I hate Halloween. NO, NO, NO—I am not making a political or religious statement. I hate Halloween because it brings up memories of all those painfully stressed Octobers when I, a working mom, made costumes for my kids. Not only that, but my kids had very high standards when it came to costumes—no flimsy, thrown-together outfits for them!
I admit that I was the one who started it all when they were preschoolers and I was a stay-at-home mom. I had plenty of time and enjoyed sewing the wonderful Raggedy Ann costume or the silly, fuzzy Cookie monster outfit. But I set the bar too high, and I paid for it for years afterwards. After so many ballerinas, clowns, devils, vampires, walking computers etc., I swore to be retired from costume making forever.
Then 2 things happened: I discovered Sue Astroth’s book Super-Simple Creative Costumes and I had grandchildren. Sue’s book contains many quick and easy-to-make accessories, which can turn ordinary clothes into wonderful costumes.
I guess I am back to making costumes in October—only this time I have ideas of how to do things quickly and simply, and with some luck making things for my grandkids will be less stressful. Hmm, maybe tonight after work I will go home and make some crowns for the little princesses in my life.
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Carolyn – I think you overlooked sharing the fact that we put YOU in a costume for the photo session on this one (along with many other C&T staff members). For those of you following along at home, Carolyn graces pages 16 and 17!
I always loved making Halloween costumes! Partly because it’s fun and creative and partly it assuaged my working-mother’s guilt to spend time making something unique for my daughter instead of quickly buying something that everyone else had.
Of course, she always picked something hugely elaborate that required at least 10 yards of fabric and I was still sewing the hem as she was ready to run out the door for trick-or-treating…
C and S will look BEAUTIFUL in their princess costumes! You’re a really great grandma!!!
Carolyn – I know anything you put your hand to turns out beautiful. Beware… the princess fog has enveloped your Phaff! I look forward to seeing more of your blogs in the future.
You know we’ll all be waiting to see your princesses all dressed up in their halloween costumes; they’ll be soooo adorable and they’ll have so much fun playing dress up afterward. That is extra special to have your grandmother make your halloween costume. I have to admit my kids will be wearing the store bought kind. I do have hope for next year though.
Thanks for posting the photo of my little princess wearing one of Sue’s crowns.
Mom, this year I would like to be chicken. Can you get on that? ;)
I’m beginning to hate Halloween, too. I thought it was so special that you made our costumes every year, so I wanted to continue the tradition. Now every year around this time, I rip out my hair along with my crooked seams and curse this tradition. Every Oct, I swear that we will all march down to Target and grab something off the rack. And have we? No. The curse lives on.