Free Time Frolics

Masquerade Ball Top 5!!!

By: Freetimefrolics

Free Time Frolics
Thank you to every one who entered the Masquerade Ball!  All the costumes are amazing.  Your kiddos are adorable and you all have some mas crafting skills. I wish I could give all of you a prize but alas we had to choose a top few.

Thank you so much to my judges.  You all had a tough job to do. If you haven’t check out there blogs, take a few minutes and go see what they are all about.

A Big Thank You to all the Sponsors.  

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Now onto our top 5! At the bottom of this post you can cast your vote. Voting is open from know until the 30th until 11pm MST. You can vote every 12 hours.  Spread the word and share on Facebook, Twitter, G+ or any other social Networking.  
Mary Poppins
Merida
No Sew Owl
Curious George

Little Red & Wolf

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Check out the entire post on my blog www.freetimefrolics.com

Rainbow Brite Costume

By: Freetimefrolics

One afternoon I decided to share some of my childhood with my Little Miss.  We sat down together and turned on You Tube.  I decided to show her Rainbow Brite.  She fell in love, and had to watch every episode.
Later when I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween and she said Rainbow Brite.  And the search began for a Rainbow Brite costume.
Here is how I did it.

Royal Blue fabric
1/4 yard Rainbow fabric
White t shirt
Rainbow leg warmers 2 pair
yellow felt

I started by making a circle skirt and using a wide elastic from Joann’s for the waist band.

I used a basic peasant shirt pattern. Instead of peasant sleeves I made a stiff flutter sleeve.

For the belt I used red for the sides and a rainbow fabric for the center.  Then added red suspender style straps.  Add a big star and you are ready to go.

Add your leg warmers to her arms and legs and she is ready to trick or treat!

{No Sew} Snake Charmer Costume, How to

By: Freetimefrolics

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My second son defiantly beats to his own drum. For Halloween this year he wanted to be the “devil”. I was not totally comfy with his choice so I sent him back to the “thinking board”. After much deliberation I finally convinced him to be a Snake Charmer.  He has a small collection of stuffed snakes he got from the zoo and he enjoys teasing his sister with them.  This is by far the easiest costume.  It only took and hour to put together! Here how I did it.
Supplies:
Tunic shirt
baggy pants
scarf with tassels ( Go buy yourself a new scarf and let your sone use it for the day.  Its a win win!
(2) $1 store baskets
snake
$1 store whistle or flute
1.5 yards cheap cotton fabric

Most of his costume is pretty self explanatory   For the snake basket I glues the 2 baskets together. I cut the bottom of the top basket off so the snake could go inside.I also glued a piece of ribbon around the basket seams and the top of the basket.

I use a 1 foot piece of fishing line and tied one end to the whistle and the other to the snake.  When they play and move the flute the snake will move too.

For the Turban I watched a few you tube videos to learn how to wrap and tie it.

So that’s it. Super simple.  If you ever need a quick costume you can’t go wrong with this one. Happy Halloween!

Venus Fly Trap Costume, How To..

By: Freetimefrolics

Whip up your own Venus Fly trap costume for your little scientist or bug lover.  I have 3 sons.  The two oldest love science.  We have grown all kinds of science experiments in our kitchen window.  plants, trips, sea monkeys. You name it we have probably tried it. Their favorite was the meat eating plants.  We loved to catch flies and feeding them to our Venus Fly Trap. It is amazing how the slightest of touch triggers there mouths to close. Then I saw a costume for a Venus fly trap online.  It inspired me to make his costume.

Venus Fly Trap Costume DIY www.freetimefrolics.com

So this year after seeing this costume on Chasing Fireflies.I just had to convince my son to be a Venus Fly Trap for Halloween.

The price was a little out of budget so I decided to make my own version. Here is how I did it.

Supply list:
Green knit
Green Fleece
Orange Knit
Orange Fleece
White felt
Red felt
2 wire hangers
2 pieces foam core from the dollar store.

I started by cutting 2 large pieces of Green felt  and orange knit for the head.  I cut mine in huge leaf shapes. About 2 feet long by 18 inches wide.  This measurement may be larger or small depending on the size of the childs head.

Cut 20-25 triangles from the white felt in various sizes. These will be used for the teeth.  Once cut lay your green fleece on the table. Lay your white teeth with the points facing into the middle of the head along one long edge of the head. Lay the orange fabric on top. Pin into place and stitch along the one long edge.

Repeat this step with the other pieces.

Stitch around the finished edge.  Making a 1/2 inch pocket for adding your coat hangers.

Cut 2 large pieces of  Peltex or TimTex. The same shape but slightly smaller than the leaf shape.
Slide the Peltex into the leaf shape in between the orange and green fabric. This will give head of the fly trap some shape. For the piece that will be the bottom  cut a hole out of the center of the peltex for your childs head.  Make it an inch or two larger than the head.

Slide the Peltex in between the fabrics.
Stitch around the inside of the hole to combine the top and bottom fabrics.  cut the center of the circle out.  Your child’s head should be able to fit through it.  The fleece is stretchy. be sure not to cut your circle to big.
  Sandwich your top and bottom together.
 Make a French seam. Stitch around the outside edge. Flip inside out and stitch again around the finished edge.  Be sure to leave one corner open for adding wire.
Stitch around the inside of the hole to combine the top and bottom fabrics.  cut the center of the circle out.  Your child’s head should be able to fit through it.  The fleece is stretchy, be sure not to cut your circle to big.

To make the shirt I used a raglan style shirt my son has as a template.  Cut it out and stitch shirt together.

 I also used the orange knit to make a hood that attached to the shirt.
Cut 4 hood pieces.
Sew 2 together around the rounded edge.  Do this for all pieces.  Then with right sides together sew the two sections together.  This makes it so you don’t have to finish seams.
Flip your hat right sides out and attache to your shirt at the neck line.

For the hands I cut 4 horseshoe shape gloves of each the orange and green fleece. lay the green fleece down add your teeth, and place the orange fleece on top.  Stitch around the edge leaving the bottom flat edge open.

Sew your gloves onto the sleeves of the shirt.

I found a few flies at the dollar store.  I also used strand of ivy from the dollar store.
For the pot I used foam core from the dollar store.  I spray painted them and cut them the shape of a pot.  I used my vinyl cutter and cut out my “feed me” sign. To secure the pot I added fabric loops on the inside and threaded a belt through it.

Sponsors {Love}

By: Freetimefrolics

Have you seen my amazing Sponsors? I am so grateful they are Sponsoring the Masquerade Ball. Each time someone new would contact me I just had to {squeal}!It’s so exciting when companies want to sponsor you.   So today I just have to share my love with each of them.

Paint me Plaid 
Plaid paint is one of the first paints I used a a crafter,  way back when I was a wee lass.  I loved to create and make new things.  It seems like tole painting was the thing to do back in the 80’s and Plain paint was there.  (Did I just date myself???) Yep I did.  Back with no internet.  When you had to buy books or take classes to figure out how to do your project.  Now a days you just jump on the internet and have thousands of projects at your fingertips.  Plaid Paints has just the place.  There website is full of project ideas. Painting, Modge Podge, Gallery Glass, Simply Screen for painting on clothing, and so much more. Go spend a little time and find your self a project.

Fat quarter shop

Do you love yummy, soft, fresh fabrics?  I do! I am a self professed fabric Hoarder Collector.  I love fabric. Sewing  is my time to relax.  That is where the fat Quarter shop comes in. They have every fabric you can think of.  Beautiful bundles of yummy fabric!  Anything you need you can find at the Fat quarter shop. Head over ans fall in love with there shop and Blog!

Sassy Steals

Have you heard of Sassy Steals??? They are a Daily boutique of wonder handmade and trendy items at awesome prices.  They even do a giveaway each week.  Be sure to stop by and enter to win something great!

Digital Party Paper Creations
 
I found this little shop on Etsy.  So many adorable digital creations for Parties.  I love her Halloween pack.  If you need any Party creations for any kind of party stop by her shop. She has lots to offer with great prices!

Poppy Seed Projects is one of my new go to sites for Home decor creations.  So many wonderful projects to create and personalize just for you. I have a few favorites.  I think my next purchase is this Dry erase menu board.  Head over and check out what Poppy Seed has to offer.

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Fabric Nest is full of fun, yummy quilting fabrics.   Lots to choose from.  Some oldies but goodies and fresh new just off the line fabrics.  This little shop doesn’t disappoint.  This little shop doesn’t help my fabric addiction. Head over and take a peak.

I love each of my Sponsors!  I am so grateful for there Sponsorship.  Please stop by there shops and show them some love!!

Free Time Frolics
Don’t forget the Masquerade Ball Link party ends on Wednesday.  Be sure to link up your handmade costume!!
Check out the entire post on my blog www.freetimefrolics.com

DIY Trick Or Treat Bags

By: Freetimefrolics

This year I wanted some thing a little different for my kids Trick or Treat bag.  I thought it would be fun for the kids to see how much candy they had with out opening the bag.  So I came up with these.

You can make them in any  Halloween shape you want.  Bats, Pumpkins, Frankenstein, Monster or a Ghost. Today I am going to show you how to make a Bat.

Here is what you need:

1/2 yard Black Fabric
2 sheets black felt
Black thread
Clear vinyl plastic
White & black vinyl
(I buy my vinyl from Vinyl Expressions.  it is inexpensive and you can buy as much or as little as you would like. See the link on my side bar)

Cut your fabric the size you want your bag,  I cut mine 12×24. Fold in half to make 12×12. M:ake the folded edge the top of your bag.

Cut your clear vinyl to be 12×12.

Cut your 4 wings.  Take 2 wings and stitch around the outside edge of the wings. Layering 2 wings gives them a little strength. This will help them stick out better.

Slide the wings in between your fabric layer. Pin into place. Stitch down both sides and the bottom.

1. Cut your fabric for your handles. Cut a strip 5×45.
2. Fold 1 side in 1.5 inches and press.
3. Press.
4.  Fold other side in 1/2 inch and press.
5. Fold the same edge as step 3 another 1.5 inches and press.
6. Stitch down the center. Along the folded edge.
Cut your handles the length you want them.  Mine were about 13 inches each. Pin them to the top of your bag.
Stitch them into place.
Add your face.  I purchase my vinyl at Expressions Vinyl .  You can buy any size and color. To make your face you can use your vinyl cutter or freehand it.  For this project I freehanded it. I used a few scraps I had.  I cut large round white circles for the eyes. Then added 2 small black circles.  With the scraps of white I made 2 small fangs and a grin. It took me about 5 minutes.
Here are a few others I made.

Halloween Costume – Astronaut

By: Freetimefrolics

Here is my little Astronaut.  He loves Space.  Ever since he was 2 he has wanted to be a real astronaut.  So a few years ago I made him one.
I started by making the white jumpsuit. With McCalls pattern #4951.
For the boots covers, hat, tech bib and wrist cuffs, I purchased colored vinyl.  I found most of mine at Hancocks fabrics.  They had a huge assortment of vinyls. I used the pattern above to make the wrist covers and boot covers.
 I kind of free handed the tech bib.  I diy button covers for the colorful buttons and I purchased real NASA patches to add to the costume.
For the had I used a basic cape hood pattern and altered it a bit.
To make him a little more astronaut I made a jet pack.  Unfortunately the 1 photo I took of it did not work. I am super bummed.  So I will have to explain a little.  Then you use your creativity to make your own. I stated with a medium rate mailing box.  I punched a hole in the top and the side.  I attached a curtain rod ring to the side and threaded clear tubing through it and then the ends of the tubing into the holes.  I also added a string of battery powered Christmas lights to the tube.  At night it looked awesome.  Then I just used house hold items to make the gadgets and gizmos on the box.
I used reflective webbing to make the box a backpack and a belt.  That way he could be seen ant night and look super cool.
I hope your Halloween costumes are coming together.  I would love to see them.

Halloween Costume -Little Bo Peep

By: Freetimefrolics

Here is my Little Bo Peep.  I dreamed of this costume from the time I knew was having a daughter.  I come from a family of Boys.  Lots and lots of them.  So having a little girl is kind of the bees knees around here.  You know the stars,moons and planets aligned kind of thing. She is my Joy and my Muse…
Little Bo Peep Costume
I wanted so badly to make her a Little Bo Peep.  Last year was the year to do it.  Her little costume was a labor of love.  I looked at a lot of pictures of  Bo peep costumes. I came up with this.
I started with a basic peasant top.  I used my Simply Jane pattern. I just made the shirt white.
For the skirt I made a basic skirt but doubled the fabric to make it more full.  I added a little lace to fancy it up.
For the bloomers I used a basic capri of pajama pattern.  I added 3 rows of lace to the bottoms for ruffles. (Lace and fabric from Joanns)
Her crook was an after Christmas sale candy cane  I got for .25 cents. I wrapped it with white ribbon and added a large Pink bow.
Her little lamb was an after Easter sale at Target we picked up for $2.00
For her vest I used an old t shirt and cut off the arms and cut down the neck line as my pattern.  Then I used black velvet and lined it with some scrap fabric.I used some turquoise fabric and cut 2 half circles.  I gathered the half circles and pinned them to the vest. Sew vest with right sides together, leave a small opening and turn.  Top stitch the vest.  I then added small grommets for lacing.

Her bonnet was a trial and error mishap.  Made from Peltex, ribbon and underwear fabric.  I cut a basic bonnet pattern and gathered my fabric onto it.  This hat took me as long to make as the whole rest of the outfit.  It turned out to be the perfect finishing piece.

Please Welcome {Grits & Giggles}

By: Freetimefrolics

I’m Jenilyn, author of Grits & Giggles. I love to share my adventures in sewing, crafting, and being a mommy! I’m so excited to be at FreeTime Frolics today to share with you how to put together a TuTu Dress fit for a princess!
My daughter’s favorite song is “You Are My Sunshine”. She sings it all day and it never gets old to hear! She loves to dress up and twirl, so I knew for Halloween she needed a sparkly tulle dress. I wanted it to be golden and beautiful, just like the sunshine in her favorite song. 

Let’s get started!
Materials:
1″ Elastic
Tulle- 100 yards for a 2T size
Flower Clip
Coordinating Ribbon
Measure around your little girl’s chest. This is your elastic length. Overlap by 1″ and sew the ends together. You want it fitted, but not too tight. 

Measure her height from her chest to where you want the tutu to fall. Multiply this by 2 and add 3″. This will be your tulle length.
ex: my measurement was 20″….so my tulle length was 20×2+3= 43″
Cut strips of tulle this length and the width of your spool. You will need a LOT, especially if you use a light color. 

I place the elastic band around my leg for support. Place 2-3 strips of your tulle, in different colors, together and fold in the middle. Slip this under your elastic band.

Then pull the ends of the tulle through, creating a knot. Don’t pull it too tight yet, as the elastic will stretch when you do. Wait until you’re finished to tighten. 

Continue tying these knots all the way around the elastic, alternating colors and combinations. Gently tighten your knots when you’re done. 

To add a halter strap, cut a long length of your ribbon, and tie a similar knot, between two knots of tulle. 

Clip on your flower clip and you’re done! Your tutu dress is ready to be worn and twirled in!

It flows beautifully, and sparkles in the October sun.

Thanks again for having me from Grits & Giggles!
Check out some of my other Halloween and Fall Tutorials!
Thanks Jenilyn.  I love these tutu dresses.  They really pack a punch.   If you haven’t been over to Grits and Giggles.  She has lots of great tutorials.  Head on over and take a look!
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Please Welcome {Simple Simon}

By: Freetimefrolics

 I met these 2 awesome ladies over Labor Day Weekend at Swiss Days in Midway, Utah.  Swiss Days is the Ultimate, Outdoor Craft Boutique.  Art, Handmade Goods, Food and Entertainment.  If you happen to be in Utah over Labor day. Stop and shop a while.  These Lovely ladies had a booth.  I do have to say I was a little celebrity shocked.  I recognized there logo on there items and loved them. I have been a fan of Simple Simon for a while. So I asked them if they would guest post.  They said yes!!  {Squeal}  So here they are…
Hi!  I am Elizabeth from Simple Simon & Co, one-half of the duo of sisters-in-law who love to sew, thrift, and make simple projects!  And today’s project especially fits the simple category.
I have made these in many-a-classroom Halloween party, with all ages of kids and they have always been a success!  {It’s the candy bar effect….candy bars are always a success.}

Here’s what you will need if you want to make them with your kids too:

Thanks Adrienne for inviting us!!!! {And it was so nice to meet you earlier last month…..what a fun chat!}

So fun Elizabeth! Thank you for visiting with us.  If you haven’t been to there blog head over and take a look.  They have tons of fantastic tutorials. They also run Project Run & Play.  A fun competition on line for children’s clothing.  They also do Skirting the issue.  Please head over and check out what Simple Simon is all about.

Simple Simon & Co
Simple Simon and Co

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Check out the entire post on my blog www.freetimefrolics.com

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