DIY Lego Father's Day Gift (That Kids Can Make)

Hello! Here's another gift back from Father's Day using Dollar Tree Lego (which technically aren't Lego but some other brand, but still). I helped one of my (small) close friends make this. She did a fabulous job. This gift is super easy, and it's a great gift for children to create. I found the idea through Pinterest at this website (The Seasoned Mom). I don't have the instructions on my website since this wasn't my idea, but the link has the instructions and it's pretty self-explanatory. You just need a permanent marker, Lego, a jar, and supplies to make a label and/or tag. My label was just brown paper, pen, and tape. My tag was made with brown paper, string to attach it t the jar, and pen. You can stick a bow or label on top, too, if you'd like. The idea is that children write their favorite memories with dad onto the Lego. I hope this comes in handy for somebody when Father's Day comes around again! Actually, this could really work for any occasion. Maybe somebody could use this for Christmas or an upcoming birthday?

I've got lots to share, so visit again soon!
-Lauryn

Easy Matilda Costume Idea

Here is a super easy tutorial for a Matilda costume from Roald Dahl's book. You probably have the materials on hand already, but if not they are easy to find, and this costume takes only a few minutes to throw together. All that you need is a blue dress, preferably with half-sleeves or long-sleeves. I had mine from a thrift store sale. I suggest you carry a book or two, or a some other element from the story so that people know what character you are. This costume is very quick, and Matilda is a great literary character from an enjoyable classic. This costume is especially good for those who are looking for a costume at the last minute. Not to mention that it isn't too over-the-top, so you could even wear it to work or school.

Here is an illustration by Quentin Blake from quentinblake.com:

I hope you enjoyed! I have more costumes to share, including another Roald Dahl costume, so I'll post again soon!

-Lauryn

Easy DIY Belle Costume

Halloween is right around the corner, and as you may know, I love to create costumes. Preferably elaborate ones. However, I always seem to find myself sewing and gluing at the last minute and I know most people love a simple but elegant costume. If you find yourself or someone you know scrambling for a costume at the last minute, this is a great choice. I've seen lots of Pinterest ideas for Belle costumes, so here is my own version listed in more detail below:

For the costume you will need:

-A light blue shirt (I cut the sleeves off of a tee-shirt I had)

-A white, button-down, long-sleeved shirt.

-An apron. I handmade mine for my Alice costume.

-A light blue (puffy/circle-shaped) skirt, the same shade as the shirt. They could also be medium blue. Mine was from a thrift store.

Put those items together, and easy as that you have a Disney princess costume!

Best of all, it costed me about $2, which isn't too terribly expensive. I hope you enjoyed! I look forward to sharing more costume tutorials with you!

-Lauryn

DIY Gandalf Costume

Hey, guys! Here's another costume tutorial, this one for Gandalf the Grey. I will warn you that it's not entirely handmade, and my only contribution was the hat, but I still thought you would like me to share. My mother mostly created it. I like to think that it's from the book because I adore the books and detest the movies, but it looks like the movie-version of Gandalf, so if you are doing the book-version, just change the colors (for instance, I think that the hat is supposed to be blue). It's super easy to make, especially if you don't sew. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Materials:

-Gray pants and shirt
-Gray beard
Gray fabric for the cloak
-Gray or blue acrylic paint
-Cardboard
-Newspaper or some other thin paper
-Scissors
-Tape (preferrable duct tape or electric tape)
-Supplies for paper mache glue (flour, water and glue)
-A staff, which could be something recyled, a smoothed-out stick or whatever you have on hand.

Step 1.

Cut out your cloak in a rectangle. Hem the edges, or if your like me, just hot glue the edges or leave them as they are. Gather the top into a hood-form and sew the front so that it stays in a hood-shape.

Step 2. 

Create a paper mache hat by using this tutorial, only make a cone-like form instead of the cylinder, of course.

Step 3. 

Buy the clothing materials if you haven't yet or don't have gray clothes and a beard on hand. Don't forget to find a staff. You're done! It's as simple as that!

Hopefully you found this handy! Throughout September and October I hope to also share Galadriel, Lucy Pevensie, Charity, Moana, Toad, and Belle costume tutorials, among many others!

-Lauryn

DIY Seashell Placecards

For Father's Day I created these super easy seashell place cards to go with the seaside-Boston theme. You can make them to, in just a couple minutes!
You will need:
-Seashells
-Ink pen

1. Get out your seashells. They can be whole shells or broken fragments, just whatever you have or can find.
2. Write names on the shells with your pen in calligraphy. If you can't write in calligraphy, try to write in cursive, then go back and make the left side of each letter fatter than the right side. Or do a different font style altogether.
3. You're done! Place cards and pretty party decor doesn't get much quicker or cheaper (if you have the supplies already) than that, right?

Have fun styling your table!

-Lauryn

DIY Recycled Heart backdrop

For the Valentine's Party at the Park that I shared in my previous post, I made a heart backdrop. As promised, I present the tutorial so that you can make one too! This backdrop is easy, quick, recycles cardboard, and can be used for photo backdrops, birthdays, weddings, or other events in addition to Valentine's Day. It makes a great last-minute party decoration.

You will need:

-Cardboard (if you want it to look like mine, use the white bottom halves of clothing boxes, making sure that there is nothing on them, such as labels or unwanted colors).

-Hot glue gun with hot glue gun sticks

-String (I used yarn from the thrift store)

-Scissors

Step 1. Gather up your cardboard, and begin cutting out hearts. It's okay if they're different sizes.

Step 2. Hot glue string to the back of the hearts. I spread mine out so that the strands would be longer.

That's all there is to it! 

I plan on posting some St. Patrick's Day crafts later this week, so come back soon!
-Lauryn