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Toxic Tumbler Halloween Drinks (Strong Mixed Drinks for Whiskey Lovers)

By 1 Comment

The reason these Halloween drinks go by the name of ‘Toxic Tumbler’ is that they’re strong mixed drinks, so a one Halloween cocktail maximum is my general rule of thumb on this one.

Of course, you could absolutely tone down the amount of whiskey in each drink, but then it wouldn’t be called Toxic Tumbler, would it?

Halloween drinks - strong mixed drinks

If you love the taste of whiskey, belly up to the bar and I’ll happily pour you a drink. But I’m gonna check your ID and take your keys away because I only support responsible drinking.

I rimmed (or attempted to rim – it’s harder than it looks) the glasses with Pop Rocks which is, in theory, a super fun idea. In practice, they exploded the minute they touched liquid and were very resistant to staying on the glass.

strong drinks

I’d probably go the route of rimming with sugar next time. Oh heck, who am I kidding? Pop Rocks are part of the fun… I’d totally try it again, but I’d make sure I had fresh Pop Rocks because some of mine were a bit clumpy in the package and couldn’t be used.

strong mixed drinks

Print

Toxic Tumbler

A haunted Halloween cocktail for whiskey lovers and sippers.

Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces orange-pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • pop rocks, your choice of flavor
  • 5 ounces whiskey
  • lemon for garnishing

Instructions

  1. Run a slice of lemon around a cocktail glass and dip in Pop Rocks to stick.

  2. Combine whiskey, orange-pineapple juice and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.

  3. Strain into the cocktail glass over ice. Sip.

Halloween drinks

Toxic Tumbler Halloween Drinks – Strong Mixed Drinks for Whiskey Lovers

Pin this Toxic Tumbler for Halloween and fall cocktail inspiration!

Toxic Tumbler Halloween drinks - strong mixed drinks

If you love strong mixed drinks and you love fun Halloween drinks, you’ll love this Toxic Tumbler. Happy Halloween!

Paranormal Parfaits

By 18 Comments

These paranormal parfaits were created in conjunction with a sponsored #HalloweenTreatsWeek event. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of this fun Halloween parfait recipe.

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had making these paranormal parfaits. Every time I placed a gummy eyeball, I couldn’t help but giggle!

Paranormal parfaits - Halloween parfaits

I made homemade vanilla pudding using one of my favorite recipes and crushed up some chocolate sandwich cookies for layering.

Then I turned it to a delightful witchy green color. (Thanks, Adam’s Extract for helping me reach the perfect tint!)

I layered the pudding and cookie crumbs and added some ghoulish gummy eyeballs and zombie hands. With a scoop of whipped topping and some Halloween sprinkles, the paranormal parfaits were ready!

Happy Halloween!

 

Pin the paranormal parfaits recipe, and share it too!

Paranormal Parfaits

Paranormal parfaits - Halloween parfaits

Sponsored ingredients for the paranormal parfaits include: Sweets and Treats Monster Mash sprinkles mix , green food coloring and clear vanilla from Adam’s Extracts, sugar from Dixie Crystals and gummy candy eyeballs and zombie hands from Treat Street.

Print

Paranormal Parfaits

Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 whole eggs + 2 egg yolks
  • 2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon green food coloring
  • 15 chocolate sandwich cookies crushed
  • 1 1.4 oz pkg Treat Street CandiFetti Gummy Eyeballs
  • Treat Street CandiFetti Gummy Zombie Hands
  • Sweets & Treats Sweet Sprinkles Mix: Monster Mash

Instructions

  1. In a blender mix the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, milk, and flour.


  2. Pour mixture into a pot, Add the butter, and put on medium heat, stirring occasionally.  (When the mix gets hotter, you will need to stir constantly.)

    When the pudding begins to bubble, remove from heat and add vanilla extract and food coloring.

    Spoon approximately half-inch of pudding into four 8-oz dessert cups. Follow with a  layer of cookie crumbs, then pudding, then cookie crumbs, and finally top with pudding.

    Refrigerate for at least two hours. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

Check out the amazing #HalloweenTreatsWeek recipes from our bloggers today!

Happy Halloween! We hope you’re ready for a spooktacular event as we celebrate Halloween with the first annual #HalloweenTreatsWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. This haunting week-long event is filled with fantastic Halloween treats, recipes and some frightfully fun giveaways.

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near Halloween.”Image may contain: one or more people, text and food

For our very first #HalloweenTreatsWeek event we have 30 talented bloggers that are sharing their favorite Halloween recipes throughout the week! There are going to be over 100 Halloween themed recipes shared during this year’s #HalloweenTreatsWeek and we can’t wait for you to see them all!

Plus, don’t forget that we have 5 (five) great giveaways for you this week thanks to our amazing sponsors!

Scroll down to take a look!

Prize #1

Prize #1 — Dixie Crystals is giving away one (1) Instant Pot (8 Qt) to one lucky winner!

 

Prize #2

Prize #2 — Adam’s Extract is giving away – 1 Gift Pack – including Pure Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon, Caramel Extract, Almond Extract, Pumpkin Pie Dip Mix and Adam’s Best Twice as strong Vanilla

 

 

Prize #3

Prize #3 —Wilton is giving away a Wilton Gift Pack – including – Halloween Cookie House Bat, Tombstone and Skull 3-Piece Cookie Cutter Set, Halloween Skull Tube Pan, Zombie Cupcake Liners, Skull Sugar Decorations

 

Prize #4

Prize #4 — Sweets and Treats Shop is giving away 1 (one) 1.5lb Sprinkle Mix Kit from their shop

 

Prize #5

 

Prize #5 — Treat Street USA is giving away a $25 Visa Gift Card

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 years or older. All entries will be verified. No PO Boxes Please. Prizes will be sent directly from sponsors to winners, bloggers are not responsible for prizes. This giveaway runs from October 1st – October 6th at 12AMEST. Winners will be selected soon afterward and contacted by e-mail. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. There are a total of 5 (five) prizes and therefore we will have a total of 5 (five) winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

 

Disclaimer: These posts and recipes are part of the week-long event, #HalloweenTreatsWeek but all opinions are 100% mine! We would like to Thank our amazing sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Adam’s Extract, Wilton, Sweets and Treats Shop and Treat Street USA ! These wonderful sponsors provided the prize packs for our giveaways and also sent samples and products to the #HalloweenTreatsWeek bloggers to use in their recipes.

 

Graveyard Pie

By 12 Comments

This graveyard pie recipe post is sponsored in conjunction with #HalloweenTreatsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Graveyard Pie

Graveyard pie is the perfect eerie name for a Halloween dessert, isn’t it? If you’ve ever had dirt pudding, this is very similar to that and equally delicious!

If you’ve ever had the classic dirt pudding, this is very similar to that and in fact could be made in individual dessert cups. However, to give the whole graveyard impression, it’s best made in a pie plate so you can set up all the bones on display.

When you dig up the dirt for serving, you’ll want to spoon and scoop it though. It really won’t hold together like a pie. Just an FYI.

Happy Halloween! We hope you’re ready for a spooktacular event as we celebrate Halloween with the first annual #HalloweenTreatsWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. This haunting week-long event is filled with fantastic Halloween treats, recipes and some frightfully fun giveaways.

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near Halloween.”Image may contain: one or more people, text and food

For our very first #HalloweenTreatsWeek event we have 30 talented bloggers that are sharing their favorite Halloween recipes throughout the week! There are going to be over 100 Halloween themed recipes shared during this year’s #HalloweenTreatsWeek and we can’t wait for you to see them all!

Plus, don’t forget that we have 5 (five) great giveaways for you this week thanks to our amazing sponsors!

Scroll down to take a look!

Prize #1

Prize #1 — Dixie Crystals is giving away one (1) Instant Pot (8 Qt) to one lucky winner!

Prize #2

Prize #2 — Adam’s Extract is giving away – 1 Gift Pack – including Pure Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon, Caramel Extract, Almond Extract, Pumpkin Pie Dip Mix and Adam’s Best Twice as strong Vanilla

Prize #3

Prize #3 —Wilton is giving away a Wilton Gift Pack – including – Halloween Cookie House Bat, Tombstone and Skull 3-Piece Cookie Cutter Set, Halloween Skull Tube Pan, Zombie Cupcake Liners, Skull Sugar Decorations

Prize #4

Prize #4 — Sweets and Treats Shop is giving away 1 (one) 1.5lb Sprinkle Mix Kit from their shop

Prize #5

Prize #5 — Treat Street USA is giving away a $25 Visa Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 years or older. All entries will be verified. No PO Boxes Please. Prizes will be sent directly from sponsors to winners, bloggers are not responsible for prizes. This giveaway runs from October 1st – October 6th at 12AMEST. Winners will be selected soon afterward and contacted by e-mail. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. There are a total of 5 (five) prizes and therefore we will have a total of 5 (five) winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

 

Disclaimer: These posts and recipes are part of the week-long event, #HalloweenTreatsWeek but all opinions are 100% mine! We would like to Thank our amazing sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Adam’s Extract, Wilton, Sweets and Treats Shop and Treat Street USA ! These wonderful sponsors provided the prize packs for our giveaways and also sent samples and products to the #HalloweenTreatsWeek bloggers to use in their recipes.

Sponsored ingredients in the graveyard pie recipe are from Wilton and Dixie Crystals.

Pin the graveyard pie recipe!

graveyard pie

Scroll down for the recipe!

Check out the amazing #HalloweenTreatsWeek recipes from our bloggers today!

Graveyard Pie

Print

Graveyard Pie

Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 3.4-ounce pkg instant chocolate pudding
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 8-ounce tub whipped topping
  • 1 14-ounce pkg chocolate sandwich cookies
  • 1 pkg Wilton white candy melts

Instructions

  1. Mix butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly blended. Add powdered sugar and thoroughly incorporate until smooth and creamy. (Sifting the powdered sugar helps prevent lumps when creaming everything together.)

  2. In separate bowl, whisk together pudding mixes and milk. Fold in whipped topping. Gently combine pudding mixture with cream cheese mixture. 

  3. Add half the cookie crumbs to bottom of a 10-inch pie plate. Spoon in pudding/cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining cookie crumbs. Add previously prepared skeleton bones to the graveyard "dirt". Store in refrigerator.

Mummy Bites

By 18 Comments

This mummy bites recipe post is sponsored in conjunction with #HalloweenTreatsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Mummy Bites

Halloween is nearly here, and what better way to celebrate than with monstrously delicious mummy bites cookie balls!

They’re really easy to make and lots of fun because there’s smooshing and rolling of cookie crumbs and cream cheese into perfectly sized mummy bite balls.

Once you have the cookie balls ready, they get dipped into melted white candy melts from Wilton. For the easiest and prettiest results, I love using my melter. It’s the best invention ever!

And once they’ve been dipped, you’ll want to add some ragged bandages to your mummy bites, so dip a toothpick in the melted candy and paint them side to side over the surface of the cookie ball.

Add candy eyeballs and your mummy bites are done!

Aren’t they cute?

mummy bites for Halloween

Scroll down for the mummy bites recipe

Happy Halloween! We hope you’re ready for a spooktacular event as we celebrate Halloween with the first annual #HalloweenTreatsWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. This haunting week-long event is filled with fantastic Halloween treats, recipes and some frightfully fun giveaways.

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near Halloween.”Image may contain: one or more people, text and food

For our very first #HalloweenTreatsWeek event we have 30 talented bloggers that are sharing their favorite Halloween recipes throughout the week! There are going to be over 100 Halloween themed recipes shared during this year’s #HalloweenTreatsWeek and we can’t wait for you to see them all!

Plus, don’t forget that we have 5 (five) great giveaways for you this week thanks to our amazing sponsors!

Scroll down to take a look!

Prize #1

Prize #1 — Dixie Crystals is giving away one (1) Instant Pot (8 Qt) to one lucky winner!

Prize #2

Prize #2 — Adam’s Extract is giving away – 1 Gift Pack – including Pure Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon, Caramel Extract, Almond Extract, Pumpkin Pie Dip Mix and Adam’s Best Twice as strong Vanilla

Prize #3

Prize #3 —Wilton is giving away a Wilton Gift Pack – including – Halloween Cookie House Bat, Tombstone and Skull 3-Piece Cookie Cutter Set, Halloween Skull Tube Pan, Zombie Cupcake Liners, Skull Sugar Decorations

Prize #4

Prize #4 — Sweets and Treats Shop is giving away 1 (one) 1.5lb Sprinkle Mix Kit from their shop

Prize #5

Prize #5 — Treat Street USA is giving away a $25 Visa Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 years or older. All entries will be verified. No PO Boxes Please. Prizes will be sent directly from sponsors to winners, bloggers are not responsible for prizes. This giveaway runs from October 1st – October 6th at 12AMEST. Winners will be selected soon afterward and contacted by e-mail. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. There are a total of 5 (five) prizes and therefore we will have a total of 5 (five) winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

 

Disclaimer: These posts and recipes are part of the week-long event, #HalloweenTreatsWeek but all opinions are 100% mine! We would like to Thank our amazing sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Adam’s Extract, Wilton, Sweets and Treats Shop and Treat Street USA ! These wonderful sponsors provided the prize packs for our giveaways and also sent samples and products to the #HalloweenTreatsWeek bloggers to use in their recipes.

Sponsored ingredients in the mummy bites recipe: candy eyes from Wilton.

Pin the mummy bites recipe!

Mummy Bites

mummy bites recipe

Print

Mummy Bites

Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 1 12-oz pkg chocolate sandwich cookies
  • 6-oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 pkg Wilton candy melts, white
  • 1 pkg Wilton candy eyes

Instructions

  1. Use a food processor to crush cookies into fine crumbs. 

  2. Use a mixer or your hands to combine cookie crumbs and cream cheese until thoroughly mixed. Roll into balls and place on parchment-paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes.

  3. Melt Wilton candy melts according to package directions. Roll each cookie ball in melted candy until coated. Let excess drip off and place on cookie sheet. Let candy coating firm up a bit. Using a toothpick, paint ragged lines of melted candy side to side over the dipped cookie ball to resemble bandages. Use a bit of melted candy to attach two eyes to each mummy bite. Store in the refrigerator.

Check out the amazing #HalloweenTreatsWeek recipes from our bloggers today!

Nevermore! Gothic Ravens Halloween Tablescape

By 54 Comments

It’s the MOST 👏WONDERFUL👏TIME👏OF THE YEAR. It’s Halloween season, and I’m ready.

I’ve decked out my apartment with creepy skulls, spiderwebs, and headstones, and my Halloween playlist has been compiled. And today, I’m bringing you a fun and spooky tablescape featuring two kinda-cute-but-kinda-scary ravens. (Did you know that ravens usually travel in pairs?)

The decor I used in my Halloween raven tablescape was provided to me for free by Oriental Trading Company! I’ll link each piece at the bottom of the post for easy shopping if you’d like to recreate the look for your Halloween party this year.

Halloween raven tablescape gothic crows

First I laid down a sheer black tablecloth, then layered a creepier, more tattered one on top.

Halloween raven tablescape - layered tablecloths

Then I placed these two glass and metal terrariums in the center of the table and filled them with clear crystal gems. I used two bags of gems, but put about 2/3 in the larger terrarium and 1/3 in the smaller one. (I saved a handful to sprinkle on the table around them.)

Halloween raven tablescape centerpieces

Then I made a “suspension bridge” on top of each terrarium with Scotch tape because I wanted to place my ravens on top. I criss-crossed three strips of tape, them trimmed the edges that stuck out past the rim.

Halloween raven tablescape centerpiece tape

Then I placed my two spooky friends on top, and they looked quite menacing. In a good way.

Halloween raven tablescape

Halloween raven tablescape centerpiece ravens 2

As for the place settings, after I put down the square black plates I couldn’t quite decide which combination of plates and napkins I liked better. Check out some of  the layering options I tried (all of them were cute!):

Halloween raven tablescape - plate pattern options

I think the plate layering option below was my favorite, so once I was happy, I added a smoky black wine chalice to the place setting.

Halloween raven tablescape table setting

I love how my Halloween raven tablescape turned out! Unfortunately, my table spends most of its time serving as my desk, so I can’t keep this tablescape out as a display, but I did repurpose one of the ravens and the tattered black cloth elsewhere in my apartment. 🙂

Here’s your shopping list if you’d like to recreate this look:

If you’re looking to create a different, but still Halloween-y look, check out the Halloween party section on the Oriental Trading website! There are tons of choices so you’re sure to find the black, orange, skeleton-y, and ghost-y goodies you’re looking for.

Happy Halloween from Liz & Chanelle! 

Pumpkinhead – Horror Movie Drinks for a Killer Time

By 59 Comments

This is the perfect time of year to brew up some horror movie drinks, which is exactly why I whipped up this Pumpkinhead drink recipe. It’s perfect for Halloween or any of your Fall and harvest celebrations.

Pumpkinhead - horror movie drinks

I found the Pumpkinhead recipe in a fabulous creepy new book I was sent for review called Let’s Get Monster Smashed Horror Movie Drinks for a Killer Time by Jon Chaiet & Marc Chaiet. Inside are 55 recipes for gelatin, punches, shots, drinks and non-alcoholic beverages that pay homage to the classic pulp horror movies from the 80’s and 90’s.

Each of the ghastly recipes comes with a suggestion for a specific horror movie you might want to watch as you enjoy your drink. You may find yourself discovering some classic horror films you’ve never seen or haven’t watched in years. There are some great suggestions in the book.

Serve one or several at an upcoming Halloween party, fall get-together, movie viewing or just for some classic horror film throwback fun.

The spices used to make the Pumpkinhead drink are earthy and warm, but the beverage is served over ice, so it’s very refreshing. Although you could add spirits to it (yes, please,) the recipe is non-alcoholic so it works for any age.

If you love ginger beer, you’ll probably love the kick it gives to the Pumpkinhead. I know I do!

The layering comes from whipping up a bubbling froth of foam for the top. Creepy!

All you need to go along with the Pumpkinhead drink is the Pumpkin Head movie!

Pick up a copy of Let’s Get Monster Smashed: Horror Movie Drinks for a Killer Time for more horror movie drink recipes!

Horror Movie Drinks

Pumpkinhead

Print

Pumpkinhead

Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 7 oz ginger beer
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz pureed pumpkin divided
  • 2 oz milk
  • pumpkin spice

Pumpkin Spice

  • 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tso ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cloves

Instructions

  1. Combine the milk and 3/4 oz of the pureed pumpkin in a bowl. Aerate with a hand blender for 3 minutes, or until it foams up.

    Combine the ginger beer, remaining pumpkin puree, and lemon juice in a highball glass with ice and stir.

    Top with the foam and dust with the pumpkin spice.

Pumpkin spice

  1. Combine everything in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.

Recipe Notes

Drink it while watching Pumpkin Head!

Slimy Slurpie for Halloween

By 32 Comments

Try this slimy slurpie for Halloween and watch your guests scream in frightful delight. With fizzing bubbles and gelatinous goo, this eerie October potion is meant to scare you.

Slimy Slurpie

Slimy Slurpie

You’re sure to add some festive fun to any Halloween party when you offer a slimy slurpie to your guests. The bewitching colors and gushing bubbles will bring smiles to all ages.

I’ve also included directions on how to make a “spirited” version for the over 21 crowd.

Print

Slimy Slurpie

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Author Liz Mays

Ingredients

  • 1 3- oz pkg lime-flavored JELL-O
  • 1 3- oz pkg grape-flavored JELL-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups cold water
  • Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda

Instructions

  1. Prepare JELL-O as directed on package.
  2. Refrigerate JELL-O 4 hours or until firm. Using a fork, scrape across the Jell-O breaking it into bits. In each of 4 glasses, alternate colored layers of Jell-O leaving about 1/2-inch to 1-inch space on top.
  3. Pour soda over Jell-O layers to rim of glass. Add a straw, and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

To make with spirits for adults only: When adding cold water to Jell-O, use 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vodka instead of 1 cup cold water. Refrigerate until firm and follow remaining directions as written.

Happy Halloween!

Haunted Mansion Skeleton Frame + Free Printable

By 138 Comments

Haunted Mansion Skeleton Frame + Free Printable

If you’ve ever had your spine tingled on the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney, you’ve met its ghostly residents and giggling ghouls. You may have even had them jump in your doom buggy and hitchhike a ride.

My daughter and I love the Haunted Mansion ride and its “Grim Grinnin’ Ghosts” theme song so much, that we came up with a Halloween craft idea to celebrate it – this haunted mansion skeleton frame.

Haunted Mansion Skeleton Frame - free printableThis post is not a sponsored post. It does contain affiliate links.

What You’ll Need:

Free printable
8 x 10″ hanging wall frame
Skeleton hands (approximately 32)
Silver spray paint
Hot glue and glue gun
Plastic spider rings

Instructions: 

1. Print the printable. Chanelle is the graphically talented half of this duo, so she made a perfectly eerie printable with part of the Grim Grinnin’ Ghosts theme song on it! (To print, click on the photo to expand to the full size graphic.)

(Please do not share/copy/or sell this printable. You may “pin” it, but please source correctly. You may not claim it as your own or alter the image. It is for personal non-commercial use ONLY! The Grim Grinnin Ghosts printable is property of EatMoveMake.com.)

grim-grinnin-ghosts-free-printable

(Click for full printing size)

2. Put the printable inside your frame. I found a black frame at Michael’s with a distressed finish, and I thought it was perfect, but there’s no wrong or right. Choose a frame you like, but it needs to be a hanging frame, not a standing frame. Once you print the printable, put that inside the frame.

black-frame-for-halloween

3. Lay the skeleton hands out in a single layer on a sheet of cardboard. Spray with silver spray paint; let dry completely. Flip over; spray other side. Touch up as needed.

spray-paint-skeleton-hands

4. Without gluing, place all the skeleton hands around your frame so you’ll have a guideline of the placement and quantity needed. Apply a generous dollop of hot glue to the back side (not palm-side) of a skeleton hand.

apply-hot-glue-to-skeleton-hands

5. Beginning in the corner, push the skeleton hand into place on the frame with fingers pointing outwards.

hot-glue-skeleton-hands-to-frame

6. Continue gluing the skeleton hands all the way around the frame.

skeleton-hands-on-photo-frame

7. Slide a plastic spider ring or two onto a couple bony fingers.

spider-rings-on-skeleton-hands

8. Hang the Haunted Mansion Skeleton Frame on the wall for a Halloween decoration!

haunted-mansion-skeleton-frame-with-free-printable

DIY Halloween Candy Dish

By 134 Comments

This DIY Halloween Candy Dish came about because I’ve always put my Halloween candy in a bowl, and I’m tired of it. I wanted something slightly spooky and a heck of a lot more fun for my candy display, so I ran to the craft store for some inspiration and found it.

Look what I made!

diy-halloween-candy-dish

The supplies you’ll need are few, and the project is easy to complete! I bought a clay pot and saucer, strong adhesive glue and some spray paint.

Incidentally, my craft store now locks up their spray paint! When I asked why, they told me people were spraying it on the store shelves to check out the paint colors. Seriously? In what universe would someone think that’s ok to do? Honestly. 🙄

Anyhow, social commentary aside… let’s get started making this DIY Halloween candy dish!

DIY Halloween Candy Dish

What you’ll need: 

1 (4-inch) clay pot
1 (10-inch) clay pot drip tray
Orange gloss spray paint
E6000 permanent craft glue
Krylon Black Lava Marbelizing Spray
Acrylic Gloss Spray Sealer

Directions:

The clay pot and saucer I bought were already “clay pot” orange, but I wanted a vivid pumpkin-y color, so I spray painted them with a couple coats of a bright orange paint and let them dry.

Once they were dry, I turned the pot over and applied some glue around the bottom. Then I centered the large clay dish (open side up) over the clay pot and glue, and pushed them together firmly. I let the glue cure for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

how-to-make-a-diy-halloween-candy-bowl-spray-paint-clay-pot-and-platter

Now for the fun part: creating the spiderweb effect! When my kids were little, I used to paint with “webbing spray” and that was where this idea was originally born, but don’t look for webbing spray in the craft store. Apparently, it’s now called marbleizing spray. Sigh.

You know how silly string comes out of the can all wiggedy-wak and bliggedy-blam? Well, marbleizing spray kinda comes out that way too. Anyhow, it’s a little tricky to work with, so practice before you spray the project.

I’ll say it again: PRACTICE FIRST.

marbleizing-spray

Once you’ve let the paint dry, spray the whole surface with a clear acrylic spray or sealant of some kind. Let that dry too.

spray-sealant-on-candy-dish

Now load up your very festive DIY Halloween candy dish with your favorite treats!

diy-halloween-candy-bowl

Happy Halloween!

Simple But Spooktacular Halloween Décor Ideas

By

This post is sponsored by Family Dollar.

October has arrived and Halloween, everyone’s favorite spooky holiday, is just weeks away. Whether you choose to go creepy or friendly, displaying Halloween décor is always fun, and you’ll find so much creative inspiration at Family Dollar! The best part is that the everyday low prices won’t “scare” you away, and the $1 WOW items are plentiful!

Tip: When you’re shopping at Family Dollar, make sure you’re also using the new digital coupon clipping program, Smart Coupons. Although I hadn’t planned on buying Halloween candy this early, I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the Smart Coupons to save even more.

I decided to look for things to create a semi-frightening display where I could put out candy and trinkets for the neighbor kids. We don’t get very many trick-or-treaters here, so I’m able to have more fun with it.

This could also work really well in a trunk display if you participate in trunk-or-treat!

halloween-party-display

I already had a large black tablecloth so I used that for a backdrop, but you’ll find table cloths at Family Dollar too. Also, make sure you pick up some stretchy white spider web and “creepy cloth” for cool texture.

Family Dollar has 50-count Halloween light sets in purple and orange. The orange is bright and vibrant, and the purple is muted and subtle, so no matter what type of ambiance you’re going for, you’ll be able to create it.

halloween-lights-at-family-dollar

Once you have your backdrop set up with spider webs scattered about, add some Halloween décor to the scene. I decorated with foam pumpkins, glitter spiders, Halloween lanterns, and some eerie frog, scorpion and spider skeletons.

There’s no right or wrong way to decorate for Halloween, so anything goes. I just randomly placed my items in different spots until I liked how it looked.

foam-pumpkin-carvable-pumpkin-and-spider-at-family-dollar

The glittery spiders (available in orange and purple) were extra scary when tangled up in webbing. I let this dreadful spider dangle his legs off the edge of a Halloween lantern. Yikes!

halloween-lantern-family-dollar

Some of the skeletons were “crawling” around the display, while others were buried in dusty spider webs. It was so much fun to decorate!

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Once I had set up most of my Family Dollar Halloween décor, it was treat time! I scattered candy and some super cute light up bracelets throughout the display.

The trick-or-treaters can each have a bracelet and a few pieces of candy on Halloween night.

halloween-light-up-bracelets-family-dollar

And don’t forget to check Family Dollar’s weekly deals and use the new Smart Coupons. I scored some pretty sweet savings on Halloween candy (and on other household essentials) thanks to the new digital coupons. They’re awesome!
halloween-candy-from-family-dollar

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Flying Halloween Bats Tutorial + Free Printable

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Are you looking for a simple, spooky Halloween decoration idea that will make a big impact at your party? Look no further than this flock of flying Halloween bats!

Halloween Bats

They’re simple to make, you can reuse them every year, and they look AWESOME in person and in photos!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 poster-sized sheet of black cardstock
  • 1 piece of copy paper
  • A pen or pencil
  • Scissors
  • Tape (Painter’s tape works best here)

Bat tutorial01

Step one: Make your bat template. I drew a bat on white copy paper, then cut it out and picked the half I liked best.

I traced the half-bat onto another piece of paper, then flipped it horizontally to trace the other half. That gave me a symmetrical bat!

But guess what! You don’t have to make your own template – I’ve provided a free printable bat template at the bottom of this post!

Bat tutorial06

Step two: Trace the copy paper bat onto black cardstock with a regular ol’ ballpoint pen and cut the new bat out.

This first bat is your new tracing template. It works better for tracing than the copy paper because it’s sturdier.
Bat tutorial16

Step three: Stick a piece of tape (painter’s tape works best) on the back of your template bat. This will prevent the shape from slipping while you trace.

Step four: Use your template to trace and cut out as many bats as you want. The more you have, the more dramatic the final product will be! One poster-sized piece of cardstock full of bats will probably give you the effect you want.

Bat tutorial08

Folding in the left wing

Step five: Fold the bats’ wings. Once your bats are all cut out, it’s time for the best part! You’re going to fold their wings up so that they look like they are taking flight.

Fold in one wing, then the other.

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Here’s what one wing looks like folded

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Now fold in the right wing

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Now your bat is 3D!

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The finished stack of bats!

Step six: Arrange the bats in a flock formation on your wall. Above a doorway or window works great! I don’t have much space to work with, so I hung a few of them above a mirror in my bedroom.

Halloween bat flock finished

Halloween bat flock side view

Click on the image below to get to the full-sized flying bat template. It will open in a new tab – just right click, save to your computer, then open the file, print, and cut out!

Lizventures Flying Bat Template

Click here to download the free flying Halloween bat template!

Below is a pinnable image so that you can save this fun project for later!

Halloween Bat tutorial

If you make a flock of bats for Halloween, please share with us by tagging us in your photos on social media with #lizventuresbats! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.