DIY Ninja Costumes...

Halloween is here and the boys couldn't be more excited! It was decided months ago that they would be ninjas this year and after much deliberation on colour options and symbols, we have finished our costumes!

Andrew is a big fan of the Lego show "Ninjago" and is adamant that he is dressed as the character Jay. I was happy he wasn't too particular about the specifics, because my plan for for the costume was pretty simple.

The photo shoot of the finished costumes didn't go exactly as I had imagined. I think I would have had more luck photographing two jumping fleas... but I guess that's what happens when you put two little boys in ninja costumes!

I picked up the black tights and and shirts for the ninja costumes at Target. I found them both in the girls department... don't tell Andrew! The masks are ski masks that I ordered from Amazon which should come in handy once we return to Canada.

To make the ninja smocks I folded a piece of fabric in half and lined up one of the boys t-shirts along the top fold. Using the t-shirt as a guide I cut the shape below making the top about one inch wider than the shoulders of the shirt. I used the neck of the t-shirt as a guide for the triangular neckline. At this point, I ironed, pinned and sewed a simple seam along the outside of the entire smock as well as around the neckline. 

To make the belt, I cut a band of fabric that was approximately 3' by 8" in dimensions. I folded it in half and ironed along the fold. Then opened the strip and folded each long edge into the middle fold. After ironing the length of the band I folded the entire thing in half (along the original crease) tucked in the ends and sewed along the perimeter to make a belt. This belt was then sewn to the back of the smock. 

Using my Silhouette and the Silhouette Fabric Interfacing, I cut out a dragon and added one to the front of the smock, sewing around the outside.

To make the boy's Nun Chucks I cut pieces of pipe insulation, glued a short length of plastic chain to the inside and wrapped the handles in duct tape. 

I'm happy to have checked this job off of my To Do list... who knows, we may have another little ninja to add to the pack before October 31st!

It's costume time!!

Now that October has hit, Halloween has become a major point of discussion in our house. For the last few months (yes that's how much Andrew and I talk about costume options) our little man has been set on the Green Lantern. However, after a fun trip to our local Fire Station he has changed his mind and is now all about Fire Fighters!

He asked if Henry could be a "fireman on his team", which I think is adorable and probably pretty unlikely in future years, so two little firefighters is what we will have! 

I have always had a lot of fun with Halloween costumes. I like to put them together on my own and prefer to try and use things that we have on hand or inexpensive thrifted items. I try to make sure that the boys are comfortable, I remember a creation or two from my childhood that just didn't stand up to an evening of trick-or-treating (let's see if my biggest fan, aka my mom, will remember in the comments below).

Here are our costumes to date... Harry Potter is by far my biggest Halloween accomplishment. I am not sure if I will ever be able to top it!!

I mean really?? How incredible was that costume?? It consisted of one of my blouses, 

a scarf that I knit over the span of a few weeks, a felt tie and wand, 

a stuffed owl, and a bit of eyeliner. 

This was the year of the "Handy Manny" obsession. Easiest costume ever!

And here he is as Batman (or Batmandrew as we often call him). I'm sure this was not the 

last time the Dark Knight will make a Halloween appearance in the Leeper house!

Henry was about three months old on his first Halloween and the poor guy didn't even make it out of the house! However, it was still necessary to dress up for the occasion! We love our sushi!!

Has costume production begun in your house yet??

Mermaid Tail Tutorial

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week! Today I am sharing a Mermaid Tail Tutorial at Mimi's Dollhouse! This is the mermaid tail that my friend Jenn gifted to all of the little princesses as they arrived at her daughter's birthday party. The "Under the Sea" party was an amazing success. Jenn never fails to go completely overboard with food, decor and games. She used fun custom printables from Mimi's Dollhouse for her invitations as well as banners, cupcake circles and thank you notes. I will be back later this week to share a few more of Jenn's creative Mermaid Party ideas, but in the mean time, take a minute to check out my Mermaid Tail Tutorial!

Isn't she adorable!!

Here is a link to the Christmas Craft Party that Jenn and I hosted together. I just loved collaborating with someone who loves throwing a great party!