Harry Potter Costumes

Last week myself and my 3 older girls (ages 11, 9 and 7) were anticipating the opening day of Harry Potter 7 pt. 2. Of course the girls wanted to dress up as their favorite characters (Hermione and Luna Lovegood) so that took me to my sewing machine once again. I went and bought some cheap black fabric (Hutterite fabric to be precise)and these are the costumes I created. The Gryffindor tie is too narrow so I need to redo it. Here is the link to the tutorial for the cloak.

http://diyfashion.about.com/od/costumes/ss/gryffindor_robe.htm

There are a few things I did differently though. I didn't think it would be right for the cloak not to have a hood so I added one which complicates it but not too much. I also did not have enough fabric to do a full lining so I just made facings for the front/neck edge and the sleeves to make it look lined. Plus lining would have made it really hot to wear. I didn't have time to order an expensive Gryffindor or Ravenclaw patch so I printed them off on iron-on transfer paper, ironed them onto white broadcloth and then sewed them on to each cloak. I think it really adds that extra detail. If you have questions as to how I added the hood etc. just ask and I will send you instructions.

Harry Potter Costumes

Last week myself and my 3 older girls (ages 11, 9 and 7) were anticipating the opening day of Harry Potter 7 pt. 2. Of course the girls wanted to dress up as their favorite characters (Hermione and Luna Lovegood) so that took me to my sewing machine once again. I went and bought some cheap black fabric (Hutterite fabric to be precise)and these are the costumes I created. The Gryffindor tie is too narrow so I need to redo it but here is the link to the tutorial for the cloak.

http://diyfashion.about.com/od/costumes/ss/gryffindor_robe.htm

There are a few things I did differently though. I didn't think it would be right for the cloak not to have a hood so I added on which definately complicates but not too much. I also did not have enough fabric to do a full lining so I just made facings for the front/neck edge and the sleeves to make it look lined. Plus lining would have made it really hot to wear. Also make sure when you are tracing your body that you make it WIDE enough around the middle. If you have questions as to how I added the hood etc. just ask and I will send instructions.

End of School Party

On Friday, I threw an "End of School" party for my 3 older girls. We ended up with 15 girls who came! Activities included large kiddie pool, water balloons, making leis, slip and slide and of course, lots of snacks and treats. Here is a photo of the cost effective party favors I sent home with each guest. My girls helped me paint all the pots in fun, summery colors. Each pot contains a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, a gummy worm and a cookie pop flower.

Polka Dot Cake

Here is another cake I did about a week ago. It was for a wedding anniversary. All white cake with vanilla pudding.

Stay-At-Home Mommy Tip #2

Learn to cut your husband's hair. This saves at least $20/month. After we'd been married for about 4 years, I just bought one of those home hair cutting kits that came with a how-to video and viola, I could cut my husband's hair myself! Okay so he had to endure a few not so great hair cuts but it didn't take long and now I can do it in under 20 minutes. And to save even more money over the years I have learned to cut my girls' hair, just simple hair cuts for now but you never know, maybe I will get to be able to do more someday.

Cake Decorating

I would say that in the last couple of years, decorating cakes has become my passion. I love it and have a lot of fun with it. If I could do it for a job I would but I fear demand is low in my small city. So for now it is for fun but I would like to start sharing some of cakes with you. Here is the latest one I did over the weekend.

Stay-At-Home Mommy Tip of the Day

Okay this is the first of what I hope will be many tips to come. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 11 1/2 years and I have learned a thing or two in that time and started thinking I should share! So tip of the day today. 3 of my 5 girls have their bedrooms in the basement so I bought one of those plastic drawer things, labelled their names on them and put it in the boot room on the main floor. That is where they can keep little things like their swim goggles, notebooks or little things of theirs I find laying around while they're at school. As long as it is not overflowing they can keep whatever they want in there.