[How-To Tuesday: "Trick or Treat" Frame Tutorial by Crafts & Sutch]

Check out this ADORABLE "Trick or Treat" Frame Tutorial made by Erin at Crafts & Sutch! Perfect addition to your Halloween decor!

Well, if you are anything like me, you are in full swing Halloween/fall mode!  I love this time of year and I love to create new things to update my holiday decorations.  Today, let's dive into creating a cute Trick or Treat frame that will sit perfectly next to your candy bowl.  :)

Here is what you'll need:  a frame without the glass, scrap fabrics, glue gun, glue sticks, batting, needle and thread, iron on letters, Heat-n-Bond, ink pad, buttons or other embellishments.

To get started, take the cardboard insert out of the frame (if you are using an open back frame, then cut an insert out of cardboard) to use as the base.  Cut the batting about 1" larger than your cardboard on all sides so it can wrap around the base.  Using your glue gun, wrap the cardboard with the batting.

Now using the same process, wrap the cardboard with your base fabric.

Cut two more pieces of fabric, one will be the middle layer (I used black) and one will be the top layer (I used khaki).  The sizes will depend on your frame size.

Iron on the letters following the package's directions to the top layer of fabric.  If you don't have iron on letters, you could use a fabric marker or create a freezer paper stencil and use craft paint.

Use the Heat-n-Bond to adhere the top layer of fabric to the middle layer of fabric.  I cut the Heat-n-Bond about a 1/4" smaller on all sides so I can sew around it later (see yellow arrows).  Distress the edges of the top piece of fabric with ink.  My favorite tool to use here is a paper towel. :)

Now run a stitch around the outside of the top layer of fabric.  I used three strands of orange embroidery floss.

Apply Heat-n-Bond to the back side of the middle layer of fabric and adhere it to the base using the package's directions.

Now for the fun, decorate your base with some fabric rosette "lollipops" or "gumball" buttons, put the finished product in the frame, and swoon! :)

The best thing about this project is that you can make it in any size, in any color, and for any occasion...other holidays, make one with your kiddo's name on it for their room, or for a wedding gift with the bride and groom's last name and their wedding date!  :)  The possibilities are endless!

What a creative and fun way to add some festive Halloween decor to your home, office, etc.! And I love how versatile it is so that you can make it your own for any occasion! The best thing is that it all goes perfectly in a frame. :0) Awesome job, Erin!

[Don't forget to stop by Crafts & Sutch for her other amazing craft tutorials! You'll be glad you did!]

[Jen]

[Motivational Monday: Bedroom Makeovers]

Does your bedroom look like this? Nice but a little "ho-hum". I know some of you may be nodding "yes" (I know I am!). So here's a little motivation to get you started on your next bedroom makeover! Check out this "after" photo from the photo above:

(House Beautiful)

[Wow! Can you believe this was all transformed in a day?? Amazing! I love the color palette of this room: bright yellows, soft blue, all paired with some nice neutrals. And I can't get over those lanterns on the wall! Who knew that adding outdoor lighting would add such sophistication to a room!]

[Another "blah" room. This one just looks empty. But check out this makeover:]

(House Beautiful)

[So nice! I LOVE the headboard! Very classy. And those tall lamps with the retro shades add lots of character to the room. And I really like those doors. Especially how the trim is dark brown while the door is white with some gray outlining. Really adds depth. And the fan with the cathedral-like ceilings...magnificent!]

Okay, now to tackle the bedroom (decoratingly speaking, of course). :0)

[Jen]

[Scrapperday: Happy 10th Birthday!]

Next month my nephew will be turning 10. I wanted to make him a card but not make it too girly looking. I am sure he won't really appreciate it because, let's face it, he's 10. But it's the thought and effort that counts, right?

[This card was SUPER simple to make. And granted, there isn't a whole lot of embellishment-ing going on, it still looks appropriate for a boy turning 10. For the life of me, I cannot remember all the materials that I used to make this card, but throw in some rub-ons, chipboard stickers, & some fun patterned paper...you're good to go!]

Happy Scrapperday!

I will be linking this card up to these parties!

[Jen]

Happy First Day of Fall!

Don't you just love the Fall season? Today in the U.S. marks the first day of Fall. So exciting! I love how the leave change into the most beautiful colors making everything feel warm even on those brisk, cold days. And, to those of you who enjoy decorating your home, there are endless ways to add natural decor to give the inside of your home that same warm feeling.

[I LOVE this Indian corn wreath! And it looks pretty simple to make. I would assume you could take an ordinary hay wreath and hot-glue the corn to the wreath with the shucks flared out. Seems easy peasy! Hmm...do I see a "How-to Tuesday" tutorial on this in the near future??]

[Wouldn't this be the perfect table setting for your next Halloween/Thanksgiving dinner party? Different sizes and colors of pumpkins on top of dark-colored books add a sophistication to the entire look. Plus it's a great inexpensive way to liven up any centerpiece.]

[This looks like a fairly easy centerpiece to make. And miniature pumpkins are so much fun to decorate with! Just carve a hole in the center of the pumpkin, place a votive or tall taper candle inside it, and secure it all with some museum wax. These would look lovely placed on a platter or in a shallow bowl filled with rocks or stones]

[Of course, this one I absolutely adore! I love the rich, deep red color of this frame. And the leaves strung along some orange ribbon really give it that extra flare. Perfect for decorating a mantel or shelf.]

All photos courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

[Jen]