Lollipop Ghosts

Somebody Stop Me! I just can't stop making stuff for Halloween.  This morning, I made these for the extra special costumed trick or treaters. 

Supplies:

1. Tootsie Pops

2. Kleenex (preferrably unused..hahahah! I kid, I kid)

3. string

4. black marker

Wrap the single kleenex around the tootsie pop:

Tie the string around the ghosts "neck".

Draw a simple face on the kleenex.  I use 2 black dots for the eyes and one for the mouth.

I plan on passing these out the the best costumes tonight!

Ok, I am DONE with Halloween.  Seriously!

Have a GREAT night!

Happy Halle-Ween!

I did one last little "HalleWeen" project, and just in the nick of time. 

I bought the oval plaques at the dollar store. Painted them warm white, added a coat of crackle medium, then painted them black.   I LOVE the crackle medium!

Hubby helped me get the letters on the plaque.  My homeade stencil was too hard to cut out with an exacto knife, so he free handed the outline of the letter.  I like the effect because the letter looks less perfect. I'm lovin' the hand drawn effect.

Finally, I added some black glitter to the edges of all the plaques.  Then hung 3 different patterned black and white ribbons.  Voila!

I love how it turned out.

Love!! 

Hope you have a happy Halle-Ween!

Curtains!

Curtains, I tell ya, CURTAINS! 

We've been very busy with the leaking pipe issues in the last week.  2 appraisals and OMG expensive.

Soooo, I thought I would write a post about something I care about...I made curtains and I didn't sew a stitch!

I bought some fabric (half off!) at the fabric store and used iron on fusable webbing to hem all the edges.  It was very easy, compared to actually sewing.  The fusable webbing works and holds up so well.  

I knew I would never need to close these curtains, so I bought 2 of the shortest curtain rods I could find and that is what I used on each side of the windows. I hung them with little curtain hanging rings. 

At first they were just hanging there and I thought they would look better bunched up and tied. 

To achieve this "bunched up" effect on each curtain panel, I took some burgandy ribbon and a small cup hook (screwed into the wall behind each panel).  I tied the ribbon tight around the curtain panel, then hung the ribbon onto the cup hook. Then fluffed.

This fabric is sooooo lovely.

I love it!!!  I don't usually do burgandy, but I'm starting to become fond of it. 

I think I will have to change everything else in the room to go with these curtains!  I love them.  And the fact that I made them myself makes me really happy.

One more thing I did to give them a lil' something special...I thought the tops needed some ooomph. So I stuffed the curtain rod pocket area with tissue paper.  Now they are fluffy and perky at the top. Love!!

If you have been contimplating doing some home made curtains, I totally think you should GO FOR IT!  It was super easy.  Iron on fuseable webbing was so simple!

Have a great day!

Housecapated!

We found out we have ANOTHER leak in the main water supply line that runs from the outside meter to our house. 

What does this mean? Every house has a main water supply pipe that runs from your water meter to your house, underground. This is the one and only supply line that brings water into your house.  I noticed that our water bill had doubled in the last 2 months, so we knew we had a problem. 

It was easy to diagnose, because this happened to us just last year.

We shut off the master water valve in the crawlspace, then checked the meter outside...the happy little arrows on the meter were still spinning away.  That means...yahoo....another leak. 

Last year when this happened, we had to dig a huge hole through our driveway, dig down 4 feet, replace the leaking pipe section, then fill the hole back up and replace the concrete.  VERY labor intensive.  Hubby did all the work with his dad and uncle, poor guys. 

This time, we are going to have to replace the entire water supply line.  Can you tell how happy I am about this?  NOT!

We have a guy coming out tomorrow to give us a quote on the cost to replace the entire line. (Please be a quote that doesn't make me pass out, please oh please oh please!).   

I think replacing the entire water line is the only way to go so that this whole situation does not become an annual repair-a-thon. 

I know this is a boring subject...but this is the type of stuff that I really detest when it comes to home ownership.  I know all homes have repairs, but REALLY the MAIN water supply line that runs under our DRIVEWAY?!  Let me remind you that this house is only 21 years old.  Let me also remind you that we have only been here for 3 of those 21.  3 years and 2 leaks in the main water supply line....Really?!

All I want to do is paint, and decorate and paint some more.  It really buggers me when the fun projects get totally sidelined by boring and expensive ones....I'm feeling Housecapated!!

Thanks for bearing with me.

UPDATE:  $3500 before tax.  They replaced the line in 1 day.  After the all was said and done, almost $4000 for one afternoon of work.  At least its done now.  Hope this house doesnt have anything major break for a while now. 

Halloween Wreath

I made a Halloween Wreath this week.  I used a styrofoam wreath, black paint and tons of ribbon. I have a lot of ribbon laying around. I kinda have a "problem" with ribbon. Especially grosgrain...I love it!

First, I bought a 10 inch styrofoam wreath at the dollar store and painted it black (I've seen these same hard styrofoam wreaths at the craft store for $5.  I only paid ONE dollar for mine at The Dollar Tree).

Do you like my fancy dancy paper plate palette?

Wreath during painting process.

Next I cut 14 inch long sections of ribbon:

Then I started tying the ribbon on using a double knot. 

I alternated the ribbon colors, making a pattern. You just tie and tie and TIE ribbon all the way around.  When that was done, I cut all the ribbon ends in a slant:

To prevent the ribbons from fraying, I "heat sealed" the ends.  This was just a matter of taking a lighter and getting the flame almost touching the ribbon end...only do this for 1 or 2 seconds.  BE CAREFUL, I managed to burn only one finger.  Bonus!

Then I hung one long ribbon to the top and took a pic:

I wasn't totally loving it, so I added a little wooden sign that I have had for years.

Here she is!!

The photos really don't do it justice. It's super cute in person.  I think I will hang it on my front door!

I might still do some adjusting to it.  I think that I might add a few more swiss dot black ribbon pieces...that is, if I can find it!  I could only do the lower half of the wreath because I ran out and I can't find it at the fabric store.  I haven't checked Michael's yet...hope they have some.  OR, I will just take the 7 strips that are on there already, and rearrange them to be more spaced out??!  Well, not tonight. Im all tuckered out!

Have a great day!

Monogram Craft

I love these, and I love that I made them myself!

First,  I bought a pack of hard, flat canvas panels at the craft store.

Next, I painted them dark brown with Burnt Umber acrylic paint:

For the "W" canvas, I took my craft store plastic stencil and 'Rich Espresso Metallic/ craft paint, and with my handy dandy Spouncer I painted the background for the "W":

Next, I printed out a "W" using Word and then cut it out with an exacto knife. I don't have a picture of the "W" stencil I made, but here is a pic of other monogram stencils I have made:

Just a little advice: I have made the stencils out of regular printer paper and I have made them with white card stock. I think both work fine.  Sometimes printer paper is better because it is flexible to work with a curved or an (new word alert) un-flat (??) surface.

  Next, I taped the "W" onto the canvas and filled in the W with a creamy white. I used white craft paint with a tiny dab of the Rich Espresso craft paint mixed in to get the perfect off-white color.

As seen above, here is the finished "W" monogram:

For the Fleur de Lis, I used the same process.  I painted the entire canvas with burnt umber, then took a pre-made craft store stencil, Rich Espresso Metallic craft paint, and spouncer.

That's it! It really was very easy to do and I have since made one for my friend. I think they make great gifts and add a special touch to your home.

Have a great Monday!!

I WIN!

Happy Friday everyone!  I am so excited.  Not sure if you heard me.... I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

I won a giveaway! Yay!!  I've never won one before, so indulge me here :).

Over at Hoity Toity Baby, I was put into a random drawing for a saaaaweeet cookbook written by Jessica Seinfeld. And..I actually won! YAY Again! 

I've had a rough week with both my kids being sick and this really made me feel better!

I'm off to buy a lottery ticket! I mean..err... Back to decorating!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Halloween Decor

Fall blew into the Pacific Northwest today.  It really feels like Halloween outside and so I got started on my decorating.  I don't think its too early...only 2 days left until October!!

I tried to make most of my decorations this year. Or at least use more creativity than I have in the past.  We LOVE Halloween at my house and it is a month long celebration for us. 

Here are some items that I've put out already.

Caw Caw Caw-ute Entry:

The twig pumpkins are from Target. They were in the $1 section, and were only $2.50 each.  I fancied them up by putting them on candleholders and putting black maribou underneath.  I also put some ribbon around the middle of the candlesticks to add some Halloween spice.  The 2 crows were from the Dollar Tree. Score!

Freaky Family Room Mantel:

I think the glitter skulls are my favorite this year.  You can get them everywhere. Even the Dollar Tree!

Here's a lil' graveyard-ish scene...not sure where its final resting place will be (pun intended):

 

Spooky Formal Living Room:

I cannot take the entire credit for coming up with the glittery skulls, in glass, spanish moss combo. I was deeply inspired by this post at Let it Shine. That post got me kicked into full-on Halloween decorating mode! Thanks Alyshia!

 

I already owned the candle holder. I bought the glitter skull at JoAnn Fabric (they are also at the Dollar Tree). I got the Spanish Moss at the Dollar tree and the Spooky sign for 2.99 at Target.  About a $5 project. I loved it so much I made 2 of them!

Hope you enjoyed looking at these.  I am going to make a Halloween wreath next. Fingers crossed!

Halloween Preview

My daughter was really sick all weekend, so I haven't had a chance to add a new post. I am going to get one up today. 

Here is a preview:

More coming later...I just didn't want you to think I'd forgotten my ladies!!  Now off to make chicken noodle soup for my lil' sickie.  Poor girl.

Award Time!

Happy Friday everyone!

As I mentioned earlier this week, I received my first blog award from Chantel at Growing Up...Townsend Style!   Now it is my turn to pass the award on to 6 of you, listed below.

 Award Winners!:
 
1. Beverly at The 3 Clutters - She was my first follower and her blog is great.  Go Bev!!
 
2. Koo and Poppet - She has cute Etsy shop and blog.  I love her handmade misfit creatures!
 
3.  Hoity Toity Baby - Great blog content and great blog name.
 
4. Miss Mustard Seed - She is a fabulous painter.  Very intricate and very lovely.
 
5. Fiona and Twig - Anne is very creative and loves everything vintage.   I like her already!
 
6.  I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor - Helene had her SITS day this week and that is how I found her.  Her writing is so witty, so funny and so TRUE!
 
Ladies - HERE is your award (loud applause).
 
 

As part of receiving the award there is a fun survey. After taking it, pass it onto the recipients you choose.

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award:
1. You Can Only Use One Word in your survey answers!
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!!!
4. Have fun!
Here is my survey::

1. Where is your cell phone? - Counter
2. Your hair? - Ponytail
3. Your mother? - Tired
4. Your father?- Busy
5. Your favorite food?- Italian
6. Your dream last night?- Weirrrrd.
7. Your favorite drink?- Tea
8. Your dream/goal?- Self-employed
9. What room are you in? Family
10. Your hobby? - Hairbows
11. Your fear? - Death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? - Healthy
13. Where were you last night? - Bed
14. Something that you aren’t? - Mean
15. Muffins? - Ok!
16. Wish list item? - House
17. Where did you grow up? - Texas
18. Last thing you did? - Coffee
19. What are you wearing? - PJs
20. Your TV? - On
21. Your pets? - Dog
22. Friends? - Lovely
23. Your life? - Full
24. Your mood? - Focused
25. Missing someone? - BFF
26. Vehicle? - Liberty
27. Something you’re not wearing? - Makeup
28. Your favorite store? - JoAnn
29. Your favorite color? - Black
30. When was the last time you laughed? - Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? - Unknown
32. Your best friend? Many
33. One place that I go to over and over? Target
34. One person who emails me regularly? Trish
35. Favorite place to eat? Restaurant

Have a great weekend!