Happy Halloween!

"Breakfast" and a Couple of Ninjas...

those are our costumes, man. cholesterol and ninja stealthiness... what's not to love???

We had our Fall Festival last Friday and had a great time playing games and eating lots of goodies. The hubs picked our chock-full-of-cholesterol breakfast costumes and they were a hit. The kids were especially drawn to the bacon. And a few made the bacon a little nervous... Drooling, glassy-eyed kids droning b-a-a-a-c-o-n-n-n-n... will make you fear for your greasy life!  :)

Quite frankly, I was kinda over Halloween after last week. I almost forgot about taking the kids trick-or-treating tonight! Never fear, although I am the Halloween Grinch, we will be hitting the pavement tonight.

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween!

Make // Fabric Pinecone - Pleather & Faux Fur

If you like to craft, but aren't quite ready to go THERE with Holiday projects (I'm with ya, I get anxious just thinking of the holiday madness), then these little pinecones are the perfect project for you. They're great to use in Fall decor and can easily transition over to the winter holidays. I've made several variations over the years--

scalloped lace pinecone | felt pinecone | muslin fabric pinecone | toile fabric pinecone

While these look similar in shape to the toile fabric pinecone, this time I streamlined the process and also experimented with different textures; Bring on the Faux Fur and Pleather!!!

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // Fabric Pinecone - Toile

I took a month off from crafting and wasn't going to make any Fall projects, but then I started thinking about pinecones... I love pinecones! So I eeked this one out last Saturday between two soccer games and a baseball practice. Sometimes a little pressure helps the creative process. :)

I've made pinecones before-- this lace one, this felt one, and this muslin fabric one... So this time I combined a few techniques and came up with yet another version of a fabric pinecone.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // DIY Kids Halloween Cards

Every year the boys make Halloween cards as one of our school's community service events. These cards, accompanied by a handful of goodies, go to children who are part of our county's foster care system. I love that this project is hands-on and meaningful for both the children who receive the cards, as well as the ones who make them.

The boys and I brainstormed and decided to make cards with ghosts and bats. I've been testing out a few ideas for Christmas and happened to have  a lot of "stuff" out on our kitchen counter. AKA, I make a mess and don't always clean it up! The white "abominable snowman" fur grabbed their attention and we agreed that furry white ghosts were in order!

White Furry Ghosts

materials needed: white craft fur, black craft foam or card stock, glue gun, small alphabet stamps, white ink pad, scissors

Click "Read more" for the full post

Our Home // Somewhat Spooky Halloween Scene

When it comes to Halloween, I usually don't put up many decorations. Maybe a few pumpkins here and there, a few bats or some ghosts, but nothing too complicated or macabre. But I guess my decorations are so subtle that my kids' asked why I don't decorate for Halloween... So here it is, my attempt at somewhat spooky, not so subtle Halloween decor.

Click "Read more" for the full post

Our Home // Fall Mantel + Teal Pumpkins

Can you believe that it'll be October in a few days? How is that even possible? So I may be in denial, but today I decided it was time to pull out the Fall decorations. I'm hit-or-miss with the other seasons, but I love Fall decor. Something about pumpkins, those rich colors and the changing of the seasons.... Not to mention the kids being back in school so I actually have some time to think about stuff like this!

Over the past couple of years I've collected a variety of decorative pumpkins. I think I've met the fake pumpkin quota, so this year I decided to remake a few instead of buying more. Inspired by a recently purchased accent chair, I decided that the addition of teal would add just the right amount of "pop" to our traditional pumpkin display.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // Easy Jack-O-Lantern Planter

I have to admit that I'm not feeling Fall just yet, so I decided to ease into the upcoming season with an easy project.

Since the weather is still warm and dry, it's the perfect time to break out the metallic spray paint. Did you know that you can't use metallic spray paints when the temperature dips below 70 degrees Fahrenheit? I've tried it before and the paint bubbles up and turns into a hot mess.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Round-up // Fall Projects

Can you believe that Fall will officially be here in the next week and a half? Have you felt a seasonal shift where you live?  In Southern California, it doesn't usually start to feel like Fall until early November. Darn. So while we have to wait a bit for cooler temps and falling leaves, that doesn't mean we can't start celebrating the changing season inside our homes.  

Here's a round-up of several Fall projects that I pulled from the archives (you'll need to click thru if viewing this in a RSS feed or via email).

Do you have any Fall projects up your sleeve this year? I've got a few in mind and just need to make my way over to the craft store.

Have a lovely day!

Inspiration // Back to School!

In the spirit of "Back to School", I've pulled together some fun inspiration that brings me back to the good ol' days of jumping rope, standard lined paper and pencil boxes. Do you remember how you felt at the beginning of each new school year? For me it was a combination of excitement and anxiety mixed in with the promise of new beginnings. Not to mention the joyful anticipation of wearing a  brand spanking new pair of shoes... Exciting times!

Click "Read more" for the full post

[Happy Thanksgiving!]

via Oh So Beautiful Paper

This year we are heading over to my aunt and uncle's home for Thanksgiving dinner.  We'll be there with my parents, my cousins and their kids, so it'll be good times. The boys will LOVE hanging out with their older cousins and we will enjoy catching up with our extended family. This past year has certainly flown by quickly, hasn't it?

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

[Make] Thankful Leaves

While most bloggers have moved on to Christmas, I just put up my very simple Thanksgiving decorations.  I like to make things, but actually putting together a pleasing to the eye vignette is not my strong suit.... which is why I usually don't decorate for each season. Some day I'll figure it out!  :)

 Click "Read more" for the details

[Upcycle] Refreshed Fall Leaves

I have a couple of orange-leaved garlands that haven't come out to play for several years. I'm not a big fan of faux bright orange leaves so I decided to "refresh" them with some metallic paints-- copper and rust.

Here's what the leaves looked like before...

Click  "Read more" to see the final project

[Make] Thanksgiving Stones

Alright, I'm taking a little break from the Christmas stuff to show you a fun Thanksgiving project. Stones and paint... I've been wanting to do this for a while and finally found the perfect opportunity.

I have to work on my hand-lettering skills, but to be honest... this is probably as good as it gets. Try as I might, handwriting is not my strong suit-- But I still had fun!  

Click "Read more" for the details

[Round-Up] Fall Projects

The weather has cooled down, the leaves are turning, and it's finally starting to feel like Autumn here in Southern California.  I love it! For some reason, this is the time of year when I feel the most creative. I was born this month too-- I don't always relish the growing older part, but celebrating a birthday is fun... Maybe that explains my affinity for Fall (??).  Anyhow, I've jumped ahead to Christmas projects, but I didn't want to skip over my favorite season. Here's a round-up of my past and present Fall Projects--

Have a nice weekend!

[Oh Martha] Fall Inspiration

Since it's Monday (boo!) and because I love ya (yay!), here is some Fall Inspiration from Martha Stewart...

plumage decor

hmmm... must put a bell jar on my christmas wish list!

Click "Read more" for more MS Fall Inspiration

[Weekly Inspiration] 10.26.2012

this retro cool pacman garland via mini-eco

this darling french-themed birthday party via lavender's blue :: as seen on babble

Click "Read more" for more inspiration

[Make] Scalloped Lace Pinecone

Yep, another pinecone project.  I actually bought the lace earlier in the year to make something for Easter, but since that didn't happen... More pinecone love! 

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Weekly Inspiration] 10.19.2012

this vibrant floral felt pillow.  i've made some of these felt flowers before... put it on the to-do list!

via land of nod

[Make] Fabric Pinecone

As my children can attest, I love pinecones.  I'm always picking them up when we're at a park... which seems to be often since the boys play baseball and soccer multiple times a week.  And if I happen to miss one, my little helpers are always sure to bring me a few.

While I've collected quite a few real pinecones, I also love the handmade ones.  Last year I made a felt version.  This year I wanted a more natural look and created this fabric pinecone out of muslin.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Oh Martha] Halloween 2012

I haven't done an "Oh Martha" round-up in quite a while. Here are some fun (and some creepy) Halloween ideas from the folks at Martha Stewart...

wriggling snake wreath

popcorn goody witches

great idea for a non-candy treat