spider sucker

materials:

round sucker (like a tootise or blow pops)
4 chenille stems
optional:
googly eyes
tag (use the image bellow)

directions:

1. Line up 4 chenille stems so that they are even and tightly grouped.
2. Place sucker in the middle of the stems and firmly wrap around so that the stems have gone all the way around and are pointing up.
3.Bend the stems back down, halfway down the length. then bend the last 1/4 inch or so up a bit.
4. If desired, add googly eyes with white or hot glue.

bat sucker

materials:

round sucker (like a tootise or blow pops)
black construction paper
tape
optional:
googly eyes
tag (use the image bellow)
ribbon

directions:

1. Fold construction paper in half and draw bat wings. (Make sure your wings are about 1 inch thick on the fold.) You can also print out and trace this template.

2. Cut out wings and make 2 small slits on the fold about 1/3 and 2/3 of the way down the paper.
3. Unfold winds and push out the strip in the center (made by the slits.)
4. Slip sucker stem into the slit and secure with tape on the back.
5. If desired, add googly eyes with white or hot glue.
6. Want a little more cuteness? Tie a bow on the sucker stem under the wings.

ghost sucker

materials:

round sucker (like a tootise or blow pops)
white table napkin
black marker

optional:
googly eyes
tag (use the image bellow)
ribbon

directions:

1. Unfold napkin and center it on top of the sucker.
2. Push the edges of the napkin down around the sucker and twist slightly at the stem.
3. Secure the back with a small piece of tape.
4. If desired, add googly eyes with white or hot glue.
5. You can also tie a ribbon at the base of the sucker. This is a great way to attach a tag.

materials

clear votive candle holder (Or re-use small canning jars as we did. We loved how the rounded 1/2 pint jars looked. I think something big like a pickle jar would also be great.)
tissue paper
mod podge ( I recommend the gloss finish) thinned white glue will also work in a pinch
scissors
paint brush

directions:

1.  Lightly sketch your design onto the tissue paper if needed. Cut out the pieces, I used strips to give it a pumpkin-y feel; the girls preferred more of a mosaic technique.

3. Brush a thin coat of mod podge onto an area. It dries fairly quickly, so it is best to just coat a few inches, apply tissue, then move to the next section. It is alright if it gets a few wrinkles and uneven spots. This will give the design more character. Slick a little more mod podge over the tissue paper to adhere it to the glass.

4. Work your way around the entire exterior, covering all of the glass with a final coat to seal. If there are areas where there is a ridge or bead of mod podge, smooth out with the brush so that everything is even and flat along the glass.

Once it is completely dry, place a candle in your new holder and arrange on the table or line your spooky sidewalk with pumpkin luminaries. I recommend LCD votives – not only are they safer for little hands; but if you turned the glass upside down, you will need them as there isn’t enough O2 for a candle. Enjoy!

While I was experimenting to get the ruffle technique down, I tried it for Megan’s birthday cake. I LOVE it for a 2 or 3 layer cake. I think the ruffles on the top add a lot. It is definitely a technique I’ll use again. It is so easy to do. Here is Meg’s cake, just 2 layers and made with some strawberries blended into the buttercream frosting. The strawberry was fairly subtle and SO yummy with the chocolate cake!

You can see that the consistency of the frosting makes a big difference in the finished look of the ruffles. I think both have their charms. For a more rounded ruffle, you’ll want your frosting to be the usual thinner consistency usually used for spreading.  The wedding cake frosting is a little thicker, like you would do for making flowers, etc.

This is my recipe for buttercream frosting:

1/2 c. butter at room temp.

1/2 c. shortening

2 lbs powdered sugar (about 2.3 lbs for the wedding cake consistency)

1/4 c. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1/4 tsp. salt

Cream the butter and shortening then add about 1/4 of the bag of powdered sugar. Then mix in milk and flavorings and salt. Finish adding in remaining sugar, a bit at a time, until desired constancy is reached. Tint and readjust sugar if needed. If the frosting is too thick, add no more than a teaspoon of light corn syrup and whip for a few minutes, then add a little more if needed. Make sure to give it plenty of time to mix before adjusting.

I also tried ruffles on some cupcakes. I thought it turned out cute and decided to share a tutorial that is a little rough, but get the job done.

http://youtu.be/gzeLtTgSdQU

Good things come in small packages and hand-made is no exception. Use a combination of easy to find craft embellishments and your child’s artwork along with polymer clay to make little trinkets that are sure to be treasured. Head on over to Today’s Mama and I’ll show you a few fun ideas.

We are still up to some serious craftiness at Today’s Mama. Come see today’s post about making felt Christmas stockings. These are quick and easy (my favorite) and are so darling. Your kids will love making them for favorite friends then stuffing with a bit of candy. The inspiration for these, was actually my own beloved Christmas stocking growing up. Which was a red ballet slipper. I think my Mom made them, she is impressive that way. She also had cowboy boots for the boys. So clever. Give it a try, you can make them big or small, but either way, you’ll love how felt stockings turn out.

Ready to really indulge? Head over to Today’s Mama and get the recipe for homemade hot chocolate and fluffy marshmallows. They make a decadent gift for friends. My book group got them last night. You certainly don’t have to share if you don’t want to. Get the how-to on hot chocolate here.

The fun continues at Today’s Mama, where I am showing you how to make door hangers with friend’s initials or other cute phrases on them. Stop on by!

Today I am making snowflake ornaments out of chenille stems and Borax laundry booster at Today’s Mama. It is fun and very easy. Head over there and check it out!

Get ready for one of my favorite gifts in our line-up of giveaways on Monday. In the meantime, head over to Today’s Mama and see my post on making gingerbread kits for your favorite friends. It is one of my favorite gifts to give, it is always very happily received!

btw, is it just me or do even my Christmas presents end up being remarkably pink–wow! Totally unintentional, I swear!

Head over to Today’s Mama to see how to make snow globes. These are definitely one of my favorite of the gifts we have made. They are easy, cheap and look so very great!