Tis the Season to be Spooky! Halloween 2015

Tis that time of year again that I get all excited and bring out the Halloween decorations. It has been a long time coming that Australians embrace the fun of Halloween. I have been embracing Halloween now for about 7 years, but I started seriously decorating my house about 2 years ago.  Last year's decorations looked a little like this.

 You might be able to see just slightly on the right hand side of this picture something glowing in the background. This was my attempt at a packing tape ghost.  These are quite easy to make and not costly, but not as easy in my opinion to set up for its best affect. A bit more planning was needed from my end, and a place to hang them up would have been helpful. Our front yard at the time was under construction as well, so I really couldn't set anything up, like this.

You can kind of see on either side of the window some masks which I had glowing mini torches in, to give them their spooky look. I purchased the masks from the Hot Dollar store and purchased the mini torches online in bulk. The bats and hands are cut out from black cardboard and stuck on the window. You can get free templates online.  The bobbled string is actually knitting wool.

These are solar lights and I scored them from Bunnings on clearance for about $2 a box. They look good and I am using them again this year.

We have two skeletons and both were purchased from Costco. This year, the skeletons were more expensive so I didn't bother getting another, though I do think two skeletons will work just fine this year. To get the glow in the dark liquid affect like this, I just used a liquid glow stick. The chunkier one is best as it's easy to pop the cap and pour on. Be careful when you do this. As you can see the affect is amazing but you need to reapply throughout the night as the glow doesn't last very long.

I picked up these pumpkins from Big W last year for $30. I try not to spend too much on my decorations. If I do spend, it has to be on something that can be reused year after year. This decoration has an adaptor so it inflates and lights up.

This year, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve. We are attempting a paper mache sculpture which we hope will be fun. I will post pics soon. I also made a rather large purchase that I am hoping will have a great affect. I am also attempting a mini haunted house.

The best thing about celebrating Halloween like this in Australia, is not too many houses do. The neighbourhood families love that they know they can send their kids to my house and check out the decorations and get a treat. It also encourages the other neighbours to get into the spirit of family fun and have treats ready for the kids as they come around. We had so many families with children come by our house last year and cars would drive by just to see the decorations. It was a lot of fun and that is why I will keep doing it!

Do you celebrate Halloween?

Handmade Christmas Bauble Wreath - Very easy

So I did mention that I would make some decorations and I know sometimes I write with good intentions, particularly when its craft related,  but don't always follow up. This time is different. I am actually following up which is an achievement in its own right!!

As you all know, I love Pinterest, and this is where a lot of my inspiration has developed from. I have a Christmas Ideas board which you are all welcome to take a peek at and follow if you wish to.  There are heaps of fun things to cook and make and just drool over! There are some amazingly talented people in our world and I am so grateful that they are happy to share their talents with us.

So my first project was making a wreath for my front door, or as my son says, Wreef!  The pin that I had on my board was pinned by, Pearls- handcuffs- Happyhour, who discovered it via Eddie Ross. If you Pinterest, then you know how all that stuff works - pinning via another and another and another!!!  The wreath looks gorgeous and it is fairly straight forward to make, although I would suggest you have a friend/child/partner/spouse with you to help you with some of the wire twisting.

First of all I have to ask, how on earth do you make a good circle with your wire hanger? I have decided mine looks 'organic' as it circular, but by now means a circle....i'm no perfectionist or anything...haha...heehee. Lets move on shall we.

You will need:

 *  roughly 60-80 Baubles in colour of choice - I got mine at Coles.
(I used 60 as this was what I bought and realised later more was required, mine just looks a littler smaller)

*  1 wire coat hanger

*  Some ribbon or twine.

*  glue gun and pair of  pliers

For all step-by-step pictures go to here or here. 

This is what I did:

1. Shape the wire in the best circle you can do without cursing. A pair of heavy duty pliers come in handy with this. I did it free hand but you could perhaps use a basket ball to shape it...I thought of this just now..tad bit late but helpful to you!).

2. Eddie Ross and Team Caroll both glued the tops of their bauble on, but I found that mine were on quite securely. Only 2 baubles fell off when I finished, but if you would like the peace of mind and have the extra 10mins or so to glue them on, then go for it!

3. Then string the baubles onto the wire alternating colours and sizes as you go.

4. When all the baubles are on, with the help of another person, hold the ends of the hanger together and twist together with the pliers,use gentle hands when you do this.

5. You can wrap some ribbon over the wire to make it look pretty. As for me, I was a little frustrated by the time I had finished and just wanted the wreath up and looking good! I will add something soon, but I do tie some twine onto the hook I made with the hanger so that it would hang nicely on the hook I have on my door.

Here is my finished product and all for $8 which is the cost of the baubles. It could cost more if you wanted to add more than 60. Still a good project and looks great....well I think so anyway:)

 I will be posting more as my week progresses. I am very excited about a two story gingerbread house that hubby is creating. The kids will decorate, so I am taking pictures as the project progresses before the onslaught of child-style decorating!!!

Cotton Candy/Fairy Floss Oreo Truffles!

Americans call it Cotton Candy or Candy Floss. Us Aussies, we call it Fairy Floss, either way its the same thing and it tastes so yummy! I found a way to add it to a truffle or cake pop. So how does one get cotton candy oreo truffles? Well much the same as you make Oreo truffles and then add some candy floss just before serving.  I made these for a baby shower last weekend. Naturally, my friend was having a baby girl so the chocolate was pink and same as the choice of candy floss.  Here is what I did.

Oreo Truffles
2 packets of oreos (or cookie/biscuit of choice)
125g cream cheese ( I used Kraft Phillidelphia)
375g white melting chocolate - best not to use compound
2 drops of food colouring
generic candy or fairy floss

Method
1. Using a blender or food processor, process the Oreos. Don't let them go too fine. A few small lumps is ok.
2. Add softened cream cheese and process again until mixture combines.
3. Put mixture in fridge for around 15-20mins.
4. Roll mixture in balls, no too big and not too small.
5. Place in Freezer for around 15 mins.
6. Melt chocolate however you like to. I did mine in microwave on high for 1 min then in 30 second intervals until its melted.
7. 2 drops of food colouring very quickly and mix well.
8. Using spoons, coat the oreo balls in chocolate and set on tray lined with baking paper. Repeat with all Oreo balls.
9. If serving truffles straight take small amounts of floss and add while chocolate is soft. Otherwise just before serving add a small amount of melted chocolate to each truffle and put the floss on top.

NB: Floss will disintergrate withing 30mins of sitting on the truffle. What you will get is a mount of sugar crystals, which still looks great, but if you want it to look good all night, the generic floss is not for you. Persian floss maybe a better option, but I have not tried this yet, but I hope to in the future. Persian Floss has a nice shimmer to it, and its a bit easier to use for presentation. I will definately post when I use it:)