"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

As always, for the most recent information please "like" my facebook page:
Facebook.com/KatiesQuiltsAndCrafts

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.

In Rainbows

Rainbows over Charleston, West Virginia, October 31st, 2009.







On my way to work Halloween morning we witnessed the most beautiful rainbows. Talk about inspiration!!! These were the biggest brightest rainbows I've just about ever seen. My husband says the rainbows look almost like a tornado because where the rainbow met the skyline it was so bright it looks like the rainbow was trying to suck up the color from the world.


The conditions were perfect. We left the house and the sky was dark and there was a very light drizzle. It was warm and there was a light wind. When we going over the mountain you could see sun shine on just the tips of the hilltops. This picture shows the dark sky, the rainbow, and the sunshine jussssst at the very tip top.







The back of the sky was beautiful too!




ISN'T GOD AMAZING?!!!!!!