Crafts

Gingerbread Man Terra Cotta Pot

2005-11-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

Get started on your holiday decorating. This is a easy project for the older kids to do. Mom or Dad they might need a little help assembling pots. Let them paint the terra cotta pots.

Supplies:

One 2” wooden ball

Nine 25mm wooden ball beads

One 2 1/2” clay pot

One 2” clay pot

Four 1 2/2” clay pots

19 gauge wire

11 inches of ribbon

2 eye screws

Acrylic paints - Autumn brown, white, red, coral, black

Red spray glitter - optional

Instructions:
Paint all clay pots and wooden pieces in autumn brown. Using white paint, make wavy lines around the rim of the 2 1/2" pot. Paint a face on the 2" wooden ball, using a red dot for the nose, coral circles for cheeks and black dots for eyes. Use white for some hair on top of ball. Use black to draw on mouth lines. Screw in one eye screw on top of the ball head, and screw one into bottom of head. Place the 2" pot inside the 2 1/2" pot and connect all the body parts using the 19 gauge wire. Add ribbon bow at top of 2 1/2" pot where neck would be. Accent with red glitter if desired.

Christmas Ideas

2005-11-03T23:34:00.000-05:00

Check out How to make Gingerbread Houses. This would make a great project to do with your kids or for your self.

Gift Mixes ~ Creative Gifts for Sharing - Not sure what to give for Christmas. Why not make up some gift mixes. This web site has tons of ideas.

Christmas Dough Art (Microwave)

4 c All-purpose flour
1 c Salt
1 1/2 c Hot water*

*Instant coffee added to water gives dough "browned" color.
Knead dough 6 - 8 minutes. Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes. Place on wax paper on glass tray; with a toothpick, make several holes in each piece to let air escape, then microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Time will vary according to size of "cookies."

When baked, allow to cool before decorating.

Holiday Spice Potpourrie

4 Oranges
4 Lemons
1/2 c Whole cloves
1/2 c Whole allspice
10 Cinnamon Sticks, broken
10 Bay leaves, crumbled
8 oz Decorated jelly jars with -bands & lids
Using a vegetable peeler, peel fruit carefully, removing only the peel, not any of the white pith. Cut or tear into one inch pieces.

Spread peel on paper towel lined pan.

Place in preheated oven to 175, or set oven to WARM.

Dry in oven for 1 1/2 hours, tossing occasionally. Peels should be leathery and/or slightly crunchy.

Spread peels on dry paper towels and let air dry for 24 hours.

Combine with remaining ingredients.

Fill jars with mixture, place lids on and screw bands on tightly.

Yield: 3 or 4 half pint jars.

To use: remove lid and leave band on for decoration to fragrance a room. OR put one Tblsp into a jar and fill jar with boiling water to release fragrance.

Christmas Cinnamon Ornaments

1 c Applesauce, drained
1 c Cinnamon
1 oz Cloves, ground
1 oz Nnutmeg, ground
1 oz Ginger, ground
Cinnamon for dusting the cutting board
Combine ingredients to make a stiff dough. Roll out on board dusted with ground cinnamon.

Cut with cookie cutters of your choice.

Put hole in top for string. Lay out flat to dry.

Turn over every 12 hours until completely dry.

Christmas Scent

3 Cinnamon Sticks -- 4"
2 Bay Leaves
1/4 c Whole Cloves
1/2 Lemon -- Cut In 2 Pieces
1/2 Orange -- Cut In 2 Pieces
1 qt Water

Combine all ingredients in a kettle or saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for as long as desired.

Check water level frequently and add more as needed. Mixture may be stored in refrigerator and re-used.

Craft Calendars

2005-10-31T09:26:00.000-05:00

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Turkey

2005-10-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

From Martha Stewart Living

Pom-Pom Tom Decoration

The only turkey you won’t want to gobble up this holiday? One of our comely yarn-and-felt creations. Perched on a mantel or arranged on a straw-covered tray on a sideboard, they are a fun, fanciful touch. You can also use them as place-card holders (glue name tags inside their beaks), and invite children to take their feathered friends home at the day’s end.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Pom-Pom maker kit*
Red, brown, gray, yellow, and white wool yarn
Small scissors
Red and brown waxed twine
Yarn needle
Black embroidery floss
Medium-size sewing needle
Disappearing-ink pen for fabric
Black, red, white, brown, and gold wool felt
Hot-glue gun
Black pipe cleaners

POM-POM TOM HOW-TO

*The kit we chose (available from Purl, 800-597-7875 or www.purlsoho.com) includes four sizes of pom-pom makers, ranging from 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches wide. To make the turkey shown here, we used a 1 1/4-inch pompom maker and red yarn for the head and a 2 3/16-inch one and brown yarn for the body. Each pom-pom maker has four plastic pieces; you’ll need all of them to create one pom-pom.

1. Place two of the plastic pieces back-to-back, and wrap densely with yarn, keeping the yarn tight; snip end. Do the same with remaining pieces. Snap the halves together; snip the yarn along the rounded edge of each half. Tie halves together in the center with waxed twine; knot twice, and trim the excess. Pull templates free. Trim so yarn is even all around.

2. To make wings and whites of eyes, thread a yarn needle with a long doubled piece of yarn. Keeping loose ends aligned, push through pom-pom, leaving excess on both sides; thread back through. Repeat until details are desired size and shape. (Use multiple colors for wings.) Cut needle free; trim yarn so it’s flush with surrounding strands. For pupils, push knotted length of black embroidery floss through center of white and pompom with a sewing needle; pull taut. Part yarn; snip the end as short as possible.

3. Download tail-feather templates (enlarge as desired for bigger birds), and cut out. With a disappearing-ink pen, trace onto different colors of wool felt; cut out. Stack in descending-size order, then apply hot glue to feathers; hold until glue is set, about 30 seconds. 4 Apply a generous amount of glue to base of tail feathers, and attach to body; hold in place 1 minute. Repeat to affix head to body. Photocopy wattle templates . Cut out, and trace onto red felt with disappearing-ink pen.

4. Apply glue to top edges. Part yarn at base of head, and insert the two shapes, positioning the smaller one above the larger one. Hold in place 30 seconds. Photocopy beak ; trace template onto gold felt, and cut out. Apply a dab of glue to base of each piece, and use a needle to help attach to head; hold in place 30 seconds.

5. To make legs, cut two 3-inch pieces and two 1 3/4inch pieces of black pipe cleaner (for 3 1/2-inch birds, use heavy floral wire). Fold 3-inch pipe cleaner 1 inch from end; adjust longer side so it’s perpendicular, with a 1/2-inch crimp at the back of the foot. Fold 1 3/4-inch pipe cleaner into a V shape; dab glue on outside corner, and slide inside crimped edge. Hold in place 30 seconds. Repeat for other leg.

6. Apply glue to tops of legs and insert into body as far as they will go; hold in place 30 seconds. Set turkeys on their backs to dry for 10 minutes before displaying upright.

Finishing touches: Once you’ve completed your turkey, give him one final trim to ensure his furry feathers are even. In general, the closer you cut the yarn, the denser the pom-pom will be. Use the templates below for creating tail feathers, a wattle, and a beak, as well as a pumpkin leaf and fall foliage.

To View More On How-To-Do Photos

Candy, Soap, Candle Resources

2005-10-14T10:54:00.000-04:00

Candy Land Crafts -Candy Making & Cake Decorating Supplies

Over 10,000 products...........the place for one stop shopping. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a professional, you'll find what you need. We carry a large supply of Wilton Cake Decorating Products. Candyland Crafts has been a family owned and operated business for over 25 years. You will always receive superior and personalized.

Holiday Products
Kid's Products
Candy, Soap, Candles Links
Soap Molds
Candy Making
Molds

Witch's Brooms

2005-10-10T16:43:00.000-04:00

These sweet-salty bewitchin' cookies are easy to make and fun to eat!

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
10 pretzel rods, about 8 1/2 inches long, cut crosswise in half
2 teaspoons shortening
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Butterscotch-flavored chips, melted

1. Heatoven to 350ºF. Mix brown sugar, butter, water and vanilla in mediumbowl. Stir in flour and salt. Shape dough into twenty 1 1/4-inch balls.
2. Place pretzel rod halves on ungreased cookie sheet. Press ball of dough ontocut end of each pretzel rod. Press dough with fork to resemble"bristles" of broom.
3. Bake about 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on wire rack, about 30 minutes.
4. Covercookie sheet with waxed paper. Place brooms on waxed paper. Heat shortening and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring occasionally,until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Spoon melted chocolate overbrooms, leaving about 1 inch at top of pretzel handle and bottom halvesof cookie bristles uncovered. Drizzle with melted butterscotch chips.Let stand until chocolate is set.

Bookmarkers

2005-10-07T12:31:00.000-04:00

I can not take credit for these bookmarkers. The person that sent was sharing with group. Click on picture to enlarge and print.

October - Breast Awareness Month

2005-10-06T09:22:00.000-04:00

It seems that CANCER plagues my family and once again we have lost another member of my family to Breast Cancer this past week.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. CreateForLess is proud to support this cause and invite you to Think Pink this month and join the fight against breast cancer. And don't miss our Weekly Specials, Fall Sale and Shopping Spree Winners...

In The Pink For A Cure!

Crafting is at its very best when it is used to help others. The pink ribbon symbolizes breast cancer awareness and it's an awareness that touches all of us. In support of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and friends, each of us should know the facts about breast cancer and learn how we can make this killer a thing of the past! In America more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 will die from breast cancer this year (1,600 men will be diagnosed with this cancer and 400 will die from the cancer). Yet, the 5-year survival rate of this cancer exceeds 95% if detected early! For more information about breast cancer and how you can make a difference please visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation at: www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

Go ahead, create something pink at CreateForLess

Snickerdoodle Dreams

2005-10-04T20:50:00.000-04:00

Click on Logo

Snickerdoodle Dreams provides country, primitive, and whimsical computer clip art along with digital scrapbook kits. The scrapbook kits can be used for your personal use or commercial usage. Their designs has endless possibilities such as: craft projects, handmade gifts, business, scrapbook, and so much more.

Strawberry Shortcake

2005-10-04T16:30:00.000-04:00

My daughter loved Strawberry Shortcake when she was little. This doll has been around since 1980s. Strawberry Shortcake Central (click on logo) to take you this wonderful site. Too bad my daughter had to grow up. Not only will you find Strawberry Shortcake items this site has Care Bears, Retro Characters, Collectible Dolls, Specialty Toys, Personalized Products, Party Supplies, T-Shirts & Pajamas, and Create a Bear.

Terry's Village

2005-10-03T13:08:00.000-04:00

I just love seeing the decorations from Halloween to Christmas. The colors, they give that warm feeling and the excitiment that the year is ending. I have found some Whimsical Halloween Accents at Terry's Village that are so adorable. Here are some of the cute things you will find at Terry's Village

Designed to dangle his legs over his pumpkin-painted wooden chair, our trick-or-treating chenille jack-o'-lantern is weighted to stay in place. For decorative use only. Mr. Pumpky, 20"H; chair, 12 3/4"H x 6 1/2" square.

Disguised as a jack-o’-lantern, this cute kitty and his ghostly companion need a home of their own to “haunt.” Prop them on a chair or sofa and you’ll scarcely know they exist. Cat, 25”H; detachable ghost, 6”H.

While out frightening folks this monster meets an unfortunate fate. Crafted of plastic and fabric. Includes two adjustable nylon straps with plastic clasps for placing snugly around a tree trunk or pole. 50”L.

Be sure to check out Terry's Village Thanksgiving decorations as well.

Add these miniature terra cotta pumpkins to a fall arrangement, group them on a table or fill the spaces in a shadow box. Your imagination is the only limit when decorating with them. Range in size from 1 1/2” to 2 1/2”H x 2” to 2 1/4” diameter.

Designed to dangle their legs over any shelf or mantel, these resin pilgrims and their turkey pal are happy to be a part of your harvest festivities. 7"H x 3"W.

DIY Gift Package

2005-10-01T22:42:00.000-04:00

DIY Gift Package.com - Create precious memories with innovative and unique Gift and Craft Templates for any occasion! Fun and versatile fun-shape box templates for any size package and for all ages.

How to make someone''s day Extraordinary! Learn how to create Unique and Original Gift Boxes in minutes (& Stand out from the crowd!)

When was the last time you created an unique idea that''s truly from your heart?
Unique high quality Gift Packaging & Craft Templates, get back to the real meaning of Gift-Giving!

Get VALUABLE techniques on how to maximise your gifts with minimum effort and materials required.

Warning! Do not Buy, Wrap and even give out any presents until you .

CREATIVE. FUN. UNLIMITED. VERSATILE. ECONOMIC. Unique High Quality Gift & Craft Templates.

Waxed Teddy Bears

2005-10-01T22:31:00.000-04:00

Waxed Dipped Teddy Bears provides the cutest waxed dipped bears, bunnies and supplies. These wax scented bears make a wonderful gift. The aroma bears can last up to a year. You can purchase already made bears or make your own. They have kits, supplies, and bears to get you started.

Why not start your own Waxed Teddy Bear business.

Craft Magazines To Subscribe

2005-09-30T01:54:00.000-04:00

Craft Magazines to Subscribe to.

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Build-A-Bear Birthday Party

2005-09-28T22:45:00.000-04:00

Your child''s Birthday is coming up, and he/she doesn''t know what kind of theme to have. Depending on your what your child''s interests are it would be the suitable to base the theme this way There are so many activities to choose from that it can be overwhelming.

Why not have a Build-A-Bear Birthday Party? We have heard about the Build-A-Bear Factory at the malls. Why not bring Build-A-Bear Bday Bears to you house. Each kit comes with a 15" plush animal, stuffing fluff, animal T-shirt, birth certificate, packaged in a gift bag with a card for a personalized message. The plush animals have a hidden locking zipper closure that only zips up to make stuffing easy. Just browse the website, place your order, and the kits will arrive within 2 weeks. There are over 15 plush animals to choose from along with many outfits. Make your child''s party memorable, and all his/her friends will brag what a great party he/she had.

Visit: Birthday Bears

Pumpkin Soup

2005-09-28T21:49:00.000-04:00

My mother was always preparing a different dish each night. We rarely ate the same thing twice. She is a great cook and there weren't too many dishes we didn't like. Often when she was cooking something new we would always look at it and make a face saying "What is that, and it looks awful?" You know, the funny thing is the things that looked awful tasted good. Here is a soup that we made a face at and it turned out to be one of my favorite soups and I am a fussy eater or was back then. There are alot of different varieations of creating pumpkin soup but this is a simple one.

Pumpkin Soup

1/2 cup onion
3 tbsp butter
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin (I have used the can pumpkin)
1 tsp salt (optional for those that are watching their salt intake)
1 tbsp nutmeg
1/4 ground pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup half n half

Chop the onions and gently brown in the butter in a pan. Put mashed pumpkin into onions in pan with the salt, sugar, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth and heat thoroughly, but do not boil. To serve, pour into a tureen and add the cream. Makes 4 to 6 small servings.

Kid's Craft Fun

2005-09-26T17:31:00.000-04:00

These craft projects can be a great Christmas gift for someone, a holiday decoration, or just plane fun to do on a cold winter day.

Christmas Tree
4 cups soap flakes - Ivory Snow
1/2 cup water
Tiny Christmas bulbs - craft stores

Directions: Pour soap flakes and water in a large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer to a doughy consistency. Shape dough into a tree, and place tiny bulbs onto tree. You can find these bulbs at a craft store.

Soap Snowman
4 cups soap flakes - Ivory Snow
1/2 cup water
toothpicks
twigs
Whole peppercorns
Orange marker
Scraps of material
Twist-ties
Felt
Black paper

Directions: Pour soap flakes and water in a large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer to a doughy consistency. Roll into 3 balls. Make a golf ball size ball for the base, and then two other balls slightly smaller for the chest and head. Stick toothpick through the base ball, and then push chest ball onto toothpick. Put another toothpick into chest ball and push head ball through that toothpick. Decorate your snowman with twigs for the arms, peppercorns for eyes, mouth, and buttons. Break off a piece of a toothpick and color it orange for the nose. Use the scrap material for scarf. Make a hat out of the black paper. Use the twist tie for earmuffs.

Soapsuds Clay
3/4 cup soap powder, such as Ivory Snow
1 tablespoon warm water
Electric mixer

Directions: Mix soap powder in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer to a claylike consistency. Makes about 1 cup. The recipe may be doubled or tripled for larger objects. Be sure to use the same proportions. Mold clay into figures and other objects. The clay dries to a hard finish. To make simulated snow: Beat 2 parts soap powder to 1 part water and spread like icing on a piece of heavy cardboard. This "icing" may also be used to decorate cardboard holiday ornaments. It dries to a smooth, rubbery surface overnight.

Decorative Bathroom Soaps
Ivory Snow Powder
Water
Cookie cutters or molds
Food coloring

Directions: Combine Ivory Snow powder (the laundry detergent) and water to make a dough. Be sure to add the water as you mix until you have a playdough like dough.Give each child a small helping of soap dough and allow them to make what they wish. You can also use cookie cutters or molds. You can add food coloring to the water before mixing to create wonderfully colored soaps. Just be sure to explain that this is soap and that the kids should be careful not to touch their eyes!

This is great modeling dough that can be shaped, baked, painted, Christmas ornaments, small models, play food, shape letter, make a design and put a magnet in the back, hand molds,and many other ideas.

Simple Modeling Dough Recipe
4 cups Flour
2 cups Salt
2 cups Water

Directions: Mix all ingredients together. If it is a little sticky, knead with a little flour until it is workable. Should you want to bake your creation try to keep it under 2" in diameter and thickness for best result. Bake at 350 degrees for 1-2 hours or until slightly browning and hard. Let cool. You can paint your creation, and finish it with a sealer to give it a shine.

This dough isn't good for baking.

Play Dough
2 cups Flour
1 cup Salt
4 tsp. Cream of Tarter
2 cups Water
2 Tbsp. Cooking Oil
Food Coloring

Directions: Put the water and the desire amount of food coloring in a medium saucepan. Add all the other ingredients and mix well. Cook and stir until dough forms a softball. Let it cool. Knead a bit before starting to create. Store in an airtight container.

Hershey Fun

2005-09-19T21:45:00.000-04:00

From Hershey- This is just one of the few stencils you can copy and put on your pumpkin. Visit Hersey's Site for more pumpkin stencils.

Click on the hershey guy

Instructions:

Choosing Your Pumpkin
Choose your stencil before you go shopping so you can get a pumpkin that is best suited for that particular design. Don't buy pumpkins with nicks or bruises (they don't last very long). Try to avoid carrying your pumpkin by the stem, two things can happen, a broken stem and a bruised pumpkin, neither are good.

Pumpkin Carving Tools
For best results, the above stencils are most easily carved with inexpensive pumpkin carving kits and are available many places such as your local grocery store. But you can also use the following common household tools:

a large spoon
a sharp serrated knife
a pin or nail
a paring knife
Carving Your Pumpkin
Start by spreading sheets of newspaper around the area you plan to work. This will reduce mess and make cleanup easy.
Print one of our stencils, or draw your own. Tape the stencil to your pumpkin. Using the nail or needle, punch holes through the paper, into the pumpkin, following the lines of the stencil.
Use the serrated knife to cut a circle out of either the top or the bottom of the pumpkin, depending on the look you want. Opening the top gives the jack-o'-lantern a traditional look with a convenient lid for the candle. Opening the bottom creates a flat surface to steady the pumpkin and keeps the top neat and uncut.
Scoop out the insides. Don't forget to save the seeds to roast.
After the insides have been adequately scooped, use the large spoon the scrape sides of your pumpkin smooth. The sides should be about one inch thick.
This is the really fun part! Use your paring knife to cut along the dotted lines you have made with the pin or nail.
Cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin to vent the heat from your candle.
Place a candle inside your pumpkin. Carefully light it - and watch your design come to life! Do not leave a lit candle unattended.

Hersey has a lot of free stuff on their site:
Free clip art
Party Ideas
Halloween Costume Ideas
Animated e-cards & invitations
Many Craft Ideas other than Halloween
Hershey recipes
Gifts

Scrapbooking

2005-09-19T09:38:00.000-04:00

Etch Ornaments

2005-09-17T20:15:00.000-04:00

From BHG

Make this easy-to-etch ornament.

Halloween

Make Your Own Mummy Hands

2005-09-17T20:10:00.000-04:00

I can't remember where I found this and can not claim as mine.

Supplies:
Plastic Disposable Gloves
4" and 4 1/2" terra cotta clay pots
Poly Fiberfill
19 gauge wire
Masking Tape
Fabric Stiffener
Unbleached Muslin
Tacky Glue

Instructions:

Lay out glove on a flat surface.
Place five strips of wire over each finger.
Twist ends of wire together at the palm of the glove.
Cut off excess wire. (see fig. 1)
Wrap the ends of wires with masking tape so they will not punch through the glove.
Place wires inside the glove.
Stuff the hand with fiberfill.
Glue the clay pots together. (see fig. 2)
Tape the stuffed glove tightly to the top of the pots.
Bend fingers into desired positions.
Cut unbleached muslin into long strips approx. 1” wide across width of fabric.
Soak strips of muslin in fabric stiffener and wrap around entire piece, going around each finger and around the rest of the hand.
Cut off or add strips as needed. Allow to dry.
Glue a few strips of dry muslin around some areas of hand for ragged look.

I'm Counting On You To Have Fun.....

2005-09-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

Great Pumpkin Cake

Graveyard Gelatin Dessert

Ghosts In Graveyard

Boo Cups

These are just the few Treats to get you started. Visit Kraft Foods for many more recipes ideas.

Eyeballs

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 lb. icing sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
12 ozs. white chocolate Cream the butter and peanut butter together.
Add the icing sugar and vanilla and blend thoroughly.
Shape into small 1-inch balls. Refrigerate on waxed paper for half an hour.

Melt the white chocolate (you can use a microwave for this).
With a toothpick, dip the "eyeballs" into the chocolate, covering all but a small circle on the top.

Let cool on waxed paper. Makes around 40 eyeballs.

Skeleton Bone Cookies

4 egg whites
1 tsp grated orange peel
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups chopped salted almonds

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites and sugar with orange peel and baking powder until blended. Gradually add nuts and flour, beating until mixture is thoroughly blended. Cover and chill until firm enough to handle, at least an hour or up to a day. Lightly flour your hands and pinch off a three-tablespoon size piece of dough.

On a lightly floured board, use the palms of both hands to evenly roll out an 8-inch long rope. Cut rope in half; roll each half out again to 8 inches. Fold an inch of each end back onto rope and pinch ends to
make bone shapes. Repeat to shape all the dough. Place bones an inch apart on a buttered and flour-dusted baking sheets. Bake in a 325 F oven until cookies are lightly browned on bottoms (about 20 minutes).

Witch Finger Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup whole blanched almonds
1 tube red decorator gel

In bowl beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla; beat in flour; baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Working with one-quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remaining dough refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoons full of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press an almond firmly into one end for nail.

Squeeze in center to create knuckle shape. Using a paring knife make slashes in several places to form knuckle. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet in 325 degree over for 20-25 minutes or until pale or golden. Let cool for three minutes. Lift up almond; squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place so gel oozes out from underneath. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

Makes about 5 dozen witch fingers.

Creepy Spiders

4 cups semi-sweet chocolate baking chips

Melt the chocolate chips in top of double boiler. Let stand over the water until water is cool, about 10 minutes.

Place wax paper on a cookie sheet. Pour chocolate into a pastry bag that is fitted with a 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch tip. Squeeze the melted chocolate onto the wax paper in the shape of spiders. (8 legs!) If the chocolate is runny it needs to be cooled a little longer. Chill the spiders for about 10 minutes. When hard, peel the spiders off the wax paper. Store on a flat surface in the refrigerator.

Floating Hands

Make the punch of your choice. Fill washed & clean plastic or latex gloves with the punch. Tie off the top of each glove tightly with rubber bands. Freeze completely. Add the floating hands to your Halloween punch for a cool effect.

Variation: For a floating face, tape closed the eyes, nose & mouth of a scary mask. Fill with punch and freeze.

Vampire Punch

8 cups cranberry juice
6 cups sparkling apple cider
6 orange slices

Put all ingredients in a punch bowl. Add floating hand ice cubes just before serving.

Makes 14 cups

Nightcrawlers

12 large apples
Boysenberry jam
4 tablespoons butter
12 gummy worms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Core apples from stem end to 1/2 inch from bottom. Stuff each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and 1 teaspoon butter. Place in a pan and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes. Remove apples let stand for 15 minutes. Set each apple in a bowl and spoon syrup from baking pan around it. Insert a gummy worm with half its body protruding.

Chicken Witch Fingers

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
4 Boneless chicken breasts
1 cup flour
1 egg, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
Pitted black olives, halved lengthwise
Shredded lettuce Grease a baking sheet with the oil and set aside.

Witches' Brew

4 cups cranberry juice
4 cups apple juice
1 cup chopped candied ginger
3 oranges
2 large bottles ginger ale
2 cups grapes In your "cauldron," bring one cup of cranberry juice and candied ginger to the boil over a high heat. Boil, uncovered, for about two minutes and set aside.

With a vegetable peeler, peel the zest from the oranges and cut the peel into thin 2-inch-long worms. Add the peel to the cranberry mixture.
Cover and chill for at least four hours or overnight.

Juice the oranges and put juice into a large pan or heavy bowl. Sir in the cranberry-ginger mix, the remaining 3 cups of cranberry juice, apple juice and grapes. Cover and chill for up to two hours.

Cut the chicken breasts part way to create five fingers (the uncut part being the palm of the hand). Dust the chicken in flour, dip in the egg and coat in the bread crumbs. Grill for five minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Trim the "fingertips" with the olive "fingernails" and serve on lettuce.

Halloween

2005-09-15T19:56:00.000-04:00

Autumn as it is my favorite season. I find this time of year is the prettiest and being from New England area we have such a magnificent show of its beauty especially in areas like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I am sure there are other areas in the US that are just as breath taking. The leaves haven't really changed yet here but they are falling from the tree.

This time of year has me thinking Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Also, the thought of apple pies, apple cider, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and yes adding on a few pounds too. I like the coziness of the fireplace warming up the house. Believe it or not I love the snow too but only when I don't have to drive in it.

Our first fun time of the season is Halloween. I am sure many our gathering up decorations for their yard and house, thinking about costumes, class parties, parties at home, etc. Need some ideas? Check out Life's Special Moments Halloween section.

Other Crafts:

Pumpkin Party Favor Bag

Bandit Trick or Treater

Glow in Dark Spider

Pumpkin Carving

Ton's of Pumpkin Patterns

Printable Pumpkin Pattens

Halloween Blog

Halloween Gelatin Molds

Brain and 2 Hands