Happy Halloween, because we care.

You guys, it is Halloween, so of course, I am sharing my costumes, ahem… from last year, because it takes me a year to write a post about making costumes for Halloween. #badblogger

No seriously, you should know I am a Halloween costume procrastinator.  Also, because I like to semi-home-make our costumes, they tend to be rather expensive, and take forever.  Anyone else see a problem with this equation?  This year, I realized I should have just spent the $45 bucks on a pre-made costume, saved time AND money and been happy, doggone it! (I just can’t make myself do it!)  I am a glutton for punishment, and Halloween.

Anywho, last year, we decided to be Care bears!

For those of you looking to do this, you can buy pre-made kiddie costumes Wonderheart and Cheer, they are adorable, but the adult costumes wouldn’t have matched and I would have had to make them from scratch (no way!).

Instead, I ordered hooded (except Justin- since Funshine often wears a helmet) fleece onsie pajamas,  these are the exact suits I ordered Wonderheart, Cheer, Harmony and Funshine.

My girl’s onsies were a little big, which meant I had to do a bit of altering.  This actually worked out because I was able to make ears with the left over fabric and some felt..  Mine had a little hand pocket on the front of the suit.  I carefully used a seam picker and removed it.  Then I made my ears out of that.  Justin’ didn’t have ears!

I used a large felt circle in white, lined with white cotton for stability on each suit, and 7 colors of flannel in about 1/4 yard each (you will have left over fabric!).  I cut out the designs (according to images of the belly patches online) and cut out the designs in similar fabric colors.  If winging the design feels too overwhelming, save the belly patch image, print out at the proper scale and use it as a pattern.  Once the pieces were in place, I glued them with a small amount of fabric glue and zig-zagged all the edges with coordinating or contrasting thread depending on the design.

Once each patch was deigned, and because each suit had a zipper down the tummy, I sewed the tummy patch to one side of the suit.  Then I added velcro to the opposite side of both the suit and belly patch.  That way the zippers still function but the patches stay on nice.  One little extra detail, are the little heart butt patches, because CUTE!

 Introducing the CARE BEARS!

Wonderheart bear:

Cheer Bear:

Harmony Bear:

Funshine Bear:

Yes, our whole family dressed up in fleece onsie pajamas.  Props to my amazing husband for being so, well, AMAZING and being such a good dad to two little girls.  They truly adore you for playing along, and you deserve it.

We had a wonderful Halloween day.   We made a whole day of it.  Lunch in full garb and trip to the park for pictures and fun, trick or treating, carving pumpkins and finally eating candy while watching the nightmare before Christmas!

On to the park:

Trick or treating.  I just LOVE the anticipation in this picture!

The haul!  (yes, we try to keep it reasonable…)

Pumpkin carving!

And Jack Skellington!

Happy Halloween!

The post Happy Halloween, because we care. appeared first on Remodelaholic.

The Inspired Room Book Tour {Bloggers’ Favorite Rooms!}

Friends, I’m pretty excited to have the opportunity to do something fun here on The Inspired Room. I’ve been blogging for over eight years now and every year I meet the most delightful friends. You would think that it might be risky to make friends on the internet, but much to my surprise I have yet […]

This article The Inspired Room Book Tour {Bloggers’ Favorite Rooms!} is from The Inspired Room Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.

6 Furniture Makeovers (Friday Features + Link Party)

Happy Friday! Hope it’s been a great week for you — and Happy Halloween! This week we’re featuring some great furniture makeovers — be sure to share yours at the party or send your pics to us over on Facebook so we can show yours off, too!

6 Furniture Makeovers

Thirty Eighth Street did a great job on this console! Love the color.

Beautiful chalk painted dresser makeover at Mr Wilson and Me

Create and Babble had a desk — but needed an island. No problemo!

This piece wasn’t really jiving with DIY Passion‘s style, so it got a beachy blue makeover!

Suzy at Simply Vintageous made this rocking chair like new for her grandbaby — way to go, gramma!

http://suzyq-vintagous.blogspot.ca/2015/08/a-rocking-chair-makeover.html

http://suzyq-vintagous.blogspot.ca/2015/08/a-rocking-chair-makeover.html

http://suzyq-vintagous.blogspot.ca/2015/08/a-rocking-chair-makeover.html

Loading InLinkz ...

The post 6 Furniture Makeovers (Friday Features + Link Party) appeared first on Remodelaholic.

Kitchen island alternatives for when you’re short on space

If you’ve got your heart set on an island workstation but the space in your kitchen is lacking, there are plenty of ways to add extra worktop room or a place for casual meals. Here are just a few ideas:

Put in a peninsula

When creating more floorspace for an island isn’t an option, peninsulas are a go-to alternative. They’re usually an extension of your worktop that’s only partially attached to the wall, with the rest surrounded by a ‘sea’ of flooring. Peninsula worktops can either be supported by a leg below to form a breakfast bar with legroom or have base cabinets underneath for additional storage. As well as being a place to enjoy casual meals, a peninsula will help to close off the working area of your kitchen visually, meaning that children and guests are less likely to wander in when you’re busy cooking, plus it can help disguise structural features, such as supporting pillars. This type of seating area is also ideal for kids to sit at while they’re doing their homework so you can keep an eye on them while dinner is on the go.

Image source: SieMatic kitchen supplied by Rencraft

Time for a table

They may seem like more of a retro choice but kitchen tables still have a lot going for them if you choose ones with useful features. Tables that extend to accommodate more guests before shrinking back to a compact size when you’re cooking are a good option as are bijou café-style folding tables that can be used for relaxed Sunday brunches as well as more surface space when it’s required. Even a static table can be a useful addition and may also be better for your budget if you don’t need the storage space of an island below.

Image source: Ikea

Buy a butcher’s block

Perfect for all your prep work yet petite in size, a butcher’s block has remained a kitchen favourite since the 1800s thanks to its versatility. Choose one on castors and it can be whizzed out of the way when you need more floor area while even styles on legs can be moved around the room to make your layout serve different purposes. Many include shelves below the chopping block on top, while others have drawers, baskets, wine racks, such as this Cook’s Companion, and knife storage to boot, making it a one-stop shop for all your food prep. Help a butcher’s block fit into your kitchen scheme by painting it the same shade as your units or make it stand out by finishing it in a contrasting colour.

Image source: Harvey Jones

Pull-out prep space

There are definitely times in the kitchen when you want an extra run of worktop – and times when you don’t. A pull-up or pull-out section of surface is a smart idea – folding away neatly when it isn’t needed. Try a cabinet-style solution that matches your kitchen and it’ll also double as easily accessible storage. This Worktop Plus unit has been mounted on wheels, so it’s even easier to pull out in an instant when you’re unloading shopping, need more room for baking or are catering for a crowd.

Image source: Magnet

Thinking of designing or installing a kitchen? Let us help you find a kitchen specialist.

The post Kitchen island alternatives for when you’re short on space appeared first on Rated People Blog.

~a modern farmhouse~

I stumbled across this farmhouse tour here and fell in love.

It turns out this home is close to where I live.

I'd die to be able to see it in person.

For the full tour click here.

xoxo

Customize Your Home with Furniture Style Pieces

If you’ve ever decorated a home in any capacity, you’ve likely agonized over the style of your furnishings. Furniture style is a huge factor in determining the overall style of your home, and there are just enough options to boggle … Continued

The post Customize Your Home with Furniture Style Pieces appeared first on QB Blog.