Friday, June 30, 2006

 

Sparkling Cider

Carlson's Sparkling Cider

Individual Bottles with THE PIERCE HOUSE Label.

1.00 a piece maybe? I prefer the larger bottle, however.


12 Single Serve New England McIntosh Sparkling Cider

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

 

Details

From, yet another, Martha Stewart Idea


Spider Toothpicks
These obliging arachnids help guests get a handle on snacks. With scissors, cut the bugs off plastic spider rings (available at party stores), then puncture their centers with a needle tool (from crafts stores). Insert the toothpick into the hole from bottom; color tip with a black marker. Set out with nibbles, such as mini mozzarella balls.


Pumpkin Party Cooler
You don’t need a fairy godmother to turn a pumpkin into an ice bucket. Just choose a large, wide pumpkin, cut off the top third with a serrated knife, and scrape out the pulp and seeds. Line the gourd with a glass or plastic bowl to prevent it from becoming water-logged. If the pumpkin opening is a bit too small for the bowl, carefully shave the inside edge with a spoon. Finish by filling the bowl with ice and bottled drinks.


Black Magic: Silk Flower Wreath

This once upon a midnight dreary wreath was created with materials from a crafts store, then sprayed it a raven hue and accented with a silky taffeta ribbon.

Tools And Materials
25 to 30 four-inch silk roses
16-inch wooden wreath form
Hot-glue gun
Black floral spray
Black taffeta ribbon
Flat thumb tacks

HOW-TO
1. Remove stems from roses, then attach blooms to wreath form with a hot-glue gun.

2. Lay wreath on a piece of newspaper in a well-ventilated area, and spray with black floral spray. Let dry for 30 minutes.

3. Cut about 54 inches of ribbon, and make a large bow; affix it to top of wreath with glue gun.

4. To hang, cut a second piece of ribbon to the desired length. Use tacks to fasten one end to the back of the wreath form and the other to the door stile.
Black Magic: Creepy Paper Mice
These creepy, crawly paper mice are not so nice. Stick these unsavory critters on stair risers, baseboards, or any spot where they might give unsuspecting passersby a little jump.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Black construction
Paper
Scissors
Masking tape

 

More Information

From "about"

Why Spend a Lot When You Can Do-it-Yourself?

At this time of the year, one can't help but marvel at nature's bounty. Not only are we gifted with the autumn harvest for our plates, we're also given some of the most impressive ingredients for decorating our homes, easily and inexpensively.

Just take a simple, plump pumpkin for starters. Here are some ways to incorporate pumpkins into your autumn decorating scheme when entertaining:

Here are a few other easy autumn centerpiece ideas that you can create yourself.

Decorating Tricks Turn Your Home Into a Halloween Treat

So this is the year you've finally decided to host the big neighborhood Halloween party. You want everything to be perfect for your guests, both young and old. Then my advice is to put your greatest time and effort into your Halloween decorations and create the mood for a really scary party. This is the one night each year when we look forward to creepy things. And with all the candy that will be eaten that night, gourmet food will not be everyone's highest priority, especially for the trick-or-treaters! Instead, think of your menu as part of the Halloween decorations.

Things You Can Do

Pay a lot of attention to your lighting. Turn your lights very low, or even turn them off, using only candles to create a spooky Halloween glow. Of course, be careful where you place the candles for the sake of safety.

And if you have a lot of young children at the party, skip the candles except in out of reach places, and replace your regular light bulbs with dark colored bulbs.

Fill your home with spooky wisps of smoke and fog made from dry ice.

Make a few ghastly head centerpieces for your buffet. Beware! With these ghouls looking over your food, there may be lots of leftovers!

Place shrunken apple heads in the least expected places such as on dining room or kitchen chairs, in your guests' coat pockets, or at the bottom of a snack bowl. Get busy now - these little babies take a couple of weeks to reach perfection.

Play spooky Halloween music inside and outside your house. We've had speakers outside our home for years, and the trick-or-treaters always love the scary sounds as they come up our driveway.

Welcome your guests with spooky jack-o-lanterns lining your walkway.

Create creepy spiders to scatter everywhere including your buffet table, chairs, ceilings and anyplace else your guests might be surprised.

Spread cobwebs in choice corners of your home (available at most party stores) and selectively place miniature spiders in each web.

Cover your furniture with white sheets to simulate a deserted haunted house. Scatter talcum powder over the sheets to create a dust cloud when your guests sit.

Make bat, witch or black cat silhouettes to hide in corners or on your windows.

Things You Can Serve

Things You Can Buy

Martha by Mail is simply packed with great things for Halloween decorating. Whether you're looking for a vulture to hang around your dining room, or a kit to create a gingerbread haunted house (it's fabulous!), you have to look at all the options. Many are more reasonably priced than you'd expect.

Buy your own Fog Machine.

Shop at Pumpkin Masters for a wonderful selection of pumpkin carving tools and instructions.

Plum Party.com, one of the hippest party supply sites online, has a fun selection of decorations ranging from votive bags to inedible floating eyeballs.


 

Candle Light Ideas

This is from http://www.littlebrightlights.com/site/1435548/page/612663
They sell lights.


 

Remember These Little Ideas

From Better Homes and Gardens

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating GuideOn the Porch
Grouping seasonal items gives the display impact. This arrangement uses vines, pumpkins, and mums, using the vines to add height and movement.
Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Fence Post Pumpkins
A simple adornment sometimes makes more of a statement than something fancier. Here a single mini pumpkin sits atop each fence post.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Scale
One dramatic fall wreath is hung in a perfectly proportioned architectural feature on a garage.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Step By Step
A pumpkin for each step greets visitors in October and November.








Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

One for Fall
One pumpkin sits in a prominent position over the front door.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Fall Arrangement
Long-lasting mums, potted plants, pumpkins, and gourds are displayed together near the front porch of this New England home.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Branches
Orange decorations look out of place on a pink painted exterior. Instead, use a long-lasting pretty arrangement of dried twigs set behind the outdoor light fixture.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Big Pumpkins
Two very large pumpkins are the only decoration needed for the entrance to this large home.



Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Twig Basket
A twig basket hung on the door can be filled with fall leaves, vines, or branches.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Door Decor
An antique is fitted with dried corn and displayed on the front door. Raffia knots add to the harvest theme.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Topiaries
Year round topiaries are decorated with preserved fall leaves in orange and gold. Pumpkins add more seasonal color.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Architectural Features
The molding over the front door is used for a small seasonal display of pumpkins and branches.


Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton,Shelf with Plates
Even a decorative plate shelf can be brought into the season with the addition of a row of pumpkins.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Porch Decor
These pumpkins look welcoming for a porch or front entry. The long stem adds interest and an unusual focal point.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Plant Holders
Pumpkins fit nicely into this iron plant holder.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Leafy Stem
The only decoration on this pretty pumpkin is some fall leaves arranged around the stem.




And Don't Forget...

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. MortonBring Fall to Your Home

One Pumpkin
This pumpkin is all that's needed to make a beautiful centerpiece. Add some colorful silk leaf garland and a few ears of dried corn for an arrangement that can last a month or more.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Vege Tray
Pile up vegetables and minipumpkins on a tray. Fill in any gaps with moss, straw, wheat, or leaves. It's dramatic, moveable, and long lasting.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Unadorned
Use a simple basket, platter or tray to corral a variety of pumpkins and dried corn.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Go Elegant
If orange isn't your color then go for an elegant look with a plant in a beautiful container flanked by silver candlesticks. The only hint of fall is in a scattering of gold and eggplant silk leaves on the table.



Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. MortonApple Basket
Fill a twiggy basket with fresh fall apples and garnish with a few colorful leaves or berry sprigs.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Mini Pumpkins
Adorn a narrow mantle or shelf with a row of mini pumpkins and fall leaves.

More for Mantles
Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Simple Line
Make a row of fall materials... here mini pumpkins are alternated with one red leaf. Try this with acorns, pinecones, twigs, or other natural elements.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Raffia Basket
This basket arrangement is easy to make and move around. Fill a basket or tray with straw package shred, then top with pumpkins and gourds. Finish off the edges with leaves.


Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. MortonTiered Server
Decorate serving pieces with fall fruits, leaves, and mini pumpkins. Here a tiered serving plate is filled with seasonal items and placed in the dining room.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Houseplants
Give houseplants a touch of fall by adding a few preserved fall leaves between stems.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Kitchen Island
Spice up a kitchen with an arrangement on an island or countertop. Here the usual houseplant sits with a pumpkin and orange flowers for a cheery kitchen decoration.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Pumpkin on a Platter
Make one pumpkin more prominent by placing it on a platter of fall leaves. Decorate with a few ears of mini corn.


Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Leaf Arrangement
Arrange preserved fall leaves in a rustic basket. Add some berry and wheat sprigs for added texture.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Seasonal Runner
Use a seasonal runner to bring a touch of fall to your dining room.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Picture This
Drape a silk leaf garland over a picture frame for autumn.

Fall photography ©2000-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Happy Pumpkins
Ceramic pumpkins are set on a bed of red fall leaves and decorated with a few twig birdnests.


Harvest Centerpiece Project
Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide(Open browser window to maximum size to see all instructions.)


This simple centerpiece can be arranged in minutes on a platter or tray, and will last several days. Just prior to your dinner, finish the arrangement by garnishing with kale leaves.

See Centerpiece Materials Page
Materials Needed
  • Platter or Tray
  • Small potted mum or ivy
  • 3 Small pumpkins or gourds
  • Mini-pumpkins
  • Apples
  • Greenery (Fresh or preserved greens, leaves, kale, parsley, or moss)

Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

To begin
Place a flowering mum in one corner of the platter. Then nestle two small pumpkins and a gourd next to the plant.
Tip: Remember to water the mum, and take care to keep water off of pumpkins and furniture.

Tip: This arrangement can also be made on a wooden board or on a piece of plastic directly on the table.

Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Mini-Pumpkins
Add several mini-pumpkins around the platter.

Tip: Save your Halloween mini-pumpkins to decorate all through November.

Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Apples
Place apples under and around the pumpkins.

Tip: Small apples will give you more flexibility in the arrangement. Use all red, or all green, or a variety.

Fall photography ©1999-2002 by Glenna J. Morton, About's Interior Decorating Guide

Finish with a Greenery
Use greenery between the items on the platter to create the illusion that this variety of items "belong" together. Use fresh or preserved greens, leaves, kale, parsley, or moss. Add fresh items just prior to your event to avoid wilting.
Tip: Sheet or Spanish (gray) moss can be substituted for the greens if desired.


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