Happy Halloween! TAG!

Halloween is all about having fun, so instead of a DIY today I'm sharing a FUN tag video with you.

Find out my fondest Halloween memory, my oddest fear, and do I believe in ghosts?

Check it our and find out below!

 
Direct link to the video here:  https://youtu.be/eTROC9TnZdM

Quick Spray Paint Makeover

I have a confession.  I am a home decor hoarder.  Ok, maybe not, but I do have a hard time getting rid of things that go out of style.  I like to think I can always rework things to make them work with my current decor.
I held onto these very heavy planters for quick awhile before I stumbled upon them again.  They were definitely not going to work for me the way there were, so it was time to take out the spray paint.  I used an oil rubbed bronze to give them a metal look instead of the stucco earthy look.  Then I sealed them with a water resistant spray since they will be outside.
The darker color give them more versatility.  I have them in my Halloween decor right now on the front porch.  I hope to plant some mums in them once Halloween is over.  Then I think they will fit in with my rustic Christmas decor after that.
I made a quick makeover video to show you just how easy and quick it was.  I also include video of how they are being used right now in my Halloween porch decor.
Hope you enjoy!

Direct link to the video: https://youtu.be/6NBwYKyJu1E

DIY Pallet Shutter

We created this shutter for a wood working workshop that me and a friend host monthly.  We liked the idea that you could use this shutter in a bunch of different ways.  By adding a hook to the front it made it versatile so you could hang a wreath, a lantern, a picture or whatever matches your decor.  We also liked that it could be used inside or outside.  Add a picture hanger to the back and you can even hang it on the wall.  So many great options!

The even better news about this project is that it's EASY!  Definitely a great beginner wood workers project.  Not a lot of cutting and easy assembly.

I share with you in my video tutorial below, step by step how to create this awesome home decor piece.

Hope you enjoy!

Direct link to the video tutorial: https://youtu.be/CTni_GBSNRA

Hocus Pocus Halloween Decor

"It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!"
This movie is a favorite of mine and many others too.  I created a Hocus Pocus mantel last year which I LOVED.  

However, this year I'm loving my apple orchard themed mantel and didn't want to take it down.  So instead, I set up my Hocus Pocus decor on our dining room cafe shelves.  This way I get the best of both and I'm actually loving how it turned out!

I tried to include all the pieces of the movie that I could.  I have the black flame candle, all 7 ingredients in the witch's potion, I created the friendly zombie Billy's headstone, and found a cute black cat to represent Binks.  Then I found a fun print that sort of fit the vintage look and framed it, along with a picture of my kids in my favorite Halloween costumes of theirs - Jack and Sally.

I added some candles and some black meshy fabric and it all came together nicely!
Here's a video of the whole display and up close details. Hope you enjoy!


Direct link to the video: https://youtu.be/EHhZun6p_Pk

*~*DIY Unicorn Headband*~*

So I shared with you how to make the faux fur skirt and legwarmers for my daughter's Halloween costume already in THIS POST.  Now I'm sharing how I made the beautiful headband that pulls this whole costume together. THANK YOU to www.DistinctiveFabric.com for providing the "Monkey Rainbow" faux fur for this project!  You can shop their online store HERE. The supplies for this project include a headband, felt, gold metallic fabric, stretch gold sequince, hydrangea silk flowers, rhinestones, and faux fur and hot glue!

Roll the gold fabric into a cone

Stuff with cotton fill

Add felt ears

Add fur mane and flower accents

I share with you in the video below the steps to create your own beautiful unicorn headband! Enjoy!

*~*DIY Unicorn Costume*~*

When my "little" girl asked to be a unicorn for Halloween I almost jumped for joy!  She is 10 years old and I wonder when the joys of Halloween and trick or treat will come to an end.  Not to mention, she's still rocking the colorful girly girl costumes!
I hit Pinterest and looked for ideas.  Nothing much caught my eye, but I did like the look of the white "body" and the colorful headband.
Then real MAGIC happened!  www.DistinctiveFabric.com contacted me wanting to know if I'd like to try their fabric!  I browsed their online store and thought to myself, how will I ever choose!?!  Then I came across this BEAUTIFUL faux fur called Monkey Rainbow.  It could not have been more perfect to up the cool effect on my daughter's Halloween costume!
They were so great and shipped the fabric to me super quick, which was great because I only had a week to complete the costume before all of our fun Halloween events.
My first thought was - skirt.  So I started with that, which led to legwarmers, then arm warmers, and then a scarf, and then a mane on the headband.
The monkey rainbow faux fur was so easy to work with!  I'd suggest it to even beginners.  I created a DIY video with a full tutorial as well as tips and tricks to working with this awesome fabric.
Hope you enjoy!


BIG thanks to www.DistinctiveFabric.com again for supplying the faux fur fabric for this costume!

Craft Show Set up and Display

I used to do tons and tons and TONS of craft shows.  Since my son was born, I have majorly cut back.  This show is my biggest of the year with the most product and most elaborate set up.  It is an outside show at an Oktober Fest.  I just love it, which is why I keep doing it.  Our booth is right next to a running creek, it's an adorable little German town with all kinds of cute traditions.  Most of the booths are antiques and not handmade, but there are a few craft style booths, mine just happens to be one of them!

Tent Before

Tent After

I always enjoy seeing other people's displays and how they set up their booths and tents, so I'm sharing mine!  I change things every year and bring different items every year too.  We were lucky to have a beautiful day this year, but it has rained in the past.  I try to keep my booth contained instead of spread out because you just never know when the rain might start coming down.

I lost my business banners, so whipped up a wood sign to replace them.
I think I love it much more then the printed style!

I made some of my displays too - my pallet wood crates which cost me $0 instead of $10 each (saved me $40!).  All in all it was a GREAT show!  I had lots of buisness and the show itself was bustling with people thanks to the beautiful weather.  I'm already looking forward to next year! Here's a look into how I set up and then a tour of my booth and products.  If you are interested in any of the items you see please e-mail me at: CrossinMyHeart@hotmail.com  I'm happy to recreate things for you!

Enjoy!

Direct Link to Video: https://youtu.be/tc_mAgltVHI

Easy and Quick Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrub feels like such a luxury item to have and use, but it is also so quick and easy to make yourself.

I've tried different versions of this in other scents, but I must say that pumpkin spice can't be beat for me.  The smell of fall just makes me feel relaxed, calm, and warm.

In the past I've kept jars of sugar scrub in our bathrooms, and next to the kitchen sink.  Anywhere you might like to take an extra few seconds to give your hands that spa like feel.  Recently I've also kept a jar in my shower, another great place to take some extra time pampering yourself.

The video below is pretty short, because it really does not take long to make this scrub for yourself.  It's also great to give as gifts!

I hope you enjoy the video tutorial below and I also hope you make some of your own and enjoy that too!

Directions:
1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup coconut oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix well and fill an 8 oz jar with air tight lid.
Scrub into skin with a little water and rinse clean.

Doesn't get much easier then that!

Happy Fall Everyone!

The Nightmare Before Christmas - Halloween Yard Display

We have been adding to our Nightmare Before Christmas yard display for three years now.  We try to add on and add something new each year.  This year was our 4 foot tall Oogie Boogie (you can see how he was made HERE).

Three years ago we all dressed up as Nightmare Before Christmas characters and then decorated our yard to match.  I just couldn't get rid of our 6 foot (+) tall Jack Skellington.  So instead of changing things up, we have decided to just keep adding to the theme.

During the daytime 

I give you a full tour of our pretty cool yard art and display in the attached video.  You'll get to see the display during the day and then again when it's dark outside.  You just can't capture all the details at night, and you can't see all the fun lighting effects during the day, so both versions it is!
I hope you enjoy!  It brings our family a lot of joy and also members of our neighborhood.
Hope you enjoy as well!

Wood Block Picture Holders

I love how simple these picture holders are, yet they are also so chic at the same time!

I had some left over 2"x 8" wood hanging around and thought I'd whip up a few of these for an upcoming craft show I'll be in.  For me, this cost $0.  I used scrap wood, ribbon and clothes pins I already had.  

Supplies: 2"x8"x10" wood, ribbon, twine, clothes pin, glue/glue gun

If you were to purchase the materials on your own I'd say these would cost under $5 each to make!  What a great gift idea to stock up on!  Perfect for weddings, Christmas, new babies, hostess gifts, get well soon gifts and SO MANY MORE great reasons you could give these.  Or you can always decorate your own home with them, right?

Bow tutorial!

I created a video tutorial below to show you how to put this whole piece together, as well as how to make the bows.  I give you some tips along the way as well.

Hope you enjoy!

Mason Jar Tiki Torch

I so much enjoy sitting on my porch.  Whether it's during the day watching my kiddos play in the front yard or if it's at night enjoying a glass of wine, it is just a nice cozy little spot to sit and enjoy.  I recently added this mason jar tiki torch and it's been such a great addition!  Sort of like a bonfire without all the hassle or mess.  The even better part, it helps keep the bugs away!
I created a how to video to share with you just how easy it is for you to be able to make your own! I also give you a sneak peek into my mason jar themed porch in the video.
Hope you enjoy!

DIY 4 Foot Tall Oogie Boogie Yard Art

This will be our 3rd year of doing a Nightmare Before Christmas yard display for Halloween.  The first year, everything was new: 6' tall Jack Skellington, paper mache Zero, Zero's dog house, the countdown to Christmas clock and other little odds and ends.

This year, I wanted to add an Oogie Boogie!  He ended up being 4' tall.  I used a scrap piece of plywood that I had, so just went with what I had.

Cutting out the outline

Before paint

Spray paint

Adding the details

This guy is pretty simple since all I needed to do was spray paint and then add in the black details,

The special thing about this guy is that he will GLOW IN THE BLACK LIGHT!

I'm so excited to get our Halloween display up this year!

I'll post a video and blog all about that coming up soon!  Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!

Here's how our 4 foot tall Oogie Boogie came to life!

Enjoy!

Adding Lights to a Wood Sign

So this isn't my favorite DIY to do, but it adds too much to the look of a sign that I do like to do this every once in awhile,  The wood signs just looks so pretty with the lights on!

It's fairly inexpensive, as I was able to pick up a 15 ct. of battery powered string lights from Hobby Lobby for only $1.99.  However, do bring your patients along with you when it's time to tackle this project.

Drilling the holes in the wood sign

The back of the sign after the lights are installed

In the video you see I have gone to an extra step of taping down the lights, then actually stapling the tape to the sign instead of stapling the lights right into the board itself.  There are a couple of reasons for this:  First, I ruined a set of lights stapling them into the board because it shorted the lights out.  The staples were too tight and basically smashed the wires and prevented the electrical power flow to the rest of the lights.  The other reason is, this will make it much easier if I need to change out the batteries or change out a light bulb in the future. So now that I've given you a short run down, you can see the whole process of how to add string lights to your wood signs in the DIY vido I've created and linked below. Enjoy!