DIY Disney's Frozen Inspired Hand Knit Socks

These are the Official Ice Master And Deliverer socks! No refunds, not exchanges! Perfect when you want to stay in and cuddle.

I have been wanting to make a pair of men's socks for a while now, and had been playing with the idea of themeing them to Kristoff from Frozen. And when I walked into a local yarn shop in Maryland and saw this lovely sparkly grey yarn, I knew I had found exactly what I needed. Now, not too many men will wear the sparkly yarn (which doesn't show up so well in the photos, but is really pretty in person), but this pattern would be fantastic in a muted grey as well. You know, for that less flashy Ice Master.

I made this pattern up, but if you have experience knitting socks and wanted to make your own pair, I have all the details on my Ravelry page. Just use a basic sock pattern as a reference. And if you do knit up a pair be prepared to be amazed at just how quickly they will come together. I did the pair of these in a week flat. That's lightening speed for me! I could easily see making these as gifts for that reason alone.

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly getting the itch to get back into fall sweaters and warm socks. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Merryweather's Top 5 Father's Day Disney Movies

Disney movies have traditionally been about mean step-mothers or absent fathers. There is no doubt that these themes are relatively easy to find in the classics. But there ARE some Disney movies that highlight some really great Disney Dads. We thought we'd share our list of favorites with you here before Father's Day. There's still time to order a digital copy or plan a family viewing if you need a last minute gift!

5. 101 Dalmatians: Here we have a movie about a father who goes to extraordinary lengths to save his children from a murderous villain! It's charming and the music is great. Particularly good if you have a dog lover for a dad.

4. Hercules: This movie is all about finding your place next to your dad, be it a peasant or a god. The Greek chorus is what keeps me watching. Especially great if you (or your dad) love that Danny DeVito dry/sarcastic humor.

3. Finding Nemo: Leave it to Pixar to make a dark and scary story into a heartwarming one! This dad will meet almost every hazard in the ocean, dealing with his friend Dory along the way. If your unassuming dad loves adventure and maybe hovers a little too much, you should pop your corn and snuggle up together to watch this classic tale.

2. The Lion King: Ok, I bet you thought this would be #1. I love this movie. It's the best thing to come out of the Michael Eisner Disney era. It has is all, a coming of age story, a beautiful family, comic relief. It's perfect. This is always a winner. Watch it with your dad.

1. A Goofy Movie: I think this is the ultimate Father's Day Disney flick. I mean, Goofy as a dad has to be a trial, but he is such a great dad to Max. And Max finally sees the light. If you've never watched this one, you need to have it in your repertoire. Watch it with your classic-Disney-loving dad. It's a keeper.

No matter how you spend your Father's day, I hope you enjoy it. And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Mary Poppins DIY Movie Viewing Party

Sometimes, on a Tuesday, you just need a little something special to happen! I surprised our littles mid-week with a Mary Poppins Movie Party! They couldn't have been more excited!

There is an absolute WEALTH of information available on Pinterest if you happen to be planning for just such an occasion! I also used my Silhouette SD to great advantage. There are many pre-made shapes that work perfectly with the Mary Poppins theme. In addition, I have made my Poppins Party Pinboard available on Pinterest so you can see the ideas that inspired me, and perhaps try a few of these ideas with your friends and family.

Ok, let's get into the details!

Setting the Stage:

I used this Carousel Horse Hexi-box shape as my centerpiece for the table. I cut it from card stock using my Silhouette Portrait, and then used a dry adhesive and glue pen to assemble it; it went together quite easily. There is also a tutorial on how to assemble it if these things tend to frustrate you. The kids absolutely wanted to play with it from the moment they saw it!

I wanted a backdrop of sorts for the table, but didn't want to do anything overwhelming (read time-consuming). So I hunted up some Mary Poppins printables. I simply printed them and adhered them to scrapbook paper to frame them up a bit. All of these were free, and I am including my own printable of Jane and Michael's advertisement for a nanny. If you would like to print your own you can find the Nanny Want Ad here to download, the Lucky printable, the Keep Calm printable, and the Spoonful of Sugar printable, here.

The Food:

I wanted all the food to be themed in one way or another to the movie. And I also wanted a solid variety of sweet, savory and salty. So we started with Kite Sandwiches. These were simple. Little Chef, ironically, loves to cook, but is not an adventurous eater. So these are simple ham and cheese with a little veggie cream cheese for good measure. I cut the crusts off a sandwich and trimmed each half into diamonds. I then used sliced cheese to cut out the crosses on the top of the sandwiches. (I just laid it on top.) Finally, I used some frilly 4-inch toothpicks to create the tails for the kites.

You can also see here the chocolate coins which were our Tuppence, and our Rum Punch (which we made without the rum for the kiddos!). For the punch I just mixed orange juice, pineapple juice and some La Croix Coconut sparkling water in a pitcher. The flamingo straw toppers were again from the Silhouette design shop. We don't have much juice here in the cottage, so this punch was a real treat for the littles! Also, the version with the coconut rum was a real treat for the adults!! Rum punch, delicious!

We added to the sweets with Raspberry Ice (store bought sorbet). If you really want to make some granita from scratch, I found a recipe for you. It looks pretty simple to make, but time intensive. And a little bit of time saving sounded great to me on a weeknight! I passed on the homemade raspberry ice.

And then it was time to move on to the salty snacks!

My kids adore goldfish crackers, but I was having a hard time making them fit into this Mary Poppins theme. And then I saw these umbrella party favors and I knew I had my solution! Here is a link to how to make them. Instead of a regular handle I wanted the classic Mary Poppins parrot head. So I found a .png image on line and imported it into the silhouette, traced it and cut it out. Voila! A Poppins umbrella full of goldfish! My littles loved them! (And so did I!)

We also had these adorable cream cheese and black olive penguins! Of all the food we made for this party, I loved these the most. They were a little bit of prep work, but nothing overwhelming. And the effect was well worth the effort!  I guarantee I will be making them again this Christmas! You only need cream cheese (we used the veggie kind), black olives, carrots and 4-inch toothpicks to create them. You can find the full tutorial here. I used the same frilly toothpicks as I did for the kite sandwiches. The effect was exactly as I hoped! And these are incredibly delicious little snacks! The toddlers were not as thrilled with them, but the adults were definitely pleased.

And because no movie party is complete without popcorn, I made these themed popcorn boxes! I used the Let's Go Fly A Kite Tile and the popcorn box shape with my Silhouette Portrait. These, surprisingly, took the longest time to assemble. The Fly A Kite tile has a LOT of intricate pieces cut from several different colors of card stock. I love the overall effect, but I'm not sure how many of these I could do. I'm glad I was only working on three.

A word about popcorn here (because I can); I am a huge fan of popcorn made on the stove. None of that chemical infused microwave popcorn for this family! It's so simple and much less expensive too. Plus, our family prefers the taste and smell to the microwave variety.

And there it is: the recipe for your very own DIY Mary Poppins movie viewing party. Of course, you could do the same thing for a Saving Mr. Banks viewing party as well.

Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Disney's Frozen DIY Sundress

This Olaf-themed Pinwheel Sundress is just the thing our Minnie needs for our fall trip to Walt Disney World!Honestly, there are just so many things about this sundress that make me happy!

First, the fabric is so much fun. It's all Olaf and summer postcards and bringing back summer! It is currently being sold at JoAnn's, both in the store and online (at least at the time of this writing). It's a cotton poly blend, but it works because it's so kitschy! It was a bit slippery to sew, but using some spray starch to keep the folds in place made a huge difference!

If you missed the post of Little Chef's Hawaiian shirt made from the same fabric, be sure to catch it. The style of this dress is the perfect thing for a hot Disney theme park day. And it will definitely be worn (along with Little Chef's shirt) the day we meet Anna and Elsa! I can't wait!

The second thing about this dress that makes me happy, is that it's an Oliver + S pattern and I have been dying to try one for the longest time! I think they are so adorable, classic yet modern, but they seem really intimidating. I think that's because they are so classic (which usually means tailoring). But let me assure you this Pinwheel Dress was NOT HARD to make. The pattern only called for one technique I had never tried and the entire thing was explained step by step in the directions. It was super easy to follow and so fun to make!

Lastly, I love the fact that Minnie can be rough and tumble in this dress. It doesn't hinder her play at all but still looks adorable. It can play with Pooh and still be royal enough to meet a queen. It's perfect. I'd love to know what toddler patterns you are sewing right now.

Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

DIY Disney's Frozen Inspired Hand Knit Socks

These are the Official Ice Master And Deliverer socks! No refunds, not exchanges! Perfect when you want to stay in an cuddle.

I have been wanting to make a pair of men's socks for a while now, and had been playing with the idea of themeing them to Kristoff from Frozen. And when I walked into a local yarn shop in Maryland and saw this lovely sparkly grey yarn, I knew I had found exactly what I needed. Now, not too many men will wear the sparkly yarn (which doesn't show up so well in the photos, but is really pretty in person), but this pattern would be fantastic in a muted grey as well. You know, for that less flashy Ice Master.

I made this pattern up, but if you have experience knitting socks and wanted to make your own pair, I have all the details on my Ravelry page. Just use a basic sock pattern as a reference. And if you do knit up a pair be prepared to be amazed at just how quickly they will come together. I did the pair of these in a week flat. That's lightening speed for me! I could easily see making these as gifts for that reason alone.

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly getting the itch to get back into fall sweaters and warm socks. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Disney Inspired Bedknobs and Broomsticks Design on RedBubble!

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is, perhaps, one of the lesser known Disney staples, but when I was growing up and VCRs were all the rage (ahem!), this video was a go to for our family movie nights. It was magical, had cheeky kids and a really nice (NOT green) witch, incorporated a little history and a lot of fun music to dance to; what's not to love?

Those of us who grew up watching this Disney classic will no doubt remember Mrs. Price and her famous incantation for Substitutiary Locomotion! And now you can show your Disney side with this fun design printed on LOTS of fantastic goodies, including t-shirts and hoodies, but also tote bags and pillows! You'll definitely find your people when you wear this. Not everyone will get it when they see it, but those to will, will instantly understand. Enjoy this new design. Perhaps it will inspire you to watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks again.

Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Saying Goodbye to Robin Williams

It's already been all over social media, but I believe it still bears mentioning that we lost a great comedic talent this week. I've always been inspired by Robin Williams' history as a student, at least the story I was told at a teaching conference many moons ago. He was certifiably a genius and in many ways a typically brilliant student: bored and willing to take on the argument, always ready for the laugh. He was kicked out of several schools along the way, but still kept his own light burning. And as I heard that story (which I have never bothered to verify,) I knew that's a role model I wanted to share with my exceptionally bright kid. It's hard to be brilliant. Don't let the world, the system, or the authorities tell you who you are. You be who you are. And burn brightly. I think that's exactly what Robin Williams did.

He stared in several Disney movies and all of them are delightful, but by far his most remembered Disney role was as the genie in Aladdin. If you have time (or a DVR) you can still catch two more showings of Aladdin this Sunday at 6pm, or Monday at 11 am on Disney Junior. And since Aladdin is currently still in the Disney vault, it may be the only chance to view it for a while.

Genie, you are free.

Disney Roadtrip 101| Organizing your DVD/Blu-Ray Collection

We have a rather large Disney movie collection here at the cottage. In fact, we have been replacing our outdated DVDs with Blu-Rays. The thing is, the Blu-Rays are great at home, but in the van, we need the DVDs. And most of the Disney Blu-Rays come with a DVD. It gets to be a hassle when the kids want to watch Frozen, but the case with the Blu-Ray is in the van, or vice-versa.

To solve this problem, I decided to put all the DVDs in old CD jewel cases and keep them all in the van. This way, the movies are available in the house and on the road as well. Less arguing and disappointment all around. And that is something we can ALL get behind! And as it turns out, they take up less space in the van this way too. Win!

Our littles aren't readers just yet, so we rely on the picture on the cover to remind them what each movie is about. So, for each movie, I did a google image search for the movie poster. I then printed it on card stock and cut it down to 4.75"x4.75" to fit the jewel case cover. This way we can still show them the picture. I also took apart the back of the jewel case, turned the paper inside out and wrote the title of the movie on the spine. This way it will be easy for me as I am driving (or co-piloting) to get the movie they want. It's not exactly what you'd get in the store, but it's functional, and that's what matters to me.

I hope this trick helps make your Disney road trips a little easier. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Disney Road Trip 101 | What's In Our Road Trip Bag?

As a kid, my family made an annual pilgrimage to Walt Disney World in our RV. We spent long hours in the motorhome and my mom and dad, being teachers, made sure that we had plenty of activities to keep us occupied during that time. Now I'm the mom (and former teacher) and in charge of helping the kids stay occupied and happy on the long ride to Disney.

After this last trip to Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, it occurred to me that others may find it helpful to know what we pack for the road trip. We live in the midwest, so getting anywhere Disney related is a long drive. Here's what we usually have in our "go bag."

First of all, I use a collapsable market bag. I found ours on Zulily, but before that we used an old diaper box. I think it's easier to see everything if you have a wide opening, and I get less frustrated if the bag isn't collapsing in on itself all the time.

Second, we need movies. I try and estimate how long the trip is for the littles by telling them in movie lengths; for example, "Today's trip is 4 movies long." This way we can track it together. I like to take movies that are enjoyable to listen to. Some of our favorites include: Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Make Mine Music, The Jungle Book, and Ratatouille (mostly due to our Little Chef's obsession!).

Third, we need activities. This can get tricky. I try and cater to what the kids are into at the moment, so this varies. But some of the tried and true include:

Magnet activities and an dollar store cookie sheet including, story magnets, popsicle stick puzzles, and matching magnets; stickers (as long as you don't mind them all over the car seats!); coloring books and crayons; new books and small toys; car bingo and other assorted games. We also use the travel clips I posted about here if the ride begins to get tedious!

Fourth, make sure you have your lovies! We have had more than one instance where the special elephant or pillow had to be express mailed to our destination. (I have incredible friends who are willing to help out a forgetful mama!)

Lastly, we take lots and lots of snacks. In fact, we pack a snack bag for Doc (he eats A LOT these days), and a snack bag for the rest of us. We now have a fancy vehicle with a cool box, so we don't need to take a cooler just for the road. But we often have one with us anyway. I like cold carrots and apples on the road.

I'd love to hear about any items you take with you on the road too. Variety is the name of the game! Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Meet The Robinsons - a Disney Movie Review

How did I not know about this movie?? It's possible that I was blind to it due to the release of Ratatouille the same year, but I swear, Meet The Robinsons is one of the best stories Disney has put out. How did I miss this one??

I thank Disney Junior for running this movie last month. I'm not sure if I would ever have seen it otherwise. But as we are a Disney Junior watching cottage, it so happens that we did see this little gem and as preschoolers tend to do, Little Chef wanted to see it over and over and over. I'm happy to do it! This is such a wonderful story of self-identity, family, self-confidence and resilience. The story alone should sell the movie. In fact, there is a scene in which the entire Robinson family celebrates with gusto a blazing failure because failure is where you really learn. Oh, if Doc could have heard that message as a youngster more often! What a gift.

But as with most things Disney, there's even more. This is a story about time travel too, and I cannot begin to tell you how delighted I was with the world of the future. It was so very reminiscent of Tomorrowland and Disney's world of tomorrow. I felt joy just seeing that vision. It's a delightful romp through the future that might have been. If you love the vintage feel of tomorrowland, this will certainly delight you.

I can't believe I missed this lovely feature from Disney Studios all these years. But I am thrilled to say it's part of our collection now. If you haven't seen it, you really must do yourself the favor. I loved it. Until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

DIY Disney(ish) Winter Olympics Fun!

The Winter Olympics are starting and we have just the thing to help you enjoy the fun in a Disney sort of way. Cool Runnings was a family-friendly movie, released in the 1990s, about the very unlikely Jamaican bobsled team and their experience at the Winter Olympics. It's based on a true story and a lot of fun to watch. It had been years since we watched it and I have to say it's still a really fun movie. (I'll admit right up front, I'm a John Candy fan!)

And if you have little ones that are into crafting, One Pretty Thing has some really fun Winter Olympic crafts that are totally toddler friendly; like making your own torch, or your own medals, or even making your own olympic themed snacks! There are even links to some printable puzzles and coloring sheets. You're sure to find all sorts of great things to keep your kiddos busy during these long winter nights.

And if you are in need some more active activities, head on over to Zoom at PBS for some Winter Olympic themed games and activities. We hope you enjoy watching the olympics with your family. We will certainly be tuning in here at the cottage. So until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Disney Fan Art T-shirts Now Available on Redbubble

It was bound to happen; I love to design T-shirts for the kids. I love to have family T-shirts while we are in Disney. And I've had a few (or more!) requests for them. We'll now you too can enjoy the T-shirts, and hoodies, and onesies designed by Merryweather's Cottage! I have these three designs currently in the Redbubble Shop and I certainly plan to add more. Note, these design can be printed on the front or the back of all these shirts. This is simply the way I see them in my mind's eye.

The top design is my Space Mountain silhouette. I adore this shirt and we wear ours all the time at the cottage. All shirts come in a variety of colors and fits, so if you like it with a navy (or green, or pink, or yellow...) background, go for it. I even have them available for the littlest tykes! Onesies and toddler shirts, short and long sleeve styles are all ready for your little Disney addict. I think we will be getting some hoodies soon, too.

The second design is a little more obscure, but if you grew up with Disney the way I did, I'll bet it rings a bell! (That's a little Pete's Dragon humor for you.) In Pete's Dragon, Lampy, the lighthouse keeper likes to frequent the Passamaquoddy Tavern. In fact, he does a whole song and dance rountine in there with Norah, his daughter. If you haven't seen the movie in a while I strongly recommend it. It's a Brazzle-Dazzle kind of film! And so is this fun T-shirt representing the local place. Can you tell we are a beer-drinking (and brewing!) family? Mr. Photos From The Parks will be adding this to his brewing attire.

And finally, we have the Roz T-shirt. I can't help it; I love Roz. I am certain I am channeling her some days with my kiddos! And her relationship with Mike Wazowski is priceless! Just a reminder that his design can be printed on a number of background colors, so if you're not in love with the yellow, change it up!

If there is something you've seen here that you'd like to see offered on Redbubble, speak up in the comments section below! I can't promise I'll have them immediately available, but if I can, I certainly will. And until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!