Pumpkin Patch Halloween Graveyard

Pumpkin Patch Halloween Graveyard 

One of these years I'll buy so many pumpkins that I'll have a pumpkin patch in my backyard. Than I'll of course throw a party and invite all my friends and we'll take a bunch of pics in the Fizzy Pumpkin Patch.  I better start saving now. Pumpkins are pretty inexpensive but to really make a cool pumpkin patch, I'm going to need A LOT of pumpkins. 

Create your own backyard graveyard

Set up some Styrofoam tombstones, throw down some plastic bones and add some pumpkins. The tombstones and plastic bones you can get from craft stores and online.  You could make your own tombstones if you want certain sayings on them.  But if you don't care what's written on the tombstone, save yourself some time and just buy the pre-made ones. 

The dry grass from not watering it over the summer really adds to the graveyard look. It's been pretty warm here in Portland so the leaves haven't really fallen yet.  The graveyard would look even spookier with fallen leaves and dried dead leaves. 

I need more pumpkins. And maybe some hands coming up out of the ground. Zombify the graveyard. 

This year I went out to Kruger's Farms on Sauvie Island and got my pumpkins.  I also picked up some delicious caramel apples. 

Do you create a graveyard a your house for Halloween? 

Fall Trends- Plaid and Deer

Fall calls for fun times with friends. A chance to get together before all the holiday busyness begins. The last few years I've had a pumpkin carving party. Not this year. I saw this invitation and a party idea formed. Who knew I would be so on trend. I had my party the first weekend of October and now BAM!  I'm seeing plaid and deer everywhere. 

Guests were greeted at  the door by an easy diy sign.  Small Moments  created the graphic. I took an artists canvas, wrapped it in faux bois contact paper, attached the graphic and added a feather. 

A splash of colour at the front door from the fall mums, buffalo check fabric and antlers on the pumpkin hinted of the party theme inside.  If you're on Instagram check out the hashtag for more photo's of the party. 

Hay bail from Michael's. Faux pumpkin glittered up with an antler template I made.

When we bought our house I knew this red wall was perfect for parties. You would think a cream wall would be better but this red goes great for Valentine's, Cinco De Mayo, fall, Christmas...

Red being my fav colour I just love the look of this fall spread. It makes me think of a cozy cabin in the woods. 

Fancy & Fold 's cupcake toppers fit the theme perfectly and added that rustic touch to my mini pumpkin cakes. These cakes are great for breakfast too.  

Yep, the table linen isn't smooth for a reason. I wanted it to look like a picnic blanket tossed onto a lawn for a fall picnic. 

Antlers borrowed from Bella Grey Designs.

The little fox place card holder I picked up at Khol's a few years ago. I knew it would be perfect for a party someday. 

If you want mini donuts for your party,Green Mountain Mini Baked  is who you need to order from. I had a hard time not eating all of these before my guests arrived. They make great party favors too.

The show stopper. Caramel Apple Snickers Cake. I followed the recipe from Half Baked Harvest. Does it look as pretty as her's? No. But here's the thing. My guests didn't care, they didn't know what it was suppose to look like and it tasted amazing! 

It's not a fall party without apple cider. 

After loading up on tasty treats my friends and I retired to the living room to catch up on everyone's summer activities and fall plans. I kept the comfy cabin feeling going with natural elements, buffalo check, candles and a great banner by Fancy & Fold. 

I can't help myself with the details. Sure the label on the wine bottle would have been fine. But look how great the label Small Moments created looks with everything. It blends seamlessly. 

Auntie Beas  acorn cookies mimic the acorns in the napkin rings and the glittered acorns from the table. Gratitude cards from Small Moments helped steer the conversation away from work.  Work dominates enough of our life and it's stressful enough. This party was all about fun and relaxation. No work stress allowed.  

Guests were sent home with homemade pumpkin scrubs.  They make your shower smell just like fall and your skin so soft. 

I hope you enjoyed this fall party. I'd love to hear your thoughts and if you use any of these ideas let me know. 

Vendors:
Fizzy Party: Concept, Styling, Photography, Crafting
Small Moments: Graphics
Green Mountain Mini Baked: Pumpkin Pie mini donuts
Auntie Beas Bakery: Cookies
Fancy & Fold: Banner on fireplace, cupcake toppers
Tiny Prints : Invitations, pillows, thank you cards, gift tags.
Hoopla Events: Straws

Glass Blowing- Pumpkins

Being a creative person I like to try new craft mediums. I don't always stick with them for various reasons but I do enjoy trying them out. So when I came across a glass blowing class at Live Laugh Love Glass I thought it would be fun.  My friend agreed and we decided to make mini pumpkins. 

When we arrived at the studio we got to choose what colour we wanted our pumpkin to be. So many choices.  My friend chose white and I went with a gold/amber colour. 

The instructor gets a nice blob of glass on the pipe for you and then you take over and turn it slooowly. I kept turning mine too fast and the instructor kept telling me, slower, slower. 

 Next step is to add the colour. Again, rolling slowly to coat your plain glass blob into the colour shards. The more you roll over the shards the more colour you pick up. I wanted mine to be full of colour so I made sure my little glass blob was good and coated. 

 Have to make sure to get colour on the bottom. 

 Once the colour is applied the glass blob is taken to a super hot oven where the colour gets baked on.  That oven was HOT even behind the shield. The instructor is again telling me to roll the glass blob slowly. Like a hot dog in the convenience stores warmers the instructor is telling me. After the colour is melted on, the instructor takes the pipe and squishes the molten glass into the molds you see at my feet. The mold is what gives the glass it's pumpkiny ridges. 

 This is the fun part. As you blow into the tube the glass blob expands and starts becoming more pumpkin shaped. I'm glad the instructor is the one shaping it and not me. Not sure I'd get the nice round pumpkin shape if I had to shape it. 

How cute! both my friend and I were getting pretty giddy at this point. The mini pumpkin was really taking shape. It's just so stinkin cute! 

Hey hey, I'm making a mini glass pumpkin!! My friend and I had so much fun making these. This would be a fun alternative to having a party at home. Invite a group of friends out to a glass blowing glass. You'll have a lot of fun. 

Look at my cute little pumpkin!! The instructor adds the stem for you. 

Here's my friends pumpkin before the stem was added. A pretty mottled white. 

My friends finished mini pumpkin. So cute and so much fun to make. This was a fun way to spend the day with a friend.

My finished mini pumpkin. I love how saturated with colour it is. I now have a fun new party prop too. Be on the look out in future posts for this little cutie. 

What do you think?  Interested in taking a glass blowing class now?
Check your city for glass blowing glasses, invite some friends and have a fun day creating.