Great news! I was asked to guest post over at Chaos with a Curve! For the event, I decided it would be fun to decorate my sister-in-law's mantle for Thanksgiving. On Saturday, you will find a great tutorial for a Thanksgiving Banner, along with printables, over at Chaos with a Curve. There were quite a few other things that I made for this mantle as I was trying to spend as little money as possible. Today, I am going to show you how I made some gold dipped pumpkins.

My initial inspiration for these little lovelies, were some gold dipped fruit by Chatelaine I found on Pinterest. I headed to Michaels and was lucky to find some paper mache pumpkins on sale. Only problem was that I couldn't stomach wasting that much paint, plus it seemed like such a ridiculous mess. I went back to the internet to find a better way and was lucky to find a wonderful tutorial by Homey Oh My! for a gold dipped pumpkin vase. Essentially, you fake the dip and spray paint the pumpkin instead. Simply put, BRILLIANT! Anyway, here is the process to recreate my pumpkins.

Materials:
Paper mache pumpkins
Torn up pages from a book
Modpodge
Foam Brush
Tin Foil
Gold Spray Paint (mine was a primer and paint in one)

Directions:
1. If you would like the book page effect, start by modpodging the torn book pages to each of the pumpkins and set aside to dry.
2. Once dried, wrap tin foil around the top 2/3 of your pumpkin. Make sure to use only one sheet of foil, as it is pretty difficult to hold the pumpkin when you piece sheets together. Then, in a well ventilated area, spray the pumpkins. The key here is to start spraying on the tin foil then sweep your arm toward the base of the pumpkin and stop spraying (refer to photos). Also, tilt the spray tip in that direction. Set aside to dry for about 30 minutes.

Halloween is next week. Can you believe it?! While you are getting all of your decor and costumes ready for the ghoulish event, don't forget to take a few moments and sign up for the Crafty Christmas Swap. It's a really simple, fun thing to do and will only take as much time as you would like it to. Basically, you will exchange ornaments with 3-4 other people from around the country or the globe. In light of the holiday next week, I made some simple paper bats to put up on the wall. I saw this done on as part of a decorated mantle and loved the idea, but thought I would bring some more color to the scheme.

Materials:
Bat Template
Scrapbook/Construction paper
Scissors
A bone folder or some other scoring tool
Small hole punch

Directions:
Print the bat template onto the back of your paper and cut the bats out. Use your scoring tool to score along the dotted lines. Place a ruler along one of the score lines and fold along the score. Repeat the previous step for the remaining score lines. Make two little eyes with your small hole punch, then just tape them to the wall!

Here is a sweet cake I made for my daughter. I have seen stenciling all over Pinterest and thought I would give it a try. Turns out, it is immensely easy. So, here are the few steps.

Materials:
Wax Paper
Paper/Printer
Craft Knife/Self Healing Mat (preferable) or Scissors
Frosted Cake
Sprinkles of your choice
Kitchen Brush
Tooth Pick

Ok, to start out with, determine what you want to stencil and print it out at the size you want it to be. I did a 2 in Poor Richard font, which came with my computer. 

You have two options for the next step:

For scissors, trace the picture onto the wax paper and cut it out.

For a craft knife, tape the image to the mat, then tape the wax paper on top. Carefully cut the image out.

Now, gently place the wax paper onto the frosted cake and carefully push down and corners that roll up.

Cover the cut out in sprinkles, brush away the excess sprinkles and carefully lift off the wax paper.

Use a tooth pick to remove any stray sprinkles and smooth out areas of the cake that were tampered by the wax paper.

Too easy, right?

Over the summer, I participated in the August Package Pals hosted by C.R.A.F.T. and Stars and Sunshine. You may remember the Ollieblocks I made as a result of that event. Getting the package in the mail was so much fun, I thought I might extend the joy and, last night, I had the bright idea of a Christmas Ornament Exchange. I LOVE Christmas time! All the wonderful smells, the snow, the lights, the warm fuzzy feelings, and (I really should have mentioned it first) the BAKING!!!!! Anyway, back to the point. So, basically, all you do to participate is fill out the form below before October 30, 2013. Then I will split everyone into groups of 4 - 5 people and, by November 4, 2013 I will email you with contact emails/websites of the other people in your group. At that point, exchange some greetings, get to know each other, then send a lovely Christmas ornament to everyone in your group. Then, on December 10, 2013 I will host a link party so everyone can share the sweet crafty goodness they got.

You can do whatever you like for this ornament, you can make it personal or general, whatever you wish. Heck, if you really feel like going outside of the box, do it! There is no ceiling on creativity here! Mostly, just have fun, get to know fellow crafty people and show off your amazing talents. To get the artsy juices flowing, I posted some great ideas below.

  <div align="center"><a href="http://www.kits-crafts.com/1/post/2013/10/crafty-christmas-swap.html#.Ula7clBOO6M" title="Kit's Crafts"><img src="http://www.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/7/14177889/6828665_orig.jpg" alt="Kit's Crafts" style="border:none;" /></a></div>  

A blog is not necessary to participate, however, you will need either a shop or social media profile (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc) and an email address. I will try to match up people from the same country, but that may not work out. So, please let me know on the form if you don't want to send your ornaments outside of your country. Please let your friends know about the fun and share this event! Lets make this a rockin party!

Here is the break down:
1. Sign up before October 30, 2013
2. Share the link for the swap with your friends
3. Check your email November 4, 2013
4. Exchange greetings and get to know the other members of your group
5. Create a crafty little ornament for each of the other members in your group
6. Mail off your ornaments
7. Come back to Kit's Crafts on December 10, 2013 for a link party to see all of the other creations and share what you got!

P.S. If you sign up and you are the only person from your country, I will send you an email and you can decide what you would like to do.

A couple weeks ago, while driving to my sister-in-law's house, I noticed piles of "trash" on the curb in front of many of the houses. Most of the mounds were branches from trimmed trees and bushes, but as I kept driving, I passed one heap with two pallets on top of it. I didn't get too far before turning the car around and loading up the pallets into my trunk. I had a few ideas in mind of what I could use these treasures for, but what I eventually landed on was a growth chart. For the last six months or so, I have had this project in the back of my mind. I have seen so many darling versions all over Etsy and Pinterest, but I really didn't want to go out an buy any supplies as my budget is basically nothing. So, that weekend, my loving husband helped me pull the pallets apart and cut them in to pieces so I could make the sweet creation in the picture below.

Materials:
1 Pallet, although we did use one board from the second pallet, but you could make your chart shorter or narrower
Saw/Hammer/Nails
Medium Grit Sandpaper (ideally along with a rotary sander)
2 Boards at 1" x 1 1/2" and the length of your chart
Paper/printer
Pencil
Foam Brushes
Acrylic Paint
Polycrylic Sealant
Fine Grit Sandpaper
Picture Hanging Kit

Directions:
Begin by breaking apart the pallets using your hammer to pry up the boards. It may be helpful to take a second hammer and pound the first to get it wedged under the board better. Remove the nails. I used the marks created by weathering to figure out the width and cut one board, then used that board to mark the rest. Sand down the front and sides of your cut boards.

Line up your pallet boards in the order you would like them to be, right side up, then flip the boards over and place each 1 x 1 1/2" board about 2" - 3" from the side and nail them to each board (I used 2 nails on each side for each pallet board). Wipe down your chart so that there is no sawdust left behind and let it dry.

Now comes the fun part; deciding what image to paint on your chart. I wanted mine to be gender neutral and I didn't want anything too juvenile so that it could hang in a more visible place then the bedroom some day. I modified an image I found online, then, to transfer the image to my chart, I remembered a technique I learned in 4th grade. The chart is basically broken down into 16 segments vertically (as in there are 16 pallet boards), so I segmented my image into 16 slices and used that to redraw the picture. For the ruler part, print this template on card stock to use as a stencil (the rectangle on the bottom left is to help place the letters). Periodically check the measurements as you are tracing the tick marks to make sure they are in the right place.

Here are the numbers: 23 45 6. Cut each number, making a straight edge along the left side of the digit. Then, using a pencil, color the back of the page. Position the number on the chart, using the rectangle from the stencil. Trace the number with the pencil and when you remove the page, there should be a number transferred onto the wood. 

Paint your image and your ruler marks with the acrylic paint. Once the paint has dried, go over the surface with your fine grit sandpaper, being careful not to remove too much paint, and follow the directions on the can to apply the polycrylic. Use the picture hanging kit to hang the chart on the wall.

A little over a year ago, my husband took me to Italy. We were accompanied by his sister, brother and both of their spouses. It was the BEST trip I have ever been on, including the fact that we carted our then 6-month old with us. We were only there for 10 days, but in that short time we drove in a big loop, hitting Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence, Sienna, Rome, Assisi, Verona, and so much of the beautiful countryside. It was quite a whirlwind trip! I wanted some way to memorialize the trip on our wall so we could always remember the fun little moments there, which is how I came up with this next idea.

I found the frame at a thrift store and repainted it. I printed the pictures at Kinkos, but I wish I had used Shutterfly as they produce better pictures. The large photo that the other pictures sit atop was printed at Kinkos. I suggest that if you are going to do that, pick a picture that is primarily a texture and not a pattern as it gets too busy. I used some brads I found in the scrapbook section and some embroidery thread to mark the different cities. I tied the embroidery thread to the brads then poked them through the cardboard backing the frame came with.

A couple weeks ago, I posted a Lacy Halloween Wreath tutorial in an effort to class up Halloween. Here is another little decor item that I came up with. Granted, it could really be more of a fall item then specifically Halloween, but if you were to use orange yarn and black filling or vice versa, then it would be more Halloween. Especially if you added some great spider webs or some creepy crawlies.

So, the inspiration for this little ditty, came from a doily pattern I found using the pineapple stitch. I had to modify the pattern quite a bit to make the shape I was looking for, but it was totally worth it. This pumpkin is crocheted in the round, starting with the stem. I haven't had a chance to test the pattern, so if you find mistakes, please let me know via email at [email protected]. Also, I would love to show off your finished product as well as provide links to your website/blog. Email me with your photos/info and I will gladly post them!

Print Pattern

Materials:
80-90 yards Worsted Weight Yarn (pumpkin)
2-3 yards Worsted Weight Yarn (stem, leaf, curly cues)
Yarn needle
Crochet Hook of your choice (I used a G)
Your choice of filling, I used tulle, but fabric would work or colorful hay or basic fiber fill

Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
SL = Slip Stitch
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
MC = Main Color (pumpkin)
CC = Contrasting Color (stem, leaf, curly cues)

Pattern:
Using CC, create a magic loop, CH1, SC6 in loop, SC around until stem measures about 1.5", SC2 in each st, switch to MC (12 STS)

Round 1: CH6, (SK 1st, DC in next st, CH3) 5X, SL in the 3rd ch of the original ch6
Round 2: CH1, SC in same st as sl of previous round, ch2, (DC2 in ch3 sp, CH2, DC2 in the same ch3 sp, CH2, SC in next dc, CH2) 6X, SL in original sc of round, ch2, dc2, and ch2 sp)

*At this point, tie your loose ends together, trim them a bit, then stuff them into the stem

Round 3: SL in ch2, SL in dc2 and SL into ch2sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, CH5, (DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, CH5) 5X, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 4: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, (DC, CH1)5X in ch5 sp, Ch1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, (DC, CH1)5X in ch5 sp, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 5: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, SK Ch1, (DC1 in next ch1 sp, CH1, DC1 in same ch1 sp, CH1) 4X, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, SK ch1, (DC1, in ch1 sp, CH1, DC1, in same ch1 sp, CH1) 4X,  SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 6: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, SK ch1, (SC1 in next ch1 sp, CH3) 6X, SC1 in next ch1 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, SK ch1, (SC1 in next ch1 sp, CH3) 6X, SC1 in next ch1 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 7: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 5X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 5X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 8: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 4X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 4X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 9: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 3X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 3X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 10: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 2X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, (SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3) 2X, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 11: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3, SC1 in next ch1 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 12: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, DC2 in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, CH1, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH3, SC1 in next ch3 sp, CH1, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3
Round 13: SL into ch2 sp, CH3, DC in ch2 sp, CH2, DC2 in same ch2 sp, *CH1, DC2 in next ch2 sp, CH2 DC2 in same ch2 sp, repeat from * 5X, SL in 3rd ch of original ch3

*Stuff your pumpkin at this point. I used some black tulle, but you could use basic fiber fil or fabric scraps or whatever, just keep in mind that you will be able to see the filling.

Round 14: CH5, *SK(dc, ch2, dc2) DC in next dc, CH2, repeat from * 4X, SL in 3rd ch of original ch5, fasten off leaving about a 3 foot tail.

Thread the yarn needle with the 3' tail, then push the needle up through the middle of the pumpkin and then around one of the sides and back into the pumpkin. This exaggerates the pumpkin shape. Continue doing this until all of the indents are created, there should be 6. 

Curly Cues (make 2):
CH to desired length, SC2 in the 2nd ch from the hook, *SC3 in the next ch, SC2 in the next ch, repeat from * until you reach the end of the ch, fasten off, leaving a tail long enough to sew to pumpkin.

Leaf:
For the leaf, I modified a pattern I found on Pinterest. The original seemed a little large and was in another language, but the method is good. The picture below is from that same source and, although it is of the bigger leaf, the picture illustrates how you will crochet the leaf.

Row 1: CH7, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, SC in remaining 5 chs, CH3, SC5 along the back of the original ch7, CH2, turn
Row 2: SC in the next 5 scs, SC5 in ch3 sp, SC in the next 3scs, CH2, turn
Row 3: SC in next 5 scs, SC3 in next sc, SC in next 6 scs, CH4, turn
Row 4: SC in third and fourth ch from hook, SC in the next 3 scs, CH1, turn
Row 5: SK the first sc, SC in the next 4 scs, CH2, turn
Row 6: SC in the next 4 scs, SC3 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, CH1, turn
Row 7: SK the first sc, SC in the next 6 scs, CH2, turn
Row 8: SC in the next 6 scs, SC2 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, SK1 sc, SC in the next 6 scs, CH4, turn
Row 9: SC in third and fourth ch from hook, SC in the next 3 scs, CH1, turn
Row 10: SK the first sc, SC in the next 4 scs, CH2, turn
Row 11: SC in the next 4 scs, SC3 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, CH1, turn
Row 12: SK the first sc, SC in the next 6 scs, CH2, turn
Row 13: SC in the next 6 scs, SC2 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, SK1 sc, SC in the next 6 scs, CH4, turn
Row 14: SC in third and fourth ch from hook, SC in the next 3 scs, CH1, turn
Row 15: SK the first sc, SC in the next 4 scs, CH2, turn
Row 16: SC in the next 4 scs, SC2 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, SK1 sc, SC in the next 6 scs, CH4, turn
Row 17: SC in third and fourth ch from hook, SC in the next 3 scs, CH1, turn
Row 8: SK the first sc, SC in the next 4 scs, CH2, turn
Row 19: SC in the next 4 scs, SC2 in the ch1 sp, SC in the next sc, SL in the next sc and fasten off leaving a long enough tail to sew the leaf to the pumpkin.

****I wrote the leaf pattern after I had made it, instead of while I was making it and haven't had a chance to really test the leaf, so if you see issues PLEASE email me at [email protected]. THANK YOU!!!

Truth be told, with the exception of Christmas, I am not the best at decorating for the different holidays. I would like to get better about it and start a collection of things I can put up to celebrate. So, in an effort to do so, I am starting with Halloween. I love the effort that some have made to class up the holiday with lace and things, so I thought it would be fun to add to that effort. Of course, this wreath could just be the base for a ghoulish item for your wall or can even be used for a different holiday entirely.

My inspiration for this wreath came from the stiff lace crowns I keep seeing all over Pinterest. I am actually surprised that I didn't find a tutorial for a wreath using the same method. Anyway, just a note about fabric stiffener. I tried using mod podge for this, but it was too flimsy. I know I could have used more coats to stiffen it up, but I was worried about the sheen the glue would leave. I also tried sugar syrup as is used for doilies. Not only was this method ridiculously messy to apply, but it shed like crazy after it dried. It also left a flaky white residue on the lace. So, save yourself some trouble, buck up and buy some fabric stiffener. I promise, you will get MUCH better results. 

Materials:
Foam Wreath Form
Tape Measure
Lace by the yard*
Saran Wrap
Fabric Stiffener
Glue Gun/Sticks
Decorations of your choice

Directions:
Measure the circumference of your wreath as shown in the picture. Cut a strip of lace at half of this measurement. For example, mine was about 5.5", so I cut a strip at 2.25" wide. *You can use ribbon and not bother with this step, just make sure that the width of your ribbon does not exceed half of this measurement.

Next, wrap your wreath form in saran wrap. Dip the lace in stiffener to completely soak. Pull up an end of the lace with one hand and, using the pointer and thumb on your other hand, wring out the excess stiffener. Place the lace on the top half of the wreath, stretching it over the wreath to completely conform to the shape and creating folds where needed so that the strip becomes a circle. Let the wreath dry over night. 

Before removing your wreath from the form, attach any decorations using a glue gun. When you are ready, turn the wreath over and cut along the back of the saran wrap, then peel the lace from the form. Carefully, peel the saran wrap from the lace and discard. Add a ribbon to your wreath you are good to go!

So, do share, what decor items are you going to make for Halloween? The wreath is lonely! :)

P.S. The shiny black ribbon is actually a VHS tape I pleated on my sewing machine, the beaded leaf came from a headband from the Family Dollar, the peacock feathers are from Michaels and the purple ribbon is from Walmart

Last week, I posted a tutorial for how to make yarn from recycled magazines. I had a few people ask me what to make with this material. So, this post is purely to inspire some creativity with magarn. Obviously, since any exposure to moisture would compromise the strength of the magarn, it should probably only be used for decorative purposes, so all of my suggestions are with that in mind.

The most obvious use to me, and what I had in mind when I originally made this, is to knit or crochet it, so most of my ideas are using that method. The above picture is a sample of knitted magarn. I have a couple of suggestions for knitting and crocheting magarn, though, you will want to use large needles (size 10+) or a large hook (size N+). Also, you may want to invest $4 on a leather thimble from Joanns (in the sewing section) to protect your pointer finger from the coarseness of the paper. Now to some ideas.

For the doilies at the top, you could display them on the wall or use them as a decorative plate or even a place mat. I put the amigurumi animals in because I thought it would be really cool to make one and display it like a sculpture either in the living room or high up in a kid's room. As for the weaving on the bottom right, you could weave up a quick table runner or place mats or be really ambitious and weave up a whole table cloth for decoration! Another thought I had was to make a sample of your favorite lace stitch to display on the wall. I hope these ideas get the wheels in your head spinning with ideas of what wonderful things you could make with this lovely material. I would love more ideas of what you all come up with and pictures would be even better! Comment with your ideas and email pictures to [email protected].

A couple weeks ago, I shared my favorite flower tutorials, this week, I am sharing my favorite DIY wreaths. I hope this inspires you to pretty up the front door or maybe a mantle or perhaps a picture wall! Enjoy!