Tape

Yep. I don't just write, I'm crafty, too. Some people are just blessed with multiple talents. It's not fair, I know. But to show my sympathy for those of you who are artistically challenged, I am going to provide a material list and instructions for my DIY "Puss in Boots" hat and sword project. This is guaranteed to impress your small child and facilitate hours upon hours of imaginative play, and all it is going to cost you is time and materials, because I am going to provide the instructions for free, right now! Set aside some time because this project will take you a good 5 minutes....maybe 10 if someone is actually climbing on you while you are constructing this lovely costume for them.

Materials:

• construction paper
• scissors
• tape

Instructions (hat)

1. Fold a piece of black construction paper so it marginally resembles a hat.
2. Tape it together.
3. Fold a piece of yellow construction paper in half and cut out a shape that looks like half of a feather, then cut slits diagonally along the side that is not folded.
4. Open the piece of folded, cut up construction paper. It is a feather. Now tape it to the hat.

Instructions (sword)

1. Fold a piece of brown construction paper into a sword.
2. Apply tape where necessary.
3. (Sorry, my hubby did the sword, so that's all I've got.)

The beauty of this design is that this costume is built to last. If the sword gets torn whilst sword fighting, apply more tape. If the hat gets torn, tape. The feather falls into pieces, tape. 

note: If properly constructed, you can safely ignore the advice on repairs as the recipient of these items will remind you with great frequency that she needs some tape.