Fancy Halloween Soiree

I just finished helping with my church’s annual Halloween Party.  It is such a big undertaking – but so much fun!!!!  The theme was “Frightfully Fancy”.  Here are the invitations – I printed them on burlap colored paper:
This is the finished cultural hall – it turned out amazing especially considering we didn’t really have a decorations budget!!

This is a little vignette by the front entrenace
Groups of paper bats guiding people down the hall – spooky!!
A spooky collection of old art and vintage frames.
(A little before picture of putting up all the lights)
My friends and I emptied our houses and pulled all our decor accents together.  It was a little shocking to see all we had – this is just a sampling!
One morning my friend and I were at an estate sale and the estate’s owner had an intense doll-making hobby.  They were selling all her doll-head molds.  They wanted $10 a mold, then they said $8, then said $5 if we bought a bunch of them.  When we went to leave I offered $3 a head and they took it!  I am now the proud owner of 10 spooky doll-head molds.  They were absolutely perfect accents to the centerpieces on the tables!
Each table was decorated differently – vases, candle sticks, crows, birdcages, owls, clocks, vintage pictures, black pumpkins, etc.  Then we put a spider web treatment on it all and it looked amazing!  Everyone kept asking where we got all the decorations!  It was a little embarrassing admitting that we owned it all!!  You should see my garage!!
During dinner we had all the piano students play halloween piano pieces for the background music. 
This is the long serving table where we served the food.
And the food was AMAZING!!!  This guy spent the entire day smoking ribs in a smoker he built just for the party.  He also made his famous BBQ chicken.
Best ribs EVER!!!!

We had a photo booth where families could get their pictures taken.  We also had 6 different carnival-type games, a cake walk, and trunk-or-treat!

Our annual pie contest:

My daughter made this key lime pie and won an award!

Then we had a spook alley – and not just any spook alley.  Our Young Men age 12-18 arrived at the church at 8am with lumber and tools and began constructing walls for the spook alley.  They stayed and worked the entire day – best spook alley ever!

 They framed walls then attached black plastic.  There was an outer maze for older kids and an inside maze that was less scary for the younger kids.

I think the boys had a little too much fun!  It was too hard to photograph when it was finished because it was pretty dark!
 It was ALOT of work but so worth it.  Everyone had such a great time!!!  

Amanda

Tricks and Treats Halloween Tote Bags

I love sewing for Halloween and can’t seem to get enough Halloween fabrics!  My tutorial for these fun bags is over at the Therm O Web Blog.   I used Fusible Fleece to make these bags – it is quick and easy and it makes the bags soft.  I love that the bags can stand up on their own and don’t flop over.  They are perfect for carrying LOTS of CANDY!!!
I designed these “Tricks” and “Treats” bags for the Therm O Web fall advertising campaign!  I am pretty excited!!!  
 I found the ad in this magazine – it has such cute ideas!!!
For more Halloween Tutorials click :

Amanda

Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Party

This weekend we were invited to a Murder Mystery Party.  My friend hosts one every year in October and it is so much fun!  We received an email with a synopses of our characters and what we were supposed to wear – this is us – yes, funny!!

I purchased this dress at a garage sale only hours before the party for $2.  (Who has a garage sale at 6pm at night?)

 The party began with appetizers and clues.  Then it moved to dinner with more questions and clues.  Then to dessert and accusations!  It was so much fun!  Everyone looked great and we had a few people with really cleaver accents.  

 Here you can see we are deep in conversation and deep into character!  If you want to host your own party, go to Host-Party.com.

Amanda

Halloween Black Cats

 I love black cats more than anything else at Halloween.  I think it might have something to do with the fact that 19 years ago we adopted a little black fur ball of a kitten.  He was the best kitty ever.  Life just hasn’t been the same since loosing him this past June.   So, in memory of Toonces, here is some fun Black Cat inspiration!
I love this fabric from Blend’s Spooktacular line.  I am hoping to make something with it this week.
I am so in love with this painting by Lyn Estall.  It looks just like my Toonces 🙂
These 2×4 black cats from Clover House look super fun to make!!
This is a magazine cover from 1895.  You can find the image at Saving More Than Me blog
I love this vintage picture from the Graphics Fairy of a little girl holding her black cat.  
This is my “Miss Kitty” doll with a black cat Halloween dress.
A little Pyrex love mixed with Black Cat love in my kitchen.

Amanda

Spooky Potion Throw Pillow

I can’t believe how fast October is flying by!  There are so many projects I want to make, and so little time!  I thought this pillow was super fun.  The spooky bottles are from Blend’s Spooktacular line of fabric.  The tutorial is over on the Therm O Web blog today!

Amanda

Halloween Applique Art

Today my Halloween Appliqué Art Tutorial is over on the Therm O Web Blog!  This project was super fast and super easy!  This would also be a fun project to let your children design!

Amanda

Totally 80’s Costume Party

 I totally miss the 80’s!!!  This was so much fun!  We had a totally awesome time reminiscing and talking about all those totally rad styles! 

  

 Love this intense “mod” look!
 Tough girl & preppy guy!
 Oh yea 🙂
 We had to break out the neon spray paint!

  
 The dinner was 80’s food – which is code for junk food: pizza, nachos, chips, onion dip, Kool Aid, Tang, and boy am I glad they brought back the Hostess Twinkies & Cup Cakes!!

  
 If you know me at all, you know that I can’t have a party without dancing!  I love this picture of the guys – they are singing Depeche Mode’s “Somebody”.  Ahhhhhhhh

We had a little “name that tune” throw down
 Then just lots and lots of dancing and singing!!


Amanda

Halloween Table Square Tutorial

 Today I am a guest blogger over at Ginger Snap Crafts.  I am sharing this quick and easy tutorial for a cute Halloween table accent.  I can’t get enough of orange chevron!!!

Amanda

Halloween Costumes

Some years Halloween costumes are intense and other years it’s what ever we can find!  I still don’t know what we are going to be this year – usually I have it planned in the Summer!!!  Our favorite costumes were the Star Wars costumes!!  We really went all out!
The cat even got a Jedi robe!
Last year we were the cast of Gilligan’s Island.  My poor kids – no one knew who they were!  Such a shame!  We LOVE old TV shows!!!

One year the kids were military people – we got the costumes at a military surplus store!

 
David was a nerd and I was Minnie Mouse – totally unrelated – one of those last minute things!!

Amanda

Spooky Halloween Art

 I LOVE the The Graphics Fairy website!  She has amazing Vintage style images to download for free!  I found this owl family there.  I LOVE it!  It is perfect on my piano!

I also found this vintage cat print from the Graphics Fairy.  I can’t get enough of black cats!!

 I also have another spooky owl print I found at the Goodwill.  I have it in my front entryway.

I love decorating for Halloween!

Amanda