We're having an October snow day! You never know what the weather will do in Colorado. The kids and I are making last-minute treats as teacher gifts and party snacks for Halloween, but these would be great for Thanksgiving as well. The same can be said for this adorable set from The {Stamps} of Life that I used for the tags. (See a ton of ideas for the fall holidays from the gallery here!) I recently joined their design team and I can't wait to share the next set, which is for Christmas!
The snack mix is so easy to throw together and has some sweet additions. It's packaged with a sugar waffle cone in a disposable decorator bag. So fun! (Barb has another adorable craft with decorator bags, which is my all-time favorite for Halloween!)
Here's another sweet treat that you and your kids will have a ball making! Peanut Butter Pumpkins are so easy, yummy and fun. Get all the details on how to make them **IN THIS POST**
If you're new to digital or hybrid scrapbooking, (or even if you're not) you probably love finding free digital papers you can download. The Angel Company is offering a new set of B&W papers that you can download here: http://theangelcompany.net/Downloads.html (There are two sets, so be sure to scroll down to see them all.)
So, they are pretty cool in B&W, but if you want to add a little color, it's very easy. You need to convert the papers to jpeg and use my favorite FREE photo software, Picasa. Here's how: With the Picasa running in the background, open the pdf document and change the view so that the full page can be seen. (It can also be helpful to use F11 for "full screen".) Press Ctrl + Prt Sc, then switch to Picasa and the screen capture should be visible. Use crop to highlight just the paper portion of the image and then save. (The default is to save as a jpg.)
Next, check out this YouTube video to see the step-by-step of how easy it is to recolor the paper with Picasa.
Ready to make some easy scrapbook pages? Try using Picasa's "collage" function! It's easy. Watch another quick video here.
PS- Are you still reading? Please leave a comment on this post, email me or give me the thumbs up in Facebook to let me know you're still out there! I heard a lot of chirping after my last post!
We do a ton of partying at this time of the year. I have been collecting all sorts of good party ideas and I have compiled my favorites here. Hang in there. There's lots to see, and even a chance for you to share your favorite ideas and win an appetizing prize! Below you'll find ideas for:
Easy Food & Drink for Grown Up Celebrations
Kid Friendly & Quick Crafts and Treats
Fun Decorations and Last-Minute Gifts
Candy Corn Pudding Butterscotch on the bottom, vanilla (dyed with yellow food coloring) in the middle, whipped topping on top. (Make this kid friendly by using clear plastic tumblers.)
Bewildering Beverages Here are some ideas for grown up refreshments: Yellow Twilight- Lemonade with an Absolut Bite, Morgueritas-a Deadly Lime Libation, Poison Appletinis- Dangerously Sweet
Glass Markers Grab some circle punches, an alphabet set and some other designs and make these easy glass markers. I used a script background to make veins in the eyeballs and flowers and flourishes for the irises. Make a set and decorate this little bag box to make a great hostess gift.
More Eyeballs The same stamping techniques worked to decorate my Deviled Egg card. The eggs themselves got their red veins from food coloring and vinegar added to a baggy as the hard boiled eggs cooled. Other great savory foods to bring to a party include Mummy Pizzas, Mummy Dogs, and Salty Bones (breadsticks). I found lots of great recipes at Family Fun and Pillsbury.
More Kid Stuff Mummy Tube Treats- these TP treats would make a good gift or craft. We'll be making them at our Girl Scout Halloween Party next week. If you're looking for a quick treat to give kids, try making some of my Yummy Mummy Candy Bars. (Both crafts use common party streamers for the mummy wrap.) I'll even show you how to make them in this video! (Want more hands on instruction? I have a video for Eerie Votive Candles too!)
A Decoration or a Gift Make up a bunch of spooky bottles, using these great downloads from KMcKay Designs. Be sure to ink up your bottles with Palette ink. It should be heat set, but will adhere to glass, giving your project that extra creepiness it needs. You could bring a bottle of wine to your hostess, dressed up with these fun labels or even give a set of labels that are ready to stick on to your favorite hostess's wine or even soda bottles. She will love that!
Now for your ideas . . . . I'd love to hear your favorite tried and true recipe for Halloween. Leave a comment with a link to your favorite recipe (and if you have a paper craft, packaging, label etc. that accompanies it- EVEN BETTER!) The winner will be announced on Friday and will receive the BONE APPETIT STAMP SET! So let's hear 'em!
Here's another sweet treat that you and your kids will have a ball making!
