfectly. This will do just fine! The drawers now hold my gardening items and a few outside toys for my daughter- PERFECTION! And only cost me $3.00 for a can of spray paint (Krylon, Celery).

Denim!

I have a super crafty friend, Carolyn.  She made all of these bags/purses out of old jeans.

Aren't they darling?!  LOVE them!

They inspired me to create something out of my old denim...

So I started cutting.  (I"m not big on patterns... I tried to make a pattern, 

but it wasn't working... so I just started creating)

I decided on a cute pirate lining.  My boys love it!

And now I have a new diaper bag!

I should have taken more pictures... but it's hard to photograph the inside of a bag.

There are pockets on both of the outside panels.  Pockets on the inside.

A zipper pouch in the middle - as a dividing section of the bag.

And I sewed in elastic loops to hold sippy cups or bottles.

It was fun to create something new out of something that would 

usually be thrown out or sent off to the local DI.

Thanks for the inspiration Carolyn! 

Sunshine Award!

We are so honored to receive the Sunshine Award from Oh my heck this is so cute! 

Melinda has such a darling, classy blog.  You've GOT to check it out!

Rules for the Sunshine Award Recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to 12 other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Link back to the person from whom you received this award.

The Crazy Crafty Cousins would like to pass the Sunshine Award on to:

Epicurean Style:

We love her style!  And doesn't this chicken look so tasty?!

The Sisters Dish:

There are too many yummy recipes on this site... jump over there and try one out!

Simply Modern Mom:

How creative is that?!  Love it! 

 Mmm... Cafe:

Ok, so dang cute!  My boys would love these!

Can't wait to try them out! YUM!

 It's a Daisy Day! :

Oh my weakness... homemade tortillas.

I'm drooling.

 See Me Visit Teach:

Such fun and easy crafts! 

 Krissie's Kitchen:

I'm a sucker for a yummy Chicken Salad recipe... add pasta into the mix, and I'm sold!

Sisters' Stuff:

 Don't you just LOVE this idea?!  Can't wait to try it out!

 Babes in Disneyland:

 This blog just makes you happy!  

And it makes me want to start planning my next trip to 

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Thanks again for the Sunshine award!

Please jump over and check out these blogs!  You'll be amazed and inspired!

Leave a comment, become a follower... everyone needs a little love!

Just a shout out

This isn't anything crafty, but I'd like to send a shout out to my cousin, Jodi who told me about this product from Trader Joes (you think I would have known about it since my hubby works there, oh well) This stuff is awesome and a better alternative to plain rice as a side dish. And it is still way easy to prepare. My 3 year old asked for seconds the first time I made it.Click--> to read some reviews about this product Harvest Grains Blend has couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans and red quinoa

I made it as a side dish to grilled chicken one night- delish! So if you live by a Trader Joe's go and pick up a bag. I know it's less than $3.00 a bag.