Fairy Skirt

Here is another quick Halloween costume starter. I made this one for Caitlyn's fairy costume. Be creative and add as many layers as you'd like. This one is fairly short in length because Caitlyn isn't walking yet, but I'm sure a really long one would be SO fun for your little princess.

1. I started by measuring Caitlyn's waist. Then, using 3/4 inch elastic, I sewed it into a loop.2. Next, I folded up some tulle and cut it into 3 inch wide strips. (Watch the remnant bins for tulle. You won't need very much, and the bargain price can't be beat!)

3. Take the elastic ring and stretch over the back of a chair to give you space to work. (I used a small children's chair for this one, as the elastic was too small to fit over our kitchen chairs.)

4. Now, fold the strips in half and tie around the elastic band. (Take the tulle strip, fold in half and pull through the loop made when you folded it.) I doubled up my strips to add fullness to the skirt. Repeat this process until the elastic band is completely covered.

5. Remove the elastic from the chair. Tighten the tulle strips by hand. I added some small 1 1/2 inch wide strips of pink to accent the skirt.

I am using the purple butterfly wings that I bought for Caitlyn's birth announcements with this costume. I also used the leftover tulle strips and made a large bow. I am going to make a headband and attach the bow using a clip. Happy Halloween!

Costume: Train

With Halloween just around the corner, I decided to post some ideas for fun, quick, inexpensive costumes. I don't have pictures of each step, as I did these long before I had a blog. Feel free to ask questions if something doesn't make sense.

Choo-Choo Train

(2) cardboard boxes.

(You will need a larger box for the main part of the train and a smaller one for the front of the train.)

(1) Empty oatmeal container

(2) Empty butter or margarine tub, with lids

(1) Margarine or butter tub lids

(2) Small bowl lids

Electrical Tape

Spray Paint

Yellow Construction Paper

Duct Tape

1. Spray paint the two cardboard boxes in the same color. (I used blue)

2. Spray paint the oatmeal and butter container silver.

3. Using a sharp knife, cut off the top half of the oatmeal container. I cut off approx. 4 inches from mine.

4. Using duct tape or construction adhesive, attach the two boxes together to form the body of the train.

5. Remove the flaps from the larger box so your child can stand inside.

6. Spray paint the margarine tub lids and the two small lids. After they have dried, use electrical tape and form the spokes on the wheels.

7. Now, using electrical tape, attach the painted margarine tub to the top of the oatmeal tube (use the larger piece of the tube. This will form your smoke stack.)

8. Attach the smoke stack to the smaller cardboard box.

9. Take the remaining piece of oatmeal tube and measure the lid. Cut a piece of yellow construction paper to fit inside the lid. Place lid on the container. Now, attach the container to the front of the smaller box to form the head light.

10. Attach wheels to boxes using construction adhesive or duct tape.

11. Form straps from duct tape folding duct tape in half so no sticky sides are out. Attach straps to the inside of the larger box.

12. Decorate the train with any other things you'd like.

13. Complete the look: wear some overalls and a bandanna. Our great neighbor let us borrow a real train conductor's light for trick-or-treating. It was lots of fun!

P.S. If you want some cute photos of your little ones in their costumes, check out my blog for a great special. www.smith-family-photography.blogspot.com