Monday, September 24, 2012

Frightfully Fun Halloween Decor

It's almost October and I can hardly wait to begin the ghoulish fun of decorating.  My kids would love me to start in September, but nope...gotta wait for October 1st.   
HalloweenNightimeporch2011-1
We live in a neighborhood where people come from all over to trick or treat and it's not just about the candy.  We have haunted houses complete with live zombies, neighbors that set up cotton candy/popcorn stands, scary (more silly than scary) movies playing on large outside screens and even houses on fire...staged by our local film director.  
HalloweenDecoranddinner201113-1
Our house isn't quite as elaborate but we like to create some magic as well.  I always start with the front porch.  Stacked pumpkin topiarys and lanterns set the mood.   Add a couple of bird cages with black crows, a few creepy crawly spiders, even more pumpkins and the front door is ready to welcome all our ghouls and goblins.
Time to move inside.  Snarly old spray painted branches, more black crows, some spooky signs, lanterns, cut out haunted houses and we're well on our way to a house fit for a house full of ghosty fun.
Halloweendecor20114-1
HalloweenExperimentPartyDecor20113-1
HalloweenExperimentPartyDecor201112
HalloweenExperimentPartyDecor201113-1
Witch apparel is a must.  I couldn't find a witches hat that I loved or that was within my budget so I created one that was perfect for me.  Take an inexpensive, plain witches hat-add feathers, flowers and other fun to make it witchingly fantastic...hang it on the stair rail, ready at a moments notice.  
HalloweenDecorations201010-1HalloweenDecoranddinner201124-1
HalloweenExperimentPartyDecor20114
It's a living room laboratory!  Find some vintage bottles or make your own by adding a fun label to something that looks old.  If you're not in the mood to create then go to our  Chocolates for Breakfast Etsy store.  
We have some just for you here.  
HalloweenDecor2011005-1
HalloweenDecor2011011-1

HalloweenExperimentPartyDecor20116-1
We're almost done and I've saved the best for last...the family Halloween quilt wall hanging. It's a favorite at this house.  
(Order our infamous Halloween Ghastlie quilts here)HalloweenDecorations2010-1
The house is decorated...now it's time to PARTY...just have to wait a few more weeks! 
HalloweenDecoranddinner201120-1
HalloweenDecoranddinner201127HalloweenDecoranddinner201122-1
Hope your October is frightfully fun!

Photobucket

Friday, September 21, 2012

Personal Progress Got You SPOOKED!


Halloweensourcreamcontainertreatpouch009-1


This was a great little Personal Progress incentive for our young women.  

Halloweensourcreamcontainertreatpouch017-1


Halloweensourcreamcontainertreatpouch008-1


This treat container was so much fun to make!  It looks like a sour cream container you get at some eating establishments, 
but oh so much more fun! 
Find the tutorial here
All it takes is: 
Halloween paper (heavier scrapbook paper is best)
Paper Crimper
Double sided tape
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Favorite Halloween treats (for inside container)
Tags (see below-just copy and paste from this blog)


CopyofPPGotyouSpookedtags


PPGotyouSpookedtags

Photobucket

Thursday, September 20, 2012

It's time for APPLES

Don't you just love APPLES!  Especially if covered in chocolate, or dipped in donut batter, or fresh squeezed from the big Red Barn.  It's that time of the season and because it's that time, we decided to make apples front and center for our PTA Council meeting.  
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012020_zpsb4128add
Costco and Sams Club were my friends for this refreshment table.  And they turned out to be really good friends!
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012028_zpsbb41eeb9
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012015_zpsf87520ab
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012009_zps8aed5393
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012032_zpsa9b9338c
Katherine from A Piece of Cake created these ADORABLE apple cake pops.  Once the pops were made we popped them in styrofoam, then placed in a little red wagon with paper clips to cover the styrofoam.  The cake pops looked so cute that we had a hard time eating them...at first!
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012006_zpsac247597
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012005_zps1b476235
Drop in at Kneaders Bakery and Cafe for these cute owl cookies.
PTACouncilmeetingSept2012008_zps53fa5c97

Photobucket

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Experiment Upon The Word-Personal Progress Style


ExperimentUpontheWordbanner

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-20119-1
Purpose of the evening:   To show how Personal Progress can be a regular part of every young woman's life.  Another goal for the evening was to increase unity within our YW's group and do it in a fun, interactive way.  
We planned an evening full of EXPERIMENTS that encouraged each young woman to actively participate in Personal Progress. 

Each young woman received a personal invitation prior to the evening.
(This activity was planned for the month of October)
Photobucket
The invitation was stuck in a witch's cauldron (the kind you get at the dollar store 10 for $1) and then tied a ribbon on the side.
Photobucket
The evening was split up into 3 time periods and we rotated to 3 different homes.  
Leaders dressed up in lab coats.
First Home
Photobucket
Focus Goal: DN Value Project pg. 26
Experiment:  Unity Building Ball game
Read D&C 38:27.  Encourage a project that will promote unity.
Gather goodies for buddy bag with note of divine attribute
Photobucket
Second Home
Photobucket
Focus goal: GW#3
Experiment: Service in seconds!
Read Mosiah 18:7-10
Make quick and easy treat to be delivered with a note of love.
Then deliver it.
Photobucket
Third Home
Photobucket
Focus Goal: IW #3
Experiment: The Gumball Project (The worth of souls)
Read D&C 18:10 and 121:45.  Offer challenge to continue for two weeks
Produce LOVE one another POTION!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Look here for more information on the Gumball Project.
Photobucket
Photobucket

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201130

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201139

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201142

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201138
YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201114-1
The young women were sent home with a little bottle of Love Potion and given the challenge to do something nice for someone before they climbed into bed that night. 

YWPPExperimentUpontheWord10-201164-1
It has been said that if we learn to more fully love and serve one another our lives will be happier and we will personally progress.  
We are given many opportunities to EXPERIMENT and PROVE His words.  

Photobucket