The Return of Terrorific Tuesdays!

For the past 4 years in October, I've created a blog circle during the month that focuses on Halloween crafts and ideas called Terrorific Tuesdays. Tons of people are looking for clever ideas during this season in every shape and form and I wanted to create a positive, happy network of crafters for that!

This year is a bit different. I am doing Terrorific Tuesdays as a BLOG HOP. I will be Using Linky Tools® for the hop. For those of you unfamiliar with the blog hop, here's the summary from the Linky Tools page:

A blog hop is a linky list that is SHARED ON MULTIPLE BLOGS.
When several blogs put the same linky list code on their blog, the
exact same list appears on each blog.

Blog visitors can submit their entries on any blog that contains the list.
The entries will appear on each blog where the list resides.

Blog readers see the same list on each blog, and can "HOP" from blog
to blog seeing the same list of links to follow: BLOG HOP!

I am going with this option because it is a lot easier to coordinate this way. It takes a lot of stress away from me having to do a mosaic each week.
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Here's some more FAQ's about Terrorific Tuesdays this October:

When and where do I post my project?
Post your projects to MY blog, The Swell Life on the following dates:

October 4th
October 11th
October 18th
October 25th

You can post all day on those Tuesdays from 12:01AM (PST) to 11:59PM (PST).

Do I have to post each week?
No. You can choose as little or as much as you want to participate during the 4 Tuesdays of Halloween. I don’t want this to be something you stress over! Halloween is supposed to be FUN after all!

What kinds of projects/inspiration can I post?
Your project can be a new or old idea. There will be no set theme from week to week. You can choose to include or not include instructions in your blog post, but I do ask that you post a photo and a brief description or explanation as to why you were inspired to make that particular project.

Consider one of the following ideas for your post:
- home décor
- jewelry/accessories
- spooky food and drink recipes
- party and table decor
- clever costumes
- cards and paper crafts
- invitations
- outdoor décor
- pumpkin carving/painting

Do I need to e-mail you to let you know I'm participating? No, just submit your link to the site that day, no reason to e-mail me like in previous years!

How do I add the List to my blog so I can share it with my readers? There's a little text box that says "Get the Code Here" below the Photo List on my blog. You click on it and it will take you to the Linky Tool page to get the code to add in a blog post on your blog!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at swelldesigner (@) gmail (dot) com.

Any final info will be coming with the first Terrorific Tuesday post on October 4th!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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My new Halloween/Everyday Bowls

It's a major rarity that I actually buy something from Anthropologie, but last night I spotted these little numbers on sale for $4 each and I scooped them up! They have an almost Asian pattern on them, but I just think it looks like cool linework...very artsy!



I'm a big sucker for linework and swirls so the inside and edge make me very happy!



Here's a detail of the patterns.



I got 2 orange and 2 yellow. They didn't have enough for a 4 set. It's cool. I really needed cool new bowls anyway.

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Cute as a Sparkle Button Pumpkins

I love Halloween pumpkins, especially the miniature variety. Today I bring to you a little pumpkin idea that you can whip up in 30 minutes or less! The results are super fun and whimsical and will take you from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Here's how you make them!

Cute as a Sparkle Button Pumpkins

Supplies:
– Mini pumpkins
– Buttons in various sizes and shapes (I used ones with sparkle)
– Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue™
– Black Spray Paint
– mini rhinestones (optional)

How you do it:
1. Clean and remove stems from your pumpkins.
2. Play around with different stacks buttons, mini rhinestones, and other embellishments if you so do choose. Put them on top of your pumpkins and snap a quick photo. It helps you remember how you you arranged them.
3. Use Tacky Glue to glue the stacks together. Glue onto pumpkin. Let dry.

Bonus Tips:
– Arrange your buttons into a faux stem for a fun look!
– You can also further decorate the pumpkins with dimensional paint (I like Scribbles) by making dots and stripes down the veins of the pumpkin.











Do you think you'll be making this fun little pumpkin project?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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P.S. I linked this project up to the following linky parties!
Get your Craft on Tuesdays at Today's Creative Blog
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
Sew Much Ado "We Did it Wednesdays!"
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking

Cool, Creative & Crafty Halloween Blogs!

I love Halloween so, so much and if you follow my blog often, I'm betting you do too. I thought I'd share the craft Halloween love and tell you about some other great creative Halloween blogs and sites that I think you'll love checking out too! They share all things Halloween, decorations, recipes, inspiration, and more this time of year!


Nancy Dorsner's Dabbled blog has some of the most clever costumes, cocktails, general crafts food ideas on the net. She just launched her exclusive Dabbled Halloween section loaded with hundreds of ideas. If you are looking for something creative and unique for the season, this is the spot.


I met Amy Locurto of Living Locurto and iHeartFaces fame about 4 years ago, when she linked up to my Terrorific Tuesday Halloween blog roundup. We definitely share a kindred spirit for all things Halloween and she always comes up with the best free printables, food crafts, costumes, and décor (my fave has to be her pretty Halloween table décor).


Blogger Creepy Cupcakes shares her décor, recipes, craft projects, and fun finds around the web. She features all things Halloween and serves up a whole lotta Harry Potter fun!


The Skull-A-Day Blog by artist and author Noah Scalin is, if you haven't guessed it already, all about SKULLS! I love it cause it contains everything from cool face painting to found objects in everyday life to cool crafts and illustrations! It's a must if you need your spooky fix and he's been featuring a Skull-a-Day since 2007, so there's a LOT to see.


Since I do social media part-time by day and my own blog by night, I honestly, don't get to scout out blogs and really read them like you might think. The one that I do visit religiously for the best of craft on the web is CraftZine! Craftzine compiles and features the best crafts from the web. If it's hip, unusual, or just plain cool, you'll find it on Craft, and their Halloween Crafts are no exception. Check out their picks, you'll be glad you did :)


Are you throwing a Halloween party? Then the Hostess with the Mostess blog will be right up your alley! There are so many bewitching ideas to be found on this site. All the little details that makes a Halloween party so much fun! I love their unique take on Halloween, including decorating in pink and black for a Ghouls Night Out and throwing a "Monsterfest" for Kids. The photography is a real treat too!


A Nostalgic Halloween is a feast for the eyes! Kris Dickinson shares her beautiful artist trading cards, vintage illustrations, Halloween pinups and retro finds. I can get inspired for hours there!

Here's some others I think you might like too:

My Busy Craft Life If you love detailed sewn costumes, Halloween faires, you'll love seeing the wonderful creations featured here!

Langes Fädchen, faules Mädchen blog Lena at the Langes Fädchen, faules Mädchen blog, shares some up some fun Halloween treats, inspiration, and photos. Her photos (I love this one) and projects are perfectly spooky for Halloween.

Spooky Vegan offers up gothic goodness and shares a lot of cool finds she spots out and about!

Dollar Store Crafts has so many projects all for a fistful of cash. Check out Heather's great costume roundups and fun (and cheap) food ideas!

Craft Gossip also brings the Halloween goods this time of year. I'm in love with this Edgar Allen Poe Red Velvet Cake that they featured!

Pumpkin Rot shares some super scary ideas, art, fun finds and inspiration and inspiration on their blog.

Is there any I missed? Please share and I'll add them to the list! I may just not know about them!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Make a Halloween Boo Pennant

Here's a cute Halloween pennant project you can whip up in an afternoon that will get you spirited for Halloween. And it's in my favorite colors...black, white, orange, and purple! Here's how you make it!

Halloween Boo Pennant
Supplies:
– Scribbles 3D Paint in orange, purple and black
– Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
– Aleene’s Crystal Clear Tacky Spray
– white adult t-shirt or white cotton material
– large piece of paper (11x17) and pencil
– large piece of foam core
– X-acto knife
– Scissors
– Pinking shears
– Ruler
– Coordinating 3/8" ribbon spools in colors of your choice
– Eyelet ribbon in orange
– pouncer
– paper plate
– felt in black and white
– 3/8" dowel rod

How to do it:

1) On a large piece of paper, draw a triangular pennant shape with your pencil and ruler. Cut out the pattern.
2) Trace the pattern lightly with pencil onto your cotton t-shirt material.
3) Spray the back of your material with Tacky Spray in a well-ventilated area. Press onto the foam core and smooth out any air bubbles.
4) Using X-acto, cut out mounted material on foam core following the pattern you lightly sketched on.
5) On your paper plate, squeeze out orange Scribbles paint. Load pouncer and dab a couple of times on paper plate to remove excess. Randomly dot polka dots all over pennant. Let dry.
6) Cut out 3 3" circles using pinking shears from black felt. Cut out 3 2" circles from white felt. Use Tacky Glue to mount the two pieces to each other.
7) Draw dots and lines on the black felt as shown using the orange and purple Scribbles paints as shown. On the white felt, draw the letters B - O – O in a swirly fashion with Black Scribbles paint. Once dry, glue these three pieces onto the pennant.
8) Run the orange eyelet ribbon around the edge of the pennant with Tacky Glue.
9) Run the orange eyelet ribbon around the edge of the pennant with Tacky Glue.
10) Using Tacky Glue wrap ribbon around dowel rod. I first used purple up and sown the dowel, then wrapped orange around the dowel to create a fun barber shop pole effect.
11) Cut 3 different ribbons in 1 foot strips. Tie in a knot in the middle. Glue on top of dowel rod with Tacky Glue.
12) Using glue, attach ribbon-wrapped dowel to pennant. Let dry.

Now you have a fun and festive accent to take with you trick or treating or to display on your porch or by your pumpkin! Here's a fun detail! I love how vibrant and funky the colors turned out!!



Hope you enjoyed this little project!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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P.S. I linked this up at the following Linky parties!

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrapup

6 Polka Dot Pumpkin Craft Ideas!

One of my favorite ways to decorate a pumpkin is to stick with a simple polka dot design. I personally believe you can never go wrong with polka dots or stripes! Here's some fun ideas to get you inspired and mix up your polka dot pumpkin crafts this year!



1) Add a fancy monogram and swirls to mix up your pounced polka dot look with Half Full Martini!

2) Add glitter dots to your pumpkin with Better Homes and Gardens

3) A little spray paint and circle labels make this little faux pumpkin by Darling Doodles shine.

4) How cool are these tack and nail pumpkins from Jaimee Rose at AZCentral?

5) Use an apple corer and mallet to make these multicolor gourds from Midwest Living!

6) Leave the holes unplugged for this pretty luminary look by Eddie Ross.

So are you going to make a polka dot pumpkin this year?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Vintage Halloween photos make me happy

Photo by Shane Woodall via Flickr

Everytime I see a little kid wearing a plastic costumee or an uncomfortable plastic mask, I get a little giddy. I guess part of it is because it was a much simpler time where people didn't spend boatloads of money. A plastic costume from the local department store was like gold and would make you feel super special!

I think why I love this time is the imperfection. I love that the photos were blurry, off center and posed. We are so about getting the "perfect" photo these days with our digital camera. I love that these are awkward. You know Mom or Dad only took a couple of photos that night and didn't process the photos till after Christmas!

Here's some super cutes ones I found that I think you'll like too!


Photo by GrimAlkin via Flickr


Photo by The Small Cat Club via Flickr


Photo by Dig Doug via Flickr


Photo by Star Berry Shyne via Flickr

Were you a kid of 70's or 80's and totally can relate to these photos? I was! I can't remember too many of my costumes of yesteryear, but I do remember being a ballerina wearing a green sequined tutu in first grade. In 5th grade, I remember being a mouse and wearing a grey sweatsuit with a plastic mouse snout. What were you for Halloween when you were a kid?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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My boy loves his glowing toys

A few weekends ago, my boyfriend William pulled this electrical orb out of his closet to show his niece. I wasn't surprised that it was in his stash. I asked him if it had been a present of Christmas past and he said, "Yes, when I was around 12". He's a super curious, cool guy and I know that he also was like this when he was a kid. I was always fascinated by these as a kid as well. William was actually quite surprised it still worked. It's still pretty fascinating to play with!




Among the other cool things in his toy stash are his glow-in-the-dark powders and paints. He has made sculptures, glow rocks for his aquarium and much more over the years. He is a BIG glow-in-the-dark/black light fan and we both share a fondness for it at Halloween.


In his box of goodies, I found some Glow Scribbles® and Tulip® Glow-in-the Dark 3D Paints. They are made by iLoveToCreate, the company I work for, so I got the hookup if he ever runs out!! Cool, eh?


One of these days, we might even have to have a cool party with his stuff and mine (I have some cool glow stuff, a fog machine, and more blacklight goodies). I've always wanted to put on a féte like Martha Stewart did a few years back in a magazine feature!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Scott the Skeleton

You never know what my friend Scott is going to do. After a long day at work, I walked in the craft studio and found him sitting there wearing the craft supplies! Faux eyeballs, paper maché skull, and all! He sure is silly and it was a photo op for sure. I like to think that Scott the Skeleton is just an average Joe like you or I. He drinks his morning coffee, takes out the trash, and watches Hoarders while eating some Wheat Thins. No bones about it, he's one cool guy!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Sometimes I get a little creepy; My spooky photo collection

My other passion besides Halloween is photography. To most, I'm not creepy (some people would argue this), but from time to time I see creepy things and try to capture the mood. I thought I'd share a spooky collection of images I've taken over the past few years that I think are pretty darn haunting and psychologically freaky. The one above I titled, ""8-legged Jesus Freak"".


"Fog over Alcatraz"


"Facing my imminent doom"


"The Carnival has come to Town" (photographed by my friend Gloria)


"Tears of a Clown"


"EXIT"


"Double Exposure"


"Curl"


"Proceed with Caution"

So what do you think? Any one jump out at you more than others as creepy?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Candy Corn Bottle Vases

Today I bring to you a super sweet Candy Corn Bottle Vases project that you can create in a handful of minutes! It's super simple and will look great for the Halloween season. As of late, I haven't been able to resist candy corn crafts. I have ALL KINDS of ideas!

Candy Corn Bottle Vases


You'll need spray paint in white, orange, and yellow. Also gather old vases and glass bottles in various shapes. Mine were a vase from ikea (the dotted one above), an Izze soda bottle, and a fancy Blood orange drink bottle. Clean and scrub off any labels off with Goo-Gone or dishwashing liquid. Let dry completely before painting.

Paint a basecoat of white on the jars following can directions and let dry completely. Admission: I did a terrible job at painting the basecoat and didn't get a photo. I pulled the white pin from the spray paint. Please don't do this. MAJOR FAIL! Haha!


My boyfriend William stepped in to save the day and tried to cover up my mistakes.He then sprayed orange on the middle part leaving a faint mist at top and bottom. He did a first coat, let it dry, then went back in and did another coat. Trust me, it works better to add the orange first! Let dry completely.


Now mist the yellow on the bottom until you get a solid coverage. This will take one or two coats. Let dry.

That's it! You're done! Display your jars with fall flowers in side or in a little grouping. It would be fun to creat an entire vignette on a table or mantle with candy corn sprinkled all around!



Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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P.S. I added this to the following linky parties!

Tip me Tuesday at Tip Junkie!
Show and Tell Tuesdays at Blue Cricket Design
Domestically Speaking's Power of Paint Party
Whatever Works Wednesday at Someday Crafts
TaterTots and Jello Weekend Wrapup Party

Costumes of Halloween past

I have to admit something, I'm not really a costume person. The thing is, when you throw in winning some money + the competition, I bring out the big guns! I usually try to come up with ideas on a dime. I hate spending tons of money on costumes I'll never wear again. Here's some of my more memorable moments from the past few years. I really don't have any shame. I will do anything and everything to win!


This was me around 8 or so years ago. I dressed up as MJ (sorry for the poor quality photo). I wore the surgical mask, used black doll hair for the curly q look he used to have, had a sparkle glove, and made those weird shoulder pads he used to wear. I even carried a baby around and through it around in the air (this was right after the baby dangling incident, and a few months before the child molestation trials). I danced to Beat it and did a faux moonwalk. I hoped around a lot and ended up winning the big prize of $150. Woohoo! I was so excited!!!


Here's me in my Deviled egg costume. I ended up winning second place overall for this costume. I went around poking everyone with my pitchfork and telling really bad egg and devil jokes/puns. This was very much a DIY endeavor...I made the egg with foam core and paint sprinkled with seed beads. I made the headband and pitchfork from fun foam sheets I glittered myself. The no-cost costumes are the best ones!!


One year I dressed up as the Mona Lisa. I wore a black graduation gown and the canvas around my head. It actually stayed on quite well just with my head poked through. I didn't say anything during the competition as to stay in character. I think I won second place that year.


For this Halloween, I went as Britney Spears preggo with her second son Jayden James. I looked really tacky. I carried around ice cream and ate pickles dipped in it, hence the stains on the tank. Totally gross, but trying to get into the role. I wore really clunky/sexy shoes and a short skirt (note, in the photo, it's unzipped...oh, geez). Pretty trashy. Again, I think I won second place...I think I see a pattern going on here!


The next time I won 1st place was when I dressed up as a California Raisin! The costume was designed by my friend Donna, We agreed that if she made the costume and I acted the part, we would split the winnings! I danced to "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and the "Apple Bottom Jeans" song by Nelly (it was popular at the time). I think I made everyone laugh pretty hard being silly. The strange thing is that I moved to California 3 months after this event. I wonder if my costume was a sign?


A couple years back I dressed up as Octomom. I bought all the dolls at Dollar Tree for $1 each. I used some Velcro to stick them to me.. The one on the green ribbon was supposed to be on a leash. I would hand the babies over to people and say, "Here you go, watch it, you paid for it anyway!". LOL. It was really scary looking at myself. I didn't win anything that year as there wasn't really a competion, just a dress-up party.

I haven't really dressed up since my Octomom costume. I don't know that I want to dress up this year, but I've always wanted to do the Bride of Frankenstein look. I think William and I would make a great bride and groom.

What crazy outfits have you worn in years past? Did you do anything embarrassing or outlandish to win a contest?


Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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