honey bear

This is the cutest honey bear I’ve ever seen! Seriously, it’s so creative, and sweet! This would be darling decor during the month of October or at Thanksgiving.

My sister-in-law’s friend Molly shared a tutorial of this adorable project with us today. She was inspired by a similar honey bear she saw in her PT clinic in North Carolina. Thank you, Molly, for sharing it with us.

Here’s her inspiration…

And, here’s her ‘take’ on it. Job well done, Molly.

From Molly…I bought three large pumpkins.  One for the Honey pot.  Two for the bear. For the honey pot, you can see how I carved a top out and then obviously scooped out the “guts.”  I wrote HONEY with a pencil and then took various tools–mostly different screw drivers to carve each letter.  Make sure to leave enough room in between so the letters can be fairly thick. You can fill the honey pot with candy (in a bag). 

The bottom part of the bear–I just cut off the stem of that pumpkin because it was a fairly flat pumpkin, and then I placed the top pumpkin on top of the bottom one.  I thought it might fall off, but it never did.  I didn’t want to cut the bottom one for risk of rotting.  I cut the stem off the top pumpkin also.  The ears are just small-sized pumpkin that I sliced off part of each one so it would fit against the head.  I actually used heavy-duty toothpicks to stick into the ears and into the head.  I did the same thing for the nose.  The eyes were made of a different pumpkin and on those I actually cut off the end and them scraped them out.  I only stuck a toothpick into the head and just let the eyes rest on it.
The feet are a type of squash that I just laid at the base of the bottom pumpkin.  The arms were a little difficult in that toothpicks would not hold them so I used very small dowel rods and put them into the large pumpkin, and then into the arms.  A scarf was placed around the head and body.  I finished it off with pinecones and colored leaves.
Tip from Molly: I googled how to “preserve” a pumpkin but did not have success.  I tried to clorox the first honey pot, and then added shellac on it, but it still rotted after about 5 days.  I’m sure it would do great outdoors or in cooler weather. 
{images via Molly}

diy halloween

In addition to the DIY hot glue gun spider webs, I wanted to add a little Halloween touch to our table. I like the colors of the original candy corn, but can’t stand the taste, so with a little yarn, paint and some diy tips, this simple Halloween table came to life in an afternoon, without having to eat a single candy corn.

I found the best way to make yarn pom poms was to follow Creature Comforts video tutorial. She explains it so well, and you will be addicted! Very easy and cute! I used yarn to tie them to one another to make a ‘yarn chandelier’.

As far as the BOO treat station, as we call it, I bought wood letters from Hobby Lobby, and wrapped them in yellow, orange and white yarn {inspired by the candy corn}. I didn’t follow a tutorial, just did it as I went along, but My Sister’s Suitcase has a similar approach to the one I took, and they provide a great tutorial. I took a piece of raw wood from the garage, painted it white, and used a circle-shaped brush to add black polka dots to it. Once dry, I used a hot glue gun to glue the letters and candy container in place. It was simple, and the kids love it…as it’s their favorite spot to stop at the end of the day for a treat.

{images via Tutto Bella}

spun in a web of…

glue!

Looking for a super-duper easy and cute Halloween DIY? Look no further. Spin your own spider web’s this Halloween…using a hot glue gun. I used my webs as an accessory for a festive table setting, but these can be hung or displayed in so many ways.

All You Need:
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Wax paper
Olive Oil {an oil spray may work too}

How To:
Cut the wax paper into a square, or the shape/size you want your spider web to be.
Spray, paint, or rub the olive oil onto the wax paper with your fingers. I found that the olive oil helped the glue not to stick when I pulled it from the paper.
Use your hot glue gun and design. I free-handed the webs {clearly}, but I suppose you could put a stencil/photo under the wax paper, and follow the lines.
Once your design is finished, gently pull the glue web from the wax paper. If it sticks in a few spots here and there, just gently pull the wax paper from the glue.

More images of my complete Halloween table setting, and other fun DIY projects to come this week.

{image via Tutto Bella}

pumpkin dip

If you’re looking for that easy, no-bake, semi-healthy appetizer for this year’s Thanksgiving party, snack for the kiddos or even a treat to share at the office this week, look no further. This pumpkin dip is delish.

Pumpkin Dip
recipe adapted from friend and former colleague, Elizabeth

1 8oz package cream cheese
1 can {15 oz} pumpkin puree
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ginger

 Serve with ginger snaps, apples, graham crackers and pears.

{images via Tutto Bella}

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Recipe

I just realized that Thanksgiving is almost one week away. For some reason, I thought it was the 29th this year…I’m blaming it on my mommy brain/fog. So, now I am frantically trying to get all my fun and festive Thanksgiving ideas to you throughout the next week – everything from recipes to favors – we hope to share it all in time for this year’s Thanksgiving feast.

Today, an easy and yummy appetizer…and an upgrade from your standard cheese ball.

Pumpkin Cheese Ball
recipe by friend, Bean

Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese
1.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons of minced onion
3 tablespoons salsa {whatever kind you prefer}
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons minced jalapeno {canned or fresh}

How To
Combine all ingredients together in a medium bowl.

With your hangs, shape ingredients into a ball.
Crush Nacho chips in a plastic bag and lay out on counter top.

Roll cheese ball in crushed Nacho chips on counter.

Make indentions around the entire cheese ball with a finger to look like a pumpkin.

Cut the stem of a green bell pepper and place on top {to look like the stem of a pumpkin}.

Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.
Serve with either tortilla chips or crackers.

My mommy brain also spaced taking a photo of the app served with its accompanying crackers…mama mia! Use your imagination. All you really need to know is that its cute, delish and super easy.

{images via Tutto Bella}