Halloween Jar Cookies

I found this recipe and idea from this amazing blog and decided I had to put at least one together. I would encourage you all to check out Living Locurto's blog....she's got some wonderful ideas and her photography makes me hungry to learn to do so much more with my new camera....oh yeah, and her jars turned out so much prettier than mine....but nevertheless I wanted to share this with you.

Here's the recipe:
And here's how my jar turned out....the only thing I would do differently (and it wasn't mentioned in the directions) is to pack my flour and sugar in the jar (using a wooden spoon). I think you would have seen the M&M candies at the top of my jar and it would have looked a little more festive.

Anyhoo....Living Locurto also gives you free downloads for the label and the recipe....so go try it out...what are you waiting for?

Puttin' It All Together

I spent a little bit of time this morning working on some Halloween classroom goodies for my 2nd grade daughter to pass out tomorrow. She actually went through my craft idea notebook and picked out this craft.

We found the small containers at Michael's in their wedding department. The cost was $10 for 30 (with a coupon). Next, I bought some Halloween M&Ms and went to work...

First, I filled each container with a small amount of candy. I also applied a small glue dot to the side-center of each container (you can see it here).
Next, I used some of my favorite purple twill ribbon to wrap around the side of each container. My local rubber stamp store sells this twill (in all different colors) for only 20/cents a yard. I love it!

Lastly, I used my scrapbook adhesive to apply a Stampin' Up "Batty for You" image to the center of each top. These were prepared much earlier in the month to make everything a little bit easier during *crunch* time....which is now!!

And here is part of my stash of 18 stacked high in a pretty treat container!

Later gator!

Muffins & More

Between working part-time (but it feels more like full-time) and our neighborhood Halloween party this past Saturday, I've also been working on my daughter's 2nd grade storybook parade. This year her class is using the theme from the book, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" and each classmate (and her teacher) will be dressed as a moose. There weren't too many options to go with, so this is what I put together....

Here's the book cover and a stack of [yummy] cardboard muffins:
I mounted the muffins and the book covers on large popsicle sticks so that the children could carry them while marching in the parade.

Next are the headbands I made using brown felt, black posterboard, black pipecleaners and hot glue. These were a bit tedious, but I wanted them to be secure and not floppy while the children walked.

And, here's a quick picture of my girls in their costumes for our neighborhood Halloween parade. I didn't get too many good pictures from the party because I was too busy running games, hosting and picking names for winners in our candy corn count contest and prize giveaways. It was a fun time!

Just in case you couldn't tell, this year's homemade costumes include a mime and a supermodel. See you later!

Spooky Thank You - Mini

A little friend at school needed some "Thank You" treats, so I made this mini card to attach to her box of goodies. These were just some scraps from a Making Memories "Spook Alley" paper pad collection sitting on my desk. I also used my Mega Mixed Messages stamp set from PTI along with some Martha Stewart twine and my Spellbinders Label's One die.
I love the collection of witches' feet....Halloween is such a fun holiday!

Fall Baking Favorites

One of my favorite things about the Fall season is being in my kitchen and baking some of my favorite treats....here are a few that I've made in the past couple of days...

Organic Maple Brown Granola Raisin Cookies

and Pumpkin Bread (with a side of chocolate)

Both of these treats are so easy to make and loved by all. If you want the recipes, let me know and I'll post them. The aroma in your kitchen can't be beat!! Yum!

LPS Mouse Pumpkin - Comin' Up

My husband carved his first foamie pumpkin last year and really liked the concept....you spend a few dollars (they are 60% off at Michael's this week) and have something that lasts for years all the while eliminating the mess of rotten pumpkin guts and gnats swarming around for days....have you tried one? I went yesterday and bought two for our display this year.

This one belongs to my youngest daughter. She specifically requested a "Littlest Pet Shop Mouse" pumpkin. Didn't it turn out so cute? It's amazing what you can do with a coloring page these days....my hubby used one as a template.
And here's another shot:

Next up is a tiger or a Puffle from Disney's Club Penguin.....I'll keep you updated.

Haloween Bunting

I'm getting ready for my annual neighborhood Halloween party so I thought I would whip up a new Halloween bunting to use as a decoration near my party table. I found this cute fabric yesterday and spent about an hour today getting it completed.

Here's how you start....find some cute fabric and make a pattern the size of your choice. Pin the pattern down and sew around it with a straight stitch, keeping your fabric turned right-sides out.
Next, using wide, single fold bias tape (or you could use double-fold which is easier), pin your bunting flags to the bias tape.

Sew the flags into the bias tape using a small zig zag stitch.

Make your bunting as long as you would like it....mine is a little over 3 yards long (requiring two packages of bias tape).

Here's what it looks like hanging temporarily in my foyer.

I love sewing projects like this...quick and simple. There are so many ways to customize one for yourself, you can always add messages, like "Spooky" or "Celebrate" - or you could even add images like moons and stars. Wouldn't pom poms dangling from the ends look cute too?

Blackberry Dump Cake

I went to a new "Green Market" yesterday and found the most gorgeous fresh blackberries. I had never seen ones so large!!! Here's a shot of them sitting all clean and gorgeous in my colander...I knew the second I laid eyes on them exactly what I wanted to do with them.
Have you ever tried Dump Cake? If not, you're in for a treat. It's the easiest of desserts to prepare....you need some kind of fresh fruit, or you can use canned cherries or peaches, yellow cake mix, a 9x11 casserole dish and one stick of butter (which I forgot to put in my picture). That's it....no other added ingredients.

First, I washed my berries. Next, I sprayed my casserole dish with a little non-stick cooking spray. After that, just layer in your fruit, cake mix and then....

cut up your stick of butter into little "pats" and dot them on top of the cake mix. Spread them out as best as you can.

To bake, just place the casserole dish in the oven at 350 degrees for one (1) hour. I also lined my sheet pan with foil in case there were any spill overs from the berries.

Here's what it looks like when it comes out of the oven. And, you should smell the kitchen while it's baking.....yummmm! I've always said that it would be great if Yankee Candle came out with a "Dump Cake" scented candle.

Try one today!