Halloween Frankenstein Food Crafts

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Hope you all have a Spook-a-licious Halloween and if you do Trick-or-Treat you are able to despite Sandy trying to mess things up for the East Coast.  I have a few Halloween treats I made for my kids and I wanted to share with you. 

I was sick all weekend so all the other fun ideas in my head just didn’t get done.  However, I am going to look at the glass half full and recognize the fact that I did get some things done and they were HOMEMADE!!!

My friend posted these awesome Frankenstein Jell-O Pudding Cups on her blog (thanks to Pintrest) and I had to duplicate.  These are simply made with 2 small packages of Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding made as directed on side of box, food color, and crushed up Oreos on top.

Crazy as it was…I had all the supplies.  Clear cups and all.  The one thing I didn’t have was Green Food Color.  I was going to call my husband (who was conveniently at the store to get Food Coloring) but then I remembered I CAN MAKE GREEN!!!!!

Why didn’t I have green??? It definitely wasn’t because I didn’t put on the lid tight enough…oops!

One other important TIP:  Most people can get away with using a Permanent Marker. HOWEVER, if you try to paint your face after you pour in cold liquid it condensates and the permanent marker does NOT stay on. I used vinyl cut outs.  I am going to add a link here to my drop box account to my vinyl cutouts.

Once you are done….

SPOOKY – DELICIOUS – FRANKENSTEIN TREATS!!!

Next, for my son’s preschool classroom I made him some FUN, SPOOKY box drinks.  This was easy enough for the kids to help with.

Supplies needed.  Duck Tape (love all their fabulous colors) hole puncher, double sided sticky tape, felt, googly eyes, vinyl cut outs.

1. Remove the straw and save

2. Punch a hole in a strip of duck tape and line it up with the foil straw insert area.

3. Wrap…

4. Decorate

5. With the double sided sticky tape attach back the straw on the back.

Get your little people involved!! They will love to tell their friends what they made!!

The ghost you use the sample instructions but only use vinyl cut outs for the face!! 

I hope I have inspired you to to make your Halloween just a little bit more Homemade!!  if not this year, then next

Happy Halloween!!

Matching Ruffled Cape for a Girl and 18” Doll Giveaway

There are lots of wonderful things to celebrate around here, therefore, a giveaway from Stictly Homemade is in order.

1st…. Strictly Homemade has  200+ fans on Facebook!!! Thank you fans!! I am so blessed because Strcitly Homemade fans are some of the most supportive women (and men) in the world. You guys inspire me!!!

2nd…I have a new logo. Did you notice??? If not here is another picture.  Isn’t it pretty???

3rd…I will be changing me Etsy Shop name from Maridith’s Designs to Strictly Homemade by Maridith.  With a spelling as wacky as mine, it is not a good call to name your shop after your self.  NO ONE CAN FIND YOU!!! That will be happening in the next few days.

Last but not least, I have an awesome giveaway to announce.   This one is just in time for the cool weather and holidays.

1 of my lucky fans will receive a

Matching Ruffled Cape for a girl and for her 18” Doll!!

This is a $30 value yours free!!

However, even if you don’t win you could all be a winner.  If you order a cape now through Oct. 31st I will send you a matching cape for free! 

  Just leave me a message when ordering a cape!!  Go here to order.

How to enter.  It is very easy using Rafflecopter. There are multiple ways to enter!!!  Some you can enter everyday!!! Totally increasing your odds!!!

You are entering to win this pink and white Ruffle cape (the size needed) and matching 18” doll cape.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ENDS October 31, 2011.   Winner will be announced November 1st on Facebook and my blog!!

Thank you so much fans!!!! This is for you!!!

Homemade Halloween Costumes

This weekend we had our first Halloween Party for the kids.  I love it that we have the chance to wear our costume more then once thanks to Halloween Parties.
Of course,  the party is on the 20th and do I have my costumes ready?  No!  (check out my Facebook page to document my procrastination!!!)  I wait until the last possible moment to make them, then my son makes decides it needs alterations 20  minutes before the party starts.  It is all good!  We made them and he looked awesome.
  Here are 2 of my 3 kids Halloween Costumes this year.  There will be pictures of my oldest later
First, my favorite costume I have ever made. 

Cailyn this year is Shrimp Sushi.  Can you see it???  This was so much fun to make and I think she is cute enough to eat!!!! Of course, what is sushi without a little wasabi and pickled ginger?

Then Wesley was a Vampire Bat!!! So scary!!!
He told me over and over again he wanted his wings to stick straight out.  So I used a pool noodle to help me accomplish this task…
After he realized he couldn’t walk down the hall OR slide down the slide he changed his mind.  We removed the noodle and sewed elastic on the wings in three places so he could “FLY”
I don’t have a picture of him standing still but I do have one of him having the time of his life!!!
Just a little bit of Strictly Homemade this Halloween!!! I love all things homemade!

Ruffled Pumpkin Pants

It is just in my blood. Come this time of year I have to start making the kids some festive wear to match the holidays.  I really could care less about making Valentines, Easter or 4th of July clothes but starting in October my kids will be wearing some festive clothes.

The easiest to dress (because she can not voice her opinion) is my 20 month old.  I made her the most adorable pair of Ruffled Pumpkin pants for Halloween.

If you have been following my blog you might recognize this material from the Reversible Baby Dress. 

Pardon me while I shed a couple of tears…this was my little girl last Halloween…

Moving on…sniff, sniff, sniff

Last year I made my oldest daughter this broomstick skirt out of the same material.

Now there is nothing left after the 3rd project but it has been well used and well loved…yippee for no wasted material!!!

If you would like to  make your daughter/granddaughter a pair I used Seamingly Smitten’s Ruffled Pants Pattern .  Right now through Oct 18th she is having a sale on all her patterns for $4.00 go pick up one or two!!!

Happy Fall Y’all!!!!

October 15- National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

Back in 1988, Ronald Regan declared October 15th National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.  While many of us may have been blessed with healthy children, 1 in 4 women suffer from a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.  On October 15th light a candle in remembrance!!!!

If you were were to think about it for less then a 1 minute you could probably count at least 5 people who has suffered a pregnancy or infant loss.  Although I have not personally suffered a loss like this, I know many people close to me who have and this cause has become very important to me. (Go here to see a Baby Blanket service project I helped with for one of our MOPS Moms )

My in-laws lost 2 children that were stillborn. These two children are my husband’s brother and sister. (pictured above is my husband and his younger brother at their sister’s funeral)  Back then when a child died it was not spoken about again. However, the pain and agony a young mom and dad feel can stay with them forever. It took them years and YEARS to deal with their loss and deal with how things were handled. My MIL is now becoming an advocate for young mother’s dealing with these losses. She wrote to her local newspaper…

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month as proclaimed by Ronald Reagan in 1988.

This includes infants who died due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, SIDS and all infant deaths. Oct. 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. On this date there will be a “Wave of Light for October 15th.”

Everyone is invited to light a candle at 7 p.m. in all time zones worldwide. If everyone keeps their candle burning for at least one hour, there will be a continuous “Wave of Light” over the entire world on Oct. 15. (www.october15th.com).

My husband and I are former longtime residents of Roanoke Rapids. We have two stillborn babies, James Collins Fitts Jr., 1975, and Reita Gale Fitts, 1982, buried in Cedarwood Cemetery. In their memory, we hope to educate others about the importance of these October events.

--------------------------

What can you do?

I was reading an article from the Examiner and it gave some suggestions on what you can do…

• light candles and display them in windows.
• Leave porch lights on and have radio stations announce this too.
• Take a special candle to a friend who has suffered loss.
• Release butterflies.
• Tie a pink or blue ribbon on a tree, mailbox or other outdoor location.
• Sponsor flowers at a church in memory of someone who has lost a baby.
• Call a friend who has suffered loss
• Send a note of kindness and remembrance to those who have suffered loss.

As we remember those whom have suffered an unfathomable loss please reach out to them.  My friend, who has an angel in heaven has this poem on her blog and it says it best.

Remembering
Go ahead and mention my child,
The one that died, you know.
Don't worry about hurting me further
The depth of my pain doesn't show.
Don't worry about making me cry
I'm already crying inside
Help me heal by releasing
The tears that I try to hide.
I'm hurt when you just keep silent,
Pretending it doesn't exist.
I'd rather you mention my child
Knowing that she has been missed.
You ask me how I'm doing,
I say "pretty good" or "fine"
But healing is something on going
I feel it will take a lifetime.
by Elizabeth Dent

For those of you have have lost a child or grandchild I pray for peace.  Know that you are not alone and we as a nation are remembering your babies.  For God knows them all by names and they are in God’s care until you see them again.

On October 15th, I will light a candle at 7PM to remember and shed light on the issue that families who lose babies do suffer a tremendous loss.  I hope you will reach out to a person  you know who has lost a baby, it could be just the blessing they need.

In remembrance of James Jr, Reita Gale, Evan, Ella and many many more I never knew by name.

Upcycle Old Earrings into Stylish Painted Earrings

Do you have some old metal earrings in your jewelry box that are tarnishing, too dark for your hair, or just out of style?  I have all three.  Rather then just throwing them away I decided I could upcycle them with a little spray paint and voila I will have new earrings with a brand new life!!! 

It is as easy as 1-2-3.

Gather your supplies: Earrings, Spray paint, & Tape

1. Tape off the part you do not want spray-painted.  I would recommend the hooks that go in your ear.  I am not responsible if you have an allergic reaction to spray paint if you paint the entire earring! Kapish? 

2. Clean off and dirt on the earring with a dry rag

3. Spray paint with light coats waiting 20 minutes between each coat.  Flip and do the other side.

Tada!  You are done and you have fashionable colorful earrings for next to nothing!

I did the same thing to a pair of black metal earrings that I never wore because my hair is dark brown and they didn’t show up.  Now they show up and look cool and funky!!!

Go search your jewelry and see what you can upcycle to keep up with the latest trends!!

I am sharing this here.  If you like this go on ahead and pin it!!!

3 Pattern Winner is....

Congratulations to Tonia J!  She is the winner of the 3 patterns from Maridith's Designs!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to all who entered my giveaway and those of you who took the time to give me feedback on what you would like to see next.  You have given me some awesome ideas and look forward to drafting some out!!!

If you didn't win that is okay you are all winners here is a coupon code for 20% off all Maridith Designs doll patterns.  Use code 20DOLLS.  Remember it is only for doll patterns now through Oct 31!!!

18” Doll Pattern Giveaway from Maridith’s Designs

My fabulous Facebook friends have spoken: You want a pattern giveaway. I mentioned if I hit the magic number of likes I would host one. My magic number was 19.  10% of the number of likes (190) on Strictly Homemade Facebook Page. 

As of this morning there were 22 likes.  You guys are awesome!!!

Enter to win all 3 of my Maridith’s Designs Patterns.  You will receive…

The One Shoulder Ballroom Gown Pattern

3-in 1 Annabelle Skirt Pattern

Reversible Dress Pattern

All you have to do is follow the instructions from Rafflecopter to win. Easy Peasy!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Final day to enter is 12PM Oct 7th.  I will announce the winner on October 8th on Facebook and my blog.  The winner has 48 hours to contact me.  If the winner does not come forward a new winner will be picked.  All patterns will be emailed!  Thank you for entering.

Have great weekend. 

Women’s Peasant Top from Vintage Material

If you are a seamstress chances are you have boxes of fabric that people have donated, inherited. or purchased just because it was pretty only to be in a box for 10 years.   I have all of the above.

I am TRYING to make stuff with the fabric I have.  As I was rummaging through my fabric this weekend I found some OLD material.  It even has some moth holes in it but that didn’t distract me. This was my material came from my Adopted Aunt Joann.  (I wish she was well enough to see what  I did with her fabric)

Once I had the fabric,  I found the perfect pattern and went to work. Here is the blouse I made!

First, here is the pattern I found on line.  It is by Things of Cloth.com. It appears to be an old website but the pattern is still available. 

Make your pattern pieces based on your measurements. (Cell Phone picture sorry)

Lay out your pattern and dodge all the moth holes (if you material is as old as mine,  Ha!!!

Enjoy your top.  I wore it to church with a belt.

However, I think I am most comfortable with it without a belt. It is your preference!

I made this on a Saturday evening and wore it to church the next day. What a blessing it is to have something new to wear to church and I never left my house or flipped on the computer to go shopping. Let’s keep it real…I have 3 kids I do a LOT of shopping on line.

I hope this inspires you to make something new from your stock of fabric!!!!  You have the pattern now. Go!!!

Here is my new Facebook page profile picture for Strictly Homemade, you might recognize the shirt now.  If you are not a fan on my Facebook page you need to be!!!  Click here!!

Thank you to my sweet 7 year old daughter for taking pictures for me.

QUESTION:  How many of you would be interested in Fabric Scrap Exchange? You will fill a Priority Mail envelope with as much of your scraps (min size 10X10”) as you would like and mail it to another crafter in the USA?  Wouldn’t it be fun to get some NEW material to work with?  Make some doll clothes, material for appliques, or small crafts. The possibilities are endless.  Before I go through all this work I need to know people are interested.  Then we would all share our package in a blog post and share it here with maybe a project or two you made with the fabric.

Leave me a comment and let me know!!!