Since I met her 8 years ago (and probably for years prior) she has made all of her kids Halloween costumes, which have ALWAYS been completely adorable. So, about three years ago, when I was sitting in a sea of dress up clothes with the girls and looking in catalogs to determine what we would be purchasing that year, I thought of Sandra, and decided there and then that the Devendorfs would NEVER AGAIN buy a Halloween costume. And, a new tradition began ....................
The Rules:
1) We will not purchase costumes, HOWEVER, we can use items already around the house to incorporate into our design.
2) Mom does not make more then three trips to the fabric store. If you need additional materials after my 3rd trip, you need to beg your grandparents to take you.
3) Original designs need to be completed and turned in by the first week in October. Contract modifications can be made after that time, but only if mutually agreed upon.
4) The costume materials can not cost more then a mid range costume in the costume catalog (no. I am serious).
Little Bee the Butterfly -
After much discussion, Little Bee decided that she was going to be a butterfly. A pink butterfly. And the fabric store allowed for great inspiration as Halloween means it is full of sheer, sparkley wonder.
She selected two lovely fabrics, and we worked together to come up with a concept which included glitter, an old leotard, lots of golden thread, a hot glue gun, and a dad who was willing to make a head peice.
 |
 |
| The "L" Pattern |
 |
| Grandma sewed up a skirt |
Ta Da! This is a Happy Little Butterfly! A Happy, "Itchy" Butterfly. Let us keep our fingers crossed we do not require another visit to the Fabric Store.
Ms. Bean the Fortune Teller:
It all started when Ms. Bean found her Magic 8 Ball on an old toy shelf. The idea was born, and we needed to get started, quickly. I began to flip through photos of Fortune Tellers and Gypsies, and we finalized our concept when Little Bee brought home a copy of Strega Nona (the school has a rule that you have to dress like a book character, no matter how loose a fit).
All we needed was a long skirt, white blouse, and lots of gold. Ms. Bean went to work.
After she raided the Mardi-Gras beads and box of acquired gift-bag loot, we set off to get the fabric for a skirt. And we didn't have to look far, because the local thrift store had the perfect skirt which I picked up for $6.00. Probably a violation of the rules, but when I took into account how much time I didn't have to spend sewing sequins, I went with it. All it needed was a hem and a little elastic in the waste! Woo Hoo!
The blouse needed to be ruffly, a little over the top, and sheer. Not unlike the prairie look from the early 80's. And, guess who had one in her closet, dating back to 1982?
Actually, it is the ONLY thing I have from that period, and I have never been able to part with it. My Grandmother, Gertrude, who was an amazing seamstress, made it for me when I was a pre-teen. I LOVED it. And, despite the coffee strains, and a little yellowing, it has hung in a dry cleaning bag for 30 years. So, around the 2nd week of October, I took it out of the bag, got out the Woolite, crossed my fingers, and turned on the gentle cycle. Success!
Happy Halloween!
Love - BEAN and BEE!
1 comment:
OH, I love the girls' costumes!!! And they look so great wearing them. That top is amazing--I'm dying over Ms. Gertrude's labels, btw. Love it all--the girls must be so excited!!
Post a Comment