Friday Finishes and GIVEAWAY!

First up, finishes.  Unfortunately, this year's costumes required quite a bit of hand sewing.  Word to the wise:  don't let your kids browse Pinterest for costume ideas, especially costumes that don't link to a tutorial!

Sad chicken inspired by Martha Stewart.  Feather boas pinned to a tee, felt comb blanket stitched to a hat, tights.  Easy peasy. 

Jelly fish, also inspired by Martha.  Scotch tape, Totes bubble umbrella, rainbow lame, glow sticks.  Easy peasy.

Slurpee inspired by Pinterest.  Hoop from an old Ikea net bed canopy.  Lots of felt, tulle, hand sewing and Aileen's Tacky Glue.  I'd recommend a different glue, I had to re-glue parts.  Straw is a wrapping paper tube mod podged with red tissue paper.  

Peacock inspired by Barbie Island Princess.  Dress repurposed from Sharpe Evans Bop to the Top costume.  If you know what either of those things are, you have my sympathies!  Sparkle tulle and netting bustle, netting fan with feathers sewn in by hand.  Hardest costume I've ever made.  I spent $20 on feathers, and they still look too sparse. 

Whew!  That was a lot of work.  So glad I have eleven months to forget how stressful making homemade costumes is.

Next up, our first giveaway!!   Spoiler:  It's not fabric.  

November 1st is a big deal in our house.  It's the day when we start listening to Christmas music.  I know, I know, it's too early!  I know it makes me a big nerd, but my kids love it!  They talk about it all through October.  Before she went to bed last night, the jellyfish whispered in my ear, "Christmas Music!!"

I'm not THAT picky about my holiday music, but if it comes from a "NOW" album, I probably won't like it.  Here's some songs I LOVE, and one song I absolutely hate.

This super speedy Babs song is the first song I usually play on the morning of November first.  It was the first Christmas album we owned as a couple.  I like it's hurried pace and slurred melody.  It will forever remind me of the time we strapped our tree to the roof of our little Civic, and tied the doors shut.    I think we climbed in throught the windows.
  

This is probably my favorite secular Christmas song.  The movie it comes from is a family favorite, too.  

Another movie favorite we sing all winter long.  

We buy new music every year.  I'm always excited to see who is releasing and this year it's one of my favorite bands.  Silent Night sounds lovely, but I'm not sure how I feel about carols being turned into Euro Dance Club hits.

I can't get through this song without getting emotional, even though it's a cheesy pop song.

Hell, for me, would feature this song on repeat.  Like nails on a chalkboard.

I'm probably dating myself here, but this whole album is wonderful.  It's hard to find pop singers who treat Christmas carols with  reverence.

This tender lullaby is probably my favorite Christmas song.  The Mormon Tabernacle sings the loveliest version, it's heavy on strings.  I love MoTab so, so, so much.  When they sing Christmas songs, I feel the peace of the season.  Someday, if I can learn to sight read, I might audition and be a part of that group.  It would be a dream come true for me.  Again, super nerdy!  Now you know.




I'd like to spread a little early Christmas cheer and give away the album this song comes from: Sing, Choirs of Angels.  To enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas song or album.  Make sure you leave an email addy so I can contact the winner.  For a second entry, do an act of service, small or large, in the spirit of Christmas.  Come back and leave a comment describing it.  I'll hold the draw next Friday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pinspot

Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts