Halloween 2017: The Girl

"I want a purple fairy queen costume!"  Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.  My girl gave me a super fun costume request this year. I'm happy to say, that she's happy and I'm done!  Boom shakka lakka.  She makes a lovely little fairy...and we all call her our little pixie anyway.

She was only a tiny bit picky...she knew what styles she DIDN'T want and I got to fill the holes.  She didn't want a tank top. She didn't want it too short.  She did want some poof, though and thank goodness tulle is so cheap ;)  

I insisted on sparkles and flowers and she was totally cool with that.  I also wanted to use lace- she reluctantly agreed, but I think she would have been more on board right away if she would have known what lace was when I asked her.

   

For the top, I used Glady's Graceful Leotard Pattern by Create Kids Couture.  It was a really easy sew and turned out so pretty and flowy with the lace got from Purple Seamstress Fabrics.  I added some flowers that we picked out together from...DOLLAR TREE, homey!  I love Dollar Tree.  

The skirt is 3 parts.  The bottom is an easy peasy no sew tutu. She wanted that fluff and I wanted something brainless.  Done and done.  The top skirt was made using Effy's by CKC.  I added a layer and converted it from a dress to a skirt.  Then I made the corset using McCalls 7230.  I wanted to really bring a fun renaissance flair in there for her and really finish off the look.

The accessories really set this costume over the edge of Pixie Hollow.  The crown was something she was INSISTANT on.  She wanted a huge flower crown and picked out these flowers specifically for it.  I think she did a great job!  The wings were store bought because eff that shiz.  That's my official stance on making my own wings, in case you were wondering.

Today was a rough day and I needed a strong finish, so I'm super glad I was able to get this all done and snap some pictures of my very happy child.  My writing is a bit lackluster because my brain is all mush right now, but I know if I didn't write it today I'd probably just put it off until November.  So, I didn't make a whole lot of funny jokes.  Just imagine a fart noise and boob joke right about now.  Now giggle.  My work here is done.

Happy Halloween...again, Y'all!

-Crystal-

Halloween 2017: The Boy

It's my favorite time of year!  There are sewing droughts in my life, fuh shizzle, but Halloween always ends them.  No matter my mood, I always make time for Halloween sewing. It's when I get to let loose, throw guidelines out the window and make what I want!  So naturally this year, my son who is always opinionated, decided to tighten the reigns a little MORE than usual and give me a VERY specific list of what he wanted.  Goodbye, joy.  Hello chores.  BOOOOO.  His very first demand...the subject matter.  So here he is, the monster.

I used McCalls 6628 and really didn't have to CHANGE anything.  He picked his options and I took it from there.  One eyed, blue, green and white monster with horns,a spiky tail, polka dots, and a tummy spot.  And there you have it!

Every day I'd get a "Are you done with my costume yet?" or the "You should sew my costume."  Such a demanding customer.  Luckily for him, he's cute.

The claws, horns and eyeball are his favorite parts...and they had better be.  I had to hand stitch those little assholes on.  But they're great for "scaring" the dog, he says.  So far, the dog just chases him around trying to eat his tail and feet. I don't think she's scared. 

Even though, I couldn't be creative, I must say that I'm glad he chose a cute costume.  I know the days of adorable costumes is coming to an end and soon he'll want some sort of mega zombie vampire costume. I'm savoring the "little" boy stage.  Even with all of the hand-stitching and fur up my nose, ears and other various body holes, I did enjoy the process a little.  And of course, I enjoy the look on the little turd's face.

Happy Halloween, Yall!

-Crystal-

Halloween 2016: The boy

This is a few days late...Oops!  Oh well! Halloween was a blast and my kids got lots of candy.  I'd like to think that's because they looked so cute.  I've already shipped the chocolate off to work with my husband so I don't get fatter because DAMN.  Anyway, I spotlighted my daughter's costume a few days ago and now it's my son's turn!  He was SUPER on point this year.  He knew what he wanted and made darn sure it was exactly what he wanted no matter how many details he had to add along the way. He's such a turd nugget.  Here's my little Horsey!

The details that he was INSISTENT on were as follows:

White Horse
Brown Hair

Hooves

Brown Belly (last minute addition)

What you have to understand here is that this was the most random thing he could have asked for.  We are not horse people.  He does not have any horse toys.  We don't watch horse shows.  We live in the city.  I don't understand.  But I guess my job isn't to understand- its to sew.  So I had to just accept my task and move the hell on.  Haha!

The bodysuit is a Jalie footed pajamas pattern.  I added a hood and the mane and tail.  The mane was made with chunky yarn pulled apart to make that lovely crimped and fabulous coif.  The tail was the same.  And its has quite the swish...

"Shake Your Booty" was indeed being sung here.

The mask is by one of my favorite pattern designers, Oxeye Daisey on Etsy.  Her patterns are fantastic.  I used her dragon mask pattern last year for the boy's costume.  They are the perfect finishing touch for any costume and they for sure turn heads.  LOVE HER!!!  

The hooves are just some felt sewn up...stray threads not included.  Seriously those threads in that picture make me twitch.  GAH.  Speaking of things that make me twitch...the addition of that belly after the whole body suit was sewn up really threw off my white zipper choice.  It's fine.  It's fine. No really, it's fine.  I'm still not actually convinced it's fine. TWITCH.  But he loved it.  I mean, look at this face..

Also, in case you were wondering, this horse costume has the ability to turn the wearer into an Earth bender...apparently

I hope you all had a great Halloween!  If you're anything like me, you're looking forward to next year's costumes while getting the Christmas tree out and listening to Christmas carols.  Only a few months to get that Christmas sewing done!

Stop Horsin' around y'all!

-Crystal-  

Halloween 2016: The Girl

Well, Halloween is pretty much here and I just got done with costumes!  Cutting it close, but at least I'm done before they go around the neighborhood begging for candy from strangers.  This year my kids were very specific and particular about what they wanted to be, which totally bummed me out because I had my own idea.  But Noooooooo.  They weren't having any of my brilliance.  So here I am, a slave to my children once again.  But at least they're happy....blah blah blah.  First up is the costume my girl picked. Hold your breath!

This little munchkin LOVES Monster High and I'm not even gonna pretend like I don't love it too.  I pretty much figured she'd pick her favorite character, Cleo Denile, but she surprised me with wanting to be MY favorite character.  I offered her chances to change her mind many times, but nope!  Lagoona Blue was THE costume.  And boy is she happy!

Lagoona has a really cool look with the fins and sparkle and scales.  And she's from Dee-yown Unduh as a salt water monster.  (Did you say that like Steve Irwin?  Do it). We'll add some blue to her hair for Halloween, but it would just be too messy before then.  Also, Lagoona likes to wear platform flip flops, but my 7 year old does not need platform anything.  Her Monster High tennies and striped socks work much better for trick or treating!

Halloween is the ONLY time this child is EVER allowed to wear makeup, so she is just soaking it up while I cringe a little.  This too shall pass.  This too shall pass.  

The patterns I used for this were the Ballet Basics From Jalie Patterns for her leotard, Dana Made It's Shorts pattern, and the vest was a heavily modified frankenpattern experience.  I made the head fins and the leg fins out of craft foam, glue, and GLITTER.  I flipping love glitter.  They're sort of flopping around all crazy like, but at this point, I'm just glad she has fins.  Technically, she's supposed to have arm fins as well, but to be quite frank, I just didn't effing want to do them.  I have done enough. I shall be compensated no doubt in the form of chocolate candies, But I will subtract a twix for the missing fins.  Never let it be said that I am unfair.

Well, that's it.  I hate for Halloween to be over.  It's my favorite holiday!  Halloween is my favorite time to sew bar-none 100%  FO SHO.  There's just so much creativity to be had.  I'll have the boy's costume up soon.  He was a weirdo this year...you'll see.

Happy Halloween,Ya'll!

-Crystal-

Project Run and Play Week 3: Halloween Costumes

Ya'll know I love me some costumes.  I LOVE ME SOME COSTUMES.  When I saw this challenge I was super excited...and then super bummed.  I don't start Halloween costumes until the first week of October as a rule.  My kids change their minds, have growth spurts and whatever else that would end up making starting any sooner a complete waste of time. I do have my plans.  And they are super exciting.  But I'm just not starting quite yet.  With that said, I have PLENTY to share from Halloweens past and my link-up is from my most favorite and most recent costume, THE DRAGON.

This was the costume I made my son last year and is BY FAR my most favorite costume to date.  I put a million hours into it and just plain kicked ass.  You can read all about the details HERE and there's more pics, too!

That same year, I made a Snow White for my girl. I went a bit renaissance because Snow White has such a simple dress and I wanted to add some flair...I always love a little flair. You can read about that one HERE.

Now I'm going to take you on a trip down memory lane since this is a costume post and I'm gonna give you costumes.  Hold on tight, we're headed to 2014.

Everyone loves a little Elsa and Brawn-na ;) Post available HERE

That same year, I made a few more costumes for a few more things.  Different blog posts here and there that made me free to get a bit theatrical. 

^^See this Post ^^

^^See This Post ^^

^^See this Post^^

If you can't tell who they are, then I didn't do my job :)

In 2013, I paired up my little cuties as one of the best Disney Duos there is, in my opinion.

OFF, with their heads!

And for their very first time as a Halloween Pair, they rocked it as characters from one of my favorite 80's cartoons ever. I was new to sewing and wasn't blogging then, so I don't have details,but I DO have pictures (not very good ones, but eh)! I hope you get sucker punched by nostalgia.  

I even had time that year to make a little something for myself!

I hope you've enjoyed this little costume post and I hope you've been inspired, yourself!  If you're sewing along as well, I truly can't wait to see what you've come up with.  As for me, I'll be working on 2016's costumes in a few weeks.

-Crystal-

Halloween 2015: Crystal Part 2

My second costume of the year is for my girl!  She's always so fun to sew for, so I couldn't wait to hear her idea.  Then she said the last princess I wanted to make: Snow White.  Now, I love Snow White...I'm just bored by her dress.  It's fine. It really is.  I just like a lot more fluff than that.  I couldn't convince her of anything else, so I decided to re-work it.  When I was finished I asked her "Do you love your princess dress?" to which she replied "Uh, No."  I could have died, but then she said "I'm a QUEEN!"  And she wouldn't take it off...so I live to sew another day. Well, here she is, my Queen Snow White.

 

Like most things I make, no one pattern really did it for me. I like to combine elements to make something my own...which takes a lot of time and I end up hating myself.  Luckily, I've been missing my machine, so even though the changes meant added time, I enjoyed myself.  No one likes a grumpy Crystal, so everyone wins this time.

 

 

The majority of the costume came from McCalls 7212-  The underdress and overdress were both made from this.  But I made the underdress sleeveless and put the sleeves on the overdress because I thought it had a better flow and would be easier to wear.  I added the faux paned sleeve to make it look like Snow White since that was who I was supposed to be making...Uh DUH. 

 

 

The lower sleeve I made using Simplicity 4944.  I purchased a whole pattern for the sleeves.  Thank goodness Halloween is my husband's favorite holiday, too; it validates my spending on this.  I used a pretty, soft stretch lace because I wanted a really nice drape. It looks great and is super comfy for my sensory sensitive girl.

 

 

 

For the collar, I used Simplicity 2817.  Yep!  I bought a pattern for the collar.  Now the original pattern had a collar, but I didn't like it :::SIGH::: I'm like a toddler at mealtime sometimes.  I LOVED the fact that the collar was removable!  So what did I do?  I attached it anyway, because I ended up liking that better.  I HAVE ISSUES.

 

 

The accessories are just as important as the costume here...wait, no they're not, BAHA!  I'm so funny.  But they really did finish off the costume.  I purchased the apple brooch on etsy and the black snood and flower tiara at the local renaissance fair.

 

 

Overall my daughter got the Disney character she was looking for and I got to have fun designing and creating.  WINNING!

 

 

 

 

 

Now all princesses Queens have to have a little fun, so here are the sillies and giggles.

 

 

 

Happy Halloween you guys!  I have been loving all of the costumes I've been seeing and reading about on people's blogs.  This is seriously my favorite time of year.  Just remember look out for poisoned apples (even the photoshopped ones because you forgot to bring the one you bought with you).

 

 

 

-Crystal-