Friday, August 31, 2012

Halloween Party Favor and Treat Bag 2012 Ideas from HGTV

Send Halloween guests home with one of these adorable party favors or treat bags. Our free printable labels, embellishments and photo booth accessories will make it a snap to throw a kid-pleasing monster mash.

 

Indulge Their Sweet Tooth

Kids love lollipops, especially old-fashioned swirly ones. To make these easy party favors, remove original packaging and pop the lollipops into clear cellophane bags. Tie a bow to close each bag, then finish with a printed and punched tag design, template attached below.

Thank Them for "Popping" By

With so much candy around at Halloween parties, a salty snack will hit the spot. Whip up some homemade kettle-popped corn or one of our popcorn recipes below and place in scallop-edged cups. Embellish with dimensional scrapbooking stickers (found at craft stores) or one of our free printables. If you're sending a cup home with your party guests, wrap it in cellophane and tie with ribbon so the popcorn will stay fresh.

 

Go a Little Batty

Easily turn wooden clothespins into cute Halloween bag clips. Download our bat-shaped template, print it onto card stock, cut out, then attach it to the clothespin with hot glue or double-sided tape. Fill a clear bag with Halloween candy or gumballs and attach the clip for a fun favor

 

Cupcakes To Go

Everyone loves cupcakes, especially kids! Place cupcakes in paper or plastic bowls and wrap with cellophane for a portable container they can take with them. Add one of our free printable Halloween tags to dress it up.


Follow the Ball

This classic game with a Halloween twist is sure to provide tons of fun for the kids. Give each child a set of three white paper bowls with "eyes" made by hole-punching black paper and attaching the punched dots with glue. Give kids a gumball and show them how to play the game with a partner by hiding the gumball under one of the ghosts, moving the ghosts around and having his/her partner guess which ghost has the gumball.

 

Candy Favor Boxes

Premade Halloween boxes are a quick-and-easy option to fill with candy or small toys. Embellished with one of our printable tag designs, party guests or trick or treaters will be excited to open them to see what's inside.

Put Chocolate Under Wraps

Kids love candy bars after all, who doesn't? For a super simple party favor, use one of our printable wrapper designs to dress up a classic candy bar to match the party decor. Just print the template onto standard copier paper, then cut out the design and use double-sided tape to attach the Halloween wrapper to a chocolate bar.

 

Candy-Corn-Colored Gumball Necklace

All you need to make this sweet necklace is gumballs, ribbon and a few tools. Use a skewer to puncture each gumball, one side at a time. Thread ribbon through a large needle and slide through gumball, tying a knot between each as you go. Add a ribbon bow for a little extra finishing touch.

 

Spooktacular Sodas

Being a party guest is thirsty work, and what kid could resist these dressed-up soda bottles? Chill sodas prior to the party and embellish right before it starts with our printable black-and-white striped paper and a punched tag. Tie on a straw with twine; open bottles if guests will be enjoying them during the party, or leave the caps on if they'll be taking them home as a favor.

Rock Star Kids love rock candy sticks.

Place them by the door and they won't be able to resist taking one for the road as they leave the party. To add a little embellishment, cut strips from our printable black-and-white striped paper, attach with double-sided tape and cut into a flag shape. Display on a white platter so the colors pop.



Mason Jar Favors

Mason jars are everywhere these days and they're a great, affordable party favor. For Halloween, fill with white candy to make a ghost or orange candy to make a pumpkin. Top with a circle cut from our printable black-and-white striped paper and replace the lid. Use decals or stickers to create the ghost or pumpkin face. Tie on one of our printable tags with twine to complete the look.

 

Them Bones, Them Bones

Mini candy bones give these marshmallow treats a crunchy texture kids love. To create them, skewer a regular-sized marshmallow onto a 6-inch lollipop stick. Dip into melted chocolate and, while the chocolate is still warm, roll in candy bones. For perfect presentation, display in small cupcake liners and top each stick with a little black bow.

 

Trick-or-Treat Tubes

These clear tubes are turning up at parties everywhere not only because they're adorable, but because they're so easy! Just fill with candy or gumballs and top with a printable Halloween flag design.

 

Cookie Monster

Another simple idea is to send your guests home with a sweetly packaged cookie. Whether you bake them at home or purchase them at the bakery, kids will be happy to have a sweet treat to enjoy after the party. Place cookies in Halloween-themed bags, wrap in twine and attach a printable Halloween tag.

 

Halloween Linen Sacks

These small linen sacks came pre-printed with their Halloween designs, but you could easily dress up plain sacks with foam stamps or a stencil and craft paint. Fill with candy and toys for the party guests to take home

2012 Headboards Decorating Ideas

From modern to traditional, an upholstered headboard is a crowning finish in these bedrooms.


Delicious Chocolate

Mocha tufted-silk upholstery on a wraparound headboard envelopes this bed with luxury and comfort. The simple textures of the fabric-and-wood frame contrast the grass-cloth-covered walls.



Pump Up the Volume

An extra-high headboard and luxurious folds of fabric create a sense of grandeur that makes this feel bigger bedroom. The oversize-square European-style pillows emphasize the height of the headboard.


Perfectly Patterned

In a room filled with gorgeous patterns and colors, a simple headboard can be just as much of a standout as an ornamented one. This subdued creamy-white headboard is trimmed in oversize nailhead for a distinctive finish .


Scale Matters

Scale and rhythm are key principles to successful pattern-mixing. In a space filled with pretty florals, an oversize-gingham fabric on the upholstered headboard and drapes offers a welcome contrast. The orderly pattern of green-and-white checks introduces a steady rhythm to the free-flowing florals on the walls and bedding. A larger-scale gingham pattern ensures that the fabric isn't lost among the room's elements the way a smaller pattern could have been.


Textural Neutrals

Layers of touchable textures mix and mingle around a basic natural-linen headboard. The vintage hooked-wool rug framed and hung above the bed inspired the collection of pillows that features quilted silk, tufted cotton, and crewelwork.


Cool Contrast

Blend rounded lines with straight edges. The circular pattern on the headboard and bed skirt creates a striking effect with the rigid lines of the rectangular headboard. The result is an eye-appealing balance that makes a big impact in this room.


Big Personality

Add style to a plain wall with an extra-high patterned upholstered headboard. The blue and green flowers on this print are perfect for the whimsical bedroom and make a statement on the light blue walls .

Fast Decorating Projects 2012 Ideas

Give your home decor a lift with these easy decorating projects that are fun, fresh, and fast!



Bench Seating

Dress up a dining spot with a charming bench seat. Pair an upholstered headboard with a seat-height bench to create this quaint settee with ease. Hang the headboard a few inches above the bench top so it's easy to toss on a comfortable cushion. Use anchor bolts to secure the headboard to the wall.


Decorative Memo Station

Turn a plain bulletin board into a decorative accessory that's functional, too. Display a bulletin board in a stylish frame  try a chunky black frame for modern decor or gilded molding to fit more traditional style. Then add a decorative wall decal on the cork to dress up the memo board.


Unexpected Bookcase

Turn a nonfunctioning fireplace into a practical and pretty storage space by outfitting it with shelves. Measure the opening and build a plywood insert to fit snugly inside. Cut shelves to fit across. Then paint the pieces and wallpaper the back of the insert. Screw the shelves in place and set the insert in the firebox.


Furniture Facelift

Turn a tired piece of furniture into a new treasure. Search flea markets and garage sales for old furniture with good bones. This charming desk was originally a vanity table. After the mirror was removed, the table was sanded, primed, and painted. Pretty papers decoupaged onto the drawer fronts and new knobs add decorative character.


Creative Dining Display

Think outside the box. In the dining room, try this creative alternative for a standard hutch or china cabinet. Hang a pair of bookcases horizontally on the wall, then slide a third on the floor below. Display favorite dinnerware and keep serving pieces handy in the cubbies. Install the middle bookcase at counter height so it serves double-duty as a buffet station or bar.


Pretty Wall Panels

Finding artwork to make an impact on a large, empty wall can cost a fortune. Instead, make your own for a custom look and fit. Choose sheer curtain panels to coordinate with your room's decor. Paint large stripes on the wall slightly wider than the panels. Mount short curtain rods at the ceiling to hang the curtain panels in front of the stripes.


Easy Access

Save money by repurposing old furniture. A paint job and a new set of casters turned this old bedroom shelving unit into a rolling kitchen cart. Its shelves are perfect for holding linens and dishes. The drawer, with its updated drawer pull, can stash takeout menus.


Classy Update

Transform a dresser with paint and wallpaper. Chic taupe paint and toile wallpaper highlight this dresser's traditional lines. Play with the position of the wallpaper until you're happy with the design, and then cut the paper to fit the drawer fronts. After painting the dresser, apply the wallpaper; protect it and the painted surfaces with an acrylic sealer .


Wallpaper Effect

Try this alternative to glue-on wallpaper. Use an oversize stencil to add pattern to your walls. Paint the stencil pattern from floor to ceiling for an overall wallpaper effect. Or stencil below a chair-rail or plate-rail height, or on just one accent wall. A mottled paint finish gives this damask stencil design more dimension and texture.


Easy to Assemble Table

Whip up a one of a kind side table in a jiffy. Choose an oversize decorative serving tray pick up a trendy one from a home decor store or repurpose a vintage flea market find. With a dab of construction adhesive, glue the tray to the top of an adjustable-height stool for a handy table you can raise and lower.


Make an Entrance

Transform a simple doorway into a pretty passage. Hang curtains in a standard doorway to add a soft, decorative touch to a room. For a sophisticated finish, top the curtains with a classic valance made from an architectural pediment. Paint the pediment and add wooden rope trim, if desired, for a traditional accent. Then screw hooks into the back of the valance to hang a tension rod for the panels, and screw the valance to the doorway molding.


Easy Artwork

Artwork doesn't have to be expensive or hard to find to be pretty and special. Gather a handful of floating frames to hang on a wall in an abstract arrangement. Fill the frames with beautiful letterpress cards, your grandmother's handkerchiefs, or anything that strikes your fancy and complements your decor.


Find the Bright Side

Don't let the inside of a wood-stained bookcase or hutch keep beautiful display pieces in the dark. Show off the contents and lighten the decorative mood of the entire room by painting the shelves' interior backing a lively color. Add even more personality by wallpapering the inside with a fun pattern.


Quick Custom Wainscoting

Add intricate architectural detailing with ease. This elegant wainscoting looks like the result of hours of elaborate work, but it just calls for a visit to a home center. The ready-made PVC latticework panels are mounted on the wall above the baseboard and topped with a chair rail made from 1x4 and 1x2 boards. Screen molding is nailed in place to hide the joints where the panels meet. Paint the raw wood pieces with white paint color-matched to the PVC.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

How to Create a Spooky Halloween Bar 2012 Ideas from HGTV

Are you entertaining this Halloween? Turn your cocktail bar into a "mad laboratory" by serving scary potions and dressing up the bar with spiders, blood and dismembered hands.



Halloween Cocktails

We used old utility car as a beverage bar for a Halloween party. We covered the cart in spider webbing then filled the bar potions, magic spells and some spooky decorations.

Make Concoctions

Download and print labels to turn your beverage bottles into serums, potions and magic spells. Our labels are editable, so customize them to your desired poison. Use a glue stick to adhere the labels to the bottles. We used wine and liquor bottles.

Add Flesh & Blood

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on the bottom shelf of the cart. Make some bloody handprints on the cardboard using red craft paint. Add a little oatmeal to the paint if you want a little more flesh and gore. Let the handprints dry then lay the cardboard inside the bottom of the cart.

Web It

Stretch the white webbing over the cart, use a hot-glue gun to attach it the corners and underneath the edges of the cart. Stretch it out to make it look like a spider web, leave a little room to get to the bottom shelf of the cart

Add Giant Arachnid

Place large spider on the web to make it look like it is crawling up the side of the cart. Use a little hot glue if necessary to attach its feet in place.

Lend a Helping Hand

Place the cut off hands at the end of the cart (preferably if there is a handle) to make it look like as if they are pushing it. Use hot glue gun on a couple of the fingers to keep them in place.

 

Set Up Bar

Place the bottles, glassware and a candle on the top of the cart. Then arrange the little spiders in and around them.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Spooky Halloween Accessories 2012 Ideas

Who said Halloween has to hamper your home decor? From the store to your door, try these easy ideas for celebrating the spooky season in style.


Grim Grinning Ghosts

Lit from within, these burlap ghosts can add a surprisingly whimsical feel to a ghoulish holiday.


Make It Miniature

Handcrafted from natural materials such as tree bark and wood chips, this set of brush ornaments is eco-friendly, biodegradable and a great choice for limited spaces.


A Gorgeous Glow

This stunning pair of pumpkin candleholders is a true work of art. Hand-welded from hand-forged sheet metal, they're simple to light; just pop in the votive candles and enjoy the glow.


A Not-So-Tangled Web

Warning: Real spiders will be very jealous. With 100 glass lights set over a natural twig and handwoven rattan frame, this twig spider web is the prettiest web we've ever seen.


Pretty Paper

Get into the spooky spirit with these spider and skeleton paper lanterns. They're perfect as a pair, or create a cluster for a more dramatic look.


All Lit Up

When you've had your fill of pumpkins and ghosts, try adding some decorative Halloween twigs to the front porch. This set of 5-foot twigs comes pre-lit with 50 orange mini-lights already in place.


Creepy Crawly

Look out! This giant spider measures 6 feet across, making him larger than most trick-or-treaters. And if his size doesn't cause a spooky scene, the flashing red eyes certainly will.


The Perfect Pumpkin

Fool guests with this faux pumpkin that mirrors the size, color and texture of an actual pumpkin, and is complete with a spider carving.