DIY Halloween....part 2

Okay, so I really should have posted this part 2 earlier!  But better late than never, eh?  The next thing I did with the kids drawings (after scanning them in) was print them out and then we all cut them out.  This is again a great activity to do with the kids, they love to help and it develops their fine motor skills.  I just went round their edges after, just to neaten them up!  We then stuck the individual characters to cocktail sticks with a bit of sticky tape so we could then use them as cake decorations.

I also blew up some of their characters so they were A4 size, printed and cut them out.  These made great decorations.

Halloween wouldn't be halloween if it wasn't for candles, however, children/parties/candles don't exactly mix so as an alternative I cut out a flame on orange card and then stuck them to candles.  This was quite effective.  We had them placed all around the room up high, covered in cobwebs and from afar they looked authentic!

Using the kids drawings that we had previously cut out, I layered them onto a picture frame to create a spooky collage.  This makes a really cool picture, something you could do with any of their drawings.

So finally, we decorated the whole house using lots of autumnal things the kids had collected from the woods like acorns/conkers etc.  We also ripped scary faces on leaves.  My friend made the most fantastic chocolate sprinkle cake and a good time was had by all.  Have a look below and HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

DIY Halloween Part 1...The Invitation

We are all a little guilty of going over board with parties and although I don't feel pressured that my parties have to be amazing, I do love lots of decorations!  I just love to make things, but I can see that this is just another 'thing' we have in this modern world of ours.  By trying to make everything look perfect and impressive we have lost sight of the originally brief.....to celebrate something or someone.  

Now when I was a child parties were so simple, we would do the hokey cokey, oranges & lemons and some crazy game where you had to put on lots of adult clothes and then try to cut up chocolate with a knife and fork!  I think this simplicity has been lost  and I am going to bring it back!  Well, to my own children, at least.  

Lets start with Halloween.  I have already posted a great party package (here) but here is a great idea that you can do easily, cheaply and involve the children.  Get your children to draw lots of spooky characters, houses etc  Kids drawings are so cool, they just have great imaginations and would give any quirky illustrators a run for their money!  I then drew around them with a fine liner pen, not changing the original drawing just making it clearer for the scanner.  

I then cut out all the drawings and scanned them into Photoshop, where I created an invitation. However, you do not need to do this.  You can cut out the characters and then place them on a piece of paper, building up the invite and sticking it all down when you are happy with it.  You could use old magazines and cut out words to create the writing, like a ransom note.  This is our invite, which can then be emailed to all so you don't even have to print anything off, which is cost efficient and better for the environment.

I will post part 2 shortly, where I will show you how to use all these great drawings to create a fantastic Halloween party.

tuesdaymourning - halloween party pack

I love this Halloween Party Pack from tuesdaymourning.  There are over ten pages for download here on Etsy and are perfect for any Halloween party.  Really gorgeous illustrated garlands, invites and decorations.  

Merrilee Liddiard is the creator of tuesdaymourning and there are lots of beautifully illustrated products available, however, she also runs the inspiring blog Mermag.  Check it out, as there are lots of craft ideas.

All Images & Rights Reserved tuesdaymourning

Mr Printables

I came across the wonderful craft website 'Mr Printables' via Pinterest and it has become a real favourite of mine.  There are so many fantastic crafts and project ideas for you to do with your children, plus there are lots of amazing printables- all wrapped up in a beautifully presented, colourful website.  So please do not hesitate click on the link and have some fun! 

All Images & Rights Reserved Mr Printables

Download Finger Puppet here

Giddy Up & Grow

Giddy Up & Grow is an accessories shop on Etsy, selling Felt flower headbands and hair slides for children.  All items are handmade, bright, colourful and playful.  I think they would add a quirky edge to any outfit and the floral headbands would be great for any contemporary flower girl/bridesmaid.  See the Range here and follow Robyn's (Giddy Up & Grow Designer) blog here

All Rights images Reserved Giddy Up & Grow

Marina Rachner

I came across Marina Rachner's lovely creations today and I just had to share.  I love the quirkiness of the characters, not only their style but also their names.  They are all made from 100% cotton and are hand embroidered.  Available to buy from BigCartel here http://www.marinarachner.bigcartel.com/

(All Images & Rights Reserved to Marina Rachner)