Happy Halloween!

 Just a few photos to help get you in that spooky mood...

FIRE!

I am not sure what the "fire" appeal is with 5 year old crowd, but we seem to have a trend, at least in my family.  When my son was 5, it was "Fire Bull" with the scorpion horns, and now my daughter is 5 and she had invented "Fire Squirrel" with the flaming acorns.  
I recently finished Fire Squirrel's fire mask and fire cape.  We took a couple of pictures today, but the weather was not really cooperating.  It was just to dark and drizzly out to take any action shots.  

I worked on the tail for Fire Squirrel today, and we are finding that having a tail and a cape is a bit tricky, the cape may have to be saved for some other fire superhero.  So now, I have to finish the tail, and work on the ears...Fire Squirrel is nearing completion!  

One Potato, Two Potato...

Well actually, it's just half of a potato.  That cute little fish is cut out of half a potato and stamped around the edges of what was once just a rectangular piece of fabric.  Add some elastic at the waist, a couple of patch pockets, and some contrasting fabric around the hem and you've got your self one happy little skirt.  And happy skirts make happy babes, and I love happy babes.  

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The Zombie Hunter's Cape

There was a late start to school a few Tuesdays back, and a lovely fog had settled in the valley.... the perfect conditions for a photo shoot for the recently finished "Zombie Hunter" cape.     

The Zombie Hunter and I had a blast taking spooky pictures in the fog, how fortunate that there was fog on the one morning we didn't have to rush out the door to school.

Apparently Zombie Hunters and Vampires have the same fashion consultants, as the Zombie Hunter's cape looks suspiciously like he borrowed it from Dracula's closet. 

 Now, to finish the rest of the Zombie Hunters ensemble....Zombie Hunters fall somewhere in between vampire and steampunk, which to a costume designer sounds mighty fun!  

 After our photo shoot we walked around and looked at all of the dew covered spider webs.  I've been informed that licking the dew off the web is delicious, nutritious, and aids in the hunting of Zombies.   It was a fun morning! 

Want to make a cape like the Zombie Hunter's? Check out the Collared Cape Printable PDF Pattern in my Etsy shop!

Helper Cat

The cat is always so helpful while I am sewing, she keeps the projects warm while I am away, and is always there to point out any loose strings that might be hanging around.  Such a good little helper cat.  

ACU Bag Sewing Class

ACU Bag Sewing Class

Vicenza Arts & Crafts Center

October 3, 7, 24, & November 7

18:00 to 20:00

Give an old pair of ACUs a new life!  Use all of those great pockets, zippers and Velcro to make a fabulous bag! Learn valuable sewing skills in a fun and friendly environment. Add ribbons, patches, or accent fabric to personalize your bag.  

Download a supply list HERE.  

Sign-up at the Arts Center or online with WebTrac. 

10 years for Tin or Aluminium?!?

My husband and I recently celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary!  When I started thinking about what I would like to give to him as an anniversary gift I looked up the "traditional" anniversary gifts for 10 years. Apparently the first decade of marriage merits a gift of tin or aluminium.  In my search I read "new" spins on traditional gifts, with suggestions like "utensils for the barbecue."  Don't get me wrong, he might have liked barbecue utensils, they make great gifts, but I feel like the marking of the first decade deserves something more heart felt.  So I looked around me for inspiration...and there in the east wing of my studio...better known as the coffee table in the living room....were the embossed aluminium little birds I'd been working on.  That sparked an idea....

I decided to make a little book with photos of pivotal moments from the last 10 years and set them to a "Love Story"/ "Fairy Tale"/slightly silly narrative.  The cover of the book is decorated with an aluminium embossed heart...I was excited to work in a bit of tradition in to the gift.   The book itself is made from pieces of scrap-booking paper I cut in half and sewed down the middle to bind together.  I made two page spreads starting with the day we were married and one for each of the following years.  I manipulated the photos to give them a bit of a worn in feel, using some of the fun effects available in Photoscape.  Then, I added the text in Photoshop.  

It was great fun going back and looking at the last 10 years in pictures.  We have done so much together and our bond continues to grow stronger!  It was fun to look back and remember and to share stories with our children.  I loved making the book and, as it turns out, he loved it too.  

It was so hard to narrow my picture selection down!  I took a few that I couldn't quite squeeze in the book and put them on the back cover.