Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the chance to get wild and crazy and create totally fabulous costumes from scratch. And the crafting opportunities surrounding this wicked holiday are awesome!
Tell us about your favorite DIY Halloween costume in the comments to this post and you'll be entered to win a copy of this fabulous new crafty book:
Witch Craft: wicked accessories, creepy-cute toys, magical treats, and more! Compiled by Margaret McGuire and Alicia Kachmar.
This book is spookily adorable and contains many different DIY crafts that will put you in the Halloween "spirit". There are several plush projects including a totally groovy plushie poison apple project by
The Needle's own Jacki Gallagher of Plush Off. Jacki gave us a little inside scoop about her plush in the book:
How long have you been making plush?I started about 10 years ago, but just started selling in 2007. I always made cute things for myself, family and friends and everyone kept saying I should try and sell them so I opened a shop on Etsy.
What inspires your plush making?Now, my son. Ethan is 4 and has Autism and I stay home with him; so our day is very creative and fun together. If he wakes up and asks for a plush apple tree, well that's what we do. Now I get a lot of inspiration through him and at the grocery store and restaurants!
How did you get involved with the Witch Craft book?I was emailed by Margaret McGuire and she asked me if I wanted to take part in a super fun book about spooky crafts and I was elated!
How did you come up with the idea of a poison apple plush?I tried my best to think of something spooky and halloweenie and something that would also be easy to make instructions for, and easy for people to make on their own.
What is your best plush making tip?Good thread. Always invest in good thread rather than the super cheap thin thread. That stuff snaps super easy and can make for some very sad plush times.
Can you share any plush making tips about the project that aren't in the book? I use a really thick wool felt for the apple stems so it stands on it's own and can withstand someone twirling it around by the stem.
Where can we check out more of your totally groovy plush?I have a
store on Etsy, my own
website, and a
facebook page where I post all my new plush and custom pieces as well.
Any finally thoughts or plush inspiration you'd like to share?Go with what makes you happy! Don't try and find what will appeal to the masses. It is far more satisfying to make and sell something you love, especially when someone else loves it too.
Thanks Jacki for sharing your insights!
Plush makers will enjoy making Jacki's cute poison apple as well as an adorable ghost brooch and fabulous fuzzy bats. Crocheters will enjoy the creepy bones and Amigurumi good little witch and knitters will find a creepy cute spider to knit. And there are so many other creative projects that this book definitely has something for everyone.
Click here to get a preview of all the groovy projects and contributors.
Leave a comment about your favorite DIY Halloween costume and you'll be entered to win this copy of Witch Craft.Winner will be announced Tuesday, October 26th.
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What plush have you been working on recently? Show us here on
The Needle!
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The Needle? Have exciting plush news? Email me at:
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