Tag: crafts

(Very) Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Posted on by Jordank

It’s Halloween! And a few busy people, their children and diehard procrastinators, still may not have costumes at the ready. If you happen to be among those who have suddenly been spooked into action on the final morning before trick-or-treat time rolls around, don’t despair — there are plenty of creative ideas you can use to save the day.

The first stop, of course, should be your local thrift store. Often supplied by donations to ClothingDonations.org, they offer an unparalleled source of last-minute inspiration at reasonable prices. Need a puffy shirt for that pirate getup? Look no further than the thrift. Or how about some acid-wash jeans for the ultimate ’80s hair-band tribute? You’ll find them here.

The thrift store also has plenty of used sheets that you won’t mind cutting eyeholes in to create the simplest of costumes — the ghost. It may even have accessories such as costume jewelry, hats and wigs that can make or break a last-minute costume. Whatever you find, the money you spend at the thrift will help fund veterans’ programs.

Those pressed for time will appreciate the concepts behind 22 Simple, Last-Minute Halloween Costumes from Real Simple. Easy to craft from basic garments and simple props, “Breadwinner” and “Ceiling Fan” costumes are likely to inspire groans for their offbeat wordplay, but no one will be able to accuse you of coming up short on a costume.

Kids will want to grab all the candy they can tonight, and no self-respecting parent or chaperone can let them go trick-or-treating as-is! If you’re suddenly scrambling to dress up a child, cover them in green balloons to go as a bunch of grapes, Brit + Co. suggests. Wrap them in two-ply to make them into a mummy. Or take them out in pajamas and a robe as your Lil’ Lebowski.

Whatever you can create at the last minute will only lend to the excitement that free candy and/or a costume party can bring. Now, get going on those costumes — and have a happy and safe Halloween!

Flag Day: Stars And Stripes Forever

Posted on by Jordank

Flag Day may be America’s most unsung holiday, according to Lifescript. Lost in the summertime shuffle between Memorial Day and Independence Day and not necessarily falling on a weekend, it often gets forgotten. But its patriotic roots go back to the Revolutionary War.

The Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Act on June 14, 1777, specifying a design featuring 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue field with 13 white stars as the banner of the new nation. The original design of the Stars and Stripes — usually attributed to Betsy Ross — was the first to use five-pointed stars.

Flag Day, however, was largely the handiwork of Bernard J. Cigrand, a patriotic Wisconsin schoolteacher. He held the first formal observance of Flag Day in 1885 and began to lobby for an annual day of observance the following year.

By the mid-1890s, Cigrand’s advocacy produced Flag Day celebrations of up to 300,000 schoolchildren in his adopted home of Chicago. President Woodrow Wilson recognized Flag Day in 1916, and June 14 became a national holiday under President Truman in 1949.

The holiday continues to celebrate the flag’s design and the work of the founding fathers. The flag’s stars represent not only the states, but the concepts of heaven and mortal goals, while its colors represent valor, bravery and purity. In time, the original 13 colonies became 50 states, and a star was added for each.

While Flag Day is not a mandated holiday, schoolchildren and cities throughout the country continue to recognize the flag and the sovereignty it represents on June 14 with ceremonial flag raisings and other observances. Many celebrations also feature a salute to the armed forces.

You can participate in Flag Day celebrations by flying the flag proudly on June 14; just be sure to fly it according to the U.S. Flag Code. You can also get the kids involved in patriotic craft projects and assist veterans’ organizations with their observances.

“The American flag continues to invoke pride and resolve among our people, especially when we see it next to a headstone, on the masts of our military ships [or] worn by the generations of Americans who have proudly served our country,” said President George W. Bush’s 2003 proclamation expanding the observance to Flag Week.

“Flying over public buildings, monuments, schools and homes, our flag is testament to the ideals of American democracy.”

A Trash-to-Treasure Mother’s Day

Posted on by Jordank

Feeling crafty? A handmade Mother’s Day gift is a great way to show you care, and Country Living magazine has more than 50 ideas for turning trash into treasure with a little bit of paint, a dab of glue and a thoughtful inscription. Many of the source materials can be found at local thrift stores (some supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org) and repurposed to make whimsical wares that Mom can cherish, use and display for years to come.

Crafting for a Festive Easter Feast

Posted on by Jordank

Easter is an important part of the Christian faith, and the holiday includes traditions that go beyond the church services. Whether you are religious or not, chances are that you and your family will take part in a big feast to mark the end of Lent, buy candy for the kids, color eggs and maybe get a springtime visit from the Easter Bunny.

Since you’ve already started your spring cleaning (right?), your home is clean and tidy. You’re ready to host brunch guests for a shrimp cocktail, spiral ham, leg of lamb or whatever it is you like to serve on the holiday. All you need is a few seasonal touches to make your home more inviting, while keeping the kids busy during their spring breaks.

The web is full of craft projects that can lend your Easter feast that special something, including new ideas for coloring Easter eggs ahead of the hunt, dressing up the dinner table and more. And you can have fun adding that festive flair to your home, while not spending a lot of money.

Start at the local thrift. Stores supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org nationwide are a great source for inspiration and materials, and whatever you spend on others’ donated merchandise helps fund veterans’ programs.

The Adirondack Girl @Heart blog recently made personalized Easter-basket mugs using only a thrift-store find, a paint marker, candy and a bit of confetti. Such a project makes inexpensive, one-of-a-kind gifts for coworkers and other adult friends.

You can also pick up a few dozen of those ubiquitous, multicolored plastic eggs at the thrift or discount store, and use them to celebrate the spring season. Equipped with a hot glue gun, potting soil and a few spring blossoms, you can make a colorful, living accent for your Easter table, Made With Happy says.

Kids can help make Easter-themed paper chains and egg boxes out of card stock using only scissors and tape, Martha Stewart suggests. And speaking of Easter eggs, there are literally dozens of ways to decorate them beyond the tried-and-true, vinegar-and-food-coloring strategy. Add flair with glitter, foil and lettering, Country Living says.

More ideas? Use pastel-color socks as the foundation for a whimsical sock bunny that’s fun and easy to make with the kids. Get the kids to help you cut out carrot gift boxes for their friends. Or make Easter baskets out of the cookie tins you find at the thrift by adding linen, ribbon, Easter grass and candy.

Dyeing Easter eggs is a great start, but there are dozens of easy, inexpensive ways to dress up your home for the holiday. Let your creativity run wild this Easter, and you can make memories that last for years—and maybe forge a few new traditions!

Everything’s Coming Up Shamrocks

Posted on by Jordank

If you can draw a shamrock and color it green, you can decorate your home for a St. Patrick’s Day party. Cookies with green sugar shamrocks, shamrock straw toppers, and shamrock garlands are just a few of the festive ideas offered up by Martha Stewart, and her website also offers stencils to make decorating easier, Irish-themed cocktail ideas, and recipes for the perfect corned beef and cabbage.