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

Jumping Spider Pull-Tab Can

I have been itching to try one of those pull-tab can crafts where you put goodies like candy or gifts inside.  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Check them out here, here, or here!  This time however, the can is filled with spiders (fake, of course) and when the tab is pulled, a spring causes the spiders to jump out!  How perfect is this for a Halloween party?

Materials
- 1 can with a pull-tab top
- Fake spiders
- 1 compression spring (I made my own using a slinky!)
- Cardboard

{Step One}
Peel the label from the can.  Then remove the bottom (the side without the pull tab) with a can opener.  I would suggest keeping one spot connected.  Remove everything inside and wash it out.

{Step Two}
Glue your label onto the can.  Remember that the open side will be the bottom when you're finished!

 {I designed this myself using picmonkey.  They have a GREAT selection of "Halloween" effects right now}

{Step Three}

Cut a piece of cardboard that is just slightly smaller than the can opening.  It needs to be able to move, yet not let the spiders fall through it.  Next, glue one end of the spring to the center of the cardboard.

 {If you can't find a good spring at the hardware store (I couldn't), pick up a mini-slinky and just twist it as you pull it apart.  This will create a loose compression that you can cut to any size.  Let us take a moment to thank my brilliant husband for saving this project with his idea!}

{Step Four}

Place the spiders in the bottom (really the TOP) of the can, face down.

{Step Five}

Glue the other end of the spring to the center of the open lid (the actual bottom of the can).

{Step Six)

Place the spring fully inside of the can, making sure that the cardboard lays right over the spiders.  CAUTION: Be careful not to twist the spring too much or it may not spring out correctly.  Then close the lid and glue all around the edges, sealing it up.

 {It is okay if the bottom looks messy.  No one will see it and it is more important that it stay closed}

That's it!

Now all that is left is to give it to a friend and watch them JUMP as the spiders fly out at them!  I think all the pull-tab crafts are great but this one is really neat for all of you Halloween Scare fans out there... and it goes perfectly for a scary movie invitation!

I apologize for not having a video/pictures of the spiders jumping out.  Our computer has been experiencing some problems and I am unable to open any video editing program and currently, even the video itself!  I promise though, it works and is super fun!

Your Turn!

What is your favorite scary movie?  Or... are you more of a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown kind of person?  (I like both kinds!)

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Link Love!  Linking to the Craftaholics Anonymous Fall Frenzy Link Party! Every Day is an Occasion and D.L. Art