The Boy as Minecraft's "Steve"

 

The Boy went off skipping to the bus this morning. And I went off skipping to work. That's how I knew we'd done good with this year's Halloween costume-making adventure.

The key to both mom and boy's high spirits this fine day? His simple, super-cute, super-comfortable Halloween costume: the ever-pixelated Steve from Minecraft!

Happy Halloween to you! Be safe out there, eh?

♥M

Blistering Barnacles, Is It Really Them?

The choice of a Halloween costume this year wasn't even a choice. "I'm going to be Tintin," The Boy pronounced. The fact that he's been reading The Adventures of Tintin exclusively for the last 10 months should have been my first clue. Still, I respect a man who knows his own mind.

Unlike many other fictional heroes, Tintin has a full wardrobe. So we had to decide which version of the intrepid young reporter we wished to bring to life. We decided on this one.

Pulling the costume together was pure fun. There were only a few things to do. I shortened and dyed a pair of pants for the trousers. I deconstructed an old purse of mine and converted its component parts into a small and simple carrying case for Snowy of course. Because Tintin without Snowy is just plain wrong. As luck would have it, I found Snowy himself in the large and lonely pile of plush toys at the thrift store. I adopted him at once. But the biggest challenge was the trench coat. For that, I took a women's beige blouse and altered it to fit The Boy. I am SO pleased with how well that worked, and a little surprised too actually... The rest of the costume (tie, vest... etc) we had at home. 

For Tintin's trademark quiff, I used some magical stuff: got2b spiking glue. It worked like a charm! I'm thinking of trying it myself one day. Wouldn't that be a hoot?...  And finally, I finished off The Boy's strawberry blond look with a little coloured hairspray.

When it came time for the photo shoot, The Boy decided he would portray his hero as the strong, silent and serious type. He never once broke character.

I can say this for The Boy. He makes a sweet little Tintin. And his level of commitment is truly admirable. 

♥M

Meet Lightning Man!

It's the one, the only...

the always energetic...

and dangerously electric...

Lightning Man!!!

He's strong. He's kind. He's smart. Heck, he is everything you could want in a Super Hero!

Plus, he's got attitude to spare. Just what every Super Hero needs, am I right?

Happy Halloween from Lightning Man (and me) to you!

A Man in Uniform

As soon as we saw the battle re-enactment by the Fort Henry Guard (pictured above) last summer, inspiration struck the Boy like a ball out of a canon. He declared that HE was going to be a British soldier, circa 1860, for Halloween!

Fast-forward to last week. Despite all this fabulous warning, I managed to leave the costume-making to the last minute. As usual. Consequently there has been a veritable flurry of red and black sewing and crafting activity over the last few days here at my little house!

Before any actual sewing began though, I figured I'd go out and find a soldier pattern because admittedly, sewing (for me anyway) is always easier with a pattern. So I scoured the pattern books at the fabric shop finding exactly ZERO soldier patterns of ANY kind. The pattern companies are pacifists apparently. I wouldn't normally have a problem with this except that I know my 6-year-old. He was hell bent on being a soldier. And nothing else would do.

So in desperation I bought this. Burda 2461. The Prince/Amadeus costume. It would have to do. With a little tweaking this would become a circa 1860 British soldier costume.

Luckily, no pants had to be made. I just hand-dyed a pair of the boys pants black and added a ribbon down the side. Check.

For the jacket, I used the Amadeus section of the pattern and nixed the jabot and any other frilly enhancements. What in the name of crème brulée is a jabot, you ask? Yes, I asked myself that same question. Well let me tell you. A jabot is like a really frilly ascot. Any soldier worth his salt would NEVER wear a jabot. This would be a serious faux-pas (in my opinion). So, no jabot. But I added some felt embellishments on the jacket shoulders and cuffs, added ribbon here and there, and made a white belt.

I did not buy footwear. I just painted a pair of hand-me-down running shoes black. That was easy!

And for the helmet, I took one of the Boy's plastic fireman hats (he has many) and transformed it into a more soldier-ly helmet as shown. I then adorned it with a felt and paper badge, and a plume made from a Kinder Surprise container and a wooden skewer. That's what you would've done, right?

And here is the completed costume! The boy loves it thank goodness. He would have worn it to bed had I let him. But I didn't. What a meanie, eh?

In this last pic, you see the little felt ammunition pouch that I added to his belt.

No one can resist a man in uniform... especially mommy!

Have a great day, and Happy Halloween!