Welcome, Dr. Finklestein!

Dr. Finklestein now joins my NBC family. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved

Just a brief post to introduce my latest Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween prop created: Dr. Finklestein. I’ll try to add the tutorials, when I get the chance. He joins Jack Skellington, Sally, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, Oogie Boogie, and the Duck/Vampire prop. Zero, the ghost dog, was sadly showing his age, so I actually found a new one the same size, and is now happily flying in the yard too.

If anyone wants to scramble to make this fella, he stands about 5 feet or less, and I used extra couplers of 40 degree or 90 degrees to have him sit. So if you follow my usual PVC prop skeletons (See Lock, Shock, Barrel), you’ll be able to figure out the sizing.

The tutorial for Dr. Finklestein will be split into a few different segments, because there are too many steps (especially the head), to put into one single post. If you were determined or had help, all could be complete within a week. But alas, it took me at least four weeks to finish. If you want every post sent directly into your email, click the ‘Follow’ and you won’t miss the entire process. Thanks!

Make Father’s Day Gifts He’ll Actually Love

A refrigerator transformed into a Tardis. Image courtesy of bitrebels.com

A refrigerator transformed into a Tardis. Image courtesy of bitrebels.com

With Father’s Day around the corner (June 21st), it’s time to get snapping with ideas for what to give your husband or dad that will make him grin from ear to ear.

Since this frugal gal is into making rather than buying, here are some awesome ideas that will surely deliver a bit of happiness.

For the Man Cave

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DIY Noise Makers for New Year’s Eve

This beautiful vintage inspired noise maker can really wow your party crowd. Image courtesy of vintageimagecraft.com

This beautiful vintage inspired noise maker can really wow your party crowd. Image courtesy of vintageimagecraft.com

What could be more fitting than to add a nostalgic popper to the night we often look back on as we sing the Scottish poem of Auld Lang Syne? A soda can has never looked better and the tutorial is easy to follow.

You can also let 2014 go out with a bang by making a bunch of noise makers with the recent leftovers of gift wrap, basket fillers, candies and more!

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Fall DIY Napkin Rings

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

Single Christmas Light Hack

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

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.