Make Memories Magical With Halloween Digital Downloads Or This Secret Brown Butter Cookie Recipe

Hi, Creative Friends-

It’s the middle of October which means we are getting a bit closer to the magic of Halloween. Maybe the spooky decorations are still in the garage or the fabulous witch costume still needs to be stitched together or maybe there just hasn’t been a second to think about feeling the excitement that Halloween offers. That’s why…

This week, let’s talk about 3 ways to keep the spirit of Halloween alive with 3 super easy creative ideas…

1. “Give A BOO!”: Go check out my Halloween Art Shop featuring dark and inky Halloween Digital Downloads that are a magic way to decorate and create your way to the easiest Halloween ever AND the new addition to the shop and don’t forget to “Boo!” someone with the ”You’ve Been Booed!” Digital Download Bundle.

2. Secret Monsters: The cooler fall weather might be making us want to fire up the oven and bake something delicious with the kids. If so, here is a secret recipe developed just for you: Secret Brown Butter Monsters. Pair the cookies with the “You’ve Been BOOED!” bundle and together they are a great way to pass on the Halloween spirit!

3. Falling Star Garland: I mentioned this project last week, but here it is again. The simple but magical DIY Halloween Star Garland project only takes about 20 min. It’s such a festive and fun way to get magical this October! The secret is in using black cardstock when printing the stars. Pair the dark stars with the clear fishing line for a super cool “falling star” effect that makes any entryway or fireplace truly mystical!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to keep the Halloween spirit going this October.

Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Got BOOed? Get Your Boo Digital Bundle Here!

Hi, Creative Friends-

Can you believe Halloween is just a few weeks away? Are you feeling any spooky Halloween vibes yet? No? Well, good news, I’ve got ideas on how to get creative, decorate for Halloween and get the fun spooky vibes started.

This week, let’s not let Halloween slip by without doing these 3 creative happy ideas…

1. Boo-tiful Food: “What Do Ghosts Eat For Dinner?” Spook-etti! Sometimes a silly little joke and creating something delicious can put us immediately into a holiday mood. To make Halloween sweet, try whipping up one of Country Living’s “47 Best Halloween Sweets That Are Almost Too Cute To Eat” recipes. There are so many creative and cool ideas in this article including Marshmellow Ghost Brownies and Candy Bar Pie (Crazy For Crust).“

2. Give A BOO!: Have you ever “BOOED!” a friend or neighbor? Giving and getting a “BOO” is a great way to keep the ghostly spirit of Halloween alive. Just purchase and print out the “You’ve Been BOOED!” bundle, add your own packaging, as well as treats or tricks and then quietly drop the bundle at a friend’s door! Being “BOOED!” is a great way to keep creativity contagious and spread the excitement of Halloween!

3. Bone Chilling Tales: A great way to get into the Halloween spirit is to be like Steven King and write a good old spooky ghost story! Here is an interesting article on how to craft a haunted tale at Good Story Matters “How To Write A Ghost Story.” Challenge a friend to a write-off and see who can scare their socks first!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to make Halloween Special!

Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Halloween Digital Downloads For Sale Here

Hi, Creative Friends-

Tomorrow is the first day of October. If you are a bit like me, the month of October is the PERFECT time to create and decorate. Maybe it’s the shift of sunlight or the fact October ends on the spookiest night of the year, Halloween! Not matter the reason, October is a great time to dive deep into creating and decorating that’s why…

This week, here are 3 magic ways to create & decorate for a happy October…

1. Say Hello To Halloween!: Are you looking for a chic way to say “Boo"!” to Halloween? Shop for poster art and beyond in my Halloween Art Shop. You will find ten different Halloween Digital Downloads in my online shop including a “You’ve Been BOOED kit.” You just purchase, download, print, and create the most magical Halloween ever!

2. A Simply Batty DIY: This Batmobile DIY project is super easy and will bring on fun on Halloween! Just a few supplies and this downloadable and FREE bat template. This project only takes about an hour from start to finish. Hang the batmobile on a coat rack or on a covered porch and watch everyone go batty with excitement now and on Halloween!

3. Halloween Round-Up: Sometimes finding magic in decorating can be as simple as sourcing the right ideas. HGTV has made a great article on “Our 100 Favorite DIY Halloween Decorating Ideas.” Spin through this ultimate photo gallery and find some epic ways to decorate for a happy October! Some of these ideas are so cool including using these sticky decorative bats on a door or garage! So much magic.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to create & decorate for October.

Also, thanks for reading. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Go Boo Someone! Get Your Boo Digital Bundle Here!

Hi, Creative Friends-

Halloween is just a little more than a week away. Are you feeling any spooky Halloween vibes yet? No? Well, good news, I’ve got ideas on how to get creative and get the Halloween fun started!

This week, let’s not let Halloween slip by without doing these 3 creative happy ideas…

1. Boo-tiful Food: “What Do Ghosts Eat For Dinner?” Spook-etti! Sometimes a silly little joke and creating something delicious can put us immediately into a holiday mood. To make Halloween sweet, try whipping up one of Country Living’s “47 Best Halloween Sweets That Are Almost Too Cute To Eat” recipes. There are so many creative and cool ideas in this article including Marshmellow Ghost Brownies and Candy Bar Pie (Crazy For Crust).“ Or try taking one of Molly Wilk’s virtual Halloween dessert classes taught from Versailles France. Learn how to make marshmallow ghosts and Frankenstein mousse and more!

2. Give A BOO!”: Have you ever “BOOED!” a friend or neighbor? Giving and getting a “BOO” is a great way to keep the ghostly spirit of Halloween alive. Just purchase and print out the “You’ve Been BOOED!” bundle, add your own packaging, as well as treats or tricks and then quietly drop the bundle at a friend’s door! Being “BOOED!” is a great way to keep creativity contagious and spread the excitement of Halloween! I’m offering email subscribers 20% off all digital downloads with the code “HALLOWEENHUSTLE2021.” Place the code at checkout and get this offer now because it vanishes soon!

3. Bone Chilling Tales: A great way to celebrate October 31st and get into the Halloween spirit? Write a good old spooky ghost story! Here is an interesting article on how to craft a haunted tale at Good Story Matters “How To Write A Ghost Story.” Challenge a friend to a write-off and see who can scare their socks first!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to not let Halloween slip by!

Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Purchase Halloween Digital Downloads Here

Hi, Creative Friends-

It’s the middle of October which means we are getting a bit closer to the magic of Halloween. Maybe the spooky decorations are still in the garage or the fabulous witch costume still needs to be stitched together or maybe there just hasn’t been a second to think about feeling the excitement that Halloween offers. That’s why…

This week, let’s talk about 3 ways to keep the spirit of Halloween alive with 3 super easy creative ideas…

1. “Give A BOO!”: I am SO excited to share with you my NEW online Halloween Art Shop featuring dark and inky Halloween Digital Downloads that are a magic way to decorate and create your way to the easiest Halloween ever AND the new addition to the shop the ”You’ve Been Booed!” Digital Download Bundle. Have you ever “BOOED!” a friend or neighbor? Giving and getting a “BOO” is a great way to keep the sneaky spirit of Halloween alive. Just purchase and print out the “You’ve Been BOOED!” bundle, add your own packaging, as well as treats or tricks and then quietly drop the bundle at a friend’s door! Being “BOOED!” is a great way to keep creativity contagious and spread the excitement of Halloween! I’m offering email subscribers 20% off all digital downloads with the code “HALLOWEENHUSTLE2021.” Place the code at checkout and get this offer now because it vanishes soon!

2. Secret Monsters: If you remember a while back, I entered the Zeal Creamery milkshake contest and won butter for a year! Wooohooo! Well, the Zeal Butter arrived this week, and you need to get your hands on this velvety creamy goodness because it’s absolutely delicious! To celebrate the win, here is a secret recipe developed just for you: Secret Brown Butter Monsters. Pair the cookies with the “You’ve Been BOOED!” bundle and together they are a great way to pass on the Halloween spirit!

3. Falling Star Garland: I mentioned this project last week, but here it is again. The simple but magical DIY Halloween Star Garland project only takes about 20 min. It’s such a festive and fun way to get magical this October! The secret is in using black cardstock when printing the stars. Pair the dark stars with the clear fishing line for a super cool “falling star” effect that makes any entryway or fireplace truly mystical!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to keep the Halloween spirit going this October.

Also, thanks for reading along. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Halloween Digital Downloads For Sale Here : GET 20% OFF WITH CODE “HALLOWEENHUSTLE2021”

Hi, Creative Friends-

It’s October! If you are a bit like me, the month of October is the PERFECT time to create and decorate. Maybe it’s the dark shift of sunlight or the fact October ends on the coolest and most fun night of the year, Halloween! Whatever is making us want to get creative, I find October is a great time to dive deep into the magic of decorating.

That’s why I am SO excited to share with you my NEW online Halloween Art Shop featuring dark and inky Halloween Digital Downloads that are a magic way to celebrate the whole month of October but I am getting ahead of myself!

This week, here are 3 magic ways to create & decorate for a happy October…

1. A Simply Batty DIY: This BatMobile DIY project is super easy and will bring much fun now and on Halloween! Just a few supplies and this downloadable and FREE bat template, will make the coolest and most magical Halloween entryway! This project only takes about an hour from start to finish. Hang the batmobile on a coat rack or on a covered porch and watch everyone go batty with excitement now and on Halloween!

2. Halloween Round-Up: Sometimes finding magic in decorating can be as simple as sourcing the right ideas. HGTV has made a great article on “Our 100 Favorite DIY Halloween Decorating Ideas.” Spin through this ultimate photo gallery and find some epic ways to decorate for a happy October! Some of these ideas are so cool including using these sticky decorative bats on a door or garage! So magical!

3. Say Hello To Halloween!: Are you looking for a chic and cool way to say “Boo"!” to Halloween? Shop my NEW Halloween Art Shop. You will find nine different Halloween Digital Downloads in my NEW online shop! You just purchase, download, print, and frame as many pieces of art as your little dark heart desires. Each design comes in multiple sizes so you can customize the art to fit your home. Since you are a Create & Change newsletter subscriber, use the code “HALLOWEENHUSTLE2021” and get 20% off your whole order! Happy decorating & Happy October Creative Friends!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or what you are doing to create & decorate for October.

Also, thanks for reading. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Boo! Why does the thought of seeing a ghost make our hearts race? How many of us have jumped at the sight of an eight legged friend crawling down the wall? Who here fears balancing high on a ladder? How about being alone, at home, in the dark? Does getting on a crowded elevator produce tiny droplets of perspiration on our temples?

What is it about these things that turns our nervous system on it's head and sends us into a deep dark panic? Since we have been talking about Halloween the last few weeks, let's talk about fear and why we fear stuff like spiders, dogs and public speaking. Here is a great article from How Stuff Works "How Fear Works." The short of the article is fear helps us stay alive. It gives our bodies the message that we should move and shake our way right out of that snakes path or stay in the cave durning a lightening storm. Fear is primal and it is unavoidable but we can dance with and perhaps create something from it.

Today, let's create some Halloween fear. Pick someone you know (very well) and scare or gross them out just a bit. Bring on the fear! Maybe a good friend is a bit shy of spiders? Perhaps a big, fake hairy spider at the store will give them a healthy shriek. How about switching out yellow mustard for frosting on top of cupcakes? The kids will never want a cupcake again! How about an airhorn taped behind a door? Get the measuring tape ready to see how far your friends feet levitate from the ground. Whatever you do, make it more of a trick than a treat and remember to tell them Happy Halloween.

Until tomorrow tricksters.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Hello Monsters. We are back together for another monster mash today. Getting together always calls for a little treat. When I think of a treat I think of donuts of course. Nothing can beat a ball of fried goodness. When i think of fall, I think about the crisp autumn air and cloudy days. As a kid, they always made for a great trip to the apple orchard. There was crunching around in leaves, picking apples and munching apple cider donuts. The apple cider donuts were a real treat for any fall day.

Today, let's try to recreate that delicious apple cider flavor. Let's whip up these monster treats to help celebrate fall and Halloween. First, I mixed up a batch of quick donut holes. You can find the recipe here on Cooking Classy: 15 Minute Donut Holes From Scratch. If you are short on time, use plain unglazed donut holes bought at the store. They will work too.

Now for the glaze that adds the apple and the monster to this anytime fall Halloween snack. You will need:

• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• green food coloring
• 1-2 tablespoons melted butter
• a pinch of salt
• Wilton Large Candy Eyes {affiliate link}

Step 1: Place the cider in a small sauce pan. Turn the heat on high and let the liquid boil for 8-10 min or until the cider reduces down to 1/4 cup.

Step 2: While the cider is cooking, sift the powdered sugar. Add the green food coloring, melted butter and salt to the powdered sugar. Mix well.

Step 3: Add the reduced apple cider to the powdered sugar mixture and combine until smooth. If the mixture is still too thick to spread, add a tablespoon of cider until the glaze is thin enough to coat the donut but thick enough to cover the outside.

Step 4: Drop the donuts into the glaze, and coat the entire donut. Place the donuts on a cookie rack and place one candy eye on each donut.

Now warm up a cup of apple cider, invite a few ghouls over and enjoy a snack fit for any monster.

Well, I'm off to cut out some faux fur and fire up the glue gun for tomorrow's post. Until then, eat up Cyclops!

Hello to all you trick-o-treaters to be. Isn't it hard to come up with a costume for Halloween and make it extra special? Every year I ask my kids what they want to be. We usually brainstorm as a family and throw out ideas to one another. One year our entire family was a pack of wolves. Another year 3 of us were vampires and one member was an excavator. We have been witches, a shark and a zombie surfer and little bunny foo foo. By this time each year, we usually have nailed down the theme and our costumes are done.

Not this year. For some reason this year, we can't seem to agree on any theme. We talked about being breakfast but no one wanted to be the sausage. Who does? We talked about going as fighter pilots but the little girl wouldn't have it. There were astronauts on the list, dinosaurs and a box of donuts. The list just kept going.

However, one of our family members put a stake in the ground. Out of the blue my 5 year old daughter said she wanted to be no not a princess, or a cheerleader or a head of state. No my 5 year old stated she wanted to be sushi this year. Yes, sushi. Look, I tried to talk her into being a big pink donut or Rapunzel but she wouldn't have it. She insisted on being a sushi roll. A salmon avocado to be exact. 

Her persistence lead me to do a Google search. It turns out there others who have dressed up in some pretty awesome sushi costumes. Challenge accepted little one. Today we made her a sushi costume and today's project to start to create a handmade costume for yourself. That is to say today, pick a theme or a character and get to work on a homemade costume that is original, handmade and will be the talk of any party. Don't be shy about digging through your closet to locate some props or clothing from a bygone era. Or using the shipping boxes stored in the garage. Usually, we have materials all around us that can get our creative juices flowing.

As for the sushi costume, it still needs a little refinement but here is the material list and steps to inspire your own sushi costume or other frilly frock.

Salmon Avocado Sushi Roll Costume Supply List

• a paint brush
• green and white acrylic paint
• 1/8 yard green fabric (I used polar fleece)
• 1/8 orange fabric (I used polar fleece)
• a measuring tape 
• 1" foam material
• 2 yards imitation leather fabric with texture
• 1 roll of quilt batting
• A hot glue gun and glue sticks
• safety pins
• sewing pins
• green ribbon {optional}
• ginger colored ribbon or trim {optional}
• 2 barrettes or a headband {optional}
• a set of chopsticks

Step 1: Cut the green and orange fabric in half so there are 4 pieces. With the white paint and a small paint brush, make salmon stripes on the orange fabric. Mix the green and white paint together and paint a lighter shade of green on the green fabric to look like avocado. Let dry overnight.

Step 2: Measure yourself or the person who needs the costume. Think about proportion and how the person will wear the costume. Cut the foam accordingly to the proportions. Trim the fabric leaving an extra 3" on each side. Lay the fabric face down on the floor. Place the foam on top. Fold 3" of the fabric over on to the foam and secure with sewing pins all the way around the foam.

Step 3: Warm up the hot glue gun and glue the fabric to the foam on the edge. Remove the sewing pins as the hot glue cools in place. Place the quilt batting inside the foam fabric roll and cut a hole the slightly smaller than the costume wearers torso in the fabric, foam and batting. Flipping over the foam, fabric and batting secure the two ends of the foam and fabric together. You now should have a roll.

Step 4: Pin the orange and green fabric to each end of the sushi roll. Using the hot glue gun, glue the green ribbon and ginger trim to the barrettes or headband.{optional}

Wiggle feet first into the costume and done! Sushi roll costume complete. A word about construction, if you are finding the safety pins are not holding the roll together, stitch the two ends of the foam and fabric together using a big stitch.

Well, this 5 year old is ready for trick-o-treating. Are you? See you tomorrow kids!

Hey Zombies. I bet some of us must feel like zombies this Sunday morning. It's been a long week. Actually, zombies really give me the shakes. There is just something about brain eating humans that I don't care to think about. Let's not get started on the blood that always seems to come along with zombies. The sight of blood makes me weak in the knees and swim in the head. Every Halloween, I just turn away from the gore. It's not my cup of tea but there is someone in my life that LOVES to dress up like a zombie and sport good old fashioned fake blood.

Every year just before Halloween my husband wrestles with what he is going to be for Halloween. We go down the list of usual suspects: a Chicago super fan, Bob Ross, a surfer and the list goes on. As we talk over his options, he inevitably says "Well if I was Bob Ross, I could be a zombie Bob Ross." It happens every Halloween. He turns any costume into a zombie costume. He also loves to pop his head in the bathroom the day of Halloween and gingerly ask me if and I quote "Have any fake blood?" As if I keep something so creepy in my house! The answer is always "NO!" He ends up slogging down to the Walgreens to pick up his fake blood for his Chicago Super Fan zombie costume. Well, and find a Chicago bears sweatband and koozie beer holder.

This year I decided to mix up batch of the this gross blood stuff and keep it on hand. Today's project is creepy and weird and I admit slightly uncomfortable for me. However, I have researched fake blood and it has come to my attention that most store bought blood is entirely the wrong color. It's way too bright red. You will find the recipe below to be based on what they use in the hollywood movies which includes cocoa powder and blue food coloring. Let's whip up a batch of this creepy stuff and check fake blood off the Halloween to-do list. Here is quick video and a recipe to get you started.

Fake Blood Recipe

• 1/2 tablespoon powered cocoa
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 4 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1 drop blue food coloring
• a clean paint brush

Step 1: Mix the coco and water together throughly.

Step 2: Mix the corn syrup and red and blue food coloring together.

Step 3: Mix the coco and syrup mixtures together and let set for 5 min.

The fake blood is ready to use. Just keep the mixture away from everyone's eyes and me. Have zombie ghoulish fun and see you tomorrow creepies!

Well hello witches-to-be. The last few weeks we have been talking a lot about Halloween decorations. There have been monsters in the window, ghost in the lawn and bats in the entry way. Now it's officially time to start planning, talking and creating the one item that is a must for Halloween, the costume. Now, if you are the type of person who doesn't really get into Halloween but still wants to hand out candy and a spread a little Halloween spirit, than today's project is for you.

In my book, witches get a bad wrap. Why are witches always illustrated as ugly old hags? As I think about witches, they are anything but hags. Witches have a great work ethic since they are always brewing up trouble. They wear black. So chic! And hello stylish, classic, black witch hat? In short, witches are glamorous and today we are going to create something that says Ooo La La not shriek, shriek shriek!

Often times witch hats found in stores lack any kind of sparkle or pizzaz. In short, they end up looking not so glamorous. Watch this video to see how you can create a chic, simple witch hat that will bring cackles to all those cute little trick-o-treaters that ring your spooky doorbell.

Here is the supply list:

• an inexpensive witch hat - ($3 at Target)
• black paint
• 3 white feathers
• 1/8 inch of black glitter tulle
• 1 large black plastic spider 
• a paint brush
• fast drying adhesive (I used Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue to glue on the glitter and a hot glue gun to attach the items to the hat)

Well, I'm off on my broomstick to keep that cauldron brewing up costume ideas. See you tomorrow glam witches!

Boo! It's Friday and for some reason ghost are at top of mind today. I started thinking about ghost hunters, people who look for paranormal activity. It seems like they are always trying to get a photo of elusive spirits. As far as I know, no one has capture a ghost on film. Today, I thought it would be interesting to play around with the techniques learned in the night photography post. Let's fire up the Slow Shutter app on our smart phones and dig up a small flashlight. Let's try our hand at some spooky photography and create some creepy images.

You will need this.

Here is how to get the same terrifying effect as the photos below. 

• Fire up the Slow Shutter app.
• Take a small piece of red tissue paper and place it over the flashlight with a rubber band.
• Turn the "Capture Mode" to "Low Light."
• Slide the "Exposure Boost" to High.
• Slide the "Shutter Speed" to 30 or 60 seconds.
• Now find a super dark room and make some ghastly photos. Move the flashlight around at different angles. Hold your face for a few seconds and then change your expression. 

Creepy right?

Well, enjoy experimenting with the Slow Shutter. I am off to work on a costume for tomorrow's post. Stay tuned ghouls and goblins.

Oh hey. Who thinks words can hurt deeper than wounds? Why do physical wounds heal but when someone verbally hurts us we can carry pain around for a lifetime. When I was in the second grade, a bully told me the only person I would ever marry is the Phillsbury Dough boy. At the time this hurt my feelings but was also very confusing. Did she mean to say I would only marry a pastry? Or the iconic cartoon dough man? Today, this sounds like more of a compliment than a threat. At the time, however, this hurt me deeply. 

In short, words are powerful but also very scary. Let's channel that scary into creating a spooky quote today. Pull out a piece of paper or a notebook and write down the top 5 things that scare you. Now pick one and develop a spooky phrase. 

Here is an example.

Well, off to dig up some more spooky stuff. Until tomorrow witches of words!

Hey, creatures of the night. It's Sunday. Sunday means there is only time for a project that will be as quick as a bat out of hell. First let's talk about how bats are super cool and scary all at the same time. Their black, weirdly leathery, coasting like an old cadillac character can really send goosebumps down anyone's spine. When I was in the 4th grade, I was sitting at my desk learning my numbers, talking to my friend Kevin, when I heard a little squeak. As I turned around, I expected to see a see a sweet, little, soft brown mouse staring back at me. To my horror, what made the squeak was a big, hairy, black as night, bat. It was flopping around on the floor and staring directly into my soul with it's beady black eyes. I'll never forget how much I jumped out of my chair.

Let's re-create some of that gut wrenching fear and add pizzaz to any Halloween party or spookiness to any entryway. Let's make this simple at bat-o-ful mobile.

You will need:

• clear fishing line
• black card stock
• bat template {print one here}
• a small tree branch

Step 1: Print out the bat template on the black card stock. Cut out 13 bats.

Step 2: With a needle, place two holes on the back of each bat.

Step 3. Cut various lengths of fishing line and thread one strand through each bat. Tie with a knot. Fold the wings in and down on each bat.

Step 4. Tie each string with bat to the tree branch. Spooky simple right?

Well, I am headed to do some ghost hunting. Enjoy the bats in your belfry and see you tomorrow spooks.

Oh hey. Well, today's post is a bit of a failure. It just happens sometimes when we try to create stuff, even at halloween. I bet some of us have created a few halloween costumes or carved a few pumpkins that were more scary than the "Hellraiser" movie franchise. By the way, I have seen all three "Hellraiser" movies. Yes, I did watch them in a row, as I was snow bound, by myself, in old creep house, as the lights went out and the phone rang. Yes, I did hide under the bed while the dog in the house barked directly at a closed door. No, I will never watch them again. Yes, I do have photos of a few failed halloween costumes. No I will never revisit those either. Sorry I digressed.

Today, I thought we could try our hand at crepe paper spider garland. In all aspects, this project looked fun, simple and most important fast. Well, maybe I just wasn't in the mood or I didn't have the right crepe paper but my spiders turned out looking more like deer ticks shriveled in a hot afternoon sun.

Today's project is a challenge for you. Make this garland and make it better. Show me that I lack the crepe paper making gene. Go ahead and send me a message, leave a comment or post a photo of your garland on the Create & Change Facebook page.

You will need the following:

• black crepe paper
• a white pencil
• scissors
• patience and humor

Step 1: Measure off about 4 feet of crepe paper. Fold the crepe paper over into a 1.5 inch bundle.

Notice All The Garbage On The Right In the Photo. 7 Failed Attempts...

Step 2: Draw half a spider shape with the white pencil.

It Kinda Looks Like a Spider...

Step 3: Cut out the spider. 

Action Shot. Lots Of Hope Here.

Step 4: Cackle for joy as your spider garland is perfect!

Just Ticks. No Spiders Here.

I can't wait to see your spider garland creations. Until tomorrow crafty witches and warlocks.

Boo! Let's kick off the week with a good old spooky story. What is it about a ghost story that we can't resist? Most of us don't want to listen to anxiety provoking details of something horrifying but we just can resist the drama. The Atlantic's article "Why Do Some Brains Enjoy Fear" is a great read on why we might be attracted to these tales of suspense and horror. I'm going to guess, tales that make us shiver make us feel human.

In the spirit of feeling alive, today's project is to create a spooky story of your own. Fire up the notebook and pop the cap off your favorite pen. Think of what makes fear in you and create a short story that will frighten the pants off your entire neighborhood. Remember it's the tiny unexpected things that create the shivers.

---

The Ring.

My husband was out of town. He often traveled to distant, far flung corners of the earth. Gone for weeks at a time, I would find myself alone shuffling the kids to bed late. Tonight was no exception. As the kids were sliding into their warm bath, there were three short quite knocks at the door. Knock. Knock. Knock. At first I ignored the sound. "Most likely the mailman delivering late" I told myself. The knock, however, became louder and more persistent. Knock. Knock. Knock. The kids shouted excitedly, "Go see who was at the door!" I toweled off my hands and quickly moved to the entrance. Reaching for the doorknob, a waft of sweet rose perfume filled the air. As I fiddled with the lock, dizziness waved over me. Pulling quickly on the heavy door, there was a sinking feeling in my stomach. I had forgotten to turn on the porch light to peek at who might be knocking at the door.

As I peered out into the night, a shadow quickly hobbled down the stairs. Muttering "thank you," I quickly turned on the porch light to get a better look at the figure. A sweet old voice said, "thank your husband" and as I stepped out of the doorway to get a better peek at the visitor, I almost stepped on a perfectly wrapped, tiny white box.

There was no card. The present looked as if it was lifted straight from a european store. The black ribbon perfectly positioned and precise. I scooped up the box, shut the door and placed it on a the hallway bench. "How strange." I said to myself.

After tucking the kids to bed, I noticed the box glimmering, calling from the bench. It was so curious that my husband sent me this package. "No note, no shipping box and a weird old lady delivery?" I said to myself. It all seemed odd but the tiny package glittered and beaconed to be opened. Scooping up the box, the silky ribbon unravelled and the lid fell from the base. Out popped another box inside. A velvety soft, black ring box with smooth gold trim. The box creaked as the top opened. Inside sat a tiny, ruby ring. I gasped with delight, slid the ring on my finger. It snapped perfectly into place. 

As I got ready for bed, the ruby danced in the light. It's short little sparkles made my head spin. It was late or early where my husband was but I sent him a message thanking him for the lovely gem. Tucking into bed the wind outside gusted. A storm was brewing. I switched off the light but even in the darkness the ruby glimmered. I stared hypnotized at the glistening bauble before slowly drifting off. 

It was late when I heard the storm. I was half between awake and asleep but there was someone beside the bed. The scent of sweet rose filled the room. Their hand softly stroking their fingers through my hair. Then, Knock. Knock. Knock.

The next morning, waking and vaguely remembering the storm, I noticed my phone buzzing. It was a message from my husband it simply said "Hey, what ring?"

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Until tomorrow Steven King in training!

Oh hey spooky. Yep, it's shopping time. Sometimes in order to create we have to get out and see what kind of supplies are available. Halloween is no exception and Target is the the place to head for anything cool Halloween. It's fascinating to see what Target creates from year to year but lately there have been some super cool Halloween decorations. I have curated 5 for you to get your Halloween started with super spooky fun. 

1. 12" Metal LED Lantern - Adorable way create light for trick-o-treaters.
2. Haunted Cloche - It whirls and lights up. What could create more fun?
3. Giant Posable Spider - A perfect way to create fear on Halloween night.
4. Haunted Eyeball Doorbell - Super cool way to create super spook at the front door.
5. Warm Dewdrop Lights - Create sparkle on Halloween and beyond.

I product tested the giant spider and the doorbell. What do you think? Are you ready to create a some spooky too? 

Creating Spooky Here.

Well, I'm going to head down to Target and gather up more supplies to create the spookiest most fun Halloween ever. Let me know how the Target run goes and see you tomorrow goblins!

Greetings ghouls! Maybe it's a little early to hit the ground running with Halloween speak but it's never too early to start to decorate one's home for Halloween. We only have 4 weeks to add spooky magic to every surface of our house. Let's get right to it, channel Martha Stewart and get crafty with a ten dollar way to say boo!

You are going to need the following:

• 10 inch foam wreath
• hot glue gun and glue
• coffee filters
• boo printable {free for download here}
• super stretch decorative spider web
• a few fake spiders or something spooky

Here is a video to show you how to put it all together.

Well, off to whip up something scary for tomorrow. Let me know if the wreath put the bootiful in your home. Until tomorrow witches!

Hello October! I have mentioned in the past birthdays are big in our house. However, there is one holiday that tops birthdays. The good old fashioned, sugar coma inducing, Halloween. There is just something about the soul wandering, vampire prolific, pumpkin illuminating, costume dressing holiday. Maybe I am weirdly attached to the holiday because for the first eighteen years of my life, I lived in the smack dab of nowhere.  Every year I would go shopping for some the finest candy available in the midwest (thank you Tootsie Roll), place the yummy treats in a special bowl and wait by the door hoping to hear a knock. It was heart crushed to wait hours only for no one to appear at our house for tricker treating. No one!

Flash forward (ahem) a few years later, and here I am in a great urban environment that is primed for tricker-o-treating. It's a dream come true. So here we go. The next 31 days on this blog will be dedicated to creating for Halloween. We have costumes planned, decorations in the works and ghoulish recipes ready. We are going to be creating the coolest stuff to celebrate the wickedest day of the year.

Today's project is an easy one. To ring in the first day of October, create this vampire inspired piece of artwork. Well, ok, I have created for you. All you need to do is print it out and find a frame or a string and hang it on your door. Here is the free art for download: Velcome Artwork. Let's think of it as the magic potion that will start off Halloween amazing.

Until tomorrow witches and warlocks!