"I Love Lucy" Toddler Costume

I really enjoyed making Mira's costume this year.  
However, it was not without it's trials and headaches.
But we won two costume contests, and I live for praise and validation so I'm happy.  

The (almost) FINISHED DRESS!!!!  - simplicity pattern 3836 -
I added an "I Love Lucy" applique heart.
I did the embroidery with Wonderfil Spaghetti white thread and my free-motion foot.
(I later added some additional red accents I thought were needed)

The signature Lucy Dress!  Polka Dots with lapel collar and white apron. 

 This is the inspiration photo I found online.
I tried so hard to get Mira to wear a wig.  Unfortunately she was having NONE of it.  I tried many many MANYYY different ways to get her to have "red hair" without the itchy wig.
I settled on this weird headband deal.  
I took a wig from the halloween store and ripped out some of the stitches from the base.
This is actually made up of two "sections" of hair.   (There are probably about 15 sections in a wig.)
I cut the sections in half to make 4 "curls" - then I just used a bunch of hairspray and attached them to the headband with needle and thread.   (on the 2nd day of wear, I decided to pull out the hot glue gun FYI)  So I know it looks weird. . but hey, at least she is wearing it and it's comfortable! ;c) 

Here we are at the Mall trick-or-treat.   Out of 1,000's of kids.  She won the costume contest for her age group  (0-3) 

 And then we went trick-or-treating in our local town.
 Everywhere we went, there were smiles.  

 I love these photos, she must have just got a sucker  (that's her favorite!)  But it was freezing and windy tonight so she had to wear a sweater cardigan.  

Some of the trick-or-treat photos I captured before it got too cold and she had to put on her coat.  

 Here is the pattern I used for this dress -  simplicity pattern 3836 -  All relatively easy - with the exception of the Lapel Collar. . which was like the most complex word math problem in the history of the whole entire world.  I spent a good 24 hours just looking up tutorials and watching videos on this just to figure it out!!  

But that's why I like to do this each year.  So that I can have a new skill in my pocket.  

 And here is ME having way too much fun with the wig that I bought for Mira.  ;c) 

Here are the two 1st place awards we received.   YAY!  

and I thought I would share this adorable photo.   We went trick-or-treating before Daddy got home.  But he finally got home from work, and started down the street to meet us.   When Mira saw her Dad she rannnnn to him saying "Dadda" "Dadda" and then just wanted to sit down right in the middle of the street with him.   (they have a weird relationship, and I think they bond over candy and sugar) LOL

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My handmade Halloween Costume

For this pattern, I used Simplicity Renaissance pattern 3809.

Simplicity Sewing Pattern 3809 Misses Costumes, U (16-18-20)


   I am horrible at garments, but I did make it through!  Some of the things I learned when making this pattern:   Grommets/eyelets, Boning, adding Lace accents, and bustling an overskirt.   
I'm most excited about the boning and grommets though.  I really think this will come in handy in the future.  

My mom things we look like the characters from Les Miserables that sing "Master of The House" - Monsieur and Madame Thenardier. 

 I didn't make my husband's costume  - we just used a dracula store-bought costume for him.  we ditched the cape that came with teh costume and instead used a midieval looking jacket that we found at our local flea market for $5.

The Easiest and Best Homemade Pizza EVER!

Not only was this the best TASTING pizza I've ever made, but it was also the EASIEST.   I used *THIS RECIPE* from King Arthur Flour, but altered it a bit.   

This recipe is perfect for TWO people, and only takes about an hour from start to finish.  

For the Dough: 

*1 package Rapid Rise Instant Yeast

*3/4cup Warm Water

*1cup Bread Flour

*1cup All-Purpose Flour

*1t Salt

*Garlic powder (or fresh garlic)

*Pizza Seasoning or dried italian seasoning (for the dough) 

*1T Olive Oil 

Pizza Toppings:

*Pizza Sauce (or marinara) 

*Shredded Mozzarella & Provolone Cheese

*Pepperoni

*Chopped Onions

*Chopped Red Pepper

*Sliced Banana Peppers

*Or any pizza toppings you like!

I don't like cheese, so half of the pizza is NO cheese. 

1.  Empty the yeast packet into a small bowl, and pour 3/4 Cup Warm Tap water over top of it.  Give it just a small stir - not too much.  Cover with plastic wrap and stick it in a warm area.   I just put it outside in the shade, it was 90 degrees yesterday.  Leave for 15 minutes. 

2.  In a LARGE bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, 1t garlic powder and 1t Pizza seasoning.  

3.  Make a pocket in the center of the flour mixture, and pour in your yeast/water mixture and 1T olive oil.   Stir with a fork as much as you can.  Then, flour your hands and start kneading the dough.   You may need to add a bit more flour.  For me, this dough was incredible easy to work with.  After kneading for about 5 minutes, roll the dough in olive oil, place in bowl, and cover with plastic wrap.   Stick the dough in a warm place (I put it outside in the shade in 90 degree weather.)  Let it rise for 1/2 hour.  

4.  After you dough has risen (it will double in size) Punch it down, and with floured hands, knead for another minute or two.   Let your dough ball rest for about a minute. 

5.  Roll your dough out on a floured surface.   Roll it so that it's about the same shape as the pan you're going to cook it in.   I used a rectangular pan, so the dough looked like an oval before I transferred it to the pan.   

6.  Cover your pan in parchment paper ~or~ lightly cover with olive oil.  Transfer your dough to your pan, and with your fingers, smooth the dough out to meet the edges of the pan.   Make your crust as plump/full as you wish.  I LOVE the crust so I Made mine kind of big.   Keep in mind your dough will rise significantly when cooking.  

7.  Once your dough is in the pan to your liking, cover and put it in a warm place for 15 minutes.  

8.  While your dough is doing its final rise, you need to preheat your oven to 450 and start preparing your toppings.   

9.  After the dough has sit for 15 minutes, uncover and lightly brush the crust with olive oil.   Sprinkle the crust with garlic powder, sesame seeds, italian seasoning, oregano, or any other seasonings you desire.  

10.  Before adding your toppings, you should prebake the crust for 5 minutes.   

11.  After 5 minutes, pull your crust out of the oven, and add your toppings as you desire.   First sauce, then meat, then veggies, then cheese.  ;c) 

12.  Cook pizza for 15 - 20 minutes.  In my small oven it took the whole 20 minutes for the cheese to get good and browned.   

The crust was soft, chewy, but crispy on the outside, the toppings and cheese were marvelously cooked and browned.  I'm telling you people   IT. . . WAS. . . AWESOME!!!