How To Make a Pirate Costume: Male and Female Costumes

Use These Tips to Put Together a Realistic Pirate Costume

So you are looking to dress up like a pirate!? It isn't any surprise with all the recent success of pirate movies and memorabilia! Creating a pirate costume is fun and incredibly easy! Just follow these steps about pirate costume ideas and you will soon be on your way to swashbuckling with the best of them! You won't really need to know how to sew for this costume, but if you want to make it more intricate (and realistic!) then I recommend you check out Sewing 101 to master the essentials of wielding a needle and thread before you begin.

Here's how to make a pirate costume.

1. The Clothes: The clothes are by far the most important aspect of yourpirate costume! First let's go through the items you will need to get and then we will explore where to find the clothes for pirate costumes.
   • Pants - The pants will preferably be black, although gray and brown are also options. There are two different ways in which you can create your pants. The first way is to get black pants that are a little tight. Do not get them so that they are so tight that they are uncomfortable, but tight enough so that they are snug to your skin. The second way its to get black pants that are quite baggy. After you get these pants you will take them and cut the bottoms of the legs off so that they are just below the knee. You should cut the bottoms in a zig zag pattern, so that they look old and worn out.
   • Skirts - If you are woman and you wish to dress up like a female pirate, all you need to do is get a black skirt instead of pants. The skirt for female pirate costumes can be long or short. If you choose a long skirt, the best is to get a peasant type of skirt. Ifyou are looking to go with sexy pirate costumes, choose a short one, it is best to get something knee length so that you may take some scissors and tear up the bottom to cut it shorter and to make it look tattered and old.
   • Shirt - The shirt is simple. All you need to get is a white long sleeved button-up shirt. You will want to make sure that the shirt is not too dressy and not too business-like. The baggier the better, and you will want to leave a few buttons undone at the top. Remember that pirates weren't always the cleanest of people either so feel free to try and stain it up a little bit, or even tear it in certain areas. If you are able to locate a long-sleeved white shirt that has ruffles on the cuffs and maybe even a Victorian style ruffle on the collar, then you are very lucky! This would suit a pirate costume well!
   • Vest - For the vest, you are looking for pretty much any black or red vest. Try to avoid any that might have designs on them, unless it is just a striped pattern or something which would still suit the costume. If you cannot find either of these colors, and you can find white, you should be able to dye the vest. You can find RIT dye at almost every craft store in the country. They are easy to use even if you have never used them before.
2. Pirate Costume Accessories: The accessories are also very important to the realistic pirate costume!
   
   
   • Boots - Pretty much any tall black boots will work. You can also use brown boots. Try to stay more with the army boot style rather than a work boot of some sort. If you are able to find the type of leather boot that folds over at the top, that would be great! For a woman, the boots can be a bit more extravagant. They can even be high-heeled to create the perfect pirate wench costume!
   • Hat or Bandanna - For long or short hair, these are great ways to accessorize your costume. Find yourself a pirate style hat, and put the bandanna on your head under it. The bandanna could either be black or red. You do not have to wear the hat, you can just wear the bandanna. If you do have longer hair, you might consider putting a few braids in your hair here and there to give it that authentic pirate look!
   • Belt or Sash - There are two things you can do for this. You can find a belt, which should be a very wide belt with a bigger buckle preferably, and should be black or brown, depending on the colors of the rest of your costume. You can also choose to wear a sash. This should be red usually, but black will work as well. The best thing to use is a red long scarf to tie around your waist. Remember that both of these will be tied on the outside of your white button-up shirt.
   • Earrings and Jewelry - If you have pierced ears, then a few gold hoop earrings will be a great addition to your costume. Any other jewelry is completely up to you. Wear whatever you think looks good. Remember that pirates were flashy, so anything you have will be great!
   • Sword - Of course you will want to get a toy sword for safety reasons, but what pirate is complete without one?
3. Where to Find All of It: Finding all of these items for homemade pirate costumes is much easier than you might think, and much cheaper as well!
   • Your Own House - The first place you will want to check is your own house and closet. You never know when you might have an article of clothing or accessory that will suit your costume just fine!
   • Local Thrift Store - The second place you will want to check out and the most important is your local thrift store! Go to places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill and any other stores in your area that are secondhand and dig in! You would be surprised at what you can find in these establishments! You may even be able to find boots and other accessories.
   • Garage Sale - The third place is at garage sales! This is similar to going to a thrift store--the only difference is you are most likely going to pay even less! You might find a shirt or pants for 25 cents, and who can argue with that?
   • Costume Store - Costume stores are the last place you would want to shop for anything in your costume. There are some items that may be harder to find--such as the hat--that you may need to look at a costume store for. But in order to save money, I would leave that as a last resort.
   • Toy Store - The last place you will need to go to is a toy store, primarily for the sword. This can be found anywhere from Wal-Mart to the dollar store!

These costumes are perfect for men or women - but, girls, just a few extra steps will make you a truly convincing pirate wench.

There are also a few websites listed (see links) that will give you some visuals on different pirate costumes so that you can come up with some ideas of your own. Have fun creating your pirate costume and remember, keep your creativity flowing and don't be afraid to branch out from the instructions!

 

Quick Tips:

• Try to bargain shop!

Useful Links:

• Good Pirate Costumes
• Coolest Homemade Costumes

How To Get a Grant For First Time Home Buyers

Before you begin looking for a grant, it is important that you have secured a mortgage lender and that you have a good idea of what kind of home you can afford. A first time homebuyer grant will not pay for your entire home and, for many of these programs, you will need to have your lender help you apply. There are also programs that offer down payment assistance. Only after you find a first time home buyers loan for your mortgage can you even begin applying for government grants.

Once you have completed these first initial steps of the home buying process, you can then begin to seek grant funding to help you purchase your new home.

How to Get a Grant for First Time Home Buyers:

1. The first step is to visit this page on the HUD website. It will link you to local goverment grants for first time home buyers within your state.
2. Once you are on this page, find and select your state.
3. Under "Buying a Home," choose the "Assistance Programs" link.
4. There will be two separate categories: Regional/Statewide programs and City/Town programs.
5. You will need to read through each available program to decide which is right for you. Each program will have different qualifications for first time home buyer, so it is best to look at the qualifications first to see if you will meet the criteria.



6. Once you have decided which of these programs you qualify for, you can then choose the program which will give you the most financial assistance.
7. Note any stipulations on each program. For instance, one program in California, which gives out up to $10,000, requires the grant to be repaid if and when the buyer resells the home.
8. Once you have decided on a particular home buyer's program that you want to apply for, find out when each round of funding begins. It is common for such programs to run out of funding months ahead of schedule. Therefore, it is important to get your application in early, preferably sending it so that it arrives on the first day. Remember, hundreds of others will also be sending in their applications at this time, so it is important not to delay.
9. You may be able to obtain a downloadable application on the program's website or you may be directed to visit a local office to get an application. It is important to fill out the entire application and send in any supporting documents. For example, if the program has income requirements, you may want to send in a copy of your most recent pay stub and/or a copy of your last W2. Additionally, some programs will have you apply directly through your lender. It is important to know these specific requirements so that you are not late with your application.

Most of these programs with grants for first time home buyers help with down payment and closing costs, however, some may also give money towards the purchase of the home or give a fixed amount that can be used as needed during the home buying process. This will depend on the type of program and where the funding is originating from. There is a lot of federal aid for first time home buyers if you just do the research.

 

Caution:

• If you must find a private grant program, watch out for excessive fees and always read the fine print.

Quick Tips:

• If you have a relatively low income (around 80% of the local median), currently live in public housing, are a veteran, have a disability, and/or are a senior, you have a good chance of qualifying for a public grant.
• If you are unable to qualify for a government/state grant program, you can try to receive a seller-financed "gift" towards your down payment and closing costs; however, companies that faciliate these deals will sometimes ask for a fee.

Useful Links:

• HUD website - Links to government and state grant programs
• Easy and free home insurance quotes

30th Birthday Party Ideas – Invitations, Decorations and Gifts

Planning a 30th birthday party doesn't have to be hard work--use these ideas to make it easier!

Throwing a 30th birthday party for a friendor loved one involves a lot of planning, but it doesn't have to be a lot of hard work--instead, it can be a labor of love. Here are some ideas for throwing a great 30th birthday party:

1. Set a date. A 30th birthday is quite a milestone, so before you choose a date for the party make sure the guest of honor doesn't already have plans for that date. You should work with her spouse or a close friend to come up with a date that works for everyone.
2. Decide where to have the party.Depending on the size of the party, you can opt to host it at someone's house, a rental hall or even a restaurant. Make sure that you find a place that is large enough to accommodate all of your party guests.
3. Choose a theme. Do you want your guests to step back in time to the year the birthday boy or girl was born? Or perhaps you want to have a party theme that reflects the guest of honor's hobbies or interests. Costume parties are always a hit, too. Theme parties are a huge hit when they're done right. You could also try a Scavenger Hunt themed party - complete with 30 items for guests to search for. 
4. Create a guest list. When it comes time to send out 30th birthday party invitations, you should enlist the help of the guest of honor's spouse or a close friend to help you get the guest list together. If you want to keep it small, then close friends and family may be all that you need to invite. However, for a big 30th birthday party bash, don't forget to send those party invitations to neighbors, co-workers and old friends as well.
5. To surprise or not to surprise? It's always fun to try to surprise the birthday girl or boy, but it's not always feasible. If keeping the 30th birthday party a surprise turns out to be too challenging, there's nothing wrong with telling the guest of honor about it. If you do decide that it will be a surprise party, be sure to indicate that on the invitation! Imagine how guilty you'd feel if you were the one to accidentally spoil the surprise!
6. Invitations. You can get fun 30th birthday party invitations at party supply stores or you can order them online. If you're a whiz on the computer, you can even make your own party invitations using a baby picture of the birthday boy and your computer's clipart program. If you're planning to invite a lot of people to the party, consider telling the guests to RSVP only if they will not be attending--this will save you from having to answer your telephone repeatedly. In addition, if the birthday girl lives in your house, have the party guests RSVP to you via email instead of by telephone.
7. Menu. If you're hosting the party at someone's house or at a rental hall, plan to serve food that can be made ahead of time. Crock pot dishes, a deli meat platter, meatballs and casseroles are all good selections. If the party will be outdoors, why not fire up the grill and serve hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled chicken? For a theme party such as a Mexican fiesta, serve make-ahead chicken enchiladas, rice and beans and tacos with fixings. You can also opt to order the party food--pizzas and submarine sandwiches are popular fare. Check out the party platter selections at your favorite supermarket or warehouse market--having someone else prepare the food will save you time and be less stressful. Keep things simple by having a self-serve bar area where guests can help themselves to beverages.
8. Play a few party games. Party games are a must for any 30th birthday party. You can do something elaborate, like hosting a "roast" for the guest of honor--have friends and family stand up and say a few humorous words about the guest of honor. Or walk down memory lane with a "This Is Your Life" presentation or a recap of the guest of honor's first 30 years.
   If you don't think the birthday boy will like a roast, why not recite some funny 30th birthday poems? You can find a ton of these online, along with many 30th birthday jokes and sayings (some famous, others obscure but still hilarious).
   Trivia games are also fun--ask the guest of honor a question about himself and have party guests write down what they think he will say.
9. Decorating ideas. Decorating for a 30th birthday party can be a lot of fun. You can blow up old baby pictures and hang them around the party area. Set out some memorabilia, such as items from the year the birthday boy was born. Put out yearbooks, old report cards, books and other nostalgic items. You can also play retro music to fit your 30th party theme--check out music download sites such as iTunes to download popular songs from 30 years ago.
10. Give a special birthday gift. A scrapbook of the guest of birthday girl's, complete with pictures, postcards and clippings, is a great gift to present to her at the party. Leave it out for guests to look through and everyone will have a great time reminiscing about the past 30 years. And you can never go wrong by making a heartfelt, funny 30th birthday card.

How To Borrow Money Quickly

When it comes to financial matters, there are times in everyone's life when something unexpected happens. In many cases, this means that money or the need for money will come into play. If your car breaks down or you have a similar emergency, then you are going to need to have the cash on hand to fix the problem and fix it fast. Of course, if you do not have access to the money that you need, you may end up having to borrow it from someone. The good news is that there are numerous ways to borrow money quickly. 

It's important to think logically when you are attempting to borrow money. While you may be in a rush, if you approach the situation in desperation and do not think about what you are doing, you may end up hurting yourself much worse in the long run. There are different ways to borrow funds and in order to find the best interest rate and deal possible, you should shop around as much as you can. This may mean you do not have too much time to make a decision, but the brief time you take considering the decision at hand may save you plenty of money.

Now the only question is how do you borrow money quickly? Well, there are numerous ways to accomplish this task. From credit cards to bank loans, there are several ways to apply for and end up receiving money within one or two days, if it takes that long. The following list is comprised of a few possible choices you have when trying to borrow money quickly and a few things you need to do in order to expedite the borrowing process.

1. Be Prepared - Most loan officers and money lending organizations will want the same information from you. Having this information will ensure that your loan is processed more quickly than if they are waiting on you for information. Every loan officer will have you fill out an application and will check your credit. You may need to supply things like a driver's license, social security card, pay stubs, W-2 forms, proof of address, or other specific information. The longer the loan officers have to wait for this information, the longer you have to wait for your loan.
2. Think Rationally - Do not apply for the first loan that you find. Look at interest rates and other pertinent information before you apply for a loan thinking that it's the best option you have. The wrong loan could have you paying out hundreds or thousands more than you need to be paying. Additionally, each time you apply for one, your credit is checked. If your credit is checked frequently in a short amount of time, it can bring your credit score down and make it significantly harder to get the right loan for you.
3. Consider your Options - If you need money fast, you have numerous places you can go beyond family and friends. For example, you can apply for a credit card or a bank loan. These would be your top two choices. In the age of the Internet, you can apply for and be approved for a credit card in a number of minutes. It doesn't get much quicker than that.
4. Use the Internet to Your Advantage - When looking for borrowing options in the form of credit cards or loans, you should take the time, if you have it, to look online. By visiting the websites of the businesses you wish to borrow money from, you will be able to find any special offers, the interest rate, and all contracts associated with the loan programs. In most cases, you can also apply and be approved solely online so you really cannot go wrong by at least checking the Internet out.
5. Looking to Other Options - Credit cards and bank loans are not your only options. In fact, if you have a checking account, the bank may allow for overdrafts. An overdraft is when you write a check for more money than you have in your account. The bank will charge a standard rate of interest on the money owed, but you will not bounce a check and the money you need will be available immediately. Secured loans are also a very good option if you have collateral and your credit is not the best. This ensures the loan company will receive your collateral in the event that you default on the loan.
6. Consider Pay Day Loans - If you need money quickly, you may want to consider a pay day loan. While this can allow you to have money before your pay day, expect to lose quite a bit of your check once pay day comes. These loans give you money quickly, right when you need it. A lot of people use pay day loans if they need money, but their pay day is a few days away. Once their pay day comes, they must pay the loan place back. Of course, these instant loans are often accompanied by excessive fees and interest. Please consider this option very carefully before signing away most of your hard-earned money just to get an advance.

Borrowing money is simple. The methods that were listed will all take within a few minutes to a day or two in order to have the money in your hand. At that rate, whatever problem caused the need for quick money will surely be settled in no time.

 

Caution:

• Be careful who you give your information to, especially over the Internet.
• Make sure the company is a reputable, professional lending organization. If you are unfamiliar with their name, check them out at the Better Business Bureau's website. Here you can find out if they are a legitimate company and if they have had problems.

Quick Tips:

• Some credit card companies allow you to instantly activate your credit card. This means that you can start using the card immediately, even before it is sent to you in the mail!
• While you can always borrow money from a friend if you are in need of financial aid, even if there is a contract, your friend's good deed may come back to haunt you both if you cannot pay him back soon enough.

How To Make Plaster: Plaster Techniques and Craft Ideas

See What's Needed to Create a Plaster Sculpture

When it comes to making craft projects at home, one basic skill is making plaster. With this you can create masks, sculptures, piñatas or other three dimensional objects. There are a ton of plaster craft ideas out there just waiting for you to get yourhands dirty! Follow these steps and you’ll be able to learn how to make the plaster that can become the basis of many future and easy craft projects.

Materials:
3 cups white flour
1 ½ cups warm water
Plastic bowl
Spoon
Newspaper

1. Start with a clean surface. Plaster tends to get messy so be sure to cover the surface with a plastic sheet or newspaper.
2. Combine the warm water and flour in a bowl. Use the spoon to stir the mixture until you have a smooth, easy consistency. Stir slowly and patiently remove all lumps from the mix.


3. Once the plaster is mixed, use it for any plaster art project. There are many plaster techniques used for applying plaster depending on what project you're making. If you are creating a plaster mold you can place the plaster directly over the shape to be modeled and then allow the plaster to dry before moving it. For other shapes or paper mache projects, dip strips of newspaper into the plaster mixture then apply them directly to the surface. Use a balloon as the center of a globe or face sculpture. Once you create a base layer using the newspaper strips, create a second layer of strips that you can mold and shape to the features you desire.
4. Have fun with plaster. Use plaster for any project your mind can create.

It’s easy to create plaster for your craft projects.  Remember to mix the plaster directly before beginning your craft project. The mix will dry out and become unusable after a couple of hours so you need to use it as soon as you make the mix. Have your plaster sculpture, model or project design ready before you start mixing.

 

Quick Tips:

• Plaster can also be created by substituting white glue for the flour. Add water to the white glue to make a thinner consistency. This combination tends to be even messier than the flour-based plaster.