Halloween Costume Ideas {for next year!}

Hi Pocket of Pink readers! We’re very excited to be guest posting today (and more than a little jealous about that Hawaii trip…)! We are Nat and Ash, and we are 2 cousins who love to craft, sew, decorate, and we have 7 kids between us (5 boys for Nat, 2 girls for Ash). So our blog is a hodgepodge of everything we’re interested in, and a way for us to keep track of our successes and failures! We’d love for you to come over and say hi! Here’s a list of our tutorials if you want to see our projects over the last year. Seeing as how it’s so close to Halloween, I thought I’d share some of our favorite costume helps from this past month. It’s been lots of fun, and tomorrow, tune in on our blog for our family’s costume reveal!

I shared a bunch of our family costumes from year’s past here…

And Nat shared some here…

I shared some wings I made here

My girls showed off their gloves here

And here are 2 skirts I made for them for Halloween this year

I dip dyed my hair with strawberry Kool-Aid here to show you my results…You know, in case you want your hair to be a different color for Halloween

And Nat finishes off the costumes some customizable trick or treat bags!

Halloween Door Decor

Hi! I'm Emily from 52 Mantels, a blog about all things home including weekly mantel makeovers, easy DIY projects, seasonal crafts and simple recipes! I'm blessed to be the stay-at-home mother to one adorable little girl and the lucky wife to an ever-supportive hubby (who puts up with my endless projects!).

Halloween is less than one week away and the countdown is officially ON! I don't know about you, but this coming weekend is full of Halloween festivities for my family. If you're planning a little Halloween gathering, or simply want to make your home the best Trick or Treat spot on the block, you'd better get your craft on soon! Today I've got 5 crafty ideas to help you finish your Halloween decor in style! 

I love decorating my mantel seasonally and Halloween is no exception. To see the last 4 Halloween mantelscapes that have been on my mantel, go check out my Halloween Mantel Round-up!

A little Glow-in-the-Dark paint and chipboard pennants come together to create this fun Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Banner. It's the perfect amount of spooky fright to delight any trick-or-treater.

Another favorite of mine in seasonal decor are free printables! I typically have one simple, white frame that I rotate printables through all year long. To download my Free Halloween Printable, click here!

If you're looking for a wreath alternative for your door this year, try out my easy Burlap Door Hanging. It's fun, whimsical and slightly unexpected!

Have you ever tried tracing an image using a charcoal transfer method? That's exactly what I did to create this easy, hand-painted Halloween sign. Once you learn this method, you'll try it out for all sorts of home decor projects (I promise!)! 

From 52 Mantels, have a Happy, Crafty Halloween! 

7 Simple Halloween Gift Ideas!

Hey Everyone! I'm Laurie and for about a year I've had a blog titled The Rookie Wife. Recently though I found out I was preggers so to celebrate I created a brand spankin' NEW blog where I can update on all things related to baby and also my upcoming projects and my adventures of decorating our NEW house which we move into at the end of this month. I totally LOVE Karen and her adorable blog, so I jumped at the chance to Guest Post for her!


"This is Halloween, This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, HALLLLLOWEEEN!!!"

So maybe I've been watching one too many Halloween movies. & The Nightmare Before Christmas is totally one of my favs.

I LOVE Halloween, not really sure what I love about it exactly. Maybe I love dressing up in crazy costumes, or all the candy I get to steal  um, "borrow" from my son. I love the scary haunted houses and the cool fall nights.

I've been pin happy when it comes to Halloween on Pinterest. (Sorry if you are a Pinterest follower!) I've collected quite a few awesome, but simple Halloween "gift" ideas. These are cute gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, or just somebody you wanna wish a Happy Halloween too!

I mean, how easy is playdoh to make? REALLY. This is a super cute idea for a class gift. Of course Nick is way old and would totally kill me if I gave him playdoh to give as gifts. However, it would go over well with the 6 year old and younger set.

Love the candy bouquet. Because, let's face it.. who the heck doesn't love candy? If you don't love candy.. well. Something is seriously wrong with you.

I LOVE mason jars, so therefore I love GIFTS in Mason Jars. Can someone make this for me? Please?!?????

Totally cute idea! Some cake mix, cake icing, cupcake wrappers, sprinkles and a cute kitchen towel all placed in a cute bucket to give as a gift. So easy, and cheap!

Probably my fav gift idea for teachers, after all. Germs ARE Scary. And you can get these for a steal at Bath and Body works. Last time I Checked they were 2 for $10. With the 20% off coupon you really can't beat the price.

Totally copying this idea for Nicks class treats this year, adorable, easy and fun. 

How stinkin' cute is this gift in a jar? You can really make jar gifts work for any holiday for any occasion. and it takes, what? like 3 minutes to put together? That's all it takes to totally make someones day. :)

Love all these awesome ideas!  I have to admit, I LOVE Halloween as well!  Thanks for stopping by Laurie!

16 DIY Halloween Crafts!

I just want to give a big "Thank You" to those of you who have stepped up to help me with guest posting while I am away!  You all are the best!  

You are sure in for a treat starting October 24!  There will be some STELLAR Bloggers here introducing their blogs and talents.  I hope you will all visit their blogs and say Hi!

Now on to some fun Halloween projects that I have done in the past, I thought I would share with you in case you weren't a follower back then!

1.  Black Pedestool redo

2.  Fall Burlap Wreath

3.  Boo Blocks and recycled Juice Can

4. Fall Topiaries

5.  Boo Plaque

6.  Autumn Burlap Table Runner

7.  Simple Happy Halloween Card

8.  Trick or Treat Blocks

9.  Boo Mini Cards

10.  Halloween Banner

11.  Boo Spider Tags

12.  Smell my Feet Plaque redo
13.  Autumn Leaves Mini Cards

14.  Happy Halloween Blocks

15.  Spooky Subway Art

16.  Trick or Treat Wreath

 These are some of my favorite projects I have done in the past.  I hope you enjoy them!

Happy Friday!

Easy DIY Fall and Halloween projects!

Hello there! 

Can you believe it's October 1st?  I am amazed how quickly it has come, but I have to say I am VERY excited!  It means I can officially decorate for Fall, right?

I kindof like to mix my Fall and Halloween decor, so I have a bit of both around the house.  

My first one is this cute Harvest Time plaque from Finger Snapper.  I am SO addicted to their Craft Kits!  You should go check them out.

I just love how easy they are to put together!  All I had to do was paint the pumpkin, add some scrapbook paper to the board and paint the stand black.  EASY huh? 

Here's one I did for Halloween.  I bought 2 kits and made them a little different:

Isn't this little guy adorable?  I am going to give 1 of them away to a friend.

I hope she likes Houndstooth!  I sure do:)

I love how friendly Frankie looks!  His face is adorable.

Are you working on Halloween projects already?  I always get so excited about Halloween!!

DIY Spooky Boo Frame

Hello friends! 

Today I want to share with you my Spooky Boo Frame:

Everything I made this with I already had on hand!  Super cheap and Easy:)

Supplies you will need:

-Old frame from thrift store {I got mine at Salvation Army for about 1$}

-Paint {I used Black and Wedding Cake white}

-Sponge brush

-vinyl lettering {or you could cut the letters out of paper}

-scrapbook paper

-sticky back foamie pumpkins {I think I got these at Micheal's}

1. Grab your frame and take the glass and backing out.

2. Paint the frame black using foam brush {I just did 1 coat}.

3. Pick your scrapbook paper and trace the size out using the backing on the frame.

4. Just a cool picture of what my paper looks like!

5. Frame painted and with paper inserted.

6. Sponge brush over black paint with white paint.  I didn't cover all the black. I like the way it makes it look kinda spooky!

7. Apply pumpkins and vinyl lettering to paper {not the glass on the frame!}

8.  Slide the finished masterpiece into the frame.

Now you have a cute decoration that you can switch out with other fun inserts! 

I love interchangeable decorations:)

Hope your having a fantastic weekend!!

This was previously posted at Katie {Did}it as part of her Halloween series.

Bead board Photo Display with i Love to Create Puffy Paint!

Hi friends!  Hope your week is going well!  Today I have something fun to share with you!

 

 Last week I was sent a package of i Love to Create puffy paint to do a craft project with.  

When I opened the box, my 10 yr. old was SUPER excited!  The paint is gorgeous and the colors were vibrant and NEON.  They were so fun to work with.

Here are the supplies I used:

-i Love to Create Puffy Paint (found at Walmart!)

-bead board

-magnetic board

-Martha Stewart Black Metal Metallic paint

-scrapbook paper

-Wooden spider (Michael's)

-Mod Podge

-super glue

1.  I picked out the paper I wanted to use to cover the metal board with. 

2. I painted the bead board with the Black Metal Metallic Paint. 

3.  I covered the metal board with the paper using Mod Podge. 

4. After that was dry, I glued the metal board to the bead board with Super Glue. 

5. I did the border on the bead board with the Puffy Paint.  I let that dry for several hours.

6. I painted the cute wooden spider black and made the eyes and outlines with the puffy paint.  I let that dry for about 2 hours.  I then glued the spider on the wood.

7.   I used some cute little Halloween magnets that I made a while back to hold the cute picture of my daughter! 

Done!  

I love how it turned out and I love it that my daughter did this with me and even gave me some cool ideas:)

I can't wait to display this project in my house this Fall!

Find my post disclosure here.

DIY 4-Sided Wood Holiday Stackers

I sure love making crafts for my own home, but I always have a hard time finding a place to store them all! 

 This craft saves you A TON of room (and money), because it's one decoration that can be used for 4 seasons!

I love this craft because each side of the blocks are for a different season.  Awesome:)

I love how you simply have to just flip them over and you've got a different season!

Here's the Fall side.  I used different scrapbook paper for each side.

My favorite side!  Love me some Halloween:)  The different fonts are so whimsical and cute!

Supplies:

Vinyl lettering

Wood

scrapbook paper

Mod Podge

acrylic paint (I used light ivory)

sand paper

I ordered these blocks of wood and vinyl from Finger Snapper.  They have fantastic deals on their site.  It's certainly worth visiting!

I didn't take pictures of the process, but it's so dang easy!  First I sanded the wood to make it nice and smooth.  Then, I painted the wood with one coat of light ivory paint.

Next, I measured each paper to fit the wood, then Mod Podged the paper onto the wood.  Make sure you use something to smooth the paper down (like one of those scrapers from Pampered Chef!).  You don't want any air bubbles.  

After all of the paper is adhered and the Mod Podge is dried (about 1/2 hour), I sanded the edged of the paper until it was smooth to the wood.  Make sure no paper is lifting up.  If it is just glue it down with more Mod Podge.

After the sanding, I applied all the vinyl lettering.  DONE!  Now I have 3 sets of these babies to give away as gifts.  YAY!!

Hope your not sick of all these vinyl projects, because I have a lot more coming!  

 Take care and Thanks for stopping by:)

Today's Guest MichellePaige.blogspot.com

Hi! I'm Michelle visiting from my crafty blog called, Michelle">http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/">Michelle Paige.

I'm so excited to be a part of the Monster Craft Bash Party at a Pocket Full of Pink!  Thanks for having me, Karen.

It's almost Halloween, but don't worry...

you still have plenty of time to whip out these fun chocolate-peanut butter cookies! 

Start now and you can be done within the hour, plus did I mention how easy they are? 

They're so simple, your kids can help you, and you probably have everything you need to make them right now!  No trick! 

You'll need:  1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy- you choose.)

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

1 chocolate cake mix (any chocolate flavor)

In addition you'll need 1/4 cup granulated sugar-- you see why, soon.

And get out any Halloween candy you have to make the faces.

This is what I used, but you could use any little candies you already have.

(Of course you have candy around...it's almost Halloween!

Or, did you already get into the Halloween candy...like me?  Hmmm?)

Beat together 1 cup peanut butter, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup water.

Slowly add the dry cake mix.

Mix well.

Using your hands, form dough into 1" balls.

Place on cookie sheet.

Put 1/4 cup of granulated sugar on a plate.

Using the bottom of a drinking glass, dip glass in sugar,

then press glass on ball.  Repeat with each ball.

Now you have perfect round cookies!

Here's the fun part!  Using your fingers, pinch out ears near the top of each circle cookie.

If your kids are helping, you may get some interesting shapes as well!

My son formed a flying bat when he was supposed to be 'pinching ears'!

To make owl cookies, stick in two white chocolate chips for the eyes

and one piece of candy corn for the beak. 

Or, use whatever little candies you have!

 

For the cat, I used two white chocolate chips for the eyes,

one red hot candy for the nose...

and I found these Candy Sticks at the Dollar Store for the whiskers.

When I opened them, they reminded me of those candy cigarettes they used to make when I was a kid.

(Can you believe I'm that old to remember those things?  I am not telling my kids they used to make candy cigarettes!  Ugh!) 

Anyway, I broke each stick in half and stuck two sticks on each side of the nose.

If you don't have candy for the whiskers, use a fork and press into the dough on both sides.

It will make nice whisker marks.

Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.

(See, I told you they were quick!)

Aren't they adorable?

How can you resist these soft, chewy chocolate cookies? 

You can even package them up in a cellophane bag with a cute handwritten tag and give to someone you love.

Whoooo Loves You?  We do!

Happy Halloween!

I'd love for you to come visit my blog, Michelle">http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/">Michelle Paige

 for more creative recipes, tips, ideas and crafts.

PLUS...

It's almost my birthday (it's a big one!)

 and you won't believe what my AH (awesome husband) has been up to!

He's kind of been impressing my friends (and me) with his creativity and secrecy...

you'll have to come check it out and see!

Here's the recipe in it's entirety:

Super Fast Halloween Cat & Owl Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup water

2 eggs

1 package chocolate cake mix

1/4 cup granulated sugar (for flattening cookies)

Candies for the faces: white chocolate chips, candy corn, red hots, candy sticks, etc.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together peanut butter, eggs and water. Add in cake mix slowly and mix well. Form dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Using a glass dipped in sugar, press glass onto ball to flatten. Repeat for each ball. Pinch out the ears near the top of each cookie. Add candies for the face. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!