By Amber Bosch, Rowan Public Library

With the smell of pumpkin spice lattes in the air and the reds and golds of falling leaves fast approaching, it’s time to begin thinking of Halloween.

Many wonderful Halloween memories are made in Salisbury — from trick-or-treating in Fulton Heights to trunk-or-treating in your church parking lot. Crafting, whether on your own, or with little ones, is a fun way to add to the excitement.

I was delighted to find craft books at theRowan Public Library with Halloween themes and decided I would craft this year and decorate my house for a Halloween party using crafts from each book, along with yummy recipes I found along the way.

As a novice crafter, I found my first project in “Feltoween: 40 Scary-cute Projects to Celebrate Halloween” by Kathy Sheldon and Amanda Carestio. While there were more complex decorations, I chose to make Graveyard Cupcake Toppers because, really, who can resist a craft that guarantees a cupcake payoff at the end?

The project was simple with felt, a sewing kit, some black embroidery floss, a disappearing marker, and toothpicks. I was able to make gravestones, ghosts and even a zombie hand reaching up from the dark chocolate cupcake.

The cupcake recipe was not included and I imagine you could choose whatever type of cupcake you would like but in my opinion when it comes to putting food out for a Halloween party, spooky dark chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and ghosts and gravestones add that Halloween flair to the table.

I admit the title, “Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween,” is what made me pick up the next book. Written by Stephen Brown, I was sure there was something in this book that someone with my emerging skills and abilities could do. There were tips and tool recommendations, and many, many projects that seemed to be aimed at more advanced crafters. I did find one craft, Clancy the Cat Cellophane Fancy. With only 21 steps, surely I could handle it. Umm, maybe.

I decided to move on to “Haunt Your House for Halloween: Decorating Tricks & Party Treats” by Cindy Fuller.  I found several wood projects that required a jigsaw, which I don’t own, so I ended up heading for the recipes in the back of the book and making party treats.

Crow cookies, cranberry punch and even Dinner in A Pumpkin are inspirations for the Halloween party I am planning to host. If I can find a friend with a jigsaw, we can try to make some of the décor that I liked using the templates from the back of the book.

From “The Halloween Book” by Jane Bull, I discovered some spooky potions that I can serve from Candy Corn Crush to Vampire Broth and Witches Brew. This book also includes costume ideas, pumpkin decorating and how to make your own treat bucket or even a paper plate face.

Lastly, my favorite craft idea, now that I have plenty of food options for my Halloween party, is called Cat Patrol and involves making scary black cats using acorn squash, black paint, markers, glitter glue and scraps of cardboard. With only seven steps, this is the craft project for me. You can find it in Reader’s Digest “Tricks & Treats: The Ultimate Halloween Book,” by Deborah Harding.

Find your Halloween crafts and recipes at the Rowan Public Library this season and I hope you fill your Halloween with many happy memories.