Halloween Icon Blocks and Washi Tape Giveaway

Can you feel that crispness in the air?  We had a week full of rain showers last week and it's left the feeling of fall all around.  It's the main reason I LOVE September.  Combine that with the fall projects I've been creating, and I'm ready to bust out the decorations and launch into autumn full swing.  Want to see what my latest creation is?

 These Halloween Icon blocks have been in my "in progress" bin forever. (and by forever, I mean at least 3 years)  I had the blocks ready, the wood pieces purchased, but I just couldn't seem to pull the trigger on how to finish them.  Paint them all the same color?  Different colors?  Add details?  Leave them as silhouettes?  You can see my problem.  But, I finally found the answer- and my oh my was it worth the wait.  The solution?  Washi Tape!!  Ready for the details?  First start with your wood blocks.  Mine are cut from a 2" X 6" board to be almost square (so really approx. 5 1/2" X 5 1/2")  I painted them black and sanded down the edges.

Decide on the wood shapes you want to use.  (mine were purchased at Michaels's)  You could also use chipboard or print off shapes from your computer onto cardstock.

Chose your washi tape and cover the shape.  The pattern on this tape runs off the edge, but if you can line up the rows, it will have a more seamless look.

Turn the shape over and use a sharp blade to trim off the excess tape.  (if you are using chipboard or cardstock you will need to be especially careful that you don't trim off part of the shape too.)

Finish off the shape as desired and attach to the block.  In this example I added just a bit of ink to the edges and added google eyes for some whimsy.  I did use a craft stick to burnish the tape along the entire shape and especially along the edges so that it was all firmly attached.  You could also use a sealer- such as Mod Podge or a clear spray if you want to really make sure it won't go anywhere.  Hot glue bound the two pieces together in Halloween happiness.

Here's a detail shot of the witch hat.  I used a fabric covered button for the spider body and twine from Doodlebug Designs for the legs.  The headstone was finished off with rub on letters.  Want another look at the three together?

So fun!! (I may be a little biased though.)
Now, I wouldn't go on and on about how much I love washi tape- I didn't go on and on?  Well, I should, because I really do love this stuff.  It's colorful, easy, dresses up everything and you can find it in so many places.  But my favorite place to find it now is a great new website called Downtown Tape.  All the rolls of tape are just $1.99 and they ship for $2.95 for 1 or many.  If you want to be in on the latest and greatest, you can like their Facebook Page, or sign up for their newsletter- and you'll be the first to know about new designs, specials and sales.  Plus- if you sign up for the newsletter, you will get a file for printable tags that are just begging for washi tape goodness. (valued at $10)
And, the nice people at Downtown Tape want to share the washi love!  (are you giddy?  because I'm giddy for you)  One lucky reader will win 10 rolls of washi tape and 25 tags to beautify to your hearts content!!  Are you ready to win? a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway is open to all readers (international entries welcome).
*Disclosure:  I was compensated by Downtown Tape to run this giveaway, but the project and opinions are all mine and I wouldn't offer this giveaway to you awesome friends unless I LOVED their stuff. *
Linked up to Home Decor and Organizing Link party at Organize and Decorate Everything

Good Luck to you all!
xoxo,
Amy 

Point of View Feature

Since it's Monday and I typically do Mom-day posts I thought it would be only fitting that my feature from our Family themed Point of View be a wonderfully thoughtful post about motherhood.  This post by Home Made Modern offers such a great perspective on what we teach our children, when we're teaching our children.  It's a wonderful read.  And there were many more great projects linked up at the link party- I hope you'll check them out.
As for our theme this month- it's ORANGE.  So if you have a project lurking in the wings you've been meaning to do- get it done! ;)  And if you have some oldies, but goodies hanging out in your archives- come join the party and link them up.  Let's make this coming party a GREAT one! :)

The baby's crying, I need to run, but Happy Monday Everyone!
(hey- that rhymed!)
xoxo,
Amy

4X4 pumpkins {tutorial and sponsored post}

 

 Today I am participating in a group project of sorts.  I was given the opportunity to receive some kits for various wood and vinyl projects.  I was asked to create my own version of the project and then link them up with other projects.  This is a project that will be going on for a few weeks- but will be full of fun projects you can purchase kits for, or just make for yourself.  So it's a win/win. :)  I am working with Fab Decor.com to bring you these fun projects.  You can find her instructions and the full link party with other versions of this craft here at Fablify It.com.

But, since you're already here, I'll give you my quick tutorial on how I made my version first. :)  I started with the kit, which includes 3 4X4 pieces cut to lengths of 4", 6" and 8", which have been sanded as well as 3 small pieces of 2X2 as the stem.  The kit also comes with 3 layered vinyl faces.  If you want to do this on your own, you can just cut the 4X4 to the correct lengths and sand them down.

I wanted my pumpkins to have a very rustic feel to them, so I took a hammer and chisel and notched off the corners as well as made some cuts into each side.  You can make them as deep or as shallow as you like.  Sand down the notches after you're done to make it easier to paint. 

This shows the wood after notching, painting and sanding to distress the paint.  I used a color called Cadmium Orange.  You could leave the pumpkins like this, which is very bright and fun, but again, I wanted mine a bit more aged, so I decided to stain them.  I used an antiquing medium in a mid-brown tone and wiped it on with a rag the followed quickly with a damp cloth to take most of the stain back off.  I also stained the stem pieces.  

I used floral wire wrapped around a marker for the vines and strips of fabric tied to the vines for leaves.  I used a small nail to create a hole on the top that I just slide the wire into, this will make it easier to store since I won't have to worry about crushing the wire. :)  I used hot glue to put the stems into place.
This was a fun, quick project that I would recommend anyone try.  If you're interested in purchasing the kit, you can do so here.  She also sells just the vinyl faces if that's all you need.
Melissa is hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway so head over there and enter to win- she's giving away finished pumpkins as well as kits- so lots of chances to win!!
I am looking forward to many more fun, fabulous projects like this over the next few weeks.
Are you ready for fall, or are you soaking up the last bit of summer vacation?  We are already into the swing of school and everything, and now that I have these pumpkins made, I'm kind of ready to pull out the fall decor and change things up a bit.  But, it might have to wait until I've had just a bit more sleep. ;)
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
xoxo,
Amy
** I was given the unfinished wood and vinyl to create this project, but the opinions and statements are all mine.**
If you have any questions, or would like more detailed pics of the process, let me know and I'll elaborate.