'Bugz' Horsefly Costume

Thank goodness... I'm done making costumes! Trouble will be a horsefly in his school 'Bugz' musical. He's been practicing his lines and singing us all of the songs... over and over.

I hot glued two pipe cleaners to a cheap cowboy hat for antenna.

Tulle got safety pinned to the back of a black shirt to make wings.

An old sock of Mr.Perfect's became a hobby horse. I know... it's the ugliest hobby horse I've ever seen too!

O! for a horse with wings!  ~William Shakespeare

Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have to brag about our lettuce. It's just wonderful! Remember how Trouble and Mr.Perfect planted the seeds back in February (see Trouble in the Garden)? Well, the lettuce has arrived at the party.

before

after

I wash big bunches of the lettuce and keep it in the fridge so it's always on hand.

We enjoy our lettuce in everything, sandwiches, tacos and especially salads. Even Trouble loves a big bowl of lettuce with ranch salad dressing. Mr.Perfect on the other hand is more of a balsamic vinaigrette guy. Here's a very simple and easy recipe for balsamic vinaigrette.

What you need:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (I used blood orange balsamic vinegar)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 clove pressed garlic
• zest of half a lemon
• juice of half a lemon
• salt and pepper to taste

What you do:
Place all of the ingredients in a jar and shake.

Add to your favorite salad!

Cameron Park Zoo in Waco

Traveling on I35 from Austin to Dallas is not the most pleasant driving experience. Between the awful traffic and constant construction, a person is liable to have a nervous breakdown. This Easter weekend we made the trip a little less stressful by taking a pit stop in Waco to enjoy the Cameron Park Zoo.

We found lots of interactive activities for Trouble to enjoy.

hangin' out like a monkey

feeling a ssssnake

digging for dino bones

making friends with an Orangutan

I completely fell in love with the beautiful giraffes.

The tall trees that cover the park, make some fantastic shade from the hot Texas sun. Even the meerkats appreciate the shade. (I love meerkats too!)

The zoo was fantastic! The natural habitats, thoughtful exhibits and park like setting made for a wonderful side trip.

Now, back on the road.

Silhouette Tote

I made my first silhouette in the 3rd grade and I've been in love with them ever since.

I'm making my mom, Nana, a silhouette tote for Mother's Day. She only has one grandchild so she is crazy about anything Trouble.

What you need:

• black fabric
• Wonder Under (double sided fusible web)
• tote bag (I got mine at Hobby Lobby)

What you do:
Take a profile picture of your special person. Print it out in black and white. Outline their head with a black sharpie marker so that it goes through the paper.

front

back

Place a piece of Wonder Under, rough side down, on the black fabric. Iron the Wonder Under to the fabric.

Place the silhouette you drew on top of the Wonder Under and cut on the line.

Here's the cut out silhouette.

Peel the paper off the silhouette. Place the silhouette on the tote bag, Wonder Under side down.

 Place a damp cloth over the silhouette and iron to attach.

I love it... maybe I need to make one for myself too.

'Bugz' Monarch Butterfly Costume

As I said I'm currently in the process of making costumes for Trouble's school musical, 'Bugz'. Today I tackled making six monarch butterflies. All of the costume maker moms were given black t-shirts to create their bugs. The kids will also be wearing headbands with pipe cleaners for antenna.

The first thing I did was draw a butterfly wing on a piece of paper.

Then I cut out two black fabric wings with pinking sheers.

Here they are.

Next I turned a black t-shirt inside out. Then I cut a seam to just under the arm on the side of the shirt.

This is what is looks like.

Then I put a wing in the seam...

and sewed it up.

This is what the shirt will look like right side out.

I did the same thing to the other side of the shirt with the next wing. Oh, look it's my little helper. I just couldn't get a thing done without her!

I painted orange spots on the wings with fabric paint.

Here's Trouble very reluctantly modeling the butterfly costume. He was mortified and I ended up bribing him to put it on.

Thanks for taking one for the team Trouble!


******UPDATE******

I just had to make one of the butterfly costumes a little more boy for the little guy wearing it. Using some Wonder Under I made a tie out of some orange material and ironed it on. I didn't have to bribe Trouble to try it on so hopefully it's boyish enough now.