What Ana Does

As it's Leah's GOLDEN birthday, we decided to celebrate with a BIG trip to Disney World next month. But, in the meantime, we still needed to commemorate the big day with some gal pals. So, six girls were running around my house on Sunday morning. We painted little houses, ate homemade pizza and sang silly songs around my big dining room table. The shindig was owl-themed (of course) and even included a homemade Pin-the-Beak-on-the-Owl game. We got lucky with some breaks in the rain for outdoor time. And, at the end, a big hide-and-seek game. Great fun! It all reminded me how little you really need to do to throw a good kids party. Since Leah turned 2, we've been celebrating her birthday at those big jump places or gyms, but we decided after last year she was too old for those kiddie-themed gigantic parties -- as we near the age of sleep-over parties and smaller sets of besties. Plus, they're so pricey! Sheesh. Anyway, the most important thing is Leah and her gu...

With all the snow and freezing temps, we've enjoyed a lot of time in the house (no cabin fever here, I love puttering around the house!) and with our neighbors over this winter break. On Sunday we ventured out to paint ceramics. Alice picked chicken salt and pepper shakers and Leah painted an owl bank. Not to be outdone, I painted a bowl. Can't wait to pick them up next Sunday! While Dave is watching football, this is a fun activity for us to stay out of the cold and get creative. I love time with my girls.

A wizard and an owl hit the neighborhood up for candy on Sunday. So, everyone thought Leah looked like a turkey. I should have re-thought the color choices for the wings. Good news is, if anyone wants to be a turkey for Halloween next year, I'll be prepared. Knock Knock! On the Road to More Candy  Selfie -- Having Fun! Then is was back to the house for the Halloween Bash! (More on that later.)

The owl wings are done! And I'm more than just a little proud of the work I did on this. Hooray! Leah is an Owl!! Hoot! Hoot!  Here's the breakdown: It took about two weeks (in the evenings, while watching TV) to cut out the "feathers." Most of the fabric is upholstery that I got at Loomcraft. Some was scrap I had left over from other projects -- like the red corduroy. The yellow-y fabric is from a set of napkins Mom found for me a few years ago.  Because I used upholstery fabric, the wings are heavy. So I tacked them to the orange shirt she is wearing.  I also used ribbons to tie the wings to her wrists -- so she can fly! And, more importantly, hold on to her trick-or-treat loot bag.  I could have used the brown base-fabric and fashioned a smock or vest to sew the wings to, but decided against it. Too much work and not much return.  The best time-saving advice from the instructions I used was to sew bias tape around the borders for a quick, clean l...

I've given myself to this weekend to finish the owl wings for Leah's costume. So here they are, feathers are sewn down and bias tape ready to be zipped through the machine. Sunday Night's Progress One problem: Uh oh ... That's Not Enough Thread! That's not going to get it done. Sigh   

I cut out and pinned the feathers on Leah's first owl wing, for her Halloween costume. I'm pretty proud of it, actually. Though, it looks more like a turkey, right? Half Done Ring Wing is Pinned! Hooray!  Now to cut even more feathers for the second wing. My scissors are going to be dull -- but it will be worth it.

Halloween is right around the corner and we're full-speed in the spirit of that most-fun holiday. Leah has decided to be an owl this year. And I, in turn, have decided to make her costume. I found instructions on how to make wings here (a blog called Prudent Baby)   but will use browns and oranges instead of the pretty pinks and blues. And if I feel really ambitious, I'll add feathers to the shirt, too! ( Like this. ) I was at the fabric store last weekend, rummaging through the remnant piles for owl-colors. And will need to make another trip this weekend for more oranges and reds. Then, a search through Etsy.com to find a felt mask -- that I can either remake or buy (likely buy -- I don't have THAT much time.) As for Alice, she's still deciding. For weeks, it was clear she was going to wear her Ariel costume (all that's missing is a red wig), but lately she's wavering. I heard her talking about being a witch or wizard. I gave her a Sunday deadline to m...