Spider Hat - Another Fun and Easy Kids Craft...NICE!

Oh yeah, She's BAD!!!  But in such a super cute way, right?  This was the easiest and most fun craft yet.  Well, for me anyway.  Look at that cute little thing - just makes me smile.  Continuing the Halloween Kids Craft theme I've had going on, I give you the Spider Hat.

You could probably make this with stuff you already have at home.  This is about a 30 minute craft that kids could totally do all on their own unless they needed scissor assistance. 

Materials

Black Construction Paper
Orange Construction Paper
Glue
Scissors

I recommend using a glue stick as it sticks the best in the shortest amount of time.  You could use Elmer's regular glue but that tends to take a little more time to set up and these puppies need to be worn right away...you'll see!

1.  You will need to cut your black construction paper into strips.  One strip that is 2" wide by 22" long which will be the main head band.  You could also make this happen with 2 strips that are 2" wide by 11" long - just overlap and glue the ends together.  That's how I did the one you see.  You will also need 8 strips that are 1-1/2" wide by 9" long, these will be the legs.

2.  For the eyes you are going to cut 2 large black circles, 2 medium orange circles and 2 small black circles out of your construction paper.  I just used things we had around the house to trace, just eyeball it, you've got stuff, you know you do. ;)



Large Black Circles

 

 Small Black Circles

Medium Orange Circles

Why is there a box around all of this...I cannot for the life of me figure it out!!!  Ugh!  Sorry

3.  Glue 1 medium orange circle onto 1 large black circle like so...

 

I know I got mad photographic skillz!  (Sorry about the blur, my bad)

... and then glue 1 small black circle onto the orange circle.  Repeat for the second eye.

4.  Next, fold the 8 (leg) strips in half.

This is what you should have now (pic below).  One long 2" wide strip (main head band), 2 eyeballs and 8 strips (legs) folded in half.




5.  Now fold back about 1/2'' of the end of one side of the folded strips.  I hope the picture below explains this better. :/  

Also, take the long strip, main head band, and wrap it around the head it's going on and mark or hold the spot where the strip overlaps itself.  Glue that in place so that long strip is now a circle and then glue your eyes onto it.  It looks best to glue the eyes right next to each other, basically so that the small black circles are close to touching. 

6.  Glue the side of the strip that you didn't fold to the inside of the main head band piece.  Arrange them with 4 on 1 side and 4 on the other.

It should look something like this when you are finished.

7.  Finagle the legs so that it looks more like a spider. 

This is what I came up with.

Of course I felt that Buggie's needed a little something else...so she got purple glitter nail polish and a purple bow in her, hmmhmm, hair.

I am so lucky to have gotten these pictures.  She does not do head gear, the occasional beanie her Dad puts on her but other than that no way.  There's nothing a little banana won't cure - at least long enough to get 2 pictures!

These are super fun for the groms to make and they look adorable in them.  Who wouldn't want a spider hat, seriously?  Big Daddy D was even wearing this one earlier...I promised I wouldn't show the pics but I don't know how long I can hold out. =D

Thanks for checking out the post.  I hope you get a chance to make a spider hat and have so much fun with your little one while you do.  This is a great project to add to the last minute Halloweenie fun list.  Quick, easy, entertaining and very rewarding!!!  Thanks Auntie Vy, we love you!

Oh please let me see your spider hats.  I would love to know what other fun things you did to dress them up!  Have a great day!!!

PEACE

   LOVE &

      Spider Hats

A

TooT! Creepy Spider Webbed Door Frame

This is such a cute and creepy Halloweenie craft that you and your kids can do.  Bubby is 10 and helped make this fantastic specimen and also thinks it is super cool!  So easy and fun to make, let's get started!!!

Materials:

Black Poster Board
Scissors
Glitter Glue or Glitter Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils, etc.
Funky Spider
Fishing Line (or other clear line/rope)
Heavy Duty Tape
Ruler
Chalk
Crafty Headgear...don't forget! 

First, make sure you're working with the poster board in the landscape position.  Using your chalk and ruler, draw straight lines on the outside edges of the board, just the top edge and the left and right sides.  Now, from each corner, draw 2 more lines in toward the middle, see pic below.



Next, take your scissors and starting at the bottom of the board, the point where your left line ends, cut a curved line to the end of the next point.  Continue doing this with each point until you have made it back around the ending point of the line on the right edge of the board. 

Now you're ready to glitter-fy it.  You can see in the picture just above that we started by outlining the outside edges with black glitter.  You can do this however you desire and in whatever medium you choose, as long as it can be seen against the black.  The glitter just really stands out and catches the light so great and looks super cool!  We did all of the inside lines in silver glitter.

Next, make glittery curved lines that mimic those you cut out of the poster board.  These don't have to be perfect.  Just go with the flow of the curves and have fun with it.  You will do a couple of rows of the glitter curves to get the look of a spider web.

Also notice that we added a center line to give us an anchor point for the center curves.

Ok, get your cutie creepy spider guy...

Poke a little hole in his bottom and slide your fishing line, cut at your desired length, through the hole and tie a knot that is big enough so the line doesn't slip back out of the spider butt.  We wanted the spider to hang down a good bit but not too much to be a nuisance when trying to get in and out of the room.  Set spidey aside.



Here's the tricky part.  Not for you, for me!  How do I explain how we adhered this whole thing to the door???

Here goes...my husband held the poster board from the front letting the top edge slightly overlap the front of the door frame.  While he was holding it there I took our packing tape and pulled off a strip about a foot long & put the tape on the back of both the poster board and the top of the door frame.  The tape literally stradles both pieces.  I did this with enough tape to cover the entire back edge of the poster board.

Here you can see it from the front with this pathetic close up. ;)  That super small, bright green text in the picture says: "See here, from the outside, the board is just on the outside of the top of the door frame"

Now for the final step.  This is where you hang your cutie creepy spider guy.  I don't have a picture for this because it didn't really come out.  I think it was a combo of the clear fishing line and clear tape against the ultra white door frame...not a good close up picture taking combo.  But seriously, all you do is get your spider where you want him (doesn't have to be in the middle if you want to change it up), holding the line with it under your thumb up against the under side of the top of the door frame (just behind your poster board) keep your thumb tight on the line & take a small piece of packing tape and tape the line in place where your thumb was.  Viola'!  Done!

Did that make any sense at all?  Whoa!  I've read it a few times and I feel like it might be doable with that explanation.  Please let me know if you need some more confusing details, I am more than happy to oblige. =)



This decoration was so much fun to make and a huge hit with the boys.  This is that perfect craft to get the boys interested, syked and spooked all at the same time.  Thanks again Auntie Vy for our fabulous crafty days and these awesome ideas!!!  

Happy almost Halloween to everyone.  Keep up the great crafty work!  I look forward to seeing some of the other fantastic crafts at the killer linky party blogs over on my left sidebar.  You should go check them out.  There are so many wonderful ideas and talented chicks out there!!!

PEACE LOVE & CREEPINESS!!!

My Boobs Are Mine....(sorry guys)

...once again.      teeheehee


Hello friends.  I have had a very busy week.  There have been lots of changes on the home front.  A new season is dawning and thus one is passing away. 

I know you're wondering about the boobs, probably can't get it out of your head right now.  "What is she talking about, her boobs are hers again?"  Well today marks the day that I completely stopped breast feeding.  We have been in the cut back process (weaning-makes me feel like a puppy should be involved) for a little while but today it is done.  Today I am a free woman...well as far as my boobs are concerned. 

You think I would be exstatic and completely over-joyed but it's not quite like that.  I am happy and sad.  I am happy because my baby is growing up.  Happy and thankful to GOD for how strong Buggie is and how healthy she is.  We are so Blessed by her, every single day.  The LORD has HIS hand on her, NO DOUBT! 

I am happy that we made it 13 months and 9 days doing something that is trying and exausting, sometimes painful and heartbreaking but oh so worth it producing a bond that cannot be described with words.  I am thankful for this AWESOME body GOD gave me!  Do you know the things this woman can do???  That all women can do?  We are serious! 

I am sad because my baby is growing up.  That she some how, in some ways, doesn't need me as much.   You see we have not only stopped nursing.  Buggie is now officially walking, sometimes running, around the house.  It has been a couple of months working with her, trying to get her to just take her hand off the ottoman once or take 1 step from Mom to Dad.  

               

A little snippet of her morning stroll         

Lately she has seemed much more interested in it but each adventure ends abruptly in a decision to stick to the crawl.  Then, this past Thursday, she was ready.  She took 2 steps to me from the bookcase in the office (/sewing room/storage closet room/guest room) ;)  It was so exciting and she was so proud of herself.  So we practiced quite a few more times.  Each time getting a little bit better.  By the time Daddy got home she was able to show him 4 steps in a row along with the biggest, cheesiest smile you have ever seen.  It has been a practice sesh (session) ever since.  Every day.  Every where.  She loves to walk and now tries running!  Egad!!!

Along with all of that she is changing, physically.  Like right before our very eyes.  We swore that she had changed from last night to this morning.  Her face, her hair, her smile.  She talks constantly with some words that you can actually understand.  Amazing!  She can read some words (thanks to Your Baby Can Read and Auntie Vy) and knows animals and colors (not all, mind you, but some).  She knows almost all of her body parts.  She loves her big brother with a love that is palpable, that you can see.  I could totally go on, as Moms do, but I won't.  Just know that she is AMAZING!!!  But she is changing and it is very bitter sweet.  

On a crafty note, I thought I would give you a sneak peek of something I have been working on.  I hope to have a mini how-to for you by tomorrow but there is no telling what tomorrow will bring. =)  I can only worry about today.

Isn't he cute?  Just wait!

I bid you adieu...until the morrow =D  I'm goofy, I know.  Happy Wednesday to everyone.  Half is past and half is yet to come!  Enjoy today - it is a Gift!!!

PEACE - LOVE & Bananas

P.S.  If there is anyone out there who has any questions about breast feeding please, please, please feel free to comment me with your email and I will contact you.  That way it's just between us.  I am no expert and will not claim to be but I did do it for 13 months and 9 days and Buggie and I went through a lot to be able to do it for that long.  I know the struggles and the joys and am so totally free and open to help, listen, encourage, you name it.  You can't embarrass me - you can't shock me...seriously! 

Toot! (tutorial) The Itsy Bitsy Spider...

...looks awesome on this bib!

 

I know that's not the original verse but I couldn't help myself.  Itsy Bitsy is one of our favorite tunes in this house and when I recently got my hands on some super cute Halloweenie fabric I knew one of the spooktacular creations I wanted to make had to have an 'itsy bitsy' on it.

This is kind of a mini tutorial.  I am not going to go into too much detail because there are a few bib toots out there and I don't have anything too incredibly special to add......except for Mr. Spider.

Materials needed:
1/4 (not even that much) yard main fabric piece
1/4 (not even that much) yard back fabric piece
Batting, thread, little scissors, sewing machine, sew on velcro

1. First, you will want to use a bib that you like the size and fit of to trace on your fabric.  If you don't exactly like something about the bib then change it up when you are using it as a pattern.  Mine was a little smaller than I would like so I allowed for that when tracing it.  You will also need to allow for about a 1/2" seam allowance when sewing.  You are only doing this on the main, or front, piece of the bib.

2. Mr. Spider happens to have started as a reverse applique'.  I totally dig the whole reverse applique' thing especially paired with an applique' (which just means that I go back over the reversed one).  You might think that's a little pointless but I love the depth it gives the creature, or whatever it is you are applique'ing ;)  If you do a reverse applique' this is the time to do it, after you have cut out the main piece.

Short Toot within a Toot!

To reverse applique', simply cut out a piece of fabric larger than your intended design (Mr. Spider in my case), this fabric is best if it is a great contrast from your main fabric (like how I used black for my spider body-the black is a great contrast, and complement, to the orange spidery main fabric. sorry I did not show my black fabric in a seperate pic!)  Then iron a piece of fusible interfacing to the backside of your contrast fabric.  Trim to desired size.  Next, you are going to pin the fabric with the interfacing to the wrong side of the piece you are applique'ing.  Pin the interfacing side up.  Then draw out whatever design you are doing on that piece of interfacing you just ironed on.  Now, with a small stitch (I use a 1 on my machine), sew all of the lines you just drew onto the interfacing at least 3 times.  You are literally looking at the interfacing when sewing and doing a 'tracing' of all the lines you drew with your needle and thread about 3 times over.  You should really try to keep your threads connected when moving on to the next spot (ie, on mr.spider, from the main circular body to the little eyes).  I did not do that this time.  I was having some needle issues (and operator error).  When you're done 'tracing' your line a few times you would simply pick up your needle, pull out the fabric just a little bit and line up your needle with the next spot to 'trace'.  This gives it a little more assurance that threads won't pull out.  I ended up having to go over my lines about 5 times so I am not too worried about that...famous last words, right?  Finally, you will turn your fabric over and cut away the material around all of the spots you just sewed.

3. This bib has a layer of batting in the middle.  I layed my front bib piece down on the batting and pinned it in place.  After it was pinned I just went ahead and cut the batting around my pinned piece leaving around a 1/2" allowance.  This is because when you sew the batting sometimes it will 'shrink' or change in size a little bit.

4. Now you can either go ahead and sew the batting to this piece right now (just make sure the batting is on the wrong side of your fabric) or you can cut out the piece for the back of the bib and then sew all 3 at the same time...which is what I did.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance and leave an opening, about 1-1/2", somewhere in the bib to turn it right side out.  Oh, do the same method with your back piece, pin your front piece to it and just cut.  If you plan it right you can have everything pinned and ready to sew in minutes!

In this pic you can see my front piece is wrong side out with it's right side facing the right side of the back piece.  I have my batting pinned to the wrong side of the back piece.  So in my layer sandwich it goes: front piece, back piece, batting (with the front and back pieces right sides together).

Here you can see what it looks like from the back after the bib sandwich has been stitched.  See my opening for turning at the bottom left?
                                                                              

And here it is from the front.  Be sure to trim your batting to match your front and back pieces now that the bib sandwich has been sewn.

5. After you've trimmed your batting go ahead and trim the corners of the bib up around the top where the neck straps meet so that there is less bulk when turning the bib right side out.  I actually trim the entire thing coming close the stitch to allow for a neater looking bib.  I feel like the less bulk the better.  If you do this just make sure you don't trim too close to that stitch or it will pull out.  Now gently turn it right side out through the opening you left.  No pics for this but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  I would iron it at this point as well to help it lay flat and allow for ease when top stitching.

6. Top stitch around the entire bib folding in the area that you left open for turning so that you close it completely up.  Sorry, no pic for this either.

7.  Add some sew on velcro.

8. Final step, applique'!!!  I used a basic zig zag stitch for the spider legs.  I just drew right onto the bib the leg placement and followed that along with a 1/2" zig zag.  I also zig zagged around the body of the spider creating some depth.

Love him! 

Please leave me a comment and let me know if something wasn't clear or if I can help explain anything a little better for you.  I am totally visual so I get it if something didn't click!!! 

And please, please, please, I would love pictures if you make a fun bib of your own!