Jersey 3/4 sleeve from Simplicity 1711

Of course Kathleen need some sort of "Halloweenish" top to go along with her cute little orange Tutu.

 The instructions call for an applique and I couldn't find any so I bought some buttons.  The Pumpkins are flat and I thought it would look cute with the tutu.

Looks like Miss Kathleen is almost ready for Trick or Treating.  Just need to make a cute little bag and some better tights.

Tulle Tutu from Simplicity 1711

So Miss V wanted a Halloween Costume for Kathleen and that is was started the funky tights idea.  Well I couldn't find a pattern for a witch costume that didn't cost a lot so I went to Hobby Lobby (aka my happy place).

The Simplicity patterns were on sale for $0.99 and I found two that would work.  One was number 1711 and it was regular clothes with a tutu.

I figured I could make it halloweenish.

Now....after the disastrous tutorials on the tights, this is what I first see for the tutu instructions.

 It does not say how long these 32 strips should be....so I measured Kathleen and it was 6 inches from waist to knee, so I doubled it so I could loop it.  Now it said to loop it over the elastic.

It was becoming a nightmare with the elastic twisting and some of the pieces slipped off the ends.  So I sewed the ends together.  After all 32 pieces were looped onto the elastic, I put it on Kathleen.

Really cute from the front (I did trim it a bit after the pictures)

 So clearly 32 pieces weren't enough, so I added 6 or 8 more.  Can I just tell you how much easier it was to loop the tulle onto the elastic, while it was on Kathleen?  The elastic didn't roll and you could see where you needed to add some.

Much better and like I said, I did trim it after the pictures were taken.  It is almost done, but you are supposed to tie on a little satin bow.  Well I cannot make a pretty bow to save my own life.  I am having a dear friend who is the QUEEN of bows make me a few and I will sew them on.

Professor McGonagall

Miss V is dressing up as Hermoine Granger for Halloween and wanted me to dress up like Professor McGonagall.  Cool I thought....then I went searching for a green velvet robe and came up with NOTHING!

So we went to Joanns and picked out a Pattern.

Then I went searching for green velvet fabric that was under $10.00 a yard.  I found some on sale at an online fabric store and ordered.  Well that experience was awful.  I got an email that my order was cancelled because they didn't have enough (when I ordered it said they had 20 yards and I needed 8).  So I called the customer service number to get the story.  The warehouse was moved and they lost the bolt of fabric and to call back in a few days when the rest of the inventory would be moved.  I called back and they still couldn't find it. 

So I kept watching the sales everywhere else. 

Finally Hobby Lobby opened a few miles from my house and I printed out a 40% coupon.  Then went to the grand opening weekend.  Everyone was so helpful and I got my 8 yards of hunter green velvet.

It took me a few days to gain the courage to cut the fabric.  Even at 40% off it was still a lot of money.

I sewed it over a couple of days and here I am...

The black crinkle skirt was $9.00 at Walmart and the button down black top was $13.00.  I had the black lace up boots.  I found a neat pendant at Hobby Lobby and used black suede cord to put it on.  The hat I bought on eBay.

I even have the Harry Potter theme song on my phone and will play it while walking around on Halloween.

Jack O Lantern Jars

Repost from 10/12/2009.  I wanted to update it with the link that I used for the pumpkin faces.

I used the site Scissor Crafts and it refers you to a site called Paper Pumpkins, there I downloaded and printed many different Jack O'Lantern faces.

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We made these Jack O Lantern jars at work. They are a really cute candy holder.

You'll Need:
canning jars or baby food jars
green acrylic paint
black craft foam sheets or black acrylic paint
craft glue or hot glue gun
green ribbon or raffia
orange candy.

How to Make It:Cover your work surface. Remove the lid from the jar and paint it with the green paint. Cut the face pieces from craft foam and attach them to the jar with craft glue. To make it even easier, we used sticky backed craft foam sheets to make the jack-o-lantern face. No glue needed!You can also paint the face on the jar.

Fill the jar with the orange candies all the way up to the top. Secure the dry painted lid on the top and tie the ribbon around the edges for an extra decorative touch.

For the faces I printed off about a dozen pumpkin carving patterns and the kids drew the faces on the black foam.

Wanted posters

This year we are hosting a murder mystery game called Murder At The Deadwood Saloon.  No wild west party would be complete without a few wanted posters.  I searched high and low online and found a software program called Poster Forge.  You can download the free version and start creating!  It also has a couple other features, but I stuck with the wanted posters.

When you print them out, they print out on 4 letter size sheets of paper.  I used white cardstock to print mine out on.  I have four printed and just put two together.  It was so simple! 

Here are the two that I just finished, I did blank out my daughter's face and name for her own online safety.

I also search for cute slang sayings for the "crimes" part of the poster.  The finished hight is about 20 inches.

Linky Party over at 1825!

1825 is having a Halloween/Fall Linky Party!!!  Go and check out all the really cool ideas!!!

Tall Ghost, cost $12.00

This year I am looking to make some inexpensive decorations.  I saw some tomato cage ghosts and thought, I can do that and make it taller!

I picked up a Styrofoam ball (10.00) and a package of orange string lights, 50 (2.00) at walmart yesterday.

First, tip the tomato cage upside down and push the Styrofoam ball on the ends.

Next, take your string lights, can be any color and zip tie them to the cage.

I then zip tied the cage to an unused plant stand.

Added some white fabric that I had in a bin or you could use a twin sheet.  Use black permanent marker to make the eyes and mouth. To give him a neck, I used some clear stretchy jewelry cording and tied it around his neck or you could use fishing line or white thread.

Plug in and enjoy your new friendly ghost!

 This one comes up to my shoulders, so around 4 foot.

Trixie the Halloween Fairy bag

Of course you can't have a really cool costume without a really cool trick or treat bag.  So I found a 3 pack of canvas tote bags at Walmart.  They are 13.5 x 13.5 x 3.5 inches, perfect!

I printed out Trixie on an iron on transfer page.  I used the one for dark fabrics because I wanted the white background.

Then around the edges I used some bright orange grosgrain ribbon and glued it on with Fabri-tac.  The corners looked a bit messy so I whipped out my box of scrapbooking flowers.  I found a pretty orange flower from CK and glued those on.  Now what for the center....I have plenty of brads, but didn't want to poke holes into the bag so I found some mini pom poms left over from a Christmas craft and voila....

A pretty trick or treat bag for my little Trixie.

Isn't it cute?  What do you think???

Frightfully Fun Frames

Frightfully Fun Frames, I saw this idea a little while ago on another blog.  I thought the idea is super cute for Halloween.  I don't have much of a budget for decorating this year so I had to improvise alot.

First I had a 5x7 black frame not being used.  I used some purple scrapbook paper and for the letters I cut out the letters with my Mickey Font Cricut Cartridge.  I cut BOO in 1.5 inch.

I then used my Martha glue and glitter in Peridot on the paper letters and let dry.

Next I used my glue from my Elmer's Craft Kit, it is called Craft Bond and it is a dual tip pen.  I used the wide end and really covered the back of the letters and put them on the background paper and let dry.

Next I took the frame apart and put the paper in first then the glass then the back of the frame.

I think it came out pretty cute despite the changes that I needed to do. 

So what do you think?

Spooktacular

One of my neighbors sells Uppercase Living and I received the word "spooktacular" last year as a freebie.  I finally used it today, after I remembered to get the MDF board from her.  LOL

Anyway I painted the board white and then put the expression on it.  On the back I put in two small screws and tied a piece of black and white checked ribbon.

I wanted to jazz it up a bit and took some white thread, glue dots and some spiders from my scrapbook stuff.  I think it came out cute and I can change the spiders for different ones next year.

Trixie costume is done......

Trixie costume is done......and I have one happy little Halloween Fairy!!!!

For her own protection, I had to block out her face in hopes that someone does not feel the need to put her picture on their own websites.  (long story).

So what do you think???????

Trixie Costume...work day #1

I got an early start this morning on Miss V's Trixie Costume, since she now has to be to school at 7:45.  I was home a little after 8.  I laid out the fabric on the floor and started pinning and cutting.  In just under an hour I had the back pieces, front pieces and the sleeves cut out.  I did measure Miss V this morning and shortened the tunic a lot.  She doesn't need it to be all the way to the floor.

I am starting to feel a bit more confident that I can do this. So here are a few pictures of what I already accomplished this morning.

My 11:20 update....

I started sewing about an hour ago and only had one minor freak out. I could NOT understand the directions for the sleeves.  After a sip of ice coffee, I improvised and did it my way!   I just need figure out how much to take it on the sides since it is way to wide.

Ok sewing machine is threaded and ready to stitch...

Ready or not...here we go!

So far so good....

I think it is coming out pretty good!!

Trixie the Halloween Fairy

Yesterday at Walmart we were just peeking at the Halloween stuff and I saw fairy/butterfly wings.  I realized that I never ordered the green ones for Miss V's reward, I know bad Mummah!  So I casually said, wow those orange wings look like Trixie the Halloween Fairy wings.  Miss V right then and there said she wanted to be Trixie for Halloween.  I must have asked her 5 or 6 times if she wanted them for dress up or for her costume and I would not order the Jane Jetson costume.  She was ADAMANT that she wanted to be Trixie!  Oh so I pull up the book cover picture on my lovely blackberry.  Sure enough we found the orange and black tights, wand and necklace.  I couldn't really tell what was on her head and then figured, hey I could just whip up an orange dress...Ok I haven't seriously sewn in YEARS!!!!!!

I looked all over online last night for orange tunics, peasant type dresses and to no avail.  I did spot a pattern by McCalls. 

I explained to Miss V this morning that I was going to go look at Joann's fabrics and if I couldn't find anything, then I would order a large men's long sleeve t-shirt and would take it in and up.  She was fine with that, but said she just knew I would find something at Joanns.  But wanted to make sure that I could some how make it sparkly.  Yep...I have spray glitter which she remembered using last year for our tin can Santa.

So after dropping her off at school this morning, I went and got my ice coffee at Dunkies to strengthen my fortitude that I can sew....

So at Joanns I find the pattern, take a really big deep breath and went in search of orange fabric.  I naturally went to the front where the Halloween fabrics are located.  Nothing so I walked s-l-o-w-l-y up and down the aisles until I found it!  There was bolt of Orange panne velvet in all its glory..just waiting for me.

Take another deep breath, take the lovely bolt of orange panne velvet off the shelf and headed to the cutting station and get my 3 yards.  I then and go get matching thread and went in search of a canvas bag that I can decorate up for her trick or treat bag.  I couldn't believe it, they don't have them.  Oh well....one project at a time.

So I check out and feel like I am going to have a mini stroke...Can I seriously do this???  Can I make a halfway decent tunic dress????  What was I thinking?????

So somehow this:

Will turn into this adorable fairy?

Any and all encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!!!  LOL

Halloween Party Invite

I just created this for Miss V's Halloween Party.  Of course I took out the layer that had the party details.  The kit, I found at GottaPixel, it is call Lil Spooks.  It is so cute!

Frankenstein Pot 2010

Since my sample from last year was never returned, I made a new Frankenstein Pot this year.  This year I think he even looks cuter than last year.

HERE are the directions.

This year I use Americana Paint in Citron Green and it is much better.  You can't tell from the pictures the true color from the picture.  I still need to seal him.

I still need to get some gray craft foam for his neck bolts.

Magic Potion Jars

Magic Potion Jars These magic potion jars are an easy craft project that everyone can enjoy. It is a fun Halloween craft or perfect for celebrating a wizard theme. Materials Needed:Jars with Lids – any sizes and shapes Scrap Fabric or Felt Twine Halloween Scrapbook Paper and stickers
Avery Label (3x4 inch)

Instructions: Wrap your jar with a strip of scrapbook paper. On the label write your magic ingredients; witches warts, eye of newt, dragon's breath etc... Decorate the paper with the stickers.

Cut a piece of fabric or felt about 1-inch larger around than the lid. Place the fabric on the lid, holding it down around the edges, and tie it in place with a piece of twine.

These jars can be left empty and used for decorating purposes or they can be filled with candy or other treats and given as gifts.

Ghost Beaded Pin

We will be making this cute pin next week. I think I need to find an easier craft for the younger kids.

Ghost Beaded Pin
Materials Needed:
11 - 1 1/16 inches Safety Pins
1 - 1 3/4 inch Safety Pin
Seed Beads (refer to picture for colors needed)
Instructions:
Follow this pattern and the basic directions on the safety pin jewelry page to complete this project.

Each number column represents a pin; for example, your first pin will have 10 black beads. Your second pin will have 2 black beads, 3 white beads, and then 5 more black beads. When you thread these beaded pins onto your larger pin, start with pin number 1.

I learned the hard way that you need to do this upside down. LOL

Black Cat Clothes Pins

We are making these week at my Tricks & Treats workshop.

Find out how to make this fun cat craft using a clothespin and a few other supplies.
Age Guideline: 6 Years and Up
Time required: 30 minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.

Materials Needed:
3 Flat, One-Piece, Wooden Clothespins
Small Pom-poms
Chenille Stems
Wiggle Eyes
Ribbon
Paint
Craft Glue
Paint Brush
Scissors

Instructions:
Paint the three clothespins whatever color you want your cat to be. One of them will be the cat's head and the other two will be the legs and body. Start out by gluing two of the clothespins flat sides together so the prongs line up as they will be the cat's four legs. Glue the third clothespin, flat sides together onto the two clothespins you previously glued together; however, you will turn this one so these prongs face the opposite direction of the other prongs. These will be the cat's ears.

Now you can add the finishing touches! Glue a pom-pom onto the rounded part of the head clothespin to be the nose and glue the wiggle eyes just above it. You can also add a cute bow by the ears or under the chin. Don't forget to add a chenille stem tail.

If you want to use this clothespin cat as an ornament, cut a piece of ribbon about 10-inches long and tie the two ends together to make a loop. Glue the loop to the back side of the cat's head.

I didn't have any googly eyes at home, so I just used paint.

Frankenstein Clay Pot

Today I decided to make the Frankenstein Clay Pot craft that the kids will be making this week in my workshop. I am NOT the greatest painter and I really suck at making faces, but I think this is ok. I need to add another layer of white for the eyes and get gray craft foam for the bolts on the neck.

6 Years and Up, or younger for a Mommy & Me group

Time required: 30 minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time is just an estimate. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your situation.

Materials Needed:

2-inch or 3-inch Terra Cotta Clay Pot (I used a larger pot because that is what I had on hand)
Paint: I used Folk Art #2241 Apple Orchard, Plaid Indoor gloss in #20408 white and #20409 Black
Clear Acrylic Spray
Craft Foam or Felt, or if you want to be really crafty small bolts that you can purchase at hardware store.
Craft Glue or a hot glue gun
Paint Brush
Scissors
Instructions:
Wipe down your terra cotta pot with a damp cloth and let dry completely.
Paint the top edge of the clay pot black and on the inside. Paint the rest of the pot green. Paint a face on your Frankenstein. Once the paint is dry, spray it with the clear acrylic sealer.

Cut 2 small 'T' shapes out of craft foam; these will be Frankenstein's bolts or use metal bolts. Glue them in place and your Frankenstein is done! Use it for a candy dish, or pencil/pen holder.

So what do you think???