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Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
Friday, October 16th, 2009
A variety of pumpkin carving ideas and printable templates or stencils for your fun. Please remember to print the .pdf files, as opposed to clicking on the .jpg images. Print the pumpkin carving template (.pdf), attach to a pumpkin with tape, and cut or saw through the shaded areas only.
Print this file: pumpkin_carving_happy_face.pdf
Print this file: pumpkin_carving_happy_face2.pdf
Print this file: pumpkin_carving_spider.pdf
Print this file: pumpkin_carving_spider_web.pdf
Print this file: pumpkin_carving_haunted_house.pdf
Print this file for Witch Face Pattern: pumpking_carving_witch_face.pdf
Print this file for Owl Pattern: pumpkin_carving_owl.pdf
Print this file for Frankenstein pattern: pumpkin_carving_frankenstein.pdf
Print this file for funny face pattern: pumpkin_carving_funny_face3.pdf
Print this file for Pumpkin Carving Pattern for Bat: pumpkin_carving_bat.pdf
Print this file for pumpkin carving pattern for Cat: pumpkin carving cat.pdf
Print this file for this face: pumpkin_carving_face.pdf
Print this file for Silly Face pumpkin carving template: pumpkin_carving_silly_face.pdf
Posted in Crafts, Halloween, Pumpkin Carving | 3 Comments »
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Print this file: bird_mask_printable_template.pdf
Sometimes we just need something for the children to do on a rainy day. Here is a bird mask template. The children can print, cut out, and decorate. A fun craft for Halloween, or anytime of year.
Tags: bird mask template, homemade halloween costumes for kids, how to make a bird mask
Posted in Costumes, Crafts, Halloween, Printables | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
We made this bunny costume out of a few old undershirts, blanket batting, and a few pieces of pink felt. I always think that there is something sweet and innocent with making a costume. This is a fairly easy one to make. We used a white ballet leotard shirt and pants. And, found the white cap, made by Zutano (they make basics in different colors).
What you’ll need:
2 old boy’s sleeveless undershirts, or t-shirts with arms cut off
Fabric glue, or Elmer’s glue
1 bag of blanket batting, or quilt batting, the rolled kind, not the loose stuffing (Walmart or Michael’s, around $10)
2 pieces of pink felt (around $1 for felt pieces)
1 piece of white felt
Long sleeved white shirt, white pants, and a white hat/cap
Needle and white thread, or 2 baby pins
What to do:
If you can’t tell from this image, the bunny body is very puffed. Make this part first. You are going to attach the two undershirts together, around the neck, and around the armholes, and then you will stuff it with blanket batting. You can sew the two neck holes together with needle and thread (does not need to be perfect; you can teach a 7 year old to do this). Or, you can attach the neck holes together with glue. And, you want to do the same with the armholes. If you are gluing, instead of sewing, you will want to do one side, and then the other, allowing time for each side to dry first. Now you have a piece that is open at the bottom. Stuff the shirt with batting, and then sew shut at the bottom.
Cut a piece of batting to glue onto the exterior of the puffed body. Glue onto the body. Once this is dry, cut out a circle from one piece of felt, and glue onto the piece’s front, or tummy. Now, you are ready to make the ears for the hat. Cut out two ears from the white felt, and two pieces of smaller pink ears from the pink felt. Glue the pink onto the white, like shown in the picture. Sew these bunny ears onto your white hat. Or, attach them with 2 baby pins.
Tags: bunny costume for kids, homemade halloween costumes for kids
Posted in Costumes, Crafts, Halloween | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
 Halloween Cupcakes: Witch Cupcakes These are witch cupcakes, and they are fun to make with the other Halloween cupcakes, too. The kids usually have the most fun making these or the mummy cupcakes.
What you’ll need:
Miniature cupcakes, preferably, or regular-sized ones
Icing, preferably a buttercream or cream cheese icing
Chocolate ice cream cones
Chocolate sprinkles
Red Hot candies, or chocolate chips, for the eyes
Chocolate chips for the nose
Green food coloring
What to do:
Mix a few drops of green food coloring into your icing. If you are using mini cupcakes, you will need to cut the ice cream cones down to make smaller hats. (An adult must do this with a sharp knife). Assemble to make witches like the one in the picture. Put icing on top of cupcakes. To make hair, dip half of cupcake into chocolate sprinkles. Add a hat. Use candies or chocolate chips for eyes and nose.
If you have cupcakes that have a very flat top, you will need quite a bit of icing to make the rounded head on top. For this reason, it is better to find cupcakes that have a puffed or rounded top.
Posted in Crafts, Halloween, Recipes, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
Print this file: knight_costume_printables.pdf
Every Halloween, I try to come up with ideas for costumes for all the children that, I will be able to make, and that are sweet, fun, non-commercial (no Scream costumes, etc.). This is a dragon fighter costume. I had a wonderful designer design these templates for the costume (the printable cut-outs that are used on the chest, and everything used on the shield).The only items we purchased for this costume were the red shirt, and four pieces of yellow felt (both of which I purchased from our local Michael’s, the shirt was $5, and a few extra dollars for the felt). Yes! this is a $7 costume.
What you’ll need:
1 printable file, provided here (for all the dragon, and shield designs): knight_costume_printables.pdf
1 red shirt
4 pieces of yellow felt
Fabric flue, or Elmer’s glue, or needle & thread (to attach the yellow felt pieces to the red shirt)
A cardboard box (or pieces from a cardboard box)
Foil (from the kitchen)
Packing tape
To make the shirt:
From the yellow felt, cut out a square design to go around the ends of the sleeves. Then cut out a triangle flag design to go around the bottom of the shirt. Attach these pieces to the shirt using glue, or needle and thread (you may use Elmer’s glue, but the glue will dry stiffer than fabric glue). If using glue, be sure to place a piece of cardboard in between the layers of the shirt first; otherwise, the the glue can seep through the first layer and glue the front of the shirt to the back. Once glue is dry, print out the design templates provided here. Cut out the dragon design, and attach to shirt using baby pins or glue.
To make the shield:
Using an old cardboard box, or scrap pieces of cardboard, cut out a piece of cardboard, with dimensions of 17 inches across, by 22 inches down. The printable file here provides the red background, the dragon designs, and the yellow and black checked design. Create the look of the shield in the picture above, by arranging the printable backgrounds and designs on your piece of cardboard. Glue these pieces onto your piece of cardboard. When everything is glued, you may shape your shield by rounding off the top and bottom. When finished, cut another strip from your cardboard, that you will use for the handle; the handle will go on the back of the shield. You want this piece approximately 2-3 inches wide, and 6 inches long. Attach to the rear of the shield using your packing tape.
To make the sword:
Cut out two pieces of length from your cardboard to make the length and cross of your sword. Attach these two pieces together using packing tape. Wrap the sword in foil.
Have fun!
Tags: dragon costume, halloween costumes, halloween printables, homemade costumes
Posted in Costumes, Crafts, Halloween, Printables | 4 Comments »
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Print this file: halloween_hats_to_make.pdf
Printable hat templates to match the halloween stationary I uploaded earlier. These are fun for the kids to make. These are also made from original watercolor paintings made just for this purpose. Just print using a colored printer, and preferably on 8.5 x 11 (regular sized) cardstock, or heavy paper. Make sure to click and open the .pdf file, not the .jpg image above, when printing. Cut out the three parts, and attach to each other with tape, or staples, adjusting to fit head as necessary.
Tags: halloween craft ideas, halloween kids crafts, halloween printables, halloween stationary, halloween templates
Posted in Costumes, Crafts, Halloween | No Comments »
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
Print this file: halloween_stationary_template.pdf
I am uploading these stationary templates, that I had designed and made, by a talented artist. The original was an original watercolor made for these stationary templates I requested. They are nice, high-quality, no one would ever, ever guess you used a template found online. To print the file, open the link to the .pdf version above, and print on a colored printer (Print this file: halloween_stationary_template.pdf). These are great to use for halloween party invitations, October birthday party invitations, or just for the kids to have fun with.
Print this file: halloween_stationary_pumpkin_leaves.pdf
Tags: halloween kids crafts, halloween letterhead, halloween letterhead templates, halloween party invitations, halloween printables, halloween stationary, halloween templates
Posted in Crafts, Halloween, Printables | 1 Comment »
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
I made this skunk costume a few years ago for our third baby, when he had just turned one. I had wanted to make a chicken costume, but when I went to buy yellow feather boas from our local Michael’s, I only found white and black ones. So, I bought white and black with the idea of making a skunk costume instead. It is very easy. I ended up making this without sewing at all. However, if you are planning to make this costume, I highly advise to order the feather boas from a party supplies store online – inventory at local stores is very unpredictable (and more expensive).
What you’ll need:
14 black feather boas, and 4 white feather boas (more for larger costume sizes)
An old onesie or long tank top
Fabric glue
2 pieces of black felt
Black fitted pants, black long-sleeved shirt, and black hat
Piece of cardboard (old or used is fine)
4 baby pins
What to do:
1. To make the skunk body: Remove sleeves from onesie or other shirt. Place cardboard in between the two shirt layers (to prevent glue from seeping to other side of shirt). Start with the front of the shirt. Start gluing the black feather boas onto shirt, going up to down, and down to up. Let dry overnight. The next day, flip shirt over, and finish gluing feather boas to back of shirt. Using white feather boas to create a white skunk stripe down the back. Let dry overnight.
2. To make the skunk tail: Cut a tail from one piece of felt. Glue black and white feather boas onto this tail piece to continue the pattern on the back of your skunk. Let dry overnight. Attach to main body of skunk with baby pins.
3. To make skunk hat: Use the other piece of felt to cut two ears (two triangles). Attach these ears to the black cap with glue, baby pins, or a little needle and thread.
Posted in Costumes, Crafts, Halloween | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Mummy cupcakes are very easy and fun to make. You will need cupcakes (I prefer to make or buy mini cupcakes for these), icing, M&Ms, and the proper decorating tip. I recommend a vanilla cream cheese icing, or buttercream icing, for these.
What you’ll need:
Cupcakes
Icing
M&Ms
Decorating tip to make smooth stripes (Wilton tips numbers 44 or 45)
What to do:
Attach your stripe tip to your decorating bag. If you do not have a decorating bag, or would prefer not to dirty yours, you can insert a tip into a corner of a ziplock bag. Fill either bag with icing. Pipe stripes, overlapping, across the cupcake. Place two M&Ms for eyes. Then pipe a few more stripes to slightly conceal eyes.
If you don’t have a favorite icing recipe, and need one, this is a fantastic, and super easy Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:
1 package cream cheese, room temperature
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat cream cheese and butter until well blended. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Tags: halloween recipes, halloween craft ideas, halloween cupcakes, halloween recipe ideas, mummy cupcakes
Posted in Crafts, Halloween, Recipes | 1 Comment »
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
 Halloween Cupcakes Here are some ideas for Halloween Cupcakes! A great way to get into the spirit of Fall/October/Halloween, one of our favorite times of the year. They are super easy to make. Each week, I will post a how-to for one of them: spider cupcakes, witch cupcakes, pumpkin cupcakes, and mummy cupcakes. The children and I make all or some of these cupcakes every year. We made all of these and arranged them on platters, covered with rusty orange colored napkins, fallen leaves, and acorns we found in our back yard. It’s a festive presentation. Even if it is just for the family. Happy October!
Posted in Crafts, Halloween | 4 Comments »
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