Okay... maybe it's not that serious but I got your attention :) They are kind of making me really really mad though (I'm totally stomping my feet and crossing my arms here). The thing is... I want to make them Halloween costumes (just to catch you up, they are 4 and 7 year old GIRLS). But they want to BUY Halloween costumes. Ummm.... don't they know who I am???? LOL! I'm not really kidding tho... I'm mad. Granted, I'm not Martha, but I did make a leaf blower from a shoe box for the kid next door (in less than 10 minutes), and I'm kind of like MacGiver (sp?) when it comes to crafting stuff...I can make a personalized tote out of a paperclip and a piece of gum, so I should GET TO MAKE MY KIDS COSTUMES!
But, noooo... they want to buy the stupid, cheesy HSM costumes for $30 ea. (and if you don't know what HSM is... then I'm way jealous of you, and I'm not going to ruin your ignorant bliss... be happy for yourself that you don't know what it is... cause you probably will someday, and then you will be singing "we're all in this together," in your head... allllll day!)
So anyway... I think I might make the costumes anway... and if they REALLY don't like them, I'll try to sell them or just throw them in the dress up trunk. So here are my ideas. The first pictures is just kind of a working sketch, and the second one is a more realistic version of it with notes to help the terrible picture along.
Essentially what it is, is a monster. I want to make it out of fake fur (pink, turqoise, or lavender) and I want to buy the cute stripey tights at Target. then I want to buy a second pair of the same tights and cut them up and make long fingerless gloves out of that pair. I want to make a dress type thing from the fake fur, and then also a head band, and add some cool eyes to the head band. I think the costume will be both cute and warm.
Anyway, I hope it all works out... we'll see... I'll keep you posted... but IN OTHER NEWS!! BABY TOTORO ARRIVED! ! yay! He came on 10/5! I thought he was going to be here on 10/4. My husband and I were so excited we were jumping around yelling 10-4 good buddy... all day. But then he didn't come until the next day! We were so happy to meet him. My sister did an AWESOME job! She did everything perfect and right and he's perfect! He even smells good! And my bro-in-law was such a good support too. They are both exhausted, so we are giving them a few days to get settled in before we go back, but they won't be able to keep us away for too long :)
And finally, I've been working on my kits for You Bazzar! There are some finale details that still need to be worked out... but basically, it's a DIY plushie kit! You get a blank plushie (no sewing or stuffing for you! :) and a bag of inspiration. Then you get a little blue print with some inspiration on it, and you can draw an idea for your plushie before you work on it. You also get some odds and ends to add to your doll. Then you can sew or glue all of your details onto your doll and you have your own plush! You can even paint or draw on it if you want! This plush can be anything from a lil girl to a robot or dog or monster! ANYTHING! Here's some pics to tease you with :)
I found this to be cool one. I have made a costume for my daughter with glowing yarn from Barnet. She gets over excited when it glows in the dark. I would surely give your ideas a try.
Posted by: Gimmy | March 01, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I just saw HSM mentioned on another blog so now I know what it is and I want to go kill myself so I don't have to give out candy to trick or treaters who wear HSM costumes.
Posted by: Patty | October 28, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Oh congrats Missy on your new nephew, what an awesome name, tell your sister big hugs, I am only 10 weeks away and am slightly jealous.
HSM sucks, sorry I know there are like 5 million people thinking I just commited an awful sin but please have they seen it, its awful, they are mad about here in the UK and now we have just had a british version come out we have no chance.
Handmade costumes are awesome, tell your girls I am super jealous they have such a talented mom, my poor son will have no chance as I am awful and sewing etc.
good luck on that front anyway
xx
Posted by: KARA SPENCER | October 28, 2008 at 05:17 AM
Great costumes I think. But then what do I know right?? LOL That baby is adorable. Congrats to your sister and bro in law.
Posted by: sharon | October 20, 2008 at 11:06 PM
You SEW girl. You are a freakin' riot and I love you MB. Thanks for being so hip and so sassy.
I used some of your stamps yesterday in my class and they were a HIT. Love the pics and your posts. You always crack me up and congrats on being an auntie. I don't know what that word means or is it acronoym? I don't have my dictory handy. HA HA.
Posted by: woodey | October 12, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I know, I know...
I had to buy a $39.99 Anakin Skywalker costume this year. Last year he was a zombie, totally made it myself. This year I am making 0 out of 3.
Posted by: Katie Trott | October 12, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Making your own halloween costumes is a great idea and it will be definitely unique. Your drawing is great too. I like it. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Janet (Halloween Costumes 2008) | October 11, 2008 at 05:46 PM
darn kids! they just have no idea! I cant wait to see your costumes!
hugs
vivian
Posted by: vivian | October 10, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Darn those kids! You are THE MISSY BALLANCE - Crafty Godess. They should be so lucky to have you make them a costume! Girl I would love to have you make my DD one. These sketches are the cutest. I say go forward with what YOU want to do! LOL!!!! I feel ya on HSM. I actually find myself singing the tunes when it's NOT on!
Hang in there girl. MWAH!
Posted by: Tracy | October 10, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Missy, you are the coolest thing since packaged mac-and-cheese! LOL!
Posted by: Mary | October 09, 2008 at 07:55 PM
You're so gosh-darned clever. I'm not a bit surprised that they want store bought...that's just the way kids roll these days. Can't wait to see what they do end up wearing! :-)
Posted by: jen duncan | October 08, 2008 at 08:20 PM
To funny! My 16 year old son was reading your post with me and he said he would love one of your monster costumes. Oh and he hates HSM too.
Good Luck and Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Tracy M. | October 08, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Trust me, I FEEL your pain.
Posted by: yoli | October 08, 2008 at 07:05 PM
LOVE the costume ideas! My mom made me a Mrs. Pacman costume when I was little and it was the best! I'm not sure if I thought so at the time...but I think it's pretty cool looking back! LOL. I love the kits, I think I might need to get me one of those!
Posted by: Amy Cluck | October 08, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I would wear your costumes! Your kids are missing out! Oh well, at least they're grow out of it, right?
Posted by: Rachel | October 08, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Make it! I say make it! I don't think as a kid that I EVER OWNED a "store bought" costume! Not with my mom, who was "Martha" before Martha became famous! LOLOL I think they are cute and I LOVE your super doooper drawings! They rock! Will you come here and make my costume for me! After looking at your drawings now I really wanna be Betty Rubble! LOLOL
Posted by: BFF Nicole | October 08, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Two things-
Husband and I were just talking (in disgusted tones) about those HSM costumes and how they are basically either just a crappy piece of plastic-y fabric with HSM graphics OR just NORMAL clothes! But pricey, el-cheapo quality ones that your kids won't wear again! Why even dress up??
That being said, I know the shame of wearing a handmade costume EVERY year while everyone else has crappy, stiff plastic store-bought costumes that you can only dream of. Until you get old enough that you LOVE your own individual, original costumes and embrace how unique and creative your family is. I say make those darn costumes, take LOTS of pictures and your kids will thank you in ten years when they laughing and reminiscing over them.
One last thing:
In my mind, Monster costume=Boo from Monster's Inc. so you may want to check that idea, maybe that's why they are resisting. My mom made all my costumes but I got to have at least a little input. I can see why they wouldn't want to be told what they had to be.
Posted by: Jenna Z | October 08, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Oh yeah, you HAVE to make your kids costumes. We have a strict no-fake costume policy around here. Now this doesn't mean I sew every part, it just means that we re-purpose a whole lot bits and pieces that we pick up from the thrift store, craft store, etc to come up with a fun costume that will be comfortable and last a while and will not cost me $30 a pop!
Posted by: jerusalem | October 08, 2008 at 06:00 AM
I'm totally going to burst your bubble here... let them buy their costumes... My next door neighbor SLAVED over a cowboy costume for her grandson... only for him to change his mind and wear a f-ing Power Ranger costume made out of thin polyester that gave him a camel toe and panty lines and tied in the back so you could see his t-shirt underneath.... He chose a mask made out of plastic they wouldn't even make paper plates out of over his grandmas Authentic cow boy boots, chaps, hat, fringe... the whole NINE YARDS!!! of course I was APPALLED!!! But when you are a kid.... its important to buy costumes.... as cheap and tacky as they may be... wait a few years and they will let you make costumes for them again!! But I totally love the monster idea... hahahaha so funny!!! have you checked out the "monster wreath" on craftster??? I am going to make one for Halloween... its so fun!
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=53867.0
Posted by: Brook Owens | October 08, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Ahhhh, I looked up HSM. I thought it must have been some kind of shop! But, of course, High School Musical. I've never seen it - my girls are too young I guess, they're still into Charlie and Lola. :-D
Posted by: georgia | October 08, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Oh, I love your costume idea! I think you should definitely make them.
Love the plushie kits too, especially the little girl with the pink pigtails - very sweet.
Oh, and I've no idea what HSM is. ;-P
Posted by: georgia | October 08, 2008 at 12:04 AM
The blank plushie is such a good idea!! Sometimes I just wanna get to the embellishing without the sewing - which is fun but takes agggges.
Posted by: Steph | October 07, 2008 at 11:58 PM