Halloween Ribbon Wreath

So...in my life long quest to create a wreath for every occasion in my life....it was time for a new Halloween wreath.  I saw the idea for this wreath on sassysanctuary and I fell in love.  I went to the fabric store....in May and bought all the Halloween-ish fabrics they had available.  I bought 1/4 yard (each) of 8 different fabrics, and this wired wreath. 

 I cut the fabric into 1 inch by 6 inch strips.  It was more than enough for the four wired rows.

 And then, I just started tying the ribbon to the frame.

 Row one down.....

 Row two....it takes time, but it certainly doesn't require a lot of talent, so....I'm in!

I found the wooden letters to spell out 'Eek'....so much cutter than boo.  I painted them lime green. 

After it tried, I sprayed it with spray adhesive and then sprinkled it all over with lime green glitter.  Incidentally, I also sprinkled my hand, my deck, and my hairline and clothes continued to sparkle for three days after this project despite two runs, two swims, three showers, and three sleeps.  I can't even tell you I mind, but I did leave a sheen of green glitter on the elliptical machine at work...no lie, but...the letters were worth it.  I glued them to the wreath.  I'm a fan.

Dipped Peanut Butter Filled Apple

I stumbled upon this idea for diping apple slices via pinterest.  The original site is here.  I changed it up a bit based on my culinary preference (ha....I just wanted to use a big word).  Basically, I think adding peanut butter to any and every fruit should probably be added to the constitution.  Which is probably why my name won't be written on too many ballots this election year, but.....let's get to the point of this post.  Dessert.
I love dipped apples, I've made them every which way from mini to stuffed, but this one was a fun one.  I will say, if given the choice, I don't like to use baking chips.  They are made to melt at a higher degree so they maintain their shape in cookies etc, melting chocolates would have been ideal, but I was actually just working with what I had....apple, pb, sprinkles, sticks, and chocolate chips.

 The original post left the innards and the stem on, which was cute, but I decided to carve out the center and fill it with peanut butter so the whole thing was edible, well, almost....unless you are into nawing on popsicles sticks, and if you are....there is a show for someone like you. 

 Ta da.  One medium apple only makes about three of these.  If you aren't eating them right away, I'd run the apple through some sprite or 7-up to keep it from browning before dipping...then letting it dry a little.  If you do using the baking chocolate, add a teaspoon or so of oil to help not look so lumpy.  But....oh my, these were good.

Halloween: Glowsticks in the Mail

One of my favorite past times is tormenting the postal service finding fun things in unusual shapes to ship through the mail.  I like to celebrate as many holidays with the little nuggets that fill my life with smiles, but live far too far away for my peace of mind, but shipping can get a little costly, so creative is the name of the game.  Last year, as my 345,667 trick or treater came to the door, I was running low on candy, but I had glowsticks floating around my house from festivity and I started passing those out.....and they were a hit.  It doesn't hurt that you can also grab a pack of fifteen at Michael's, or any dollar store.  They come in all shapes and sizes, but this year....Blythe and Jonathan get to play with glow bracelets.  Knowing Blythe, she'll probably decorate a cop car, or start building a rose bowl parade float out of these, but....should be a fun little 'hello, I'm thinking of you today and every day in between now and the next strange package you receive in the mail.'  The great thing about THESE packages is that they are already sealed.  To jazz them up, I wrapped construction paper with a pumpkin face and added a fun mailing label for shipping.  I taped it out to double, triple secure it, and then wrapped the postage around the top.  It just fit, and was super cheap to mail.  Guess I better start working on my Thanksgiving mailing.....and I know just the thing.  :O) 

Mini Taco Bowls

 I love taco salad.  The deal is, usually when you order one, you get a ginormous floured bowl, which I can't resist.  Not only can you make your own, you can make them at home using tortillas with whatever calorie count you are willing to add to your diet plan.  I made small bowls to go with a taco meal, so perfect for bite size food for football games etc. 
Basically, heat up the tortilla in the microwave for 10 seconds or so, just so it's often and will flop down a little over a muffin tin to curve down into the bowl shape you want.  You can use the bottom of a pan and stick this in the oven upside down for about 10 minutes at 350 (they will be browning around the side and firm when they are ready. 

 I had some stubborn tortillas, and I used a mini baking dish to stick over the tortilla and make an even deeper bowl. 

I used to buy 'kits' at the store that came with templates you could make and put in the oven....now I spend a dollar on 16 tortillas and save a few bucks, and have enough for friends. 

Ghost Projects

I posted about ghost projects a few Halloweens ago.  Here is a week of projects and recipes.  I'll also throw in a Ghostbuster pudding I put together in honor of a week of decade projects.  I don't believe in ghost, unless you are speaking of the Holy Ghost, I'm pretty tight with Him, but.....there are some pretty cute ghost projects out there, so I find myself leaning that way as Halloween approaches.  This year I'm sending this trick or treat bag to one of my friends under the age of 5.  I saw this idea at Better Homes and Garden.   I took white fabric, cut out ghost eyes, and used double sided light bonding fabric to iron it to the bag.  I added black/painted eye balls, and a ribbon.  Now I'm gonna fill 'er up with goodies, because I believe in spoiling other people's children.  And I believe there t too much my friends can do if I send them via sneak mail attack. 

Pumpkin Projects...+ One More

 The pumpkin is one of my favorite signs of fall.  I saw this very simple idea on pinterest last year (and didn't save the link....grr).  This is my 20th+ pumpkin project.  Here is a link to a ton of projects (crafts and cooking) from last year.  A shirt I later added.  And a healthy/EASY favor idea.  And at the end of the season, after I had moved on to new holidays on the blog, though not in my real life, I put this project into being.  I grabbed this jack-o-lantern stamp from the craft store (it's Martha Stewart).  If I had more time, energy, and  more frugal inner core, you could actually cut out your own faces with exacto knife.  I cut them into strips, and wrapped them around some cellophane wrapped brownies I baked with the help of a box. 

These would be cute to send up to school, or in my case, they became thank you gifts for hostesses hosting various Halloween parties.  I was just happy to bring a token of appreciation and not have to clean my own house to enjoy the fall festivities!