This is the Final Reveal!

I finally got the photo to reveal my little Corpse Bride cosplayer! With make-up and everything, all in one place. And let me tell you, I'm pretty excited. She was absolutely thrilled! And yes, she glows in the dark! Mwahahaha!!!! Mother has done her best! 

Okay, okay. I'm calm again. But seriously. This was a crazy one to put together. While also working to help her older sister fix some of her costume.

Mine didn't get put together until 30 minutes before we left the house...

We went to the Sheriff's Halloween Bash. They do it every year. And we are never disappointed. Though, we mainly go to see what outlandish thing our buddy will wear.

Or to see what other costumes will be on display. I think if they had a best costume contest, it would have gone to the kid in the Siren Head get-up that was on stilts!!! That kid was dedicated.  

But I will always think of my daughters' costumes as being the best. Hands down. They're my kids. I can be biased if I want to! So here, I present, The Corpse Bride! 

 I did go back and add the ribs, which you can kinda see. And doesn't she look darling?! Her big sister did the body paint. It was so much fun. And we are talking about another Halloween event, a trunk-or-treat one, we might go to. Why? Because they want more chances to dress up and get free candy! 

What a Month! Or is it Year...

I'm sorry to just now realize how long it has been since I posted here. Things have been crazy. My health certainly wasn't helping any. And then to add to the daily grind, there have been things needing replacing around the house. Very expensive things. Like a new HVAC (air conditioning and heating unit) for one. 

I had times of just wanting to cry. I kept asking God, WHY? What are we doing wrong that is causing us to sink further and further into debt and stress? We know God will provide. He always does! But it never ceases to cause me worry. After all, I am human. Turning over every thought captive to the Lord is no joke. Way easier said than done, but necessary. We have the very briefest moments on the mountains top, then we suddenly find ourselves plunged back into the valley. I keep examining our life and asking if I'm missing anything. 

But I'm also reminded that God doesn't just chasten His children when they do wrong. He refines us through trials, too. The Potter knows the plan. And the question that keeps rolling through my head is this: 'Will you trust me?' I can so easily say, Yes, Lord! Of course I will follow you! But then it comes time to put that into action. I worry. I question. I try to figure it all out myself. Then I get frustrated and anxious. Talk about an ugly cycle! However, I was recently reminded that even though this is how things go, He never gets disappointed in me. Never scolds me and asks what I'm doing. He's the GOOD GOOD Father that stands there with His arms opened wide. Ready to say, "I got this, when you are ready to let go". It won't make the problems go away. And the stress will still try to surface. BUT! I know God is there, working all things out for my good and His glory. One tiny step at a time. 

From Capsules to Christmas Gift

I have a dear friend who is an avid Harry Potter fan. Recently, I found the MGA Mini Verse capsules on clearance for $2.50 each and wondered if the bottles would work for Barbie accessories in the laboratory diorama I built. They turned out to be the on the large side, so a second idea occurred to me. Could I turn at least one into an ornament for her Christmas tree?? Turns out, the answer is yes!

I created each potion as described in the instructions. Then I set up the capsule to be conducive to holding the table top without its legs and glued it in place.

Next came decorating the outside of the capsule to be more festive-like. And finally, I had my husband drill holes in the top for a ribbon to be put through.  

My daughter even helped me. It was fun having her work with me on this project. She liked talking me through the steps! We made it so that my friend can also open it and just display it if she wanted to. 

What do you think? Would you make this as Christmas gifts? 

Creating the Corpse Bride Cosplay! Saying Yes, to this dress!

Time to work on this dress. So many details, despite being such a simple design. There will be painting. And cutting. Maybe some roughing up on the edges. 

Just a reminder, this is the dress we were starting with. It needed some alterations to get it comfortable as well as more corpse bride-ish.  

I cut off the top/sleeve decoration lace. Lil Bits said it was itchy and uncomfortable. I sewed on some satin-like straps to hold the dress up. I chose blue, because it will go with the body paint we plan to use.

I removed the bow and sash and the cut pieces of applique along the waistline. I think those were someone trying to fix the ruined over skirt it may have had before.

Then it was time to add some pearl beading along the chest and to give it more of a corset look along the waistline. Sadly, I learned that winging it while sewing is a bad idea when you are me. I should have drawn lines and beaded the along those lines.

Instead, my girl told me where she wanted pearls installed to give it a look she liked. Not perfect, but then that is how I typically roll anyhow! I painted all sorts of additions on the dress. I added some dirty looks to the bottom hem to make it seem like she's been dragging along the ground.

Including some glow-in-the-dark accents along the torso to bring some fun! Let's see the finished product. 

The vines came out pretty good too, I think. They were a little difficult to put together with so many layers of tulle. Next time, full review!