Homemade Halloween Costumes

Just because I haven't posted in a while certainly doesn't mean I haven't been crafty :) I decided I'd make both my kid's costumes for Halloween this year and knew I had to give myself an early start. The first Halloween event on the calendar is October 16...that's only like 3 weeks away! I had no idea how long it would take me to complete this task, I mean, it's me...I'm not the best seamstress or decision maker :)

Skylee(3, almost 4yrs) is a fairy this year. She still needs some awesome wings, and a few other final touches. Her dress is made of LOTS and LOTS of tulle. I ordered the tulle online for way less $ than if you buy it in a store. I bought 25 or 100 yard, 6" width spools (that way they were already cut). There was NO SEWING involved with her costume, just knots tied onto a strip of non-roll elastic. Add a ginormous flower and call it good :)

Testing out it's spinning capabilities, that's what matters most you know!

Parker (18mo) is an owl. To complete his owl-look, he still needs a hat, and some talons :) When Skylee and I decided on her being a fairy, I wanted Parker to coordinate. I thought fairies are kinda woodsy, owls are too! And believe me, there are no good looking owl costumes out there for purchase... which forced me to create something ;)

Don't mind that ugly band-aid on his cheek, that's a different story!
For now, he's a tough owl

Parker's costume was much more time consuming, frustrating, and full of trial and error. I had no pattern, hardly any skills, and limited fabric. My original idea didn't really work out, but right now I'll just focus on the good :) I used felt for the wings and body shape, with a zipper in the back. Each feather was glued on individually(which is what took so long!). He's wearing brown pants and shirt underneath for a little more comfort, felt was a little itchy. I can't wait to be done with this, but I'm really happy with how it's turning out.
Any suggestions would be great! I'd love to hear your comments :)
*Brittney*

Rustic Wire Pumpkin

Maybe I'm the only one here, but I tend to get all excited to decorate my house when seasons/holidays change, go up to the attic to pull down my boxes and find that I really only have one whimpy little box, with hardly anything inside to decorate with! I have visions of my house looking amazing, and then I get a reality check! Bummer...but that's all the more reason to MAKE stuff, right!? No doubt this will happen when Christmas rolls around too, maybe I should start to emotionally/mentally prepare myself now!
While cruising the isles of Target last week I found some cute little rustic looking pumpkins. So simple, yet so stylish, and you can never have too many pumpkins!!!The next day while blog-hopping I came across this tutorial from The Hand Me Down House featured on Someday Crafts and KNEW it was just meant to be!
I knew I wanted to make mine a little different so I bought some wired jute/twine (found it at Micheal's) and used all 50ft of it for one bigger pumpkin. I really like how it turned out. Not too bad for $2, and let me tell you...ANYONE can do this! So simple, my favorite kind of projects ;)
Now go make one!...or two...or three...
Fall officially will be here NEXT WEEK!
****Update****
I've had a few people e-mail me about where I found the wire...I found it at Micheal's but when I search for it online it doesn't come up their site. I searched online for this stuff and you'll have a few options if you call it "Rustic Wire". Hope this helps :)

*Brittney*

Preschool Crafts

I do a little co-op preschool with some friends for Skylee-bug and this week was my turn to have the kids over and attempt to teach them something ;) (They really are so smart and well behaved).
We have a rotation for their curriculum, and Tuesday we focused on math and visual arts. Of course we reviewed numbers up to 100, then made some of these fun wooden spoon puppets that then got to put on a show and make up stories with their puppets. Of course I forgot to take pictures of the other ones we made but this is Skylee's: Complete with twine locks!Today we focused on science so we made these sensory bears. This bear is filled with rice so he makes noise when you shake it, sprayed with body spray, and has different textures that make up the body(sand paper, felt, ribbon, buttons). For the tasting part, well...I just told them it would taste yucky if they tried to eat it, and to be reminded of our tasting sense by the rice inside (maybe it's a stretch?). Then we made up some reminders with our fingers about all the 5 senses. They turned out pretty cute,and effective, so I thought I'd share :)If you've got other fun preschool activities/ideas/crafts, please share! :) have fun with your little ones!

*Brittney*

Winner of the 100 Follower Giveaway!

Drum roll please........................

and the winner is...............................................

#20- Ashley Fore!!! Who said-"So cute Brit! I would like a black one!"

*True Random Number Generator
Result: 20 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

That was FUN! Thanks to everyone who entered, don't worry, there will be more giveaways!
Congrats Ashley! I'll be e-mailing you soon to get your info to mail your black bracelet out to you!


*Brittney*

Henri Lou Inspired Bracelet

Looking for the 100 Follower Giveaway? Go HERE (now closed)

Photo from Henri Lou website

Happy Labor Day! Anyone hittin' up some of the big sales today?! Hope you've been enjoying your holiday weekend :)
Last week while watching some TV, and folding laundry (of course), I saw these bracelets by Henri Lou, a jewlery high-end jewlery designer. When I saw these I thought "I could totally make that!"- don't you just love those moments? Well, I headed to my local Goodwill and found this U.G.L.Y. belt (for a whopping .99 cents) that I knew would be perfect for my bracelet. I even found a purse that I thought would work for the straps, but it didn't look that great when I made it...anyways... enter Exhibit A:

Then I cut out all the rings and got rid of the rope-ish, ribbon, belt part :)

After a little hot glue and satin ribbon, here is my Henri Lou inspired bracelet:

Henri Lou version- $80
Brittney's version- $3 (and that makes 4!)

Not too shabby :)

*Brittney*

Keeping it Simple
The Girl Creative
It's So Very Cheri
Between Naps on the Porch
Sew Can Do
Mad in Crafts

100 Followers GIVEAWAY!!!

100 Followers GIVEAWAY!!!! (Closed)

When I started this blog last Spring, I never expected to have the support and encouragement that I have received from so many. Thank YOU Soooooooooooooooooooooooo much! It really means a lot that friends like you like and care about the "stuff" I do :) I feel like I have another set of great girlfriends. And, what better way to thank you than a gift?!
Wanna win this little beauty? To enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment and tell me what color you want your bracelet in; pink, black or teal (as shown).
You have until Monday September 6th at 9:00pm EST to enter. Good luck, and thanks again :)

*Brittney*