Sweet Greens

Did you know that just because the Halloween face paint at the store says “non-toxic” doesn’t mean that they don’t contain ingredients that are horrible for you and the environment. Some of the chemicals that can be found in store bought face paints include parabens, BHA, formaldehyde, kohl and phthalates {which can disrupt the endocrine system and some are known carcinogens.} Yikes! I know, right? You can make your own Halloween face paint that is non toxic and organic. It will not harm you, your children or the environment.

What you will need:

* 1/2 Tsp. Organic diaper rash ointment or Organic Cold Cream
* 1 Tsp. Organic Corn Starch
* 1/2 Tsp. Water
* 1-2 drops of Organic Food Colorant

Preparation::

My family loves Halloween, it is our favorite holiday. We love to watch as our front yard and porch is transformed into The Sweet Greens Haunted House. Our favorite part about our haunted house is that everything that we used to create it, is either recycled, upcyled or purchased from a thrift store. Would you like a tour? {enter a witch cackle laugh here}

The first thing you will encounter when you arrive at The Lyon Haunted House is our mason jar pumpkin lantern walkway. You can find the DIY workshop for the lanterns here, then all you have to do is add some wire for hanging. {Mr. Sweet Greens make the lantern stake holders from a wooden pallet, the kind that grass is delivered on, that he found in a vacant lot.}

Next, you can peek over our rickety and spooky black fence into the graveyard. {Again, Mr. Sweet Greens used the slates from the pallet to make the fence and painted it black.} The tombstones and crosses were made from pieces of lumber also found in a vacant lot. The we added dead flowers from the garden.

Next, walk up the front walkway to be greeted by the lanterns and organic pumpkins and gourds sitting on the stairs, but be careful Eben’s toy mice and spiders might bite your toes.

As you reach the top of the stairs, our ghosts floating in the breeze may startle you. {These ghosts are simple to make and will be listed as next week’s How Tuesday.}

Next, You will have to push your way through the spooky witches curtains. {These are made from old black tablecloths}

Then find our spooky front porch complete with white sheet covered furniture, a crow in his nest, our little organic pumpkin patch and a witches broom leaning next to the front door. {I made the broom out of a tree branch that we found while on a hike and a bunch of hay, cut to fit.}

What do you think of our spooky haunted house?

Were you scared? hee hee.

Enjoy.

Eben loves to draw and he spends a lot of time and energy on his masterpieces. We have several pieces framed and hanging throughout our home. He literally creates dozens of these masterpieces over the year and then also brings all of his artwork that he creates at school home too. If your little one loves art the way mine does, it can really start to pile up, and what do you do with it all?

Artwork Courtesy of Eben Lyon.

Enjoy.
xo.