IT'S HALLOWEEN!

 

Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!! Hello, crafters, and welcome back to the 31 Days of Halloween! For my final Halloween project in the month of October, I have altered a "My Little Pony" castle front. It was wickedly fun to spray paint the whole thing black. I tricked out my castle with gold acrylic paint that I smudged before it dried.

For my home away from home, I pulled ot all the stops. I had a pile of pumpkins, skulls, skeletons, mushrooms, spiders, buttons, stickers, leaves, jewelry and hot glue. And then the fun began! I actually started with the drawbridge, which I had left down. There's this giant skull "welcoming" kids to trick-or-treat at the front door, with candy and candy corn just waiting to be picked up (if you dare).

One of my grabs from my supplies was a bag of mushroom floral sticks. When you look at the castle's right end, you'll see a turret bursting with overgrown mushrooms and pinecones, where skeletons like to boogie and black cats keep an eye out for fun. One skeleton has had too much fun and wants to get out, but the openings are too small for him to escape.

On the castle's left side, take a peek at the resident witch's turret, where she leaves her fashionable shoes after a hard day in front of the cauldron. Overgrown weeds climb up the tall side tower, where another skeleton dares to disturb the resident ghosts.

The rest of the castle is covered with whatever spiders, pumpkins and Halloween buttons I could fit onto it. Like I've said previously, I don't like "white space". It's all or nothing, baby! My haunted house stands around 12 inches and is about 8 inches wide. I'm thinking of dunking the whole thing into a vat of sealant so it will last years! LOL

This was a fun event for me, and I hope you were inspired to create your own Halloween decor. Stick around, because I've become a new member of the DT for the challenge blog Halloween & Other Occasions All Year. Tomorrow is my first DT make so I hope to see you soon!

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Crafty Girls Corner - Make It Spooky

Try It on Tuesday - Make It Magical My haunted castle includes magical figures with gosts and skeletons nd larger-than-life spiders

Unicorn - Autumn and/or Halloween -

Inspiration Station - Inspiration photo

 

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 30

 

Today I'm upcycling one of my own pieces of art! Last year I tried Acrylic pour canvas painting. This is one of my pieces, a 6x6' stretched canvas for Halloween. Nice, but boring...

I reached into my bag of Halloween tricks and pulled out a plastic skeleton (I bought so many of these throughout the year that I haven't had to purchase any in forever). Using his lower legs and a larger one from another bag, I formed the latter "B"., brushing it with white paint before adhering it with hot glue. 

A couple black silk leaves and white felt flowers formed the letter "O" twice, and now my artwork has a title, "BOO". I added a few die-cut leaves and a small wooden gravestone to finish off my project. I hope I didn't overload the canvas, but I am NOT a fan of "white space". It's difficult for me to stop when it comes to embellishments. I hope you've enjoyed the 31 Days of Halloween here at 'Patacake's Pages. I have one more day to entertain you with my imagination and creativity this spooky season. See you tomorrow.

Challenges I am Entering:

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 29

 

Halfway to Halloween, crafters! Are you ready? I know that I've saved a ton of $$ by making much of my decorations this year. I also have previous years worth of Halloween makes to use as well. I had mentioned that I was participating in a craft fair where I was hoping to sell out my Halloween and Christmas decor, but when I returned from vacation, my daughter was sick with COVID. The day before the Fair, I caught it as well--lucky me!! 😢I had to cancel, but then again, I have loads of decor for this year...

Back to today's project. During the summer I had to replace my privacy fence. I got to use my nephew's table saw while he was "fencing" and cut some wood slices nice and thin.  I painted three of them as Day of the Dead sugar skulls, hand drawing them after getting inspiration from Marisol's images from Pixel Scrappers. They are so darn cute.

I found a frame and attached jewelry items on each wood slice from which to hang them. I attached a chain to the frame and then added each slice to the chain using thin wire. It looked a little bare so I added some mica/shell slices I had in my jewelry craft supplies and I like the finished product.

There's a beautiful movie showcasing the special meaning of Day of the Dead. It's called Coco and is a Pixar film released by Disney. It's one of those movies that are made for kids with adults in mind, so the whole family can enjoy it (and the music is good, too).

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 28

 Definitely was in a dark place when I thought this one up. I think I might just do a creepy cute 31 days of Halloween next year. I hope it doesn't give me nightmares!

The wreath is made from branches of a weeping willow (I had to look it up). Around this I wove wired ribbon with a Halloween print. Next I used up ALL my plastic skulls. I had three different kinds! After I adhered them with hot glue and E6000, I left a small space for my Skull King. Actually it's a diffuser that was broken that I had bought from Bath & Body. Looking sad and plain, so I added a small bow made from orange and black netting (tulle). 

I finished off my newest Halloween decoration by attaching a spooky black floral deco that I had bought after last year's Halloween. I think you have to zoom in to see it. A single spider on a skull nearest the king finishes my project for today. And it is on my front door now (do you think I'll get any  solicitors?)...  

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 27

 

I've added to my Halloween garden. Grampa cam over to have a beer and I guess he stayed too long ---way too long. LOL  While cleaning out my garage this summer, I found a small child's plastic lounge chair. I almost threw it away, then remembered I had a few skeletons in my Halloween bins. I'm lucky that when I pulled that skeleton out of its bin, I remembered the plastic lounge chair!

He didn't sit well in the chair until I placed a full plastic bag of like bags for his cushion. That worked well enough to get him hot-glued onto the chair. He still didn't look comfortable until I put a towel between the chair and his body. He had to have his beer sitting next to him, so I made the sacrifice and drank a Radler beer (German). To really get the feel of a man relaxing with his beer, I attached sunglasses to his skull and added his pet lizard on his other chair arm.

I placed him in my almost-finished front garden with my other Halloween crafts. I have just enough space for a couple more before the BIG DAY. Are you ready? Do you get many trick-or-treaters? I have both candy and packs of trading cards to give out this year. 

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 26

 

Last year I created Skull sunflowers. This year I've made eyeball sunflower! After rummaging thru mt flower supplies, I grabbed the sunflower bunch I had purchase last year. They're smaller than the ones I glued skulls onto,  so I gathered a couple of plastic balls from my stash (I feel like Felix the Cat and his Magic Bag of Tricks-anyone old enough to remember that vintage Saturday morning cartoon?). I cut them in half and spray-painted them white.

I used Posca markers to draw on the irises of the eyes, decorating the "whites of the eyes" with dark red lines to look like veins. They didn't look much like real eyeballs until I used Gloss Varnish on each and then they really popped. I had to trim them to fit into the center of each flower, adhering them with a combination of E6000 and hot glue.

I stuck my flowering eyeballs in a black plastic cauldron and filled it with foliage, autumn leaves, fake pumpkins and spiders, as well as adding a couple of bricks to keep my cauldron from falling down or blowing away. I placed my decor in the middle of my small garden surrounding my front light post. I also added a few other bits of decor from this year and last year and am almost finished with my Halloween garden...

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 25

 

Today I created another Halloween wall art, although right now it's sitting on my bedroom shelf. The walls are getting pretty full by now. Maybe I'll keep it as shelf decor...

Anyway,  had the perfect three pieces of wood in my garage to make my sign today. I painted each a different Halloween color and then used Posca markers to  fill in the words and symbols. I still need to seal them with gloss varnish. If I do so, I might be able to hang it off my front deck railing. I've started placing some of last year's Halloween makes in the yard and on the deck and ramp.

My house may be decorated to the nines, but my neighbors have me beat with their 12 foot high skeletons and air-filled, store-bought decorations.  

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 24

 There's a thrift store near me (well, an hour away) where everything in the store is 50% off on Mondays!! So I had purchased some Halloween goodies (as in crafting supplies) before the hordes came and polished it all off. This is one of my finds from 2 months ago.

I had to do a little repair painting, as well as drew a few Halloween symbols and lettering to get it up to snuff. I also upcycled my "new" wall art by adding the bow at top, a sticker here and there and making a small broom out of a chopstick and pipe cleaners (now known as chenille sticks). There used to be little numbers to hang on this but since they were MIA, I put the broom on the hooks and changed "days 'til" to "almost". I also added the words broom parking.

welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 23

 

Rummaging through my drawer of metals, I found 2 charms (?) that screamed Halloween, so I pulled out my jewelry bin and attached each to chains. I now have two new necklaces to wear or sell for Halloween. The dragon's eye was "framed" enough so I used it by itself. The skull, however, needed a little something to jazz it up, and I love feathers, so my skull is styling that pink feather for a little fun spooking.

In pulling out my jewelry stash, I realized I had an overabundance (would that be an oxymoron?) of supplies. So I think I'll be creating some new jewelry; maybe not for Halloween, but Christmas is coming up and I have ideas (and supplies) aplenty. 

Writing about selling my jewelry, I had posted earlier in the month how excited I was to participate in a Fall craft Fair. When I returned home from a week's vacation, I had 6 days before the Fair, which was okay because I had prepped, priced and packed everything I needed.

But when I walked in the door with my suitcase, my daughter was sicker than sick, and the next day she tested positive for COVID. Two days later I tested + as well, and my dreams of selling my Halloween and Christmas crafts were dashed against the rocks. So here I am with plenty of inventory. I am now seeking a local craft fair and hoping to sell my Christmas crafts soon.

Meanwhile, I can decorate my home  to its full potential with all the stuff I've created this year, as well as the decor I created last year which you can check out on my blog starting HERE.

welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 22

 

Ok, this one is totally digital, but what fun I had!! I used so many elements and added so many layers, but I really like it. It screams, "This is not your usual sing-around the-Girl Scout campfire". And believe me, I am a lifelong girl scout since Juniors (grade 4). I have been a leader, assistant, day camp crafts guru, day camp first aider, as well as grade 4 through 9 girl scout and cookie mom. I'm not counting my years with Cub Scouts...

The paper is from the Dead or Alive set from from RUCOLA DESIGNS by Ildi Geist. as well as the digital element dancing around the fire (skeletons 2,3 &4). the campfire is actually from a photo taken by my sister-in-law in Arizona. The bats and hands reaching up from the ground are free clipart found on Google. I'm going to frame this so it will keep in perpetuity...(forever). Mwahahahaha...

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 21

 

Last summer, my daughter came home from Hobby Lobby with some craft projects for us to do together. One if them was painting clay owl banks. She painted hers a beautiful rainbow of colors and shades. I wasn't feeling well, so put it aside for another day. Well, today is that other day.

I wanted to create a Halloween Owl that was also beautiful, one that I could display all year 'round, so I decided to paint my owl black and added gold features and details. 

I used acrylic paints on the owl, then used a black Posca marker to sharpen the edges. After sealing the owl with gloss varnish, I adhered a strip of ribbon decorated with gold beads to my owl's back. I dug into my jewelry stash and added a cool skull necklace. I can remove the necklace after Halloween and add something more festive for Christmas...

I love my owl but will probably use it for depositing random acts of kindness I do throughout the year, and even those I receive. We should all be reminded that one small act of kindness can change the world. If I started now, I can end my year on a happy note, or rather, notes.

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 19

 

Next up today is an embroidery canvas. I had to paint the material black first and let it dry. I am typing with blackened fingers because I am an impatient person... Anyway, I drew a spider web across the material with a white pencil. Then I grabbed a skein of white yarn and stitched my lines. The white against black shows up really well, don't you think?

When I reached the end of my yarn I left a length hanging from the bottom-most web part. Then I riffled through my pompom and pipe cleaner drawers and found the makings for my spider. I had to use hot glue to get her to stay on the hanging thread.

That's it! A fun and simple (and not time-consuming) Halloween craft that doesn't take a master sewing expert to make. The canvas is 6x6 so kids and adults alike can try their hands at this project! 

My house and deck are filling up with my handmade decor and I can't wait for the big day. As I watch neighbors putting up huge skeletons and blow-up decorations, I have two thoughts: One, that I saved a bunch of money this year, and two, that I need to go bigger next year. My decor is on the small side, and my house only has so many windows and deck space. A little more yard planning and larger patterns is on tap for 2025...

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 18

 

Another upcycle project from my many previous trips to thrift stores. Here's my nod to witches around the world. Who says they have to be bent and ugly. Mine is most fashionable. She did need a big makeover, as her skirt was hanging by a thread (literally), her hat was gone, her broom needed re-strawing (?), and her shoes had lost whatever color they originally had. She must have had a hard life, or her credit card was maxed out for a long time.

I started with her clothes, giving her a netting skirt and a shiny belt. I re-strawed her broom and tied an orange ribbon around it. I used a leftover piece of burlap for her hat, glued her hat so it wasn't in her eyes, and lastly, added a black cat near her right foot.

I may not ever be a contestant on Project Runway, but I think I nailed my witch's outfit.

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 17

How's the weather where you live? October started in like a lamb, with unusual temps in the mid 70s, cooling off at night to around mid fifties. But as we near October 31, I know it's going to get nasty. Most years the weather is beautiful right up until the Monday before trick-or-treating. Bummer for the kids who want to show off their costumes. 

Today I upcycled a wooden cat figurine. It was originally pink and cute, but 'tis the season so I first out on its black coat. By the time I finished using my white Posca marker, the cat became a hybrid sugar skull skeleton. I couldn't decide on cute or creepy, and I got what you see here! 

While photographing my project, I decided to make the background black & white. Now the cat looks like he's camouflaged into the background. LOL I've put him in my window. I almost put him in between the glass and screen facing in, but my dog was not very happy with that! So Mr. Bones is facing out and behind the blinds most of the day.

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 16

 

One of my newest craft loves is to refresh my deck each season, which means year-round creating, upcycling and DIY-ing. Ever since I got my deck/front porch sealed and painted, I've had fun changing out different items for show. Today I took out the summer decor (from July 4th, whoops) and refreshed my door vases (which were also upcycled from a thrift store find).

I did run out of a little colorful something for one of the vases, but with luck I will have found whatever tickles my fancy, add it and retake the photo before this post publishes (yes, during October, I schedule some of my posts). Meanwhile, I now have a little Fall decorating my home: these vases with Autumn foliage, 2 stuffed scarecrows (store-bought), and a creepy Halloween wreath created last year. Not a bad start for the second, huh?!

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 15

 

For the better part of 2024, I have been anxiously trying to get to my Cloud backup, where I put ALL of my photos and digital stamps from my old laptop. We're talking pictures of family vacations, weddings, when my husband was alive; images from years of designing for teams on blogger; every scrapbook page I created on my own and at several scrap meets. I was frantic, not getting any response from the host except the message "we no longer support this version of...".

Just a month ago, I found a way to get in, and there everything was!! My most precious memories, a history of my growth as an artist, and all the images I collected and bought and received. And the first thing I did was buy a 128 GB flash drive. I am still in the process of copying EVERYTHING onto that drive. I don't think I can ever trust the cloud again...

My project today is a Design Team make for Halloween & Other Occasions All Year 'round.  I used an image from my "once lost but now found" inventory of digital images from Bugaboo Stamps. It's part of a series, and this one is called "the chosen one". I colored him with Copics and fussy-cut him out to place him into the scene, which is a cool and creepy  paper from Rucola Designs via Mischief Circus (from her Dead or Alive Series).

The paper is leftover from a DCWV stack, as well the assorted stickers. The spider web is a tiny piece of lace I cut off a larger piece. The crow is a silhouette from Google free clipart, and I printed my greeting in Algerian font.

I don't make a lot of Halloween cards as I don't send them out, but I often bring a handmade treat or gift to a neighbor during the holidays - any holidays!! LOL

Challenges I am Entering:

Shopping our Stash - Halloween

Try It on Tuesday - Halloween

 

Make My Monday - Kid-Friendly card

Two Old Bats Halloween - Halloween

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 14

 

I finally broke down and made one of those quaint road crossing signs I'm seeing everywhere on Pinterest. It actually turned out cuter than I thought it would. I dug into my bin of wood pieces and puled out a bag of thin wood pieces about 6"x2.5". After painting them with acrylic paints, I used my Posca markers to letter some of the "mysterious destinations" and also sticker letters for others. I made six, but the ones pictured here are my favorites.

I also dabbed on some Tim Holtz alcohol inks to "age" the signs so they look a tiny but weather-beaten. Instead of spending an hour looking for the "perfect stick" to attach them, My eyes spied a very old 12" ruler that had seen much better days. I hot glued my destination signs onto it and it looks pretty cool up against one of the bushes, half in and half out of the sun.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Halloween here at the Martin homestead. Do you decorate for this Autumn holiday? Do you make cards and send them out to neighbors and friends? Or do you just wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to let your creativity soar? In my neck of the woods, Halloween is getting to be as popularly decorated as Christmas. 

Challenges I am Entering:

Daisy Chain - Autumn and/or Halloween

Halloween & Other Occasions - Halloween

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 13

 

Today is October 13th! It would be cooler if it were a Friday instead of a Sunday, huh?! Anyway, today's make features the stars from Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas classic movie. Since I started decluttering the basement, I have found things I never even knew I had. Among my discoveries was a bag of (old) ping pong balls. 

I painted a face corresponding to a NBC character onto each ball. Meet Zero the dog, Sally, Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie. I also painted the bases of battery-operated tea lights black. Once everything was dry, I popped the "flame" part of the tea lights into the holes in the balls and I have lovely window decorations for the Big Day!!

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 12

 When I go into my basement to find craft supplies, I sometimes feel like Mary Poppins reaching into her carpetbag. I can pull out the most amazing things to work with, most of which I often don't remember having. Today's project uses one of those magical finds.

It was a very used  Halloween wreath made from painted, clipped clothespins on a wire wreath frame. A little burla, some dirty stickers and a crushed bow were all that remained on the original DIY  someone worked on to delight their children in times gone by. I had my work cut out for me...

Taking all the clothespins off I repainted them in bright orange, purple and black colors.. Some had originally been green but the ribbon I used didn't have a speck of green in it, so change of color scheme. While they were drying I rummaged around my Halloween supply box and found some wooden shapes that would look well on the finished wreath and cleaned them.

The wire frame consists of three attached circles. I clipped the pins orange, purple black so that in theory the same order would go around the whole wreath. I didn't allow for the broken clothespins I had pulled off and didn't replace. Their empty "slots" would be where the large orange and black ribbon and bow are hiding them...

Once pins were in place as well as the ribbon, I hot glued the wooden shapes asymmetrically, adding some small skull buttons to fill in what I though of as gaps. I used black carabiner rope for a hanger and my door now showcases a "new" Halloween wreath. I think I gave this wreath the fresh breath it needed. What do you think?

Challenges I am Entering

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes

LeighSB Designs Inspiration - Anything Halloween Goes + optional twist Catoween

Moving along with the Times - Autumnal Colors

Classic Design - Autumn/Fall

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 11

 Today I decided to upcycle this fashionable witch I had found from one of my many trips to local thrift stores. Her hat was torn, her broom needed  re-strawing (is that even a word?) and her shoes "were last year's, dahling."...  So I gave her a makeover.

I repaired her dress, added a belt, made a new hat for her, styled her hair, painted her shoes and the base on which she stands, and re-strawed her broom. I even added a black cat in front of her right foot, tho' it's hard to see. I didn't have to dig into the air dry clay I discovered while decluttering my supplies, so it was an easy upcycle and she's ready for Fashion Week in Paris. I hope she can get a good price on airfare. Oh, wait, she doesn't need a silly plane to get there... 

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY10

 This happens to be one of my favorite projects this Halloween. I bought these yard flamingoes way back in May or June from the Dollar store and kept them tucked away for this month. I sprayed each with black chalk paint. I loved using my Posca markers to draw the birds' skeletons on both sides. Then made sure to seal them with gloss varnish so they would last more than the first year.

They came with small metal rods to stick in the yard. 

While I was at the Dollar Store last month, I heard 2 moms talking about how most of the Halloween decorations were scary and grotesque and they weren't buying them. I thought about all the younger kids who love to trick-or-treat in my neighborhood, and decided to put on these over-sized googly eyes to lessen the grotesqueness of them. Personally, I think the eyes make them look like naked chickens now, but that's just me and my overactive imagination (or do you see the chickens, too?).

Only 21 days left before Halloween! Did you buy enough candy to go around? If you like this idea, mark your 2025 calendars to buy the flamingoes in Spring!! I have three more to add to my flock if I have the time...'

Challenges I am Entering:

Craft Rocket - Autumn/Halloween

Crafty Gals Corner - AG w/optional Make It Spooky

Shopping our Stash - Halloween

Crafters' Cafe - Include a Critter

Crafty Animals - Must include animal

 

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 9

 

Here's my second Dollar Store DIY using plastic partyware and a little creativity. Today I used a leftover ghost from last year. He stands atop one of two plastic trays whose bottoms I painted black. Between the tiers is a glass lined with lace. The top tray is lined with gold jewels. Simple but plenty of spirit for a Halloween class party, party or to entertain friends over an afternoon snack.

My only regret is that I had to use E6000 glue in addition to hot glue so that my trays wouldn't fall apart, which makes them difficult to store. But can you just see the finger sandwiches I can serve to my friends...

welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 8

 

I went to one of Amazon's reject stores, this one called Arlington Heights Treasure Chest. It's where Amazon dumps a lot of their returns and sometimes defective or "missing pieces/parts" items. They rotate every 7 days, where Thursday is their RESTOCK day. Then the prices stat high and by Wednesday items are $1 each. I've gone twice, once on a Monday and once on a big bargain Wednesday. 

I picked up a closed package for a buck and didn't open it until I got home. Sometimes you can open the packages. Often they're already opened. If you're lucky you can even test them before you buy. I got lucky that Wednesday. When I opened my box, I found a dozen witch's hats -- for $1! I immediately wanted to string them up to add to this year's decorations.

It took a plastic needle, invisible fishing line and large paperclips before I had my line of Halloween hats to hang outside. 

Chicago being the kind of city where the weather is full of surprises right up to the day of Halloween, I plan to put these up only a few days before trick-or-treating starts. Nothing worse than a wet witch's hat (except a wet witch...).

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 7

I got out my canvases and acrylic paints today! Although I used black canvases, I always like to paint them black as well. That's so the rest of the paint doesn't get soaked into the canvas. After the background paint dried, I drew out the shape of my ghost with a white Posca paint marker, then his eyes.  

After painting the ghost and letting it dry, I used the marker again for the letter B and my BOO canvas is complete. I created three of these and put them in frames. Easy, peasy. One for each window in my living room...oops, just sold one to my neighbor!! 

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween DAY 6

 

Today's project is a craft that comes from several different leftovers. I had the swag made of sticks that I had to re-tie. The pumpkins came from a nasty wreath that I had tossed, keeping the wooden pieces for later (or rather now). I had to repaint them to give them life (call me Mrs. Frankenstein).

The leaves are the last of my collection of felt Fall leaves, which I adhered onto the branches after wiring the pumpkins to to sticks . I also made a loop of wire from which to hang my decoration. It was an assembly job, for sure, but worth scrounging around for all the pieces. 

I love to decorate my front porch for Halloween. I put things in the windows, on the door, along the railings, even in the corners of the stairs. Since I created several wreaths, I'm putting the Pumpkin trio in one of my windows this year.

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Crafty Calendar - ANything Goes

Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - Halloween

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Craft Rocket - Autumn or Halloween

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 5

 

Are you hosting a Halloween party? I love a good costume party. The last one I hosted featured a toilet boiling over with smoke from Hell, a buffet of body part foods, music, dancing and a scavenger hunt (never again, we lost 2 couples during the hunt).

Our house was decked out from bathroom to bedroom, family room to kitchen. It helps to have creative serving dishes to offer creepily delicious treats to your guests. Like my cupcake/treats tower shown above. Can you believe it started out Barbie pink?!

I spayed painted my tower black. After drying I used a box of thin plastic bats in various sizes along the lowest tier's edge. I adhered larger bats to the top. You can fill it with cupcakes, but I like to put various treats like nuts, chex mix, popcorn, etc. in cupcake liners for guests to carry around and munch on. You can even hollow out real mini pumpkins, line the insides and fill with whatever snack you want (you can also use plastic pumpkins for the same ghoulish look).

I love this holiday season! So many entertaining ideas to get into the spirit of the occasion!! 

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 4

 

Today I want to shine the light on my, well, Halloween Light!! I inherited a handful of candlestick lights one can place in windows. I decided to glam it up for Halloween by placing a skull onto the lightbulb. To cover the dull black base and stem, I wound floral branches from top to bottom. On the base I adhered green moss and a few well-placed spiders and it looks cool. I can't wait to set it in my front window and wait for the kiddies!!

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 3

 

This summer I had bought several plastic serving trays and glasses with which to make tiered dessert trays for an event. Before I had made them all, I discovered that the pastries being plated were going to be too heavy for my platters to hold up. Instead of returning all the pieces, I reinforced the trays and created Halloween hospitality cookie trays.

This first tray uses two thick clear plastic trays held together with a sturdy plastic champagne glass in the middle. Before attaching the two, I spray-painted the bottom of the trays orange. The tops of the trays are paint-free and safe to place cookies or candy on them. For decoration, I simply added a ceramic pumpkin using hot glue and E6000. Isn't he a cutie?! I can see this being used during a school class party.  My days of hosting Halloween parties is over, but I have plenty of neighbors whose kids are in grade school...

Have you ever made Halloween-themed foods or drinks? For the kids, I've made hotdogs wrapped with Pillsbury biscuit slices to look like mummies, a cake that was decorated to look like a graveyard and pumpkin juice, which is just orange soda poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For adults, I've made a few cocktails and Jello shots. The RV park where I have my trailer hosts a Halloween weekend and the treats for both kids and adults is crazy out of this world! My nephew went out with his wife and came back completely snockered!

Welcome to 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 2

 

Last year I found a bundle of dream catchers for a steal at a thrift store. This year I put one of them to good use. I first sprayed it with black spray paint, including the outer rim. I pulled out three large black flowers and covered the middle of each with a plastic skull. Before adhering the flowers to the catcher, I slipped a Fall leaf behind each black bloom. After gluing on the sparkly orange bow, I decided it needed something extra. I rummaged around my button jar and pulled out several stars and ghosts and glued each onto the "web" part of the dream catcher. I added a tiny skull to the bow and now I have a Nightmare Catcher for Halloween this year! 

Do you dream in color or black & white? The first time I realized I dreamt in color was when I woke up remembering my dream of bright billowing purple smoke coming out of the fireplace (which I don't have, by the way). Ever since then, I've tried to pay more attention, but most mornings I forget my dreams very quickly.

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Unicorn Challenges - Autumn or Halloween

Halloween & Other Occasions Craft all year 'round - themed card or craft

Welcome to the 31 Days of Halloween - DAY 1

 As in previous years, I'm attempting to offer Halloween hand-mades every day in October culminating in All Hallows' Eve. I love this holiday only second to Christmas. In fact, the craft fair at which I sold my hand-mades were specifically Halloween and Christmas artwork and crafts. 

This year, Dollar Store has wizened up and their offerings are better than ever, making it tougher for crafters to offer nice decor at a reasonable price. Also, Pinterest and YouTube has helped clear the shelves of seasonal items, and there is nothing left at my store for Halloween (and very little for Christmas). But you can still use everyday items for holiday hand-mades. Just think ahead...

In the meantime, I have a question for you---When do you start decorating for Halloween? My daughter loves to start on the 1st of the month. She's a crafter herself, so I'll be interested in what she brings to the table. I have all kinds of goodies to show you. Some are from Pinterest, and some are originals from my own diabolical mind. A few of them are supplies I had to buy early this summer...

Today I'm offering up an accidental decoration for my living room. I had a witch's hat left over from my craft fair and placed it onto our living room fan (it's still fairly warm weather here in Chicago. The eyes were already on the fan, thanks to my daughter). 

Check out my blog daily for new Halloween craft ideas. As always, have fun and keep crafting...