One More Halloween DIY!

Happy Halloween!!!

Even though it is already Oct. 31st, I wanted to share one more Halloween idea! This is super simple and for everyone who is having a Halloween party after the fact like me (we are throwing a party on Saturday!), this project is very doable by the weekend! Check it out:

Thanks to my lovely graphic here, this project is pretty self-explanatory! 

First, I purchased this white owl figurine from TJMaxx for 7$:

Then I sprayed him with some Rustoleum brand Chalkboard spray paint (a few coats is a good idea!):

Then I added detail with chalk!:

 I emphasized some of the existing lines on the owl like around the eyes and on the ears. Then I colored in his eyes and added some feathers on his stomach! I even gave him toenails! lol. 

This is a very quick an easy project that could be done with any figurine or statue. Check out your local  thrift store or just look around your house for decor you've stashed and forgotten! A collection of these would also look great! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Halloween!!

-Liz :)

P.S. Like I said I am throwing a Halloween Party on Saturday and am still in the process of decorating, so even though it will be a little late, stay tuned for pics of how I Halloween-ize my apartment! 

It just wouldn't be Halloween without...Pumpkins!

In the true spirit of Halloween, my boyfriend and I visited a pumpkin patch this past weekend to pick out some pumpkins (and no we were not the only people there without a small child in tow!) The place that we went was a local landscaping/gardening store that also has a full flea market and throws a Fall Festival this time of year! Before picking out our pumpkins we ate some yummy bbq and explored the grounds. Check out some pics:

They had a large selection of ceramic pots...

and garden statues!

The FL weather made the experience a little strange for me (Fall in Wisconsin is a little different), but you can't argue with sunshine!

I loved these metal cranes!

Pretty Autumn-esque plant!

Festive florals!

And did I mention the orchids?!!...Gorgeous!

And finally we found ourselves at the main event, the Pumpkins!!

We picked out 4 (1 for my bf and 3 for me, I had a lot of ideas!!):

Here's what we did with them: 

My bf carved his is the traditional manner:

For my two smaller pumpkins: I added Martha Stewart pumpkin transfers to the smallest, and I used a kit I got at Michaels to create the awesome shaved design on the bigger multi-colored pumpkin :)

And for the biggest pumpkin I made a string art owl design and then carved a couple bats and a moon around it. 

Here's how I made the owl:

1. First you need a stencil. I drew out a stencil (you could also print one offline) and taped it to my pumpkin. 

I originally drew on eyes but later decided against them. 

2. Start nailing! Space your nails relatively close together, especially in tight corners so you don't lose the shape. 

3. Now remove your paper!

4. Start stringing! I tied the end around one nail, and first went around the whole outline. Then fill in the middle by randomly wrapping the string back and forth from nails on one side of the design to the other.  

All done: 

Halloween Glass Clings

What do you get when you combine printable sticker paper with spooky vintage graphics?...

Awesome Glass Clings! 

For this project I used Avery clear printable sticker paper (for inkjet printers): 

I got this at Office Max for I believe $10.99 for a pack of 10 sheets. 

And 

Vintage graphics from The Graphics Fairy, an awesome site for thousands of free graphics!! If you haven't checked out this website yet, You MUST!

This is probably one of the most straight forward DIY projects ever! 

STEP 1: 

Choose your graphics and print them onto your sticker paper, like so: 

This paper is very Inkjet compatible, and I have experienced virtually no smudging, YAY!

Some close-ups: 

*One thing to remember: If you will be using these in a window, don't forget to flip your images so they aren't backwards!

STEP 2: 

Cut out your images! For images without many fine lines I cut right up to the border of the image. For those that did have finer lines, or would simply take FOREVER to cut out, like the chandelier and branches I left a small border around the image. 

I cut right up to the edge for the pumpkin.

For these super detailed designs I left a small border around the image. 

STEP 3: 

Peel and Stick! 

These can be used on any glass surface like picture glass, mirrors, vases, glasses, and as window clings! Since they are see-through you can stick them to the inside of your windows and view them from both sides!

Here is how I used mine: 

I put the two pumpkins and owl in my kitchen window :)

I stuck the two chandeliers onto my glass patio door. Here is looking from the inside out. 

And from the outside in!

I added this tree and a few branches to botanical prints that hang above my fireplace.

I placed spiders and candlesticks in the negative spaces of these two large coral prints that hang over my TV.

I love the placement of the candlesticks!

I love how these turned out, and just might have to make some more :). 

Thanks for stopping by!

-Liz :)

VintagebyLIZ

Announcing the opening of my new Etsy shop:

I have been thinking of opening this shop for quite some time now, so I am so excited it's official!

As the name implies my shop is all things vintage! I will be offering some of my best vintage finds; perfect for home decor, gifts (Christmas is right around the corner!), collectors, or just because! I am determined to stock my virtual shelves with quality antiques and collectables, unique conversation pieces and all-around retro goodness!

Here's a little preview of what's already listed, with plenty more to come!:

A complete set of vintage dominoes, a promotional product produced by Kent Cigarettes.

Vintage metal baby rattle!

Set of 3 gorgeous P. Pastaud Limoges saucers.

Set of 2 hand-painted Japan decorative tiles.

Antique toby mug

To view my shop click on this link, or the link in the top left corner of this blog labelled, "My Shop"

Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget to check out my shop!

-Liz :)

Halloween Specimen Jars and Vintage Printables

I love science and I love Halloween so put the two together and what do you get... Creepy Mad Scientist, that's what!! This inspired me to add a little mad scientist to my Halloween decor this year. And the easiest way to do this is with some DIY specimen jars! I have done two versions of these, the first being the jar pictured above.

Here's what I used to create this jar:

For this project you will need: 

1. A cool jar (mine is from a thrift store)

2. Food coloring

3. Plastic animals, body parts, etc.!

4. Double stick tape

5. Creepy labels: I used vintage labels (9 total) I got from a local antique store, I have scanned all 9 of these labels in as a free printable PDF below:

Vintage Apothecary Labels 

Once you have all of your supplies gathered its time to start the "science project"!

First, fill your jar with water and then add food coloring according to the package to mix your desired color. I decided on lime green :).

Definitely a creepy color!

Next add in your plastic creatures, in my case frogs!!! (which really creeps my boyfriend out, he has a terrible, irrational fear of frogs!)

Last use double-stick tape to attach your label. And your creepy decor is complete. Make a bunch to fill your laboratory!

I also made some small jars using stoppered bottles from Michaels:

To make these, I simply added some Dollar Store creepy crawlies, water and chalk-able labels, also from Michaels!

My vintage bottle collection, made creepy with some inexpensive Halloween additions!

Tarantula! My fav :)

I plan to make more of these bottles, so stay tuned for more Mad Scientist Madness!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Liz :)