Happy Halloween!

Hi Friends,

May your Halloween be filled with Fun, Magic, Memories and Great Design.

Happy Halloween from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Hi Friends,

Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks back this weekend...

Check back for great inexpensive decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Thank Them for "Popping" By

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer and The TomKat Studio
Photography by Vicki Lynn Photography

Hi Friends,

With so much candy around at Halloween parties, a salty snack will hit the spot. Whip up some homemade kettle-popped corn or one of the popcorn recipes below and place in scallop-edged cups. Embellish with dimensional scrapbooking stickers (found at craft stores) or one of the free printables offered in our October 1st, 2014 post. If you're sending a cup home with your party guests, wrap it in cellophane and tie with ribbon so the popcorn will stay fresh.

3 Salty and Sweet Halloween Snacks

1. Salted Caramel Popcorn Balls
Gather the ghouls to enjoy this tasty update on the seasonal favorite.


Courtesy of Matt Armendariz

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons maple extract or rum (for an adults-only treat)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 6 pieces cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

Directions:
Combine sugars and corn syrup with 1/3 cup water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugars dissolve. Once mixture has reached 240 degrees Farenheit, remove from the heat and stir in butter.

Return to heat and continue cooking until mixture reaches 300 degrees F. Remove from heat and carefully stir in extract, baking soda and salt. (The mixture will bubble aggressively, so stir with caution.)

Place popcorn, bacon and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl and gently fold in caramel mixture until well-coated. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using greased heatproof gloves, take a handful of caramel corn and roll it into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat to form 12 balls. Let sit at room temperature about 15 minutes before serving. Wrap individual popcorn balls in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.

2. Apricot Dark Chocolate Trail Mix
Surprise trick-or-treaters or Halloween partygoers with this healthy salty/sweet snack. With dried fruit, toasted nuts and dark chocolate, this treat is actually as good for you as it tastes.


Courtesy of Sarah Copeland

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces high-quality dark chocolate, cut into chunks (about 3 cups)
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dried apricots, quartered
• 12 pieces candied ginger, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup lightly toasted pecans or walnuts

Directions:
Mix the ingredients together. Divide among 6 jars or footed cellophane bags. Seal with a ribbon and a sticker.

Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: about 6 cups (or six 1-cup jars or bags)
Level: Easy

3. Maple-Nut Popcorn
Fill kids' trick-or-treat bags or delight Halloween party guests with this quick-and-easy recipe. Savory, sweet and crunchy, this fall favorite really satisfies with pure maple syrup, mixed nuts and a kick from cayenne pepper.


Courtesy of Kelsey Nixon

Ingredients:

• 10 cups plain popcorn, popped
• 2 cups mixed nuts, such as pecans, walnuts and almonds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Nonstick spray, for greasing
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup

Directions:
Combine the popcorn, mixed nuts, salt, paprika and cayenne pepper in a large serving bowl.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the maple syrup and continue cooking until the mixture reads 275 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.

Carefully pour the mixture over the popcorn and nuts. Toss, using a spoon that has been coated in nonstick spray, to coat the popcorn evenly with syrup. Allow the popcorn to cool before serving.

Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Level: Easy

Delight Halloween trick-or-treaters or party guests with these tasty recipes...

Check back for more great Halloween ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Halloween Table Decoration

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer and The TomKat Studio
Photography by Vicki Lynn Photography

Hi Friends,

Kids love lollipops, especially old-fashioned swirly ones. To make these easy party favors, remove original packaging and pop the lollipops into clear cellophane bags. Tie a bow to close each bag, then finish with a printed and punched tag design, template from our October 1st, 2014 post.

Indulge Their Sweet Tooth and enjoy the quality time spent with family on this project...

Check back for more great Halloween ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Halloween Party Favor: Make a Treat Cone

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer and The TomKat Studio

Hi Friends,

Delight trick-or-treaters or Halloween party guests with this easy-to-create card stock cone filled with candy, small toys or trinkets. Here's how to make these Halloween Treat Cones...

Materials Needed:

• white card stock
• 2-1/4" paper punch
• hole punch
• double-sided tape
• ribbon
• scissors
• crinkle filler or tissue paper
• Halloween candy, trinkets or small toys

Click HERE to download the Halloween Striped Treat Cone.

Click HERE to download the Halloween Party Circles.

Create Cone
Download and print cone template onto card stock. Use scissors to cut cone out along edges. Roll to form cone and secure edges with double-sided tape.



Create Embellishments
Download and print Halloween party circles. Cut page into strips, then use a 2-1/4" circle punch to punch out designs. Attach a circle to the front of the cone using double-sided tape.



Add Ribbon Handle and Fill Cone
Use a standard hole punch to punch each side of the cone to accommodate the ribbon handle. Thread ribbon through holes and knot on each side inside the cone so the knots aren't visible. Tie bows and attach to the outside of the cone, covering the holes made for the handle. Fill cone with crinkle filler or tissue paper, then top with an assortment of candy, small toys or Halloween trinkets.



These cute cones are easy to make and fill with an assortment of small trinkets, toys and candy for guests to enjoy but most of all, it gives you an opportunity to have quality time making them with your family and friends.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Pumpkin Spice Halloween Punch Recipe

Courtesy of Liz Gray

Hi Friends,

Pumpkin pie spice and apple cider lend autumnal flavor to this Halloween take on classic sangria. Serve in a hollowed-out pumpkin for a dramatic presentation.

Ingredients:

• 2 honeycrisp apples
• 2 pears
• 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, or more to taste
• 1 cup bourbon
• 3 cups apple cider
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 bottles pinot grigio, chilled
• 1 pumpkin, for serving (optional)

Directions
Thinly slice apples, pears and oranges lengthwise, then place in a large bowl. Coat with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add honey, brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider and pumpkin pie spice, stirring gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours, or overnight. Top with chilled pinot grigio and serve.

For Serving
Serve in a pitcher or punch bowl, or give the punch extra Halloween flavor by serving inside a Jack O' Lantern. Cut a circle in the top of a large pumpkin, then completely remove seeds and pulp. Fill with fruit and punch, then enjoy Tip: Decorate the exterior of pumpkin using a silver paint marker. Here, the cocktail name lets guests know what's inside.

Cheers...

Check back for more great Halloween ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Popcorn Party Favors

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith and Kim Stoegbauer

Hi Friends,

Kids big and small love to help in the kitchen — especially when you're whipping up a snack that combines a few of their favorite flavors. This sweet-meets-crunchy mix is sure to be a big hit. Make extra to package in plain paper lunch bags embellished with one of our free printable labels.

Ingredients

• 1 box Chex cereal (any flavor)
• 5-6 cups popped plain popcorn
• 1 bag of small pretzel knots
• 1 bag of green and brown M&M's (or coconut, peanut or peanut butter M&M's)
• 1 bag of chocolate-covered raisins
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 package almond bark/white chocolate candy melts

Instructions
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips; add the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Remove from heat and add cereal and mix until cereal is coated. Meanwhile, pour powdered sugar into a large plastic bag. Pour coated cereal into bag and shake until cereal is covered in powdered sugar.

Next, melt the almond bark according to package directions and pour over popcorn, then mix until popcorn is well coated with white chocolate. Add M&M's and about half a bag of pretzels and toss together. Add chocolate-covered raisins and mix gently, then pour onto a large sheet of wax paper and allow to dry. Once dry, break into pieces and mix with the chocolate/peanut butter cereal mix. Store sweet and salty mix for several days in an airtight container.



Click HERE for the free printable labels, compliments of The TomKat Studio.



Your Halloween guests will love this crunchy snack mix that combines everyone's favorite flavors and textures. Package the mix in small paper bags to give away as party favors or as a treat for your favorite door-to-door ghosties.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Dead-Branch Centerpiece

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith and Janell Beals

Hi Friends,

Make a big statement in your dining room, foyer or front porch with this easy craft. Just take the kids outside to help you gather dead branches, clean off any leaves then paint the branches. Once dry, you can add a few hand-lettered tags or go the creepy route and fill the branches with rubber bats, spiders or snakes. Creating this flower-free centerpiece is a snap to dress up a Halloween table setting or place it on your entry table to greet trick-or-treaters.

Here's how...

Materials Needed:

• 4 to 5 tall bare branches
• newspaper
• tall narrow vase
• black, orange and yellow card stock
• 1 roll 1/4" wide black ribbon
• black crow
• black wide-tip marker
• decoupage glue
• glue stick
• ruler
• scissors
• hole punch
• white spray paint
• drop cloth

Paint Bare Branches
Remove any leaves, then place branches on a drop cloth and evenly coat all sides with white spray paint. While paint dries, tear lengths of newspaper.



Cover Branches With Newsprint
Brush decoupage glue onto lengths of torn newspaper (Image 1). Wrap glued paper along branches and press into place (Image 2). Repeat until branches are entirely covered, then arrange them in a tall narrow vase to dry. Tip: Decoupage just a few or cover all the branches depending on desired look for finished centerpiece. Newspaper can also be antiqued using wood stain for an aged appearance.



Cut Card Stock
Cut orange and yellow card stock into five to seven 2" x 4" pieces. Cut same number of 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" black card stock pieces.



Assemble Tags
Apply glue to colored card stock pieces and center on black card stock to create tags (Image 1). Create holes on tag ends using a hole punch (Image 2). Write Halloween phrases on tags with wide-tip black marker (Image 3).



Complete Centerpiece
Cut ribbon into 10-inch lengths and thread through holes in tags. Hang cards on branches and finish the centerpiece by attaching a black crow.



Enjoy your flower-free centerpiece...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Light the Way

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith and Kim Stoegbauer

Hi Friends,

Fill clear buckets or cylindrical glass vases with battery-operated tea lights to easily craft kid-safe, fireproof luminaries to light up your Halloween celebrations.

Materials Needed:

• clear acrylic paint buckets (or cylindrical glass vase)
• jack-o'-lantern face glass clings (or permanent marker)
• sand
• battery-operated tea lights

Add Jack-o'-Lantern's Face
Gather all supplies and select the face cling/decal you would like to use (Image 1). Peel backing off of cling and adhere to front of paint bucket (Image 2). Tip: Alternately, you can draw a jack-o'-lantern face directly onto the bucket with a permanent marker.



Add Sand and Tea Light
Add sand to the bottom of paint bucket (Image 1). Add a battery-operated tea light and your luminary is ready to light your walkway (Image 2). Note: Most flameless candles have a battery life of around 100 hours, which should last through several nights leading up to Halloween.



These Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern Luminaries are perfect additions to light the way for the little ones visiting your home on All Hallows Eve...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Peekaboo Pumpkins

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith and Layla Palmer

Hi Friends,

Create a spooktacular vignette of peeking pumpkins using miniature gourds and a variety of inexpensive bowls and lidded dishes. Here's how to make Peekaboo Pumpkins.

Materials Needed:

• 3 to 5 miniature pumpkins
• a mixture of 3 to 5 small bowls and lidded dishes
• spray primer (if any of the dishes are not black or white)
• black and/or white spray paint
• googly eyes

Collect Dishes
Pull together a grouping of small, inexpensive bowls or lidded dishes. Tip: Search flea markets and thrift stores for super cheap options with character.



Spray Primer
The idea is to paint all the dishes black or white, so use spray primer to coat any of the dishes that aren't either of those colors.



Spray-Paint
Once the spray primer is completely dry, use black and/or white spray paint to coat all of the primed surfaces.



Attach Eyes
Apply craft glue to the back of a pair of googly eyes (Image 1), then attach one set of googly eyes to each pumpkin (Image 2). Tip: Place the pumpkins in the dishes before you attach the eyes so you can make sure they're positioned correctly.



Get crafting now...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Craft Cute Favors

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith

Hi Friends,

Kids love lollipops, especially old-fashioned swirly ones. To make these easy party favors, remove original packaging and pop the lollipops into clear cellophane bags. Tie a bow to close each bag, then finish with one of the tag designs.

Click HERE to print the punched tag designs, compliments of The TomKat Studio.

Screenshot of the tags below:



Quick and easy Halloween project...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Boss's Day!

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank our bosses, encourage our future bosses and share a little history about this National Holiday Day.

History
Patricia Bays Haroski registered "National Boss' Day" with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958. She was working as a secretary for State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois, at the time and chose October 16, which was her father's birthday. She was working for her father at the time. The purpose of designating a special day in the workplace is to show the appreciation for her bosses she thought they deserved. This was also a strategy to attempt to improve inner-work relationships between the high-ups and the employees. Haroski believed that young employees sometimes did not understand the hard work and dedication that their supervisors put into their work and the challenges they faced to do so. Four years later, in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski's registration and officially proclaimed the day.

National Boss's Day has become an international celebration in recent years and now is observed in countries such as Australia, India, Ireland, and Egypt. Note that Egypt celebrates their equivalent holiday on 10 December every year.

It's nice to get a little history on our Holidays; hope you enjoyed the read...

Check back for more great ideas and Happy Boss's Day from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Embellish Pumpkins With Ribbon

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith and Layla Palmer

Hi Friends,

Give pumpkins a chic fall makeover with vertical bands of pretty patterned ribbon — no carving required. Just add pretty ribbon in fall colors to real or faux pumpkins for an easy-to-craft decoration that can be displayed through Thanksgiving. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Materials Needed:

• pumpkins of various sizes, shapes and colors
• variety of 3/8" craft ribbon
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• scissors

Gather Pumpkins and Ribbon
Choose a variety of differently sized and colored faux or real pumpkins (Image 1). Select spools of ribbon that are 3/8 inch wide or smaller (Image 2). The ribbon will be secured in the pumpkins' grooves, so the smaller the better. Tip: Stick with neutral colors or black-and-white ribbon for a look that can be displayed from early fall through Thanksgiving.



Apply Glue
Use hot glue to secure one end of a spool of ribbon to the top of a pumpkin, near the base of its stem (Image 1). Unroll the ribbon all the way down one groove of the pumpkin until it reaches the bottom of the pumpkin (Image 2).



Cut Ribbon
Use scissors to cut the ribbon off once you've determined the correct length (Image 1). Hot-glue the end of the ribbon to the bottom side of the pumpkin. Continue adding vertical bands until you're satisfied with the design (Image 2).



Enjoy making these with your little ghouls and ghosties...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

A Creepy Surprise

Courtesy of Farima Alavi

Hi Friends,

A simple touch is all you need to make an ordinary treat stand out. Korinne adorned green popcorn boxes with black ribbon, cupcake toppers and gummy worms for a creepy surprise or create a similar idea for your guest to enjoy.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne