Story Book Horses

I think we’ve known each other long enough that I can share with you a truth that I sometimes keep hidden. It is a very polarizing opinion of mine, and one that has changed more than one person’s perception of me…

I am not an animal person.

I get why people swoon over cute and cuddly creatures, share an affinity for slithery reptiles, and fawn over our fine feathered friends. I’m just not one of them!

Luckily, this feeling doesn’t necessarily apply to animals of the paper persuasion. Couple that with my overpowering love of fashion, and I was actually kind of excited to delve into The Marvelous Book of Magical Horses. And if that wasn’t enough to carry me through, not long after cracking open that first page, I found inspiration in another love of mine.

I mean, come on, could this dark and fiery beauty be any other than The Hunger Games heroine Katniss Everdeen in horse form? All dark and moody, with a flaming mane and Mockingjay pin... Okay, I added that last one in myself, but that's the fun of these magical horses. There are tons of beautiful outfits to choose from, but you can also add your own embellishment and flair. And with peel and stick tabs, once you’ve had your fun, you can take it all off and start over and over again.

After dressing up Katniss Horse to do Cinna proud, I began to search for other literary characters on each punch-out page. Can you guess which story book horses I've created? Share your answers and your own awesome equine creations in the comments.

It’s My Party and I’ll Klutz If I Want To!

It’s finally November, my favourite month of the year!

Why, you ask? 

Because it’s my birthday month!

Yes, one cold mid-November morning I burst forth into the world, butt first and a month earlier than expected, and began a journey that has taken me all sorts of places. It hasn’t always been easy, but just look at me now! All grown up and blogging like a big girl (but still crafting like a little one, to be sure!). Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

To celebrate the awesome year gone by, and another one just ahead, it’s time to get busy planning my party!

First stop, stationery! I had a pack of standard blank cards on hand, so I decided to have some fun with Stamp Art. Can we talk Stamp Art for a second? Because it is, like, the coolest thing ever! Basically, it’s a clear acrylic block and a ton of cool gel decals that you can peel and stick to your heart’s content. Mix and match and layer them, then start all over again. It’s amazing! I transformed those blank cards into too-cute cupcake invites, then used the envelopes to make these pretty little place cards (both below).

As for décor, I’m shouting out to my younger self with some good old-fashioned Cootie Catchers. Remember them? These folded fortune tellers were the height of elementary school fun! A bowl full of colourful cootie catchers (below) ought to spark some fun table conversation. The little ones are perfect for candle cupcake toppers (as seen below). And the blank cootie catchers do double duty as loot bags and thank you cards, with kind words and fun fortunes written inside.

Alright, I am officially excited! Only 15 days left and I’ve still got a lot of planning to do. Have you got a great Klutz birthday idea? Share it in the comments. To make this birthday bash top notch, I’m gonna need all the help I can get!

Wicked Cool Arm Candy

In case you couldn’t tell from this sunny coloured blog, I’ve always been one for bright and cheery things. Ruffles and frills, pinks, purples and polka dots; these are a few of my favourite things. But ever since I spotted Wicked Cool Friendship Bracelets, I’ve had to start rethinking my outlook.

I mean, these are no standard camp-craft friendship bracelets. With names like Bitten, Tangled, and Roses and Thorns, it takes a certain kind of cool to pull these dark beauties off. So, it’s time for me to remove my rose coloured glasses and take a walk on the goth side!

This pretty-in-purple book features some adorable, frame-worthy artwork and simple-to-follow instructions. Tie some square knots, add some sparkly beads, finish it all off with a charm, and before you know it you'll have some wickedly cool wrist candy. These moody bracelets are the perfect fall accessory; and they look great mixed, matched and stacked with some cool Ribbon Bangles.

We’re sending off October with one last dark, spooky craft, but the Halloween fun is not yet done! Be sure to come back in after the witching hour’s complete to share your Halloween crafts in the comments.

One Stop Halloween Shop

There are only a few days left until Halloween, but that's enough time to get seriously spookified - with Klutz's help! 

Create this creep-tastic banner (above) by stringing together some Twisted Critters creations. The kit comes with tons of colourful pipe cleaners that you can twist and bend into some scary (or sweet!) shapes.

Make some frightening shrunken heads (above) with Make a Mummy, Shrink a Head and Other Useful Skills. You’ll also find instructions for mummifying a hot dog, and the book includes a cool sarcophagus to store your mummy-dog in when its ready for eternal slumber (below).

Want to see how it's done? Watch this video! 

Looking for last minute costume ideas? Klutz has those too! 

• Make Your Own Twirly Tutu and pirouette across the stage as a prima ballerina. 
• Make Your Own Twinkly Tiara and rule over the land as a posh and pretty princess. 
• Pick your super power and transform into a costumed crime fighter with The Superhero Starter Kit. 
• Make a fancy fascinator with Headbands and Hairstyles and put on your Sunday best as a royal wedding guest.

Whatever you do to celebrate Halloween, remember to create wonderful things, be good and have fun!

Paint Your Pumpkins

Want the best pumpkin on the block?

Just add paint!

Klutz's Face Painting is packed with creative designs and ideas for pretty painted faces. It’s a unique way to add that finishing touch your Halloween costume. And this cool kit comes with more than enough paint for the big spooky day, so why not share the love with your pumpkin, too?

Create a frightening Frank-o-lantern, a scary skull, a wicked witch or a haunted Halloween scene. Klutz's Face Painting has professional quality paints that are perfect for pumpkin painting. They go on smooth, dry quickly, and any minor mishaps can be wiped away with a wet paper towel. And the best part? All that paint means you can do as little or as much carving as you can manage! 

Grab your paints and get ready to wow, because these pumpkins are dressed to impress!

 

Give Me a P-O-M! Give Me a P-O-M!

Halloween is all about creatures that go bump in the night...

But that doesn’t mean they have to be spooky, right?

I am just dying to share my latest Klutz monsters! But scary? That's one thing these little creatures are not!

These fuzzy little balls of yarn are incredibly easy to make and they just melt my heart with their googly eyes, crazy hairstyles and awesome accessories.

All you need is a pair of scissors! Just wrap some yarn around Klutz's handy Pom Pom Maker, cut along the lines, and tie it all up with a knot. Then comes the fun, when you sit your monsters in your stylist’s chair and snip, fluff, glue and accessorize to your heart’s content.

Make a punk-rock pom pom with a rainbow-coloured mohawk; a hipster monster with some stylish specs and sneakers; a scary pom-pom dragon with scaly wings and clawed toes; or a pretty, pretty princess in pink with a tiara and Mary Janes to complete her look.

My pom pom monsters are all dressed up and ready for some Halloween fun! It's a pom pom monster mash!

I'd love to see your little monsters, so please share them in the comments. It'll be a scream!

How to Make a Pom Pom Monster

Just Call Me Dr Mrs Frankenstein

The spookiest month of the year is upon us and it’s time to start celebrating!

So, dust off your lab coats, practice your maniacal laugh, and join me for some fun with Doctor Frankensketch’s Monster Drawing Machine. It’s the perfect way to spend a chilly October day!

Frankenheads, clawed toes and tentacles, oh my! This book is packed with all sorts of creepy crawlies to help you create some truly heinous monster-pieces. Just punch out the parts, then mix and match to your heart's content. And not to worry if you're not so good with drawing... (Secret reveal time: as crafty a gal as I might be, drawing is the one place where I just seem to fall flat.) You'll be relieved to know that this super spooky set comes complete with a Monster Drawing Machine—a rectangular inset in the back cover with a plastic flap for easy tracing of your monster parts. So, let the monster madness begin!

Okay, so maybe my uber-adorable, skull-diaper baby of cuteness (above) is not going to send anyone screaming. But what about this masked octo-henchman with one serious under bite (below)? Would you risk a run-in with him for some Halloween treats?

Celebrate the season with your own Frankensketchian creations. And come back soon, because the Klutz Halloween fun has only just boo-gun!