Halloween Necklace and Earrings

This is a great idea for a cute, simple Halloween necklace and earrings. If you're like me you want to be festive without having to wear a dangling ghost or witch around your neck. This is a simple way to throw some black and orange into your wardrobe without screaming "Happy Halloween!"

For this necklace you will need anywhere from 20-30 each small black and orange beads, 40-60 earring wires with the flat piece at the end, necklace chain for both your earrings and the necklace (you can do whatever length you want on your necklace, I chose a length that would fall just below my collar bone), earrings, 40-60 small jump rings, 4 regular size jump rings, and a lobster clasp.

Your next step will be to put each of your beads on an earring wire, bend it just above the bead, cut it off 1/2 inch from the bend and twist it into a loop.

Before too long you will have a pile that looks like this...

Next, count out two pieces of chain 10 links each, and use a jump ring to attach each of them to an earring post.

Using the small jump rings attach the small beads to the chain, putting one bead in each link and alternating black and orange. I put eight beads, 4 black and 4 orange, on each piece of chain. Then you will use the same concept for your necklace. Cut your chain to the length you want it and start putting beads on in the center and working out to each side to assure that the necklace looks even. I placed my beads in every fourth link, but you can go closer or further apart depending on the look you are going for. The last step will be to attach your lobster clasp with the two remaining regular jump rings.

Now you have a cute Halloween look without being overdone!

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eighteen25

Free Halloween Buttons For Your Blog

I thought that since Halloween was coming up, that I would make you all some fun free buttons to spook the visitors on your own blogs! They are yours for the taking! They will show up just how they appear on this post.

If any of you don't know how to add these to your blog, here is a quick how to:

1. Copy the code in the box from below the button you want

2. In your "Design" tab of your blog, click on "Page Elements"

3. Click on "Add a Gadget" and select "HTML/Javascript"

4. Paste the code

5. After you have saved your new gadget, drag it to where you want on your page elements layout :)

A bigger spooky one:

<center><a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/thisandthatcreative/Megan%20Schaugaard/halloweenbutton1.png" /></a></center>

A smaller spooky one:

<center><a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/thisandthatcreative/Megan%20Schaugaard/halloweenbuttonsmall.png" /></a></center>

A kitty one to persuade visitors to leave comments:

<center><a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/thisandthatcreative/Megan%20Schaugaard/halloweenbutton2-1.jpg" /></a></center>

To send best "witches" to your visitors:

<center><a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx186/thisandthatcreative/Megan%20Schaugaard/halloweenbutton3.jpg" /></a></center>

Happy Haunting and Blogging! Enjoy!

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eighteen25

Halloween Party Must-Haves

It's time to start planning your Halloween parties.

And here is a little inspiration to get you started.

Check out these amazing cookies!

The spiders are made from Trix Cereal!

image via Bakerella

Or these creepy crawly cupcakes!

AMAZING!

image via Bakerella

Or how about these Halloween Tinsel Toppers

for your cupcakes?

image via Bake it Pretty

I also LOVE this zombie brain gelatin mold.

Perfect if you have little boys!

image via Bake It Pretty

And check out these free printable drink labels

to turn your everyday beverages into Halloween drinks!

image and printables via Centsational Girl

Hope this gets you in the mood to start

planning your Halloween Bash!

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eigteen25

Chilled Fruit Pie

These are the easiest pies ever (well, maybe except for a pudding pie) and super tasty!

Crust:

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 t. salt

1/3 c. shortening

3-5 T. cold water

Combine the first three ingredients and slowly add the water to desired consistency. I love a flaky pie crust so for me, less is better! Once combined, roll flat and place in a pie tin. Using a fork, poke around the edges and bottom of the tin to allow for steam so you don't get bubbles. Bake the crust at 450* for 10-12 minutes and allow it to cool.

Gel Filling:

2/3 c. sugar

1 T. corn starch

1/8 t. salt

1/2 c. water

While crust is baking, combine the filling ingredients in a sauce pan and heat over medium to medium-high heat until the gel has boiled for one minute. Stir enough to keep it from burning to the bottom, but don't over stir (if that makes sense). Allow gel to cool and place in the fridge to chill.

Sliced fruit options:

peach, strawberry, nectarine, a combo of any of the aforementioned...you choose because they're all delicious!

When gel has chilled, place sliced fruit in cooked pie crust and poor the gel over the fruit. No stirring necessary. Top with whipping cream and serve immediately!

...Note the cream-to-pie ratio...this is merely a suggestion!

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Today's Creative Blog

Creepy Crawly Wreath

I saw this "wriggling wreath" on page 54

of the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine.

And LOVED it!

I decided to attempt my own.

I headed to the dollar store and bought a

wreath and 3 bags of creepy crawly bugs,

snakes and bats and spray painted them all

black. I then hot glued them onto my wreath.

I love that Martha's is all snakes, but when I saw

the bats I had to have them, so I changed it up a bit!

So for $4 my front door is now ready for Halloween!

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and
eighteen25