Autumn & Halloween

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By Jim Cargo

I don't particularly care for pumpkin carving.  It's just too darn messy.  Sure you can try to roasting the seeds and making a pie, but at the end of the day you end up with a "one-and-done" decoration.  Toss in the fact that in colder climates these darn things are apt to rot on your front step before Ole Hallows Eve even gets here.

What if you can "SAVE" that pumpkin from such invasive carving procedures and use it for both Halloween and Thanksgiving without the colossal mess?  Now you have my attention.  The following project needs only a few simple items to let you save your pumpkin from unnecessary invasive carving procedures.  Oh, and my Jack is waterproof!

You will need:

-  A computer to print out a template from the web
-  Pen or Magic Marker
-  Scissors
-  One, 10m spool of Kreinik 1/8" Ribbon in color #054F
-  1-inch roll of Kreinik Treasure Tape
-  Black-light bulb
-  Medium size pumpkin

Directions:

1. Bring your pumpkin inside. We want it at room temperature and dry.
2. Start off by finding a template you want to use. There are tons of free templates out there. All you have to do is put pumpkin template into any search engine and away you go. Once you have found the template you would like to use, save it to your computer and print out two copies. The second copy will serve as a reminder how your template looked before cutting it.
3. Take your print out and see how well the template will fit on your pumpkin. In some instances, you might have to reduce the size of the image so it will fit better. You can do that using programs such as Microsoft Word.
4. Now, take one of your copies and cut out the components of your pumpkins face. Lay pieces of Treasure Tape down and lay the template pieces you just cut out on top of it. Use your pen or marker to trace the outline of the template onto the tape.
5. Once you have traced all of the pieces onto the tape, use your scissors to cut out the pieces that will go on your pumpkin.
6. Take the piece of tape that will be the mouth piece you just cut out and using the blade of your scissors, gently peel the red liner off. This will expose the sticky tape. 
7. Attach the 1/8" Ribbon at one of the corners of the mouth piece and press the 1/8" Ribbon in place so that it will extend just beyond the edge of the tapped piece. Using a zig-zag pattern, continue pressing the ribbon into place so that each piece of ribbon is butted against the previous piece to "fill" in the tape.
8. Once you have covered all of the tape with the ribbon, use your scissors to trim away any ribbon that has extended beyond the tape for a nice clean look.
9. Continue with the eyes and nose using steps 7 & 8.
10. Once all of your pieces have been cut, its time to adhere them to your pumpkin. Starting with the mouth piece, turn the piece over to remove the white paper backing. At one of the corners, use the blade of your scissors and pry the white paper backing to expose the sticky side. Place the piece on your pumpkin by pressing them in place using your fingers. Continue with the remaining face pieces until you are done.
11. Here is the fun part. Place your pumpkin where your blacklight bulb will shine on it and see your creation glow. You can use a blacklight bulb for a lamp or you can find them for your flood lights as well.
12. It's now November 1 and Halloween is over. Less than 30 days until Thanksgiving. Take that decorated pumpkin and get it ready for Thanksgiving. Using your fingernail, or scissor blade, gently scrape the edge of the tape to pull it up. The pieces should pull off easily and you'll have a perfect pumpkin to use for Thanksgiving decor or anything else you would want to do with it.

NOTE: This item is not shipped. Click the link below to download the PDF.

Design by Carole Rogers

Stitch a Halloween mask using Kreinik glow-in-the-dark threads on plastic canvas.

Materials needed:

• Kreinik Medium (#16) Braid - 051F Tangerine, 053F Lime, 005 Black 
• 14 ct plastic canvas 
• 12" black chenille stem 
• 1 1/2 yds elastic  
• #22 tapestry needle 
• thick tacky glue

Instructions:

Click here to download the instructions for this design. 
You will need the Adobe Reader to view and print this file.  

NOTE: This item is not shipped.

Stitch a plastic canvas mask using Kreinik glow-in-the-dark threads. 

Design by Carole Rogers

Materials needed:

• Kreinik Medium (#16) Braid - 055F Watermelon, 054F Lemon-Lime, 053F Lime,005 Black
• 14 ct plastic canvas
• 1 1/2 yds elastic 
• #22 tapestry needle
• thick tacky glue

Instructions:

Click here to download the instructions for this design.  You will need the Adobe Reader to view and print this file. 

Instructions:

Click hereto download the instructions for this design. You willneed the Adobe Reader to view and print this file.  

Materials needed:

• QuickCount® 10-count plastic canvas by Uniek
• Kreinik Heavy (#32) Braid in 008 Green
• Kreinik 1/8” Ribbon in 052HL Bronze Hi Lustre, 9192 Light Peach
• DMC embroidery floss in 608 Bright Orange-Red, 704 Chartreuse
• Fabri-Tac™ Permanent Adhesive by Beacon™
• Scissors, Plastic canvas needle (No. 18), Backing material such as fabric, perforated paper
• card stock, Pinback or magnet

Instructions:

Click here to download the FREE instructions for this design.You will need the Adobe Reader to view and print this file.

NOTE: this item is not shipped. 

Make this tote bag for the little trick-or-treater in your life to use onOctober 31. It uses Kreinik's fun glow-in-the-dark threads. 

Glow-in-the-dark threads will glow when exposed to direct light. However, they should not be relied upon for safety-rated reflective material. Instead, have your child wear reflectors, a flashlight, or similar safety device to make the child visible to drivers at night.  

Materials needed:

• Kreinik 1/8" Ribbon in 054F Lemon-Lime (21 yards), 051F Tangerine (21 yards), and 052F Grapefruit (11 yards) 
• Kreinik Medium (#16) Braid in 053F Lime (3 yards) 
• 3 sheets 7-count black plastic canvas 
• 1/2 sheet 7-count clear plastic canvas 
• 21.5 yards black plastic canvas yarn 
• hot glue gun recommended by the designer for attaching letters and spider

Instructions:

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A dollar store transformation that will personalize and dress up your next dinner party

Skill level: for all, Time: half hour

You can find bags of seasonal shaped paper doilies at the dollar store or other craft stores. They make perfect place markers for seasonal dinner parties — your guests will be so impressed and your dinner party will have that "extra" touch. Fusible Iron-on Threads make for faster embellishments.

Materials needed:

• paper doilies shaped like leaves (or any holiday motif)
• Kreinik Iron-on metallic threads in your choice of colors. We used #16 Braid in gold and other autumn colors
• home iron or craft iron
• Kreinik Press Cloth or Adhesive Press Cloth

Note: if your iron is not Teflon-coated, you will want to use a press cloth between the thread and the iron, or apply a Kreinik Adhesive Press Cloth to your iron (several sizes are available). Apply the Adhesive Press Cloth while your iron is cool and unplugged.

Instructions:

1. Turn your iron on to the highest heat setting and let it heat thoroughly.
2. Lay your fusible Iron-on thread at a starting point, cover with a Teflon press cloth, then press for several seconds until the thread adheres. Continue working this way, working your monogram in sections. Note: the Teflon keeps the heat-activated adhesive in the thread from sticking to your iron. Some home irons are already Teflon-coated, but the mini craft irons will need a sheet of adhesive Teflon or a piece of Teflon (both available from Kreinik).

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Designed by: Amy Law
Skill Level: beginner

Materials needed:

• small white paper gift bag with handles (5 1/2” wide x 8 1/2” tall)
• orange cardstock 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”
• large jack o’lantern rubber stamp and black stamp pad (or print a black and white drawing of a jack o’lantern onto your orange cardstock)
• Kreinik press cloth*
• Kreinik Iron-on #16 Braid 6700, 6710, 6720
• mini iron or household iron
• 1-inch Treasure Tape

*If your iron isn't non-stick or Teflon coated, we recommend that you get one of our Adhesive Press Cloths. It will keep the adhesive in the thread from sticking to your iron. They come in various sizes. Apply to a cool iron. 

Instructions:

1. Turn your iron onto the highest heat setting and let it heat thoroughly.
2. If needed, stamp the jack o’lantern image onto your cardstock.
3. Iron over the outline of the pumpkin using the orange iron-on braid: lay the thread at a starting point, cover with the press cloth, and press for several second or until the thread adheres. Continue this way, working the design in sections.
4. Use the 6710 iron-on braid to outline the eyes, nose, and mouth of the jack o’lantern.
5. Use the green iron-on braid to outline the pumpkin stem, and to create leafy tendrils next to the stem. Use our photograph as a guide.Adhere the decorated orange cardstock to the center front of your white bag using Treasure Tape.

A metallic thread mohawk is what all the best-dressed skeletons will be wearing this Halloween.

Materials needed: 

• styrofoam skull from the dollar store
• Kreinik Bag O' Bits
• a few nails (optional)
• Kreinik Treasure Tape 1/2" Roll

Instructions: 

Lay a strip of Treasure Tape from the top of the head to the back of the head. Remove the red liner to expose the sticky area. Begin to lay bits of metallic threads on the tape, pressing as you go. If needed to fill out the mohawk, add layers of tape underneath rows of thread where you can add even more thread. Trim the thread so ends are even in length. Add nails on skull if desired.

This project came out of a hopeless search for an autumn-looking bracelet. Searching department stores high and low, the bracelets were either too big, too flashy, heavy, not enough brown, too many other colors, etc. A handmade bangle solves the problem — you can customize the colors and fasteners plus set your own width and length. Kreinik 3/8" Trim was chosen to make the bracelet because it comes in a wired form (easy to shape), looks high end for a fraction of the cost, and comes in a variety of colors.

Try your hand at designing your own bracelets. Beads can easily be added as you braid to make it even more interesting. Bonus idea: make bracelets for gifts...in school colors for homecoming dance...for charity campaigns...here is the link to the other colors available in Kreinik 3/8" Trim.

Materials needed:

• Kreinik 3/8" Trim (wired), any 3 colors
• Kreinik Cord in a color to match one of your trim colors
• toggle clasp and ring, or other fastener with medium to large sized holes
• scissors, needle
• decorative beads with medium to large sized holes, if desired

Instructions:

1. Make sure a small piece of tape is wrapped around the end of each piece of 3/8" Trim; this will keep the ends from separating as you work.
2. Measure your wrist or determine how long you want your bracelet to be.
3. Start braiding the 3 colors together, keeping the trim flat as you braid.
4. When you get to the end, fold two of your 3/8" Trim colors to the back, and wrap the Cord tightly around them to secure (stitch in and out with the Cord to make sure these two ends are secured together. Cut the taped ends off of these two, trimming as needed close to your wrapped area.
5. Take your other trim length and insert it into the ring on your clasp. Turn it under, and secure by wrapping with your Cord. Use your needle to stitch in and out and around the ends to secure and fasten off with a stitcher's knot. Trim the tape off this piece of 3/8" Trim as close to your wrapped area as possible.
6. Repeat step #5 for the other end.

Note: if desired, you can add decorative beads as you braid the Trim together.