Etsy Hat Patterns

Those of us still scrambling for a Halloween costume but bristling at the idea of something that only gets a day of airplay might be wise to make a hat that does double duty: with the right outfit it's a costume, and the other 364 days of the year it's just a really awesome hat. Here are some of the great crochet patterns available from Etsy sellers.

Barbarian Viking Beanie from Candy Pop Creations - Viking? Brünnehilde? This hat is a study in versatility.

Koala Earflap Hat from The Fuzzy Noggin - pair this with gray fleece, just make sure it has a pouch for marsupial authenticity.

Owl Hat from RAKJ Patterns - match with a coordinating sweater or paint feathers on brown sweats for full effect.

Frog Earflap Beanie from Inner Hooker - put it together with a green outfit for an insta-amphibian.

Sock Monkey Hat from Sock Monkey Kook - cut up a few pairs of Rockford Red Heel Socks for coordinating arm and leg warmers.

Etsy Hats

Get Creative: Color Blanks From RoseArt

The vinyl toy movement has been gaining momentum over the last several years and although the toys being produced look neat, because they are labeled as artwork (instead of toys), they don't have to abide by the same standards that traditional toy manufactures do. RoseArt has created a set of customizable DIY blank toys that are safe to have in your home and all sorts of extras that go with them. The best part, they're affordable!

Each box of figures will run you right around $9.99 (or a single dog for $4.99) and you have your choice of monsters, pets, and geo-shapes. There will be two per box and each package comes with stickers, markers and a little clay to modify your Color Blank into whatever your child has the imagination for.

Instead of playing with the same toys as all of their friends, encourage them to make something on their own. Something new, different and fun! It's a great way to get them involved in an art movement that might interest them a little more than a stuffy painting in a museum, many modern artists are heavily involved in customization shows and they're a great way to introduce them to art that they might think is fun and accessible to them!

You can find out more about these products over at RoseArt, including where to purchase them near you if you're not into online ordering.

Rose Art

Colorful Bento Lunch Boxes!!!!

These so chic, brightly hued bentos would even brighten up a serious case of PB + J humdrums. But how do you get in them, you ask? Click "read more" to find out.  By pressing on the button and pulling you reveal 3 shelves. Bento & Co — The Bento Shopis currently having a bit of a celebration sale on the 2nd anniversary of the Color Bento(17 EUR or $24). Matching colored chopstick sets (7 EUR or $10) are also available.

From T-shirt to Airy, Expandable Grocery Bag

Inspiration comes at unexpected times. For Pascale at Between the Lines, it all started with one of those bags that grapes typically come in. You know the ones, with all those expandable slits? Well, that lowly little bag spurred on this smarty-pants idea.

Costumes: Partner Costumes Homecrafted Halloween

A great costume doesn't have to be scary - here are four terrific ones based on people from different walks of life. Click the thumbnail photo to see the whole costume and click through to find out how the costumes were made.

Trend: From Cast-off To Furniture

We've entered a new era with respect to cast-offs. Gone are the days of cinder blocks and plastic milk crates. Today it's all about wooden pallets and cable spools. We've spotted endless examples of the resourceful turning pallets into tables, shelves, beds and other furniture pieces. And these cast-offs have entered into childrens' spaces lately as well.

Costumes: Prince, Mr. T., Einstein & Elvis

Icon's are the focus of today's Homecrafted Halloween: instantly recognizable and always memorable. Click the thumbnail photo above to see the whole costume and click throughto find out how the costumes were made and for the link to submit your own!

Trunki

Trunki, the makers of a favorite kiddie luggage of ours, is launching a new product in November. It's a brilliant, multifunctional ride-on Toybox. Check out their little video to see just how fun and versatile this product is. We think this stackable Toybox would be great for road trips; it can be used as a ride-on toy, tow-along cart, a rocking cradle, and you can even create a Trunki train as the Toyboxes easily connect to each another. It would even be handy to have around the house.


TRUNKi

Toilet Paper Tube Halloween Creatures

Are you ready for the cheapest, easiest Halloween craft ever? Step One: go dig through the bathroom trashGather up some toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or wrapping paper tubes. Cut various lengths straight across the top and fold the edges down like in the third picture. What do you see? Cats, bats, monsters, owls, Wild Things? Decorate with markers, craft paints, or snippets of paper, and let the wild rumpus start!

That Doggie is $10

For some homes pets just aren't on the agenda. There's either no time for their care, allergies or you're just not that into them — but that doesn't mean your kids aren't! Check out these flat pack, stand up pets that are perfect for tiding them over and won't shed all over your sofa!

Artist Marc Teto is known for his animal based artwork. In the past you've been able to find prints, buttons and canvases adorned with cute poochie faces, but he's just released a line of pop out pups.

Each dog (and one cat) is made from 3 pieces that pop out and assemble in a flash. They're simple to use and even store flat when finished playing with them. Aside from being something unique in your children's toy box, they also have the ability to be recreated if something breaks. Just trace around the old part — just in case little Toby shoves him under the sofa cushions to be forgotten about and sat upon) on foam core and your pet will be as good as new.

You can pick up each pet (plus a few more we didn't show above) over at Marc's webstore for $10 each. It's like a pet store without the usual side of guilt!

Jamerican Spice Giveaway

Jamerican Spice Giveaway

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2010

Bonsai Sheroes Backpack Review & Giveaway

I received the cute bag in the description below. It's definitely girl power all over it and a unique design. I love their 12 ways to build your daughter's self esteem tips. 

My daughter is not attending school at the moment, but I don't see why it can't be saved for another year and a half. 

I thought the backpack would be too big for her but as you see in the photos this 3 year old is rather big for her age and the bag fit very well. She loves the bag too because it's only for her. 

She ensures to tell her brother hands off! It's her stickers and doorhanger and dvd etc. :) This is girl is just too bossy. 

It's a very nice bag that can be used for school, or traveling.

One thing I couldn't get over was the smell of the bag! Maybe it's because it's a new material, but the smell was hard on my nose.

 

"The backpack is really cute and very roomy. There is alot of space inside - plenty of room to carry a lunch or jacket inside along with the usual school gear. There is an outer zipper pouch on one side and a mesh pocket on the other. The pack is easy to wipe clean and the adjustable straps are padded.

The Bonsai Sheroes "The Beginning" audio book and music cd will entertain and inspire the imagination. I love that they thought to do an audio book for kids - great to listen to in the car or at home. It isn't just a dry reading of the story. There are sound effects to make it more entertaining. The pop music is G rated and kid friendly.

They also have other cute extras featuring the Bonsai Sheroes - door hanger to request quiet or room service, notepads, shoes, stickers and more.

Bonsai Sheroes are good for fun and empowerment!"

Each backpack comes with a Audio Book (The Beginning), and coming in December 2010 they are launching the Bonsai Babies - targeted at the 5 years and below market.

WIN IT: Bonsai Sheroes Backpack

Main entry: 

Visit Bonsai Sheroes and tell me something you'd want from their shop

Costumes: Robot, Subway Train, iPhone & SpongeBob Homecrafted Halloween

Got a box? Then you've got a costume! All the costumes in today's Homecrafted Halloween started with a humble cardboard box and ended in a fabulous costume. Click the thumbnail photo to see the whole costume and click through to find out how the costumes were made.