Here's Hank in his *real* Halloween costume, as Link
Despite a long tradition of creating costumes for myself that try to get every detail just right, now I am more inspired to create representational costumes. To me these are costumes that are mostly thrown together from what you have, and therefore you have to make do. Also, making kid's costumes from real clothes gives you a better shot of them staying on a little longer on Halloween (understanding of course that the hat is a no go after about 5 minutes).
From the top - Hat is handmade from felt. Turtleneck is a hand-me-down from Hank's cousin. Thrifted green polo shirt turned tunic (in the past I would have made this element from felt, but the large polo works just fine). Two of mama's belts were used to make a bandolier and a utility belt. The ocarina was a splurge at $6, but I figured this is quintessential Link, and therefore was a necessity. Instead of the white tights Link wears, Hank is wearing some tan knit pants we already had. He is wearing these booties, but since he is more mobile now (almost walking!), he will probably have to wear his regular (unmatching) shoes on Halloween. Bent sword from dollar store. Felt shield handmade. Total cost for thrifted polo shirt, ocarina, and sword: $10.
As previously mentioned, most people think he is Peter Pan. I'm ok with that. Just hope people notice all the work that went into that damn shield. It even has felt rivets.
(Update: Full lederhosen shot added to this post)
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Favorite of the day: Ah good - now I can feel guilty about not being prepared for the holidays as I unwrap and read the cheerful holiday messages on the wrappers in addition to feeling guilty about eating too much chocolate.
Working on: justonemoreday until we leave for our trip!
My "big project" for Hank's party...is not going to get done. I'm ok with that - really. Fine.
Just for the record, it was going to be a photo printed fabric bunting of him wearing all of these disguises. The first fatal flaw was the fact that my son cannot sit still, does not "do" hats, and every picture was a blur, which I'm sure would look worse on fabric. Then, we don't have a printer set up here at home. I know - it's 2009. My grandma has a printer for crying out loud. Finally, I had plans for embellishing the bunting with regular fabric, ribbon etc. Too many steps for a maxed out mama. Did I mention I threw my back out last week (wah), and I am making 6 different dishes for an office party tomorrow (sadly gone are the days of buying an El Pollo Loco family meal)?
{breathe}
Fortunately there is always plenty on the internet to brighten one's day. Like imagining an internet meme costume for myself. I would be Keyboard Cat. Although apparently the real keyboard cat is wearing a baby t-shirt (I always thought it was a kimono), I don't think one would need to go that far to complete the costume. A baby blue t-shirt should suffice. An adult onesie? Creeeeepy!
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Favorite of the day (besides internet meme costume maker): Beautiful and subtle
Working on: Let's see - Chinese chicken salad, green salad with pomegranate seeds and goat cheese, baked mac n cheese with butternut squash (from this month's Parents magazine), roasted root veggies, apple crisp, and whole wheat rolls. Trying to do all of the prep tonight and cook at work tomorrow.
So this is a lame post, so far as posting every day goes (a post for the sake of posting). I don't even have any Favorites to give you today.
I don't have an exact playlist for the party, as that is BT's department, and I am pretty sure none exists to date.
So back to party planning
We will be having:
~ Cupcakes
~ Powdered donuts
~ Mini carmel apples (using mini apples found at Whole Foods - not the melon baller method)
~ Bat-shaped Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches
~ Pre-made pinwheels
~ Veggies and dip
~ Popcorn balls (store bought)
~ Candy!!
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Favorite of the day: Not sure how far this series is going to go, but hope they make it through #8 (our next anniversary)! 1, 2, 3, 4 so far.
Working on: Cleaning break!
This was a planned project for the nursery from the get go that took about - oh - 5 minutes to complete. Isn't that the way it goes sometimes?
*Fortunately* BT had never heard that canning is also referred to "putting up"
My husband cringed when he saw these all rolled up
as any true comic book geek would. Eh - whatever. The kids will get a kick out of them.
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Favorite of the day: Ver(dana)y cool (via poppytalk)
Working on: Debating to do the big project or no...
I have a few partial posts, so I guess I'll choose one and make it a two-parter (starting to feel the squeeze of posting every day)
After Hank rejected purees around 7 months, the food I was making for him was small chunks of individual meats, veggies, fruits, etc.
That was all fine and good for a few months (although it was a pain to cut everything up so small!), but now his tastes have matured (?) and he wants to eat more "sophisticated" foods - things that have different tastes all in one bite. He pretty much eats what we eat, even spicy food.
Breakfast has become a challenge, as he is no longer satisfied with a handful of Cheerios and a banana. Of course, I usually don't have time to make anything too elaborate in the morning, so I have been making some "healthy" baked goods and freezing them. Admittedly they could be even healthier, with the use of applesauce instead of sugar, for example, and I plan to work on that. The healthy part is the addition of veggies or fruit to the items I serve - pumpkin bread, carrot muffins, and yes, even zucchini pancakes. Other breakfast foods include yogurt, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal with blueberries.
Don't worry - I am totally prepared for when he rejects all of these healthy foods and decides he is only eating food that is white. Or that which is round.
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Favorite of the day: Such graphic impact and so unique!
Working on: Maintaining sanity
So we did leave a Boo! gift after all for one family in our neighborhood
The ubiquitous candy table
It seems every party has one these days. I have a lot of great jars and such that could have made this amazing, but this is a) for kids and b) at a park, teetering over a slab of pavement, so plastic fit the bill. The empty dishes and containers will be filled with chocolate/candy that I do not want to risk transporting through the desert.
So - the peanut butter kisses. Didn't you just gag when you received these trick-or-treating? Houses passing out peanut butter kisses were definitely put on the potential t.p. list. But now I realize how crazy cool they are, since they are Mary Janes in disguise.
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Favorite of the day: Bocadillo de los muertos
Working on: Taking the night off
I forgot to mention - although the general theme of Hank's party is Halloween, I wanted to gear the party towards the dress up aspect of the holiday
Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes, the favors are dress-up related, and there will be a dress-up bin to add to or enhance the costumes worn. Or for the adults to get in on the fun. Most of the items shown here are from the dreaded dollar store. But come on - a giant toothbrush? Does it get any better than that?
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Favorite of the day: Get OUT! Super awesome party theme! (via Craft:)
Working on: The big time waster project that may or may not get done in time.
So here are the cupcakes I will be "making" for Hank's party
Here are the little favor bags for Hank's cousins
As mentioned, I have many wee wonderfuls patterns on hand, most of which I have not tried.
I was at the same thrift store where I found this book, and they had put a few more books from the series out
The "ramada" we have reserved for Hank's party has 4 tables
Each table will have an activity or something fun to do as a centerpiece. One table will have small pumpkins to decorate with foam pieces, googly eyes, and markers to make smashing, as in fabulous, pumpkins. Hopefully they will not become smashing, as in destroyed, pumpkins...
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Favorite of the day: Nothing new today, but one last summer fete before pulling out the sweaters.
Working on: (switching gears) baby gifts
When I started this month with the goal to blog every day, I thought I was so smart.
I thought I would get a few projects ahead of the game, and there would be no concern about having something blogworthy to post about every evening.
A few tired nights in a row, and I am already back to blogging about something I did the same day. Here is a hasty project that turned out pretty cute, though, imho. I took this silhouette of Hank and drew the basic outline freehand onto his pumpkin. I then filled it in with black paint. It took less than 10 minutes to complete! I need more 10 minute crafts!!
(yes, the paint really is wet in this picture...)
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Favorite of the day: Homemade favors - love em!
Working on: Rest, then more favor (of the store-bought variety) design.
What 1st Halloween would be complete without a visit to the pumpkin patch?
We let Hank pick out his first pumpkin
after steering him towards some that were more -- affordable.
Although I think of myself as an eco minded person, one (I wish there was just one) area I fall short is making environmentally preferrable purchases for parties.
