Thursday, October 30, 2014

My New Stick Shift

This fun little spin on a wreath is completely inspired by Michelle at The Painted Hinge!  Her broom is absolutely adorable!





While it's not as cute as Michelle's, I think mine works great for an old rock farmhouse!  The base is just a pretty stick that fell from one of our big trees.  I like the funny forks at the top.



Using grass instead of ribbon along with some twigs, I pretty much followed her directions to create my new stick shift!  The grasses have turned gray and curly.




What will you be driving on Halloween?


;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

20 Wishes {October Update}


Here's my Original Post of 20 Wishes for 2014! 

October updates are in this cool purplish-blue color!  ;-)
 
1.  Celebrate 28 years of marriage!  I've written about it five times!  LOL!  My first post about it is Right HereAnd here is my Second PostThere were actually two posts in April.  HERE and THERE.  The last of the photos are right HERE.

2.  Vacation in Colorado.  Yep!  It was wonderful and I've only just begun to publish the pictures PLUS there was a cool sewing project related to the trip!   Check out my  Colorado T-Shirt Makeover!  There's a fun post about Murphy and WindmillsDo you like birds?  At Garden of the Gods, we photographed this Mexican Jay and some Magpies.


3.  Attend concerts.  We saw Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Dan + Shay AND Neil McCoy in Little Rock!  It was a GREAT concert!

Fitness Goals - Last year, one of my 20 Wishes led me to a Cross Fit gym.  Working out has taken on a whole new meaning for me and I am usually in the gym five days a week.  Since beginning Cross Fit, I've gone from a size 12 to a size 6!


So, in the month of July, I went shopping for a new gym.  Looking for the one that is right for right now.  I contacted 6 gyms via email.  Everyone was super nice.  Two didn't have a class time that worked for me and one is still being built.  So, I actually tried 3 different gyms and was very happy at all of them.  One gave me a 2 week pass and the others gave me a 1 week pass.   It was a fun little journey and I chose another CrossFit gym.  I am loving it!  'Still loving my new gym.  I am usually there each morning, Monday thru Friday.



4.  I want to be a size 4 by May 1 and maintain it thru the rest of the year my life.  'Not there yet, but the needle is moving again now that I have a new gym.  Sometimes, you need to make a change.

5.  Run four 5ks, one in each quarter of the year.  This just isn't going to happen.

 
6.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Handstand Pushups, no modifications.  Progress continues.  I can hold a handstand for 1 minute now!  Yay, me!  I've been goofing around with walking on my hands.  'Kinda fun!  Done, October 21!!  Now, that's what I'm talking about!  (Big Cheesy Grin)

7.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Pull Ups, no modifications.  Slow Progress is better than no progress, right?  ;-)  I am so close to doing REAL pullups!  I can get my nose above the bar, but not quite my chin.  It's exciting!  Guess who can do a pull up without a band now!  I am so excited!  So far, three is about my max at a time, but WOW what an improvement from where I began!  Done!  Just yesterday, October 28!!  S W E E T ! !

8.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Toes to Bar, no modifications.  I keep trying and am getting really close!  The rhythm is getting much better, and some can be strung together now instead of just one at a time.  This is going to happen soon.  A new movement was recently introduced that is really helping my grip strength.  I love the diversity of Cross Fit skill proficiencies. 

9.  Get stretchy enough that I can do the splits again, both sides.  (You might be asking "Why?" on this one.  I have absolutely no idea.  'Just want to.)  It's going to happen!




If those get accomplished:  Bonus Goals are Double Unders and Ring Dips.  Oh, and I'd like to know how many grandmothers across our great nation are choosing Cross Fit goals?  ;-)  I'm going to need lots of support and a whole lot of tenacity.  Those are going to be tough to achieve!  If you have any quotes, tips or advice, please send them my way!

I am consistently getting Double Unders, but only one at a time. 

Sewing Goals

10.  Complete a quilt for each of my children.  One down!  You can see it HERE!

11.  Inspired by Marissa at Rae Gun Ramblings, sew something for myself monthly and join the fun at "Sew Our Stash"  This has been a GREAT goal for me!  I am gaining so much confidence in the sewing department!  I've made a Maxi Skirt!  Raglan Sleeve Top!  3 of The Ojai Wrap! and a couple of Commuter Cowls!  This Easy Pink T is getting lots of wear.  Here is a Vintage Baseball T created in July!  August was a little Lacy Number!  'Didn't get anything posted for September.  Bummer!

12.  Inspired from Adventures in Dressmaking,  follow Susannah's Sewing Resolutions.  Basically, I should fuss and worry over my pattern and fabric choices for ME just as much as when I am sewing for someone else.  Well, DUH!  ;-)  This wish ROCKS!  Here's a fun little post about Why I Sew.



These goals are being brought forward from my 2013 list!

13.  Take a photography class.

14.  Learn photo shop.

15.  Make my own herbal salad dressing.  I've been goofing around with this one, but not ready to post anything yet.  So, I made some, but really didn't like it.  If at first you don't succeed... 

16.  Create and write down 3 recipes for artisan cheese.  Cheese and yogurt making seems to be something I like to do in the fall.

17.  Re-Vamp my "Herbs:  A Place to Begin" presentation into a one hour program.  Done, twice actually!

18.  Learn more bloggy techy things.  Hmmm...  Surely I've learned something?  I am working on adding a new page to the blog!

19.  Monetize and grow my blog.  I've been working on a Pinterest Board.  My humble little blog continues to pick up new followers here and there, and I *LOVE* meeting new people from around the world!

20.  Read and blog about 26 books.  Definitely on track and I love the monthly Literary Junkies parties!  If you like to read, please join the fun!  Jan Karon is currently my favorite author.  I continue to plow through her series of books and have loved them all.  Fall Women's Bible Study just began again two weeks ago.  Our group has lots in common and we are having a ball.  I {heart} books!

Whew!  So, what have you been doing?  

;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist


Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist!

Back to the Basics
We're your co-hosts:
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  My feature this week is...  (drum roll please)



The Perks of a Morning Run


 



If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
Follow on Bloglovin




Sunday, October 26, 2014

LINK PARTY! Happiness is Homemade #43

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade!!

MOST VIEWED LINKS

43
Mexican Eggs in Tomato Sauce by Recipes and Ramblins | Spooky Halloween Muddy Buddies Snack Mix by The Rebel Chick
Bonfire Cake by Baking in Pajamas | Pumpkin Spice Cake by The Pin Junkie

Friday, October 24, 2014

Book Review: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style

by Tim Gunn

From Good Reads:  If you are a fan of Tim Gunn, crisp grammar, fashion, and excellent vocabulary, then this book is for you.
My thoughts:  I am a fan of Tim's, so this book was definitely for me!  I felt the most useful tips are in the section about what to keep and what to toss from your closet.  Those of you who read my blog already know that I am on a fitness journey that has significantly changed my body.  (Thank you, CrossFit!)  In Tim's chapter titled Diagnosing the Common Closet under Items that Don't Fit he says, "There is no reason to have something taking up space in your closet that does not make you feel good.  These items must go."  Tim also tells us, "Clothes do not exist to humiliate their owners...  please be kind to yourself."

Wise words.  Thanks, Tim!

So, what are you reading?

;-)  -Marci

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Last Minute Spooky Banner

October is flying!  'Thought I better get some Halloween crafts done.  This one is completely inspired by Holli from Holli's Hoots and Hollers!  She was so sweet to guest post for me this month.  Did you see Holli's Shopping Trip?   I completely stole one of the ideas and ran with it!


This little banner didn't take much time at all.  It began with a tag punch, leaf punch and some raffia.


After a bit of stenciling letters, the leaves and tags were threaded onto the raffia.


Ta da!  I bet you're afraid to come over now, huh?


My house is spooky!

;-)  -Marci

Link Party Feature!

Being featured has to be one of the biggest compliments!  My recipe for Sweet Tea


is being featured at the Wake Up Wednesday Link Party!  I'd like to send a big

Thank You

to all the lovely hostesses!




;-)  -Marci



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist


Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist!

Back to the Basics
 
 
We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  My feature this week is...  (drum roll please)





These super cute Ghostly Pot Heads!








 (Sorry!  I can't get the photo to load!)


from  Crafty Lumberjacks!  I think I have time to whip these out before Halloween!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
 
 
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
 
Follow on Bloglovin

Monday, October 20, 2014

Features and Results from The Great Blog Train!

God’s Growing Garden
The 22nd GREAT BLOG TRAIN was a blast! - We all safely reached our destination: COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO. It was a wonderful trip with 40 boxcars!! We (the Engineers) would like to thank all of you for travelling with us and we hope that you all had a wonderful time!
The Giveaway Winner is: E.A.
(I have contacted the winner by email)
Congrats!!!



W   A   N   T   E   D  :

The Great Blog Train by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogTrainDestination_zps2925d251.jpg

(Being a "Destination Cohost" means that you get to pick our next destination!!  It also means that you will post The Great Blog Train on your blog on the first Wednesday of whatever month you will be cohosting (1 different cohost per month).  We (the engineers or hosts) will provide you with the html code for the blog hop & for the Giveaway - all you will have to do is add into that post some information on the destination that you picked (like population, known for, location etc - basic family friendly facts) and add a few pictures.  Also, if you cohost we ask that you promote it on your social media sites) (We are now scheduling for 2015).

If you are interested in being a Co-host for the Great Blog Train then please click HERE and fill out the form (THANK YOU!!)

We are now featuring the top 3 Boxcars!  (These are the links that received the most clicks)
Crocheted Cowl Giveaway & Introduction to My Etsy Store by Hope in the Healing

photo 3 (88)
My Flea Market Garden by My Flagstaff Home



Please join us for the NOVEMBER Great Blog Train
on November 5th, 2014!





Sunday, October 19, 2014

LINK PARTY! Happiness is Homemade

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade!!! Thank you all for coming back each week and making this party bigger and bigger!!

MOST VIEWED LINKS

#42

Friday, October 17, 2014

We've lost two of our beloved pets this year.  When I posted about them, sweet Linda sent me this lovely poem.  It was very comforting, so I wanted to share it with everyone. 
 
Hugs to you, Linda!  ((Linda))  Thank you for being so very sweet! 
 
I don't know if this lovely piece has a title.  Here is how it came to me.
 
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here." I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more. I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there. I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me." You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away." You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew... In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.
Author ~ Unknown ~♥~
 
;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Guest Post: Chai Tea Made from Scratch

You are in for such a treat today!  Angie of Gods' Growing Garden brings us a wonderful chai recipe just in time for Fall's cooler temps!

Chai Tea by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 2014-10-02_zps276506c9.jpg

I am thrilled to be "guest posting" for my friend Marci! 
"Stone Cottage Adventures" has been one of my favorite blogs for many years.
 
Today I am going to share with you my version of Chai Tea - no caffeine!
Chai Tea Made from Scratch

This is an herbal version of the traditional Chai Tea that you might buy in a tea shop - this is naturally caffeine free.  I drink this every night before I go to sleep and it is so soothing and relaxing.  I have a pot (or pan) of this Chai Tea at the back of my stove at all times - it stores well at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.  I add a little water every night and warm it up when I want to have some - so simple, affordable, healthy and long lasting.
 
From the top and then going to the right: Ginger, Cayenne Pepper (or Chili Pepper), Cloves, Black Peppercorns, Cinnamon Sticks and in the middle: Star Anise

I am NOT a doctor but I have researched these ingredients and here are some of the health benefits that I have found:

Ginger Root - is relaxing, aids in digestion, it is good for your equilibrium and for inner ear issues..... and much more.

Cinnamon - is good for your blood sugar, aids in lowering cholesterol, helps relieve indigestion and colds.

Cloves - used in dentistry and helps with tooth pain, anti-bacterial, reduces joint inflammation and some even claim preventative against intestinal cancers (again - I'm NOT a doctor)

Peppercorns - increases stomach activity and digestion, it has antioxidant and anti-bacterial effects.

Chile Peppers or Cayenne Pepper - increases circulation and heart health, cancer preventative, aids in weight loss and is great for the intestinal tract.


Star Anise - this is actually the spice that they extract "Shikimic Acid" from - which is used to make the antiviral drug "Tamiflu" (which has been used to treat the Swine Flu).  It also decreases abdominal cramps and expells mucus.


The Recipe:                                                                        Printable Recipe
2 Cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon of black peppercorns (whole)
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 star anise
2 dried cayenne peppers (or chili peppers) (If you don't like spicy hot - then you may omit this pepper - it's so good for you though!)
1 small lump of fresh ginger root (washed and any bad spots cut out)

Place all of these ingredients in a stainless steel pot and cover with 5 to 6 cups of filtered water.  Boil for about 10 minutes and then turn off the burner.  Allow this tea to steep overnight on the back of the stove (Make sure that your burner is turned OFF!).  Then the next day your tea is ready for drinking - simply warm it up when you desire.  Add a little more water whenever you take some tea out and keep it topped off and ready for the next time you want some Chai Tea. 

After 2 weeks you will need to start from scratch again with new and fresh ingredients - and the initial steeping overnight is only done that first time - at the beginning of a new batch (once every 2 weeks). 

NOTE:  When the tea has boiled and you are ready to drink - just remember to strain out the spices before drinking - and then return any peppercorn or clove back into the pot for the next time that you want to have this tea.


This tea is great plain or with some half & half cream and/or some honey added!

ENJOY!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist

October has been, and continues to be, crazy-cuckoo-busy.  I am hoping some sweet, lovely, intelligent and charming bloggers will pretty-please guest post for me in October.  What am I looking for?  Well, the four corner stones of my blog are:
 
Gardening  Crafts  Sewing  Recipes
 
Any of those topics would be GREAT for my readers, but I am really open to just about anything that is family friendly.  I'd like to receive the post via email in HTML format.  I ask that you publish a little something to let your readers know we are hanging out together on the day you go live here.  The content can either be new or older than one year.  I also ask that if it is new content, please don't post it at your place for at least two weeks after it has been here. 
 
So, what do you get?  Well, my undying gratitude, of course!  ;-)  Between GFC and Bloglovin' my humble little blog has over 1,000 followers these days!  WOOT WOOT!  I can also give you ad space on my side bar for 60 days.
 
If you are interested, please email me at
 
Stone (dot) Cottage (dot) Adv @ cox (dot) net


Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist!

Back to the Basics
 
 
We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  My feature this week is...  (drum roll please)

This darling Easy Homemade Dog Bed with Shelby showing us how to use it!  Isn't she pretty?




 
It is from Robin of Happy at Home!  I love it!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
 
 
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
 
Follow on Bloglovin

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Garden Guest: Tiger or maybe Giant Swallowtail?

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page!


OK, so there is a much better photo of a Tiger Swallowtail HERE.  These photos are pretty blurred, even after editing.

I'm not sure if this is a Tiger or a Giant Swallowtail even though I've cruised several sites trying to figure out the difference by appearance.  The blue gray plant in the background is Rue.  It's a host plant for Giant Swallowtails.


 
This butterfly was almost completely black.

 
Tiger Swallowtails are usually more yellow and actually hold still while you try to photograph them.  ;-)  This one was moving frantically throughout the Rue.  'Sorry.  The pictures are pretty awful, but if there are any butterfly experts reading this, please give your opinion.  Tiger or Giant?  What makes you think so?  My vote is for Giant, but...
 
Have you heard Your Daddy's Boots by Dustin Lynch?  My favorite line is "Barbed wire tough, Cowboy cool"  I'd like to know when Dustin met my daddy!  ;-)
 
 
 
So, what's happening in your back yard?
 
;-)  -Marci

Friday, October 10, 2014

Guest Post: HolliWeen

What a treat to have Holli joining us today from Holli's Hoots and Hollers!  She is a sweet friend and delightful blogger!
 
 
Hey y’all-I am so thrilled to be a guest speaker for Marci.  She’s one of my most favorite loyal blogger friends, it’s the least I can do.
She asked me to write about my most favorite holiday-  Halloween which I renamed it to HOLLIween.   My love for Holliween comes easily because it was also a favorite of my mom’s.  I’ll never forget one day I came home from school after having a bad day and told Mom that I didn’t want to go trick-or-treating that night.  My mom said “ oh no you wont stay at home tonight.  You will dress up and go get lots of candy and we will have tons of fun”!  She was a single mom and didn’t have much income so we made up my costumes with stuff around the house.  I was a zombie, gypsy, a hobo,  and others over the years and never bought a costume.  Its funny because I try to stick with that now and I got pretty perturbed at my husband last year when he rented a costume and brought it home . I told him he was cheating! LOL  .  I have had to buy  a few pieces here and there to complete my costumes but never the whole outfit.
 I have a huge Holliween party every year on the weekend before Halloween. That allows all my friends with kids to have the following week preparing for the actual day.  Kids are also allowed at the party and I always try to have fun things for them too.  This year I am so excited because we don’t live in an apartment anymore. Our home we’re renting has a huge yard with big trees and I’m getting a piñata for the kiddos. I am on the lookout for a pumpkin piñata to go with my decorations.  If weather is cool enough, we want to have a fire and make s’mores too. We have an ugly fire pit that the previous renters made with cinder blocks but it will do for the purpose of s’mores.
For food and beverages at the party, I have a big pot of chili with fritos, sour cream, cheese and onions to fix up your bowl any way you like.  We get a keg of beer so that we don’t have to worry about glass or cans all over the house. I have tons and tons of wine and I am looking for a fun “witches brew” or “poison” to make and serve in a my mason jar beverage dispenser I just bought last weekend at a garage sale.  Some of my friends always bring some dips and no one goes hungry for sure. I have lots of candy that I will have placed around the house and I’m thinking of making some cookies. One thing I have to make every year that people look forward to are my drunk gummie bears.  They are kind of like jello shots but instead you literally take a bowl of gummy bears and pour vodka into the bowl where it covers the whole bottom of the bowl. I put lid on it and shake it and then put in refrigerator overnight and they vodka gets absorbed into the bears.  I don’t really like vodka all that much but they are tasty.
I decided to have a theme this year for the costumes and I think it makes things more fun and easy to come up with ideas.  The theme is to dress as any character from a TV , commercial, or movie.  That includes cartoons and animated movies as well like Spongebob or Toy Story.   Last year, a couple showed up as Sandy and Danny from Grease and another friend was the Progressive insurance lady.  Those costumes are what inspired me for my theme this year.  I cant wait to see what people come as.  When I first started having the parties a few years ago, no one wanted to dress up and I was the only one in costume.  Over the years,  my friends starting catching on and now they enjoy dressing up which is so fun!
Here are some pics of my husband and I dressed up the last 2 years.  I didn’t start doing the photo wall until the second year.  I have one now every year for sure.
 
 Here are some of the ideas I’ve done before or that I’m planning to do this year that are also on Pinterest.
 I am making these signs for sure:
I have been saving my TP rolls to make these: You cut out eyes and put glow sticks in them and then put in your bushes.
I have a fake pumpkin with holes like this cut out, I need to get some fake mice.
I’m doing this with candy corn in wine glasses.
I did this last year and will do again this year: I hang dozens of witch hats from the ceiling:

I have so many ideas and I’ve been so crazy busy at work that I don’t think I’m going to be able to accomplish all my crafty things I wanted to do.  Either way, I know it will still be so fun and I’m counting down the days. I am taking a vacation day the Friday before to get everything in place. 
I’m really hoping we get some trick or treaters in our neighborhood too because I love handing out candy and watching the kiddos.  Do you have any Halloween traditions ? Do you leave your porch light on or off on Halloween?
You can find me over at my blog www.hollishootsandhollers.blogspot.com  and make sure you stop by a few days after Holliween to see pictures of this years party. 
Happy Happy Halloween and Boo Y’all!
 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Monarch Butterfly Costume Made by Children

You are in for such a treat today!  My sweet friend, Angie, of God's Growing Garden is guest posting and bringing us The Cutest Costume EVER!  Get this!  Your sweet kiddos can make it for themselves!  Thank you, Angie!

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 2014-10-003_zps52723277.jpg




I am thrilled to be "guest posting" for my friend, Marci!  "Stone Cottage Adventures" has been one of my favorite blogs for many years.


Monarch Butterfly Costume that Children can Make - Ages 9 & Up

As a Christian, Halloween isn't something that I celebrate in it's true form (obviously) - I don't want to offend my Christian readers but I really do enjoy this time of year.  When I was a child, Halloween was never a scary, evil or angry time - it was wholesome fun and all about creativity.  Today it seems that nobody makes their own costumes and all of the costumes that are available to buy are either demonic, vulgar or totally inappropriate for children to be wearing! - Like a 5 year old dancer!!! (and by dancer I don't mean the Waltz). 

When I reached the age of 8 I started to make my own costumes.  In the picture collage above I am the Monarch Butterfly on the left and then the year later my little my sister is the butterfly on the right. 
Today I will show you how to make this Butterfly costume - it's fun & cheap!!

Since I don't have any children I couldn't use a child model & (since I don't have any children) I only have 1 doll that I saved from my childhood - he is my Inuit doll that I love.

Today, "Iqaluit" (that's the capitol of Nunavut) will be my model.

 photo 012_zpsfb8b26ab.jpg

You will need:
4 pieces of Poster Board (2 black & 2 orange)
Elmer's Glue
Scissors
Pencil
heavy duty ribbon or thin fabric tie or flat rope (something that won't gouge into your shoulders)
White paint & a paint brush

STEP 1:  Fold both pieces of black poster board in half (make sure that your poster board is horizontal before you fold!! - in other words - the longer side is going from right to left before you fold) (see picture below) NOTE:  for this example I am using card stock but your project will be a lot larger since you are working with poster board
 
Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 008_zps0906f3a3.jpg

STEP 2:  Draw half of a butterfly shape on 1 of the folded poster board (make sure that the seam of the poster board is the middle of the wings!!!) - cut out that butterfly (see picture below - when you open it up it looks like a butterfly).  Now trace that butterfly on the other folded sheet of poster board & cut (you must trace from the piece you cut first because they must be the same size)
 
 photo 011_zpsf10546b2.jpg

STEP 3:  Cut 2 pieces of heavy duty ribbon (or flat rope or fabric tie) - they will need to be long enough so that you can tie them on around your shoulders (It will hang on your back like a back pack).  Glue your ties or ribbon on the inside of 1 butterfly (one will be glued to the left of the seam and the other to the right of the folded seam).  Then glue both butterfly pieces together (make sure that the ribbon is on the inside!!) Allow the glue to totally dry before moving on to the next step.
 
Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 003_zps835481a5.jpg

STEP 4:  Cut out a bunch of odd shapes (almost oval & tear drop like) from the orange poster board (you might be able to only use 1 orange poster board but have an extra on hand just in case).  Start gluing those shapes on the butterfly to resemble a Monarch (see picture below or the top picture) - Don't worry - you can't go wrong - there are no 2 Monarch's that have exactly the same markings.  Continue cutting & gluing until both sides & front & back of the Butterfly has the orange detail. 
Again, allow the glue to totally dry.
 
Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 005_zpsf64e2014.jpg

STEP 5:  Now paint white blobs (circles & oval shapes) along the edge of both sides & front & back of the butterfly (see picture below) - Allow the paint to totally dry!!

 photo 010_zpsc779d0b7.jpg

STEP 6:  Remember - this is just a toy model - you will be wearing black clothes before you place this costume on your shoulders!
Tie one side of the ribbon over the left shoulder and then tie the other side of the ribbon over the right shoulder (see the next 4 photos below)
 
Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 014_zps7a01845e.jpg


Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 016_zps12684651.jpg


Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 019_zpsddc18708.jpg


Butterfly Costume by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 021_zps9acf5eff.jpg

STEP 7:  Wear black clothing & make antennae out of pipe cleaner & ENJOY!!

Enjoy flying through Halloween this year as a Butterfly!!


 
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