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Archive for September, 2009

Decorating with Pumpkins

Today we are lucky to have Kim from Today's Creative Blog here sharing some decorating ideas for pumpkins! If you are looking for more inspiration please visit Kim's blog where she showcases creative blogs almost everyday! It is a great way to have a glimpse of some of the best blogs on the Internet!

Kim writes...

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Pumpkins

.... it is all you need to use to get your home ready for fall.

Hey all you Skip to my Lou readers…..Can you believe Cindy gave me the reins for a day?  My first guest post…….ever.  It’s me Kim, from Today’s Creative Blog and forgive me, but I’m a bit nervous.  Cindy said I could blog on anything I wanted…….so I am choosing Pumpkins!  Decorating our homes for Fall or Halloween (or both) can be so simple by adding a few gourds.

Lets start with the porch.

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It MUST be inviting.  Even if you just plop a couple of mum plants with a few pumpkins, you’re good.

A few years ago, I made (well my husband made them under my supervision) the cutest topiaries.  I love them.   Even when your husband takes over the decorating for Halloween, I still have my topiaries to balance the tackiness. Now before you start judging my poorly decorated tacky  porch…….just let me tell you that this is the ONLY holiday that my husband and son take over.  And now you know why.  But look at those cute topiaries.

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I made my topiaries from the fake pumpkins from any craft store.  I cut a hole in the bottom and top of the 2 lower pumpkins and only in the bottom of the top pumpkin.  I used a large dowel to stack the pumpkins and also added some heavy duty glue.  I placed rocks in the bottom of my urn instead of cement, then stuck my dowel into the rocks to secure my topiary.  If you read the instructions from most online directions, they tell you to use real pumpkins and to fill your planters with cement.  No no no, it doesn’t have to be that hard.  After I stacked mine, I used cheap leaf garland and berries to wrap around each pumpkin.  You could add lights, monograms, faces……or even your address numbers.  So many options.

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Or you can do try a whimsical topiary like this one from Better Homes and Gardens. Doesn’t look too hard.

I love all the small pumpkins.  Especially the white ones.

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I’ve used them for place settings, bowl fillers, vase fillers, etc.  But one I idea I plan to use year after year is using rub on’s.  BOO!

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So easy.  Then after Halloween was over, I scraped it off and used for Thanksgiving.   These are also cute placed on candle sticks. (a black sharpie works great too)

Why not make a simple topiary.  Simply fill a small pot with beans, lentils, popcorn, nuts…etc…..then using a small dowel and a small pumpkin you can create a darling topiary to be used anywhere in your home.

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I like easy ideas.  I’m not like Cindy where I will actually spend a bit of time on a project.  :)

I can’t get enough of white pumpkins with lettering.

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How about this easy idea from Good Housekeeping?  You’re crafty, you probably have a bit of Mod Podge around the house.  This could also be done with smaller children.

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Seriously…….how simple could this table setting below be?  I love it when it looks so good and it’s not very hard.  If you don’t have these fancy wood pieces, why not use candle sticks, jars, or vases.  Or you could head to your local hardware store and buy some decorative wood pieces.  Anything could work. (photo courtesy of Midwest Living )

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How about another easy peasy idea.  All you need is ribbon and pumpkins.  Darling.  (Better Homes and Gardens)

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This next table topper idea isn’t a pumpkin, but I just couldn’t resist.  I love it!  I suppose you could place pumpkins inside, but the mini cemetery is to die for.  Pun intended.

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While I’m off my pumpkin kick, I might as well share with you my favorite Halloween treat I found on Saucy’s blog.

Ear Wax pops.  EWWWW.  I gotta make these.

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I hope I’ve inspired you just a little bit to think outside the box when you see all those pumpkins at the market.  I’d love to see what you’ve created.  You can find me at Today’s Creative Blog.

Thank you Cindy for letting hi-jack your blog for the day.  Really readers, it’s only for today.  No worries, Cindy will be back tomorrow with the goods.

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Thanks Kim for  a beautiful post even though you got derailed at the end --YUCK.  I am assuming those earwax pops are mini marshmallows dipped in peanut butter then stuck on small lollipop sticks?? Now I must say that is an original and very creative idea.

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Make a Day Better!

I am going to try this again because I am passionate about teachers and the tremendous work they do.  Only a few people nominated their favorite and deserving teacher to win $100.00 OfficeMax Gift Card.  I hope you will consider taking a moment to use your entry as  a way to say thank you to a teacher. They may win $100 or they may not, but I think telling others about a special teacher is a tribute and honor for them.

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I feel that the more we share about the amazing work teachers are doing, we will all have a greater level of understanding and appreciation of their job.

If I could enter this is what I would say:

A letter to our teacher,

For the moment my first finger hit the keyboard to write this I am brought to tears. The shear thanks and gratitude for all you do overwhelms me.  How would we get through our days with you? How would our child succeed and grow without your dedication?  We are thankful for your support, encouragement and care. We appreciate the unpaid hours you spend overseeing our son's IEP, attending meetings and learning.  We are  grateful for you continually going above and beyond --- For coming to our home on those mornings we are all overwhelmed and going to school doesn't seem possible.  We appreciate the time you spend perfecting your craft, your desire to be innovative and your continued willingness to try again when things don't work. There is no amount of money that could possibly reimburse you for all the extra things you do. In fact, not only are you not fully compensated for your time, knowledge and expertise,  you contribute your own money buying incentives and extra supplies.

So for all you have done for my family my sincerest thanks. Your hard work is not lost on us and your extreme dedication does not go unnoticed. We appreciate your care and concern. We believe your work is the most valuable and influential job. Thank you for not seeing it as just a "job"and for seeing my child as special and important!


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To make it easier we changed the entry requirements. You only need to leave a comment HERE (please click through to the original post) and tweet or facebook about the give away. So please consider nominating a deserving teacher to win $100 OfficeMax Gift Card.

Truly all teachers are working to make all of our days better,  because a well educated child benefits ALL of us! Lets make their Day Better! Tell us about the special teacher in your life!

Silly or Sneaky Snakes

How to make a silly or sneaky stuffed snake.
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Take an old sheet and rip it into a 9"  wide strip (as long as you like), fold in half, slip a long rectangle for the tongue (you can trim it later) inside the middle at the top, stitch an arc across the top and then stitch straight down the open side. Trim and turn right side out.

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Using Fabric Markers color and color!

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The folded 9"  of fabric makes it the perfect width for little arms to stuff. Sew the end closed and you have a silly snake.

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This made a fun little craft for Sunday School. It is something simple and works for a variety of ages. I made up the snakes ahead of time and during Sunday School the children colored and stuffed. For ease we tied the end shut with a piece of yarn. We have been learning about creation, Adam and Eve and this worked perfect when we talked about the snake. So as my daughter said, "It is a sneaky snake. that tricked Eve."

Winners

Please click on the Giveaway Winners button at the bottom of the page to see the winners of the

ALEX sewing machine and the ALEX sewing kit,

Crayola Window Crayons and Crayola Fabric Markers. Congratulations to all of the winners! Thanks so much for playing along ------ and for reading my blog!

Cindy

Makes me laugh

I hope this brings you a smile today!

Dance like no one's watching! Have a great day!


© 2009 Skip To My Lou