Home Confetti: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

We enjoyed lots of fun Halloween activities this weekend: Treatsylvania, Boo at the Zoo and... pumpkin carving. Renee and Siena carved their own pumpkins this year, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed! Don't you love the tooth on Siena's pumpkin, and the whiskers on Renee's?! That one in the middle is mine (of course, I used a stencil!). Today, I'm taking the day off to set up and enjoy their classroom parties. Have a fun and safe Halloween! See you back here tomorrow. :)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Streamer Cake Topper


Just when you think you've seen all the cute bunting and cake topper ideas, here comes another one! Featured on Ruffled, this is an easy way to glam up a special cake. It would even be perfect for New Year's Eve with a "Happy New Year!" banner!

Find the simple how-to here.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

DIY Chandelier Cupcake Stand

I have been browsing the thrift stores for an old chandelier to make this very thing–so I was very excited to see how Brooke from The Crafting Chicks put her's together. She made her's for Halloween, but you can see how easy it is, just by changing some trim and ribbon, you can tailor this for any occasion. In fact, I want to make one for my Christmas brunch table. Maybe hang white and red pom pom trim from it, or a red glittered trim would look nice too!

For the full how to, visit The Crafting Chicks here.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Mason Jar Holiday Candle


I love Halloween. There are so many fun Halloween crafts floating around. But when I see a simple holiday candle like this one, with the deep red cranberries and greenery, it makes me so happy that Christmas is right around the corner! This would also make a nice statement on a Thanksgiving table. From Better Homes and Gardens, find this post with other holiday ideas using kitchen items here.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Halloween Teacher Treat


I'm helping to organize the girls' classroom Halloween parties... yes, both girls! But, in the mayhem of all of it, we can't forget to show our appreciation for the teachers. Not an original idea, but certainly a cute gesture to show our gratitude, we put together these chocolate treat bags.

I used FREE printables designed by Blog 5 to 9, featured on Thirty Handmade Days here. They are intented to be used as tent cards, but I liked them because it gave my 5 year olds plenty of space to write their message: "Eye Think You're Awesome." You can also write, "Eye Appreciate You."

I found the eyeball chocolates at Dollar Tree. So easy and cute!

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Monday, October 24, 2011

Merry Monday: Horror Movie Party

I couldn't let October slip by without posting a Halloween party. If you're planning a big bash I'm sure you already have most of your plans in place... but here's a great idea for an impromptu party from Spaceships and Laserbeams. (This is when printables are so convenient!) Get your friends together for some spine-tingling fun with an old favorite horror movie. Use Spaceships and Laserbeams' fun printables to decorate. And look at this great setup! I love that they didn't use the traditional orange and black. And don't you love the stabbed apples?! How perfect! I actually posted this on Facebook, so I apologize if you already saw this–but wanted to make sure everyone saw this idea to turn up the dosage of Halloween fright this coming weekend. Jump here for the original post and here to get the printables.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday Flashback: Hot Chocolate Lab

I can't believe that I've been blogging now long enough to have "flashbacks"! But since the Home Confetti reader family has gotten so much bigger since last year, I thought it was worth bringing this one back.

Some of you may remember the Halloween party I had last year for the kids before they all went trick or treating. (If you want to check it out, here's Part 1 and Part 2) Well, I'm not having the party this year, but I think I will re-use this idea for trick or treaters and their parents... a Hot Chocolate Lab. What's better than a cup while walking around in the cold? And I might even sneak some vino in for the adults if that's their choice of poison.

Everyone had fun concocting their own hot chocolate with the beakers and test tubes. And the kids got a real kick out of the names:

Crushed Teeth: Crushed peppermint
Fermented Blood Chips: Cinammon Chips
Ghost Poop: Mini Marshmallows
Ghost Foam: Whipped cream
Powdered Blood: Ground Cinammon
Zombie Nail Bits: Toffee Bits
Dried Snake Skin: Ground Nutmeg
Bad Blood: Hot Chocolate

Try it out–you'll be the "go-to" house of the night!

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

This Week's Tip-off: Wreath Hanger

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I had made it a mission to post a different wreath project everyday.... and I did for nearly a month! There are just so many wonderful and colorful wreaths this time of year. I got a few comments like, "I wish I had more than one door to hang these wreaths on." Well, this DIY project shows you that you don't need to hang a wreath only on a front door to enjoy it. Make this wreath hanger from Make and Takes to hang a wreath in any room in the house! Find the full tutorial here.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Orange Candied Popcorn


Here's something kids and adults will eat up in no time at any type of Halloween party–orange candied popcorn!

Over the summer, The Idea Room posted a recipe for red, white and blue popcorn that I made for July 4th. Kids kept coming back for more. So why not take that idea and use it for Halloween?? Everyone loves popcorn–and the candied toppping makes it even better! Plus, you can make loads of this for very little money.

*When mixing the food coloring colors, make sure to start with yellow, then add red to it. Always start with the lighter color, otherwise you'll use up all your yellow trying to make the red turn orange. *
When it came time to sprinkle the candied glaze over the popcorn, I used a glass pan.


Toss the popcorn and then let it dry a little before putting it into a bowl. Enjoy!

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Framed Witch's Hat


I don't think I can get it together to make this adorable Halloween project this year, but I'm making a note of it for next year. I think it would look super cute in an oval frame. This would even provide a fun backdrop for a "witch's brew" party.

Made by Honeybear Lane, you can find how she made it here.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Merry Monday: Book Club Party

Before Oprah started choosing book club picks, women have been enjoying the cammaraderie of book clubs for years. If you belong to a book club, you know what I mean, and you'll really appreciate this party. My favorite touch is the food names!

Designed by Party Artist, this party is featured on the Hostess with the Mostess community site. I encourage you to browse around the site and add your own parties. You can find this full party on the HWTM site here.


Friday, October 14, 2011

DIY Tissue Paper Luminaries

Aahhh... isn't that so soothing to look at??

Here's another project that would make a great gift. When I first saw this photo, I thought patterned paper had been used to make this luminary, but it's tissue paper circles. A series of these pretty candle holders in different sizes would also be a nice treatment on a dinner party table.

Get the full tutorial at Hey Gorgeous.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

DIY Button Topiary


Have you started thinking about handmade holiday gifts yet?? (Did I make you gasp?!) I actually know what I'm making as my neighbor gift. I know.... I'm one of those people! It involves beading so I should probably get started on making them soon, since I need to make about 20 of them!

If you don't have any ideas yet–how about this darling button topiary, found on Under the Table and Dreaming? It makes a really pretty gift for anyone over the holidays, or a great addition to your holiday decor.

Start collecting those buttons and check out the full post here. :)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Whimsical Pumpkin Topiaries

My Halloween decorations have been making their appearance slowly this year. I've seen these whimsical topiaries around and wanted to try to re-create them. I am so happy with the way they came out! And if I can do it–YOU can do it!

The How-to:
I purchased white and black craft pumpkins at Michael's; two sets in three different sizes. (Keep your eye out because they have been 50% off there lately.) I traced a pattern on the white pumpkins and used craft acrylic paint over the pattern. The black pumpkins were stubborn–the craft paint wasn't showing up on them. I've heard you should prime your painting area first, but since I didn't have primer on hand, I cut out orange paper circles and Mod Podge'd them on. (Since my porch is covered, they're safe) Here's a closer picture of the pumpkins, if you want to mimic the patterns.

Before starting to get your pumpkins together, have your garden container ready, filled with dirt. Cut a paper circle to fit the top of the container. Put the paper circle in place. This will prevent your craft pumpkin from getting dirty. You can just see the paper in mine sticking out from the back.

Now here's the tricky part. You need a 1/4" dowel, 36" long (I purchased mine at Michael's). Drill a small hole into the top and bottom of each pumpkin, on the backside. You're going to stick the dowel through each set of holes to keep the pumpkins together. Once you have that done, you'll stick the bottom end of the dowel into the dirt to hold the pumpkins in place. Craft pumpkins are very light. This will prevent them from blowing away. Here's a closer look at the back of the pumpkins.

Tie a cute ribbon around the top of the dowel and you're done! So fun. Use these inside or outside your home!

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

This Week's Tip-off: Faux Filler

Ever have condiments, small food items or candy to display, but not the right size bowl? Usually the bowl is too large. Here's a tip from Pampers, Play Dates and Parties that shows you how to deceptively make every bowl the right size!

You go from this:


to this, to make it work!


Monday, October 10, 2011

Merry Monday: Camping Party

This adorable Summer Camp themed party submitted by The Emerics is filled with easy DIY ideas. The party was done for their two boys, and set in a pavilion at Red Springs in Red Rock Canyon. They used the boys' favorite colors green and purple as their color palette to make up adorable signage. Crafts, scavenger hunt and Frisbee kept the kids entertained. And who can resist the super cute desserts and porcupine watermelon?!

Although the cooler night air has settled in doesn't mean you can't use this theme and ideas inside. Just set up a fake campfire, even some tents inside, and get inspired by these photos!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Crocheted Doily Spiderweb


Instead of the traditional wreath, this would look great on a front door. OR, make a few of these as a backdrop for an adult Halloween party. The crocheted doily gives this web a lovely vintage look. Buy the doilies and you can literally make this in 10 minutes!

What Halloween projects have you made so far? I would love to see them--or post them on my FB page here. Have a great weekend!

Source here.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Bat Snacks

Kids will go batty for this fun treat! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Perfect to hand out to kids at a party, classroom or Halloween night.

They're SO easy! Just fill a SNACK sized Ziploc bag with a dark colored goodie. I used Raisinets, but you could use Junior Mints, black licorice bits or jelly beans. Then, decorate a clothes pin and attach it to the center of the bag. A big collection of these bat snacks in a bowl will make a fun presentation.

Linking up to:

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

DIY Terrarium Place Holder

I am totally inspired by this little terrarium. Think of the possibilities! It can be used not only as a place holder, as done here, but you can line 4 or 5 of these up in a moss-covered tray down the center of your table, or hang them from a tree. How totally sweet! They also make great favors.

Get the complete how-to at Green Wedding Shoes.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Basket Pumpkin


I always love functional decor! Here is a great little craft you can keep out all year long. Originally made as a light fixture, I would skip the light and use this to store little goodies in the kitchen.

Designed by Pitter and Glink, this adorable pumpkin is made from baskets purchased at the dollar store. Get the full how to here.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Merry Monday: Carnival Fun Photo Shoot

When I opened this email, it was like a burst of color splashing through my inbox! Seriously, with all the black, orange and browns out there for the Fall and Halloween (which I DO love!) it was refreshing to see this bright blast of turquoise, orange and reds.

Feast your eyes on this amazing "Carnival Fun" styled shoot. Photographed by Iliana Morton Photography, this shoot provides great inspiration for any shower, wedding or birthday celebration. I love the sophisticated style, but yet it's laid back with the food choices of corn dogs, pulled pork and sliders. Make sure to check out the fabulous contributors after the photos.

Event Planner: Eventity Inc
Floral Designer: sweet pea flower company
Invitation Designer: Nic.Roc. Designs
Cake Designer: Hey there, Cupcake!
Equipment Rentals: Raphael's Party Rentals
Submission via Two Bright Lights
 
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