How Do You Boo?

I love my Halloween decorations, they're glittery, fun colors and a little on the tacky side maybe.  This year I got a few new things, and made a few new things and then added lots of ribbon everywhere.  It is fairly inexpensive and really adds a lot, in fact I think the theme of all these pictures is cheap. I added quite a few new things this year, but I only spent $10!!!   Here's what I like to do, what do you put up for Halloween?


I already had everything in this picture except for the black crow that I picked up at the Dollar Tree, I just added a strand of ribbon and colored some rice with orange food coloring, the black fabric underneath was leftover from last years Halloween costumes and its sparkly!
The garland was made with paper from my stash that I stitched together on the sewing machine.  The small black pumpkin I got last year at Michael's on clearance and I picked up the BIG orange pumpkin this year at Target in the Dollar Spot for only $2.50!!!



This banner was intended to go above my entertainment center but got way too big for that.  I used a bunch of die cuts I got at Michael's.  I got an enormous pack for on $4.  I still have lots left for crafting next year!

This is the built-in in the kitchen.  The chipboard sign I picked up last year, unpainted from Hobbly Lobby, I think I paid $.30 for it.  I added some scraps of fabric from my stash and a few bits of ribbon.  That is candy corn in the wall sconces and little "flags" tied with ribbon onto twigs, from my yard.

This is probably my favorite spot.  I made the garland a few years ago, and then I just added ribbon to everything else.


This fun sign came from the Dollar Tree- I've seriously found so much good stuff there.  All I needed to do was add some ribbon and a little glitter spray (which doesn't show in the pictures, but really looks great in person)

And, this cute picture was taken earlier in the month when the weather was amazing!  While Viv was at school, Sophie and Nathan decided they wanted to take a nap outside so they rigged up this little set-up and stayed snuggled up for almost 30 mintes.  Definitely not a nap, but I'm not complaining!

Swap til you Drop

My freezer is FULL right now.  I have so much food, but the best part is that food is literally ready to eat!  I organized a freezer meal swap last week and I'm now stocked with 4 meals for the month that are ready to go.  I used one already last week when the hubs and I went out for dinner and so the babysitter just had to pop it in the oven.  I also made an extra batch of my own meal to store in the freezer.  If you're thinking about hosting a swap, do it!  Here is how I organized mine:

1. I decided a group of 4 would work out well, so I contacted some of my friends who have similar sized families and eating habits, (ie. we're not gourmet chefs, but we all appreciate a good home-cooked meal)

2. We picked a date and time and about a week before the swap we all tried to let eachother know what we would be making.

3. Make your food and freeze it the day before.  This will make the swap much easier and also helps in transporting the food home if there's no chance of it spilling.  Also, labeling your food and heating instructions would be a great bonus.

4. SWAP!  I would try to bring a cooler or a box to transport your food home.

This was seriously so great!  I ended up with a gallon of chili, meatball subs, HOMEMADE calzones (Jenny totally outdid us all!), and a great looking lasagna.  I've already eatn the subs, which were amazing, and the calzones are scheduled for this weekend while I'm out of town so there's a nutrituos meal already for the hubs to feed the kiddos.

Give Said the LIttle Stream

I saw this on someone's blog and I thought it sounded like a fun idea. If you would like to play along send me a comment.


Rules:

1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time in the next 365 days (yes, a year).

2. To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along too. Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first three people that comment on your blog post.

3. You must have a blog.

4. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love.

Leave me your email address and I will contact you.