Ack! There's a Monster Eating my Head! {A Carnivorous Hat}

My oldest son, Weston had been eyeing all the funky winter hats. He especially liked the ones with ear flaps and the strings or braids hanging down with pom-poms.

Well, I aim to please! Coming up with a handmade gift to make him for Christmas was easy peasy.

I flew by the seat of my pants with this child-eating hat though. No one was more surprised than me when it actually turned out so good!

First I found a printable pattern for a hat with ear flaps (sorry! I can't remember where I found it....I was in the haze of holiday midnight crafting...) I cut the hat from a fifty cent sweater....yep, that's right. 50 cents!! I know. So cool. And, boy it was a pretty ugly one. I think the sweater is much happier being reincarnated into a hungry monster hat.

So, after I had the lining and outer hat pieces cut out, I added a row of fleece teeth and stuffed striped knit horns.

I braided three strips of fabric....two strips of the striped knit and one strip of green fleece and sewed those in before I put in the lining. Once it was all put together I added the eyes and the fleece pom pom to the top.  For the pom poms on the braids I unraveled the sweater. 

Weston....you look a bit too happy for one who is getting their head eaten though, dontcha think?

Ok. There's a little more terror. Thank you. (This shot was taken right after he opened it on Christmas morning...er....more like afternoon by the time we got home from church and back to the opening of presents! :)

Hmmmmm....we took a lot of pictures, didn't we? Well. We were having fun....

Oh my. This boy is so much fun. He didn't want me getting his jammies in the pictures at first. But then he decided he didn't care.

While making this hat, I had to plop it on my head every so often and race to a mirror. Then I'd giggle in happy anticipation of Weston opening it. And, boy....that was an awesome moment. He was THRILLED! That monster, Floyd (as Weston named him) perched on his head for probably three days straight. 

Handmade Gifts: Zoe's Dress-Up Suitcase Tutorial

We made a lot of handmade gifts for Christmas this year. And in the crazy whirlwind that was December, I didn't have time to share much. So, I'm going to try to put up some pictures of some things....when (or if!) I get the chance. No promises.  

But we did have a lot of fun making things for each other. I love how excited the kids get to make each other gifts. There was a lot of sneaking around and whispering in corners as we planned and made all sorts of things. And the anticipation? Oh my! It's the best. The kids couldn't wait to see each other open their handmade gifts.  

I wish I could have caught every look of surprise and happiness as the kids squealed over the surprises they'd concocted for each other. Priceless.  

I made a gift for each child and even something fun for my handsome cowboy. I already shared Molly's Monkey.  Today I'm showing off the fun dress up suitcase I made for Zoe....

I bought a suitcase in almost mint condition from DI. I don't think the previous owner traveled too much.

I thought about covering it with fabric, but then I checked out my friend Sundi's doll suitcases she'd done and decided to go that route instead. I decoupaged the suitcase while watching Dr. Who late at night (I will blame the puckery bits of paper on the wee hours of the night). 

Then I filled the suitcase with loads of dress up clothes I made from random bits of fabric kicking around the basement or from thrifted clothes, a halloween fairy costume my picked up one year for half off and beautiful purse my mom bought Zoe when she was two. She snagged it for her after I eyed it in the Las Vegas airport. But at the time, Zoe was so small and I worried she'd pick apart the beading. As I was planning this gift, I stumbled across it in my present stash.  Perfect addition, right? 

I threw in a felt crown which was super easy to make (seriously....felt and elastic....so easy!) and some dollar store slippers which I added some Fancy Nancy-ish bows to. 

I also added a bunch of old costume jewelry of mine into a little zippered pouch in the suitcase. 

Alright, that is the coolest and easiest vest ever. I'd have to dig around for the tutorial link...let me know if you're interest. It's that idea that's floating around Pinterest where you just make two cuts in a rectangle and Voila! instant vest. I translated it into little girl size. I was worried it wouldn't fit her so I even tried it on her late at night while she was sleeping....and she didn't even wake up! 

Some of those are dress-up clothes Zoe already had. In fact, she really needed this case. Her previous spot for them was an old tote bag of mine. Yep, she needed something a bit classier. And this did the trick. It was a huge hit with my wee chickadee. She loved it! And she's had a marvelous time donning the many different ensembles.

My Favorite Thing...

Time together.

Zoe got a new bike for Christmas. She tried it out the day after Christmas a bit. But since today was pretty warm (for Winter), we all bundled up and headed out for a family bike ride.

Ryan had to walk with Zoe to help her with her biking. He gave her tips and such to help her know what to do if she starts to fall. How to lean and such.

She's getting really good at this. And I love that she's so proud of herself. At one point she said something like, "I'm the best biker!"

I love creating these happy memories.

My oh, my. Those are some fun boys. And, yes, that's a pink bike Emmett is riding. I got it free. He's saving up for a new one though. Although, truth be told. He doesn't really care that it's pink! Can you believe I totally forgot he needs a new bike? AND he just had a birthday on Wednesday? Ack! I can't believe I forgot that.

Zoe had her first crash. Her daddy hugged her better.

And she got right back on.

I'm glad she has a sweet daddy to help make things better. And to teach her how to ride a bike. 

It's great to do something together that everyone enjoys.

Ryan looks great on a pink bike, right?

A baby bike seat was one of the best things I ever bought. Molly loves bike rides. LOVES them.

And so do I.

Busy Happy Days

We're soaking it all up. 

Nerf gun wars, sleeping in, late night games of Pit, too many goodies, lego-building contests, candlelit dinners, wii tournaments, celebrating a birthday (Emmett! How can you be 10??), sledding, playing with new toys, laughing at anything and everything and....the best part?

Having everyone home. 

Love it.

For My Molly Monkey

I am running out of time to get all the projects done and the ribbons tied and the last few things bought! But at least I got this adorable bit of cute all done....

I can't wait to give her to my little Molly Monkey. Don't you just love those shoes?! 

I love this pattern. This was seriously one of the easiest stuffies I've made. To make your own, check out the tutorial and pattern at MmmCrafts. And that is one smart chickadee over there. After making this monkey, I want to buy some of her patterns and whip out some more (check out her cute Little Red Ridinghood....so stinkin' cute.)

Going on a Tree Hunt

We love getting our own Christmas tree. None of that tree farm nonsense for us. Nope. The Shakespears just need a tree tag, a vehicle with 4-wheel drive (and actually this isn't even necessary. We've made a van work for this activity in a pinch) and an ax and we're good to go.  Throw in some snow and we're a happy bunch....

I have the hardest time getting a natural smile out of this one!

Ack! How did this happen? How is it possible that this good looking young man is my son?

He could not resist throwing the snow in the air. "Mom! Take a picture!" he yelled.

These boys are so good to each other. Yes. They bicker. But for the most part, they are

each other's best friends. They love to gather up all their legos, head to the basement and create

a whole world to inhabit. Zoe has even started to join them. She is asking for pink legos

for Christmas. Shhhhh! Don't tell, but I found a pink lego (off-brand) set which makes 

a princess carriage and horse. It is so stinkin' cute. I can't wait to give it to her!

My goodness. That is one handsome cowboy. 

That little one was having the best time out in all that snow. 

And yes. Those are socks on her hands. I couldn't find her mittens.

'

We stumbled across an icy road and the kids (and their parents) had

loads of fun slipping down it on their shoes. 

 Oh, why can't I just freeze her? For a few years? And then I promise...I'll let her grow up. 

But, not yet. Please, Time? Could you slow down?

We found two good trees and had a vote.  The kids voted all voted for tree #2. It was bigger. 

So, my handsome cowboy chopped it down, threw it on top of the Suburban and we headed for home 

singing Christmas carols and laughing and chatting. I love Christmas. Especially when I take the time to 

simply be with my family without worrying about the baking, the shopping, the buying or the running around. 

We took the tree home, got it into the house and had a grand time putting all our handmade ornaments all over it. Yes. We have a hodgy-podgy tree. And I love it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to share pictures! But for now I need to pop the wee ones into bed (yes, they're up late tonight!) and get some sewing done. Molly's monkey doll is just a bunch of body parts at this point. I can't wait to get it all together!