Birthday? Bucket!

So, my brother Rollo's birthday was last week. He doesn't appreciate nice ribbon or a pretty gift bag so how best to bestow his request for underwear and socks?
Then it hit me. A bucket with a lid! Reusable, unique and very practical. THAT is something Rollo can appreciate.
A camouflage print bucket was stuffed with packs of underwear and socks. Bratcake Nephew Gregory made fun of Rollo for receiving a diaper pail for his birthday. (Gregory is a budding smart ass. Good boy.)
Wait, best part: the bucket cost less than a fancy paper gift bag.
One more idea for ya:
Ann no longer purchases the pretty bags for a nice gift presentation but instead places gifts in the cute reusable grocery bags.
If ya really wanna mess with someone's anticipation level, purchase a brand new paint can (found on the paint supply aisle), place gift inside and hammer the lid down in a snug-like manner. Hide the can opener and watch your very own personal meltdown show.


Bucket?
Bag?
Or diaper pail?
Whatchagonna use?

Introducing the Lightning Boys

The brat nephews gave away Super Hero capes at the eldest's themed birthday party last month and their mom Rikki Tikki Tavi bought just enough black fabric for two capes for them. They like Star Wars, Super Heroes and Harry Potter so the color black is key.

Did they want to add some of the way cool reflective silvery gray fabric sample that Ernest sent me? They liked the reflective sheen and one brat suggested a lightning symbol. Because they seem to have opinions on everything (wonder where that came from?), I even asked their thread preference. Would you think a 7 year would even care? Surprise. AND it was the correct decision. The gray thread does "disappear", just like he said it would.

Caped brats

Baby sister Rikki Tikki Tavi and I made 20 small capes for Walter's Super Heroes themed birthday party this weekend. Super cheap fabric from WalMart, serged edges and leftover ribbon sewn at corners.

Rikki hates sewing and such so was probably surprised when I asked her to serge while I sewed ribbons. Pretty sure she hated it but she is a Super Mom thus, she suffered for the enjoyment of the invited Super Heroes.

Did I mention we made TWENTY? There is a certain freedom in making something super fast. You cannot entertain goals of super detailed finishing. Heck, this fabric would MELT if ironed!

However, I must point out the "leftover" ribbon. How many kid's capes include pretty Neiman Marcus gift ribbon?

Rikki found only 1 yard of black fabric so reserved that for later sewing because her brats are into Star Wars and she thought they would want it for whatever character wears black capes. (I am the only person in America that has never watched a Star Wars movie.) I asked Gregory if he would like a black cape for Star Wars play. Yes. Last month, he shunned sewn capes. Do you want me to put a "G" on it for Gregory? No. Plain. Just black.
It made me laugh because he sounded just like me. Not a fan of embellishment. Love plain. Love simple.

The caped recycler

Yesterday my sis Rikki Tikki Tavi told me that her youngest brat boy Gregory was running around the house in a super hero cape he made from a newspaper page. Clever, right?
Later, I asked him if he would like me to sew him a cape.
"No, I already have a black and white one."
"Let me guess? Newspaper?"
"Yes."
"But would you like a fabric cape?"
"No, I like the one I made."

Really glad I asked first.

Robot on your shirt

Nephew Walter drew a robot and I thought it was the cutest thing ever, which inspired me to stitch in on a T-shirt. Taped his drawing onto a light box and traced with fabric transfer pen.

Ironed on and embroidered.

Oh, update: Walter's little brother Gregory asked where his shirt was. Oops. Draw something and I'll stitch it, I promised him. Later that day, Walter told his mom that he drew an image for Gregory's shirt. His mom RikkiTikkiTavi told him that indeed, Gregory should draw something for his own shirt but asked to see the Walter's artwork. Walter proudly displayed a rendering of a unicorn. She said it was nice but unicorns are usually seen on girl's shirts. Walter smiled broadly. A smartass at 6 years old, he makes me proud, I tell ya. Sniff.