First attempt at Paper mache pumpkins DIY

On pinterest I found a paper mache pumpkin method and I've decided I'm gunna try it out. 

You take regular shopping bags and fill them crumpled up newspaper (I used magazines) then tie the top. You then take string and wrap it around to create the ridges in the pumpkin  shape. 

Now thats all super easy, no challenge. However the actual paper mache!? OMFG there must be a better way, the plastic from the bags make it hard to layer in place and it slides and moves since the paper inside isnt very solid. 

Needless to say, I'm gunna look for another method soon.  Pictures will follow once I've finished at least one of the pumpkins. 

So I know its not christmas yet...

But a friend of really likes cats sooo I made her this red and white ornament. :)

Halloween Wreath :)

So this if the first wreath I have ever made and I love it!!! :) I stole the straw idea from Tatertots & Jello's blog. 

I just loved the effect the straws are able to give, the stripes just make it pop! :) 

For this wreath all I did was a wrap with some wide ribbon, gluing the middle and ends. I then glued the straws along the back and threw some roses and a bow to finish it up :) 

Hope you like the straws as much as I do!!!  PS Dollar store has them :) 

More Halloween Ornaments :)

Heres a few more that I've done recently :) 

Rock Candy DIY Style

I was scrolling around pinterest earlier and found this. A DIY Rock Candy!!! 

I haven't tried it out yet but I really cannot wait! I loooooove Rock candy so I am really hoping this works. 

Anyways here is the link so you can make your own rock candy too!!

http://pagingfunmums.com/2013/08/15/how-to-make-your-very-own-rock-candy-at-home/

Super Easy Paper Jack-o-lanterns

The kids were bored, the paper was there, with a joyous heart and a glue stick in each hand; I said lets make some jack-o-lanterns! :)

Anyways super easy and the kids loved putting their own stems on. Get some green and orange construction paper and snip snip snip.

For the stems I used triangles and the pumpkins were just circles. I had the kids paste on the stems and make the faces to show possible real jack-o-lantern designs ;)

Kept them busy for quite a while and now my hallway is amazingly adorable :) Here is one of about 20 that decorate my house ;)

Milk Jug Lanterns!!

Need I say more! They are easy to make and look awesome when they are done. Best recycling I've done in a while!!

Easy DIY Halloween Ornaments

I had this really great idea to get rid of my crappy dollar store christmas ornaments last year but never got any motivation to do it. Now I have finally have some inspiration! :)

Reason 1:
This year is the first year that I have my step son living with me, and he loves painting as much as I do :D

Reason 2:

I really hate going out and spending tons of money on cheaply made Halloween decor. It almost never lasts and has no value to me.

Okay, so this really great idea was to paint them up in super cute Halloween/ fall designs with my step son. Awesome right! They are made from the heart and its such an easy craft for kids, well except for the clean up.

Heres some photos of the ones we made together :)

 

 

 

Easy DIY Building Blocks for Kids

I don't know about anyone else but I think its ridiculous to pay $80 for a bunch of boxes that are printed to look like bricks.

 Besides its way more fun to make them with your kids and the shapes and amount you want to make is limitless along with the designs. 

So instead of paying lots of money for printed cardboard I'm making them myself :) 


What I used:
-thin rectangle boxes
-paints and paintbrushes
-glue or tape to keep the boxes shut


I used up my plain boxes so for the sake of size I'm referencing this shipping box. 
This box is about 6X4 inches, perfect fun size for a child.  

This box in particular had flaps that folded over to keep it shut. On a regular box you can put tape under the top flaps, near the edges so you can stick your fingers under the edge to keep it shut or just put it on top and paint over it. Either way, as long as it stays shut I doubt your little one will notice the difference. 

Now the super easy stuff! Just paint it! I recommend doing one solid coat over the entire thing and then making your designs. Like this:

 



Easy and simple right? My son loves making castles with the boxes and has tons of fun painting them with me. Costs much less than those fancy printed boxes and are decently durable.