The Making of Avea Trotter

Happy Halloween, Scrap Fans! I love Halloween. And I love Halloween costumes, especially homemade ones. When my brother and I were growing up, my mom always handmade our costumes. She would spend weeks picking out patterns and fabric and sewing fabulous costumes. One of my favorites was the year she made me a Cabbage Patch Kid costume, complete with yarn wig and big puffy hands. Another was the year I was Miss Piggy and my little brother was Kermit the Frog. Good times. I asked her for pictures, which she claims to have, but has yet to produce. Maybe next year.

I always thought making Libby's costumes was special, until the year she said "Can't I just get a store bought one like everyone else?" Ugh. 

So for the last two years, she's been Monster High Characters. The year before last, she was Opperetta, and I at least got to make her a coffin shaped guitar (which sadly, I can not find a picture of...)

Last year she was Skelita, which I agreed to since she at least had cool make-up. 

But this year, I asked her to challenge me. And I learned to be careful what I asked for. 

She chose one of the new Freaky Fusion characters, Avea Trotter, who is the daughter of a harpy and a centaur. This is the cartoon version of Avea:

And here is the doll:

Ok, no problem, I thought. I can make Libby's legs her back legs and attach front legs to her costume, so it looks likes she's standing up, like the cartoon. "No mom," says Libby. "I want her to be standing on all fours like the doll." Ugh. 

Ok, I can do this. I like a challenge. I searched the Internet for pictures and ideas, but couldn't find anyone who has attempted this costume. ( that should have been a clue) The closest I could find was a girl who dressed up for cosplay, but she photoshopped her own body onto a picture of a horse, so that didn't help. 

So after some brain storming, and a few discussions with my brother and husband, and a trip to the hardware store, I figured out how to fashion a horse body that looked like it was a part of my child. 

And we got to work.

We started with a 10" cardboard tube that is used to pour concrete into and cut it to size. 

We knew it needed to be mobile, so we attached wheels to PVC caps so it would roll behind her.

We used PVC elbows and pipe to make the legs, and screwed in hooks to the front to attach a harness for her to wear. 

So far, so good, but it didn't look much like a horse.

I added a piece of PVC for the tail and started covering it with foam to try to build up a horse body. 

Then I covered it with duct tape. Avea's body is purple, so that's what I used. 

After it was covered in tape, I used hair from a blue wig, and black duct tape for the tail. I cut the Monster High Skullets on my Silhoutte Cameo and hot glued them to the hip. I used braided ribbon, black duct tape and book rings to make the bridle. 

It was coming along, but still just looked like the back of the horse. So I decided I woukd duct tape a pair of pants so her legs woukd match. 

This is where I discovered that duct tape sticks better to itself than it does fabric, and stretch pants are not the best type of material to use for this purpose. So three rolls of tape and three pairs of pants later...

And we're making progress....

I hot glued some Skullets on the pant leg

Made shin guards from cardboard, duct tape and silver heat tape

Found a pink shirt at JC Penny after it was determined the one my mom ordered on eBay wasn't going to arrive in time...

But it's long sleeve, so I had to alter it.

And I decide to sew the turquoise part of the top, and make a tutu from tulle for the button part. 

 So it's starting to look like something, I just had to get it all together. I got a long blue wig at Spirit Halloween, a top hat from Walmart and black gloves. I sewed some turquoise trim on the gloves, put the wig in a pony tail and made some purple polymer clay ears and glued them to the headband of the hat. I found some black wings at Walmart and painted them partially turquoise. 

Put it all together and viola....

My little Avea Trotter! 

Although I did have a great time making this costume, I can't say it was without some tears. There were a few trying moments, especially when Libby freaked cause she thought her head was stuck in her top, or when I needed her to try something on and she just didn't feel like it. Or when we weren't sure the third pair of duct taped pants were going to button....But all in all, it was well worth the effort, to hear her say "mom, that's amazing!" I just hope she looks back at her Halloween costume experiences as fondly as I do mine. (Thanks mom!)

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!

12x12 Layout Process Video featuring Shimelle from American Crafts

Hey Scrap Fans!  So, instead of cleaning my house and packing for the crop I'm going to this weekend, I decided to spend my afternoon doing a process video.  I used products from the new Shimelle line from American Crafts, as well as some Thickers and enamel dots from MME.  Hope you enjoy!

Click here to watch video if it doesn't appear below. 



Thanks for watching and until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!

Video tour of the new "Shimelle" line from American Crafts

Hey Scrap Fans!  Any of my scrappy friends who know me, know how much I enjoy the scrapbooking of Shimelle Laine.  That's why I had to get my hands on the new collection she designed for American Crafts.  If you're wondering about the unusual name of the pattern paper in her line, Shimelle named them all after notable women in science.

Following is a video of all the products I purchased.




Hope you enjoyed the tour.  Until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!

Washi Tape Wednesday

Hey Scrap Fans! Remember that time I said I was going to blog about washi tape every Wednesday? Haha then I went on vacation and did a bunch of other stuff? Anyway.....

Today's layout may be a bit of a stretch when it comes to using washi tape. It serves more of a functional purpose than an aesthetic one. 

On this layout (inspired by Diana Waite) I used strips of pattern paper in various widths from various collections, to create my background.  I stitched each strip with my sewing machine. Not seeing any washi tape, you say? 

I used washi tape to tape down the stray string on the back of my layout to keep it from falling out. 

I know, it's a bit of a stretch, but hey, it works and it's washi! 

Other great uses for washi:

     Masking tape

     Taping your paper to your plate when using a manual die cutter

     Taping your paper to your Cricut or Silhoutte mat when they lose their sticky

     Closing envelopes when you don't want to lick them

I could go on and on, but I won't. I have to save something  for next week, right ;)

Until then, Happy Scrappin'!!

The Cambria County Fair

Hey Scrap Fans! I just love fairs. The rides, the food, the games, the animals and exhibits, it's such a magical place. But most of all, I love fair pictures! I love trying to capture the excitement and colors, and they're so much fun to scrapbook! 

The Cambria County Fair always starts the Sunday before Labor Day. When Andy was recruiting in Johnstown, he used to work a booth at the fair all week long.  I took Libby there for the first time when she was about ten months old. She rode a pony and I scrapped it. 

(My scrapping circa 2007 ;p)

I know we took her at least one other time, but I don't think I took any pictures. Last year Andy and Libby  went without me. He met up with his friend Mike and his wife Inge. Mike's niece is very close to Libby's age and they had a great time riding together. He took some pictures then, but I never got them scrapped. I may print them and put them in pocket pages in my 2013 album. 

Since Andy had a four day weekend for the holiday, and Mike and Inge planned to be at the fair again, this year, we planned to met them on Sunday. The weather wasn't looking too good for a fair day, and it rained a good part of the day. We talked about calling off our trip, but we stalled a little and the weather eventually cleared up. You know what they say, if you don't  like the weather in Western Pennsylvania, wait a minute. 

So we got to the fairground a little before four. Andy stopped to talk to Mike awhile, as he was manning the American Legion booth, and Libby and I headed off to make sure she got some rides in before it rained again. The first thing she rode was the 'Tower of Terror'. Honestly, I didn't find too much terror. Although I didn't climb up those million steps, either. 

I like that they make the kids wear welding sleeves to protect their arms. The wussification of America at its finest. 

Next we hit the swings. Libby loves the swings. I avoid them, as I've found rides that just go around one way make me sick. Roller Coaster-no problem. Merry-go-Round- no way. So Lib was on her own.

I love taking pics of the swings, though I do always think, as I'm standing right under them, about all those stories you hear about swings breaking and killing bystanders. 

By this time Andy caught up with us, and we moved along to the Silly Slide.  I love the way the sky looks behind this pic. I haven't done any editing to this photo, but i think I'll play with the post processing a little. 

Checking out th Ferris Wheel and wondering if the weather will hold out. 

Pose for a staged shot! 

Next we headed over to the Cobra and Libby wanted me to ride it with her. She said the individual cars rotated as well as the overall ride, so I shouldn't get sick. ( for some reason that's the case for me) I didn't actually watch the ride before I got on, so wasn't aware that the cars whip around like little maniacs and you feel like you're going to slam into the ground and then slam into the side of the ride. Libby laughed hysterically the entire time. I tried not to puke. I was successful, but vowed not to get back on. Fool me once....

We ran into Mike and Inge and Libby and Mile's niece Lily rode some rides together. They got in line for the Ferris wheel and I talked Andy into riding with me since Libby was riding with Lily. I told him we could kiss at the top and take a selfie. The girls got on first, so I snapped a pic of them. 

Mike and Inge decided to ride too, since we were riding, but they ended up being the last riders on that cycle, which worked our well, since I could get their picture. 

Then when they were loading and unloading, we ended up at the top, right in front of the girls, so we got them in our selfie. I had to buy those dorky purple sunglasses cause Andy convinced me to leave mine in the car and I was all squinty. 

After the Ferris wheel the girls wanted to go in Scooby Doo's haunted house. They all went in last year and Libby said it was really scary. They were all ready to go, and Libby chickened out at the last minute. We went to get something to eat and afterwards Libby decided she wanted to go after all, so Mike's daughter Katie went with her. I love her face as she was coming out the door! 

Libby attempted the rock wall.

She got a lot further than I ever would have.

Another trip down the 'Tower of Terror' (snicker)

We said goodbye to Mike and Inge then ran back into Lily. She and Libby wanted to ride one last ride together, so they chose the Cobra. They stood in line for awhile and then suddenly Libby had to run to the bathroom. Lily waited patiently for her to return. They were the first in line for the next ride, but when it was their turn to get on, Lily was just a half an inch too short to make it on the ride. Devastated, she ran to her mom crying.  I told Andy to ask if she could ride with an adult (I figured I'd take one for the team and just close my eyes real tight) He managed to persuade the guy to let the girls ride together. (Thank you, Jesus) 

It finally stated to get dark. I so love fair pics at night! 

Lib doesn't discriminate. She'll ride the big crazy rides and then ride the little kid rides and have just as much fun. 

These shots of her in the paint cans are my favorites. I just love all the lights in the background against  the night sky. 

Go Libby, go!

After almost five hours, we finally decided to call if a night. I think Libby had a great time, and I hope I can preserve some of those memories in her scrapbook. Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!