Happy Halloween, because we care.

You guys, it is Halloween, so of course, I am sharing my costumes, ahem… from last year, because it takes me a year to write a post about making costumes for Halloween. #badblogger

No seriously, you should know I am a Halloween costume procrastinator.  Also, because I like to semi-home-make our costumes, they tend to be rather expensive, and take forever.  Anyone else see a problem with this equation?  This year, I realized I should have just spent the $45 bucks on a pre-made costume, saved time AND money and been happy, doggone it! (I just can’t make myself do it!)  I am a glutton for punishment, and Halloween.

Anywho, last year, we decided to be Care bears!

For those of you looking to do this, you can buy pre-made kiddie costumes Wonderheart and Cheer, they are adorable, but the adult costumes wouldn’t have matched and I would have had to make them from scratch (no way!).

Instead, I ordered hooded (except Justin- since Funshine often wears a helmet) fleece onsie pajamas,  these are the exact suits I ordered Wonderheart, Cheer, Harmony and Funshine.

My girl’s onsies were a little big, which meant I had to do a bit of altering.  This actually worked out because I was able to make ears with the left over fabric and some felt..  Mine had a little hand pocket on the front of the suit.  I carefully used a seam picker and removed it.  Then I made my ears out of that.  Justin’ didn’t have ears!

I used a large felt circle in white, lined with white cotton for stability on each suit, and 7 colors of flannel in about 1/4 yard each (you will have left over fabric!).  I cut out the designs (according to images of the belly patches online) and cut out the designs in similar fabric colors.  If winging the design feels too overwhelming, save the belly patch image, print out at the proper scale and use it as a pattern.  Once the pieces were in place, I glued them with a small amount of fabric glue and zig-zagged all the edges with coordinating or contrasting thread depending on the design.

Once each patch was deigned, and because each suit had a zipper down the tummy, I sewed the tummy patch to one side of the suit.  Then I added velcro to the opposite side of both the suit and belly patch.  That way the zippers still function but the patches stay on nice.  One little extra detail, are the little heart butt patches, because CUTE!

 Introducing the CARE BEARS!

Wonderheart bear:

Cheer Bear:

Harmony Bear:

Funshine Bear:

Yes, our whole family dressed up in fleece onsie pajamas.  Props to my amazing husband for being so, well, AMAZING and being such a good dad to two little girls.  They truly adore you for playing along, and you deserve it.

We had a wonderful Halloween day.   We made a whole day of it.  Lunch in full garb and trip to the park for pictures and fun, trick or treating, carving pumpkins and finally eating candy while watching the nightmare before Christmas!

On to the park:

Trick or treating.  I just LOVE the anticipation in this picture!

The haul!  (yes, we try to keep it reasonable…)

Pumpkin carving!

And Jack Skellington!

Happy Halloween!

The post Happy Halloween, because we care. appeared first on Remodelaholic.

from Home Improvement 1 http://ift.tt/1HjkKWX

12 Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Hallway Decor

Hallways are one of the hardest areas in our homes to maximize potential of and decorate into something we adore. Whether it’s the size, the layout, the location or something else that makes it difficult for you, we believe the hallway should still be a space that you love! We’ve shared ideas for decorating your hallway before, but when the folks at Chadwicks sent us this infographic all about making the most of your hallway, we like the ideas and wanted to show you some inspiration, too.

12 Ways to Make Your Hallway Decor Work

Functional Furnishings

It’s very true that you can maintain a clean, organized hallway while still creating storage space. Just get creative!

Use a narrow console table (via) to add storage without blocking the passageway.

Put your corners to work — a coat rack tucks nicely into a corner, or build a corner bench and matching shelf to make a mini corner mudroom.

Seating works double duty in this hallway niche.

These tips still provide your hallway with the open feeling while offering convenience and personality.

Work Your Wall Space

Going vertical provides storage without using floor space.

Many people have at least one person in their family who leaves a trail of personal belongs from the door to any other room in the house. A functional hallway “drop zone” is a great way to let them “drop their belongings” as they enter, but in designated place.

A wall-mounted unit for shoes provides the perfect drop zone — and colored crates are so fun! (featured here, via)

An overhead pigeonhole shelving unit with hooks below gives plenty of space without obstructing the hall. (featured here, via)

Use your hallway as an organization station! via Positively Splendid (featured here with other great command center ideas)

With these convenient tips everything will have a place and it won’t be on the floor! It’s always such a great feeling when everything has a place and now it will!

Stealthy Storage

Hidden storage almost feels like a deep dark secret, but somehow if it’s organized, it’s no longer dark, it’s just a secret. These forms of storage are a great way to keep things out of sight and out of mind.

Install a slim cupboard or cubbies behind the door — or even a stealthy mudroom like Jenna Sue Designs.

These DIY rustic wall bins would be a great fit as well!

Add hooks or boxes to the back of the door, like this DIY back of door shelf (tutorial here)

or these easy-to-build wall pockets for inside a cabinet door (free plans here). 

This is perfect for a closet, too, to create a mudroom space like An Inviting Home.

Turn your staircase into drawers — not for the faint of heart, but such a smart use of space!

via Apartment Therapy

via DIY House Building

via Wood Magazine

 

 

Creating organized storage spaces doesn’t just give you a place for your things, it also maximizes your space, giving you more options and more room.

Capitalize on Cupboards

Maximizing your stairs for their space is a great way to give yourself more storage room and keep your hallways clean. Instead of throwing away the space under the stairs, open it up and use it for décor or storage. Built in drawers and dividers under stairs are also becoming more popular as they add character and use out of an otherwise wasted area, and again, give you a way to make the most of your hallway space.

Remove the door from the cupboard under the stairs to more space, and storage (image via BHG)

Install drawers under your stairs. Love this! (via Traditional Home)

Use under-stairs compartments for storage and organizing. (image via Shelterness)

http://ift.tt/1OeYUM4

As we said before, we want every space in your home to be a space that you love and the hallway is no exception! With all of the possibilities, you should figure out how you can fall in love with your hallway today!

The post 12 Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Hallway Decor appeared first on Remodelaholic.

from Home Improvement 1 http://ift.tt/1Hix9KQ

6 Furniture Makeovers (Friday Features + Link Party)

Happy Friday! Hope it’s been a great week for you — and Happy Halloween! This week we’re featuring some great furniture makeovers — be sure to share yours at the party or send your pics to us over on Facebook so we can show yours off, too!

6 Furniture Makeovers

Thirty Eighth Street did a great job on this console! Love the color.

Beautiful chalk painted dresser makeover at Mr Wilson and Me

Create and Babble had a desk — but needed an island. No problemo!

This piece wasn’t really jiving with DIY Passion‘s style, so it got a beachy blue makeover!

Suzy at Simply Vintageous made this rocking chair like new for her grandbaby — way to go, gramma!

http://ift.tt/1MYig7l

http://ift.tt/1MYig7l

http://ift.tt/1MYig7l

 Loading InLinkz ...

The post 6 Furniture Makeovers (Friday Features + Link Party) appeared first on Remodelaholic.

from Home Improvement 1 http://ift.tt/1ioytoX