DIY Halloween

When I was in grade school, my friends and I would come up with a theme and make our own costumes—a vegetable garden and the solar system are the ones I remember. For my kids, I have succumbed to the ease of buying out-of-a-package costumes justifying it by adding my own touches like a garland headband made after a trip to Michael's. But the Russian Barbie Princess and Rosetta (pink Tinkerbell who?) last year were the wake up call...my girls AND I could be so much more creative! This year, they are as excited about creating their costumes. And that is the fun of Halloween, take an idea and make it all your own. Here is some of my inspiration for this year!

Cookie arrived the day after I had bought costumes last year with this feature! I saved it as inspiration for this year....I love the mom-and-dad costumes for kids too. Also check out Cookie's Halloween no-sew cheat sheet.

From the latest Martha Stewart Halloween, they have a how-to for this hair style. I like this but LOVE the beekeeper costume below—adapt it for a child!

White shirt and white or khaki pants from child's closet, white utility gloves with yellow padding, 1" and 1 3/4" bees at Floral Trims, Black tulle at Mood, Straw hat at Pearl River, Pail at Jamali Garden. There is a how-to for this in the magazine, but make it how you and your child like!

Our vegetable garden circa 1986.

With the tomato, carrot, and pumpkin, I am the ear of corn. There was a whole cardboard and green tissue paper contraption for the husk. Definitely homemade!

If you are just not up for the DIY Halloween, here are some of my favorite sites for costumes:Beastly Buddies, Fairytale Fashion, and Old Navy.

Have a great weekend!

Decal Wall Art

We are loving the idea of wall art as an alternative to framed pictures. We have rounded up our favorites. Be creative and put them up in a way all your own!

Inke Heiland's Tree $300 at Little Urbanites. Bird house not included.

 

Famille Summerbelle.

Elly Nelly's Get a Grip Wall Graphic $27 available at Fawn & Forest.

MIMI'lou's Paris by Louca $28 available at Comptoir d'Enfance. 

Inke Helland's Elephant $82.

Walter Stars $38. As mentioned on Cookie Daily.

Giraffe Chalkboard available at Jonathan Kaye. (Perfect for leaving little messages!)

Cookie's Inspiring Playroom

With domino gone, Cookie now takes its place as that little treat in the mail that I get excited when it arrives! This month does not disappoint! The 2nd annual Cookie 100 has some great new ideas, but my favorite feature is on this playroom. Not only is it beautiful, but it reflects how kids play from the surfaces to the storage to the furniture...and the sink—genius! These are just some of the photos, see them all on www.cookiemag.com. 

All images from Cookie, August 2009. 

Children's Artwork on Display

It is that time of year, the end of another school year.  Every mother I know struggles with the question of what to do with her children's special artwork and papers?  We want to (have to) keep a lot of it.

I absolutely love the jan eleni collage.   They collect, edit and apparently create quite a stunning collage of your children's artwork. The originals are all returned in an archival box.  I am exploring currently for myself.

   

Email info@janeleni.com or call 212-925-0581.  Price varies depending upon size of frame.    

I have long aspired to create a photo book of our children's artwork.   I recently read about artimus art that offers packages to digitize your children's artwork, create an online art gallery and print a custom photo book.  If the packages are a bit pricey, you can always take on a DIY project to scan yourself and create a book on Shutterfly or Flickr.      

artimus art packages, starting at $120 (The Red Wagon package).  

If you are looking for something a little simpler or just different, see these articles on art storage and display ideas on Marthastewart.com and Cookie Magazine.  Are we inspired to get started?