October is here and I have an extravaganza of Halloween links for you! There are soooo many Halloween projects and ideas out there, so I have tried to gather all of my favorites here, in one place. I’ll add to this list as I find more fun stuff…

Halloween Crafts

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• A quick and easy way to on mer mag.
• The Crafts Dept. has some (sort of weird) ideas for . They are just one of the many ideas included in .
• Artbeads.com has a free tutorial for making using felt beads.
• Speaking of spiders, HGTV.com has a really easy tutorial for making .
• Elle’s Studio has a few downloadable PDF, scrapbook-style .
• CRAFTzine.com and iLoveToCreate.com have teamed up to present the Crafty Chica Challenge: Create a Day of the Dead Shrine! It is a contest to see who can create the coolest Day of the Dead shrine, and two winners will win some pretty cool prizes. Read the before entering.
• If you still need one more reason to make Halloween crafts, why not join my ? It is a great reason to make and receive cute, little boxes of Halloween cheer like the ones seen above.

Halloween Food

• Mini and delicious: Bakerella has a recipe for adorable . So cute!
• The Fondant.com Club has a detailed on Flickr with step-by-step photos.
• Better Homes and Gardens has a round-up of a dozen .
• Holidays can definitely get expensive, but Allyou.com comes to the rescue with ! Wow!
• If you don’t mind spending a little more than a dollar, Southern Living has a really cute group of . There are some extremely decadent recipes on the list, like Heavenly Candy Bar Cupcakes. Yum!
• And, there is one more over at Woman’s Day.

Ok. I think that is plenty of Halloween crafts and recipes to keep me busy for a while, but if you have more projects or links to share, please leave a comment!

MORE:

• Adorable (hot dogs wrapped up like mummies) recipe on Instructables.
• Jinjerup has a . You can also .
• Now, this is refreshing!

I have few more fantastic Ernie the Envie (Swap-bot’s envelope logo mascot) craft creations to share…

This ATC (titled Ernie Goes to Argentina) and felt “fascinator” (which can be used as a brooch or decoration) were created by for the . I love how Ernie is on top of a pile of mail in each of the items. So cute and true to life!

For the same swap, I received this Ernie postcard and Swap-bot-themed matchbox from :

The matchbox is displayed in a place of prominence at Swap-bot HQ!

The following items were not made for a specific swap, but instead were created by VJP to include as little extras in her swap packages. They are the most amazing Ernie and Evie themed charms. (Evie is Ernie’s new pink girlfriend created by .) I really like how the charms are coated in a clear epoxy – very fancy!

Thank you to everyone who has shared their Swap-bot-themed creations. I am always looking for more to include here on the blog. If you have a craft to share, please email me at rachel [at] swap-bot.com with your photos!

Another little bit of self-promotion this week: I am hosting a quick and easy and all are invited! The swap is international and open to anyone with a 4.9 rating, or higher. It is really simple and speedy – after all, Halloween is fast approaching and I want to fit in one more spooky holiday-themed craft swap before it comes and goes.

Each participant will create and fill one 32-count matchbox in a Halloween theme for their one partner. Halloween-themed can be anything from ghosts and goblins to fall leaves to witches and monsters… really anything that reminds you of Halloween is fair game! Like always, you can download my free matchbox template PDFs . Anyone and everyone who enjoys Halloween is invited to come sign up before October 11th!

Here is an example of a matchbox I made for a similar swap in the past:

I have heard (i.e. read in the forums) Swap-bot members talking about bottle cap pincushions, but I have never made one nor have I featured a bottle cap pincushion swap here on the blog… Today that all changes with this week’s featured swap: the hosted by .

Bottle cap pincushions are just what they sound like – mini handmade pincushions that are constructed using the twist cap from a soda bottle. There are some amazingly adorable examples when you , and there is a tutorial for how to make them . For the swap, you make one little pincushion for your one partner. However, the pincushion should be in the color of your recipient’s choice. The swap is international and open to swappers with a 4.9 overall rating, or higher, and new users who have a full profile. The swap is open for sign up until September 30th, but make sure to read the before joining! Have fun!

Thank you to everyone who entered the . I loved reading about everyone’s favorite ATCs. Because of the awesome response, we have decided to give out a few extra prizes. In addition to the grand prize ATC package, we have also randomly chosen two runners up who will receive a Swap-bot t-shirt and some Swap-bot swag. So… let’s get to announcing the winners!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

The grand prize winner of the 7Gypsies ATC display system and accessories is… [

Thank you to everyone who entered the . I loved reading about everyone’s favorite ATCs. Because of the awesome response, we have decided to give out a few extra prizes. In addition to the grand prize ATC package, we have also randomly chosen two runners up who will receive a Swap-bot t-shirt and some Swap-bot swag. So… let’s get to announcing the winners!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

The grand prize winner of the 7Gypsies ATC display system and accessories is…](http://www.swap-bot.com/user:SpinJenny) !

The random number generator choose this comment from spinjenny as the winner: “It is so hard to choose, but I suppose my favourite ATCs are the set of 5 pen & ink & watercolour ones I received from @wiccked for an Alphabet ATC swap. I loved them so much that I did a private trade with her for 5 more.” Those ATCs sound fabulous. Congrats on your win! (Spinjenny actually entered the drawing twice by , too. Thanks for spreading the word about the ‘bot!!)

RUNNERS UP WINNERS:

These two winners will receive a Swap-bot t-shirt, postcards, buttons, and magnets… Congrats and thanks for entering the giveaway!

Linda50: “My favorite ATC is one that I received from my sister. She is the person that told me about Swap-bot and she knew it would be good for me. She was so right. Here is a to her ATC. ATC’s are so much fun to do and to receive. I am glad that ATC’s are something that everyone that wants to can do. You do not have to have a ton of supplies and they are not expensive to mail. Just about the perfect little mail art project. Looking thru my ATC album is almost like looking thru a family album. As I look at them I remember who made them and a little about the person as well.”

AndreaSmondria</a>: “my favorite atc that i made was for the i love the 80’s swap, it was of the flock of seagull hair style. it turned out great and i really didn’t want to part with it. But i did and my partner loved it also.” </p>

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to everyone for entering. Stay tuned because there will be more giveaways happening in the near future… (hint: have you seen the ? very cool.)

Happy Friday, folks. I only have a handful of links for you this week… I would definitely love to receive any of your suggestions for new and exciting craft links. Send your tutorial, blog post, recipe, and event links my way!! (Email rachel [at] swap-bot.com)

• Mmmm… I am going to have to try making Bakerella’s (seen above). Sounds like a delicious autumn breakfast to me!
• Need a fun project to get started on for Halloween? How about trick-or-treat goodie bags. I like the examples over on .
• Another free and beautiful download from Hey Suzy:
• I wrote a quick, little article about Etsy Labs Craft Night on CraftCritique.com –

I received my first email with a photo of an item made for the the other day. created this adorable Ernie stuffie and keychain:

Both are magnificent, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the mini keychain – so cute!

For the same swap, I made the Ernie matchbox below (he is glittery) and some personalized swap cards for my partner. (Stay tuned for a free Ernie swap card download in the near future!)

If you participated in the or have created any Ernie-themed crafts, please share them with us! You can email your photos to rachel [at] swap-bot.com.

It is a little startling that summer is over (here, in the northern hemisphere, where I am) and fall is moving right along. October and the Halloween holiday will be here before we know it. To get us in the spooky Halloween spirit, this week we are featuring the Halloween Goodie Bag Swap, hosted by AmyCrockett. The swap is quick and simple with only one partner, but it sounds like a lot of fun: “Decorate 1 goody bag (lunch sack size) using stickers, embellishments, ribbon, buttons and/or paper around the Halloween theme. Inside you can place just about anything..candy, pencils, notepads, candles, lotions, Halloween mix cd, stickers, whatever as long as it is Halloween-ish! Check your partners profile for ideas. Do not spend more than $10 on this swap.” The swap is international and open to any and all swappers. Get signed up before the end of September to join in on the Halloween fun!

Some lovely links gathered over the last two weeks just for you:

• The pretty photo above is from the tutorial on for how to make adorable cookie kits to give your friends as gifts. You’ll find the complete recipe, instructions, and even a free download for the cute label (plus a bunch more beautiful photography).
• KrisKnits has a free pattern for an absolutely adorable knitted pin cushion .
• For those of us who have a mutual love for all things crafty AND all things geeky, there is now – a blog devoted to all kinds of geeky-cool craft projects.
• Ever wondered if you could make your own gummi bears at home? Well, SheKnows has a tutorial .
• A blog called Creative Ramblings has a free and detailed for how to make a mini sewing kit in a jar.
• I like the wacky and fun garlands featured on .
  • For ATC lovers: The craft blog, Ink Stains, has a template you can use to create a perfectly-sized ATC holder box . (Also for ATC lovers: don’t forget to enter our for an ATC display system.)

  • And finally, if you need help getting in the mood for the upcoming Halloween holiday, you need to check out the cute and clever Halloween on the Better Homes and Gardens website. (I like this little the best!)</ul> Happy weekend, everyone!!

  • wait wait… One more totally cute link: Twig & Thistle has the most adorable free download for little back-to-school lunch sack notes. So sweet!

Remember Jingerup, that really cute design & craft website? Well, Lynn (the talented designer behind all of the amazing illustrations) has another free download and tutorial to share: Mr & Mrs Byrd Invitations. They are super-cute folded notecards that “are great for any sort of message too, please do feel free to use them as note cards, mini greeting cards or just to say hi!”