Annie Lang's Blog!

Autumn is now upon us as we pack up the pool toys, send the kids back to school, harvest our gardens and get ready to make our Fall homes happen!  Fall themed goods, pumpkin spiced food and drinks and Halloween costumes have been out on the store shelves for the last few months, but most of us prefer to simply make our own homespun season at our own pace.  I've just started my creative to-do list for upcoming home project planning and I thought I'd go ahead and share some seasonally themed publications and how-to draw videos all in one place to inspire your upcoming creative Autumn adventures. Enjoy the season and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, Like or leave Comments on my YouTube Channel !   

While recently doing an internet search, I accidentally stumbled upon a Halloween project Crafts 'n Things published in their October 2001 magazine 20 years ago.  I was simply amazed at how many images of the completed clay pot projects were posted anonymously by crafting enthusiasts over the years, making this a timeless project that continues to make the Halloween season fun.   Though Crafts 'n Things magazine is now considered as a vintage craft magazine publication collectible, you can still find variations of many of the finished projects it has inspired being sold today through online EBay and Etsy stores, at craft fairs and bazaars as well as numerous Pinterest board pins.  There are also several sites offering a variety of back issues of the publication which can be purchased.  While I cannot provide the original patterns and instructions for the original project, I can provide basic project instructions so you can make your own.  You can use any size clay or plastic po

If you enjoyed my  Wishing Witch project, here's a few more ideas as to what you can make for Halloween with basic craft items you may already have on hand.  All the projects shown here were originally published in magazines nearly 20 years ago and the directions/patterns are no longer available but with the character project ideas are timeless.  Hope you enjoy...and don't forget to share this link! This Candy Holder was made with painted flower pots.  The cape can also be made with a black plastic table covering or black felt. This project is just as easy as can be...just sponge paint a canning jar and add the face with a black permanent marker if you don't want to hand paint the details. My Peek-A-Boo Pumpkin character pattern can be found in Annie Lang's Scarecrows in the Pumpkin Patch line art design book and you can download the pdf from my Annie Things Possible website!    These pumpkin characters were painted on gourds, but you can appl

It seems like all the birds are heading south except for all those noisy crows and chances are they'll be hanging around until Halloween before moving on.  Here's a delightful bird collection you'll have a lot of fun with.  Make anything from Halloween wearables, decorations, garden signs, and fun autumn home dec items and more and give yourself something to crow about!  You'll only find this Crow character clipart collection by Annie Lang at Creative Market , so go ahead and check it out before the crows fly away!

We all have those days...especially when the moon is full.  So the best remedy is to simply embrace it and have a little fun along the way!  Check out Annie Lang's newly released Witch Way Clipart collection and Jolly Jacks and Witchy Moons Designer Collection and share a smile today.

It's time to get your Jolly Jacks on with Annie Lang's fun pumpkin character clipart now available through the Creative Market Store!  They think they can fool us by masquerading trick or treaters, but we all know there's a Jolly Jack character hiding in all of us!

Halloween is so much more fun when you MAKE it yourself!  Whether you are getting ready to decorate for a party, packaging Halloween goodies for the treaters, creating costume accessories or simply want to whip up some not too spooky DIY items for your home, you'll surely want to get started now!  I created the header graphic above using the downloadable "Spooked" Font, Halloween prints and clipart characters found on the Annie Things Possible website. Make everything from flyers to wearables to totes and paper novelties using Annie Lang's clipart, fonts, digital art prints, activity books and line art patterns and have a GREAT Halloween!

Create Fun Ears for Elves, Leprechauns and Attentive Readers!  If you're looking for a quick, easy and really fun project, you can print and assemble this project in no time at all! Originally designed as a classroom storytelling prop for my Elf books reading sessions, this project can easily be used to create Leprechaun Ears for St. Patrick's Day or used as a Halloween costume accessory. Here's how to make Leprechaun Ears like the ones Little Emma is modelling for us in the sample photo... 1.  Right click the project page below and save it to your computer. 2.  Print the page.  Apply double sided adhesive to the back of the      page before cutting them out. 3.  To insure the printer ink won't bleed if the ears happened to get wet,      lightly mist with clear sealer or cover them with laminate or clear      Contact (R)  paper. 4.  Apply double sided adhesive to the back of the page before cutting. 5.  Assemble and finish the headband as instructed Ho

There's still plenty of time to work on those fun Halloween party and novelty items before the trick or treaters arrive!  H alloween Pattern pattern line art books in printable .pdf and paperback editions can be found at  Annie Lang's Book Store !  Why not see how much fun you can have Making Your Own Halloween Fun!

Wit Halloween just around the corner, you can make last minute Halloween projects and costume embellishments right NOW!   Annie Lang's Paper Clip Halloween project book is absolutely loaded with fun Halloween printables and ideas to make it a Halloween to remember.  You can order the downloadable .pdf edition right now from Annie Lang's Book Store and you'll be on your way to making your pumpkins SMILE!

This toddler may be only 2 1/2 years old, but it's the perfect age to introduce some basic creative skills that she'll use throughout her lifetime.  Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and love to figure out how things work.  Today we're making our own magnets using a Xyron (Creative Station) and a printed project page from my " Annie Lang's Paper Clip Halloween " activity book. I first let my granddaughter explore the machine and she soon discovered that art needs to go through the machine and not in it!  She also felt the need to wear "glasses" because I wear reading glasses when working on projects.  I removed the lenses from an old pair of reading glasses and she now keeps them in her craft supply caddy.  Keeping in mind that most most toddlers have a 15-20 minute attention span, creative project undertakings should be structured around that time frame.  Making magnets is a perfect way to practice using scissors while creat

Halloween is just a Few Weeks Away.. . It may be wet and gloomy outdoors, but it's just way too fun indoors as we get ready for Halloween!   Looking for patterns ?  Here's some great line art pattern books by Annie Lang that will keep you busy right up until it's time for the Trick or Treaters show up on your doorstep. Enjoy the video trailer   and feel free to share it with your family and friends!

"Treat Me" edibles made by Carrie Lee Ingram Triner Was so excited when I saw this posted on FB this week by Carrie Lee Ingram Triner who made them for her first graders and fellow teachers.  Each treat is a festively edible delight and I couldn't resist sharing Carrie's talent with you!  The characters are from my " Let's Talk Halloween " and " Halloween Kids " clipart collections and Carrie did an absolutely remarkable job using them to create these sweet treats for some very lucky kids.  Each character cookie is individually bagged with an adorable header...truly a labor of love!   Happy Halloween to Everyone...

October is here and that can mean only one thing around here...it's PUMPKIN TIME!  Here's 12 fun ideas you can use to add a little creative fun to your Pumpkin Days...so whether it's Halloween, Octoberfest or Thanksgiving, I'm sure you'll find something here to brighten up your Autumn Season. E njoy...