Ghostly Brownies

One more Halloween treat. Just one. These were simple, cute, and my son's favorite. You can see Betty Crocker's instructions here, but they are pretty easy.

1. Make brownies. I baked mine in a cupcake pan because my 8x8 pan has mysteriously disappeared (ooh spooky!), but I actually like the little round brownies for this. Just make sure to grease your pan really well if you bake them this way.
2. Stick a marshmallow on top.
3. Warm some frosting up in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
4. Spoon the frosting over the marshmallow.
5. Stick three mini chocolate chips in the frosting to make a face.

See? Easy Peasy. Goopy Spooky.

Linking up at Momnivore's Dilemma Halloween Link Party, Somewhat Simple's Halloween Link Party, Polish the Stars' Halloween Party, Halloween Link Up Party at Eighteen25, and Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things.

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Candy Corn Cupcake Tutorial

Hey! What do you know? I made something from my Halloween Wish List! That's right. Check me out. All doing things I want to do and all that. Woot!

I originally saw the idea for these candy corn cupcakes pinned here, and I thought, "Cute. So simple. Must make." And I did.

Now. Listen. These cupcakes do not taste like candy corn. They just have cute candy corn colored frosting. You could probably make candy corn flavored cupcakes, but, honestly, I'm not sure I'd be that into it. What I am into is Martha Stewart's Snickerdoodle cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (because I pretty much think all baked goods could use some cream cheese frosting).

If you want to make your own candy corn cupcakes for next Halloween (or hey! these could be a fun Thanksgiving treat, yes?), here is the best technique I worked out.

I filled my plastic piping bags with frosting, and cut of the tip to the width I wanted (a ziploc bag would totally work). I didn't even use a tip because I'm gangsta like that (also because I don't have one big enough).

Start with a yellow ring. You don't need to fill in the whole thing. 

Add an orange ring on top of that, and then add a white kiss on top:

1. Hold the bag vertically above the cupcake.
2. Squeeze the bag until a little mound of frosting builds up.
3. Slowly pull the bag away from the cupcake, releasing your squeeze as you move up.
4. Ta-da!

Linking up at Momnivore's Dilemma Halloween Link Party, Somewhat Simple's Halloween Link Party, Polish the Stars' Halloween Party, Halloween Link Up Party at Eighteen25, and Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things.

DIY Little Pinocchio

Pin It

One of my dearest and oldest friends asked me to help her outfit her little boy for Halloween. She probably only has one more year of picking whatever Halloween costume she wants, so she picked Pinocchio. Perfect for a real BOY like this little guy!

My friend pointed me in the direction of this amazing Pinocchio costume and tutorial at For the Good Days. I followed Cammi's tutorial pretty faithfully with a few adjustments. 

One touch I added was a stripe of embroidered trim to the sides of the shorts just like the real deal.

via Amazon

To add the trim, simply sew it down centered on the side of each leg before hemming or completing the waistband. Adding the trim before hemming or completing the waistband allows you to finish the trim off when you complete those steps.

I think the trim makes the costume even more special, as you can briefly see here. :) This wooden boy can MOVE.

Run, Pinocchio! Run!

The hat is probably my favorite part of the costume. I went through a few trials before I hit upon (what I think is) the perfect shape. So, shouldn't you benefit from my trial and error? I think so!

Pin It

Here it is!! 

Fold a piece of felt in half, and draw this shape onto the felt using your child's measurements. I found it easier to use a piece of yarn marked to the right length for the bottom of the hat. This helps you to get the curve to be the right length. I thought seven inches was about the right height as Pinocchio's hat is not too pointy. If you were making this hat for an adult or older child with a larger head, you might want to add a little to the height.

Once you have cut out your hat, sew down the line marked above. Then turn the hat inside out, and press up the back of the hat about an inch and a half. If you are using inexpensive felt, be sure to use a cool iron or else you will melt your felt. Finally, glue on a strip of blue felt (or a ribbon would be cute) and a red feather! (Stinkin' Red Feathers! - Who knows the movie? Anyone? Anyone?)

Linking up at Momnivore's Dilemma Halloween Link Party, Somewhat Simple's Halloween Link Party, Polish the Stars' Halloween Party, Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrapup Party, Simply Creations Link Party at Simple Home Life, Halloween Link Up Party at Eighteen25, and Once Upon a Weekend at Family Ever After.

I Tried It Tuesday: Pumpkin Cookies

Last week, my brother came home from Afghanistan. Yay! It is so good to have him back home. I wanted to make some pumpkin cookies for the welcome home dinner, and decided to try out a recipe I had found on pinterest: Let's Dish's Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting.

Mmm mmmm mmmm. These are good. They are certainly NOT low calorie, but so good good good. I used Danelle's tip to flatten the warm cookies with the bottom of a glass, and that worked out perfectly. I used half and half instead of cream because for some reason I thought that would make the cookies healthier. (I mean, after three and a half sticks of butter, I don't think the half and half is making much of a difference, but I guess I live in a make believe world.) And the frosting seemed a bit runnier than it should have been (more like an icing), but it was still delicious.

If you are looking for a new pumpkin treat to try out, give these little cakey delights a whirl. I think you'll like em!

Fixing the Ugly Wall

When we moved into our home, I quickly discovered a wall that would annoy me for months to come. It is a small wall - about four feet wide - next to our staircase. The wall sticks out into our family room area, which means if you are sitting on one side of the sectional, you are staring right at it. And here's the problem:

The builder decided, "Hey. I know. Let's put the doorbell and the thermostat and two light switches all in the middle of this wall so it is impossible to put anything pretty on the wall." Great idea, builder. 

So for a good year and a half, I gave the wall dirty looks. I made excuses for the wall when we had guests. The wall and I - we were not friends. Then, one day, I saw this on pinterest:

the little things

Genius! Use a bunch of white picture frames to camouflage the ugly doorbell, thermostat, etc! So, here's my after:

I am feeling like I need to bring my collage a bit lower to hide my light switches more effectively, but that means I need more picture frames. I am also a bit wary of bringing the collage too low - little hands and all that.

Whaddaya think? Do you have a wall that could benefit from some camouflaging collage?

Linking up at Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things, Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T., and Weekend Wrapup Party at Tatertots and Jello.

Halloween Dreams

I want to live in a magical world where time grows on trees. That sounds weird. Let's try this: I want Hermione's time turner. But instead of taking a gazillion classes on wizarding history, I would give my kids like five naps a day and get a few want-to-makes off my Pinterest Halloween wish list.

In this dream world, I am throwing an awesome Halloween party. I mean. Seriously. Your mind will be blown.

First, I will send these invitations out.

Finding Time to Create

Because they are awesome (obviously), and even better than Martha Stewart's version because they are edible.

When my guests arrive (in fabulous costumes), my house will be beautiful.

Country Living

Peppermint Plum

We will go on a cool scavenger hunt.

Rook No. 17

And eat awesome treats (which magically make us thinner)

Martha Stewart

Cupcake Takes the Cake via Mira Uncut

family.go.com

And all of my guests will leave with the COOLEST Halloween party favor of all time.

Eighteen25

Seriously. Go check that last one out. You won't be sorry.

What is on your imaginary, dreamworld to-do list?

The Shell Cowl: Free Pattern

We have had a cool-bordering-on-cold week here in the desert, which has motivated me to finally finish up the pattern for this cowl that I started back before it got hot. (I sometimes have a hard time digging into a pile of yarn when it is over 100 degrees out) This is a thick, warm cowl that buttons up the front. I used cover buttons because they are the best. You should use them too. Or really any 3/4 inch button will work. 

But, really. Cover buttons. I mean, right?

This pattern uses a stitch I call a long double crochet (ldc), which is similar to a stitch sometimes called an extended double crochet (I think). You can read more about this stitch and see a photo tutorial on how to work it if you go back to one of my first posts ever. If you have any questions about the pattern, please leave a comment or email me. 

Okay! Here. We. Go.

Materials Needed

US H Hook 5.00 mm

US I Hook 5.50 mm

Worsted weight yarn (I used Michael's Impeccable Acrylic in a color that I don't think they carry anymore, which is lame because it is a totally perfect gray in my opinion)

3 ¾” cover buttons covered in coordinating fabric, or other ¾” buttons

Special Stitches

long double crochet (ldc): Yarn over and draw through a loop (3 loops on hook). Pull up on the yarn so the two bottom loops are lengthened until they are brought up to the height of the last loop. Yarn over and draw a loop through the two long loops. Two loops remain on hook. Yarn over and draw through both loops. (see pictures and more detailed info on how to work this stitch here).

Pattern

Ch 25

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc across, ch 1, turn

Row 2: sc across ch 1 turn

Rows 3-5: repeat row 2

Row 6: *skip 2 sc, 5 ldc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc, repeat from *3 times, ch 3, turn

Row 7: 3 ldc in first sc, *skip 2 ldc, sc in next ldc, skip 2 ldc, 5 ldc in next sc, repeat from 2 times, skip 2 ldc, sc in next sc, skip 2 ldc, 3ldc in last stitch, turn

Row 8: skip 3 ldc, 5 ldc in next sc, skip 2 ldc, sc in next ldc, *skip 2 ldc, 5 ldc in next sc, skip 2 ldc, sc in next ldc, repeat from *two times, ch 3, turn

Rows 9-45: repeat rows 7 and 8, ending with row 7

Row 46: skip 3 ldc, 5 ldc in next sc, skip 2 ldc, sc in next ldc, *skip 2 ldc, 5 ldc in next sc, skip 2 ldc, sc in next ldc, repeat from *two times, turn

Ribbed Edge with Button Holes

This portion of the cowl is made up of short rows worked perpendicular to the previous rows.

Switch to I hook.

Row 1: ch 6, turn

Row 2: skip one ch, sl st into back loops only of 5 chs, sl st through sc in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, ch 1, turn.

Row 4: skip one ch, sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Rows 5-13 : repeat rows 3 and 4, ending with a row 3

Row 14: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, ch 3, skip 3 sl st, sl st into back loop only of next sl st. Sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 15: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, 3 sl st into ch3 loop, sl st into back loop only of next sl st, ch 1, turn. (buttonhole formed)

Row 16: skip one ch, sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 17: sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, ch 1, turn.

Rows 18-25: repeat rows 16 and 17, ending with a row 17

Row 26: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, ch 3, skip 3 sl st, sl st into back loop only of next sl st. Sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 27: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, 3 sl st into ch3 loop, sl st into back loop only of next sl st, ch 1, turn. (buttonhole formed)

Row 28: skip one ch, sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 29: sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, ch 1, turn.

Rows 30 - 37: repeat rows 28 and 29, ending with a row 29

Row 38: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, ch 3, skip 3 sl st, sl st into back loop only of next sl st. Sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 39: sl st into back loop only of one sl st, 3 sl st into ch3 loop, sl st into back loop only of next sl st, ch 1, turn. (buttonhole formed)

Row 40: skip one ch, sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, sl st through next st in cowl edge, ch 1, turn.

Row 41: sl st into back loops only of 5 sl sts, ch 1, turn.

Row 42-51: repeat rows 40 and 41, ending with a row 41.

Row 52 (a chain loop edging that is worked perpendicular to the ribbed rows): ch 3, skip five ribbed rows, sc in between next two rows (see image below for placement guideline) repeat to end of row. (11 chain loops)

Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

Fold your cowl in half an line up the ends. Securely sew your three buttons to line up with the buttonholes.

Enjoy and stay cozy!!

Linking up at Make Something Mondays at  Sarahndipities, Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things, Weekend Wrapup Party at Tatertots and Jello, Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T, and What I Whipped Up Wednesday at Sugar and Dots.