Halloween Cookies

It has been a whirlwind fall, but it finally feels like fall, so in the midst of the crazy, I did a project on my list this year.  I used my favorite cookie recipe, and some supplies from Michaels and Hobby Lobby.  The sprinkles and cookie cutters are from Michaels, and the vellum baggies are from Hobby Lobby.  I used this trick to print the message and haunted mansion on the bags.


I wanted to try out a few cookies on a stick, so I inserted the stick before baking the cats.  They held up well, and doing it this way-they held their shape.

You can just see the ghost peeking through the baggies.

And I just added a ribbon and clear bags to the cats.  

Pom Pom Fall Wreath

I recently made this wreath for my friend.  I have about 17 million extra wreaths at my house, so when I was thinking about making some fall décor, I called up my pal Kelly and asked her if she would use this on her door.  I've been really into pom poms lately, so....which not make a million of them, tie them to a wire wreath, and call it a project?  When we chatted, she mentioned interchangeable decorations, and so I made some vintage cats and leaves and added clothes pins to the back so they can be attached....

 It really was a super easy project, it just took some time to make all those pom poms, but....that's what tv is for, right?  I wrapped and vegged.  I used this brand and a color called burnt pumpkin.  It did end up taking two rolls of it.  I bought it at Hobby Lobby (not sure if they sell it everywhere, but....just to save on searching).

 I just used some super cheap felt and cut out some leaf shapes and cats and added some decorations.  I hot glued the clothes pins and then put an extra square of felt across the back to secure them further.

 I really think I'm going to make a few more of these for different seasons b/c I'm a fan!

Primitive Black Cat

 I recently when to a retreat and I had some extra time to play around with fabric after I finished up my quilt.  I saw a cat like this via pinterest and decided to make a pattern to make my own.

Here is a free download if you want to make your own.  I cut off the front leg for mine, but whatever floats your boat.    I used some black fabric, added stuffing and stitched on a face and added a scrap of fabric for a collar and a bell.  

Cat Dictionary Page

I posted a dictionary page tutorial last week.  I've been using my search engine to find more primitive/vintage pictures and creating a whole dictionary collection.  Here's Halloween dictionary picture #2.  I found some black frames at the dollar store and instead of a second piece of glass, I used a clear sheet of laminating.

Primitive Halloween Sticks

 I spent most of June out of the country.  Getting out of the country required some really long flights.  I don't sleep on planes.  I'm a nervous flyer.  What if the pilot needs my assistance?  Who's going to keep track of the plane on the little screen on international flights?  You.  Are.  Welcome.  So, while I was keeping the plane safe and on track...I brought along some things I could hand stitch...trust me, nobody wants me talking to them for 16 hours...though I would if it was the difference between sleeping or staying away to, you know, keep everyone safe.
I have been obsessed with primitive Halloween lately, so I brought some felt I precut (because the travel scissors you are aloud to take on the plane won't do the trick).  I stitched the buttons and pieces onto the faces and when I got home I added some stuffing and sewed my new plane friends closed.  I poked a stick through each little guy at the bottom and added some ribbon on top.

I think they will be cute in a plant, or just somewhere in the house....I haven't quite decided.  I made five of each, so I think there is a wreath in my future, but four of these are now primitive Halloween wands.  I dabbed some hot glue to hold the stuffed piece on the end of the stick and the ribbon up.  I think the attraction to primitive right now is that it doesn't need to be perfect, in fact, that imperfect stitching is what gives it character!  At least that is the angle I'm going to take.

Cat Cards

 It's almost July 4th...which means the craft stores are clearing out their Halloween and fall decorations and putting up Christmas....I wish I was kidding.  BUT...on that note....my goal this year is to make cards for my friend's kiddos.  I usually take out a loan and buy cards at the store (I'm almost kidding), and I love scrapping, so....I've decided to spend my money in a better way-on ribbon!  This is my first dose of cards hot off the presses.  I saw a cat design like this I liked, so I pulled out trusty publisher and made my own cat.  Here is a link to the free printable if you are ready to scratch out a few cat cards.

 I used blank cards and glued down scraps of paper to make all these different cat cards....I didn't want to repeat myself! I added little green buttons for eyes.  The last one I cut the outline of the cat out.

Inside I used a stamp I bought to add a message.  More personal writing to come inside each card...but I think I have a little time.

Primitive Cat Straws

 I have a few last projects airing today (or tomorrow) on Good Morning, Texas.  I did a whirlwind recording last week before one of the shows.   I'll post the segment later on facebook.   I have been really into primitive stuff lately and so I made some of these little cat faces for straw decorations/candy dcorations.
For these little guys I googled primitive cat pictures and found these little fella's.  Here is the site I found these on.

 I cut some crepe paper in half and then pinch it into a ruffle and just taped it to the back of the cat.

I trimmed around the cat a bit and just glue it to a straw.  

I'll also be sharing the rest of my 2x4 projects.  I demo'd the cat a few weeks back-that video is here.  

Post by From glitter to gumdrops.

...and last....some kitchen supplies turned pumpkin.  Links below.  

2x4 Halloween Projects
Jack O Lantern Cheese Grater
Cutting Board Pumpkins

Spooky 2x4 Projects

 I bought a 2x4 in August...and much like Pinocchio's nose...I'm pretty sure it keeps growing b/c four projects later...I've still got wood to use.  It was money well spent.  I posted about the 2x4 cats and 2x4 pumpkins over the last few weeks.  The ghost round out this group.

To make the ghost I still cut them all different sizes and then chopped off each side  I painted them white and used a dabber to make the eyes.  I sanded the edges again so they would match their friends.  It would have been fun to glitter them up or even use glow in the dark paint, but....I wanted this particular set to look like their family.  I'm mixing and matching these so it's a three pack of spooky friends.  I don't do too much with wood, but if you are starting out-the only tools I've needed are a jig saw, piece of sanding paper, and a cheap drill.  2x4 is a little tougher to cut b/c it's so thick, but I decided to use this because it sits up better.

2x4 Black Cats

 I saw these little guys over the summer via cloverhouse and decided to give it a go.  I made on change....google eyes were replaced with painted eyes.
I took a 2x4 and cut a bunch of rectangles, and then I sliced them into a via with a saw.  You can use a hand saw....but it may take awhile, or you can use a jig saw.  And when I say 'you'....I mean...my brother.  I've used a jigsaw many times....but it's so much easier to dictate than to 'do.'

 OK...here is something else-save that pokey piece....I've got another craft planned for that in a few weeks....no waste on these guys!
I bought some cheap 50 cent paint and painted my cat shape (I (had my brother) cut out all different sizes).

I sanded the edges to give them a little bit more of a vintage look.  Then I used these little round brushes to dab eyes.  I let the white dry and then went black with the smaller size for the pupil.  I'm keeping these simple....b/c they have some friends joining them soon.  

Vintage Cat Pail

 Last year I was scouting around the net for a different Halloween idea, but I stumbled across the tutorial for using the dollar pumpkin buckets from the store and turning them into vintage Halloween pails via Rook17.  Uhh...hello...vintage Halloween?  I'm in.  It really was a simple process.  Even the painting of the face was much easier than I thought it would be.....and I'm all about the 1920's Halloween decor!!

 All it took was the dollar plastic pumpkin, glue, water, and paper.  I tore the paper into bits.  I mixed a glue water paste (probably about 2 T of glue to 1 c. water).  I ran each piece through and just set it on the pumpkin and overlapped each one a bit.  I cut off the handle b/c I replaced it later with one that was more 'vintage.'

 after the first layer, I used two pieces of cardboard and taped on the ear shape with masking tape, then I repeated the glue/paste process two more times.  Since there is a solid pumpkin underneath, this is more than enough layers.  I took a can of spray paint I got for a dollar and sprayed it up.

 I used paint, a paint brush, and some mediocre painting skills and went to work on the face.  You could use a pencil in advance to trace out your parts, but I used the good ol' 'wipe it off' method if I didn't like the shape I initiailly painted on.  I also use the 'unplug/replug computer' method to fix any computer problems...I clearly missed out on my calling as an A)  Artist and B)  Computer Engineer.

 I then bought a dowel rod, sawed off a 3 inch piece, paint it black and then drilled a hole in both sides of the bucket, and both ends of the dowel rod (I didn't have a bit big enough to go through the entire dowel rod.  I cut some wire (two pieces) to attach the handle, and wrapped it through the hole, and then poke each piece into the sides of the dowel and just glue them into place. I added a little 'curl' to the wire with a pencil b/c it was cute....and I cut the wire too long and didn't want to go through that process again.

 ...I don't know what this is about....my dog either A)  Is not happy about a cat being in the house.  B)  Wants to know where the candy is that is supposed to fill this guy or C)  Wants to know why this stupid project took away from his petty time.

 Ta da...the finished product...

Halloween Transfer Shirts

This Thursday I'm taking a collection of projects to GMT....this is half of the first segment.  I got a little carried away.  I'll be demoing how to make these little shirts, incredibly easy.  I've done this about fifteen thousand different ways.  I've sent out all my Halloween cards and gifts for this year, so now I'm working on NEXT year.  Above, the shirt for Micah's second Halloween....now I'm on the hunt for some cute leggings and an appropriate bow. 
I made this little Halloween bag for my buddy Donovan....

 He has a little brother on the way (coming to a nursery, not nearly close enough to me, February).  His name has yet to be revealed, so I thought I was super cleaver (don't burst my bubble) and I found a monster icon and and put Monster Mash....get it....baby food, mash, get it?  OK....I'm over it. 

 My pal, Laine, at school has a little baby girl who will be here by Friday whether she comes on her own, or with the help of the doctors.....she is definitely going to need some Halloween gear.  She also has a little black kitty waiting to meet her at home who has no idea his life is about to be turned upside down, but maybe he will be more forgiving if she wears a little tribute to him?

Seriously, I could go on and on, but I'll stop and review the steps to making these....and then I'm off to making turkeys and gingerbreads, and probably leprechauns and firecrackers. 
Step One:  You need to grab some transfer paper and a shirt/onsie/bib/bag/anything that will stay still works.  They sell this for transfering to white fabric (light) or dark fabric, so depending on what you are doing, depends on what you purchase. 

Step Two:  You can create your own design via the paint, or you can purchase them on sites like Etsy and have them personalized.  Here is the cat without a name.  You can download it, put it in a word document, right click and move it to the 'back' and then type the name in whatever font/size you want.  I then did 'print screen' or snag it to get the whole thing.  There may be an easier way, but this is my ghetto computer skills at work. 
Step Three:  Paste the whole thing in another word document.  Under picture tools one of the options is to rotate horizontal.  You need the name to be facing the opposit direction b/c you iron this down and you want the mirror image. 

Step Four:  Print it out (sometime of the ink jet transfer papers have a program you can use for free, if you just do step two and ssave your file as a pdf, you can copy them into the program and it will rotate the whole thing for you). 
Step Five:  Cut it out, I leave a little bit of the white, it won't show up on the shirt, but it helps as you peal it off if a little wants to come up, the color will stay. 
Step Six:  Press it down (put pressure, pick up the iron, and press in the next stop, don't 'rub' it like a normal iron so it doesn'ts lip around).  Let it cool, and lift carefully. 
These are machine washable on the gentle cycle after they 'set' for 72 hours.