Hey yall!  Oh.my.gosh!  I am so so excited to share Ryder’s first Halloween costume with yall!  Two reasons.  One.  It’s SO SUPER CUTE!  Like I can’t even handle it, kind of cute.  (Yup.  Totally dramatic.  And totally true!)  Two.  It is so easy to make!  I have step by step photos of how I made his and it took me, maybe an hour?  It didn’t take long.  I was able to whip it up during naps one day. 

The best part?  It’s customizable!  You can make it for a bigger kid, you can use different fabrics, you can make it bigger or smaller.  It’s way easy and SO CUTE!  (I realize I said that already but it’s my third child’s first homemade costume and I am a LITTLE excited!)

This post is sponsored by HALO too.  They provided the SleepSack Swaddle that I used.  Which was perfect for little man!  To make your own owl costume for a baby you will need:

• 1 SleepSack Swaddle
• 2 pieces of cardboard (see below)
• fabric of choice – scraps work great!
• scissors
• hot glue gun + glue sticks
• 1 all white fat quarter (or color of choice)

If you are making for an older kid, you can use a long sleeve shirt, or sweat shirt.  Everything else should work out fine.  If you are using the SleepSack for your smaller child, just remember it’s a costume for playing and should not be used to sleep in anymore. 

Using your cardboard cut out two templates.  Make the feather first, which is a tear drop shape with a flat top.  Take the feather template and place it over the second piece of cardboard.  Cut out a rectangle big enough that the whole feather template fits inside. 

Take your fabric and using the rectangle template cut out about 100 rectangles.  I would guess it’s about a yard of fabric, but I used scraps so I can’t say for sure.  Then using the feather template, cut out feathers from the rectangles you just made.  It didn’t trace them, I just used the template and cut around it each time.  They weren’t perfect but you can’t tell once they are all placed on the fat quarter.

Take your white fat quarter and fold it in half – hot dog style.  Cut your edges so they each have an arc.  Make the top one bigger then bottom. 

Then start placing your feathers on – starting at the bottom.  Have them overlap each other slightly.  Place a strip of hot gun under the top of each feather to secure it in place.  Move onto the layer above and repeat making sure that it overlaps the top of the feathers below it.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.  Until done.

Take the top of your fat quarter that is now covered in feathers and glue it to the back of the SleepSack on top.  Around the shoulders.  It should look like one giant wing covered in feathers.  Let dry and you are done! 

Easy peasy super cute owl squeasy!

This post contains affiliate links for products that were used to create the costume. 

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Yall, Ryley is beyond obsessed with Shopkins.  Shopkins are these tiny grocery store figurines that have literally taken over our house.  I’m not even kidding.  She has over 300 of them.  And all the accessories that go along with them.  The grocery store, the bakery, the fruit and veg stand.  And you can’t forget the giant shopping cart.  Because duh, the tiny figurines need a giant shopping cart to play in. 

And I’m not going to lie – I think they are fun to collect too.  She gets excited when she finds one that she doesn’t have in her collection.  And she can tell you all Shopkins in season 1 and 2.  And which ones she has, doesn’t have and which ones are duplicates.  Yup.  We needed somewhere to store all these bad boys, so my mom and I made her a Shopkins storage rack for her birthday.

And ps.. Sorry for some of the pictures.  We made this rack in the garage after the kids went to bed.  Not the best for photographing.  Carry on. 

To make your own Shopkins storage rack you will need:

• 1 – wooden shoe rack (We bought ours at Walmart for less then $8)
• 1 – piece of plywood
• 2 – Sawtooth picture frame holders + 4 small nails
• 6 small nails
• 2 regular nails for hanging
• Paint of choice
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Saw – electric or handheld

Step 1 – Take the two wood frames from the shoe rack and glue them together using the wood glue.  Let them sit over night to dry and sand the dried glue spots off with the sandpaper.  We used some clamps to hold the two pieces together overnight.  (Note – you will only need the two main pieces of the shoe rack.)

Step 2 – Trace out the now glued together wooden frames onto your piece of plywood.  If you have a cute kitten assistant, then you get bonus points.  Using a handheld or electric saw, cut out the plywood so that it fits behind the wooden frames. 

Step 3 – Sand the edges of your newly cut piece of plywood. 

Step 4 – Paint the plywood your color of choice.  We choose white for the plywood and pink for the wooden shoe rack part.  Paint your shoe rack part as well and let them dry.  We used 1/2 bottle of Apple Barrel white paint and two 2-ounce bottles of pink paint for the wooden rack portion. 

Step 5 – Attach our Sawtooth picture hooks to the back of your plywood using 4 small nails.  We had the nails on hand, so I’m not sure what size they were. 

Step 6 – Position the painted shoe rack part onto the dry plywood.  Hammer in the 6 nails (two on each edge and two in the middle) to the back of the plywood, making sure they attach to the shoe rack on the front. 

Step 7 – Measure the width of the Sawtooth hangers against the wall, and then hammer in two nails in the wall and attach. 

Step 8 – Add your collection of Shopkins to the storage rack.

Optional step 9 – Show your now 5 year old daughter her new Shopkins rack and watch her squeal with joy.  Totally optional, but totally fun. 

Our Shopkins storage rack has been so solid too!  I thought with two wild kids that it would last about a week.  But both of them have fun putting the Shopkins up there and rearranging them and it has held up.  We all love it – the kids because they have a way to display their Shopkins, and me because they are no longer all over the floor.  PLUS it entertains both kids for hours!  I’m calling this DIY Shopkins storage rack a win! 

Like this post?  Be sure to check out:

• DIY fridge mats
• Easy sugar scrub
• DIY Treasure map

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DIY Reusable towels

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We picked out our Christmas tree this weekend!  I should probably take my excitement down a notch since we just went to Home Depot and picked one from the thousands that they had displayed.  In a tent.  You see, I have never had the joy of actually “hunting” for the perfect tree and then having it chopped down that same day.  South Texas is not the ideal place for Christmas tree farms.  [womp womp.]  It was a balmy 75 degrees today as we headed out to “hunt” for our tree.  [I find this hilarious for some reason.] 

I would say we have never even had snow down here, but we did.  Once.  My sophomore year of college in 2004, the night before Christmas, it snowed.  I’m not even sure how many inches of snow we got, but it was enough to shut down the entire city.  It was all over the news and we all played in it like we were kids.  Our dogs didn’t know what to think and people were in shorts and t-shirts.  No one did anything the next day except talk about or play in the snow.  It was magical. 

We even have a book called “Snow: A South Texas Christmas Miracle“.  Not even kidding.  Its a book of all the snow pictures that people took during the snow storm.  Its actually pretty cool, especially the pictures of the snow at the beach.  The author produced at least 3 other books because there were so many pictures.  [We own 2 of them.]  It’s been 10 years and people still talk about the Christmas miracle.  It really was cool to experience.  I hadn’t seen snow since I was a baby and we were in Connecticut.  

Then I married a northerner and that all changed.  My first winter in Michigan was cray-cray.  There was record amounts of snow all across the state.  I had moved from a city that got snow once to a city that got feet of snow in a day.  I actually think I adapted pretty quickly to the change.  I went from saying things like “Look at it snow!” to “Its above freezing, its a good day!”  

One thing I found out about most winters is that it also includes dry skin.  I spent a lot of money on lotions and chap sticks in Michigan.  Now, I buy tubs of coconut oil and make my own homemade remedies.  This Christmas sugar scrub is perfect for winter dry skin.  Its also perfect to give as a gift.  Its also cheap to make.  And it also smells amazing.  

To make your own you will need: 

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup sugar, any kind
• 5+ drops of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils

Melt the coconut oil slightly.  Add the sugar and essential oils.  Mix together and place in an air tight jar.  Add a cute label and some ribbon and its gift giving ready!  

Be sure to check out:

• Whipped body butter
• 5 Uses for Coconut oil
• Whipped lip scrub

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1. Summer Punch Cards :: 30 Handmade Days
2. DIY Slime :: Clumsy Crafter
3. Leaf Book :: songbirds and buttons
4. Chalk Painting :: Glued to my Crafts
5. Frozen Crafts :: Some of the Best Things in Life Are Mistakes
6. Toilet Paper Heart Stamps :: Just 2 Sisters
7. DIY Fairy House :: Coffee Cups and Crayons
8. Giant Button Garland :: Little Red Window
9. DIY Moon Dust :: Learn Play Imagine
10. Color Block Painting :: Kirsten Oliphant
11. Minion Finger Puppets :: Red Ted Art
12. Decoupage Wall Art :: Eat Pray Read Love
13. Sparkle Bottles :: while he was napping
14. Confetti Balloons :: Kids Stuff World
15. Rain Painting :: Growing a Jeweled Rose
16. DIY Felt Fox Ears :: Satsuma Designs
17. Marshmallow Shooters :: Happiness is Homemade
18. Milk Carton Doll Houses :: the Happy Creations
19. Flower Garden Kit :: Our Peaceful Planet
20. Super Hero Plastic Canvas Coasters :: Kandy Kreations
21. DIY Kids Puzzle :: Made to be a Momma
22. DIY Pinwheels :: Pinkwhen
23. No Sew Tutus :: Architecture of a Mom
24. Sunflower Handprint Art :: Family Fun Journal
25. Picture Puzzles :: Optimistic Mommy
26. Paper Pom Pom Flowers :: 30 Handmade Days
27. DIY Water Bombs :: Clumsy Crafter
28. Washable Window Painting :: Coffee Cups and Crayons
29. Homemade Bubble Solution :: Happy Mothering
30. DIY Sidewalk Chalk :: Growing up Gabel
31. DIY Yard Yahtzee :: the Pinning Mama
32. Cupcake Liner Bouquet :: hoopla palooza
33. Clothespin Catapults :: 733 blog
34. Stick Bug Craft :: Mom Endeavors
35. Popsicle Stick Bracelet :: artsy-fartsy mama
36. Toilet Paper Roll Monster :: Our thrifty ideas
37. Seaside Shell Wind Chime :: Red Ted Art
38. Love bug rocks :: Crystal and Comp
39. Salt Painting :: Just 2 Sisters
40. Popsicle Stick Fish :: Glue to my Crafts
41. Shell Picture Frame :: No Time for Flash Cards
42. Pool Noodle Horse :: Dollar Store Mom
43. DIY Cardboard Box Sewing Machine :: Little Red Window
44. DIY Bubble Makers :: Coupon Cutting Mom
45. Play Doh Monsters :: Kids Activities Blog
46. Lampshade Basket :: Made to be a Momma
47. Shaving Cream Sea Creature Painting :: songbirds and buttons
48. DIY Bling Flip Flops :: Pinkwhen
49. DIY Heart Mobile :: Little Inspiration
50. Jelly Fish Bookmarks :: the NY Melrose Family
51. Garden Dragonflies :: Artzy Creations
52. Acrylic Paint Sun Prints :: Craftiments
53. Paper Snake Weaving :: Rainy Day Mum
54. Melted Bead Sun Catchers :: Im Feeling Crafty
55. Egg Carton Caterpillar :: Twinkling Trees
56. Sharpie Tie Dye :: Skip to my Lou
57. Kool-Aid Play Dough :: View from the Fridge
58. Ocean Life Finger Puppets :: Felt with Love Designs
59. Sponge Darts :: the Seasoned Mom
60. Paint Stick Flag :: While he was sleeping
61. Flower Garden Play Dough :: Fantastic Fun and Learning
62. Paper Bag Luminaries :: Suburble
63. Craft Stick Dolls :: molly moo
64. 10 Summer Handprint Crafts :: the Pinning Mama
65. DIY Toy Boat :: Pinkwhen
66. Clothespin Fairy :: 733 blog
67. Tie Dye Beach Towels :: mom endeavors
68. Glue Painting :: Country Cottage Chic
69. Scrubbing Sponge Flowers :: Mess for Less
70. Kid Sized Foosball Table :: UCreate
71. Egg Carton Buttons :: pretty little things
72. Dry Erase Cubes :: the Crafty Blog Stalker
73. DIY Bird Feeder :: the Grant life
74. Pipe Cleaner Rose Rings :: No Biggie
75. Bubble Wrap Jelly Fish :: No Time for Flash Cards
76. Paper Plate Roses :: Kids Activities Blog
77. Pet Rock Tic-Tac-Toe :: One Creative Mommy
78. Rainbow Nature Collection :: jojoebi
79. Garden Fairy Wand :: Meaningful Mama
80. Magnetic Ice Fishing Game :: Growing a Jeweled Rose
81. Juice Box Boats :: Growing up Gabel
82. Butterfly Bubble Wrap Painting :: the gingerbread house
83. DIY Rocket Straws :: the Pleasantest Thing
84. Painting on Ice :: Sunlit Pages
85. Tin Can Lanterns :: Coffee Cups and Crayons
86. Crayon Candle :: and chaos ensued
87. Sidewalk Glitter Paint :: the Imagination Tree
88. Flag Stones :: ArtClubBlog
89. Mini Pinatas :: Little Inspiration
90. DIY Glowing Fireflies :: Apartment Therapy
91. Milk Carton Boats :: Fun crafts kids
92. Cardboard Box Castle :: Acorn Pies
93. Cardboard Box Guitar :: The Frakers Acres
94. No Sew Train Mat :: An Ordinary Housewife
95. DIY Cardboard Animals :: small for big
96. DIY Colored Sand :: Mom Wife Busy Life
97. Butterfly Magnets :: Mom Endeavors
98. Sea Life Egg Cartons :: Fantastic Fun and Learning
99. DIY Beach Blanket :: Cottage in the Oaks
100. Kool-Aid Dyed Rice :: Glued to my crafts
101. Washi Tape Bookmarks :: the Grant life

Like this post?  Be sure to check out:

• More summer craft ideas for kids
• Summer recipes for kids
• 25+ Homemade ice cream recipes
• Cereal Box Craft Ideas

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• DIY Bird Feeder
• Wine Cork Magnets
• Boutique Baby Blanket
• Car Seat Canopy
• Felt Monogram Letter
• Chalkboard Paint Mug
• DIY Shaped Crayons
• Homemade Salt Scrub
• Personalized Coasters
• Homemade Stationary Set

Homemade Wood Cutting Board :: My Turn for Us

DIY Bookmarks :: the DIY Dreamer

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub :: the Clumsy Crafter

DIY Pocket Hand Warmers :: Practically Functional

DIY Garden Markers :: Dukes and Duchesses

DIY Frosted Candle holder :: A Mom’s Take

DIY Painted Mugs :: Glued to my Crafts

Homemade Lip Balm :: Growing up Gabel

Fox Hand Warmers :: 30 Handmade Days

Easy Scarf :: The Philosopher’s Wife

Gold Dipped Mason Jar :: Lovely Little Life

DIY Lemon Sugar Scrub :: Stockpiling Moms

DIY Pallet Herb Garden :: Second Chance to Dream

Simmering Holiday Potpourri :: Call me PMC

Ribbon and Pearl Necklace :: Practically Functional

Monogrammed Towels :: Uncommon Designs

DIY Scarf :: the DIY Dreamer

Mason Jar Travel Cups :: the Clumsy Crafter

Wood Slice Napkin Rings :: Dukes and Duchesses

Lavender Bath Fizzies :: Practically Functional

DIY Painted Wine Glasses :: Second Chance to Dream

Wall Mounted Bottle Opener :: Simply Darrling

And if you want to give out tasty treats as gifts, send some my way.  No, Im just kidding.  [Kinda.]  Be sure to check out the “Easy Homemade Christmas Dessert” roundup with tons of great [and easy!] ideas for Christmas sweets and treats!  AND if you’re feeling crafty check out the “Easy Homemade Christmas Crafts” roundup.  Crafts, desserts, gift idea.  I think we have Christmas covered, yall!  [Sorry I can’t wrap the presents for ya though.]

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Isn’t it cute?!  I think its one of my favorite easy homemade craft projects to date.  To make the tree I used 3 different patterns of washi tape and the paper mache cone.  And a little patience.  When I first started adding the tape on the bottom of the tree I thought it would take forever.  I just kept adding and adding.  Then after I told myself to stop being dramatic [Me?  Never!] I realized that once the bottom is done the rest is kind of easy and quick.  And sort of relaxing too. 

To make the “leaves” I would take a piece of washi tape and almost fold it over onto itself, but not quite.  I left a small part of the tape exposed so that I could easily apply it to the cone.  Also, don’t press the tape completely together, the bubble part is what makes it so fluffy and cute.  And my fingers are crossed that that makes sense because I didn’t take pictures of the process.  [Insert awkward smile here.]

Im going to assume that it made complete sense and we are all on the same page.  [Mm kay?]  Look how pretty is came out!  I alternated the colors and I think the green and gold go perfect together.  Plus it looks super cute on my Christmas mantel.  Oh you wanna see my whole mantel now?  Well, ok!

This is my simple [child friend] Christmas mantel complete with washi tape tree, Little People nativity and a basket of shatterproof ornaments.  Plus my homemade chalkboard in the background and knick knacks up top.  I think the washi tape Christmas tree is the perfect addition to our mantel.  And its high enough that the kids haven’t messed with it yet!  [Mom win!] 

Want more Christmas craft ideas?

Check out:

• Felt Christmas Tree
• Mason Jar Lid Ornament
• The Big List of Easy Homemade Christmas Crafts

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• Felt Christmas Tree
• Personalized Glitter Ornaments
• Mason Jar Lid Reindeer Ornament

• DIY Glitter Glue Ornaments :: So Here’s my Life
• Burlap Candy Cane Door Hanger :: Clumsy Crafter
• Easy Lighted Garland :: Growing up Gabel
• Vintage Book Ornaments :: a night owl
• Simple Foam Stacker Christmas Tree :: Happy Hour Projects
• Christmas Firecrackers :: MommaYoung
• Yarn Wrapped Christmas Trees :: Covered in Mod Podge
• DIY Painted Mugs :: Glued to my Crafts
• Paper Straw Snowflake :: Ode to Inspiration
• Easy Christmas Ornaments :: Summer Scraps
• DIY Santa Wreath :: Love, Pasta & a Toolbelt
• Candy Cane Yarn Christmas Trees :: Architecture of a Mom
• Snowmen Milk Bottles :: Live, Laugh Rowe
• Christmas Mason Jars :: Pluckys Second Thought
• Wooden Spool Christmas Wreath :: The DIY Dreamer
• Felt Mistletoe :: Satsuma Designs
• Snow capped Pinecones :: Clumsy Crafter
• Monogram Snowflake Ornament :: Architecture of a Mom
• Christmas Card Holder :: Peonies and Orange Blossoms
• Holiday Pallet Sign :: i should be mopping the floors
• Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees :: Craftionary
• Festive Candle Holders :: The Messy Roost
• Christmas Fabric Banner :: Glued to my Crafts
• Personalized Scrabble Ornaments :: a night owl
• Easy Peppermint Lip Balm :: Growing up Gabel
• Wine Cork Wreath :: MommaYoung
• Princess Christmas Ornaments :: 52Mantels
• Beaded Christmas Tree Ornament :: Happy Hour Projects

And be sure to check out all the holiday deliciousness with Easy Homemade Christmas Desserts!

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I loved making these mason jar lid ornaments because they were easy and they are shatterproof.  When I walk through the Christmas aisles I marvel at all the shiny ornaments and how one day my tree with have pretty things that are breakable.  As for now our tree is full of love and durable ornaments. 

To make the ornaments, I first glued the two pieces of the lid together with hot glue.  Some of the glue oozes through but once its dry its easy to peel off.  Just because careful, hot glue on metal is extra hot!  [My left middle finger can attest to that.]

I then painted the mason jar lids brown and left them dry over night.  I added the eyes, nose and antlers [chenille pipe cleaners] the next day with hot glue.  A little green ribbon and these guys are Christmas tree ready.  [If you have older kids, this would be a great craft to do together!  My kiddos are still young so we avoid hot glue right now.]

Ryley gave them her seal of approval – “Cool reindeer mom!”.  I can’t wait to start the tradition of decorating two trees with her this year!  This will be our first big tree, we haven’t had the space before now.  So we will decorate grandmas tree and then ours.  And when that time comes, our reindeer will be glad they are made of metal and not glass. 

Looking for more Christmas crafts?  Check out:

• Felt Christmas Tree
• Homemade Salt Scrub [Great for gift giving!]
• Personalized glitter ornaments [under $2!]

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I applied a thin layer of glue to the kids hands and had them press down on the  construction paper so they left a glue hand print.  Then I let them use the cinnamon sugar shaker and cover the glue.  We shook off the excess and let them dry.  [And we did this in pajamas with crazy morning hair.  See below.]

 

 

We let them dry and then decorated the turkeys.  Ryley added a bunch of trees to her turkey-scape and Avery used stickers. 

 

 

After staring at the turkeys for awhile and not being able to pinpoint why they looked.. different,  I hung them up in the playroom and started to clean up. It wasn’t until I saw another turkey craft that I realized what was wrong with ours – they didn’t have any beaks!  Waddles – check.  Tail feathers – yup.  Two turkey feet – double check. Beak?  Nope!  And what makes this so funny [to me at least] is the fact that when we were making the cinnamon sugar handprints we were talking about the parts of the turkey and the sounds they make.  I guess you can’t win them all. 

• DIY Bird Feeder
• Abby Cadabby Wand

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Thankful Tree >> One Creative Mommy
Nutter Putter Pilgrim >> Cincy Shopper
Thumbprint Indian Corn >> Meet the Dubiens
Acorn Art >> No Time for Flash Cards
Turkey Embroidery Hoop >> Do Small Things With Love
Bugle Cornucopias >>Cookies and Cups
Thankful Bucket Garland >> Uncommon Designs
Turkey Pine cones >> A Pumpkin and a Princess
Turkey Pumpkin >> Second Chance to Dream
Pop up Paper Plate Turkey >> Crafty Journal
Fabric Feather Headdress >> Jacks and Kate
Turkey Hand Craft >> Pounds 4 Pennies
Fall Leaves Turkey :: Mommyapolis
Reversible Burlap and Lace Table Runner >> The Pinning Mama
Turkey Placemat >> Embellish Goods
Turkey Pillow Cover >> Truly Lovely
Pumpkin Pie Playdough >> The Idea Room
Paint Chip Turkey >> Born Again Farm Girl
Fall Leaves Placemats >> Mom Endeavors
Circle Stamped Pumpkins >> I Heart Crafty Things

Looking for more craft ideas?  Check out:

 Easy Fall Crafts

Or check out my Thanksgiving Pinterest board for more great ideas!
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