I thought this was freaking awesome last year, but a Giant Tentacle Monster absolutely tops the Epic Halloween Decorations charts. In this Instructable by username flaming_pele, you’ll see step by step how to make your own Giant Tentacle Monster. There’s a supply list and several pictures, though you will need some of your own ingenuity and creativity to make it work for your own yard. However, the core idea is solid, and the result is TERROR-fic! (I couldn’t help myself.) What are your DIY Halloween decorating plans this year?
My son has played a wide variety of games over the years, but one that keeps showing up on his birthday and Christmas wishlists is Pathfinder. He almost always has some miniatures or modules he’s been eyeing. I may just have to surprise him with one of these Pathfinder goblin amigurumi.
Amanda at Xanthestar Customs has come up with a clever crochet doll version that can be cute, or add angry eyebrows and wide felt chompers for a more creepy, menacing look (as depicted above).
Are you a tabletop RPG’er? What character would you recreate in craft form? Let us know in the comments!
She recreated the omnivorous creature from “Return of the Jedi” in cake form, complete with little almond sliver spikes inside the center and cookie batter tentacles. I think the teeth she added are the icing on the cake (ahem – they’re made from frosting, after all…).
As Halloween inches closer, I’ve been on the lookout for cute monster crafts when I found a version of this little guy on Pinterest (you can find the original pin here on my Pinterest board!), but there was no tutorial attached. So, I made one! You can find the full tutorial on my blog. I hope you all enjoy making this little guy. Be sure to share your monstrously cute coin purses with us!
I’m growing tired of summer and am totally ready for the Fall to begin. So, I’ve been hunting down more and more Halloween craft ideas. When I ran across this one, I knew I had to share it with you guys. I haven’t tried this yet, but the instructions make it sound super easy, and the effect is delightful. Can you imagine a half dozen of these man-eating beauties on your porch this year? Check out the full tutorial by Shirley Bovshow in the Garden Crafts section of the Eden Maker Blog. And be sure to share the results of your fabulous Halloween decorating!
A Monster to Love is this great online shop where, for every cute little monster doll you buy, Sam, Ben, and their dad Ray, donate a monster doll to a kid in need. They partner up with children’s hospitals and even the World Relief Refugee program out of Atlanta.
I ran across their awesome work about a year ago on Craftsy, including a pattern to make your own monsters to donate to local kids in need, or send off to Ray and his boys in Colorado so they can donate the cuddly little monsters to kids in need.
I try to organize a Monster Making Party at least once or twice a year–they’re fun, and pretty easy to do. Here’s how:
1. I buy a couple yards of fun colored fleece fabric when it’s on sale (usually in the summer). You can get quite a lot of monsters out of a yard of fleece, or even half a yard. Just be sure to shop when it’s on sale! Along with fabric, I’ll pick up a box of stuffing when it’s on sale too (or with a coupon). One box can last a long while and stuff a lot of monsters (probably around 30). I’ll also purchase Safety Eyes for the dolls, which can be attached before sewing, and don’t require any sewing knowledge to install. I purchased my Safety Eyes here, but there are tons of vendors and craft stores out there that sell them. The 18mm sized ones are what I used, and I liked to mix and match colors too. 15 pairs of eyes cost about $15. You can also use buttons for the eyes, but make sure they are SEWN on really well. If the eyes are not sewn on securely, Ray and his boys can’t use them. Do not glue on eyes. Ray and his boys can’t use the monster dolls if the eyes have only been glued on (hello choking hazards!).
All in all, I spent about $40 on supplies for making the monsters, but I did it over the course of a couple of months.
Angie brought her own sewing machine and helped build a couple monsters. That’s my mom in the background stitching away madly.
2. I set up a FB event and ask folks to bring their own sewing machines if they’ve got them, but I also tell folks that there’s plenty of other ways to help too: attaching eyes, stuffing, cuddle testing, and hand stitching are great ways to get even the most novice of crafters involved in a Monster Making Party. Along with the fabric, stuffing, and safety eyes, I also bring along thread, scissors, and hand sewing needles for people to use. If you’re worried about materials cost, you can always ask people to pitch in a couple bucks to help out.
3. I cut out at least some monsters before the party so there are dolls ready to be sewn. I also set up stations for people to work at installing eyes, stuffing the monsters, and hand sewing the monsters closed after stuffing, and even cutting out more monsters if necessary.
Here, my friend Chrystal is stuffing a monster.
Eunice is hand sewing the monster closed.
4. We have music playing, and I ask folks to help out with some food (like chips and dip, cupcakes, and frosty beverages). And I invite folks to come when they can and stay as long as they’d like to. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening.
5. I’ve found three hours to be a great length of time for a Monster Making Party. You can get a lot done, have time to chat, and still steal a cupcake too. Once the party’s over, you’ll want to box up your magnificent creations and mail them off to A Monster to Love! Their address is on the last page of the PDF.
All our Monsters boxed up and ready to go!
If you have your own Monster Making Party, be sure to take pictures and share!!!
More Links of Interest
A Monster to Love: check out this great online shop and see where they’ll be selling their cute little monster dolls next!
Check out the story about A Monster to Love on Craftsy
