THE ALTERED FLEA: Halloween

Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Fall Porch Planter Decor

Another thrift store find gets a makeover!

This is an easy transformation.

It started with this old wooden planter.

I added a coat of paint

[used Americana Decor multi-purpose satin acrylic

in Pumpkin Patch]

and sprayed it with a clear matte sealer.

Then I transferred this typography printable from

The Graphics Fairy,

using the freezer paper transfer method.

It looks grainy, because the wood is far from smooth,

and I didn't sand it because I wanted to keep its rustic look.

Then I planted two mini pepper plants, bacopa, and a small palm.

If you look closely, I also added small pine cones and

faux cranberry stems,

because after all, the planter says

"Cape Cod Cranberries."

This planter now sits on top of my garden stand on our front porch,

above my Halloween sign.

This project is featured at:

The Graphics Fairy

The Answer is Chocolate BFF Open House

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Halloween Treats in a Jar

Here's a quick and easy DIY project:

HALLOWEEN TREATS IN A JAR

You will need:

recycled jar with lid, a glass candlestick, E-6000 glue,

acrylic paint [I used DecoArt Americana multi-surface satin in

Cotton Ball (white), Pumpkin Patch & Lemon Zest],

and foam brushes

Use recycled jars that are thoroughly clean and dry.

Paint the candlestick white.

When the white paint is dry,

paint the middle section orange and the bottom part yellow.

Adhere the jar to the top of the candlestick,
using a strong bonding glue.

I also embellished the jar with a rubber stamp with the phrase,

"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats"

that I stamped on white card stock, backed with orange card stock,

and wrapped around the jar.

Twine and a tag completes the project.

Now just add treats!

I'm sending this treat jar, and a few other pumpkin treats,

to my daughter and her roommates,

who live on the other side of the country,

just in time for Halloween.

This project is easily adaptable to any occasion or holiday.

Just change the color palette.

Happy Halloween!

Disclaimer: This post is in no way sponsored by any retailer.

Find me here and
The Cottage Market Cup of Morning Joe

A Little R&R Wednesdays

Our Mini Family

Michelle's Party Plan-it

Cooking & Crafting with J & J
The 36th Avenue
Janine's Little World
The Sits Girls
Ivy & Elephants
Kammy's Korner

Monday, October 28, 2013

Candy Corn & Cactus Centerpiece

Do you appreciate awesome alliterations?

If so, then you'll like this aptly-named

Candy Corn & Cactus Centerpiece.

Frequent readers of Altered Artworks

know that I love working with Terra cotta pots.

I've used them for

Halloween Treat Gifts,

Table Placecards,

a Tiered Front Porch Address Planter,

and Teacher Appreciation.

Here is one more project you can create using

three varying sized Terra cotta pots.

You'll also need yellow, orange & white acrylic paint,

decoupage sealer, foam brushes,
floral foam, E-6000 glue,

twine, Washi tape, ribbon,

and/or any other embellishments of your choice.

Oh, of course, you'll also need candy corn.

Since I only bought (notice I did not say "eat")

one bag of candy,

I filled the bottom pot with shredded crinkle paper.

And I planted a small cactus in the top pot.

Paint, decoupage and embellish the three pots,

following the traditional colors of candy corn.

Place some floral foam inside the largest pot

so it sits fairly snug.

Place the medium pot on top of the foam

so about 2/3 of this pot shows.

Repeat with another smaller piece of foam

in the second pot,

and place the smallest pot on top of it.

(This process is a lot easier to do than write!)

Use a bit of E-6000 to secure the pots in place.

Add the candy corn and shredded paper inside the pots,

filling up any empty spaces.

If you do not want the candy to be eaten,

cover it with decoupage so it cannot be removed.

That's it!

Wouldn't this make a ~~lovely~~

Cute Candy Corn & Cactus Centerpiece

for your Halloween table?

Would you decoupage the candy corn to the pots,
or would you watch them "disappear"?
Madcap Frenzy

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I would love to have you join me for my link party, Share Your Cup!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Guest Blogging at "Fun Home Things"

Are you getting goosebumps just thinking of Halloween

and all the creative possibilities

that come with this spooky season?

Then come on over to

Fun Home Things

today where I'm guest blogging.

Find out how to make a glittery

Candy Corn & Terra Cotta project.

Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find:

I'll meet you there!

Sharing here:

Monday, October 22, 2012

Spooky Socks Make for Easier Midterms

There's finally hints of autumn here in Southern California.

A few dropped leaves.

A few cloudy skies.

Cooler weather (at least for a few days).

And aisles of candy in the stores.

Of course, everyone knows that this means Halloween is near. I think this is one of our favorite holidays--when we rush to the fabric store, only to find there aren't any more patterns left for sewing that "one-of-a-kind" fairy costume. "Don't worry, we'll wing it (no pun intended)," she says to her pouty little girl. And so it goes. The last minute costume making.

Oh how I miss those days! [camera pans to woman crying, although we all know she's secretly jumping for joy.] My girls are practically grown ups. Daughter #1 is out on her own [and she can make her own costume now]. Daughter #2 is away in college. So what's a crafty Mom to do?

As I ~~prowled~~ strolled through Rite-Aid the other day, I spotted a sign that read "50% Off All Halloween Items". Close by was an end aisle display of not-so-spooky colorful socks. No, my feet weren't cold, but I instantly knew a few girls who might have cold toes.

Without hesitation, I picked up four pairs of Halloween hosiery, as well as a few tubes of sweet treats, and set my crafty brain to work.

I wanted to get these into the mail the next day, to keep my daughter's (and her roommates') feet warm while they studied for their mid-terms. It's cold on the east coast. It's important to stay nice and cozy when you're staying up late at night, studying for exams. I needed to package them quickly, but still with panache.

To the rescue: cellophane bags, orange card stock and my printer.

Throw on a personalized tag, attach some treats, and off to the post office I went.

Here's hoping their warm feet and sugar rush will keep the girls' "spirits" up while studying late at night. It's the least this Mom could do.

Parties attending:
Serenity Now
The Answer is Chocolate BFF Party
Savvy Southern Style