Be Inspired: Gettin' My Spook On...

I love Halloween, I mean, I LOVE Halloween.  To the point that people might think I'm a little strange (okay, so people think I'm a little strange anyway, never mind that).  So, what better topic for my very first Inspiration post than my most favoritest (yes, that is too a word) holiday?

The first inspiration I have to share with you are these super cute (and really easy) spider eggs.  Use whole black olives, cut each in half and then use one half to cut the legs.  Use your kitchen shears for easy cutting.

This totally cute caterpillar is made with pumpkins - want to make it even cuter - make the head red and you've got the very hungry caterpillar!  That would make an ubber cute classroom project, dontcha think?

Now this is so neat and so wonderfully cheap!  This awesome witch's curtain is nothing more than (are you ready for this) trash bags!  Yep, so simple yet so effective!

And, if you want a similar effect inside just grab a roll of crepe paper streamers (you know those birthday party decorations) and make a curtain!  Oh my!

And this amazing jack-o-lantern inspires me - who would've thought to put a pumpkin in a pumpkin?  Well, someone over at Skull A Day did, that's who.  Simply brilliant!

So, I hope you find some inspiration in these ideas.  I'm off to put the finishing spooky touches on our home before Halloween comes - and to make one of those awesome witch curtains!

Fall Fun

Ah, cool Autumn mornings are here again. The leaves are beginning to turn colors and the days are getting shorter. All of these are signs (at least to our clan) that it is Pumpkin Patch season. We have been visiting the same patch for nine years now (since Krista was in kindergarten) and have loved every blessed trip. However, this year we made a huge mistake - we went on the same Saturday when the photographer was there. You would think after so many years of visiting on Saturdays we would have come across this earlier, but nope, not until this year. Cars were lined up in a fashion only comparable to a hillbilly family reunion and the place was packed. The girls still enjoyed the visit and we did come home with several Autumnal treasures, but I have learned my lesson - we will call ahead and not go on a day when half the state is taking pictures of their "little darlings" with every gourd known to mankind.

We have added our bounty to the front yard display and hopefully today a scarecrow of some sorts will join in the fun. I've saved a pair of Sydnee's overalls for the special attire, now to find a long-sleeved scarecrow-like shirt. Each season or holiday it seems I select a new theme to decorate or craft with. For instance, this year I am scarecrow crazy, I have them in my classroom and on my front lawn. We've done scarecrow dress-up relays in the after school program and made our own scarecrows using felt pieces. Next year I will have a new focus (obsession) but for now the scarecrows have it. Once we get a resident in our display in the yard I will post some photos.