Category Archives: Seasonal Decorating

Lock, Shock, and Barrel Join The Nightmare Before Christmas Clan

Posted on by
3

An Easy DIY – Lock, Shock and Barrel masks. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow. (c)All Rights Reserved.

Anyone who is familiar with The Nightmare Before Christmas (NBC), knows these trick or treater masks were used by Lock, Shock, and Barrel (LSB). It had been a few years since I added other characters to my NBC clan because of the lack of free time. So the plan is to make the masks this year, their body props next. But many enjoy the masks on a wall, as is. Here’s the tutorial on how to make them: Continue reading →

A Humble Honor is Added to Frugal Frights and Delights

Posted on by
3
Samara from "The Ring" prop. She still scare me. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

Samara from “The Ring” prop. She still scare me. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

It has come to my attention that this Frugal Gal ( under my old website name DebsDreamThemes) has been highlighted in Haunted Attraction Magazine and Inventorspot.com has recognized one of my props as 10 Epic DIY Halloween Decorations Sure to Make Your Guests Freak.  For me, this is like getting an Emmy. Continue reading →

DIY Fall Table Runners and Placemats

Posted on by
2
It's easier to make than you think: A Fall table runner and placemats. Image courtesy of shopfonsandporter.com

It’s easier to make than you think: A Fall table runner and placemats. Image courtesy of shopfonsandporter.com

Adding to our Goal: Bringing a Fall Table Setting Together

We started with Fall Centerpieces to Fall in Love With, followed by Fall DIY Napkin Rings and now we move on how to make your own table runners and placemats.

Budget Decorating, by Tonya Lee has a great tutorial on making a basic runner. Although they use fusing bond in their directions, using a Hi/Lo glue gun can help create a runner even faster and let’s not forget the old stand by: sewing(the most time-consuming).

My suggestion is to put some thought into the time and energy you will have as well as the durability from possible years of use.

With that in mind, check out some of these beautiful runners and placemats that can wow a crowd. Most will have a link to the original site tutorials – so you can make your own! Continue reading →

Fall DIY Napkin Rings

Posted on by
1
Burlap makes a great fabric base to embellishments for Fall napkin rings. Image courtesy of Tater Tots and Jello, where they offer a tutorial at; http://tatertotsandjello.com/2010/02/burlap-napkin-rings-tutorial-dollar.html

Burlap makes a great fabric base to embellishments for Fall napkin rings. Image courtesy of Tater Tots and Jello, where they offer a tutorial at: http://tatertotsandjello.com/2010/02/burlap-napkin-rings-tutorial-dollar.html

 

Since we covered Fall Centerpieces to Fall in Love With, it couldn’t hurt to add a few posts on how to bring your table settings together.

How to Make a Napkin Ring

Sure, you can buy plain ones at the dollar store, but this frugal gal likes to use and recycle. By making the ring yourself, you can have the control of the width – which allows for more embellishment space.

Start with the base: Save cardboard paper towel, gift wrap or toilet paper tubes. Sometimes you may even be lucky to get a tube with your last fabric purchase. Continue reading →

Fall Centerpieces to Fall in Love With

Posted on by
4
Simplicity at its best: Nature, harvest, and candles come together with a log with holes drilled for candles and accented with leaves, gourds, and mini pumpkins. Image courtesy of The Berry and SAS Interiors.

Simplicity at its best: Nature, harvest, and candles come together with a log leftover from pruning. Image courtesy of http://www.theberry.com and SAS Interiors.

Now with Halloween behind us, it’s time to begin planning our Fall or Thanksgiving centerpieces. These ideas below can work with a dining room table, mantle, or accent pieces. Best of all, not only are they charming, they are quick to craft and easy on the pocketbook. Click on each image for more info.

 

Old basins are easy to find and the worn, chipped edges only adds to the nostalgic charm of floating apples and candles. Toss a few silk leaves around and it can’t get much easier. Image courtesy of New Ideas for You.
A wreath, mini harvest pieces, and flowers surround a candle. Directions and image courtesy of http://www.decorating-ideas-made-easy.com/thanksgiving-table-decor.html
Use clear or colored bottles and fill with corn kernels and spices. Top each with a candle. Image courtesy of http://blog.2shopper.com/2013/11/13/13-creative-diy-thanksgiving-centerpieces/
With stores selling foam pumpkins more than 50 percent off, this simple idea of them wrapped with decorative vine can be used as a single, double or multiples. Image courtesy of Momtoob.com
This mason jar and silk leaves arrangement can be made quickly and emulates a country charm. Image courtesy of http://www.punchbowl.com/p/decorating-for-thanksgiving
There are many options to decorating this painted clay pot and card stock-rimmed pilgrim hat. You can fill the pot with flowers, pumpkin seeds or corn kernels and stick in a makeshift sign with your own personalized fall greeting. Image courtesy of Family Fun at Disney.

When making a dining table decoration, keep in mind the size of your table and the amount of space that will be needed for a Thanksgiving meal. But most importantly, keep it simple to save you time for other – more important things: enjoying time with friends and family. Now THAT is something we can be truly grateful for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 Ways to Decorate a Pumpkin Without Carving it

Posted on by
Reply

Watching the show Halloween Wars entices me to carve a pumpkin into a work of art. But not all of us have the time and many of us have children who do not have the coordination to handle sharp knives even for a regular pumpkin.

Don’t Just Give in to Normal

For parents, the easiest and safest idea for carving a pumpkin is having your child make the markings and you – the adult – do all the cutting. But how about going in a different direction?

Creating an Awesome Pumpkin Differently

Beaded pumpkins can be pretty or scary. It’s as simple as using straight pins, beads and your imagination. Image courtesy of Handmadehappyhour.com.
Bling your pumpkin easily with adhesive-backed rhinestones and baubles. Top with a ribbon. Image courtesy of Sugarbeecrafts.com.
Decopage your pumpkin using a white glue/water recipe and most any material (paper, fabric, wallpaper, etc.). Image courtesy of Confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com.
Cover your pumpkin entirely with fabric – such as burlap for a rustic look. Image courtesy of Factorydirectcraft.com
A Frozen-inspired pumpkin: Spray paint, add adhesive bling, and an inexpensive tiara. Image courtesy of apumpkinandprincess.
Doily pumpkin magic: White doilies glued on pumpkins can work well for weddings. Black doilies – can make it more Victorian. Image courtesy of Domainehome.com
Duct tape your pumpkin: There are endless possibilities with sheet duct tape, slim rolls, and in a multitude of designs and colors. Image courtesy of sophistishe.com.
Foil your pumpkin: Add regular silver foil, easily color your foil (tutorial at Firstpalette.com), or buy specialty foils. Wrap and make rib lines with marker. Image courtesy of Onbetterliving.com
Glitter your pumpkin: A little white glue and glitter turns a regular pumpkin into a sparkling marvel. Image courtesy of Blog.smartyhadaparty.com
Glow-in-the-dark your pumpkin: There are several glow-in-the- dark paints at craft stores. Please check the reviews and glow ratings to fit your needs. Image courtesy of Jaderbomb.com
Crayon your pumpkin: This gives you an opportunity to use all those broken crayons laying around. All you need is to unwrap, use a blow dryer on them, and watch them melt away in groovy designs. Image courtesy of Craftymorning.com
Paint and prop your pumpkin: A little paint and a small prop (such as hat, spiders, etc.) can go a long way. Image courtesy of Blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com
Embroider your pumpkin: This can work by easily using a metal skewer to make the holes and “sewing” away. Image courtesy of Bobvila.com.
Nylon your pumpkin: These fishnet stockings work great, but I bet those fancy designed ones would still work well. Image courtesy of Bobvila.com
Salt your pumpkin: Kosher salt and white glue “crystallizes” a pumpkin. I bet it even works well to keep the mold away. Image courtesy of Bobvila.com.
Tack or pin your pumpkin: You’d be surprised at the effect over-lapping thumb tacks can have. To jazz up the design, throw in some ball-end straight pins for color. Image courtesy of Bobvila.com.
String your pumpkin: It can be as easy as making a web and adding a plastic spider or take it further and wrap colored string, twine, or rope around the entire outside. Image courtesy of J Palmisano at diynetwork.com
Tattoo your pumpkin: Easily found tattoos during Halloween can be used on pumpkins too. Transform your average pumpkin into a creepy or funny creature. Image courtesy of Blog.tattoosales.com.

 

If you’d still rather carve a pumpkin, here are a few free template sites to help you on your way:

78 Geeky Pumpkin Templates140 Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns
A 100+ Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Single Christmas Light Hack

Posted on by
Reply
Don't throw your light strand away if part of it is broken. Save some of the lights for single use. Image courtesy of Education.com

Don’t throw your light strand away if part of it is broken. Save some of the lights for single use. Image courtesy of Education.com

A quick and easy tip for those struggling to get every pumpkin lit. Education.com offers a tutorial on how to turn one light bulb from a broken strand into a battery-operated one for a prop. I’m gonna have to try this. If you do before I get the chance, shoot me an email and maybe a pic of how you used a single light. Thanks!

A Classy Halloween Party Idea

Posted on by
Reply
Fang place cards are a perfect touch for a Halloween Wedding. Image courtesy of Natalie from Doodlecraft.

Fang place cards are a perfect touch for a Halloween Wedding. Image courtesy of Natalie from Doodlecraft.

Although I am one of the biggest fans of gory foods and props, I cannot deny the love I have for Halloween weddings or parties that can be pulled off in a more subtle, classy manner.

The idea for these silver fang place cards comes from Doodlecraft, a blog that has a plethora of beautifully crafty ideas.You can find the tutorial to make them at Instructables. 

Along with this theme, I could see tables including homemade bell jar dioramas and other Victorian-themed Halloween props/food, such as:

A Dark Raven Wreath
Victorian Halloween Invitations
Spiderweb Eggs
Styrofoam Grandfather Clock

Not all of us are crafty or have the time to make some of these ideas. This is where the VictorianTradingCo.com. can help. They have some inspirational items that can give the final touch to a prop, costume, or event.

The Mayor of Nightmare Before Christmas Tutorial

Posted on by
7
It took over 50 PVC cuts to make the Mayor but it was so worth the effort. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, all rights reserved.

It took over 50 PVC cuts to make the Mayor but it was so worth the effort. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow. All rights reserved.

For those who have been waiting a year – I’m so sorry for being so tardy. If you’ve followed me in any way – you’ve seen I lost a huge part of my heart the day after Halloween – which has thrown me off kilter.

My loyal friends gently reminded me of my promise to post the tutorial – so here it is – the images are added first and then some explanation will follow with a specs sheet – that has all the measurements. Please read all before starting your project.

 

 

Don’t forget to write the word “Mayor” in Black permanent marker in white circle of ribbon. Putting Head and Hat Together: Cut a long piece of PVC pipe, slide the head on through the hole (make sure it can move so you can switch the head view when you feel like it).

Slide the black circle you cut earlier over top of head and place your PVC shish-ka-bob style piece into the “T” at the neck part of the “H” frame. Top the hat with a piece of pool noodle and cover with black fabric with a hot glue gun. Make a strip of grey trim fabric around hat and glue. * You’ll notice that the black rim of hat made out of foam board shows the white inside – use your black paint to touch that up all the way around.

The hands are made similar to my Sally, Jack, and Ring Girl. I added a stripe to a cheer horn to give it a “Tim Burton-ish” feel ( a word from the book of Deb).

Specs. Sheet:

Mayor Specs DIY Nightmare Christmas

If anyone has an issue opening the PDF specs. sheet, please feel free to shoot me an email so I can send you the word document. If anyone has a question, please don’t hesitate to email me too. Happy Prop Building!