DIY
We’ve got some crafty hens in the henhouse who are always figuring out ways to make cool stuff themselves. Become independent, save some moeny and try out some of these awesome “Do It Yourself” projects.
Cardboard Halloween Costumes
October 15, 2009 Posted by The Painted Hen
This week, I’m having fun making Halloween costumes for my boys. We let them decide what they want to be each year, and if we can find a pre-made costume that looks good for a reasonable price (I love resale shops), we just buy it. If they request something out of the ordinary, I’ll try making it for them. I have a bit of an artistic side, so it’s always a fun experiment to see how the costume will turn out.
Over the years I have found that my medium of choice is simple, inexpensive cardboard and hot glue. Using hot glue on unpainted cardboard is easy, dries fast, and results in an amazingly strong and sturdy costume. It’s up to you how much to embellish afterward. I cover my creation with spray paint as it gives an even coat and dries quickly. Then I look around for unusual items that will add that special, authentic touch. Remember to do all of your hot glue before you paint; it will not bond painted pieces strongly.
Here are three of our recent cardboard costume creations:
Robot
What You’ll Need:
- Large cardboard box
- Small cardboard box
- Utility knife
- Hot glue gun
- Silver spray paint
Optional Accessories:
- Silver dryer venting
- Black cable organizer
- 2 small, rectangular gift boxes
- Battery-operated mini Christmas lights
- Upholstery nails/thumbtacks
- Antenna
- Mini drain covers
This Hen Flew the Coop
October 5, 2009 Posted by The Healthy Hen
Why do we refuse help? I thought my Rooster and I could move our entire house into two PODS without any problem. Who could possibly need MORE than two PODS, or help filling them? We are a one item in, one item out family. We reduce, reuse, recycle and donate like the dickens…
But if it weren’t for the amazing support of all the Hens and the Roosters, the house we sold (within three hours of listing!) would NOT have closed on time today. They came through the house last weekend like a small army and got us all packed up. Even with all of that help, moving is a big deal, and we could not have stayed sane without some essential items.
Homemade Playdough
September 24, 2009 Posted by The Little Red Hen
My little guy and I just had a blast making playdough together. It’s a fun, easy activity that everybody can help with, is easy to clean up, and has an end result you can enjoy for a long time. And it’s cheap to make! You will probably have to experiment with colors a bit. My son wanted orange, and we had to add a lot of yellow before it didn’t look like a big spaghetti dinner followed by a stomach virus. I got my recipe from Discovery Toys a long time ago.
