Fiskars Craft

Halloween Wreath

Designer: Laurie Cinotto

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Dress up your door and frighten your houseguests with this gauzy, ghostly, Halloween wreath!

You just need a few materials and a little bit of time to create this easy, creepy project.

Begin by dying 5 yards of cheesecloth a dark gray tone using fabric dye according to the directions on the dye package. Twist it and tie it in knots for a mottled look.

Once the cheesecloth is dry, pin one end of the fabric to the wreath and begin loosely wrapping it around the form. Work your way around the wreath until you reach your starting point. Anchor the end with a second pin.

Take your scissors and randomly cut holes in the cloth. Fray the ends, and make it look tattered and worn.

Gather some bits to work into your wreath - like moss, lichen, twigs, bats, bones, skeletons and rats. Anything Halloween-ish or dark will do.

Tuck the bits into the holes and attach them with glue or pins. I had some tiny skeletons to work with, so I glued the bones to the foam first and added some lichen and Spanish moss around them.
Next, punch a few autumn leaves out of black cardstock and add them to the wreath.

Use your paper trimmer to cut a strip of twelve inch by one inch from a Halloween-themed paper. Use adhesive letters to spell “Happy Halloween” on the strip. Attach the strip across the center of the wreath and trim it with a few black cardstock crows.

I found this great Halloween Project over at http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Project-Gallery/Holidays-and-Seasonal/Halloween-Wreath .......it's worth popping by over there if you are looking for some Inspirational Craft Projects.

Fiskars Tools Used:

xoxo

Lyn

No-Sew Halloween Costume

Designer: Kim Garner

Difficulty rating: Beginner

You know what LBD stands for right? LBD = Little Black Dress. You know – the dress that goes with everything, that you can wear anywhere and it looks great? Well, if you are wondering what a little black dress and Halloween have in common, then you are in the right place! Halloween is a great time for dressing up, and deciding what you want to be for Halloween is a big deal for kids. For some, it is hard to decide. One week they want to be one thing, and then next week it is a whole different costume or theme. But it isn’t always the little ones that have trouble deciding. It can also be the adults! This is where the little black dress is perfect for Halloween. Once you have the basic costume, you can add the finishing touches to make it something completely new and different!

The Little Black Dress for this costume includes a black dance leotard & a simple black tutu. The tutu is easily made from tulle. You need black elastic, tulle, & a safety pin. (Remember this is no sewing!) Simply measure the length that you want the tutu to be and double it! (Example: If you want the tutu to be 10 inches long, but a strip of tulle 20 inches.) Fold it in half and slip it around the elastic, and pull the ends through so it is attached to the elastic. Continue to do this until you have filled the elastic. Attach the ends of the elastic with a safety pin.

Little Miss Muffet

After you have the LBD portion of you costume, then the sky is the limit with different themes that you can create!

How about a spider princess? Each costume has a coordinating head band that is embellished with ribbon, feathers, and bling! For extra costume creativity, add a belt to coordinate with the same theme. This spider is cute: it’s made with pompoms and pipe cleaners, but you could also go for a scarier look if your little monster wishes. Go the extra mile by adding spider rings on her fingers, in her hair, and maybe a scarf or necklace.

Good Witch

Dress up the traditional witch costume with some glittery fun! This headpiece started with a small witch hat and is embellished with feathers, ribbon, and tulle! There are also added ribbons to coordinate in the tutu.

Don’t forget the broom!

Now are your creative wheels turning? What if you created a skeleton steam punk costume? Or maybe an Audrey Hepburn lookalike from Breakfast at Tiffany’s?With the Little Black Dress as your start, you can create almost any Halloween costume easily!

I found this great project idea for Halloween over at http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Articles/No-Sew-Halloween-Costume and thought it a great idea if you are into dressing up for Halloween or getting the kids to dress up......

Do your kids do the whole Halloween thing? Mine never have....and I have never really been into Halloween...but I do love seeing all the orange and black bits and pieces appearing in the craft shops at the moment....maybe my grandkids will get into it in a few years time.....I hope so....then I might get to play with some orange and black to make some fun costumes.

Are you you making anything special this year for Halloween?

xoxo

Lyn

Halloween Headbands

Designer: Laurie Cinotto

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Want to dress in the spirit of Halloween, but don’t want to wear a full-on costume? Well, here’s an easy solution for you – make a Halloween headband! Below you’ll find three styles to choose from. Pick one that best suits your style, and craft away! They’re great for children and adults, too!

Kitty-Cat

Use your paper trimmer to cut two strips of adhesive-backed felt, measuring two inches wide and six inches long.

Remove the paper from the back, wrap the felt strip around the top of the headband, slightly offset. Line up the two ends of the felt and press together.
Cut the squared-off end into a triangle. Create a second ear using the other felt strip.

Cut two small triangles from a lighter color felt, and adhere it to the center of the ears.

Cut a strip of crepe paper measuring two inches by four inches. Fold the strip and gather in the center with a pipe cleaner to make a bow.

Place the bow near one of the kitty ears, and wrap the tail of the pipe cleaner around the band to secure.

Decorate the center of your bow using a couple of punched shapes, stickers or embellishments.

Witch Hat

Cut a four by eight inch strip of adhesive-backed felt. Peel the backing off the felt, and place “sticky-side up” on your work surface.

In the top center of the strip, place a couple feathers and curled pipe cleaners. Place the headband in the center, fold the strip closed. Smooth and trim rectangle into a triangle. Be careful not to trim away your feathers or pipe cleaners.

Cut a small five inch by one inch strip to create a hatband. Decorate your band using a seasonal border punch, ribbon, or washi tape. Add a few punched shapes or embellishments to finish your witch hat.

Miss Spider
Take a small and medium styrofoam ball, brush them with glue, and coat with glitter. Set aside to dry.

Cut eight four-inch black pipe cleaner segments. Bend each in the center at a forty-five degree angle to create a knee, and bend a quarter inch from the end to create a foot. Insert four legs into each side of the spider body. Glue two googly eyes to the spider’s head.

Cut two small circles measuring four inches in diameter – one out of black cardstock, and one out of adhesive back felt. Remove the paper backing from the felt, and adhere it to the cardstock. Cut a slit to the center of the circle. Over-lap the cut edges to form a short cone and glue overlapped sections together.

Take one yard of six-inch wide black veil netting and fold two over-lapped loops at the end. Twist a pipe cleaner section in the center to bundle the netting. Use hot glue to attach the netting to the top of the cone. Glue the spider on top of the “web”.

Attach the cone, spider and web to the headband using hot glue.

......................................................................................................................

I found this project over at http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Project-Gallery/Holidays-and-Seasonal/Halloween-Headbands and thought some of our readers might like to give this a try with the kids this year.

Fiskars Tools used include:

So are you getting craftry this Halloween?  If you are making something fun for the kids and would be happy to share with us.....then we'd love to see your Projects!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Happy Halloween!!!!!! Have you been booed yet?

                     

            Happy Halloween everyone! Have you been booed yet? 

          What do you do on Halloween......we'd love to know! 

      Do you let the kids dress up? Do you do the "trick" and "Treat"? 

   Leave a comment below telling us what you do for Halloween......maybe  you have been crafty this year .....if so....show us what you have been making!

 

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

 

 

Sewn Pumpkin Pincushion

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Designer: Patti Milazzo

In preparation for the cooler fall weather and more crafting time, I’ve made a cute fabric pumpkin pincushion for my upcoming sewing projects. It’s covered with festive orange patterned fabrics and is just 4 inches wide. With Fiskars Supersize Shape Template and sewing tools it’s a cinch to make.

Instructions:
1. Choose 2 patterned fabrics with a fall theme or color scheme. Using the 6” Supersize Shape Template, trace and cut 2 circles – one from each fabric.

2. Use the Rotary Cutter and Acrylic Ruler and the Cutting Mat to cut both circles into even quarters.

3. Swap the quartered pieces to alternate the pattern for each circle.

4. Start stitching (right sides facing in) along one side of the two adjacent pieces. This will form one half of the circle. Press the seam flat.

5. Repeat step 4 for the other half of that circle and do the same for the other circle as well.

6. Then join the halves of each circle together and press seams flat.

7. Next, match up the two circles with right sides facing in and with the pattern of the top and bottom circles alternating.

8. Stitch around the edge, leaving a 1.5 inch opening. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end to secure.

9. Turn the piece right side out and stuff with polyfil until the piece is somewhat firm. This will help to create a plump pumpkin.

10. Stitch the opening closed by hand.

11. Using a long doll or embroidery needle and 24” of coordinating embroidery thread pierce the center of the pumpkin from the bottom through the top center.

12. Wrap the thread over and around the pumpkin along the seam line between two fabric patterns. And again pierce the pumpkin from the bottom through the top center and pull the thread firmly to start shaping the pumpkin.

13. Continue this pattern along each of the remaining 3 seams (pulling the thread firmly) and then begin dividing each quarter of the pumpkin to complete the plump sections ending with the thread through the bottom. Pull the thread firmly and knot.

14. Cut out two leaf shapes from green fabric, sew edges with right sides facing in and leave a small gap to turn out. Turn the leaf out, tuck the opening in and machine stitch around the edges.

15. Attach the leaf and curled ribbon to the pumpkin with thread or glue. The pumpkin pin cushion is now ready to use.

Tip: Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees. To curl ribbon, tightly and evenly wrap grosgrain ribbon around a narrow wooden dowel and pin each end in place with wooden clothespins. Lightly spray the ribbon covered dowel with spray starch. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 4-5 minutes. Let cool, unwrap and use on projects.

For further crafty ideas make sure you pop over to http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting

not long now......watch out

Funky Halloween Fairy Costume

Designer: Emma Jeffrey

Difficulty rating: Beginner

I gave the traditional fairy costume a Halloween twist this year and came up with this funky ensemble that is cute and sweet with a dark and naughty side. Just right for my little horror!

To make the fairy tutu I cut my organza into strips approx. 20” long and 4” wide to fit my 5 year old. I used my Fiskars’ Razor Edge Soft Grip scissors which can just slice up the organza without the need for actual snipping. This makes the job much quicker which is helpful because you will need a lot of these. I then cut the ends of all my strips into triangular points.

For the waistband of the tutu I measured some elastic (mine was ¾” wide) around my daughter’s waist so that it stretched comfortably around her. I then sewed the two ends of the elastic together to form a loop.

Next, I tied the organza strips onto the elastic. I first folded the organza in half and put the loop of the fold underneath the elastic. I then brought the two ends of the fabric up over the elastic and through the loop and pulled tightly.

I continued in this way until I reached the desired fullness to the skirt, and I would suggest the fuller the better, so I stretched and pulled the elastic so I could tie on as many organza strips as possible.

To complete the skirt I added some ribbons, which were tied on in the same manner as the organza.

My Halloween Fairy needed a wand so with all this organza flying around I felt inspired to make an organza pom pom for the tip of it. I used my Fiskars circle template set and drew around the largest circle on cardstock. Then I used the second smallest circle for the center and cut it out using my craft knife.

I made two of these ‘donuts’ from cardstock, then held them together as I began to thread an organza strip through the middle and around the outside edge. I needed to tie several strips together to create enough length to go all the way around the ring a couple of times. Pom poms are very forgiving and hide any knots you need to make as you join strips together.

After going around the circle a couple of times, I took my sharp Microtip Scissors No. 5 which are able to get into places other scissors cannot reach and snipped my way through the organza, right between the two cardboard rings. Before completely removing the rings, I tied some ribbon several time around the center of the pom pom as tightly as possible to secure it.

I then tied the pom pom onto a length of dowel that had been covered with ribbon. I tied a few more ribbons around the base of the pom pom for added magic powers.

For the skeleton ribs top, I did a Google image search and found a rib cage template which I printed, cut out and used as a pattern to cut white felt. Another option would be to use the template as a stencil and use white fabric paint to paint onto a black top.

I pinned the felt rib cage onto a black top and sewed it on.

To finish, I used my Fiskars heart lever punch to make a pattern for a heart shape on a piece of bright pink felt. I sewed this over the top of the rib cage.

Happy Halloween!

For more fun Halloween crafty projects make sure you check out http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting

Halloween Party

Designer: Lisa Storms

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Halloween is a popular time for parties. I have seen so many wonderfully scary parties, but I wanted to set out to design some festivities that wouldn’t be too spooky for the kids! And of course, I turned to my trusty Fiskars tools to make the job quick and easy.

If your guests will be sitting down at the table to eat, consider turning it into a dramatic scene instead of opting for a standard centerpiece. Here I turned utilitarian paper plates into spiders crawling on a gigantic web.

The web is simply masking tape. I used a fabric tablecloth and knew masking tape would remove easily post party. You could also use a disposable party tablecloth though the tape likely wouldn’t remove easily for future use depending on the material. To create the web, I started with a long strip of tape from one corner of the table diagonally to the opposing corner. I then added a few radiating strips from the same beginning corner. I went back and cut small pieces to fill in between each of these strips. You could also begin in the middle with criss-crossing strips to center a web.

Whenever cutting anything with adhesive, such as tape, I am sure to reach for my non-stick scissors.

I wanted the spider plates to be goofy with a little personality, so they were given long, crimped legs and mismatched eyes. For the legs, cut eight 8.5 inch long half-inch strips of black cardstock with your paper trimmer, and run each leg through the paper crimper. Fold each strip in half and fold back a small tab at each end. Hot glue one tab under the rim of a black paper plate. Continue with four total legs on each side. Punch circles for eyes and hot glue to the edge of the plate facing each guest.

To keep the menu easy, I decided on assorted sandwiches. To keep the menu fun, I decided on assorted sand-witches!

I came up with a super simple way to make witch boots using a very unexpected tool, the Boundary Waters border punch. Run a 3/4 inch wide strip of black cardstock through the border punch and cut into sections as shown, at the bottom of each large curl. Trim off the small curl with scissors and cut a small triangle into the heel.

Add a striped leg to each boot and adhere to toothpicks. Insert in pairs into sandwiches for a non-spooky take on witches. Mix it up by adding stars and witch hats. The limited edition ‘Hats Off’ lever punch is a great witch hat. Add a small trim of color and a 1/4 inch star for easy embellishment.

These witch legs would also make adorable cupcake toppers.

Another limited edition lever punch that I consider a must-have is ‘Laughin Jack’. This jack-o-lantern face could add instant personality to all kinds of party items. Punch it from yellow cardstock to layer onto any black party items or goodie bags, or punch from black to add to orange items, such as these paper cups.

Send your guests home with a goodie bag featuring one last way to turn something spooky into kid-friendly. I found this awesome, hairy spider on the ‘Creepy Crawly’ stamp set and knew it would work well for a “thanks for dropping by” sentiment. I stamped him directly onto small treat bags and cut a small slit using a craft knife to insert white string, which I taped inside to secure. Staple the string at the top of the folded bag once stuffed for an interactive web. To give the spider a sillier look for the kids, add small googly eyes! Googly eyes just make anything adorable.

Whether you are planning a spooky or not-so-spooky Halloween party, be sure to put your Fiskars tools to work to make the job both easy and fun!

 

**** for further fun Party Ideas head on over to http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting where there are some fun crafty projects for Adults and Kids alike.....

Halloween Birthday Fun!

A few weeks ago.. October the 30th to be exact, we helped our oldest daughter, Jhane, to celebrate her birthday. For the whole year she has been talking about having a Halloween themed party. SO I started collecting things as I found them for the big day.

Wanting to keep the expense down as we had 20 kids coming we made all the food and most the decorations ourselves.

This was where Fiskars tools came very handle. Who would have though garage bags and my Fiskars Micro Tip Scissors could make decorating so easy. Well... they did here ! We split the bags in half down the sides and then cut them into strips. We then hung them from the ceiling on fishing line so the strips hung down. They really created atmosphere for the party.
 
As you can see this really helped to transform out double garage for the party.

The kids had a ball that night. With loud music, yummy food,spooky decorations, black lights,  a smoke machine and lights all made for a fun filled Halloween party.

The fun and goodies continued when everyone went home too. They all went home with a little mini caludrn we had found.
 
We decorated them using my two favourite Fiskars Squeeze punches. Then added lots of sweet goodness to them.

Who would have thought that craft tools could have played such a vital roll in a party.. ME!! They made the job of decoration and creating so much quicker and easier.

Thanks Fiskars for making our party so special and easy.

Cheers Michelle xx

 

" BOO "

                    Happy Halloween everyone!

Hope you have all had a wonderful day! Thought I'd share a BOO Banner that Fiskateer # 3830 Joanne shared over at Fiskateers....have you seen all the fabulous Halloween Projects over there...they are amazing! I have had a great day visiting family.........and surfing the net a bit looking at all the amazing Halloween Projects around......

Hasn't Joanne done a fabulous job of this BOO BANNER?

Just click on this Logo      and then take a peek around the Fiskateers site....not a member yet.....then why not join up...it's free....it's fun.....and it's FISKARS!!

 xoxo

Lyn Dwyer