Halloween Display

Most people in blog land probably did this post about a month ago, and while I started planning this in September, I just haven't had the time to do the post until now.  I was shopping at Goodwill one day and I ran across these great little glass containers.  I have been somewhere in blogland when I remembered a post a person had done for a Halloween display with small jars of assorted potions.  Suddenly these old spice jars seemed a lot more valuable.  Then I thought about creating a tiered "cake" plate for the potions.  As I wandered the home section of Goodwill, a theme started brewing..... What if I created a table based on one of the best villians of all time- the wicked step mother from Snow White.  Although I never fully finished the theme this year- it allows me to work on it again next year.  For this year, I found some fun owl book ends- one with missing marble eyes- which in a way may even be scarier, the great jars, tiered dishes with candle holders, dollar store spiders, fake blood, spider webs and black mesh, the glass jars- an assortment from goodwill and from Hobby Lobby.  Next year I plan on making spell books from used books like this shown here, and a mirror with a vinyl statement of "mirror mirror on the wall" and a fill a basket with apples.  This gives me a little time and money that I did not have this fall to complete a spooktacular display.


Resources:
Printable Jar Lables:  Free Downloads here and here.  The kids had a blast coming up with fun things to put in the jars- our actual gross out jar contains dust bunnies of our dog's hair- seriously gross!
Goodwill- Use your imagination when you scan through the house wares dept.  They usually have a myriad of cheap and fun options.
Oriental Trading Company- They have a fun selection of spooky candy.  I selected gumball eyeballs, gummy tarantulas, and gummy eyeballs, and wax fangs.
Dollar Store:  Tons of great cheap selections for decorating.  Your budget can be small and you can still get some great stuff for your display.

kids couldn't wait to wear the fangs!

my fave- owl bookends- one is missing the marble eyes- but I think it makes it creepier!

my son was excited because he thought we might have the scariest halloween display- yea victory for mom!

Overall view of the display- year one!

Our halloween potion jars- filled with all sorts of stuff!

Wonder Woman Themed Birthday Party

My dd just turned four last Saturday.  For her party she decided that she wanted a wonder woman theme.  I reluctantly agreed.  You see, for the last two years ( I rotate the kids parties every other year)  it has been superhero related,  First it was Batman, then Spiderman, and again with the superhero- Wonder Woman.  Actually it ended up being a positive- at least we were doing a female superhero.  And as it turns out, I got really into it.  We had three main activities- Create your Secret idenity- kids decorated masks and capes, Villian Round up with the Golden Lasso of Truth, and lastly Testing Physical Strength- the obstacle course. 
Resources:
Living Locurto - She has amazing free downloads.  I used the mask templates, the invite and the printable superhero stickers.
Petite Bouh- Other great printables, I bought a package of everything for $40.
Georgia Leigh- Superhero Cape template- I then cut mine from felt, along with masks- no sew option.  I used three different sizes for my capes. 
Super hero treat bags- I forgot to picture this but each kid got a superhero bag to take their capes, masks, and candies home in.  Oriental Trading Company has some great ones!  Super fun we are actually using the bags for Halloween- I bet you can't guess what my kids are going as! I also purchased some great lollipops, and candy dots for take home goodies.
Dollar Store-The colors for this party were easy, red, yellow, and blue.  I found plastic table cloths, paper products, good plastic containers and assorted glass display vases- all for about a buck.
Jo-Ann- I found the felt, felt glue, elastic string, velcro, felted stickers, puff paint, etc. here.
Red and White Straws- I actually scored these while on a trip the the Vintage Market in Phoenix hosted by the Junk n the Trunk trio.  (super fun) But if you aren't at the Vintage Market you can buy them here Domestic Charm.

Games- Various ideas all over the internet.  I actually liked another that I did not have time for, the game suggested that you  blow up balloons- filled with  a small prize like a fake tattoo, and then make mean faces on the ballons.  Have kids take out the villians to save metropolis by stomping on balloons.
I basically did a little googling and found great ideas that others had done and combined them with my own.  It is amazing how talented people are.  Also just an FYI- do not wait until the last minute if you are doing this on your own.  I did a little bit a day for about a month prior to the party- not everyday, but I kept working at it until I was finished. 

Entry Table Makeover

A while back I scored a nice vintage 1980s entry table on  Craig's List from a really nice girl who happens to live in my neighborhood.  Anyhow- the price was right at $30.  I purchased a paint sprayer a while back that was rec'd by Anne Marie of Twice Lovely (see blogs I follow below to check her out).  It was the right price at $15.  The hubs already has an air compressor, so that saved me some serious cash!  I also purchased 4 legs from Lowe's for the table since it was only 25 inches tall, making the table a nice 32 inches high.  I liked that the table had a lower shelf and main shelf.  It had these grey glass inserts on the top, which I was not a huge fan of, but i figured I could use some glass etching technique to bring the table up to speed.  I have been slightly obsessed with Greek Fretwork, so I decided on that for my stenciling (maybe not the best choice in hindsight- more on that later.)  I think the etching paint was $20, but you can buy a smaller contained for less, I just thought I might like to use it again.  I also purchased a "Man Cave" grey paint from Lowes in a semi gloss latex.  Micheal's had the Martha Stewart for plaid paints, I bought a light grey, some brushes for painting lines (fabulous btw) and some painters tape from her line as well.  I had coupons for the Micheal's gear, so that helped out a bit.
Here are the steps I used to get the final look:
1.) Sand down the peice
2.) Remove old feet, replace with new
3.)  Prep for spraying the piece, hang plastic, filter paint for sprayer, test spray paint on board to check that nozzle/pressure/ technique are correct.
4.) Spray piece with paint, initially we did not water it down, but we ended up watering the paint down for the last coat. We think that the paint might not have been properly mixed since it was really chunky?
5.) After allowing paint to dry for 24 hours, tape the stencil design.  Then paint the stencil design.  Remove tape and touch up.  I had to touch up the entire piece since when I removed the tape the edges were not very crisp.  This is where Martha's brush set rocked!  The detailing brushes were great for touching up the straight lines.
6.) Polycrylic the piece with as many coats as you desire- I did two in a satin finish.
7.)  For the glass inserts.  I cleaned the glass, taped down my design and then I followed the manufactures instructions on the etching solution.  This included leaving the etching solution on for 5 minutes then washing off.  I repeated this process a second time.  In hindsight, I would not have done this.  I did not remove all the tape and start stenciling again so it wasn't super clean and you can see where the etching solution actually was still on the glass and etched portions I did not have in my initial design.  I also might have picked an easier stencil to try first.  Something very linear and symetrical is not very forgiving for a novice.

Before: Entry table w/new legs

Kids loving the Halloween display

After: Entry table

Stenciling prior to touch up

Painters tape stencil

Glass Etching

Stencil Design: Greek Fretwork

Hubs Spraying the table- I would rec'd a mask and eye wear.

I knew when he rolled his eyes at "my" project that he would end up helping! Thanks hun

Test board

paint filtering before adding to sprayer

necessary tool

HELP ME, PLEASE!