Hallowe'en 2013

Hallowe'en went really well this year! I hosted a small house party, got to decorate and dress up. Overall, a fun time.

I had both a food table and a bar set up. The above picture doesn't contain all the food, but there was a cheeseball, apple slices, pumpkin dip, caramel dip, candy; not pictured are the gluten-free cake balls and the buffalo chicken dip. We ate a lot of crackers and chips.

I used felt I got on sale at Michael's to make the bat decor. I used a template, printed, pinned, and cut. Scotch tape on the back held them to the wall. However, beware: the cat decided to pull them down at all costs.   

One of my guests has a gluten intolerance.



Gluten Free Cake Balls
1 box Gluten Free Cake Mix
8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
1 bag Wilton Candy Melts
50 Cake Pop Sticks

Bake cake mix to the directions on the box, let cool. Crumble cooled cake into a large mixing bowl and stir in softened cream cheese until the cream cheese has been absorbed. Shape into balls.

Melt candy melts as per directions. Drop prepared cake balls, one by one, into the melts, coat. Remove and place on wax paper. Insert cake pop sticks halfway into balls, allow to cool.

The bar was a lot of fun to set up as well. It was a good way to get rid of a lot of extra alcohol we had but didn't enjoy. Unfortunately, we didn't get rid of it all.

The pumpkin jars are empty spaghetti jars, painted orange on the inside, with Sharpie faces. The skull in the foreground was purchased at Michael's for $1, and painted. You can even see Cthulhu!

Happy Hallowe'en!

The Deathflake Chart

The Deathflake Chart is something I'd been wanting to try out for a long time, but Faire Isle really scared me. A very well written a versatile chart, I initially intended to make a table runner. My boyfriend thought a banner would be more presentable. 

I have to say, I'm impressed with myself. The tension turned out the best of any Faire Isle I have attempted previously.

I learned how to properly block acrylic, as well. And by that I mean, I put a towel over it and steamed the shit out of it until it lay flat. It drapes fairly well now.

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Finished Items and Hallowe'en

After some stress of school, my dishwasher breaking, my HVAC unit leaking, the outlets in my kitchen all not working, and school, I've finally been able to finish a few things. Stress knitting is the best knitting.

I finally finished those god-forsaken stockings!

Here's a link to the Ravelry Project Page.

I'm getting in full swing for the Hallowe'en season! The weather has been gloriously cool these past few days. 

I made a little candle holder. I'm still experimenting with Sculpey, and I'm not very good with it.

I'm working on a pattern for a Hallowe'en table runner. I really like the idea, its cute, its classy... I'm going to need more yarn. 

I'm attempting to plan a party. There will be movies and friends and delicious foods.  And a poster. I'm still working out a theme. 

I have a shoulder octopus, your argument is invalid.

Candy Corn Earrings

Probably the easiest thing in the world. And so cute!

They are really lightweight earrings, so they are great for sensitive ears/children.

Materials
Scrap yarn in Yellow, Orange, and White (I used worsted weight)
Size 2 dnp
Tapestry needle
Earring Hook

Important things to note: When changing colour, make sure the tails point down. Its get messy otherwise.
These are 'stuffed' with the knots of the colour changes. No filling needed!

Cast on 9 stitches in Yellow across 3 dnp.
Knit 2 rows.
Change to Orange yarn.

Make sure to pull the colour change ends down!!

[k2tog, k1] 3 times. (6 sts)
knit 3 rows.
Change to White yarn.
[k2tog] 3 times. (3 sts)
Knit 2 rows.
Place all 3 stitches on one needle. Purl all three together. Hook onto earring hook. Break yarn, knot, and pull though the bottom of the corn.

I didn't have any earrings on my when
I  made this one, so I put it on a needle.

Weave starting tail into bottom stitches; cut all ends so none show.

Viola!

Office Space Hallowe'en Decorations

Paper, highighters, some paperclips, a rubber band...

We're gonna make some decorations out of office supplies.

If you're one of millions of Americans that work desk jobs, you probably hate your job and everything about it. You probably need a break from the long, monotonous hours of looking at a computer screen.

I have your solution!

Inspired by Shelterness, I decided to make my own paper pumpkins, in the office.

Step one: Cut paper into long pieces.

Step two (optional): Colour said paper pieces. Your interns will love this--colouring at work! Highlighters and sharpies are your friends.

Step three: Punch holes in the ends of the paper pieces.

Step four: Tie a knot in the end of a piece of string, or a rubber band, or else chain several paper clips together and unbend the end of one of them. Thread though one of the (set) of holes. Thread end through the other holes. Pull until there is about 2" of string/band/chain between the pices of paper. It will kinda look like a lute. Tie off.

Step five: Spread the pieces out, to form a ball!

Accessories:
Cut a thin strip of paper. Colour both sides (I chose black).
Twist tightly, holding for about 5 seconds. Release, and gently loosen. Tape to top of pumpkin.

Cut a small piece of paper, colour, and tape into a ring. Tape to top of pumpkin.

And you're done!

Totally Awesome Witches Hats!

My mother posted a picture of these on my facebook wall, I have no idea where they came from. These were not my idea!

Step 1: Buy Keebler Orginal Fudge Strip Cookies, frosting (orange is optional. I had to use food dye to make it so), and Hersey's kisses.
Step 2: Turn a cookie upside-down.
Step 3: Place small ball of icing in center.
Step 4: Smash unwrapped Kiss onto icing.
Step 5: ???
Step 6: Profit.

I think I'm going to make these for a Hallowe'en Party. They are really too easy not to.

Helpful hint: If you're using frosting from a jar (as I did), I found that scooping some up intoa teaspoon measure, and then collecting that on a knife in a circular manner, then placing on the cookie gave it a more uniform ball. Pain in the ass otherwise. 

These are really delicious! The orange isn't as bright as I would have liked them, but next batch will be better.

Happy Hallowe'en!