Tag: halloween

Categories
Party ideas

Harry Potter Birthday Party

This year the girls wanted a Harry Potter or Wizard themed birthday party. (Read on to get the free takeaway – Harry Potter Cupcake Toppers)

I thought how do I get into the spirit of the Harry Potter theme?

The invitations are the way to set the scene.  Making sure that the invites are on track with the Harry Potter/Wizard theme is a good start.

I create my own for the twins birthday parties and this year was no exception.

The invitation that I created for the girls 9th birthday party. I got inspired by another invite I saw and used some of the text. The images were all ones that I found online and all are clip art so free to use.
The invitation that I created for the girls 9th birthday party. I got inspired by another invite I saw and used some of the text. The images were all ones that I found online and all are clip art so free to use.

To make my invitation have the right look I had to have the Harry Potter Font or something like it. Font Space have free Harry Potter fonts and are easy to download, install and start using.

Instructions if you are installing a font for your very own Harry Potter invitation:

  1. Download the font
  2. Install the font into the fonts folder in the control panel
  3. Once the font or fonts are now added to your fonts folder you should see them in Photoshop or other programs you use to create your invitation. (I used Photoshop but if you don’t have Photoshop you can use a free web based Photoshop like editor called PIXLR EDITOR)
  4. Now you have your fonts you can get creative with your invitation.

Now you have created your Harry Potter/Wizard invitations, the food and decor are something to think about.

What type of things will you serve to make the kids feel like they are at a Harry Potter Party? The twins told me that if it is not 100% Harry Potter that is okay, it just has to be wizard like.

Phew I thought, I was worried that it might not be exact and of course not accurately Harry Potter.

I googled for inspiration. I also went to Pinterest too.

Below is what I created for the party. I did my best to keep with the Harry Potter or Wizard theme. 

  1. I saw from Darla at Bakingdom that she did a coloured layered cake for each house in Harry Potter. After getting depressed about all the fancy cakes out there, I thought that this would be easier to do. I have done
    The different coloured layers of the Harry Potter Cake. This is to show the different houses.
    The different coloured layers of the Harry Potter Cake. This is to show the different houses.

    one similar the year or so before but it was a cake that had sweets inside...yep a surprise for everyone. I used the layered cake idea for the Harry Potter Party but did my own decorations.

    For the layers I added food colouring to four cakes to get one for each house:

    Gryffindor – Red
    Hufflepuff – Yellow
    Ravenclaw – Blue
    Slytherin – Greeen

  2. My decorations for the cake were piped out of dark chocolate in the shape of Harry Potter’s glasses and also the scar on his forehead. I also used chocolate stars that were already made in the cake section of the supermarket.
    The dark chocolate that I piped to form the decorations on the Harry Potter Cake. I got the exact shapes from a printed download and copied that. Once done I put in the fridge to set.
    The dark chocolate that I piped to form the decorations on the Harry Potter Cake. I got the exact shapes from a printed download and copied that. Once done I put in the fridge to set.
    The chocolate decorations for the Harry Potter cake. I kept it simple.
    The chocolate decorations for the Harry Potter cake. I kept it simple.
    Finished Harry Potter cake all ready for the party.
    Finished the Harry Potter cake all ready for the party.

     

  3. Sorting Hat Cupcakes – I saw them online and had to give them a go. Make your cupcakes. Cut a bit out of the middle and put in a few coloured M&M’s (I used the ones that didn’t have peanuts in case of allergies). The colours need to match the houses in Harry Potter. I did have to stand for a while and separate the colours I needed from a big bag of M&M’s. Once you have put the secret M&M’s into the cupcake put the cake back on top and then ice it. Decorate and done. Now do it the rest of them and then all your sorting hat cupcakes are organised. I made sure that there was an even number of each colour. Below are the colours I needed for the sorting hat cupcakes and as said got only those colours in six cupcakes each. I made chocolate vegan cupcakes with very dark chocolate icing. The icing was just icing sugar, organic cocoa powder from the health food shop, and water. This icing is just like pure chocolate and perfect for anyone who cannot have butter or other ingredients.

    Gryffindor – Red
    Hufflepuff – Yellow
    Ravenclaw – Blue
    Slytherin – Greeen     
  4. Wizard Bread – Fairy bread but these were stars and therefore more wizardry than normal fairy bread. I had fresh bread on the day of the party, and simply cut out star shapes with a cookie cutter. Once all done I put a little bit of butter on each star and decorated them with hundreds and thousands.
    Yummy Wizard Bread
    Yummy Wizard Bread
  5. Broomsticks –  I got the idea from One Little Project and this can also be used for Halloween as well. All you need is straight pretzels, cheese sticks that are able to be created into the end of the broom (I used Bega Stringers as the cheese allows you to take the ends and turn them up to look like a straw broom), and then you need some chives to tie around the base of the cheese and pretzel to make it look like the tie holding the broom and the handle together.Making the broomsticks is rather fiddly so if you are like me there might be a few words said when they don’t go your way. You need to be extra careful when you push in the pretzel into the cheese.One tip that helps is to make a hole in the cheese to allow the pretzel to go in easily, however be careful as it might make the cheese break too.
    Some my first broomsticks that I made. Don't they look awesome!
    Some my first broomsticks that I made. Don’t they look awesome!

     

     

    More broomsticks.
    More broomsticks.
    Broomsticks all ready for the kids to eat them at the party.
    Broomsticks are all ready for the kids to eat at the party.

     

  6. Magic Wizard Chocolate – I saw this online ages ago and have used it for a few parties now. I have made it different by some things I used in the chocolate and of course naming it Magic Wizard Chocolate helped make it more special for the party.
    To create the magic wizard chocolate. Firstly purchase some dark chocolate or the chocolate of choice to melt. You will need a couple of packs as you need to melt the chocolate and lay it on a big tray. If you have a lot of chocolate you can make two trays. You will be amazed at how quickly this gets eaten. I chose dark-cooking chocolate and got three packs of the chocolate. You then need to have sweets to stick into the melted chocolate before it hardens. Feel free to add whatever you wish as it is up to you and the theme of your party. I chose eyes, bright candy, Kit-Kats, raspberries, and sprinkles. Once the chocolate has set (I helped it along by putting it in the fridge). All you need to do is break it into little pieces so that the kids can just take a bite-sized part and not a whole bit of it. The eyes help it look a bit spooky so will be a perfect party treat for Halloween, monsters, and of course a wizard party like Harry Potter.
  7. Lolly Snakes – I made sure to have snakes as one house is called Slytherin and a birthday party really has to have more sweets it seemed to make sense.
    Slytherin snakes for the kids... of course they are not real but lollies instead.
    Slytherin snakes for the kids… of course, they are not real but lollies instead.

     

     

  8. Magic Chocolate Frogs – In Harry Potter there are chocolate frogs that fly away. Mine were not like this and nearly all the frogs got eaten to never return on the day. Sad but they were very yummy.
    Magic Chocolate Frogs and Wizard Chocolate
    Magic Chocolate Frogs and Wizard Chocolate

I made sure that all food had labels that fit in with the theme of the party. This way everyone got involved in the fun.

The birthday girls excited to cut the cake.
The birthday girls are excited to cut the cake.

There was also a seat that had invisible cloaks for anyone who needed one. Yep I wore mine although no one knew due to it being invisible.

Some great tips and more inspiration to throw an amazing Harry Potter Party is listed in the BuzzFeed’s article on 33 cheap ways to organise an epic Harry Potter Halloween Party

 

I hope this gives you some great ideas for a Harry Potter Party or even Halloween.

Inside the Harry Potter Cake for the girls 9th Birthday Party.
Inside the Harry Potter Cake for the girls 9th Birthday Party.

 

FREE TAKEAWAY BELOW!

I’ve created a fabulous download for you. Harry Potter Cupcake Toppers. Perfect for your next party.

Originally published October 24 2017

Categories
Creative

Mini Pumpkin Jack O’Lanterns

Mini Pumpkins, one for each kid.
Mini Pumpkins, one for each kid.

Yesterday the kids and I created mini Jack O’Lanterns.

Three mini pumpkins, just the right size for kids to carve and also the right number for each child. Also, they were a little cheaper than the bigger ones. So if you wish to have a little celebration and not spend a fortune, get a mini pumpkin.

 

Mini Pumpkins, one for each kid.
Mini Pumpkins, one for each kid.

 

 

This year we did it a bit differently with the way we cut out the design for each pumpkin.

  • I let the kids draw on their pumpkins with a permanent marker so they could easily see the shapes they had to cut out.
  • As the pumpkin was smaller than we have had in the past putting a printout and sizing it correctly would have been a pain to do.
  • Drawing on the pumpkin allowed the freedom to change the design although you could still see the texta marks.

 

NOTE: I made sure that I supervised the kids with the knife. I showed them carefully what to do and when I realized things were getting difficult I took over. I didn’t want any lost fingers prior to Halloween and frankly, I can live without that drama. We have all got our fingers intact and this is how we like it.

Make sure you supervise kids using a knife and in doubt do it for them.

Julia and Lillian help me

make Mini Jack O’ Lanterns








Note the lovely sibling love when Lillian says to Julia that she will not survive due to stinging herself with the inside of the pumpkin due to a cut. Nice sisterly love.

Also, you can hear the cicadas in the background, they are very noisy and go nonstop during the day. They are not as noisy during the cool nights.

I hope you liked our Jack O’Lanterns. Make some to celebrate Halloween today. Or if it is not for Halloween cut out a different decoration.

 

The finished product. 3 lovely scary mini Jack O'Lanterns.
The finished product. 3 lovely scary mini Jack O’Lanterns.

Sign up to download FREE Harry Potter Cupcake Toppers

Perfect for your next party, a spooky one, or just a birthday celebration.

Originally published Oct 30, 2017

Categories
Recipes

Snot Drops

Are you looking for a spooky cookie to make for Halloween or a birthday party?


Make Snot Drops today! It will make everyone want to say, YUCKY!

This was a fun and super easy recipe to make, and I am sure that the kids would love helping out too.

All the ingredients you need to make the snot drops…well aside from the jam

Temu Up, Price Down

Snot drops are ready to be cooked in the oven.
Snot Drops cooked and cooling down..we cannot wait to try them.

Enjoy your snot drops and yes….I said you will enjoy snot drops. Trust me they are very yummy!


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Originally published Oct 21, 2020

Categories
Recipes

Zombie Eyes

Want a very easy and a no-bake party treat?

This scary and spooky treat is simple to make and looks amazing, and no baking needed, so a win all round.

INGREDIENTS

  • Marshmallows – you can have the pink and white ones or just white it is up to you. Colour doesn’t matter.
  • Icing Pens – I used red but ran out so I ended up using a green and yellow icing pen also. As long as the colour looks spooky.
  • Smarties or M&M’s for the eyeball.

METHOD

  • Line up the marshmallows on a tray
  • Get the icing pen and draw squiggly lines all over them to reasonable bloodshot veins
  • Once all the icing is on the marshmallows you can then add the Smarties or M&Ms to the Marshmallow. It doesn’t matter what colour you add as long as it looks freaky and fun.

Now enjoy eating your zombie eyes and scaring your guests.

Make more Halloween Party Food with these inspirations from Amazon.

Sign up to get these fun and scary Monster Cupcake Toppers

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Categories
Creative

Create Fairy Lights

Would you like to create fairy lights?

Need a great activity to do with the kids?  I have seen this on the web and thought “Does it really work?” “Will it do as advertised?” and as you guessed it the answer is YES!

Read on to find out what to do and what you will need.

createfairylights_blog

 

What you will need to create fairy lights
What you will need to create fairy lights

 Now that you have the following items:

  • Jars – I got ours from Big W. You might have some in your kitchen or pantry that are not being used.
  • Glitter – You can get glitter from anywhere. Newsagency, supermarkets, $2 shops and so on. (To make your fairy lights really glow make sure to get the silver or gold glitter. You will see that we tried on with red glitter and it was not as bright.)
  • Glow Sticks – I got ours from the local hardware store as it was cheap. I got a pack of two glow sticks for around $6.00.
  • Scissors – You should have a pair but you might need to use a heavy duty kitchen scissors to make sure they can cut through the plastic on the glow stick

Here are the steps to follow to make your very own Fairy Lights…..

Step 1: Crack and Activate the Glow Stick

Activating the Glow Stick before cutting the top off it.
Activating the Glow Stick before cutting the top off it.

Note: Be super careful of the glass inside the glow stick. To make it work it needs to be still in the jar. Make sure that little fingers don’t touch it. Also, have sealable jars to ensure kids cannot open them.

Step 2: Cut the top off the glow stick – Be careful of the broken glass

Cutting the end off the glow stick to get to the glowy goo to make the fairy light sparkle!
Cutting the end off the glow stick to get to the glowy goo to make the fairy light sparkle!

Step 3: Empty out all the glowy goo into the jar

Glowy Goo is now in the Jar. Waiting for the glitter to come and sparkle!
Glowy Goo is now in the Jar. Waiting for the glitter to come and sparkle!

 Step 4: Add the Glitter

Adding the glitter
Adding the glitter

Step 5: Your Fairy Lights Are Complete – Have Fun!

Completed fairy lights. Great idea for a party. Enjoy!
Completed fairy lights. Great idea for a party. Enjoy!
Amazed by the fairy lights. So bright and amazing! This light worked the best due to the fact it had the gold glitter. The red one was not as bright.
Amazed by the fairy lights. So bright and amazing! This light worked the best due to the fact it had the gold glitter. The red one was not as bright.

Note: Make sure to use gold or silver glitter as mentioned before. You will get much better results with lighter and brighter glitter.

I hope you have enjoyed this activity and my instructions on how we did ours. I am sure your little ones will love it as the twins cannot wait to give it another go.

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Originally posted June 16th 2014

Categories
Beauty

DIY Pumpkin Beauty Products

Have you ever wondered how easy it is to create your own natural beauty products? How about making pumpkin beauty products?

I know I have and thought it would be hard, in fact it is super easy and fun. However, it can get a bit messy, so take care.

Autumn is here, and cooler weather means hearty food; Stews, casseroles, roast meat with vegetables and more.

Pumpkin is one of my favourites. What about you?

Some things I love to make with pumpkin are mash, roast pumpkin and pumpkin chips with a little bit of cheese melted over them. What is your favourite pumpkin dish?

Pumpkin all cut up and ready to be turned into mash.
Pumpkin all cut up and ready to be turned into mash.

I stocked up on pumpkins from my local greengrocer, The Veggie Patch at Blackheath.  Getting your fruit and veg from a local greengrocer is great.

Look at all these yummy pumpkins. Perfect for dinner and then to make some healthy and natural beauty products.
Look at all these yummy pumpkins. Perfect for dinner and then to make some healthy and natural beauty products.

The best place for fresh fruit and vegetables at Blackheath, The Veggie Patch.
The best place for fresh fruit and vegetables at Blackheath, The Veggie Patch.

The Veggie Patch at Blackheath
The Veggie Patch at Blackheath

The idea of using the left over pumpkin mash means that my body is getting the vitamins on the skin, it is all natural, there is less waste, it is good for me.

“Healthy food inside and healthy natural products outside”

How to make Pumpkin Mash?

Firstly, you need to cut up your pumpkin into smaller chunks. Making all the pumpkin into similar sizes means that it will be cooked quickly, and all the pumpkin will cook at the same rate.

Once all done put a cup or two of water into a saucepan and boil the water. Once boiling add the pumpkin and leave on the stove until it is all soft and ready to be mashed up.

If you are using the mash for eating you generally add some milk and butter, plus you could add other items to the mash, for example onions, and crushed up almonds or pumpkin seeds.

If you are using the pumpkin mash for beauty products, then just mash it up and put it in a sealed container until you are ready to create your own handmade works of beauty.

The pumpkin is all cooked and now ready to mash up to be mash!
The pumpkin is all cooked and now ready to mash up to be mash!

What are the health benefits of pumpkin?

  • Great source of fibre
  • High in beta-carotene
  • May help with reducing diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers and also help delay ageing and body degeneration.
  • Pumpkins also have calcium, magnesium and some B vitamins.
  • Beta-carotene helps boost the immune system.
  • Pumpkins are high in antioxidants – Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

Testing out the Pumpkin Body Butter. It is so wonderful on my skin and leaves it so smooth.
Testing out the Pumpkin Body Butter. It is so wonderful on my skin and leaves it so smooth.

Why is it good for your skin?

Pumpkins are a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These helpful vitamins help soften skin while improving any damaged cells. What a powerful vegetable is the pumpkin!

What did I use to create my pumpkin beauty products?

All the items I needed for my homemade pumpkin beauty products. Some were good enough to eat!
All the items I needed for my homemade pumpkin beauty products. Some were good enough to eat!

  • Mashed Pumpkin
  • Brown Sugar
  • Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Yoghurt
  • 1 egg
  • The Apple Cider Vinegar was for the Pumpkin Face Mask for oily skin, but I didn’t make this one. Read on to see the recipe for this face mask as well.
  • Honey
  • Measuring cups
  • Spoons
  • Containers to store the products in

Make sure to refrigerate your items after you make them. They are made with real vegetables and therefore will perish if not kept well. Use quickly and enjoy!

Testing out my pumpkin hair conditioner, it made my hair feel very soft afterwards.
Testing out my pumpkin hair conditioner, made my hair feel very soft afterwards.

What pumpkin beauty products did I make?

I’ve created a sheet so that you can have all the info in one spot, download all the pumpkin beauty recipes in one PDF printable.

  • Pumpkin Body Sugar Scrub
    Mix 1 cup of pumpkin mash with 1 cup of sugar. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and mix together until you make a paste.

    Making the Pumpkin Body Sugar Scrub
    Making the Pumpkin Body Sugar Scrub
  • Pumpkin Body Butter
    Mix 1 cup of pumpkin mash with 1 cup of coconut oil. You can make a smaller batch, but if you are like me you will love this and so will your skin.
    I ended up putting the mixture in my blender to get all the lumps of the coconut oil out. Smother over your skin during a shower.

    The Pumpkin Body Butter is my favourite product.

    Mixing up the ingredients for the Pumpkin Body Butter. It is sooooooooo good!
    Mixing up the ingredients for the Pumpkin Body Butter. It is so good!

    My skin gets so dry during Autumn and Winter, the cooler air zaps the moisture from my skin and means I need to be vigilant with the body moisturiser.

  • Pumpkin Face Mask for Dry Skin
    Mix 1/4 cup of pumpkin with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 whole egg. Mix until all smooth, then you test it out. I left it on for 20 minutes.

    Trying out my new Pumpkin Face Mask for Dry Skin
    Trying out my new Pumpkin Face Mask for Dry Skin
  • Pumpkin Sugar Lip Scrub
    Mix 1 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin mash with a 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil (or you could use coconut oil), and add 1 teaspoon or half a teaspoon of fine sugar (I used brown sugar).
    Mix all ingredients together, and then rub on lips to exfoliate.

    The brown sugar I used in the pumpkin beauty products. Adding this made the Pumpkin Sugar Lip Scrub smell amazing!
    The brown sugar I used in the pumpkin beauty products. Adding a little bit of this made the Pumpkin Sugar Lip Scrub smell amazing!
  • Pumpkin Hair Conditioner
    Mix 1 cup pumpkin mash and 1 cup of yoghurt, plus a teaspoon of honey.  I couldn’t help myself as this mixture smelt amazing I had to have a taste, and it was so yummy!
    What other hair conditioner could you eat as well?
    Leave for 30 minutes. Have a shower afterwards to make sure it is all washed out.

    The Pumpkin Hair Conditioner is complete and ready to use.
    The Pumpkin Hair Conditioner is complete and ready to use.

    The The Pumpkin Hair Conditioner smelt so yummy I had to have a taste, and yes it was wonderful!
    The The Pumpkin Hair Conditioner smelt so yummy I had to have a taste, and yes it was wonderful!

I didn’t make the below pumpkin face mask. My skin is rather dry, so I wanted a mask that will help my skin feel more hydrated.

  • Pumpkin Face Mask for Oily Skin
    Here is the breakdown of how to make this other pumpkin face mask:
    Mix 1/4 cup of mashed pumpkin with 1 whole egg, add 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and mix together. Leave on for 20 minutes then wash off.

All pumpkin beauty products that I made. The one in the big bowl is the pumpkin face mask for dry skin, I was about to put it into my recycled yoghurt container.
All pumpkin beauty products that I made. The one in the big bowl is the pumpkin face mask for dry skin, I was about to put it into my recycled yoghurt container.

What else can you make with pumpkins?

For the body: Soap, foot scrub, and other face masks.

To eat: Cakes, soups, pumpkin butter, pies, drinks, bake the seeds to eat later, muffins, smoothies, add to your breakfast cereal (oats), use the mash as baby food or addition in meals to help kids eat more veggies.

For fun: Halloween lanterns and bowls for a dip at parties.

I hope this post gives you some inspiration to make your own cheap pumpkin beauty products.

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Originally published April 14 2018

Categories
Creative

Ghost Pumpkins

Happy Halloween! I hope you have a fun and spooky time.

Have you created your Ghost Pumpkin or otherwise known as a Ghost jack-o’-lantern yet?

You might be wondering why I am referring to the pumpkins as Ghost pumpkins. Well, Coles was selling lightly coloured pumpkins as Ghost Pumpkins and I thought how cool. I have never seen a pumpkin that is not orange. I thought it would be fun for a change and also loved the genius from the Coles marketing department by labelling them Ghost Pumpkins.

Carving our Ghost Pumpkins for Halloween. We did one bat and one a ghost.
We were carving our Ghost Pumpkins for Halloween. We did one bat and one ghost.

You can just picture the conversation around the board room…. it might have gone something like this.

“We have a whole batch of pale coloured pumpkins”

“Geez, how are we going to sell them?”

“Halloween is coming up, if we call them ‘Ghost Pumpkins’ they will fly off the shelves!”

I really don’t know what was said behind the closed doors of Coles and especially from the marketing team but maybe it did go down as I suggested. I went back the other day and they seemed to have sold out of these Ghost Pumpkins so calling them ghost pumpkins was a brilliant idea.

Since I purchased the pumpkins at Coles they also said that they had more info on how to decorate them on their website. I downloaded the Halloween Stencils to allow me to create the correct shapes and pictures. Do you use stencils or do you just create something on the fly? We have done a bit of both over the last few years so thought I would give the more complicated pictures on pumpkins a go.

What do you need to carve a pumpkin

  • A pumpkin or two. Yes, I know it is obvious you need to have a pumpkin to carve it.
  • An ice cream scoop helped us clean out the inside of the pumpkin and made it so much easier.
  • A couple of very sharp knives. You might want to have a bigger one to do the initial cutting of the top of the pumpkin and a smaller one for the actual carving of your design. (THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AN ADULT SHOULD DO AS KNIVES ARE DANGEROUS AND YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE YOUR OWN REAL-LIFE SPOOKY ACCIDENT HAPPEN. I am sure you can live without this added drama)
  • Know the design you wish to create for your pumpkin. It helps to have an idea of what you would like to create, you will be less annoyed afterwards if you have a plan.
  • If you are not excellent at cutting pumpkins and need to have a guide for the shapes it is an excellent idea to have a stencil to work with. You can trace the outline and then use this to cut out the shape.
  • To help attach the stencil to the pumpkin I used toothpicks. I put the toothpicks into the area of the pumpkin that would be cut out.

How do you carve a pumpkin?

Step 1: You need to get the top off the pumpkin first. It is best to create an outline with your knife and go over it, again and again, to work it loose.

The top with the cuts around it to help get the top off.
The top with the cuts around it to help get the top off.

Now the top is off, the inside of the pumpkin needs cleaning out. You can also keep the pumpkin seeds and roast them to add to meals or for snacks.
Now the top is off, the inside of the pumpkin needs cleaning out. You can also keep the pumpkin seeds and roast them to add to meals or snacks.

Step 2: Clean out the inside of the pumpkin. This might take a while and it is recommended to dry it out. If you are in a rush and would like to use the pumpkin that day and not wait too long to dry you can put it on the trays in front of the oven to get the heat but not cook it.

Cleaning out the inside of our Ghost Pumpkins.
Cleaning out the inside of our Ghost Pumpkins.

Using an ice cream scoop was a great idea as it made the job so much easier.
Using an ice cream scoop was a great idea as it made the job so much easier.

Step 3: Once you have cleaned and dried out the pumpkin it is now ready to carve. Remember it is best to have a good idea of what you are going to do. If you make a mistake you will have to start all over again with a new pumpkin.

I used stencils from Coles this time and they helped me get the right shapes for the characters. However, with the ghost, I should have made it smaller or put it on the bigger pumpkin (this was not possible due to one child claiming the bigger pumpkin and wanting the bat on it, I could not tell her otherwise) due to the fact that the head was missing and I thought it would not be an issue. I did think that a headless ghost would be great but it did not give you an idea of the character. I ended up adding a new head with the cut out from the stencil for the eyes and mouth.

Now the stencil is attached to the pumpkin you can use the knife to mark the lines of the bat. Once you have all the lines there you can remove the stencil and start to create the bat.
Now the stencil is attached to the pumpkin you can use the knife to mark the lines of the bat. Once you have all the lines there you can remove the stencil and start to create the bat.

I did the same for the ghost, although I needed to make the image smaller or find a bigger pumpkin. Make sure your design fits perfectly on the pumpkin.
I did the same for the ghost, although I needed to make the image smaller or find a bigger pumpkin. Make sure your design fits perfectly on the pumpkin.

See here I'm tracing the lines with the knife. This is a not to difficult but it does take some time. Don't worry if you cut through the paper as this will just end up in the recycling anyway.
See here I’m tracing the lines with the knife. This is not to difficult but it does take some time. Don’t worry if you cut through the paper as this will just end up in the recycling anyway.

See the lines on the pumpkin is now in the shape of the bat that was on the stencil. The next step is to cut out the bat shape and reveal the bat so you can light it up for Halloween.
See the lines on the pumpkin is now in the shape of the bat that was on the stencil. The next step is to cut out the bat shape and reveal the bat so you can light it up for Halloween.

Step 4: Now you have the outline the work begins to cut out the bat image from the pumpkin

Getting there. It is partially cut out and on its way to being a nice looking bat. Just take care with the knives and don't hurt yourself. Remember it is for an adult to do this so that little fingers don't get hurt.
Getting there. It is partially cut out and on its way to being a nice-looking bat. Just take care of the knives and don’t hurt yourself. Remember it is for an adult to do this so that little fingers don’t get hurt.

Step 5: After cutting out for a bit and removing the excess pumpkin a bat is born!

Our ghost pumpkin bat. I think it looks amazing. Using the stencils really helped get the right shapes for the bats wings and ears. What do you think?
Our ghost pumpkin bat. I think it looks amazing. Using the stencils really helped get the right shapes for the bat’s wings and ears. What do you think?

So now both the pumpkins are complete and the girls were keen to see them with candles in.

Our wonderful bat and ghost pumpkins are now all complete and lit up with a candle each.
Our wonderful bat and ghost pumpkins are now all complete and lit up with a candle each.

I even added a little bit extra to the ghost one. I put the word BOO! Not my best work but it was done freehand and I thought it might turn out better than it did. Still does a good job and gives a nice spooky impression.

The ghost pumpkin with added head due to smaller pumpkin.
The ghost pumpkin with added head due to smaller pumpkin.

The word "BOO!" on the side of the ghost.
The word “BOO!” on the side of the ghost.

If you don’t have a ghost pumpkin just use a regular orange one.

MONSTER CUPCAKES FOR HALLOWEEN OR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

If you are in a partying mood and wish to have some spooky monsters on the top of your cupcakes, I have the perfect download for you.

Download this amazing printable to decorate your cupcakes. Perfect for Halloween or birthday parties. Spooky monsters will make you giggle while you eat your sweets.
Download this amazing printable to decorate your cupcakes. Perfect for Halloween or birthday parties. Spooky monsters will make you giggle while you eat your sweets.

You get 2 pages of cupcake toppers with fun and scary monsters. Just right for a spooky celebration.

Originally published: Oct 30, 2016

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Categories
Family

Halloween Restrictions 2020

COVID has thrown a spanner in the works to everyone’s plans this year. We have all suffered lockdowns, not visited loved ones, missed family and friends, and had to cancelled much-awaited plans.

Now we are in October and with Halloween approaching, there are questions around what we can and cannot do if you are trick and treating this 31st of October.

The girls a fews ago dressed up for Halloween.

Check out what you can and cannot do here, it lists all states in Australia.

  • It is advised to keep your celebrations local, so don’t travel to different areas
  • You are not to have lollies in a communal bowl.
  • We have also been told to not have people knock on the front door, to have lolly bags on the front fence, and also have hand sanitiser available.
  • No backyard festivities and if you are decorating just do your front yard.
  • Family groups must stick together, practice social distancing, and should not mingle with others.

A NSW Health spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au that under coronavirus restrictions groups of children trick-or-treating would not be allowed to travel together.

Monster Cupcake Toppers

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    This is taken directly from the NSW Health Website:

    COVID-safe tips if you plan to hand out treats

    • If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 over Halloween, stay home, don’t receive Halloween visitors and get tested immediately
    • If you are self-isolating, don’t answer the door to trick-or-treaters
    • Make it a front-yard event, not at the front door of your house. Keep your celebrations outdoors and get creative in decorating the front yard
    • Only hand out individually wrapped treats 
    • Don’t use communal lolly bowls. Consider other ways of distributing treats such as hanging them individually on your fence, front gate or up your driveway
    • Offer hand sanitiser at your front gate or fence
    • You may wish to avoid people knocking on your door by putting up a sign that says “We are home but due to COVID-19, we are distancing. Please take one, Happy Halloween”
    • Remember, you can only have 20 people on your property at one time.

    This year I have decided to not take the kids trick or treating, and sadly to not have any lollies for anyone. I feel like it is too hard with the current restrictions.

    Although we won’t be having things for others, I will do some fun things with the kids in our back garden and of course, create some Jack O Lanterns so we can have fun as a family.

    I will also be looking at games and fun activities the kids can do at home.

    Make sure to check with your state to see what you can and cannot do.

    Whatever you get up to this Halloween, stay safe and have fun.

    Below are some Halloween Posts that might be of interest:

    Special Halloween Discount on Pet Foods only at VetSupply


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    Categories
    5 years and beyond

    Making a Pumpkin Jack-o’-Lantern

    The girls and the pumpkin
    The girls and the pumpkin

    The kids have been excited about Halloween due to all the stuff at the shops. Previous years they were not that much into it, although any excuse to get lollies, right? When we were at Woolworths they were selling pumpkins and had instructions on how to create your own pumpkin jack-o’-lantern. I had never done before and was not sure how to even attempt it. The girls wanted to do one and I thought why not. They were cheap, only a couple of dollars so well worth a go and not going to break the bank. I followed the instructions as were listed.

    • I cut little cuts on the top of the pumpkin to take the top of, after a while the top came off cleanly.
    • Once the top was off I was then able to clean out the body of the pumpkin and there was a lot of muck and seeds, as you might imagine.
    • When the inside was clean enough I started on the eyes and mouth of the jack-o’-lantern.
    • The instructions said to trace the eyes and mouth onto the pumpkin, I found that hard. Maybe if you want to do this get some sticky tape and make sure the sheet with the instructions is fixed in place. I ended up getting a marker and drawing mine on while looking at the instructions to get a guide for the shapes.
    • I then did little cuts for the eyes and mouth until the bits came out and then I cleaned it up.
    • I dried it out a bit by the heat of the oven and then it was o.k to put a candle in it.

     pumpkinhugs

     pumpkindone

    Why not give it a go yourself. This is my first try at it and I think it has worked very well. Now I’m a pumpkin jack-o’-lantern expert. I will be holding classes soon on the subject! Note that the mouth has some teeth on the top and the right and none on the left. It was meant to show that this Jack character has been evil and in fights, so has lost his teeth! What a wicked Jack this one is!

    pumpkinlit2

    Have you created your own jack-o’-lantern for Halloween? Or does someone else do it for you? I was frightened of it but now I am a pro! Let me know how you have gone if you are busy carving your own.

    Categories
    5 years and beyond Uncategorised

    Making a Pumpkin Jack-o'-Lantern

    The girls and the pumpkin
    The girls and the pumpkin

    The kids have been excited about Halloween due to all the stuff at the shops. Previous years they were not that much into it, although any excuse to get lollies, right? When we were at Woolworths they were selling pumpkins and had instructions on how to create your own pumpkin jack-o’-lantern. I had never done before and was not sure how to even attempt it. The girls wanted to do one and I thought why not. They were cheap, only a couple of dollars so well worth a go and not going to break the bank. I followed the instructions as were listed.

    • I cut little cuts on the top of the pumpkin to take the top of, after a while the top came off cleanly.
    • Once the top was off I was then able to clean out the body of the pumpkin and there was a lot of muck and seeds, as you might imagine.
    • When the inside was clean enough I started on the eyes and mouth of the jack-o’-lantern.
    • The instructions said to trace the eyes and mouth onto the pumpkin, I found that hard. Maybe if you want to do this get some sticky tape and make sure the sheet with the instructions is fixed in place. I ended up getting a marker and drawing mine on while looking at the instructions to get a guide for the shapes.
    • I then did little cuts for the eyes and mouth until the bits came out and then I cleaned it up.
    • I dried it out a bit by the heat of the oven and then it was o.k to put a candle in it.

     pumpkinhugs

     pumpkindone

    Why not give it a go yourself. This is my first try at it and I think it has worked very well. Now I’m a pumpkin jack-o’-lantern expert. I will be holding classes soon on the subject! Note that the mouth has some teeth on the top and the right and none on the left. It was meant to show that this Jack character has been evil and in fights, so has lost his teeth! What a wicked Jack this one is!

    pumpkinlit2

    Have you created your own jack-o’-lantern for Halloween? Or does someone else do it for you? I was frightened of it but now I am a pro! Let me know how you have gone if you are busy carving your own.