Halloween Party Ideas

Hosting a Halloween party? On a budget? Savvy Sassy Moms has some great tips to make sure everyone at your party has a hauntingly good time!!! Simply click on the photo above for some great ideas!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Kidz Korner - Paper Plate Witch

You and the kidz are going to have fun with this one. Not hard to do but lots of fun when you and the kidz work together. Maybe even cutting out the eye holes, attach elastic and let the kidz use for a mask. Great to keep too since you are using the kidz hand prints for the witches hair. For the full tutorial, visit Crafty Morning by simply clicking on the picture above.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Floating Witch Hat Luminaries

Wouldn't these look fantastic hanging outside on your porch Halloween night? Melissa of Polka Dot Chair has the instructions posted on her blog. Simply click on the photo above for the tutorial.

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Cashmere Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Season is in full swing! Leaves are falling, sweaters and scarves are layered on, and fresh pumpkins wait to be carved into jack-o-lanterns!  Houses are decorated inside and out as apple cider scented air wafts through open windows!  It's the perfect time to up-cycle old cashmere sweaters into sweet mini pumpkins!

Cashmere sweaters are easy to find in thrift stores this time of year.  Lambswool and Shetland wool sweaters also work well.  And don't stress if orange wools can't be found because hand-dying is easy- peasey. 

To prep the sweaters for crafting, machine wash and dry on high heat to felt the wool. If dying is necessary it should be done after felting. Prepare dye according to manufacturer's instructions. Cut the sweaters into strips and soak in the dye for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse and set out in the sun to dry.  I used a variety of  beige and pink shaded sweaters and was rewarded with a nice variety in orange hues.

 

Once the fabric is dry, press out the wrinkles with an iron on high heat. Cut strips into rectangles and squares ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches tall. This will create a nice variety in finished size and shape.  Fold each piece in half, right sides together, and stitch side opposite the fold.

 Now the wee pumpkins are ready to come to life!  Time to prep the finishing supplies:

Follow these eight simple steps for every pumpkin size. When creating the pumpkin sections (steps 7 and 8), start by anchoring floss at the top of the pumpkin and run floss down the outside of the pumpkin, bringing the needle back to the top by running it through the center of the pumpkin and repeating this action eight times.

Time for toppers!  Wee pumpkins need only a simple stem of fabric wrapped floral wire.  But for pumpkins 4 inches and larger the raffia-wrapped floral wire looks best accented with a wool leaf and curl.  Using wire cutters, snip stems 1.5-2 inches long. Leaves can be cut in random patterns for a touch of whimsy.

Using the wire stem, wiggle the wire around the top center of the pumpkin to create a small hole where the stem will be inserted. Remove stem and apply a small dab of glue into the hole. Reinsert stem and set aside to dry.

To apply leaves and curl to larger pumpkins, insert fabric wrapped wire alongside the raffia wrapped wire.  Pierce leaf upon the thin wire and push it down to the stem base, pressing firmly into remaining glue.

Use a thin paint brush end to wrap the wire, creating a curl.  Use jewelry pliers to shape wire stems and curls as desired.

Have fun!  Get wildly creative!  But use caution!  This craft is so easy and cost-effective, it's easy to end up with an abundant harvest in just a few hours!

To find gently used sweaters to up-cycle in your area simply Google search resale shops within your zip code.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Pumpkin Make-Do

Sharing an oldie but seasonal goody this week.  I am out traveling the Wild West this week but will back in the home saddle for fresh up-cycles next week!  In the meantime, stitch up some fall pumpkin make-dos!

Up-cycling and primitive crafts go hand in hand as early folk artists created from what was available. Waste was not an option.  Pioneering women "made do" with what they had. Up-cycling employs the same "waste not, want not" principles.

 Today, thrift stores are loaded with cast offs in luxurious fabrics just begging for an up-cycle.  100% wool jackets are often the unintentional victims of laundry mishaps and can be scooped up for pennies at second hand shops!  This Talbots wool jacket set me back 50 cents.
 
Rewash and dry the fabric to be sure it's clean before starting.  Double the fabric and then fold in half.  Using the fold as the pumpkin center, cut out a circle or oval shape.  Use a template or go freehand for whimsical shape.

Perfection is not the goal here.  After all, pumpkins are imperfect shapes in nature.

Pin, right sides together and stitch 3/8 inch around.  Leave 2 inches open for turning.  This will be the pumpkin top.

Clip curves and turn right side out.  Firmly stuff the bottom of the pumpkin but leave the top 1/4 inch loose.

Now have fun with the face! 

To stay in the primitive tradition use found items, vintage buttons, and old trims.

Secure the facial features with slip stitching.  Let the thread show in random, uneven stitches for a whimsical look.

 

Run a gathering stitch through the opening and pull tight around the wooden stem.  To avoid glue, I drilled a hole through the driftwood to allow my needle to secure the stem directly to the fabric. 

Top with scrap fabric torn from an old shirt or use an eye-catching remnant.  Tie a bow around the stem.

These faces and shapes are so easy and fun, I found myself diving into my fabric stash for more orange wool!

It doesn't take long to create your own patch of "locally grown" pumpkins!

LOVE & UPCYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl