How to make the best dollar store Mardi Gras party hat

If you are looking to make something that will wow everyone and doesn’t cost a lot then head to your local Dollar store.  Pick up the minimal supplies and make the cutest Mardi Gras party hat! I'm over at Bowdabra today showing you how to make this fun little Mardi Gras party hat!

This Mardi Gras party hat is perfect for celebrating!   And you can make enough for the whole party. For less than $5!!

Materials:

Purple sparkle party hats (5 are in a bag at the dollar store)

Mardi Gras beads

Sparkle ribbon

18” 5/8” yellow grosgrain ribbon

Small purple or yellow feather (optional)

18” Bowdabra bow wire

Mini Bowdabra with hair bow tool and ruler attachment

Glue gun and glue sticks or alternately glue dots

Two alligator hair clips

1.     First, gather your supplies.  Use glue dots or hot glue to attach the sparkle ribbon all around the hat.  Add two alligator hair clips on the underside of the brim with some more glue.  Set the hat aside while you make your bow.

2.     To make the bow, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 18 inches long.  Fold it in half and place in the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.  (This will be your slip knot)

3.     Now make your bow.  Cut a piece of 5/8” yellow grosgrain ribbon.  Run a lighter on the ends to seal.  (You may use clear nail polish alternately)  Then fold in half to find the center.  Insert the ribbon into the Bowdabra in the center. 

4.     Then, bring one end around and under and insert into the Bowdabra leaving about a 2-inch tail.  Bring the other end across the first one and twist the tail before you insert it into the Bowdabra so that it is facing the right direction.

5.     You will have what looks like an X on the top.  Now insert the top (X) pieces into the bowdabra with the bottom one first.  You now have a perfect bow. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

6.     Cut two five inch pieces of Mardi Gras beads and insert them into the Bowdabra. 

7.     Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand and scrunch down with want once more.

8.     Finally, inert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the Bow is still in the Bowdabra.  Remove from the Bowdabra, turn to the back and tie a knot.  Cut the wires short.

9.     To finish attach the bow to the side of the Mardi Gras party hat with some hot glue. 

Note:  You can pick up Bowdabra products on the internet, most major craft stores, and discount department stores.

Make simple, easy, and quick sausage cheese balls appetizer

You can quickly make these quick sausage cheese balls for Christmas and New Year’s parties and get-togethers.  This recipe has been around for years and there are a vast amount of variations. I, however, like to make mine simple and easy.  They are so delicious, and there are never any leftovers!  Guess it’s a southern hospitality thing.

Sausage cheese balls are a holiday tradition in my house.  In fact my family wouldn’t dream of ringing in the New Year without them. 

You can make them ahead of time and put them in the fridge and just warm them up when company arrives.  They are even great for a breakfast treat when everyone is tired from staying up till after midnight.

Sausage cheese balls

Roll of hot sausage uncooked (The cheaper kind works the best)

10 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups buttermilk baking mix

¼ cup water

Aluminum foil (non stick or sprayed with cooking spray)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, mix sausage, cheese, biscuit mix and water until blended.  Shape into 1 ½” balls.   Place on a pan covered with non-stick aluminum foil.

Then bake for about 15 minutes or until light browned.  Turn them to the other side and bake for another 10 minutes till done.  Serve warm.

Refrigerate any leftovers and rewarm in a 325-degree oven or microwave.

Make a quick little pumpkin pocket candy favor

Don’t you think this little pumpkin pocket candy favor is adorable?  And they are so quick and easy to make you will have a whole pumpkin patch in no time!

Simply add small candies and add to your table or even for the trick or treaters.  I usually make little treat bags for Halloween and they are always a hit. 

Don’t stop with candies because this little pumpkin pocket candy favor isn’t just for candy.  Be creative and fill with small jewelry items, folded dollar bills and more. 

Materials:

Bowdabra mini bow maker with hair bow tool and ruler

Bowdabra bow wire

Pumpkin pocket candy favor pattern

Scrapbook paper in color and print of choice (white on one side)

Scissors

Ruler

Bone folder (or dried ink pen)

Piece of corrugated cardboard

Tacky craft glue

Wiggle eyes in two sizes

Small scrap of black felt

Lighter

8 inches 5/8” satin Halloween ribbon

Large dark sequin or rhinestone (optional)

Instructions:

1.     First cut your scrapbook paper to fit your printer and make sure the white side is the side that you will print on.  You may, however, alternately print the pattern and transfer it to your scrapbook paper.  Now using your home printer, download and print the pattern.

2.     Then cut out your pumpkin pocket candy favor pattern.  After you’ve cut out your pocket, place on a piece of corrugated cardboard.  Then, use the ruler and a bone folder to score all the fold lines.  Next fold the pocket.

3.     So now glue the pocket together with the tacky glue.  Glue the right side flap to the left side tab.  Then glue the bottom on top.

4.     To finish your pocket place and glue on two eyes (I used two different sizes) a small circle and triangle of felt.  Finally, glue on two 1” piece thin strips of felt for eyebrows.  Set aside.

5.     To make the bow cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 12” long, fold in half and place into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.

6.     Cut an 8” piece of 7/8” satin ribbon. Run a lighter quickly on the ends to seal the ribbon. (Mine was double sided) Fold in half to find the center and place into the Bowdabra with the wrong side facing up.

7.     Bring the right side around and make a loop at the 1 ½” mark and insert into the Bowdabra.  Make a matching loop on the opposite side.

8.     To finish the bow, insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra.  Now remove the bow from the Bowdabra, separate the ends, turn to the back and tie a knot.  Clip the wires short.  And glue the bow onto the front of the pumpkin. Add a dark sequin or rhinestone with some more glue to the center of the bow. (See photo)

9.     Fill your pumpkin pocket candy favor with small candy or treat.