Halloween: Princess Tutu Dresses

About a month ago, my sister (mother of two year old twin girls) emailed me the above picture. The twins wanted to be princesses for Halloween. Caroline (one of the twins) had seen this picture in a catalog and wanted a princess dress. A PINK princess dress. (She's very into pink.) And the other twin, Brooke, wanted to be "Princess and the Frog." (She wears a green gown.) Did I think I could make a couple of tutu dresses? How could I say no?

So I ordered 100 yards of 6" wide pink tulle, 100 yards of 6" green tulle, a couple packages of elastic, followed this tutorial and managed to whip up these! Two instant princesses! (Posing with their big brother.)

A New Wristlet

Isn't Fall the best season? Before I get to my new wristlet, here's a few recent instagram pics...

Pumpkins shelved in front of the grocery store. Even they look quaint when transformed in Instagram.

I saw this cool, vintage Volvo a few weeks ago. Forgot that I even took a picture of it. If only I had the wherewithal to own and maintain a vintage car... Perhaps I'm just not that cool. Or have a garage. And care too much for my own safety.

In my last post, I mentioned the purchase of a mini table runner from Target. (You can read about it here.) It's basically a piece of vinyl that you can put in the center of your table, sort of a big placemat. I used part of it for a travel pouch, but there was still quite a bit of it left. I had to do something with it, so I made a wristlet. I really do love a wristlet. I like to keep one in my big bag that I take to work everyday, so that I can throw my wallet, iPhone, gum and chapstick in when I go out to lunch or shopping after work. However, the trouble with store bought wristlets is that they are pretty small. Often too small for my wallet to fit. There in lies the beauty of making stuff! You can make it exactly how you want it! You could make your own wristlet with any vinyl or oilcloth you have on hand. It is sooo easy when you can leave the edges unfinished. The d-ring and clip used to attach the strap were found at Joann's, but could be found at any craft store.

Travel Pouch

Ahh, travel. I know that some people actually enjoy the act of flying or in the very least tolerate it well. I, on the other hand, do not. It is a necessary evil for me. I have to travel for work for time to time and I would do anything to see my family that lives about 800 miles away. For domestic flights, I vacillate between constant distraction and praying without ceasing. I like to have all of my distraction items readily available, so that I'm not forever trying to get things from my bag under my seat. On the last flight I was on, I had my kindle, iPhone and magazine all piled on my lap, when my tiny iPhone slipped from my lap and fell onto the floor! Retrieving something from the floor on an airplane when you are in a window seat is nearly impossible and led to several stressful moments. Luckily, the nice man behind me did spot it and kicked it forward to me under the seat. But I told myself there and then that I need some sort of pouch to keep my iPhone and it's accompanying cords with me the next time I travel. Something more secure to keep everything in and easier to keep track of. I happened to be at Target over the weekend and came across this "mini runner" on a clearance end cap and a light bulb went off in my mind. It was a super bargin at $1.48. This mini runner (intended to go on your dining room table) is made of vinyl. It sort of looks likes it's woven and it's printed with a fun white and red screenprint (supposedly the skyline of NYC). Because it's a heavy vinyl and won't unravel, I could leave all of the ends unfinished. I attached velcro for a closure (so nothing will fall out) and stitched up the sides. My iPhone is now safe to take flight!

Halloween Totes

Fall has hit us hard here in Maryland. I do love the fall, the crisp weather, apples, boots, sweaters, the changing leaves... But a 30 degree temperature drop from one day to the next seems a little extreme. (The high was 85 on Friday and 55 on Saturday.) Then again, it seems that all weather we experience around here is dramatic, let's not forget the relatively recent earthquake, hurricane, tropical storm trifecta. So this is to be expected.

With fall comes my least favorite holiday, Halloween. While I'm not a fan, my nephew and nieces do love it and I do love any excuse to send them presents. This weekend, I appliqued 3 little totes. And then shopped this weekend for books, mask kits and other little treats to fill them with.