No-Sew Pumpkin Purse Tutorial

What is the one line every creative person you know has said?  Any guesses?  You'll laugh when you hear it.  Ready?... 'I COULD MAKE THAT'.   You're laughing now aren't you?  Because we all know it's SO true!  We have all seen something in a store or online and thought that we could do a better (or at least cheaper) job at DIY-ing it than we could buying it.  Sometimes this works out great and other times we spend a lot more time and money on it than it's worth.  I know this to be true not just for myself but others because there is a world of memes out there:

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products that can be used to make this project.  Purchasing through these links may earn me a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting my blog.]

I had one of those projects this week (a successful one).  I saw a cute fall/halloween layflat online and part of it included a little pumpkin purse.  I did a quick search on Amazon and Target (because Target always has cute purses like this in the toddler/kids section) to no avail.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money because it was for my 2.5 year old.  She isn't that gentle with things, it's going to have a short lifespan (pumpkin= fall/Halloween) and the girl already has 4 other purses.  (ridiculous right?)  So instead, I made one.

The best part? You can make it too.  I did it entirely NO-SEW so that anyone out there could enjoy this project as much as we do.

Here's what you'll need:

- orange craft felt (plus black and green felt for the face & stem)

- interfacing (I'm sorry I don't remember the exact kind I used. It was a scrap! Anything to add stiffness will work great.)

- hot glue gun & glue sticks

- trim of your choice for the strap




How to make it:

I like to use tissue paper when I make my patterns because it's almost like using an actual sewing pattern (and it's super cheap!)  Just draw out a pumpkin shape in the size you want the finished purse to be.

I drew out the lines on the inside of the pumpkin and also the face on my pattern but only to get the right shape/size because I'm terrible at drawing freehand.  Nothing is actually used except the very outside edge of the pattern so no need to add them like I did.


Next, cut out 2 pumpkin shaped pieces from the orange felt as well as 2 from the interfacing.  Also cut a long rectangle from the orange felt in the size you would like the depth of the purse to be.  Ours was about 1.5 inches.  It needs to be long enough to go across the bottom and up the sides of the pumpkin shape but you can adjust this as you put it together if you aren't sure.

Now is also a good time to cut out a green stem and the black jack-o-lantern face or you can do it later if you aren't sure whether to add it or not.  I wasn't sure at this point in the project but it definitely adds a little Halloween fun!

Next, hot glue the interfacing to the orange felt pieces.  I suggest trimming the interfacing down just a tiny bit so that it doesn't go all the way to the edge of the orange.  It will make it easier to hide the white (which I didn't realize until I had already started. Learn from my mistakes!)

Next, hot glue the rectangle strip of orange felt to one pumpkin cutout.  Fold it under as you go so that no rough edges are showing.  Hot glue is very helpful for this because you really can just pinch and smooth it down as you need.  I started at the bottom and went up both sides so I could get a feel how high I wanted the edges to be. 

This is an example of how it will look after one side is finished.  You can see how the felt is folded to the inside around the curve.  The second photo below shows how it will look from the outside after this step.

As you can see, some of my white interfacing peeks out. It isn't very noticeable when the purse is being worn but I still wish I would have cut it down a shade and glued it orange to orange.


You're almost done already.  Crazy right? Now do the same thing to the other side of the purse with the second pumpkin shaped piece.

Lastly, add your trim or purse strap by hot gluing it to the inside of the finished purse.  My 2 year old picked out the mini pom pom ball fringe  (which I got last Christmas in the Target dollar bins!)  This trim looked fine without anything over it, but feel free to add a square of orange felt on the inside to finish off the edges of your trim.

All done!  How darling is this fun little purse?  My 2 year old loves it and my (almost) 5 year old has asked me to make him one too!  This would make a great little gift or a perfect addition to all those cute fall outfits.  Now... bring on that fall weather!

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Pumpkin Decorating Activity

As is often the case, I try to keep these posts short and sweet and then take 20 photos during the process. Why? Just call me photo-addicted I guess! Aaaaanywho- today I wanted to encourage a little messy play with you and your littles (kids, nieces, nephews, neighbor friend, classroom, etc) or to do yourself!

[Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to products I suggest using for this project. If you choose to purchase anything through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. This helps me fund future blog posts, so thank you.]

There are so many beautiful pumpkin DIYS out there, from using paper & mod podge, to washi tape, to classic painting in a whole new grownup way:

{source: ReadyCartInstagram}

{source: Pinterest}

{source: Pinterest}

These are all amazing but right now, we like to focus a bit more on the creative process than having the house decorated with perfect pumpkins. (although as a mama, you know I think their pumpkins are perfect too!) 


Here's what you'll need:

- Pumpkins for everyone (we used pie pumpkins for that medium size) You can also buy assorted packages of artificial pumpkins on Amazon if you'd like to keep them forever.

- Paint. Lots of paint. We use acrylic paint like it's going out of style in our house!  I also found that my kids (especially 18 month old) really favored using the scribbles paint writers so that would be a good option for making fine-details or for little ones!

- Other small accessories like beads (those aren't the ones we used but I just found them and OMG animal shapes!), googly eyes, small strips and pieces of fabric and glitter. You may also add ribbon or trim around the stem if you'd like!

- Hot glue gun. (and adult supervision!) The heavier beads wont stick to the paint itself so you'll need to attach them with hot glue and have your littles point to where they want their bead.

Spread everything out on a table (Don't forget to cover with newspaper or magazine pages!) and let the fun begin!  My son had a blast with the glitter and writer pens (this isn't even what his finished pumpkin looked like. It's 3 layers deep!) and my daughter did a little pumpkin decorating and then moved onto decorating the magazine pages instead.

(It still dried in less than 24 hours! I couldn't believe it.) 

(I also love how my son looks like he's doing a magic trick or is a fine culinary chef back there)

It's all about having fun so don't push them any direction and just let them explore the textures and give them the chance to practice their creativity. Today's world seems to struggle with letting kids do that sometimes.

Most importantly, have fun! We aren't trying to win any pinterest competitions here, we're trying to raise confident, capable children #amiright?

Oh... and maybe take off your rings before you start. I didn't even make a pumpkin but I got a lot of paint and glitter on my very special rings.  Oops (don't worry, I got it all off!)

Here's a look at their finished pumpkins. My son made a man (the yellow is his mustache) with glitter hair and my daughter went for the more understated simple design.  If that doesn't describe their personalities, I don't know what does! It's funny how things like that happen.

Can I let you in on a secret? The kids (especially my daughter) are SO PROUD of their pumpkins. Showing them off to everyone and pointing them out every time we walk past.  Trust me... it's definitely worth the mess!

Guest Blogging + 5 Halloween Party Ideas + Free Printables!

Happy Thursday everyone!  Today I have TONS of stuff for you!  First things first:  I am guest blogging over at U-Create (my first EVER guest post!) and I would love for you to go check it out.  Then, stay a while and look around.  The girls over there are just too sweet and have a slew of awesome craft ideas.  You will just love them, I'm sure of it.

Secondly, I have another craft for you on here.  Actually it's over FIVE crafts!  I told you today was a biggie.  Still wondering what to do for your upcoming Halloween party?  Or, do you just want some fun ideas for your own family?  Check out these five easy and totally fun ideas for your Halloween gathering:

{"You'll DIE Laughing"}
An easy-to-make treat container that you can "unwrap" to expose a string of Halloween jokes!

This mummy is too cute to be spooky, plus he tells jokes!  Oh, and don't forget the treats hidden inside- it's almost too good to be true!  He's easy to make too:

-Take an old Oatmeal container and cover it with fabric.
-Cut strips of the same fabric and pull at the edges to fray them.
-Write jokes along the strips for people to "unwrap".  Example:  What is a mummy's favorite kind of music? WRAP!  Cheesy yes, but admit it: it's funny!
-Attach the strips together and glue to the container at the beginning.  Wrap the mummy up.
-Fill with candy and share!


{Messy Fun for Everyone}
Individual pumpkins for everyone with treats hidden inside.  Can be done clean or messy style!

For all the kids out there who were anything like me, this activity is fun and best of all.. MESSY!  Don't worry mom, it can be done mess-free as well!

-Get a small pumpkin.  This is a great way to give something personalized to each child without buying several large pumpkins.
-Carve it out and remove the insides just as you would normally.
-Fill it with Halloween treats (inside of ziplock bags)
-For messier fun, put the "goop" back inside on top of the treat bags so that kids have to dig through it to receive their candy.


{Pin the Head on the Skeleton}
A new spin on an old game, this magnetic "pin the head on the skeleton" is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

This game seems to always be fun for any age... and, it's easy to make!

-Draw (or sketch) a skeleton onto a large sheet on paper.
-Cut a head out of magnetic paper.
-Hang the large sheet of paper up on the fridge using magnets.
-Laugh at all the silly places the head ends up!


{Food for Thought}
What event is complete without food?  Here are a few dinner ideas to really spook your guests!

There are three separate things shown here, but they are all very easy to make.

Brain Pasta
-Make spaghetti and add a light coating of sauce (too dark will look less 'real').
-Put half of the desired amount into a ziplock bag, shaping it to look like half a brain.  Do the same with the other half.
-Freeze the pasta until the shape is formed.
-Before eating, remove from freezer and either thaw or microwave to eat.

Spider Web Utensils
-Get plastic forks, spoons and knives (if you will be using them).
-Paint the handles with black non-toxic paint.
-Using a hot glue gun, quickly run back and forth across the utensils.  Let the ends get stuck to the newspaper a little bit.  Give it a second to start drying and then lift off of the paper.  This will cause the strings to bunch up and look like spooky webs.

Creepy Crawly Jello
-Make Jello as instructed.
-Fill a container half way and let it stand in the fridge.
-Place a plastic spider (or other creepy crawly) on top of the layer.
-Top the spider with the remaining Jello.



{What's Your Poison?}
What is scarier than going to choose your drink and finding that your options are "poison" "truth serum" "blood" and "monster guts"?

I made all of these printables myself and would be happy to share them with you:

1. Monster Guts
2. Poison
3. Truth Serum
4. Happy Halloween
5. Blood

{Your Turn!}
I hope you have enjoyed today's post and I hope you went to check out my guest post on U-Create as well!
I am so tickled that they allowed me to guest blog for them and I am also excited to share all these fun and easy Halloween ideas with you over here.  Let me know what you think and if you plan to use any of these ideas at your house.  I love Halloween and I love sharing the "holiday spirit"!  Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Link Love! Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion and D.L Art

Simple Halloween Decor

Happy Thursday!  Can you believe it is almost October already?  I. Love. Halloween.  My husband asked me the other day if I thought maybe it was a little early to be hanging a skeleton in the window.  I looked at him with confusion as I finished hanging it up.  That being said, he is patient with my decorating and I try to keep it tasteful (and not too feminine!)

Today I will show you how to make a simple Halloween decor that speaks volumes!

Pieces like this are festive yet not over the top.  The best part is that you can make it yourself!  That's my favorite kind of decoration!


{Materials}
- 3 Glass Jars in different sizes
- Candy, Popcorn, or other fillers
- 3 Mini Pumpkins
- Black Vinyl or Sharpie Marker

{Decorate the Pumpkins}
I cut images out of vinyl using the Silhouette Cameo.  However, if you do not own a cutting machine, drawing on the pumpkins with a sharpie would work too!  I think the "boo!" is my favorite.

{Fill the Jars}
Using Halloween or fall themed food or candy, fill each jar to the top.  If you have extra that means you have earned a mid-craft snack!

{Put it Together!}
If your jar allows, place a lid on top.  I covered mine with burlap for that "fall" feel.  Next, place your mini pumpkins on top of the jars and voila!  A simple yet totally festive Halloween decoration.

{This picture isn't the best quality but I wanted to show you how darling it looks above my fireplace}

{What Do You Think?}
What designs would you put on your mini pumpkins?  Would you fill the jars with anything different?  As always, if you make your own version I would love to see it so please share it with me!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Link Love!  Linking up with the craftaholics anonymous fall frenzy link party and Every Day is an Occasion!