Holidays are such a fun time to craft…even people who think they’re “craft challenged” (two words I don’t believe in!) find themselves putting forth an effort or two at getting creative this time of year! Well, I happen to LOVE crafting and spend a good time of the year getting my fingers covered in paint, glue, and glitter! But I too get extra excited about all the fun projects during the holiday seasons…and it seems as though there’s endless inspiration out there! So when the opportunity came up to work with my friend and fellow blogger, Beth from Polka Dots & Picket Fences on a crafting article for a local magazine…I think it’s needless to say that I was THRILLED! We both are regular contributing writers for the “Creative Corner” section of Village Life & Home. It’s such a fun way to share inspiration for decorating, crafting, and entertaining…and this time we got to work together which made it all the more merry! So if you live in the Toledo area and receive the publication, check out the festivity! This month we decided to share some Halloween inspiration by coming up with a DIY “challenge”! After a trip to the craft store, we made a list of some ordinary, holiday crafting items and each came up with several easy ways to use them! Have a peek at some of my creations…and if you get the publication, read the entire article to get double the inspiration!
getting a little crafty…
the two staple items we chose for the “challenge” included: silk flowers or leaves and wooden die-cut shapes…that’s it! two commonly found materials at any craft store. we decided to come up with DIY ideas for a container, a garland, and a holiday display…all of which needed to contain one or both of those items. i had so much fun! we each purchased our staple items and then got to work! there were no rules as to what we could add to our challenge materials so i grabbed some mason jars, utilitarian storage jars, paper pumpkins, and a tin container from the recycle bin!
the containers were SO easy to make since i merely glued the pre-painted, die-cut shapes directly to the front of each storage jar! a REALLY easy way to make treat containers…for humans and the four-legged kind! hot glue is fine to hold the embellishments if you don’t want the container to be permanently decorated for Halloween…it will pop right off after the holiday passes! but if you want to give it as a gift or keep it for multiple spooky seasons, you’ll need to use a heavy-duty glue or epoxy to keep the spookiness attached to the glass!
my tin from the recycle got a coat of paint and the same treatment as the glass jars! i’m loving the color…it might be my new Halloween favorite! but the great thing about DIY–you can make it however you like! whether you choose a traditional color or a personal favorite…anything goes! this cute container filled with candy would make a sweet, handmade hostess or teacher gift!
holiday silks…
artificial flowers and foliage are so plentiful now! i was surprised at how many Halloween options were out there…black, orange, glittered…even blood spattered! so whatever your style or party theme, i’m pretty sure you could find something fitting! i chose a garland of black & white marbled leaves to cut apart and simply glue to the rims of some antique mason jars…
a low-temp glue gun worked great to hold them around the top but also will make it easy to pull the leaves off after Halloween passes. i included a spider or two for more holiday fun! now these jars can be used as votive holders to light up a display, buffet table, or as luminaries leading guests to the house!
i also made a super easy garland by merely attaching the same leaves to a strand of black twine with tiny clips! i mixed it up by including some paper gift tags…a simple & inexpensive way to make it unique!
and my Halloween display idea started with an item i found in the summer clearance section at Michael’s…
even though the wire ampersand was fit for Halloween in its original state, i decided to spray it black along with splattering some old, white hydrangea stems that were tucked away in the attic! (inspired by the purchased leaves!)
by stuffing the petals into the frame i have a fun and unique holiday ampersand! a reminder that sometimes you may find the perfect decoration in an isle that you would least expect it!
with the addition of the mason jars, garland, and a chalk board…my Halloween display is complete! (and for pennies too!)
i certainly hope you found some holiday inspiration for your home or party! check out Village Life & Home on Facebook for plenty of great ideas all year long!
happy tricking, treating, and crafting!