DIY Disney Pirate Onesie T-shirt

I've mentioned before that we love having plenty of T-shirts while at Disney; this is especially true for our toddler set. And I especially love coordinating the onesies with the Quick Change Trousers I've made for them.

I have been able to find packages of plain onesies at Dollar General very reasonably priced. I would look around at your favorite discount shops for the best deal. This is great budget-friendly project. And it's another quick project (for those of you who have to find your creativity during nap time). I found this Yo Ho image all ready to go in the Silhouette shop. For those interested parties, it's pirate swords, image id 9329. From there it was as easy as downloading, printing on heat transfer paper, sending it through the Silhouette, and ironing it onto a plain onesie. 

Not only was this a great outfit for our little one in the Magic Kingdom at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (a seriously easy "costume" to pack), it would be perfect for Disney's Pirate Adventure. Don't forget about these children's activities hosted throughout the resorts. They are the perfect thing for a non-park day. Your little one can experience a bit of themed magic and you can take an hour or so for yourself. Now that's what I call a win-win! To hear what other veteran Disney Mom's think of these children's activities, take a listen to this PassPorter podcast about child care in Walt Disney World. There are some great bits of advice in there.

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

Disney's Haunted Mansion DIY T-shirts

This post originally ran in 2013. I love these t-shirts and wanted to remind you (and me!) about them! Enjoy!
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Last year, most of our kids were old enough to know that Tinkerbell is really me, so to speak. So instead of doing a daily gift, I made a sort of Disney care package. Something to get the vacation off to a magical start. And nothing is better than a one-of-a-kind Disney souvenier to pump the excitement level up another notch.

We usually travel in the fall, with a crew of boys and girls; the bigs are between the ages of 12 and 9 and the littles are still toddlers. It can be tricky to make something that appeals to all ages and both genders, but with a little tweaking, it can be done.

T-shirts are the great equalizer. All kids need shirts and most of ours are trashed by the end of our vacation (Mickey ice cream bars, those sharpies in Epcot, turkey legs, and ketchup do a number on our kids' clothes). An additional T is always welcome. 

I like to reference Disney without using the licensed images when I can. It fosters creativity and is almost always cheaper. Here, I used my Silhouette SD, design id #12940 (bat flourish) to reference the Haunted Mansion. I then added my own monogram using Ravenscroft font. You can certainly find commercial iron-ons and patches, but I like to make our Ts something that no one else in the parks will have. It's especially satisfying when a complete stranger asks where they can get one of those Ts! For these, I used Silhouette Printable Heat Transfer Paper for the T-shirt on the left, and inkjet transfer/iron-on paper (which can be found at any office supply or craft store) for the T-shirt on the right. 

The trick is remembering to reverse the image before printing or you will get a mirror image of the original design. As you can see, I forgot to do that for the T-shirt on the right! Fortunately, the image was fine both ways.

One criticism I have of the Silhouette heat transfer paper is that it only lasts about 4 washes before the image starts to peel right off. It helps to wash the shirts inside out. Otherwise, these were perfect for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. And If you've never been to this special ticketed event, our family highly recommends it. The lines are super short, the parade and fireworks are more magical than ever, and they are giving away candy all over the park. We've attended the Party two different years, and we've been delighted both times.

You can expect to see lots of custom T-shirts featured here in Merryweather's Cottage; as I said, we can never have too many! Stay tuned for more great designs, and until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!

Happy Halloween Mousekateers!

Happy Halloween from all of us at Merryweather's Cottage!

Disney's Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts T-shirts on Redbubble

New to my Redbubble collection is this fantastic Hitchhiking Ghost silhouette T-shirt! So excited to get these out there in time for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and those fall break trips!

The thing that impresses me most about Redbubble is the variety of options they provide. So when you purchase your shirt, it can be the fit you want, and the color you want. If you like organic cotton, they have it. If you want a retro baseball T, they have it. Like long sleeves, V-necks, girly fits? They have it. And they offer hoodies as well. Seriously, you can customize so much. I am really proud to have my designs on Redbubble. Oh, and if you are looking for a little something for your iPad, check out these awesome cases! You know you need one, right?

And if your really like the image, but have other plans for it, remember the PNG files are offered for personal use in my Etsy shop for a mere $3.00. That's a steal! Get ready to scrap those Disney memories, or get that spooky Halloween decor ready. These grim grinning ghosts would be happy to oblige.

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

Sitting With Grandmother Willow: Bizzi Kozdron

Today we have a guest in the cottage! Please meet Bizzi Kozdron of Bizzibands!

Disney by the numbers (with apologies to Harpers):

Number of trips you have made:
Well over 30.  Been almost every year since 1972. 
Date of your first trip:
1972...I believe it was October. We stayed at Fort Wilderness.  Still my favorite place!!
Date of your next trip:
January 2014, for the WDW Marathon Weekend!
Number of Resorts you've stayed in:
13 - Can't believe I've not stayed at the Contemporary...yet!
Usual number in your travel party:
2 - Just my husband, Dan, and I.
Pairs of mouse ears in your cottage:
Just 2! 

Do you prefer WDW or Disneyland (or perhaps another)? WDW.  Obviously it is much closer than Disneyland, but when you see how much there is to do at The World...4 very different parks, twice as many parades and nighttime shows to choose from!  And the resorts! You are always in The Bubble (which is what we call The World).  There is a very distinct feel to WDW, and so much of it comes from being so immersed in Disney Magic when you are staying on property.  

How do you usually travel to Disney? Fly.  Don't think I have the patience to drive there anymore!  I can't get there fast enough!

Do you have any tips for trips? HAVE FUN!!  So many people micro-manage their trips, and it really takes a lot of the fun out of going.  Of course you have to plan around ADR's, but when I see people making spread sheets for each day, planned down to the minute...I don't get it.  We've made trips to The Bubble without a single reservation, and sometimes have found ourselves dining someplace we never actually considered.  Of course maybe this is much easier, since we don't have kids, but we know families with little one's who have done this and they seem to have the best trips. Make room for spontaniety at Disney...fly by the seat of your pants, if you can!

Do you have a favorite place to eat while in Disney? Artist Point at The Wilderness Lodge.  Hands down our favorite place on property to eat.  Of course, Cinderella's Royal Table is a close second.  Partly because we love the food and have made a close friend who is a server there, but mainly because that was where Dan proposed to me!  What is more magical than that?

What is your absolute DON'T MISS attraction?  My top 2 are no longer at The World, and those were Snow White's Scary Adventures and Mr. Toads Wild Ride.  I'm heartbroken over their absence.  But, at the Magic Kingdom it is the Haunted Mansion, Epcot it is Soarin', Animal Kingdom it's Expedition Everest, and at MGM...er...The Studios it is a tie between Toy Story Midway Mania and the Tower of Terror.  Don't make me choose just one!!

Stage shows, yes or no? I don't make time to see them, but when I catch them I love them.  So, let's say...maybe??

Parades, yes or no? YES!!  The Main Street Electrical Parade is the most fantastic parade Disney has ever put on.  Also, the Boo to You parade at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a very close second.  My favorite day time parade is the Move it Shake it parade.  Seeing the characters dancing in the street with guests is so awesome.  

Best Fast Pass to get: Peter Pan.  They have the most misleading queue area!  Regardless of the wait time posted, you look and think the line's not too bad at all!  So you get in line, then remember, or realize, the line goes around the corner by the bathrooms!  I always get sucked into that for some reason.  So, fast pass is where it's at!

Favorite park: The Magic Kingdom. I can't say enough about how much I love it!

One piece of advice you'd give a novice about WDW:  STAY ON PROPERTY!!

How do you create extra magic for your family?  I have several Disney cook books, so I like to make dishes to bring us back to a certain time or place at Disney.  My cousin Chris and his wife Kathy are huge Disney fans, as well, so when we get together we spend the whole time talking Disney.  We actually have done photo scavenger hunts, and one time we left something behind for them in a flower bed for them to find!  I also like to make little cards for my husband with Disney stickers and papers, especially before a trip! 

Tell us about your blog/Etsy/website:  My website is www.bizzibands.com.  I make and sell fantastic no-slip headbands, keychains, lanyards and pacifier clips. The website only has headbands, at this time, but I am also on InstaGram and Facebook, where all my products are featured. I've begun doing more with Disney inspired ribbons, and they've been a real hit!

How can we connect with you? My website is www.bizzibands.com; my Face Book page is Bizzibands; and I'm on InstaGram under Bizzibands.  Anyone with questions or comments can contact me via email - bizzibands@gmail.com.

Thanks Bizzi, for taking the time to let us get to know you! Looks like you have a lot in common with the Disney fans here at Merryweather's Cottage! 

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

DIY Disney iPhone Case

So here is a really quick and easy way to personalize your iPhone. Shutterfly has a variety of iPhone cases (for all models) which can be customized with your Disney photos. If you are anything like the residents of the cottage, you will have LOADS of images to choose from. If you're not really the type to take lots of photos while at the parks, consider purchasing the PhotoPass images. You will not only get the images of your family, but you can purchase the entire package of photos from your trip and, bonus, you will get some stock images too. Our images included some seasonal shots, so we could remember how the parks looked during our October stay. Easy-peasey.

I made this case in less than 15 minutes. Mr. Photos From The Parks snapped this image during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party several years ago. I love it! I added my own text, and poof! My very own iPhone case. The cost was about $55.00, so this isn't necessarily a project I would do for all the members of our travel party (we usually knock around Walt Disney World with upwards of 17 people), but it is perfect for that Disney fan who has everything.

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

DIY Disney Pirate Onesie

I've mentioned before that we love having plenty of T-shirts while at Disney; this is especially true for our toddler set. And I especially love coordinating the onesies with the Quick Change Trousers I've made for them.

I have been able to find packages of plain onesies at Dollar General very reasonably priced. I would look around at your favorite discount shops for the best deal. This is great budget-friendly project. And it's another quick project (for those of you who have to find your creativity during nap time). I found this Yo Ho image all ready to go in the Silhouette shop. For those interested parties, it's pirate swords, image id 9329. From there it was as easy as downloading, printing on heat transfer paper, sending it through the Silhouette, and ironing it onto a plain onesie. 

Not only was this a great outfit for our little one in the Magic Kingdom at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (a seriously easy "costume" to pack), it would be perfect for Disney's Pirate Adventure. Don't forget about these children's activities hosted throughout the resorts. They are the perfect thing for a non-park day. Your little one can experience a bit of themed magic and you can take an hour or so for yourself. Now that's what I call a win-win! To hear what other veteran Disney Mom's think of these children's activities, take a listen to this PassPorter podcast about child care in Walt Disney World. There are some great bits of advice in there.

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

Tinkerbell Treasures: DIY Haunted Mansion Ts

Last year, most of our kids were old enough to know that Tinkerbell is really me, so to speak. So instead of doing a daily gift, I made a sort of Disney care package. Something to get the vacation off to a magical start. And nothing is better than a one-of-a-kind Disney souvenier to pump the excitement level up another notch.

We usually travel in the fall, with a crew of boys and girls; the bigs are between the ages of 12 and 9 and the littles are still toddlers. It can be tricky to make something that appeals to all ages and both genders, but with a little tweaking, it can be done.

T-shirts are the great equalizer. All kids need shirts and most of ours are trashed by the end of our vacation (Mickey ice cream bars, those sharpies in Epcot, turkey legs, and ketchup do a number on our kids' clothes). An additional T is always welcome. 

I like to reference Disney without using the licensed images when I can. It fosters creativity and is almost always cheaper. Here, I used my Silhouette SD, design id #12940 (bat flourish) to reference the Haunted Mansion. I then added my own monogram using Ravenscroft font. You can certainly find commercial iron-ons and patches, but I like to make our Ts something that no one else in the parks will have. It's especially satisfying when a complete stranger asks where they can get one of those Ts! For these, I used Silhouette Printable Heat Transfer Paper for the T-shirt on the left, and inkjet transfer/iron-on paper (which can be found at any office supply or craft store) for the T-shirt on the right. 

The trick is remembering to reverse the image before printing or you will get a mirror image of the original design. As you can see, I forgot to do that for the T-shirt on the right! Fortunately, the image was fine both ways.

One criticism I have of the Silhouette heat transfer paper is that it only lasts about 4 washes before the image starts to peel right off. It helps to wash the shirts inside out. Otherwise, these were perfect for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. And If you've never been to this special ticketed event, our family highly recommends it. The lines are super short, the parade and fireworks are more magical than ever, and they are giving away candy all over the park. We've attended the Party two different years, and we've been delighted both times.

You can expect to see lots of custom T-shirts featured here in Merryweather's Cottage; as I said, we can never have too many! Stay tuned for more great designs, and until next time, may all your days be filled with fairy dust!