How to Make a Personalized Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Global Influence, product provided by Hershey's. However, all opinions and content are my own.

I tend to be an overachiever. When I come up with a project, I spend weeks thinking of all the ways I can craft things to make my dream idea a reality. Halloween is one of those times that I want to go over and above typical expectations. This holiday is a drama queen's dream come true. The last few years, when October has rolled around, I've begged people to be involved in my costume scenarios, worn a blonde curly wig, and stayed up until one in the morning making accessories.

My Halloween costume plans are still a work in progress this year, but since it's the first time Lincoln might actually comprehend what Trick-or-Treating is all about, I decided to make him a special bag to hold his goodies. We don't have real plans for Halloween, but will likely visit grandparents and friends. I'm secretly hoping that a lot of Hershey's candy will end up in his bag - because it's entirely possible that some most of it will be consumed by me after Lincoln's bedtime. I found the cutest chevron fabric this week and could not resist it! I put together this little bag in one afternoon and it was so much fun!

DIY Personalized Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

Supplies Needed
-Main Fabric (mine is the chevron)
 (cut two) 12"x10" rectangles
 (cut four) 2"x18" strips
-Lining Fabric (I used white)
 (cut two) 12"x12 3/4"
-Contrast Fabric (for top of bag)
 (cut two) 4"x12" strips
-Scraps of Felt (for letters)
-Sewing Machine
-Thread
-Scissors
-Pins

1. Print Template Letters to use for cutting out personalized letters. I used a font called Mister Earl and made a Microsoft Word file spelling out Lincoln's name. I printed it out on cardstock and cut out the letters. Next I pinned them to my white felt scraps and cut each letter out individually. This was the most time-consuming part of the process.

2. Pin letters to one piece of the band and sew. I use a zig-zag stitch in matching thread and stitch as close to the edge as possible.

3. Sew band strips to bag pieces, using a 5/8" seam.

4. Press seams open and pin right sides of bag together.

5. With right sides together, sew around the sides and bottom of the bag, leaving the top edge open. Trim seams.

6. With right sides together, sew both long edges of the strips together (you'll end up with two strips total instead of the four you cut out).

7. Turn the strips right side out. This is a frustrating task, but can be done - I promise!

8. With right sides together, sew the lining together on the longer sides and bottom. You're leaving one of the 12" sides open.

At this point, you should have the outer bag with three sides together, the lining with three sides together, and two strips with right sides out.

9. Pin strips (handles) to the right side of the bag. I didn't measure exactly, but it ended up being about 4" from each end. Pin one strip to each side of the bag.

10. (my photo is wrong - I took this before I realized I needed the handles pinned on first! So do step 9 and then this one.) With right sides together, insert bag into lining.

11. Pin top edge and sew, leaving open a 1.5" or 2" gap for turning. I left a space between the handles on the back of the bag. I also reinforced all of the stitching on the handles. Turn bag right side out through the gap.

12. Straighten lining inside the bag and iron everything. Add a single seam around the top edge of the bag, close to the edge, making sure to keep the lining inside. This is mainly to close the opening on the back. I used green thread on top with a white bobbin so that everything blended nicely.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out! It's the perfect size for a two year old to tote around on Halloween. It's personalized so we won't confuse it with anyone else's bucket or pillowcase - plus it's universal enough that it can be used for other occasions, too! Lincoln filled it with cars and dragged them around the house this afternoon. Kids love putting things in bags or boxes. Of course, he was most excited about the candy. He doesn't eat sugar very often - and especially not candy, so this was a special occasion and he kept saying "MORE CHOC-LATE!" Perhaps he is a child after my own heart. Just wait until he sees all the goodies on Halloween! I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

And as for me? You'll find me following close behind him, sneaking a Kit-Kat or Reese's Peanut Butter Cup or York Peppermint Patty, whenever I think he isn't looking. Mmm. It's a delicious time of year!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Global Influence, product provided by Hershey's. However, all opinions and content are my own. Make sure you check out Celebrate with Hershey's for more holiday ideas! For more info, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Adelaide: 11 Months Old

Miss Adelaide, writing your eleven month post means that we are just a few short weeks away from your first birthday. I really just can't believe it. At all. This year has gone so quickly.

Milestones: Well, we have a big one this month. I thought you might take your time, but you sure showed me. One measly day after you turned ten months old, you took about three steps. It was after Lincoln had gone to bed and we were downstairs watching a movie or something. You pulled yourself up and stood there for a few seconds...then took one step. And then, a couple more. And then you were quite proud of yourself. It's taken you most of the month to get the hang of it. For the first couple of weeks, you just took a step here or there and kept on cruising around the couch. But for the last few days, it has seemed like you are walking more than you are crawling. And, you're getting faster.

Sleep is still a battle. You won't sleep at night unless you are with me. I'm used to that now, but I do get pretty frustrated that I don't have any time when "the kids are in bed" to write or work on craft projects. One of these days...I'm sure I'll miss the snuggles, so I try very hard to appreciate them. 

You haven't cared about food quite as much in the last couple of weeks - unless it is whatever Lincoln has. You don't want to eat pouches or pear puree. You want crackers and cheese and spaghetti. I've been letting you try a few more things and will probably continue to introduce more foods in the next month. We love baby-led weaning! You nurse often, 6-8 times a day and (I think) anywhere from 2-5 times a night.

I'm pretty sure that some of your words - "mama," "dada," and "brother" are real. You repeat lots of sounds and babble constantly. You'll definitely be talking sooner than Lincoln did at this rate!

You won't clap your hands or wave on command anymore. It was so cute - I wish you would do it again.

Loves: You still love Lincoln the most - even though I have to watch you two constantly because he tries to smother you with love multiple times a day. He's also starting to push you away if you get close to whatever he is playing with, so we're trying to teach both of you the art of kindness and sharing.

You are thrilled when Daddy comes home from work and you love to laugh and play with him. You love seeing your grandparents, too. Today, Grandma - or "Bun" as Lincoln calls her - ran some errands with us, and when she walked away from you, you were so sad!

Hates: Just take a look at these pictures and I think it's obvious that you do not like to be told what to do. You have your own opinion about how things should go, and lately you've been pretty unhappy if anything happens to the contrary. You've already perfected the arched back and screaming of a full-blown tantrum!

Now that you can walk, you're even more determined to be involved in everything that goes on. You find it quite unacceptable if anyone is doing anything that looks like fun without you.

Weight/Height: I'm not sure what your measurements are exactly, but you're still on your way to growing into those 12-18 month clothes! Some of them already fit you pretty well, but the pj legs swim on you when you try to walk. The pants I bought you for fall are 18-24 months and they fit you fine already! It's partly the cloth diapers, but partly those chubby little legs.

Your hair is still coming in - slowly, but I can see progress. Yay! You've figured out that it is fun to pull headbands off of your head, but I'm trying to discourage that practice.

One more month until your first birthday, little baby princess. Mommy is in shock. I hope that I don't forget any of the sweet little things that you do - and that you (somehow) don't grow up too fast. I love you, precious baby girl.

Tiny Prints Holiday Cards + $50 Code Giveaway

Disclosure: I was selected for this campaign as a member of Global Influence and received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably arrived at the realization that I am the world's worst a bit of a procrastinator. I tend to have a lot of things on my plate and they all tend to get done at the eleventh hour, such as last year's Christmas decorations.

The first year we were married, I handmade all of my 200+ Christmas cards. While I'd love to have that kind of time on my hands again, I know it isn't going to happen - so for the last few years, I've ordered photo Christmas cards (and New Year's Cards last year when I was waaaay behind on everything due to newborn Addie). My photo cards of choice always seem to come from Tiny Prints!

The Tiny Prints Holiday Card collection never disappoints, and this year I especially love them! I'm having a tough time deciding which one to order. I will probably be able to make a better decision after tomorrow's family photo shoot! But with all the gorgeous designs to choose from - Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder, The New Tradition - you can see why I might have a hard time making a decision!

Once I decide which card to use, there are more fun options to consider. Most of the cards can be ordered with your selection of trim - square, rounded corners, brackets, tickets, and scalloped edges. I love the simplicity of a rounded card and it is so much easier to order them that way than to hand-punch them! There is also the option to add matching address labels and envelope liners to your order. During the busy holiday season, I will take all the extra help I can get!

I always turn to photo gifts for creative gifts at Christmas, so I've been perusing the Tiny Prints selection already. If you're looking for a great gift for grandparents, I can tell you that photo books and canvas prints are always a big hit!

Have you planned your holiday cards yet?

Giveaway

One Director Jewels reader will win a $50 Tiny Prints Code (plus free shipping) to use toward the purchase of your holiday cards or photo gifts!  This giveaway will end on October 22 at 11:59pm CST.  This giveaway is open to US readers only.

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)!  Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well.  All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want!  Winners will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was selected for this campaign as a member of Global Influence and received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. Tiny Prints will be providing the giveaway prize. All opinions expressed are my own. I truly love this company and have no hesitation in recommending any of the Tiny Prints brands! For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.

Nuby Fun Drinking Cups for Toddlers {Review}

Disclosure: Nuby sent us the Fun Drinking Cups to review.  All opinions expressed below are my own.

We've tried a lot of sippy cups in our house. Good sippy cups, bad sippy cups, and lots of great sippy cups from Nuby - the Pop-Up Sipper, the Flip-It Easy Grip, the No-Spill Cool Sipper - you name it, we've probably used it. So a little part of me can hardly believe that my big, big boy is old enough to start learning how to use real grown-up cups. Isn't it enough that we said goodbye to his pacifiers? I can't take all this growing up stuff!

Lincoln eats what I feel are pretty healthy foods for a somewhat picky toddler and he drinks a lot of water throughout the day. While we are definitely not ready to turn him loose with anything other than a sippy in our house yet, I do think it's important that he start learning how to use a real cup.

The Fun Drinking Cups from Nuby have been a perfect introduction for him. These little cups are just the right size for small hands. They're easy to grasp and don't hold as much liquid as a larger version might - so when the cup is inevitably turned upside down, the mess is more manageable!

Lincoln asks to use these cups all the time, and actually does really well with them. Have we had spills? Yes. But making messes is an important part of learning sometimes.

Both kids love to play with these cups when they aren't in use, too! They have all kinds of uses around here - sensory play, bath tub time, tower building, and more. We really, really like them!

The Nuby Fun Drinking Cups can be found at several online and local retailers, including Amazon, Diapers.com and BuyBabyDirect.

Make sure you follow along with Nuby on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to keep up with all the latest products and promotions!



I am writing this post as part of the NUBY Mommy Blogger Program. I did not receive compensation for this post, although as part of the program I may receive items to sample or review. All opinions are my own and are 100% honest.

Babywearing Daddy. Need I Say More?