Guest Blogger: DIY Trick or Treat Bag

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be traveling over to Fireflies & Jellybeans to guest blog today, thanks so much for the invite Fawnda! Even more of a treat is she's here to give you a great trick or treat bag tutorial, please give her a warm Samster Mommy welcome and then head on over to her blog to check out my tutorial on making your own glow-in-the-dark polymer clay magnets.

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Hello Samster Mommy readers! I am so excited to be swapping with this fun & cute blog! Natasha is a genius when it comes to crafting! I love her Tuxedo Tank and her Painted Jewel Onesies - SO CUTE!

Let me introduce myself, I'm Fawnda from Fireflies and Jelly Beans, a little DIY craft blog I co-author with my best friend Jeannine!

Here is a little bit about me: I am a SAHM (that is a stay-at-home-mom) to a son. I am married to most amazing man. (sorry ladies- I found him first!) We adopted our son from Korea about 10 months ago, he is 19 months old and is truly a joy and probably one of the cutest kids in the world. (right along with yours!) I rediscovered my sewing machine about 6 months ago & LOVE it! I also love to make cards. I am addicted to paper stacks, I want to buy every theme! I also love to rehab and upcycle my shabby things into fabulous chicness!

We feature all sorts of craft tutorials on our blog, BUT, today I saved a very special one just for you! I am going to show you how to make a Halloween trick-or-treat bag from a bandanna. I found my bandanna at Joann for $1.49 AND IT GLOWS IN THE DARK!

Here is what you will need:

Bandanna, Coordinating thread, Sewing machine, Scissors

1.) Fold your bandanna in half with right sides together.

2.) Measure and cut 12 " in length. (Save the extra piece for the straps)

3.) On the bottom corners (on the fold) cut out 2 X 2 inch squares.

4.)Now grab your extra piece and cut two 4" strips for the straps. (mine are still folded in half)

5.) On each strap fold over 1/4" lengthwise & iron the fold.

6.) Now fold your strap in half (lengthwise) & iron the fold. You should have no unfinished edges showing. (The ends should be finished from the bandanna.)

Here is what my 2 straps look like:

7.) Now back to the bag, sew along both sides with a 1/4" seam. (Do't sew the square cutouts)

8.)Time to square off the bottom, pull open the square so that the seam that you just sewed is at a right angle to the edge. (shown below:)

9.) Sew along that unfinished edge & repeat with the other corner.

10.) Flip right side out and look at your bag taking shape!

11.) Now lets work on the straps again. Sew the open edge with a 1/8" seam. (or as close as you can get) Repeat for the other strap.

12.) Decide where you want your straps placed. I have mine 2" from the seam on each side. Pin in place.

13.) Sew straps into place. Since I'm expecting my son to get a TON of candy I sewed back & forth a few times.

14.) If you have been reading Samster Mommy for a while you'll know that Natasha LOVES freezer paper stenciling...so do I! I just knew I had to add it to this project!

I cut out my letters for "trick or treat" & ironed the freezer paper to the top of the bag. I also placed a piece of cardboard inside the bag so that the paint won't bleed through.

15.) Dab on your paint and let dry.

16.) Pull off the paper and admire the cuteness. I am also going to add my son's name to the other side of the bag so that no one will steal My Candy my son's candy!

17.) Let your little one try it out!

I think he likes it!

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial! Be sure to check out Fireflies and Jelly Beans for other fun ideas and for Natasha's tutorial!

Thanks so much Natasha for letting me invade your blog today! It was so much fun!