4x4 pumpkins

I saw these pumpkins around the internet a while back. 

They were cute and looked easy!!

I went to my local hardware store.

I bought a 8 foot long 4x4 and had them cut

2   13 1/2 in.

2   15 1/2 in.

2   18 1/2 in.

That is exactly enough for 2 sets.

And it was only around $9!

 I painted them with a bright orange paint.
(while having a coke) 

Sanded the edges with my handy little mouse sander.

Found some twigs from around the yard for the stems.

My husband is giving "power tool lessons". 

This is one of the 1st ones. 

So I got to drill the holes in the top.

I was going to use E000. 

 But decided on the trusty glue gun.

(just so you know...you can NEVER go wrong with a glue gun)

Then glued all the twigs in and let them dry.

Embellished them a little with green wire that I had laying around

and some burlap.

And there you have a

cute little set of pumpkins for around $5.00!!

Haunted Tree...and our Giveaway Winners!!!

I had to do one more decoration for Halloween!

Since it is almost here!!

I saw this Haunted Tree on Wood You Like To Craft....and thought it was so cute!

I had to make my own version....

I started my drawing my tree on a piece of 1/2 inch MDF.  Mine is about 3 feet tall.  I drew one side along the edge of the board, then just traced it for the other pieces...and added a top to the center piece. 

After cutting it out with a jigsaw, we glued the side pieces in place with wood glue.

Throw on some black paint and that's it! 

There are so many cute ways you could decorate this!

I decided to go with bats....

I cut the bat shape out of 1/4 in. wood.....painted the edges black and modge podged some Halloween scrapbook paper onto both sides.  To hang them I just used fishing line tied around each wing.

I think my house is finally Halloween ready!! 

And now for our Giveaway Winners!!!!

Day 1.......

Margaret Ray

Day 2.......

Jeannie

Day 3.......

Amber Baker

Day 4..........

Christine

And Day 5.....................

Wendy Higgs

{Email us at youretoocrafty@gmail.com

with your address so we can get your prizes to you!}

Thank you to everyone who participated!!

Paper Mache Witches Hat

Ever want to make something fun, but don't want to go to the store and spend money on supplies?

Ya, me too. 

That was my challenge with this project....to use only what I had on hand.

I wanted an embellished witches hat....only,  I didn't have a hat.

So I made my own...out of paper mache.

I am NOT an expert in paper mache...{I think I've only made a couple pinatas...that's it}

I'm sure there is a more accurate way...but here's what I did.

I started with a piece of cardboard...and cut it into a ring for the brim of the hat.

Then I gathered the rest of my supplies....duct tape, newspaper, and a bowl of flour and water mixed into a runny paste. 

I made a tube out of the newspaper that fit into the ring of the hat and duct taped it so it was the right size to fill it up.

Next step....cut around the newspaper every couple of inches about 2 inches down, and tape it in place with duct tape.  Go all around the ring. . 

 It doesn't have to be pretty

It should look like this.  A long tube.

Now form the newspaper into the shape you want. 

I wanted mine to have a little character, so I made it kind of funky with a bend to it. 

Now, using lots of duct tape, tape it up so it holds that shape.

Then start covering your mold with small strips of newspaper that you drench in the paste.

It is MESSY....so put something under you.  Yuck.

I did 3 layers, letting it dry completely in between, so it won't mold.

Now paint and decorate!

{the funnest part} 

I used what I had and made some flowers out of burlap.

I also threw on a piece of beaded garland I had laying around.

Set it on top of a candle stick for a little height, and you're done!

Too Cute To Spook!!

This trio of ghosts was so fun to create!

{Maybe because my little ones were EXTRA involved in the process...

which always makes for an adventure.}

Here is what you need for the ghosts:

White Felt

Black Buttons

Black Embroidery Floss/Needle

Stuffing

 

Draw up a pattern any shape you want.  Mine were pretty big and each filled up a piece of copy paper.  I didn't have room to draw the bottom piece on the paper, so I left room on the material to cut it out.

See how I left some extra material when I cut the bottoms? 

You will need that to tie your bow around.

Next step....embroidery a simple smile and add some button eyes. 

Now, haul out the sewing machine....get the kids situated on your lap (because you know as soon as you fire that baby up, that is where they want to be)...and sew around the ghosts, right sides together, leaving the bottom open.   

Turn right side out, and stuff. 

Now you need to make some stands.  I used a small square of wood that I drilled a hole in, inserted a dowel, and painted black  I cut my dowels different lengths so the ghosts are at various heights. 

Put your dowel up through the bottom of the ghost, and tie with a big burlap bow!

A "spooky" wreath...

 There are a million wreaths out there that I love right now! 

If only I had enough walls to hang them on. 

 I made this one with my sister in September and held off hanging it until October 1st because it is definitely a Halloween wreath and not just a "fall" one. 

Here are the supplies you need:

5 to 7 yards of Black tulle cut into 1 in x 7 in. strips

a wire wreath form (or a wire hanger)

an orange ribbon (or a polka dot one would be adorable)

and someone to talk to while you tie them all on!

Tie them on using a a slip knot.
And just keep tying.

We had two wreath forms. After deciding that it was going to take FOREVER, and possibly 10 more yards of tulle. I decided to use a wire hanger and make mine. It looks a little mis-formed. But I just kept tying them on and then bent it a little when I was finished. 

I am a thrifty crafter.  I like to know how much everything is going to cost before I start. 

 This was a very inexpensive wreath. 

The wire hanger was free. 

The tulle was $1.23 a yard from my local Walmart (for a total of $8.53 if you use all 7 yards). 

And the orange ribbon was bought for less than 20 cents a yard. 

A cute wreath for less than $10.00!!

Spider Web Cake Stand

Just like everyone else in blog land, I have been kind of obsessed with cake stands lately. 

So here is my Halloween version to add to your collection.  It is super fast and easy! 

{Now, just so you know...I am not super technical.  I kind of just fly by the seat of my pants and make do with what I have.  That's what's fun about being creative!  You just kind of go with it...right? }

I started with a 12 inch square piece of wood, and marked it off, dividing it in fourths.   

Then draw lines again diagonally, corner to corner, but only out 6 inches each way from the center.  This makes the circular shape.  Making sense so far?

Next step.  Use all your artistic ability to connect each line with a weblike swoop. 

Now you have your web ready to cut. 

Watch your fingers.....:)

Now paint!  I used a couple coats of black paint....then redrew my lines with a white paint pen...

and free handed the rest of the web. 

Last step is the base.  I used a Dollar Store candlestick that I spray painted black and glued to the bottom with E6000. 

That's it! 

A fun way to SpOoKiFy your kitchen counter!