A little bit silly and corny, but the whole illustration is really cute. I was trying to help them edit the joke a bit, but Ben said to leave it just as they made it, so here you are!

This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…

Obsessed with seed bead stitching. Swooning over jewelry by Salihah Moore, then remembered I have a bag full of vintage seed beads from when Ben was a little kid (I knew it would come in handy one day!), so I started making my own pieces.

Ms. Tips is having a huge sale until Halloween! Wish it got cold enough here to warrant a reason to get this wool coat.

The sweetest Birkin basket around.

This week felt a little overwhelming with Ben getting sick, then Brave, and all other life things. Thankful got to read the Bible with a friend, and the Word really does give life to the weak. I needed a reminder to count it all joy.

Excited to share this year’s Halloween story with you all. The girls did all the planning for it and I think it’s pretty hilarious. Don’t forget to check back on Monday!

I need a good book for my birthday to ready while I’m in bed doing nothing. Any recommendations? I love suspense and thriller books.

Birthday week is coming up and I’m so excited. Not that I have any requests really, except to stay in bed all day and do nothing (all meals in bed too), but I simply love birthdays.

I’m not typically a romance movie gal, but I really liked the movie Brooklyn.

Can’t believe next week will be November. I’m excited for all the holiday things!

Bird Mask & Wings Costume

Supplies:
Bird Mask template (mask & beak)
Cardboard (for the mask)
8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock (for the beak)
Fabric
Fabric paint
44″ ribbon
Paintbrush
Duct tape
Craft glue
Crepe paper streamers
1/2″ elastic
Scissors
Sewing machine, or hand sew on the elastic

Directions:
1. Measure the arm span of the costume wearer and cut fabric to that width. Fold in half and cut a U-shape at the bottom to make the wings. Paint the wings and allow to dry completely. Measure the wrist, add an inch, then cut elastic. Overlap the ends of the elastic and sew in place about 1/2″ in from the top and  2″ in from the side of the wings. Repeat for second piece of elastic. Fold the ribbon in half, and sew it on the top center of the wings. This ties around the neck, so the wings stay up.

2. Wrap the edges of the eyes holes with duct tape. Glue the beak in place and tape to reinforce. Wrap the beak with crepe paper using glue to secure the crepe paper in place. Determine the length of the elastic for the mask that will be comfortable for the costume wearer, punch holes near the eye section of the mask (see template for location), insert elastic, and knot on each end.

3. Cut long section of streamers, fold, then cut zig-zags or scallops on one end to give texture. Completely wrap front of mask with crepe paper, using glue to overlap and pinch sections over each other as you go. This gives it the full feathery look.

The costume took a couple hours to make; I made it right before we headed out to a costume party last Saturday. The girls have requested to make their own wings, so that will be our next group project.

Halloween is on Monday! Are you ready to go trick-or-treating?

BB-8 Costume

Supplies:
36″ round balloon
12″ balloon
Papier mâché paste (I used the boiled water and flour paste)
Newspapers, cut into 1 1/2″ strips
Acrylic Paint (orange, grey, black)
Spray paint (white)
Paintbrush
Thick permanent marker
2 dowels
Plastic ornament ball
Small rubber ball
Gorilla glue

Directions:
1. Inflate balloons to desired size, then papier mâché its entirety. I did about 4 layers and it took a few days since we let each layer dry before adding on.
2. Once the papier mâché is completely dry, deflate the balloons, and spray paint the entire ball white.
3. Draw on the design (I used various size bowls to get the circles) and outline with marker. Paint the design, then outline again with marker. Paint the dowels white.
4. Cut out top opening and bottom. Then, cut out desired opening for the headpiece.
5. Use box cutter to cut holes for the 2 balls and antennas.
6. Paint one half the ornament balls black on the inside. Allow to dry completely, then insert, and glue in place. Insert the smaller ball in its place.

These are rough instructions, and as you can see, I’m clearly not a papier mâché artist, but we are all pretty happy with the result. I was so frustrated making this that I wanted to give up and buy it instead. But all the girls exclaimed, “NO! We like costumes homemade.” I’m glad I didn’t give up because my girls really like this one. It’ll no doubt be used as decor in someone’s bedroom after Halloween.

Initially, I started to paint the white with a paintbrush and acrylic paint (as seen above), but that paint was too wet and causing the paper to rip, so I stopped once I noticed that, and Ben took it outside and used spray paint. He put a stick in the ground, rested the ball on it, then painted all around.

I made Glow shoulder pads, so it’s resting on that when she wears it. We haven’t cut any holes for her arms. I thought about cutting a flap, so she can collect her candy inside, but the girls don’t want me to cut a hole in it. They said they will just help her and hold her candy basket for her.

Glow’s the cutest little BB-8 and she walks around making her little beeping sounds. Next year, she’s requesting R2-D2, so I have a year to figure out how to make that one. If you want to make this one, don’t wait until the night before because it takes a few days to let all the papier mâché dry.

We had a very full weekend. On Friday night, we had a pumpkin carving/decorating party with friends and neighbors. It was fun to see all the neighborhood kids (and adults) dressed up in their costumes. There were 11 pumpkins carved and 26 mini pumpkins decorated. I think I want to make this an annual neighborhood thing. Everyone brought something to share, so there was food galore. It’s been such a blessing to get out of house and get to know those who live around us.

Saturday night, we headed to L.A. for the Dream Halloween event for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which was sponsored by Michaels. I went as the Michaels’ correspondent and shared all about the event on their Instagram stories. The girls had fun going from craft station to craft station, and they came home with large goodie bags filled with stuff. I came home stuffed with dessert from all the sweets that was getting passed around.

The girls each chose their own costume and they even created a story to go along with it. We filmed the little story earlier today, so we will have it ready to share on Halloween. I will have a tutorial post up this week on how I made my costume (mine is fast), and another to discuss how I made Glow’s (hers takes about a week).

I’m so glad all our costumes are done and now I can relax a bit. I even picked up a new little craft, so I’ve been kind of obsessed with that lately. I’ll share what that is once I have my first project completely done.

This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…

I want to make round pompom pillows like the ones pictured here for Soul and Glow’s bed.

Started a new baskets board on Pinterest to house all the pretty baskets I find online.

These want to be on my ears.

“Simple Advice About Mommy Advice” and quick read article with encouraging words.

Glow’s reading short vowel words and Soul’s fluency is getting better… praise the Lord Jesus! Once those two are fluent readers, I’m buying myself a treat. Teaching my own kids how to read was one of the things that terrified me most about homeschooling.

I’ve been extremely tired this week. We’re still waking up at 5am, but after we workout, and I spend time reading and praying, I’m so sleepy. One morning, Ben and I even took a 40 minute nap!

Encouraged by how the girls chip in to help with things around the house. They know their responsibilities and do a fine job making sure things get done. I was definitely not as cheerful of a helper when I was a child.

I’m not usually a dramady type viewer, but I really like the show This is Us.

Walking Dead comes back this weekend! I’M. SO. EXCITED (and scared)!!! #ifdaryldiestheinternetriots #butpleasedontkilloffgleneither

Last night we hosted a pumpkin carving/decorating party with friends nearby. We all had a blast and the girls are already requesting we do it next year again.

I’m done with all 4 girls’ Halloween costumes! Yippee!

Tonight we have another Halloween party to attend and I will be taking over the Michaels stores Instagram (follow here) to share all about it. I will be also sharing about it on my account (@cakiesblog) as well!

Hope you have a fun weekend friends!