Bringing the Lunar New Year tradition home one DIY at a time. The Lunar New Year, aka the Spring Festival, is a big celebration in my culture. If you're unfamiliar with this holiday, you can read about it here. As an Asian parent, I feel responsible for teaching my child about our culture and heritage. For this reason, I like to decorate my house and partake in all the festive celebrations.

For Lunar New Year, I created a paper-cut lantern with the most popular Chinese greeting, "恭喜發財" (pronounced, Kong Hei Fat Choi). It translates literally to "Congratulations on getting rich", and is often used to wish someone a prosperous new year.

How to make this Lunar New Year Papercut Lantern

Supplies you'll need:

• Cutting machine (I use Cricut)
• My svg cutting file (link at bottom of page)
• Red cardstocks
• White tissue paper
• Glue or adhesive tape
• Tea light candle (battery-powered)

Instructions:

I made a mini-sized lantern that measures about 6 x 4"(only because I was testing it out and I wanted to save paper in case it didn't work out). From my template, you can choose between the large or small size you'd wish to create your lantern in. 

1. Upload the SVG file to your cutting machine and cut onto a red cardstock following the prompt on your machine. 
   
   
2. Weed out the designs carefully and fold along the score lines. 
   
   
3. Stick a white piece of tissue paper to the backside. 
   
   
4. Assemble the two lantern frame pieces by slotting the smaller frame into the empty area of the larger frame perpendicularly. 
   
   
5. Insert the design panel around the assembled frames by slotting them into the side slots. 
   
   
6. Glue the edges to secure them in place. 
   
   
7. Add a battery-powered tea light candle inside for a tabletop lantern or add a yarn tassel at the bottom as a hanging lantern.

I hope you like this DIY tutorial! If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on Instagram and tag @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your creation!

If you don't have time to make your own, you can also grab this card made for you in my shop as well! 

Have yourself a prosperous Year of Snake! 

I'm very excited to share my new shaker card design with you, using my own watercolour gradient as the background. If you have seen my Christmas shaker card, you'd know that I love a fun handmade card that's filled with confetti, sequins, glitters or sparkly fillers. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make these birthday shaker cards using my hand-lettered cut file and how to paint your own gradient background for these cards.

How to make a watercolour birthday shaker card

Supplies You'll Need:

• Watercolour paper (I use Canson brand 140 lb)
• Watercolours
• Painters tape/masking tape
• White cardstock
• Ornament fillers/sequins/confetti
• Acetate
• My handlettered SVG file (see link at the bottom of post)
• Foam mounting tape, glue/adhesive tape
• Cricut or other cutting machines
  
  

Instructions:

I like to make my cards in A2 size (4.25"x5.5"). Start by trimming the watercolour paper into 8.5x5.5" size. This is the size of the unfolded card. Draw a line in the middle with a pencil lightly. Tape along the folding line so your watercolour won't bleed through on the other side when you paint. Paint from the right top corner using the lightest yellow on the palette and continue to add sunshine yellow, orange, pink, magenta, and violet. Make sure to blend these colours well as they overlap one another so the colours look seamless. Let the paper try completely and lay a heavy item (such as a book) on top of the paper to straighten the paper. Once it's fully dried, you can score the middle line and fold the paper in half. The folding line should be on the left-hand side.

For the front panel, you'll need my SVG file, which you can upload to your cutting machine. Load the file to Design Space and click Make it! I used white cardstock for the front panel, but you can use any colour as well. Once the design is cut, attach a piece of acetate to the back of the front panel with adhesive tape or glue. You've now created a window for the shaker card!

With foam mounting tape, create a border along the edge of your gradient background. Fill the border with as much confetti, glitter, or sequins as you like. Be sure to leave some room for these fillers to move around. Peel off the mounting tape and attach the window you just created. Apply some pressure and shake your card to ensure nothing falls out. And you're done! 

I hope you like this DIY tutorial! If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on Instagram and tag @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your creation!

If you don't have time to make your own, you can also grab this card made for you in my shop as well! 

Until next time. Happy creating! 

---

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a cute commission if you make a purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support :)

DIY or DIFY?

There are many reasons to hire a painter even though many individuals choose to carry out their own projects. Globally, thousands of service providers can assist with painting projects, but there are an equal number of options when it comes to purchasing your own paint supplies.

Ultimately, small projects are often carried out by amateur individuals, whereas industrial or commercial projects are left to professionals. The main question, therefore, is whether doing it yourself is the right approach or doing it for you is the right approach.

Painting, by Numbers

The painting and decorating industry is an incredibly lucrative business right now, with the global pandemic of the early 2020s leading to more people and companies choosing to renovate rather than buy new.

The UK painting and decorating industry, for example, saw record revenue of £4.3 billion in 2023, an 8.3% increase on the previous year. Globally, the industry was valued at $179.9 billion in the same year.

Locating Service Providers

There are many search engines and organizations dedicated to providing support in selecting the correct company for a project. Some companies provide global services but often, local directories are the best place to search.

Services are location-dependent, and it may be worth using a simple search engine. For example, searching Painters in Lethbridge will give guidance on who is available in that area.

Types of Project

There are many different types of painting projects out there, from single-wall patching jobs to external building facades. Some organizations specialize in specific types of painting, whereas others focus on specific types of projects.


In order to carry out certain types of jobs, individuals and companies may require specific qualifications or certifications. Qualifications may be nationally or regionally variable. For example, industrial painting on oil rigs requires a dedicated qualification due to the safety requirements within the industry.

What Should I Look for in a Painter?

Depending on the project you have in mind, there may be a variety of factors to consider. However, a portfolio of success stories is crucial to understanding the quality of the work available from the suppliers you are considering. A portfolio may be digital photographs or customer testimonials.

What is the Process for Ensuring a Successful Project?

There are a number of crucial steps to take in order to ensure the successful delivery of a project when hiring a specialist service provider. The first step is to select a group of providers with a good reputation in the chosen sector. The second step is to gather quotes from the list of suppliers chosen.

Following this, drawing up or signing off on contractual terms, design documentation, and project plans is important to align expectations. Giving access to the provider is then key while also supporting them in carrying out the work required.

For example, clearing the space around the target area is vital to success. Once the work is complete, it is important to review the quality against the original plan to ensure satisfaction.

Moving into a new home is an exciting adventure, and personalizing your space with unique and creative crafts can make it feel even more special. Home crafts are a wonderful way to infuse your personal style, warmth, and creativity into your new environment. Whether you're an experienced crafter or a beginner looking for simple projects, here are some exciting home crafts that can transform your house into a cozy, welcoming home.

Personalized Wall Art

Creating personalized wall art is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your home decor. You can use various materials and techniques to make art that reflects your style and personality.

DIY Canvas Paintings: Even if you’re not a professional artist, you can create stunning canvas paintings using simple techniques. Try abstract painting with bold colours, geometric shapes, or even textured designs using palette knives and modelling paste. Stencils and masking tape can help you to achieve clean lines and intricate patterns.


Family Photo Gallery: Create a gallery wall with family photos. Use a mix of frames in different sizes and styles for an eclectic look. You can also add personalized touches by decorating the frames with paint, beads, or fabric.


String Art: String art is a fun and easy craft that can create beautiful wall pieces. All you need is a wooden board, nails, and coloured string. Outline a shape or word with nails and weave the string around the nails to fill the design.

Decorative Throw Pillows

Customizing throw pillows is an easy way to add colour, texture, and comfort to your new home. You can make pillow covers with fabric, paint, or even old clothing.

Stencil and Paint: Use fabric paint and stencils to create unique designs on plain pillow covers. Geometric patterns, floral designs, or inspirational quotes can add a stylish touch to your living room or bedroom.

Embroidery: If you enjoy sewing, try embroidering patterns or monograms onto pillow covers. Embroidery adds a sophisticated and handmade feel to your home decor.


Patchwork: Create a patchwork pillow cover using fabric scraps or old clothes. Sew together different pieces of fabric to make a colorful and textured design that adds a cozy touch to any room.

Handmade Candles

Handmade candles can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your new home. They’re also great for adding a pleasant scent and personal touch to your decor.

Scented Soy Candles: Soy wax is easy to work with and burns cleanly. Melt the wax, add your favourite essential oils for fragrance, and pour it into a container with a wick. You can use mason jars, teacups, or vintage tins as candle holders.

Decorative Candle Holders: Create custom candle holders with clay, glass jars, or even concrete. Paint and decorate them to match your home’s decor. You can also use natural elements like shells, stones, or dried flowers to add a unique touch.

Layered Candles: Make layered candles by pouring different coloured wax in stages. This technique creates beautiful, multi-coloured candles that can be customized to match your home’s color scheme.

Unique Planters

Adding greenery to your home brings life and freshness to your space. Creating unique planters can make your indoor garden even more special.

Painted Pots: Transform plain terracotta pots with paint. Use bright colours, patterns, or even metallic finishes to create eye-catching planters. You can also use stencils or masking tape to create intricate designs.

Hanging Planters: Make hanging planters using macrame techniques. Knotting ropes in various patterns creates beautiful holders for your plants. These are perfect for adding greenery without taking up floor space.

Repurposed Containers: Use repurposed items like tin cans, teacups, or wooden boxes as planters. Decorate them with paint, fabric, or decoupage to create charming and unique homes for your plants.

Custom Furniture

Creating custom furniture pieces can make a significant impact on your home’s decor. You don’t have to be a master carpenter to make stylish and functional furniture. If you already have furniture you love, make sure you hire a moving company from shiply.com that can protect it during the transition.

DIY Shelving: Build custom shelves using wooden boards and brackets. You can paint or stain the wood to match your decor. Floating shelves, ladder shelves, or corner shelves are all great options for displaying books, plants, and decor items.


Pallet Furniture: Repurpose wooden pallets to create furniture pieces like coffee tables, outdoor benches, or bed frames. Sand and paint the pallets for a polished look, or keep them natural for a rustic vibe.

Refinished Furniture: Give old furniture a new life with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Add new hardware, such as knobs and handles, to update the look. Reupholster chairs or benches with new fabric for a completely refreshed piece.

Personal Touches

Adding personal touches to your home through crafts makes it uniquely yours. Small details can make a big difference in how welcoming and comfortable your home feels.

Customized Coasters: Make coasters using materials like cork, tile, or wood. Decorate them with paint, decoupage, or resin to create personalized designs that protect your furniture and add style.

Decorative Trays: Create decorative trays with wood, resin, or ceramic. Use them to organize and display items on coffee tables, dressers, or kitchen counters. Add handles and paint or stain the tray to match your decor.

Handmade Rugs: Make a custom rug using braided fabric, woven materials, or painted canvas. This can be a fun and creative project that adds warmth and personality to your floors.

To Wrap Up

Moving into a new home is a wonderful opportunity to infuse your space with creativity and personal style. By engaging in these exciting home crafts, you can transform your new house into a cozy and welcoming home that reflects your personality and tastes.

Whether you’re making personalized wall art, decorative throw pillows, handmade candles, unique planters, custom furniture, or adding personal touches, these crafts will help to make your new home feel truly special. Enjoy the process of creating and decorating, and make your new space a place where you love to live.

 

Justice just turned 4 years old and we threw him a birthday party with our friends and family recently. He’s now old enough to decide on a theme for his birthday. So when he told me he wanted a train-themed birthday party, I was all aboard!

DIY Train Themed Birthday Party

A backdrop is a must-have for any themed birthday parties. I convinced Will again to put together a balloon garland with me. I invested in an electric balloon pump and boy, did I make a good investment. Making balloons was such a breeze. I totally recommend it to anyone looking to DIY their own balloon garlands. The cost for supplies and the pump combined was less than if I was to get the garland made elsewhere.

Make Your Own Balloon Garland

I kept the garland pretty simple with shades of greys, whites and light yellows to mimic the steam of an engine. To make a lighter or darker shade of the balloons, I used the double stuffing method. Check out how to double stuff balloons here. We tied the balloons using a fishing line and hung them to the wall using 3M tape and hooks. Then finished off by adding an air-filled train engine foil balloon.

Personalized Train Tracks Number Balloon

One of my favourite things to DIY for birthday parties is the number helium balloons! They make such impactful statements and bring the theme together. Since the number balloons are typically solid colour, I wanted the number 4 to look like train tracks. And these train tracks tape saved me from having to cut out the design from adhesives.

Baggage Party Favours

For the party favours, I got some train cookie cutters and playdoh along with other miscellaneous small items like stickers and erasers for our guests. I used my Cricut to add some handles to the kraft gift bags so that they resemble baggage. I printed some cargo stickers on my sticker labels and made some personalized luggage name tags. You can download my cargo stickers template here and print on Avery 5160 labels.

Train Station and Platform Décor

I wanted my space to resemble a train station and the platform. I scored some adhesive vinyl from Dollar Tree for 50 cents and taped my entire foyer up to look like train tracks by cutting them into strips. I also made some platform signs from Bristol boards and white vinyl adhesives for the letters cut from my Cricut. Justice is obsessed with railroad crossing so I knew I needed to include that into the décor. I cut out 2 rectangles from a piece of foam board and added the adhesive vinyl cut letters the same way. I taped the foam boards onto a tripod and attached 2 red balloons as the lights. Justice was ecstatic when he saw what I made.

Train Party Activities and Games

• Colouring Station – This was very easy to set up with some tables, seats, crayons and a table sign. I found some black and white train related imageries online, added some text and printed them off with my laser printer. 

• Pin the Choo Choo Train Game – This was a lot of fun for the kiddos. Each kid picked a train paper cut-out and wrote their names on it. Then they had to connect their carts with each other to the engine on the tracks while blindfolded. The kids had a great laugh when they saw where each other’s pinned their carts. Find my template at the end of the post.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ms. Ting Ting | Ting & Things (@tingandthings_)

Cake Table Decorations

I used to spend a lot of time baking and decorating cakes. I would feel pressured and stressed out if they were for an important occasion. But ever since I could make toppers with my Cricut, it saved me time and sanity from making my own cake while still allowing my cake to look good. Both my cake topper and train banner were made from my template and cut onto coloured cardstocks. For the topper, I assembled the cardstock cut-out onto skewer sticks. For the banner, I hole punched each cart and string them together with a piece of twine. I love being resourceful and Justice’s wooden tracks and train toys were perfect to decorate the table.

Express Train Shirt

Every birthday, I made Justice a custom shirt to wear, and this year was no different. I drew my design in Illustrator and cut it out onto iron-on vinyl with my Cricut. Justice Express was ready to choo choo!

Invitations

Party invitations were interactive this year. I designed a digital boarding pass on Canva and sent it out to all my guests (the parent) to present on their phones upon arrival. Justice had a blast role playing as a conductor and pretending to scan them abroad.

This party was a lot of fun to DIY. If you’re interested in making these for your party, you can find my svg cut files here. Hope you enjoy this post!

Afternoon tea time seems a bit fishy today...

I was very inspired by these little taiyaki bites that I bought from T&T Supermarket (they were on sale!) and thought I could have some fun with Justice’s afternoon snack since #foodartwithting has been inactive for quite some time (we’ve been too busy enjoying our summer).

For those unfamiliar with taiyaki, they are Japanese fish shaped waffle cakes usually stuffed with red bean paste. I totally love these as a quick, simple snack that’s fun to eat.

Taiyaki Fish Bowl

To make this fishy snack without the fish taste:

• Preheat air fryer at 180 degrees
• Add the taiyaki’s in an air fryer for 6-7 minutes
• Add blueberries to where the fishes would blow their bubbles
• Cut some seedless green grapes into quarter slices and assemble them like seaweeds
• Add some blackberries and diced apples so they look like the bottom of the ocean or you can use whatever fruits on hand to make the sand, rocks, corals etc.

Justice loved this so much (no surprise there) and luckily I was able to snatch a piece of taiyaki before he finished the whole plate.

If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!

DIY Construction Themed Birthday Party

This is the 4th celebrations I threw for him since he was born! Themed parties are so fun to put together and I get to DIY the heck of it. Just like previous celebrations, hubby and I put together our own balloon garland using the colours I sourced from the dollar store. I wanted shades of yellow, greys and whites. So in order to make shades of yellow, I double stuffed one white balloon into the yellow to create a lighter shade and stuffed a grey balloon into a yellow to create a darker shade. These double stuffed balloons were a challenge to inflate so we invested a balloon inflator. That sped up the whole process. We tied the balloons using a fishing line and hung them to the wall using 3M tape and hooks. I added some air-filled construction trucks foil balloons and added a caution sign made from cardstock.

To make a large enough caution sign for the balloon garland, I used two pieces of 12x12" cardstock in black and yellow colour. After designing the sign, I cut my pieces with my good ol' Cricut and stuck the sign onto the balloon garland with double sided tape. Download my cutting file here.

 

Get this Construction crane truck cutting file for this shirt here.

Another decor piece that I must add to the backdrop for the party is a giant helium balloon of his age. Adding adhesives or decals onto helium balloons is the easiest way to create a customized look for themed parties. I made one last year for Justice's Two Fast Race Car themed birthday and it turned out great. So, I wanted to do it again this year. I bought the gold foil number 3 balloon at my local party store and added black adhesives to create a customized construction looking balloon. 

The party plates were also customized as well. I drew a worker digging into a piece of cake with Illustrator and cut it out onto black adhesive vinyl with my Cricut. After adhering the decal onto yellow plates, they look like construction road signs! Download my cutting file here.

Ever since I learned how to make cake toppers with cardstock, it has become my favourite way to dress up cakes now. No more spending hours and pulling all-nighters to make my own fondant and decorations. I drew out the design using Adobe Illustrator and cut onto cardstock with Cricut. The key was to use double sided foam tapes to make certain parts of the design stand out so it would look more 3D. I crumbled a few pieces of Oreo cookies and sprinkled all over the top of the cake and around the bottom. I added 2 of Justice's toy bulldozer and dump trucks and added few pieces of Maltesers as boulders. 

If you've been following along all his previous birthday parties, you'd know that I love making him a custom shirt to match his birthday theme. I used the same crane truck graphic that I cut onto an iron-on vinyl for the front of the shirt and a construction sign with the number 3 on the back of the shirt. You can also get this svg cutting file in my shop here.

Lastly, for party favours, I packaged yellow Play-doh and a bag of cookies into kraft paper bags with tags that I designed and printed on cardstock.

Everything turned out just the way I envisioned it and Justice had a blast with family and friends!

There’s nothing like the beginning of a new year to make changes to your life. Although focusing on nutrition, fitness, finances, careers, and relationships is common, sprucing up your living space is worth adding to the list. Whether you moved recently or have lived in the same place for years, decorating improves your residence's aesthetics, functionality, and comfort, boosting your mood and simplifying your life.

DIY Home Decor

Many assume that decorating a house is expensive; however, it doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity, inspiration, and the appropriate supplies, you can transform your home or apartment into anything you desire. Check out these easy and affordable projects listed below.

Jazz-Up Your Family Photos

Placing photos throughout your home is a practical way to add warmth and happiness to your living space. They’re constant reminders of the people you love most and the experiences you’ve shared with them. A quick way to switch things up is to decorate your picture frames.

You can use paint, spray paint, sponges, stencils, ceramic tiles, gemstones, glitter, feathers, and anything else you’d like to add color, texture, and character to your photos. For instance, that picture of you and your kids wearing matching family outfits would look adorable in a frame with fingerprints, hearts, or other cool patterns and colors that match your personalities and express your love for each other.

Of course, family photos aren’t the only things you can spruce up with decorative frames. You can also frame drawings, paintings, your kid’s art projects, or posters.

Add Color With Centerpieces

When you look at home improvement shows and magazines, one consistent element brings everything together - centerpieces. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful floral arrangement, fresh greenery, bowl of fruit, potpourri-filled vase, or creatively placed candles as they add life and color to the space.


Why not create the same magic in your living space by making centerpieces? Paint a plain flower pot, stick some artificial flowers or plants in a styrofoam cube, place them in the pot, and cover the cube with marbles or stones. It’s one of the many easy-to-make centerpiece projects that can add life to your living room, dining room, or home office.

Increase Comfort With Throw Pillows

Another quick way to add personality, style, character, color, and texture to your living space is to incorporate throw pillows. They help integrate the most intricate elements of a room while also increasing comfort. You can place throw pillows on your couches and chairs or pile them up in the corner of the family room for the kids to relax.

If buying a ton of throw pillows is outside your budget, you can easily make them yourself. Go shopping for fabrics that appeal to your interests and complement spaces in your home. Decide how large or small you want your pillows to determine how many yards you’ll need. Lastly, purchase some stuffing, thread, needles, buttons, and other items you’d like to add to your throw pillows.

Cut the fabric into circular, square, or rectangular pieces and sew them together, leaving a space to add the stuffing. Once you’ve added the filling, seal the pillows, and you’re finished.

Use Your Walls As A Canvas

Feature walls are another creative project to break up the monotony in your home. It accentuates an otherwise dull room by adding a pop of color, design, or texture. Although some people pay interior designers to lay bricks, stones, or murals, paying for these services may be more than you can afford.

Luckily, you can put your artistic talents to use and create feature walls yourself. You could keep it simple by painting it a different color and hanging your jazzy family photos on the wall. However, if you have the skills, time, and appropriate tools, you could design a mural or use intricate painting techniques to incorporate different textures and patterns on the wall.

 
A new year symbolizes a fresh start. Why not begin by making positive changes to your living space? The right DIY home decor project can add character, comfort, and style to your residence, fostering an environment that makes you feel good every day.

Tis' the season to get festive and have fun with your food presentations! Whether you're hosting a party this holiday or just enjoying a cozy night in with your loved ones, a platter that's loaded with all sorts of creamy cheeses, fruits and crackers is bound to impress everyone. I love putting cheese platters and charcuterie boards together for holidays and parties. Not only the colours are inviting, they are also easy to assemble and variations are endless. 

Here's a guide on what you'll need to make this holiday charcuterie/cheese board:

A Guide to Create a Holiday Charcuterie/Cheese Board

For this Cheese-mas tree platter, I used cheeses from Cheeseworld.ca's ultimate gift box that came with a good mix of both hard and soft cheese such as, Président Compté, Petit Saint-Paulin, Societé Roquefort, Président Camembert and Président goat cheese. To make the snowflakes, I cut the shape using my cookie cutter onto Compté cheese. Compté is a hard cheese that makes cutting intricate designs easy without loosing the shape. For the big star, I used Le Petit St Paulin as it has a large area to cut out the shape. With this type of semi-soft cheese, I needed to be gentle and careful when releasing the cheese from the cutter.

When assembling the tree, I started from the bottom and worked my way up to the top. I followed in the order of meat, cheese, fruits to separate different colours for visual interest. For meats, I used prosciutto as the bottom layer and crunched them up like a long piece of garland. I like to fold my salamis twice and placed them side by side of each other for dimension. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries and green grapes are great choices for adding bright and festive colours to the platter. 

And finally, for the tree stump, I used prezet-like biscuit sticks from Twigz. I love that these biscuit sticks give the platter a different texture. 

And that's it! This is how you assemble a cheese-mas tree platter this holiday season. If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!

Have a happy holiday!

 

It's Justice's third Halloween! By now I can tell you that I really enjoy making costumes for him (see his sushi and cup noodles costume in the past). This year, I want to continue our Asian food theme and bring one of our favourite snacks to life. May I present to you - our giant Pocky!

In case you didn't know, Pocky is a Japanese brand known for their tasty biscuit sticks originally with chocolate coating. The product line has grown popularity worldwide and has expanded its offering to a wide range of flavours. You can spot one of these goodies in most Asian supermarket. 

Not only our whole family loves snacking on Pocky sticks on a daily basis, its iconic, eye catching red packaging is so memorable and easy to replicate. Here's what I did and my thought process in case you want to turn your baby into a snack too!

I used felt for this costume as I want Justice to be able to move freely in it. I want a material that can be folded and stored away easily after use. Felt is thick and stiff enough to hold its shape, does not fray like other fabrics and allows me to glue things on it. I purchased a large piece of felt from my local fabric store along with some felt sheets in beige, brown and white colour. You can also make this out of cardboard box if you don't mind the bulkiness.

 

DIY Pocky Sticks Halloween Costume

Materials for Pocky Costume:

• Felt (red, white, beige and brown)
• White glue
• Bonding tape (optional)
• Fabric cutter or scissors
• Cricut or other cutting machine
• White iron-on vinyl
• My Pocky design cut file

Materials for Giant Pocky Stick:

• Cardboard tubes or paper towel tubes
• Brown / beige paint
• Paint brush
• Kraft wrapping paper (optional)

Justice is about 3 feet tall and I wanted the costume to be down to his knees, about 21 inches in length and 16 inches wide. The staff from the fabric store was very helpful in determining how much felt I'd need (since I suck at math!). So, to help you determine all the pieces you'd need, here's a diagram. You can adjust the size to fit your own needs. I also added about half an inch on all sides for seam allowance to attach the pieces together. For the head and arm holes, I traced an outline using a 4" wood circle on the side panels and cut all the pieces out with a fabric cutter.

Before attaching all the pieces together, I made the front graphic using beige and brown felt sheets for the Pocky sticks and some iron-on vinyls for the logos. The brown felt sheet makes 4 chocolate coatings, about 3 inches wide. I trimmed 3 inches on the shorter end of the beige sheet to make my biscuit sticks. Connected them together, trimmed the corners and stuck them onto the front red panel. I recommend using felt sheets with adhesive backing as they keep things clean and mess-free. But those might be hard to come by so attaching with white glue works fine too.

With my mighty Cricut machine, I cut out the logos and nutrition facts onto white iron-on vinyls. Then, pressed the designs onto the front and back red panels with my good ol' iron. After my front and back panel designs were finished, I cut holes for the arms and head in my side panels before finally attaching all the side seams together.

This part was a bit tricky. I find it easier to tell which pieces should attach together when I laid out all the connecting pieces in order on the floor. I put some bonding tape (or you can use white glue) and sandwiched between two connecting side seams. Then I used my hair straightener (yes, you read that right!) and pressed them together. The pressing and heat will turn the bonding tape into some kind of adhesive and bond the two felts together. I love using my hair straightener like a mini heat press. It's so helpful to apply heat to areas as narrow as the side seams! I also bonded the seams from the inside, with wrong side of the panels facing out. So, when I flipped the costume inside out, the seams are clean and hidden. 

Finally, to make the costume fall straight down his body and not crunched up (since it's quite oversized on him), I cut two pieces of cardboard in the same widths as my top panel, added velcro adhesive to them and inserted them like shoulder pads. The velcros help secured the cardboards to the felt.

If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on IG @tingandthings_ or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your version!