Showing posts with label Costumes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Costumes. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2014
Happy All Hallows Eve!
The many moods of St. Elizabeth of Hungary…
(There will be some bread in that basket tonight.) We are doing a small little family party thing. We'll set out a bowl of candy for the trick or treat crowd or let the big kids hand it out. We'll play some games inside (Saintly Bingo, Pin the Candles on St. Lucy's Crown, St. Nicholas's Chimney Toss) and roast brats and marshmallows on the fire pit out back. Hope you all have a safe and fruitful evening!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Parade of Saints 2010
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Zita, the Little Cook and patron of lost keys
(Shortcake put her costume together completely by herself including the keys in her pocket and even dressed her favorite doll as one of the kitchen angels who made bread for St. Zita while she was at Mass.)
St. Martin of Tours
(with a cloak that really can be torn in two!)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A reader's request
I got an email asking about how to create a St. Patrick costume from a mom who doesn't sew. I thought I would share my answer here for anyone else with a similar problem...
What I try to focus on are the symbols of the saints or those things that identify them. For St. Patrick, the iconic image of him is 1) as a bishop 2) with a shamrock and 3) driving out the snakes in Ireland.
1. You can make a simple bishop's miter out of craft foam. Cut out two shapes like this and glue them at the sides so that they fit your son's head. You can then add a cross or ribbon decoration with glitter glue if you want. I think just a cross would be sufficient.
2. Give him a shamrock to hold. Cut it out of green cardstock or green construction paper. Here is a pretty basic one you can print off and glue to something sturdier.
3. If you have any plastic snakes or can find one at the store, let him hold a snake too or if you want to, you can make a stuffed one by filling a tube sock with rice and tying off the end. Draw a silly face on it or glue some googly eyes to make it less scary if he doesn't much like snakes.
As far as his actual clothes for the costume, a simple sheet folded in half with a neck hole cut at the top and draped over the front and back of him like a poncho can be tied around the waist and will look like a tunic. The sides will be open, so make sure he's wearing something that blends underneath like a white shirt and khaki pants or white sweatpants if using a white sheet. #4 in this article explains it differently. Or, if he is average sized or smaller, a Men's XL t-shirt tied around the waist with a sash might work just as well.
A plain rectangular piece of fabric cut with pinking shears doesn't have to be hemmed and can be draped over his shoulders like a cape. Cut with regular scissors, you might get edges that start to fray unless you use fleece which will not fray even when cut with straight scissors. You can see our St. Blaise for an idea of what I'm talking about although I would make it green for St. Patrick. If you really want it to look finished but can't sew a hem, consider using some No-Sew Hem Tape
or Fabri-Tac
or Alene's Fabric Fusion
.
Lastly, here is a link to my friend Jessica's blog. The last couple of pictures in that post have some St. Patricks in them. Maybe this will inspire you, too!
Hope that helps!
What I try to focus on are the symbols of the saints or those things that identify them. For St. Patrick, the iconic image of him is 1) as a bishop 2) with a shamrock and 3) driving out the snakes in Ireland.
1. You can make a simple bishop's miter out of craft foam. Cut out two shapes like this and glue them at the sides so that they fit your son's head. You can then add a cross or ribbon decoration with glitter glue if you want. I think just a cross would be sufficient.
2. Give him a shamrock to hold. Cut it out of green cardstock or green construction paper. Here is a pretty basic one you can print off and glue to something sturdier.
3. If you have any plastic snakes or can find one at the store, let him hold a snake too or if you want to, you can make a stuffed one by filling a tube sock with rice and tying off the end. Draw a silly face on it or glue some googly eyes to make it less scary if he doesn't much like snakes.
As far as his actual clothes for the costume, a simple sheet folded in half with a neck hole cut at the top and draped over the front and back of him like a poncho can be tied around the waist and will look like a tunic. The sides will be open, so make sure he's wearing something that blends underneath like a white shirt and khaki pants or white sweatpants if using a white sheet. #4 in this article explains it differently. Or, if he is average sized or smaller, a Men's XL t-shirt tied around the waist with a sash might work just as well.
A plain rectangular piece of fabric cut with pinking shears doesn't have to be hemmed and can be draped over his shoulders like a cape. Cut with regular scissors, you might get edges that start to fray unless you use fleece which will not fray even when cut with straight scissors. You can see our St. Blaise for an idea of what I'm talking about although I would make it green for St. Patrick. If you really want it to look finished but can't sew a hem, consider using some No-Sew Hem Tape
or Fabri-Tac or Alene's Fabric Fusion.Lastly, here is a link to my friend Jessica's blog. The last couple of pictures in that post have some St. Patricks in them. Maybe this will inspire you, too!
Hope that helps!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Costume for St. Josephine
It's that time of year when my kiddos try to stump the Mommy by choosing a saint for All Saints Day that stretches my creativity and my sewing skills. This year, Sunshine asked if she could dress as her Confirmation patron, St. Josephine Bakhita. Have you SEEN a Canossian sister's habit from the early 1900's? Whoa!
Obviously, the most notable aspect of her habit is her veil. OK, so here is the best I could come up with...
Then I crossed the ends in the back, and then tied and tucked on top. You could also secure them with a safety pin. Now, St. Josephine's veil wasn't a head wrap and actually fits more like a bonnet, but we are just going for an impression, not reality. If I had more time, I might try to make a bonnet, but not this year. I do have some more ribbon loops to go on the crown of her head which we will attach on the day.
For the necklace you see in her picture, I had some help from a friendly Canossian sister, Sr. Lisa, who answered my question with this interesting information:
For the rest of her costume, Sunshine is wearing an old black skirt and using a black capelet from our dress-up box. I'll try to post pictures of everyone in full costume later. We don't want to spoil the surprise for the cousins.
Obviously, the most notable aspect of her habit is her veil. OK, so here is the best I could come up with...
Then I crossed the ends in the back, and then tied and tucked on top. You could also secure them with a safety pin. Now, St. Josephine's veil wasn't a head wrap and actually fits more like a bonnet, but we are just going for an impression, not reality. If I had more time, I might try to make a bonnet, but not this year. I do have some more ribbon loops to go on the crown of her head which we will attach on the day.
For the necklace you see in her picture, I had some help from a friendly Canossian sister, Sr. Lisa, who answered my question with this interesting information:
The medal she wore around her neck was double-sided, with our Lady of Sorrows on the front side, and the back side depicts the instruments of Jesus' suffering, as drawn by our foundress, St Magdalene of Canossa. These pictures were encased in gold and/or brass frame with glass - and later - plastic window panes. Each Canossian Sister wore this medal (and they would put between the two pictures their private messages to Jesus - so neat!), hung from a black, silk woven cord.She even sent me copies of the images to print out for Sunshine! Thank you, Sr. Lisa!
For the rest of her costume, Sunshine is wearing an old black skirt and using a black capelet from our dress-up box. I'll try to post pictures of everyone in full costume later. We don't want to spoil the surprise for the cousins.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Saints Costume Round-up
The Stat Fairy is telling me that it's that time of year again when some moms start hunting for costumes for All Saints parties. Here is a quick round-up of some past posts that might help get those creative juices flowing:
Costume Sneak Peek (St. Blaise)
Friday, October 30, 2009
A Costume for St. Dwynwen
St. Who? Oh, I wouldn't expect you to know who this patron saint of sick animals is unless you are Welsh or as much in love with all God's creatures (except snakes and spiders) as my little Shortcake. So when she asked to be St. Dwynwen for our All Saints Party, I said, "Um... hang on a minute!" What in the world does St. Dwynwen look like? Well, like this:
...or a close approximation. Honey, wouldn't you just want to dress up like a vet? They would fall under her patronage? Nope.
So here is our approximation...
She cracked me up with this face when I said, "Now give me big eyes!"
I promised her I would post a smiling shot.
...or a close approximation. Honey, wouldn't you just want to dress up like a vet? They would fall under her patronage? Nope.So here is our approximation...
She cracked me up with this face when I said, "Now give me big eyes!"
I promised her I would post a smiling shot.I used that awesome Jedi robe tutorial to make her robe and then painted on the detail. I used a real ribbon for her belt and some green and blue cotton to make a simple veil/shawl. The braids (which are kind of hidden) are made out of yarn and are taped and sewn onto a piece of ribbon. The cross was printed from the internet onto card stock and hung on a ribbon which is a cheap and easy way to make any kind of prop like St. Therese's crucifix, or St. Josephine's necklace. I added a popsicle stick to the back to give it some weight and strung it on a ribbon. The church is just a plain birdhouse we found at Hobby Lobby and painted as best we could to look like the picture. We painted the backside so that the hole and perch wouldn't get in our way.
You can find out more about St. Dwynwen here.
You can find out more about St. Dwynwen here.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Costume Sneak Peak
Pssst........Girls cousins, please look away! BigBoy wants his costume to be a surprise!
BigBoy wanted to be St. Blaise at our All Hallows Eve Party this year and since he is most familiar with this picture, it's the one we decided to try to duplicate. Personally, I have always found it more effective to try to imitate a particular picture of a saint rather than just using symbols of saints. I think the child comes away feeling like they really do look like the saint, but you also have to work with the skills God gave you and the amount of time and effort you have budgeted.
BTW... this is not an angry 5 year old boy face who doesn't want his picture taken. This is an "I'm Saint Blaise, God's fierce warrior who defeated the Devil and made it to Heaven" face. From the mouths of babes... : )
The miter is made with craft foam and glitter paint. I have learned not to bother using the special craft foam glue that takes 12-24 hours to completely bond. Who has that kind of time? I use hot glue or rubber cement. The rubber cement will take longer than the hot glue (and it tends to make the pieces curl so clamp them or place them under a heavy book if you can) but it is still considerably faster than the craft foam glue. I also made the beard out of foam and cotton balls, but BigBoy has decided that it's too tickly and he probably won't wear it for the party.
The white robe was made using these instructions. I can't even count how many times this tutorial has come to the rescue. I have used it for everyone from Mother Teresa to St. Francis of Assisi over the past years. Thanks for being a geek, Mr. Steve!
We repurposed St. Thomas More's Tudor Rose and used it as a broach on the cloak (which I just pinned on BigBoy's shoulders and cut to the shape I wanted it around the back). The candles are two real beeswax candles that I ordered to use for the month of the Holy Souls. They smell like honey!
OK, I better get back to the sewing machine. St. Dwynwen needs a veil!
BigBoy wanted to be St. Blaise at our All Hallows Eve Party this year and since he is most familiar with this picture, it's the one we decided to try to duplicate. Personally, I have always found it more effective to try to imitate a particular picture of a saint rather than just using symbols of saints. I think the child comes away feeling like they really do look like the saint, but you also have to work with the skills God gave you and the amount of time and effort you have budgeted.
BTW... this is not an angry 5 year old boy face who doesn't want his picture taken. This is an "I'm Saint Blaise, God's fierce warrior who defeated the Devil and made it to Heaven" face. From the mouths of babes... : )The miter is made with craft foam and glitter paint. I have learned not to bother using the special craft foam glue that takes 12-24 hours to completely bond. Who has that kind of time? I use hot glue or rubber cement. The rubber cement will take longer than the hot glue (and it tends to make the pieces curl so clamp them or place them under a heavy book if you can) but it is still considerably faster than the craft foam glue. I also made the beard out of foam and cotton balls, but BigBoy has decided that it's too tickly and he probably won't wear it for the party.
The white robe was made using these instructions. I can't even count how many times this tutorial has come to the rescue. I have used it for everyone from Mother Teresa to St. Francis of Assisi over the past years. Thanks for being a geek, Mr. Steve!
We repurposed St. Thomas More's Tudor Rose and used it as a broach on the cloak (which I just pinned on BigBoy's shoulders and cut to the shape I wanted it around the back). The candles are two real beeswax candles that I ordered to use for the month of the Holy Souls. They smell like honey!
OK, I better get back to the sewing machine. St. Dwynwen needs a veil!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Costume for St. Thomas More
Here is the post I promised about the what I put together for The Professor who wants to be St. Thomas More this All Hallow's Eve. I think it was more than he bargained for and he probably wishes he had chosen something nice and simple. LOL!I used this picture as my guide. I grabbed a graduation gown at the Goodwill store, some faux fur at Joann's, some black craft foam and some props from the local craft store.
First, I had him put on a long sleeve red T-shirt and then pinned the forearms so that they look fitted instead of loose. The easiest way to do this is to have the child put the shirt on inside out. Don't fit it too tight or you won't be able to flip it right side out.
Once you get the shirt on right, use some paper towels to stuff the upper arm a little. They are softer than tissue paper. In this next picture, you can see the puffed sleeves but you can also see how I cut a slit in the gown sleeve to create the effect in the picture above. If I have time I can go back and trim those slits and the cuffs with some of the extra faux fur.
Speaking of the fur, I used a utility knife to cut out this shape on the backside.
That helps cut down on the amount of shedding. There will still be some, but if you take it outside and shake it, you will see that the shedding eventually stops without any hemming necessary. It looks a little rough, but we are talking about a costume here.
You can see here the fur and the chain. Not quite a Chain of Esses or an authentic Tudor Rose, but it works. This came from a wedding pen set similar to this one that I bought at the craft store. I removed the pen holder from the base and attached it with some wire to this chain also found at the craft store. The feather pen will be used by our St. Thomas as a prop.
Believe it or not, the hat was the thing that gave me the most fits. First of all, just try looking for pictures of his hat and you will find 5 thousand different versions. So, I went back to the stained glass picture. I cut two pieces of craft foam in this shape (kind of a modified pirate hat) and then glued them together to make a circle (glueing the short ends). The secret to the shape is to overlap more at the top than the bottom.
Again, if I get a chance, I would like to cover this form with black fabric and create a poof to the top, but since we are hosting the party this year, having out of town guests and trying to squeeze in a First Holy Communion and sacrament party (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!), need I say more? I can't show you the whole costume put together yet because The Professor wants it to be a surprise for his sisters and his cousins.Here is the cost break down to give you an idea of what I spent.
Graduation Robe $4
Feather Pen set $10
Faux Fur (1/4 yd on sale 40% off) $2
Chain $3
Foam (from the craft closet)
Total: $19
Feather Pen set $10
Faux Fur (1/4 yd on sale 40% off) $2
Chain $3
Foam (from the craft closet)
Total: $19
I don't normally spend that much on one costume, but since Shortcake's and Sunshine's came entirely from the dress up box, I didn't think it was too much. Plus it was a challenge and really quite fun to put together.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
More Costume Ideas from the Combox!
Because these are too good to miss!
"This site has a list of items saints are usually seen carrying. It was meant to help identify saints in art. It has been invaluable in helping me with saint costumes." ~From Nikki
Living Catholicism has a huge list of ideas. Go check it out!~ From Stef
"Half the enjoyment of All Saints Day parties is seeing how ingenious parents and kids are in coming up with costumes. I remember a St. Lawrence with a bottle of bar-b-que sauce, a St. Jerome with his little brother dressed in a lion's suit, a family of boys dressed as the (martyred)Macabee brothers." ~ From Anonymous
Jessica has the best and only good use of a mini skirt I have ever heard of~
I used a white turtleneck (Fit the face into the neck of the turtleneck, and then pin the shirt behind the head) for the Guimpe. Then I used one of my black, brown, or white (depending on the order) tee-shirts to make the tunic. You could use a piece of fabric for the veil, but I've used a black mini skirt found at the second hand store, which worked well.
As well as a list of ideas she has added pictures and more to. How cute and perfect that the little one she calls "Chiquita" was dressed like Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is Heaven in those big brown eyes!
And go drool over Michele's handiwork! She is right. Sewing that doesn't break the bank does require time, planning and a little bit of bargain shopping prowess. I love the way she repurposed older costumes. Those military moms are inventive!
Be sure to check out the other ideas down below and over at the 4Real Forum where Stef also linked to a spreadsheet she has put together for her local group. Make sure you printer is well prepared!
"This site has a list of items saints are usually seen carrying. It was meant to help identify saints in art. It has been invaluable in helping me with saint costumes." ~From Nikki
Living Catholicism has a huge list of ideas. Go check it out!~ From Stef
"Half the enjoyment of All Saints Day parties is seeing how ingenious parents and kids are in coming up with costumes. I remember a St. Lawrence with a bottle of bar-b-que sauce, a St. Jerome with his little brother dressed in a lion's suit, a family of boys dressed as the (martyred)Macabee brothers." ~ From Anonymous
Jessica has the best and only good use of a mini skirt I have ever heard of~
I used a white turtleneck (Fit the face into the neck of the turtleneck, and then pin the shirt behind the head) for the Guimpe. Then I used one of my black, brown, or white (depending on the order) tee-shirts to make the tunic. You could use a piece of fabric for the veil, but I've used a black mini skirt found at the second hand store, which worked well.
As well as a list of ideas she has added pictures and more to. How cute and perfect that the little one she calls "Chiquita" was dressed like Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is Heaven in those big brown eyes!
And go drool over Michele's handiwork! She is right. Sewing that doesn't break the bank does require time, planning and a little bit of bargain shopping prowess. I love the way she repurposed older costumes. Those military moms are inventive!
Be sure to check out the other ideas down below and over at the 4Real Forum where Stef also linked to a spreadsheet she has put together for her local group. Make sure you printer is well prepared!
Monday, October 20, 2008
All Saints Costumes Cheap and Easy
She got me thinkin'. She always does. That's why I love her.
I also completely agree with what JennGM said in Red's combox " the creativity of making the costume is half the fun, even if it's last minute tying on the toga sheet for St. Augustine." So I thought I would share some tips and ideas with those of you who just can't justify spending $40-70 on one costume much less outfit a whole family. While I am sure they are of excellent quality and are lovingly constructed, for most of us...food, real clothing and shelter costs don't leave us with that much disposable cash leftover.
We have pretty much always dressed up for All Hallows Eve/ All Saints Day. Everyone from St. Longinus to Our Lady of Guadalupe have walked my halls. In my former life, I was a drama major and since I didn't care to be on stage, that meant long hours slaving away backstage and in the costume shop.
I loved the costume shop! A technical director named Louise and her dog Katie made my many, many, many hours there so worth it! Louise is the one who really taught me how to sew. So part of the reason I don't sew regularly for my family is that my sewing only had to look good in the dark and for a very short period of time. However, it has been tremendously handy when making costumes.
Like Red said... most children love to play dress up and I have found that the slightest nudge towards something "authentic" erases all of the imperfections from their eyes. The best thing to do is find a picture and try to duplicate it or parts of it. If you get the colors close and a few accessories right, they will love it.
Now, The Professor surprised me this year by asking for St. Thomas More. A quick trip to the Goodwill followed by a run to the fabric store kept me busy but I didn't mind since the other three were done after rummaging through the dress-up box. I'll provide a more detailed post on what I came up with later.
I understand that Our Coats of Many Colors is a family run, cottage business so I really do believe that they are not interested in raking in the profits; probably just trying to cover their costs (materials and labor). But if you have noticed the same thing I have in fabric stores across the country, costs aren't so cheap these days. My grandmother used to sew to provide clothing for her family because it was less expensive than store bought clothing. Today, sewing has become a hobby and like a lot of other hobbies, it ain't cheap. One might argue, that homemade is better "quality" but that depends on the skill of the seamstress and the quality of the materials they use. Places like Our Coats of Many Colors are providing a lovely service for those moms who don't have the time or skills to craft something themselves, but if your budget won't allow it, and the Mommy guilt is more than you can stand, here are some other suggestions that might be doable for you:
1) a fireman for St. Florian
2) a gardener with gloves and a spade for St. Fiacre or a farmer (overalls, red bandanna, play shovel) for St. Isidore
3) A basket of rolls and roses turns an ordinary queen into St. Elizabeth of Hungary
4) St. Joan of Arc can dress like a knight with a skirt instead of trousers
5) A long haired wig and some pretty scarves turned Shortcake into St. Mary Magdalene one year
6)If you can sew, I have made these instructions for a Jedi robe work for everything from St. Francis's habit to St. Martin's tunic. You can also use them to make robes for girl saints like Our Lady or add a collar to it and it becomes the under dress for Mother Teresa.
7) Speaking of Mother Teresa, all I did for the habit I made Shortcake last year was take a long rectangular piece of white muslin and sew three stripes of blue ribbon on both of the long sides and one of the short sides. Then, starting from the short side without the ribbon, safety pin the corner behind the neck and over the head to cover the hair and let it drape down to the ankle. Come up the side and cross over the body to pin at the shoulder. She colored her own crucifix to use and pinned it at the shoulder with a safety pin.
8) Our Lady of Guadalupe just needs a pinkish dress or robe, a black ribbon sash, a piece of green fabric and a bottle of gold glitter fabric paint. Draw stars with the glitter and let it dry. Add a clip or a comb to keep it in place on her head.
9) If your sewing skills won't allow you to embroider an image on a tilma like some people I know (cough... MommaLlama), iron on transfer sheets work great and can be found at most Stuff-Marts. Add some silk roses or even just silk rose petals and you have an easy St. Juan Diego. I'd put him in a pillowcase tunic (pillowcase with arm holes and a neck hole cut in it), tie a rope around his waist and put sandals on his feet if it isn't too cold.
10) Remember to have fun. Let your child help come up with the ideas and they will be doubly thrilled at the result no matter how "imperfect" you think it is.
I would like to turn this thread into a brainstorming post. Feel free to post your clever ideas in the combox or on your blog (just provide a link for us). If you are considering a particular saint's costume but can't come up with an idea for it, ask and see what others can come up with.
I worry about the damage that "Mommy Guilt" can do. It seems as Catholic moms we are particularly prone to it. We all want our children to love their faith and to always stay close to it. We want them to be saints on the inside but a costume won't guarantee that no matter how good it is.
I also completely agree with what JennGM said in Red's combox " the creativity of making the costume is half the fun, even if it's last minute tying on the toga sheet for St. Augustine." So I thought I would share some tips and ideas with those of you who just can't justify spending $40-70 on one costume much less outfit a whole family. While I am sure they are of excellent quality and are lovingly constructed, for most of us...food, real clothing and shelter costs don't leave us with that much disposable cash leftover.
We have pretty much always dressed up for All Hallows Eve/ All Saints Day. Everyone from St. Longinus to Our Lady of Guadalupe have walked my halls. In my former life, I was a drama major and since I didn't care to be on stage, that meant long hours slaving away backstage and in the costume shop.
I loved the costume shop! A technical director named Louise and her dog Katie made my many, many, many hours there so worth it! Louise is the one who really taught me how to sew. So part of the reason I don't sew regularly for my family is that my sewing only had to look good in the dark and for a very short period of time. However, it has been tremendously handy when making costumes.
Like Red said... most children love to play dress up and I have found that the slightest nudge towards something "authentic" erases all of the imperfections from their eyes. The best thing to do is find a picture and try to duplicate it or parts of it. If you get the colors close and a few accessories right, they will love it.
Now, The Professor surprised me this year by asking for St. Thomas More. A quick trip to the Goodwill followed by a run to the fabric store kept me busy but I didn't mind since the other three were done after rummaging through the dress-up box. I'll provide a more detailed post on what I came up with later.
I understand that Our Coats of Many Colors is a family run, cottage business so I really do believe that they are not interested in raking in the profits; probably just trying to cover their costs (materials and labor). But if you have noticed the same thing I have in fabric stores across the country, costs aren't so cheap these days. My grandmother used to sew to provide clothing for her family because it was less expensive than store bought clothing. Today, sewing has become a hobby and like a lot of other hobbies, it ain't cheap. One might argue, that homemade is better "quality" but that depends on the skill of the seamstress and the quality of the materials they use. Places like Our Coats of Many Colors are providing a lovely service for those moms who don't have the time or skills to craft something themselves, but if your budget won't allow it, and the Mommy guilt is more than you can stand, here are some other suggestions that might be doable for you:
1) a fireman for St. Florian
2) a gardener with gloves and a spade for St. Fiacre or a farmer (overalls, red bandanna, play shovel) for St. Isidore
3) A basket of rolls and roses turns an ordinary queen into St. Elizabeth of Hungary
4) St. Joan of Arc can dress like a knight with a skirt instead of trousers
5) A long haired wig and some pretty scarves turned Shortcake into St. Mary Magdalene one year
6)If you can sew, I have made these instructions for a Jedi robe work for everything from St. Francis's habit to St. Martin's tunic. You can also use them to make robes for girl saints like Our Lady or add a collar to it and it becomes the under dress for Mother Teresa.
7) Speaking of Mother Teresa, all I did for the habit I made Shortcake last year was take a long rectangular piece of white muslin and sew three stripes of blue ribbon on both of the long sides and one of the short sides. Then, starting from the short side without the ribbon, safety pin the corner behind the neck and over the head to cover the hair and let it drape down to the ankle. Come up the side and cross over the body to pin at the shoulder. She colored her own crucifix to use and pinned it at the shoulder with a safety pin.
8) Our Lady of Guadalupe just needs a pinkish dress or robe, a black ribbon sash, a piece of green fabric and a bottle of gold glitter fabric paint. Draw stars with the glitter and let it dry. Add a clip or a comb to keep it in place on her head.
9) If your sewing skills won't allow you to embroider an image on a tilma like some people I know (cough... MommaLlama), iron on transfer sheets work great and can be found at most Stuff-Marts. Add some silk roses or even just silk rose petals and you have an easy St. Juan Diego. I'd put him in a pillowcase tunic (pillowcase with arm holes and a neck hole cut in it), tie a rope around his waist and put sandals on his feet if it isn't too cold.
10) Remember to have fun. Let your child help come up with the ideas and they will be doubly thrilled at the result no matter how "imperfect" you think it is.
I would like to turn this thread into a brainstorming post. Feel free to post your clever ideas in the combox or on your blog (just provide a link for us). If you are considering a particular saint's costume but can't come up with an idea for it, ask and see what others can come up with.
I worry about the damage that "Mommy Guilt" can do. It seems as Catholic moms we are particularly prone to it. We all want our children to love their faith and to always stay close to it. We want them to be saints on the inside but a costume won't guarantee that no matter how good it is.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy All Hallows Eve!
Everybody be safe and have fun!
St. Martin of Tours, pray for us!
St. Gianna Molla, pray for us!
Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us!
Sincerely,
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