Originally, the plan was to BUY Halloween costumes this year, as I was just run over by a car and bending over a sewing machine did not seem like a good plan. So I bought a couple of really cute costumes for Lily and the baby at Old Navy. But then Sarah needed something to hold her diabetes pump onto her belt, so I made her a pump pouch out of duct tape. It was adorable. Adorable enought that I decided to make larger bags (messenger bag size) for the girls, and a second pump pouch for Sarah. In the meantime, I was hanging around Wal-Mart and Fred Meyers trying to make myself spend $20 on a cheap costume with raveling edges made in China. I couldn't do it. I tried. Really, I even had a witch costume in the cart. Then I though I was going to throw up, so I put it back.Then I remembered the cutest Halloween costume I have ever made: A felt watermelon costume for Sarah. It was so cute I did it again for Lily last year (year before? All I know is she was Scary! Dracula teeth and all....) Anyway, this year some of the kids decided to be fruit, so I made a very cute watermelon costume out of duct tape for Lily(yes, I know I already bought her one. Anyone need a pink poodle costume, slightly used, size 4, cheap? Or a partial watermelon, size 4, cheap? Or a skunk costume, size 9 months, cheap?) and then I had a better idea. (We did put the watermelon to good use, though...)
My favorite thing in the world...CANDY!! Better yet, my kids dressed up as candy to get candy!
Yes, I know that Strawberry Pop Rocks are technically red, but we thought pink was more her color. Besides, it'll glow in black light in these colors. (If you have any questions about what does or does not glow--I know redundant-- in black lighting, just ask me. I did an insane amount of research on the topic before a YM/YW activity last Wednesday, the other reason I have been missing online!) This one took the longest to do. Yes, she's diabetic and dressed up in a candy costume. Her only complaint? "I wish you could have put the carb count on the back!" Yeah, like I'm going to make a Nutritional Label for her Halloween costume! (Actually, I was going to, but I had to hustle to finish the costume before Trick or Treat Town. Dale is grateful!) This costume looks even better flat. I wish I would have made it slightly smaller, but she wanted it BIG! Next year...
I don't think a side-by-side is required for this one. She still wants to be scary, though. She does have a white and red striped shirt to wear with it, but didn't put it on for the photo. She will be wearing snow pants on Oct. 31, so don't worry about her legs freezing off! Bonus: This costume can be worn again at the ward Christmas party!
This one is cute, but not my fav. (Fast and easy, though!) The line between the colors are just too harsh and perfect, know what I mean? Rebecca loves it, though. I'm glad I insisted that she be candy corn and not Indian corn. I told her if she had a twin I would've let her but Indian corn just isn't traditional enough. She's going to a party on Halloween with a school friend, and she's excited to be something "different".
And last, but not least, my littlest kid...the Hershey Kiss. I was a Hershey Kiss once, when I was about 8. Unfortunately, there was no such thing as silver duct tape back then, and I insisted it be shaped like a kiss, not a flat version. My poor mother. She was a good sport. Now I have to say, "My poor kids. They're such good sports. Mom won't let them be something 'normal', like Hannah Montana, or a witch, or a fireman, or a pink poodle or a skunk. Boo!"
Commonly asked questions asked by people wearing "normal" costumes at Trick or Treat Town: (I LIVE for these...)
1. Did you make those costumes? (imagine me pretending not to hear while my husband brags that his amazing wife made them.)
2. Is that duct tape? (Yes. Each costume is 100% duct tape. Nothing else. Zilch. Oh, except a tad of Velcro, which didn't work on Logan's costume anyway. I ended up closing it with...Duct tape.)
3. Can I take your kid's picture? (Most notably from the channel 2 news guy who had already started packing up his gear when we walked by. Too bad he liked Logan's the best. Not the best interviewee in the world. Still, it was fun. I don't know if he was actually ON the news, because I forgot to record it on the DVR yesterday. What a slacker mom I turned out to be!)
4. Do you make costumes out of duct tape every year? (This was my first year for duct tape, but I had so much fun we may do a repeat next year. On the duct tape, not the costumes. I NEVER re-do--even if I've been run over--except on watermelon. Why is that, I wonder. Hmm. Of course I've re-made it everytime it's been worn, so is that actually a repeat? Probably. I am such a nerd...)
5. How long did these take you? (Not as long as you think, if you don't count the times I messed up on the LifeSavers and PopRocks costumes. The longest was Pop Rocks. It took about 6-8 hours, I'd guess. The shortest was Elliotte's Kiss at about 30 minutes, no kidding. I know because it was the last one I did and we were LATE for the Trick or Treat town. What a surprise. At least this year we had an event a week early so that I'm all ready to go for next Friday. Hey! Maybe I have time to make a costume for Dale and myself! I'm thinking a tube of toothpaste and an insulin pump, what else!)
I had little interest in the beauty of duct tape and then I got run over by a car.
I am truly blessed.
