Post Halloween Post

We are starting to come down off of the sugar high in our house, so I can finally sit down for a minute or two and write something down.

I love Halloween almost as much as I love Christmas.  Despite moving around the world every few years, we have tried to keep our holiday traditions.  We like to add to those traditions if the area we are in allows a new or fun way to celebrate things.  For example, several years ago we found a local pumpkin patch that we have been going to every year now.

This was the first year we went to the pumpkin patch:

This year at the pumpkin patch:

Another tradition that started years ago while living in northern Japan was that I made Zachary's (and now Piper's too) costumes.  It's a lot of work, I will admit it, but it's so worth it.  I dislike store bought costumes very much.  For the same expense I can buy some fabric and put a little love into what the kiddos wear on Halloween night.  I did talk about Piper's costume already so why not just show of some really cute photo's from Halloween night!

I also made Zachary's costume.  The pants are Oliver + S Field Trip Cargo Pants with out the cargo pocket.  I made him a size 8 that I lengthened.  We wanted a slimmer fit so they were more like riding pants.  I used a black twill that was nice to work with and very soft.  All of the seams were done as french seams and top stitched twice.  Sadly, because they are black, they just don't photograph well to show the detail.  I am working on a pair for Piper in a pink organic cotton twill, hopefully they will photograph better.  I self drafted his vest.  It's the first time I have tackled such a thing.  A vest was easy enough and I had one to look at as a model.  I only had one little snafu that came when I need to turn the vest right side out.  I had some how created a mobius strip, that turned into a comedic act as DH watched me struggle with trying to turn the vest.  Finally he stepped in and showed me which seam to pull out to make it work.  Zachary's shirt is on loan from a friend.  

We had a wonderful Halloween.  Piper really appreciated the entire month of October and was so excited about all of it.  She makes me excited for Christmas this year!  Next up, Thanksgiving.  Maybe I will share some of the Sims family secret recipes this year. :)

Halloween Preview (Part 1)

Finally, a preview of the kiddos Halloween costumes.  I sure do hope that after all this work, Hurricane Sandy doesn't dampen our Halloween festivities.  According the The Weather Channel, we might be right in her path.  Let's hope she changes her mind and stays out to sea!

This year for Halloween Piper is going to be Little Red Riding Hood:

Several months back I got my hands on a copy of Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.  Such a cute book with some great kid friendly projects.  One of the first things I noticed while looking through the book was a pattern for this darling hooded cape.  I was sold then and knew what Piper was going to be for Halloween.

The cape is done in a red corduroy.  My first instinct was to make the cape very luxurious, but then reality set in and spending upwards of $15 or more a yard for some fancy fabric just didn't make sense. I'm not the least bit disappointed I went with a less expensive fabric, it's still darling.  

The lining is Aneela Hoey's A Walk in the Woods.  I just couldn't resist adding Little Red Riding Hood to the lining of a red riding hood. :)

The dress was so simple.  It is the Oliver + S Music Box jumper with a few modifications.  I used the bodice pattern and added an inch or so to lengthen it so it hit near Piper's natural waist.  For the skirt, I used the width of the gingham fabric, twice.  Yep, that's 80+ inches of fabric wrapped around a 20" waist.  I gathered, and gathered, and gathered.  I wanted a nice full skirt so I could put a full pettiskirt under it.  I didn't get a good picture of the pettiskirt, but I will try to on Halloween night.  I got the pettiskirt from this shop online.

I have had the costume sitting in the living room in various stages of finishing for a few weeks.  I wanted Piper to see it all come together and get excited about it.  She goes back and forth each day as to wether she will actually wear it or not.  So, there is a good chance that the photo's you see on Halloween night will be her walking around the neighborhood in something other than this.  I hope she does decide that she'd like to be Red Riding Hood for Halloween, because I know she will look ridiculously cute in this costume! :)

Halloween Decorating

Now that October is here, it's time to start talking Halloween.  Piper is starting to "understand" holidays and she is making the holiday seasons very fun.  This past weekend we got out the Halloween decorations.  We spent the morning placing pumpkins, ghosts and ghouls all around the house.  Piper was quite the helper when it came to putting the decorations out.  I love her sense of style.

For example, I found several of these little Jack Skellington candles in various locations around the house:.

There was one on my computer keyboard.

One on DH's lappy.

This one is is on my printer.

Here is one under the television.

This one is on the stove cook top (I think he might get moved).

In addition to the Jack Skellington heads, she put some festive touches elsewhere in the house too.

The stairs:

Her chair:

A window display:

As you can see we are ready for Halloween.  What about you, do you have your decorations up yet?